easy jack-o-lanterns?

[tyrsalvia.livejournal.com]

Carving pumpkins is a little difficult for me. The hardness of the pumpkin makes it hard to cut little details, so while I can do a traditional triangle-eye toothy-grin jack-o-lantern, I have a hard time making anything really fancy. Any tips? Would putting the pumpkin in the oven for a little while soften it just enough to cut more easily but not so much it becomes a mess? Or..?