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Pumpkin carving has reached a new level artistically and illuminated hand-carved pumpkin festivals have become a popular autumn event. Why not create your own display using a little creativity and elbow grease?

Pumpkin carving isn't just for the real gourd, either. Several years ago artificial pumpkins became very popular, and now local craft stores, along with many Web sites, carry a variety of artificial pumpkins, patterns, tools and flameless illumination products. Although artificial pumpkins are more difficult to carve a design into, it's worth putting in the time as they last for many years.

If you prefer to display the real thing, selecting the perfect pumpkin from a patch or farm has always been a wonderful autumn tradition for families. For this craft, make sure you don't carve the pumpkin too early and that the pumpkin does not have any holes in it when you buy it. If it does, it is already deteriorating from the inside and may not last until Halloween.

Also, care should be taken when carving the pumpkins, real and especially artificial. Adults only should handle sharp carving objects and drills.

When you're finished with the following project, turn out the lights, light up the pumpkin and have a Happy Halloween. Linda Alger is the Administrative Assistant to the Attleboro Municipal Council and is a local artist who is very involved in the Attleboro art community. She can be reached at BEAKERALG@AOL.COM (please include the word "CRAFTS" in subject block). Any letters she receives may be used in future columns so please include your name and daytime telephone.

Directions for carving an artificial pumpkin

Materials for artificial pumpkin carving: Artificial pumpkins; Pattern; Pen or stylus; Small pumpkin carving saw or Dremel tool; Transfer paper; Awl or flat-head; Screwdriver, Battery-operated tealights or low-heat electric lighting; Gloss enamel paint, optional

It will take a little more muscle and time to carve an artificial pumpkin with a pumpkin-carving saw than it will to carve a real pumpkin, but the results last a lifetime. You can use a Dremel tool for the heavy work.

1. Trim your pattern leaving half of the excess on the sides for easy placement. Then tape a transfer sheet on the pumpkin; tape the pattern over the transfer sheet and trace over the pattern with a pen or stylist. The artificial pumpkins that Alger has carved have electric lights that are inserted by carving a hole in the bottom. She didn't cut a lid on these, because after Halloween she removes the lighting and turns the pumpkin so that the carved side is not exposed until Thanksgiving.

2. Use an awl to make a hole. Hold the pumpkin in your lap and hold a small pumpkin saw in your hand like you would hold a pencil. Carefully saw in an up and down motion at a 90-degree angle following the lines of your pattern. Follow the instructions enclosed with each pattern as to what area of the pumpkin should be carved first. If using a Dremel tool, use a router bit for large areas, a pointy bit for medium lines and a small bit for fine details. Using the tool will save you a great deal of time. The sanding attachment on the Dremel tool will smooth out the edges, too. Adults only should handle sharp objects and drills, and be sure to wear a mask as this aspect of the project can be very dusty.

3. NEVER use a candle to light an artificial pumpkin. There are battery-operated tealights that can be dropped in the bottom or low-heat electric lighting that can be inserted by carving a hole into bottom of your pumpkin.

4. To make the display a little more interesting, use a gloss enamel paint on the silhouette that was carved out.

5. Display your pumpkin creation in a festive way for all to enjoy.

Directions for carving a real pumpkin: 1. Draw a circle with a pencil or marker around the top of the pumpkin. On the back part of the pumpkin circle, draw a tooth (This will show you how the lid should be replaced). Using a small pumpkin saw, carefully cut out the lid at an angle so it won't fall inside the pumpkin).

2. Clean out and scrape the inside of the pumpkin. You will want to scrape the front side - where the design will be carved - until the inner wall is one inch. A thinner wall will allow for easier carving.

3. Trim your pattern leaving half of the excess on the sides for easy placement. There are two ways to transfer the pattern to the pumpkin: You can tape a transfer sheet on the pumpkin; tape the pattern over the transfer sheet and trace over the pattern with a pen or stylist. Or you can tape the pattern onto your pumpkin and use a pounce wheel, which will create holes through the pattern and into the pumpkin.

4. Use an awl or other pointed object to make a hole. Hold the pumpkin in your lap and hold the pumpkin saw in your hand like you are holding a pencil. Carefully saw in an up and down motion at a 90-degree angle following the lines of your pattern. Follow the instructions enclosed with each pattern as to what area of the pumpkin should be carved first. This is important because as areas of the pumpkin are removed, it weakens the structure of the pumpkin. Also, go lightly without applying a lot of pressure to carved areas. Adults only should handle sharp carving objects and drills.

5. Secure a candle in the bottom of the pumpkin towards the back, then light the candle and place the lid on top. When you remove the lid, you will see a black spot. Carve out this black spot to allow the smoke and heat of the candle to escape.

6. Display your carved pumpkin creation on flat surface for all to enjoy.