you can clean out the pumpkin easily. adults only: very carefully, cut along the lines with a knife. angle the blade towards the center of the pumpkin to create a ledge that supports the lid.
2. clean out the inside. clean out the seeds and strings with a flat-tipped ice-cream scoop or large spoon. next, scrape the inner pulp away. scrape the area you plan to carve down to 1" thick. you can check the thickness by pushing a straight pin through the wall.
3. transfer the design. attach a pattern on your pumpkin with tape or straight pins. if you use straight pins, place them along the design lines to avoid 