pumpkins

this was our Halloween table....as usual we carved a pumpkin and enjoyed it for a couple of nights....spoooky!!!

Decide on a design that you'd like to carve into your pumpkin. Doing this first gives you an idea for the material needed, as well as an idea of the size of pumpkin needed. You’ll need to pick a pumpkin sizable to the pattern you've picked out.
Put down some newspaper or a brown sack from your grocery store on a flat surface so you don't get your workspace messy; doing this also makes for an easy clean-up. Measure 2-5 inches (5cm - 12.5cm) down from the stem. This will be where you will cut around, to make the lid. Do not make the cut completely vertical; instead, angle the point of the knife in towards the center of the circle. This will make the lid come out easier, and then sit in the bowl shaped hole that it came out of without falling down into the pumpkin.
After you've cut the lid, remove it. On the underside, scrape off excess filling, making the surface flat. Use a large spoon to remove all of the filling and seeds from the inside of your pumpkin. The more that is scraped from the inside of your pumpkin the better, allowing more light to shine though. You’ll also want to concentrate on making sure the bottom of your pumpkin is as flat as possible after you remove all the insides. This way, when you add your light, it will stand easily.
Draw the design or face on the front of the pumpkin. Dry erase markers work well because they're easy to wipe off and start again if you mess up. Make it as spooky or as creative as you like.
After you've drawn your design on the front of the pumpkin and you're happy with it, begin to cut the shapes with a sharp knife, carving tool, or a dremel tool. With a back and forth motion, use the cutting tool to trace over the design you've drawn. Be gentle and take your time, removing the pieces you have cut as you cut. Keep following your pattern until you've carved the entire design.
Once all the pieces are removed, the spooky face will be easy to see. Replace the lid set aside earlier. Place a candle in the carved pumpkin and watch it glow. Leave your carved pumpkin outside in the cool air; doing this extends the lifespan of the pumpkin. Plus, everyone will be able to see your creation. Enjoy your carved pumpkin!