Jack-O'-Lanterns

Jack-O'-Lanterns are a fun decoration to make for Halloween. You can make the traditional triangular shape face, or go for something a little fancier. There are many patterns that you can find in stores or on the internet. Basically, to carve one from a pattern off of the internet you print one out and tape it to a pumpkin. Then poke holes along the lines with a toothpick. This will transfer the image to the pumpkin. Next cut along the dotted toothpick lines that you've just made. A serrated knife works best and does not have to be sharp. The best knives are inflexible so they won't bend when you are carving. Get one of the little pumpkin carving kits they sell in stores and use one of those knives.

I've been able to use patterns that were not intended for pumpkins. I took a clip art of some ballroom dancers and transferred it to a pumpkin. I had to change it a little, but the result was pretty good. I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to halloween, so I prefer faces to other kinds of carvings. I also think you should dress up as something scary instead of a toothfairy or spiderman, but that's another story.

One neat effect you can get with pumpkin carving is to shave the skin off of the pumpkin in places. I've done this a lot for teeth since it gives them a lighter more tooth-like appearance. If you shave enough off, it also adds depth to your pumpkin carving.

From Wikipedia....Halloween

A jack-o'-lantern is a pumpkin whose top and stem have been carved off and inner membranes and seeds scooped out to leave a hollow shell. Sections of a side are carved out to make a design, usually a face. It is possible, using thicker and thinner sections cut with differing tools, to create surprisingly detailed and realistic designs. A light source (traditionally a candle) is placed inside the pumpkin and the top is put back into place (often after a "chimney" is carved in the lid in order to allow heat to escape). The light illuminates the design from the inside. The practice of carving jack-o'-lanterns began in Ireland. Jack-o'-lanterns are generally made for Halloween, and were originally made from large turnips, beets, and rutabagas, before the introduction of the pumpkin from the Americas.

The practice of carving jack-o'-lantern goes back to the Irish legend of Jack, a lazy but shrewd farmer who tricked the Devil into a tree, then refused to let the Devil down unless the Devil agreed to never let Jack into Hell. The Devil agreed. When Jack died, he was too sinful to be allowed into Heaven, but the Devil wouldn't let him into Hell. So, Jack carved out one of his turnips, put a candle inside it, and began endlessly wandering the Earth for a resting place. He was known as "Jack of the Lantern", or Jack-o'-Lantern.

Halloween at TheRiverStyx.net