Pumpkin Carving 101

Photo: My Sweet Savanah

It is totally pumpkin carving season and we have been brainstorming some awesome designs for our pumpkins. Pumpkin carving is so much fun and lucky for us, it doesn't require too much skill. Whether you're carving out a word {how cute would it be to carve out TSS?!} or an intricate design, it's probably worth your while to know how best to carve out your pumpkin. Let's face it, you know you're favorite part of pumpkin carving is pulling out all the pumpkin guts and roasting the seeds! Ok, so if carving out the pumpkin is really what you're after, then check out these awesome pumpkin carving tips we came across:

• Know what design you want to carve before buying your pumpkin so that you have a mental picture of what shape and size would work best.

• When picking a pumpkin, make sure the color is even throughout and there are minimal scratches and bruises as they can shorten the lifespan of the pumpkin.

• Never carry the pumpkin by its stem.

• The whole cut around the stem should be approximately 2/3 the circumference of the pumpkin and cut at an inward angle to keep the lid from falling through.

• Use a crayon or poke small holes to mark your design before carving.

• A votive candle placed in a glass holder is safer and will last longer than a candle without a holder. White candles give off the most light.

• Carved pumpkins can last up to a week if left untreated. There are pumpkin preservers you can buy at the store, but petroleum jelly works great as well to keep in the moisture and prevent mold. Just rub the jelly on the inside and the carved areas.

HAVE FUN! Oh, and show us your awesome pumpkin designs by hash tagging #tsspumpkinfun.