HEY JACK!

Byline: Lewis Taylor The Register-Guard

Carving a pumpkin no longer just means three triangles and a set of jagged teeth.

The definition of a Halloween jack o' lantern is rapidly expanding thanks to a host of Web sites that offer dozens of printable pumpkin stencils and instructions on how to, say, turn a digital photo of your dog into a carveable template. Books with titles such as "Pumpkin Chic" offer intricate designs and carving tips and suggestions. Home decorating magazines provide page after page of abstract designs, and threaten to take what was once strictly child's play into a whole new realm.

Lace-patterned, pale Lumina pumpkin, anyone?

For some, the idea of making pumpkins that mimic 18th century creamware dishes (that one comes courtesy of Martha Stewart's Living magazine) is simply ridiculous. You can go in the other direction at Web sites such as ExtremePumpkins.com, which offers instructions on how to make vomiting pumpkins, bleeding pumpkins and other lewd and crude creations.

Whatever your style, there's a pumpkin carving design out there for you. And whether you choose to come up with your own design or borrow from someone else, it doesn't really matter, say pumpkin authorities such as Laurie Jensen, president of Lone Pine Farms. Pumpkin carving can be whatever you want it to be.

"I think it's all wonderful,' Jensen says. "Everybody has fun doing whatever their taste is."

Whether you want to carve a simple face, or stencil, cut and paint the University of Oregon logo on the side of your pumpkin (see box at right), your first step is to choose a carving block, er sphere. Jensen recommends picking one that's deep orange and has a nice ribbed pattern. One of the most often overlooked qualities, she says, is "a big, fat, green stem." She cautions that a pumpkin will only last five to seven days once it's been carved. "I think freshness is very important for lastibility," she says. "You can tell it's old if the stem is all dried up."

When it comes time to carve, Jensen says saws are much better cutting tools than straight edged knives. You can buy serrated cutters, pokers and other tools specifically designed for pumpkins at Web sites, but you probably already have many of the same implements. Some handy tools include a melon baller, keyhole saw, linoleum cutter and medium wood gouge.

And remember, cutting isn't the only option. You also can skin your pumpkin and carve away the flesh to make translucent pumpkins that light up like lanterns. Some pumpkin artists are more like pumpkin craftsmen. They use electric jigsaws, reciprocating saws, routers and other power tools on their gourds.

Tom Bettman, who leads a pumpkin carving workshop for children at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum, says one of the coolest designs he's seen comes courtesy of his own daughter. She used an electric drill and a hole cutting bit to make dozens of portholes that allowed the light to pore out of her pumpkin. This year, he plans to give his favorite pumpkin artist a 50 pounder, which he's been raising himself.

When it comes to carving, Bettman is a purist who says magic markers and a little imagination are better than a template. The first rule, he says, is to avoid arterial bleeding. Safe tools are essential and he recommends against letting little ones do the initial hollowing out of the pumpkin. After scooping out the innards, he says it's time to hand the pumpkins over and see what takes shape.

"Once I've taken care of the yucky stuff, I get out of the way and allow them to have fun," he says. "Once kids realize how free they can be with that medium, you just let them go."

Stephanie Barrow / The Register-Guard

Make your own Duck-o'-lantern in four easy steps

Step 1: Make a lid by cutting off the top of the pumpkin. Cut at an angle (with the widest cuts at the surface) so the lid won't fall into the pumpkin. Scoop out seeds and scrape as much pulp as possible from the inside.

Step 2: Cut out the UO stencil (on Page B2), leaving at least an inch of space around the design so you can tape it to your pumpkin. The edges will have to be slightly pleated to fit against the curve of the pumpkin.

Step 3: Use a tool from a pumpkin-carving kit or a regular pushpin to poke holes around the edges of your stencil into the pumpkin. Remove stencil and cut out the inside circle using a carving saw or knife.

Step 4: Paint the pumpkin yellow and the "O" green. You may need a second coat. Any craft paint will work. If the pumpkin will be placed outdoors, seal with an acryllic spray (available at craft stores).

CARVING TIPS A few suggestions for making the most of your pumpkin. Also, if you'd like to use the Duck-o'-lantern pattern at left, use a copier to enlarge or reduce the template to fit the size of your pumpkin.

Plan ahead: Before you begin carving, draw a design on your pumpkin with a water-based marker Work your way out: To prevent cave-ins, carve the facial features closest to the center of your pumpkin first. Also, be sure to cut the smaller or fragile parts first and larger parts last. Stabilize: If your pumpkin is wobbly, cut the access hole in the bottom instead of the top. This also allows for easier lighting because you can place your pumpkin over a candle or light Patterns: When using carving patterns, use a poker tool to make small holes around the outline of the design. After removing the pattern, rub flour on the pumpkin to make the holes easier to see Tools: You probably can get by just fine with the serrated knives in your kitchen, but there are a number of tools designed for pumpkin carving. A drill tool allows you to make small holes. A detail saw allows you to get into smaller areas. A larger saw is best for big areas. Preserve: To protect your pumpkin from rot, cover the inside and other carved areas of the gourd with petroleum jelly. This prevents the loss of moisture and helps keep your jack-o'-lantern fresh. Plug it in: If you're worried about fire danger, try wrapping a strand of Christmas tree lights around a glass jar and inserting it into your pumpkin. Creative tools: Use cookie cutters to make design outlines in your pumpkin. Use an electric drill or jigsaw to make perfect cuts.