Friday, May 30, 2008

Tips for Perfect Jack-o'-Lanterns

This was taken from a Taste of Home magazine I had from last year or the year before.

1. Never carry a pumpkin by the stem. If it snaps it can accelerate the pumpkin's rotting.

2. Store pumpkins in a cool, dry place until ready to cut and display.

3. Wash the pumpkin before carving. Use 1 gallon of water and 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach. This will help prevent mold.

4. Draw the pattern you wish to use on paper or use a template.

5. To transfer a template, enlarge it, cut it out, and tape to the pumpkin. Use a craft or utility knife or pin pricks to score the surface of the pumpkin.

6. You can use all sorts of designs, not just faces.

7. Think about buying a pumpkin carving kit. They are relatively inexpensive and come with useful tools to make your pumpkin detailed.

8. Always use a sawing motion when carving your pumpkin.

9. The more pumpkins the better. Several small pumpkins have more of a visual impact than one large one.

10. You can always buy a hollow acrylic pumpkin or craft pumpkin. They can be carved and they last forever.

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