It’s that time of year yet again. Leaves start to fall off the trees, and everyone is posting their Pumpkin Spice Lattes on Instagram.   Yes, it is fall.

Fall is well-known for its round, orange jack-o-lanterns and the best fall holiday: Halloween.  The aroma of the crisp air inspires us all to show the artistic flare we have inside of ourselves.  We decorate our homes with musty brown and bright orange to express the changing seasons.   So, why not carve a pumpkin and be festive?

Here are some steps on how to carve your fall pumpkin.

Step 1:  Well, first thing is first. Go buy a pumpkin and a pumpkin carving kit from Wal-Mart or Target. (The kit is $4 at Target and you can find a pumpkin at Wal-Mart for around $5.)

Step 2: When you arrive home, wash the pumpkin. Make sure to dry the pumpkin off with a paper towel.

Step 3: Once the pumpkin is dry, lay out some old newspaper on a flat work surface.  I used my kitchen table but your parents may want you to take it outside.

Step 4: Place the pumpkin on the newspaper and cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin in order to hollow it out.

Step 5: Scrape out all the “guts” of the pumpkin (including the pulp and seeds) with the plastic scraper.  Make sure to get it all out and scrape the area you plan on carving thinner than the rest of the pumpkin.  This is important because you need to have enough room to get the saw through the other side of the pumpkin when carving it.

Step 6: You can either transfer a pre-made design from the carving kit or you can carve the pumpkin yourself.  If you choose to use a pre-made design, tape it smoothly on the pumpkin by folding the design on the creased lines.  Then use the pounce wheel to transfer the design.  Once the design is completely transferred, take it off. I personally like to use cookie cutters for the eyes and nose.

Step 7: Start carving the pumpkin with the saw in the kit if you chose to transfer a design or use the cookie cutters if you want to make the process a little easier.

Step 8: Clean off any of the remaining “guts” on the outside of the pumpkin with a wet paper towel.

Step 9: Now you need to find a candle and a glass for the candle.

Step 10: Put the candle inside the glass and place the glass inside the pumpkin. Then take the pumpkin outside and light the candle.

You have now officially carved a pumpkin.  Take a step back and admire your masterpiece.