6 STEPS TO A PERFECT PUMPKIN

1 Using a photocopier, enlarge your stencil of choice to the ideal size for your pumpkin and print it onto cardstock or a piece of acetate.
 2 Carefully cut out the stencil interior using an X-acto knife—parents only!—pulling the knife toward you. Fix tears with tape. Try to keep cuts clean.
 3 If you plan to carve or etch your pumpkin, hollow it out at this stage. Tightly tape the stencil onto a clean pumpkin with masking tape.
 4 Trace the design onto the pumpkin with a thin black marker. Remove and trace stencil on other sides of the pumpkin, too.
 5 NO-CARVE OPTION Remove the stencil and fill in the designs using a paintbrush and black or dark-green acrylic paint. Let dry, then repaint designs until you reach the desired darkness.
 CARVE OPTION You can either use an X-acto knife to etch off only the orange skin of your pumpkin, or, if the design is large enough, carve all the way through using a sharp knife. 6 Put pumpkin on the porch and wow the neighbourhood!