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How-To

Blackened Pumpkins

These puckish pumpkins with their paint-blackened rinds and orange-gold interiors, thumb their carved noses at traditional jack-o'-lanterns.

Tools and Materials
Pumpkins
Miniature carving saw
Plaster scraper
Masking tape
Black floral spray
Battery-powered light
Needle tool or awl
Waxed paper
Straight pins

 

Carved Pumpkins How-To
1. Make a 4-inch round hole in the bottom of your pumpkin with a carving saw; scrape out flesh.

2. Place pumpkin on newspaper in a well-ventilated area. Wrap masking tape around stem, and coat pumpkin with black floral spray. Let dry for 30 minutes; remove tape.

3. Print face template or cat template enlarged or reduced to fit your pumpkin, and cut outside the perimeter. Tape to pumpkin.

4. Use needle tool to outline the shape with close-set holes. Cut out design with saw. (If necessary, touch up pumpkin with floral spray.)

5. Place battery-powered light inside. For a muted glow, affix a sheet of waxed paper behind the cutout with straight pins before adding the light source.

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Comments

  • marthajunior2
    15 Oct, 2009

    how can I save these instrux onto a usb?

  • moma2three
    30 Oct, 2008

    I wonder if i could use just regular household black paint

  • moma2three
    30 Oct, 2008

    I wonder if i could use just regular household black paint

  • praline
    27 Oct, 2008

    LOVE IT!

  • NorbieK
    17 Oct, 2008

    I must admit I've always been intimidated by the level of difficulty of carving a pumpkin. I'll pass yet again this year.

  • becton
    12 Oct, 2008

    I sure have enjoyed all of the Halloween ideas you have had this month. Hope you will do this for all the holidays. Keep up the good work!

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