I was never very good at art. As a matter of fact, I sucked at it and still do. But I love construction and power tools. I also love making horror crafts! Together, these two passions have led me to create endless amounts of DIY horror crafts. I make horror décor…to the extreme! Break out your drywall saws and glitter. It’s craft time!
Finally fall is here. Time to drink a pumpkin latte while eating pumpkin cookies and carving pumpkins. Pumpkins, f*ck yeah! I had read on a few other craft blogs about people trying different techniques for pumpkin carving. The two I’m attempting here are the “cookie cutter method” and the “power drill method”. Note- I have never tried these before, so there are lessons learned along the way. Let’s start with some cookie cutter action.
How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Cookie Cutter
What you need: a real pumpkin, metal cookie cutter, pliers, knife, and a rubber mallet
I had seen this done on some Martha Stewart-esque site originally. Though I sometimes work with “craft pumpkins” made of foam plastic, for this one I recommend using a real pumpkin. The flesh is a bit softer and easier to push the cookie cutter into.
Start by gutting your pumpkin. Die, pumpkin, die! Be sure to thoroughly scrap out all the stringy innards. This will make your life easier in a bit.
Your implements of destruction.
Position your cookie cutter, and bang with your rubber mallet. Make sure to use even strength and force with each hit so the cookie cutter does not become off-centered or bend.
You should now have the cookie cutter firmly lodged into the side of the pumpkin. Take your pliers and slowly work around the edges of the cookie cutter pulling it back out. Be gentle, and don’t rush it.
If the section of pumpkin does not come out on its own at the point, you may have to work it a bit with your knife. Trace around the edges and make sure the cut is completely through (this is much easier if you completely scraped out the innards). Once the piece pops out, use your knife to clean up any messy spots.
Repeat as you like around the pumpkin. But be warned, after about 10 bat shapes, my pumpkin started to lose its structural integrity. Know when your pumpkin has had enough, and space your shapes out evenly from the get go.
Also, depending on the quality of your cookie cutter, it may not survive the ordeal. The repeated banging and prying took its toll on my poor little bat. I had found this guy at the local dollar store so no fortune lost. I suspect nicer cookie cutters may endure the strain a bit better.
Stick a candle in it, and enjoy. Tip: to prolong the life of your pumpkin, place a few silica gel packs inside. These are the “do not eat” packets that you get when you buy new shoes, purses, etc. They absorb crazy amounts of moisture and will keep your pumpkin from decaying.
How Carve a Pumpkin with a Power Drill aka Pumpkin Drilling
In the original blog post I read about this on, the person had made pointillism style portraits on a pumpkin using various sizes of drill bits. A quick google search of “pumpkin drilling” will garner plenty of lovely results of what possibilities a drill/pumpkin hold. I opted for straight polka dots.
Though I’m using craft pumpkins, I still cut the tops off so I can place a light instead. It also makes them easier to grip. I recommend using a drywall saw for cutting craft pumpkins. I used a washable black crayon to mark my holes before starting.
Since this was an experimental trial, I played around with using various sizes and types of drill bits. I found that the large concrete drill bit made the best holes for a polka dot effect.
Be careful. Though it is a lot of fun, remember you are holding a power tool that can remove ample amounts of skin and flesh. Be safe as you bore into your pumpkin.
You will need to clean up the holes a bit and clear any remaining debris. I found a chopstick worked well for this.
Add a light and find a good spot for your masterpiece. Craft pumpkins will last forever and can be kept inside. I used a battery-powered candle which makes for a good night light.
You can do the power drill technique with just about any image! Check out this blog below which shows how to create STAR WARS pumpkins with a drill.
