Halloween is just around the corner (yay!), and that means it's almost time to start carving pumpkins. Jack-o-lanterns have come a long way from the typical pumpkin with teeth, and if you're a cat lover, you might even be looking for cat-themed designs as inspiration for your pumpkin this year. If your cat isn't in the mood to model for your design, check out the DIY looks we use to create some super spooky (and cute!) cat designs on our own Halloween pumpkins, along with some stencils, which you can use to make it easy. You can carve your pumpkin and have a lot of fun!
What would Halloween be without a carved pumpkin on your porch? Make this Halloween special by carving your own pumpkin cat (a Cat-o-Lantern!) with these step-by-step instructions: Cat lanterns are similar to the classic lantern in that they have a simple design. The most important features of this design are the eyes, nose, mouth and whiskers.
You can add cat ears like in the photo above, it's easy! Carve out the entire design of the cat pumpkin, taking extra care when cutting out the eyes. Then take the triangles you cut out for the eyes and attach them to the top with toothpickson the pumpkin. Above are few cute cat face designs that you can use.
Instructions for making the cat pumpkin
1. Choose your pumpkin
Choose a pumpkin that is healthy, free of bruises, scrapes, and cuts, and fairly uniform in color. Feel the stem and make sure it is sturdy and doesn't bend easily. Like a melon, if you tap the rind and hear a hollow sound, your squash is ripe. Don't wait too long - most pumpkins will rot within a week and a half to two weeks. Remember and buyyour pumpkinabout a week before Halloween.
2. Design the pumpkin with your motif
After you print out your template, draw your cat design on the pumpkin using a permanent marker or dry erase marker, or glue the stencil to the pumpkin and use a pin to poke holes in the pumpkin skin along the cut lines. Then remove the paper template and you'll have a dotted outline to follow.
3. Get the right tools
In order to carve the pumpkin, you should use a serrated bread knife or a knife from a pumpkin carving tool kit. To cut, pull the knife back and forth as if you were sawing through a tree trunk.
4. Cut a lid
Cut around your pumpkin, about 2 inches from the trunk. When making this cut, don't cut straight through, but instead use the knife at an angle towards the center of the pumpkin. This creates a recess for the lid.
5. Remove the innards
Use a large spoon or your hands to remove the slimy filling and seeds from the pumpkin. Scrape it out as cleanly as possible. Note: Many people save the seeds and roast them as a treat or plant them to grow their own pumpkins!
6. Carve your pumpkin cat
Cut into the pumpkin using a gentle back-and-forth motion, following the lines you drew or the holes you made with the stencil. Carve until you have carved out your entire design. Don't limit yourself to one pageof the pumpkin! Add cat paw prints to the back of the cat lantern to show your cat pride!
7. Light up your pumpkin crafts
Many people use candlesticks or tea lights to illuminate carved pumpkins. You can also use modern flickering LEDs or a flashlight. Whatever you choose, make sure it is safe and does not pose a fire hazard. And above is another cute stencil for a whole cat character on your pumpkin!
Tips to extend the life of your jack-o-lantern
If your Cat-o-Lantern starts to shrivel, you can place it in a sink or bucket full of water for a few hours to revive it. You can also prevent shriveling by rubbing petroleum jelly on the freshly cut portions of the squash. But don't put it inside the pumpkin because it could pose a fire hazard if you light it with a flame.
