Find a local pumpkin patch here!

How to carve a Halloween Jack-o-Lantern - Impressive but Easy!

How to Turn ANY Photograph into a Pumpkin Carving Template!

Carve Your Own Face or any other image in a Pumpkin!
In Easy Steps!!!

That's right, you can take any photo, turn it into a pumpkin carving template and then carve a pumpkin with it! Your face, your house, school, church, almost anything! This easy, illustrated guide will show you, with text and accompanying photos, how you can easily carve a pumpkin to show your own face! All you need is:

  • your picture on a computer (scanned or from your digital camera)
  • ANY simple photo editor (even the free ones) and
  • a printer (black and white is all you need)

Anyone can follow the instructions below to produce a professional-looking Halloween Jack-O-Lantern that looks just like you - or any other person or photo! If you've ever done a Paint-by-numbers Elvis on velvet as a child, then you can do this! It is much easier than you think, using my "patented" tips and tricks!

  • a long -burning candle or a bright light on a wire

Portraits


Imagine how surprised your friends and family will be, when you carve a pumpkin or watermelon with their face! To create personalized portrait carving patterns, there are a few things you will need.

  • Photograph with lots of shadow and contrast
  • Scanner or Photo CD
  • Graphics Editing Program (we use Paint Shop Pro)
  • Practice!
Step 1

Crop the area of the scanned photo you wish to use.
Reduce or enlarge to 700 - 750 pixels wide.

Step 2

Reduce the brightness by approximately 20% and increase the contrast by approximately 80%.

Step 3

Reduce the number of colors to 16.

      Windows colors
      Nearest colors

Step 4

Increase contrast by approximately 100%.

Step 5

Decrease the number of colors to 2

      Red components
      Weighted
      Nearest color

Connect any "floating" or unconnect areas shown in black.
Your pattern is basically completed, or you can continue to produce the type of patterns featured here at Jack-O-Lantern.com.

Step 6

Create a negative of the image.

Step 7

Increase the number of colors to 16 Million. This allows you to access your graphics program's advanced features.

Select: Image / Edge Filters / Trace Contour

Step 8

Reduce the number of colors to 16 (to save file size).

      Windows'
      Nearest color

Fill in the enclosed areas with grey.

Click on the thumbnail to view the completed, full size pattern.

Please note the graphics have been reduced from their original size, and the steps are presented as an example of one particular pattern. Each photograph will require slightly different color, brightness and contrast settings. Please also note that not all photographs are suitable for this process.

Recipe and Directions

The finished pumpkin won't look too impressive until you put a light or candle in it...

And turn off the lights! Then it's pretty amazing, huh?

And you're done, Michelangelo! Put it in the window and wait for the applause!

Halloween Costumes

Here are some of the most popular Halloween costumes for children this year. For more choices, see our Halloween costumes pages.

Inflatable Riding Dinosaur Costume for Adults - everyone LOVES this costume. It's a hit where ever you go!

Harry Potter Costume Kids Plush Robe - With a hood, one for each house, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hogwarts

Wizard Robe Cloak Halloween costume for Kids

Girl's Sparkle Princess Costume - In pink, for small girls

Sew your own Halloween Costumes with Patterns from the Singer Sewing Reference Library

Pizza Costume for Kids - A giant slice of pizza Halloween Costume for Children and Teens

Easy Halloween Costumes for Children - Miniature patterns for 3 to 12 year old children, just enlarge and use

 

 

Find Related Information and Resources Here!

Here's the quick list to related farms for PYO, Honey, Pumpkins, Christmas trees, etc.:

You may find these websites useful!

Local pick your own farms for apples, strawberries, raspberries, corn, tomatoes, etcr

Farm markets and roadside stands

Local Honey Finder

Children's consignment sales

Local Meat, Milk and Eggs

Christmas Tree Farms and lots

Road tripping and camping tips, tricks and How-to's

Fun Factory Tours

Venues for you event: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party

Easter egg hunts

Festivals: Fruit and vegetable festivals

Winery tours and wine tastings

Horses: rides, stables, lessons, trails

Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks

Bed and Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards

Zombie Paintball venues

Environmental resources

Consumer fraud information

Wholesale food sources

Resources for Farmers

Pumpkin patches

Corn mazes