DIY - Calligraphy Pumpkin Carving + Free Pattern Download

Halloween is a big deal in my family. Every October, we get together in full costume to eat treats, play games, drink cider, watch spooky movies, and you guessed it - carve pumpkins. This year, instead of some complicated cut out of Walter White's face (which took more time than anyone should ever spend on a pumpkin), I decided to create a simple, classy calligraphy BOO!

And then share the pattern with you!

SUPPLIES:

• Pumpkin
• BOO PATTERN
• Lino cutter
• Masking tape
• Pin hole cutter
• Serrated knife
• Tea light
• Matches

STEPS:

• Download and print the BOO PATTERN. It should fit a medium to large-sized pumpkin. Feel free to scale it down if your pumpkin is small.
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• Cut open the top of the pumpkin with a serrated knife. You can find a cheap carving kit here. Scrape out the "guts" with a large metal spoon (I used an ice cream scooper), thinning out the side you'll be carving.
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• Attach the pattern to the pumpkin with masking tape.
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• Using a pin hole cutter, or a push-pin if you don't have one, poke small holes through the paper, tracing along the lines of the pattern.
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• Remove the pattern and carefully scrape along the dotted lines with a linoleum cutter. No need to cut very deep, just remove the skin. This tool is magic. You'll never want to use a plain ol' knife again!
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• Place a tea light inside and admire your handiwork!

This post is a collaboration with Porch.com, and is featured on their blog today! Hop on over to their site, where I answer a few fun questions!