Cute Owl Pumpkin Stencil
If carving teensy polka dots with a serrated woodcutting knife isn't your idea of a good time, grab your electric drill and let's talk. It's easy to create uniform pumpkin holes with a drill: Just select a drill bit in a comparable width to the polka-dot size, then fit the bit onto your drill and bore gently through the side of the pumpkin. Repeat as necessary to create additional polka dots.
To carve:
1. Print out your cute owl pattern, and secure it to the side of your cleaned-and-scraped pumpkin with tape. (Hint: Smooth the paper against the side of the pumpkin as you tape; this will make tracing the pattern easier!)
2. Trace the owl pattern onto your pumpkin's skin by jabbing along stencil lines with a large nail or needle tool, keeping needle holes about 1/8" apart. Carefully pull off the pattern, and keep it handy.
3. Etch areas within dotted lines on your stencil. (Hint: Etch sections near the center of your design first, and work your way outward.) To etch, use a power etching tool or gouge to peel off the pumpkin skin, exposing the light color rind below.
4. Carve areas within dotted lines on your stencil with a specialty pumpkin-carving knife or a skinny linoleum-cutting knife. (Hint: Carve sections near the center of your design first, and work your way outward.) Allow carved pieces to remain in place until you've finished cutting all sections. (Note: If desired, drill polka dots by following our tips above.)
5. Gently nudge carved pieces out of position by pressing on them from inside the pumpkin, popping them out.
6. Add a bright LED candle to your pumpkin's central cavity to illuminate your cute owl.
