City Lifestyle

City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More
3. begin cutting out and shaping each individual tooth. You can make them fairly uniform, or vary their shape/length to create your desired look.

Featured Article

D.I.Y. Jack-o-Lantern Fun

Spooktacular fun is just around the corner! Use these steps for a creative spin on a traditional jack-o'-lantern. The cat silhouette can be created reasonably quickly, while the crazy face pumpkin is a bit more involved. So, grab a pumpkin, gather your pumpkin carving tools (and a drill!) and get ready for some D.I.Y. carving fun! Note: It's suggested you cut off the top of the pumpkin and remove all seeds after placing your pattern.

Cat Silhouette - More Tips

Rather than drawing the pattern freehand, you can do an image search for a cat silhouette, select a design you like, print and tape it to the pumpkin. Use a push pin or thumb tack to poke small holes around the entire design to transfer the image. 

You can adjust the size of the drill bit to make the stars larger or smaller, or you can alternate size around the pumpkin. Try to avoid any pattern as you drill, to replicate the night sky. 

Crazy Face Pumpkin - More Tips

To create this pumpkin, you will need a serrated knife, a drill with a ¾” wood boring bit, a small scraper and sandpaper.

Teeth - Use the scraper to cut about ¼” off the front of each tooth. This gives the needed depth for it to appear that the tooth is inside the mouth. Use your sandpaper to finish shaping and smoothing each tooth.

Eyes - To create the outer circle for the eyes, use the scraper to remove the pumpkin between the outer edge and where the inner circle will begin. Scrape down about ¼” to create depth for the eyes. Leave the edge of the inner circle intact to really make the eyes pop! You can adjust the location of the center of the eyes to make your pumpkin look silly, cross-eyed, etc. Use the sandpaper to smooth out the recessed portion of the eye, and any rough edges.

Pumpkin artist: Jason Barnett

Pumpkins grown by Perry’s Farm. Find them at the Norman Farm Market (615 E. Robinson St.) on Saturdays (8 a.m.-noon) and Tuesdays (4-7 p.m.), or at Perrys’ Farm Market (937 E. Center Road, Goldsby) on Wednesdays (1-7 p.m.) and Sundays (1-7 p.m.). For more information, visit www.facebook.com/perrysfarms.

PHOTOS OF JACK-O'-LANTERNS BY JASON BARNETT

  • (PHOTOGRAPHY BROOKE BARNETT)
  • 1. Sketch the design freehand onto the pumpkin with a permanent marker.
  • 2. Use a serrated knife to carve along the lines of your design. The wider you cut the lines, the more light will show through.
  • 3. Use a 3/16” drill bit to drill holes around the pumpkin. This will create the “stars” that will frame the cat silhouette.
  • 4. Clean up, place a candle inside and enjoy your design!
  • 1. Use a permanent marker to sketch the approximate location of the mouth and each eye.
  • 4. To create the inner circle for the eyes, use a ¾” wood boring bit to drill a hole in the center of each circle. 
  • 3. begin cutting out and shaping each individual tooth. You can make them fairly uniform, or vary their shape/length to create your desired look.
  • 5. Clean up, place a candle inside and enjoy your design!
  • 2. Use the serrated knife to cut out a line across the center of the mouth. This will be the space between the teeth, so make it as thin or thick as would like.