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Pumpking Carving For All The Family
You will need:
- One or more pumpkins or watermelons. Choose pumpkins with a rounded surface
that are rich in colour, with no wormholes, nicks, bruises, dents or cuts
and a sturdy stem, which is the sign of a healthy pumpkin. Although lighter-coloured
pumpkins are easier to carve, they do not last as long. Pick up the pumpkin
and shake it. If it feels heavy and you can hear a slushy sound, it is a sign
that it is rotting
- Carving Tools (see below)
- Candles. Oil-burning, liquid candles last longer, but these do not extinguish
themselves, so it is crucial that these are not left unattended. Votive candles
placed in clear, heat-proof holders are safer and also have a longer life
span than traditional candles, with white candles giving off the most light.
There are safer alternatives such as glo-sticks, which are chemical filled
plastic tubes that glow for hours, battery powered "tap lights", a 40 watt
bulb, or even Christmas tree lights
- Felt pens or magic markers, which are the safest way for children to help
you transfer your pattern onto the pumpkin Preparing and Preserving the Pumpkin
- Wash the pumpkin in water to remove any residual mud and then add a little
bleach to a bowl of water and soak the pumpkin, which helps to kill any insects
or fungi
- Rub all of the cut surfaces with petroleum jelly to prevent from drying
out
- Space permitting, keep the carved pumpkins in the refrigerator to prevent
premature decomposition
- You can buy Pumpkin Preserver, a non-toxic, environmentally- friendly spray
that helps to prolong the life of carved pumpkins or, alternatively, you can
keep the pumpkin moist by spraying with a plant mister. Make sure, however,
that when you put the pumpkin out on display that you dry it properly to prevent
mold from forming
Carving Tools
Some experts advise using a special pumpkin tool set and although this can
be purchased relatively inexpensively, it is not absolutely necessary. However,
if older children are helping in the carving process, it is advisable to use
a children's saw, with non-sharp edges. Younger children should never carve,
but can help draw the faces, for example. Most of the required tools can be
found in your kitchen or garage as follows:
- A sharp kitchen knife, with a long, durable blade should suffice for cutting
the top hole and any other large pieces · A tool for scooping out the pulp,
such as a large spoon, soup ladle or ice-cream scoop
- A small, a paring knife can be used for smaller details
- A poker tool, such as an ice pick, a metal nail file, an artist's stylus
tool or even an ordinary household nail can be used for transferring the design
onto the pumpkin
Choosing and Transferring a Design
There are many online sites that offer free design templates that you can download
and re-size according to personal preference. Your children can draw their own
design onto a piece of paper, which can then be pinned onto the pumpkin whilst
you trace the design with a nail or small knife or, alternatively, use a poker
tool to make holes through the paper drawing, which can make the cutting process
easier. Spreading a little flour or baking power over the holes will make them
more visible. However, one of the quickest methods is to copy your child's design
directly onto the pumpkin with a felt tip or marker pen.
Carving The Pumpkin
- To minimise mess, place the pumpkin on a large black bin liner or on several
pieces of newspaper
- Cut open the top of the pumpkin using a sawing motion, whilst angling the
knife at approximately 45º, so that when you replace the lid, it has a "shelf"
to sit on and does not fall in. Pentagonal or hexagonal shapes are the easiest
with which to work. If you are using candles, make sure the hole is large
enough to allow ventilation. Cut a notch the back of the lid and the lantern
as a guide for replacing and removing the lid. This also allows heat to escape
if using real candles
- Scoop out the flesh and the seeds, making sure the base of the inside pumpkin
is nice and flat, so that it can support a candle or light
- When you are ready to work on the body of the pumpkin, begin from the centre
of the design and work outwards, since the pumpkin becomes weaker each time
you remove a piece
- Your carving tool should be held like a pencil, should always be perpendicular
to the surface of the pumpkin and should be used in a slow, sawing motion
- Cut pieces should always be pushed out with your fingers rather than the
tool, but if an extra piece breaks off accidentally, you can patch it up by
placing a couple of toothpicks into broken off area and pushing the piece
back into place
- Before placing your choice of lighting inside your lantern, make sure you
scrape the back of the pumpkin to a smooth surface to avoid the casting of
any unwanted shadows Quick Tips
- Put the pumpkin on its side and use the stem as an effective nose
- Put a sound sensor in the pumpkin so that it lights up whenever anyone
approaches
- If your pumpkin starts to shrivel, soak it in water overnight
Helpful Sites
www.trickortreats.com/party/virtualcarving.asp
Interactive Pumpkin Carving Planner The Pumpkin Wizard
www.carvingpumpkins.com
Wonderful templates, including famous movie stars, politicians, monsters and
Star Wars characters.
www.halloween-magazine.com
Everything you need to know about carving your own pumpkin masterpieces.
www.qlight.com
Offers a wide selection of glow products, including light sticks, necklaces,
eyeglasses and cocktail stirrers, all reasonably priced.
Books
Pumpkin Carving Book: How to Create Glowing Lanterns and Seasonal Displays
by Deborah Schneebli-Morell Amazon.com price: $4.99 (used)
Pumpkin Decorating by Vicki Rhodes Amazon.com price: $11.95 or $3.98 (used)
Scary Scenes for Halloween by Jill Williams Grover Amazon.com price $11.95 or
$7.00 (used)
About the Author ©Jan Andersen - The author is
a freelance writer and copywriter and the creator of three websites: Mothers
Over 40 (www.mothersover40.com), an inspirational and encouraging site for older
parents; Child Suicide (http://childsuicide.homestead.com), a supportive resource
for depressed youngsters and families who have lost a child to suicide and World
Writer (http://worldwriter.homestead.com), a comprehensive resource for writers.
In addition to commercial copywriting for a broad spectrum of industries, Jan
specialises in compelling articles, features and columns on diverse lifestyle
issues.
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