Sneaky jack-o'-lantern

Show off a traditional Halloween message in a highly unusual way. Jackie Ortega, owner of San Francisco's Craft Gym, says this project is easy to pull off once you know the secret.

Start by printing out "trick" and "treat" in bold letters on paper to use as a stencil. Center "treat" on your pumpkin and use a pushpin to dot the outline of the letters, then scoop out the pumpkin and carve between the dots (use toothpicks to hold centers of "e" and "a").

Carving "trick" on the back is, well, trickier. Turn your stencil over and place it backward on the other side of the pumpkin ― then dot your outline and carve. Add a tea light or a tap light and beam your undercover message to the world.

Have a handmade Halloween?
Send a photo of your handmade Halloween decorations to webmaster@sunset.com, or post on our Sunset Community bulletin board.