by E.D. Cameron

Created on: October 13, 2010

Funny, scary, spooky or hip no matter what type of pumpkin face you want to carve this year there is likely a free pattern available just a mouse click away.  Whether you are looking for ideas to free hand, or printing off stencils for the kids, get your printer warmed up and stop by these sites for inspiration and free downloads.

Better Homes and Gardens gives you a short quiz to help you find the perfect pattern for your pumpkin.  Visit their site at

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/pumpkin-carvin g/ for everything from spooky scenes to animal faces (I love the option to choose your favorite dog breed!).  They also offer a primer on pumpkin carving (with video tutorial) and have a feature for carving a virtual pumpkin.  This is a one stop site for all things pumpkin carving!

While in the mood for holiday crafting and carving, pop by the new and improved HP Creative Studio for Home site at http://www.hp.com/hho/hp_create/themes_holidays_hall oween.html.  Full of fun ideas for Halloween cards, masks, and decorations they also  offer six goofy carving templates that are easy yet not your typical Jack-O-Lantern.  Tweens will especially dig the alternative pumpkin patterns.

If you are willing to make an investment in having a unique pumpkin, check out the Pumpkln Lady shop (http://www.pumpkinlady.com/pattern.htm).  Under $3 on average per download, you can also hunt through the designs to find the weekly freebies.  With a variety of carving pattern categories from traditional to Americana, skill range requirements run the scale from beginner to advance pumpkin carver.

Take a tour through the history of pumpkin carving and Halloween at the History Channel's website and then cruise on over to their free pumpkin pattern library for an array of beginner to advance designs.  Of course, the advanced feature some US History greats, so if you are a history buff look no further.  http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/interactives /pumpkin-carving-patterns

For campers on the road this Halloween, KOA has several camping themed patterns available on their website for download. 

Halloween Mart has everything Halloween including some unique free patterns for download at: http://www.celebrating-halloween.com/pumpkincarving/ index.shtml.  They also have a fun pumpkin carving idea gallery to peruse for a little bit of creative spark. 

Finally, stop by E-How or About.com to view user submitted themes and designs.

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