I tried my hand at Pumpkin Carving…
…then burned the batch of Pumpkin Seeds.
Good Times!
Tag Archives: Halloween
Crafty DIY: Halloween Sign
A little paint and cheesecloth goes a long way.
Step 1:
Collect your supplies
- 4 Wood Rectangle blocks (I used scrap wood from another project, they were about 5” x 7”)
- Craft Paint (Orange, Green, Black, White)
- Mummy Supplies
- Twine
- Paint brushes/Paper Towels/Painters Tape
- Nails/Staple Gun/Hammer/Wood Glue
Step 2:
The first block should be painted Orange, and will later become the pumpkin.
I did 2 coats of Folk Art in 627 Tangerine. You don’t need to paint the back of the boards, but make sure you paint all sides since those will be visible.
Next Up…Mini Frankenstein.
Step 3:
Tape off the top of the block since that will be painted black.
I used Martha Stewart Craft Glitter Paint in 32169 Golden Beryl. It took 3-4 coats of the glitter in order to achieve full coverage.
Remove the tape and then fill in the top with black craft paint (I used Martha Stewart Satin in 32082 Beetle Black)
Step 4:
The last two block should be painted white. One will later become the ghost and one will be the mummy. I used white spray paint for both of these and unfortunately it was too dark in the garage to take any pictures.
You can use this tutorial on how to use Cheesecloth to make a mummy.
Using black paint, I free hand painted all the faces. You can use a pencil to sketch the design directly onto the wood first then paint over it.
Step 5:
Attach the block together using wood glue and nail.
This may go without saying, but make sure you check the thickness of the wood when selecting your nails. It was difficult to pick a size that would make it through the first block and not the second. This is why I used the wood glue, just to give a little extra hold.
Step 6:
Attach a piece of twine to the back, using a staple gun.
I hung the sign from a front door post that I’ll be sharing in a separate post soon, but you could also hang it from a standard door hook and it would look great.
Project Cost Breakdown:
Wood Blocks (From scraps) = $0
Craft Paints (Orange, Green Black) (Michaels) = $6
White Spray Paint (Already Owned) = $0
Mummy Supplies (Already Owned from this project) = $0
Twine (Already Owned from this project) = $0
Paint brushes/Paper Towels/Painters Tape (Already Owned) = $0
Nails/Staple Gun/Hammer/Wood Glue (Already Owned) = $0
Total Project Cost: $6
SHOWING THE LOVE:
Linking To: Between Naps On The Porch, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Today’s Creative Blog, Not JUST A Housewife, Ginger Snap Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Very Merry Vintage Style, Savvy Southern Style, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Beyond The Picket Fence, The ArtsyGirl Connection, The Crafty Nest, Addicted 2 Decorating, The Shabby Nest, Remodelaholic, French Country Cottage, Dear Creatives, Ohh Baby Designs, The Not So Functional Housewife
Bates Pumpkin Patch
Let me explain…
I HATE being scared. I’m slightly paranoid by nature, freak out when people intentionally startle me, and that Scream masks still gives me nightmares. I don’t mind Halloween at all, as long as no one tries to scare me. If you jump out at me or sneak up on me and try to scare me, my fight or flight response kicks in, and I may just punch you in the face.
It’s happened before. Consider yourself warned.
On the other hand, I like the holiday season which encompasses Halloween since Fall is my favorite time of year. I even like some of the cutesy Halloween decor, like this little guy.
See? Cute little mummy pumpkins are okay. Scary mummy pumpkin that might eat your face off while you sleep, not so much.
You get the point.
This year to get into the Autumn spirit (since the weather has not been cooperating) I visited a local pumpkin patch. Folks, this is the real deal, not one of those pop up patches that set up in your grocery store parking lot.
Welcome to Bate’s Nut Farm (aka the biggest pumpkin patch I’ve ever seen). This place is seriously huge with endless events, activities, and pumpkins!
This is only one of the several patches. Do not be fooled, those pumpkins could be used as a desk chair.
Don’t believe me?
They give you wheelbarrows to get them to your car. The pumpkin patch version of the shopping cart. 
Heirloom Pumpkins. I really loved these and wish I had bought some, they were beautiful.
Of course you could buy pumpkins that have already been pulled from the patch, they had piles of them.
It was my first time to a real pumpkin patch and I walked away without even buying one. How anticlimactic. However, we had a great time wandering around and people watching for a bit. Watching the kids run through the patch was well worth the visit alone. It was so adorable to see their eyes light up at the sight of pumpkins that could double for Cinderella’s Coach.
Candy Corn Vase & Holiday ‘Mantle’
In the meantime I have to use a ledge.
However, before I show you my ledge (that sounds wrong), I want to show you how I repurposed two vases into one seriously cool piece of decor for less than $3.
Step 1:
Collect your supplies:
- 2 Vases; one vase should be small enough to fit inside the other vase
- Candy Corn
- Flowers
Step 2:
Place the smaller vase inside the larger vase.
Before I came up with this idea, I was going to donate the smaller vase. It’s something I’ve had with me for years and I love the bamboo design, I just didn’t have a place for it. I actually had set the smaller vase inside the larger vase in order to carry them both downstairs when genius struck!
Step 3:
Fill the space between the two vases with candy.
I chose Candy Corn for a couple of reasons. (1) I hate the stuff, seriously I can’t stand this candy and I know for a fact that I will not eat a single piece (2) It added color to the decor (3) It’s the quintessential Halloween Candy
What’s that you say? You don’t have a smaller vase and you don’t want to spend any extra cash?
No Problem!
Just use empty toilet paper rolls or a empty paper towel holder in place of the smaller vase. Of course this will only work if you plan on using fake flowers, but it’s a great option!
Step 4:
Insert the flowers of your choice. If you ended up using a small vase like I did, then feel free to add fresh flowers. For now, I have a fake flower in the vase, but I plan on picking up some fresh flowers on my next trip to the market.
I ended up using the vase to add just a bit more color to my holiday mantle ledge. I think it turned out quite nice for an unconventional mantle.
A little source list for the mantle:
Piggy Bank – Homegoods
All 4 Pillar Candle Holders – Homegoods
Wall Art – Homegoods
Skull – Homemade
Branch Pumpkin – Crate & Barrel Outlet
Mummy Pumpkin – Homemade
Candles – Pier One, Homegoods, Target
Candle Holder holding the Skull – Target
Candy Corn Vase Project Cost Breakdown:
Large & Small Vase (Already Owned) = $0
Candy Corn (Target) = $2.50
Fake Flower (Already Owned) = $0
Total Project Cost: $2.50
SHOWING THE LOVE:
Linging To: Polly Want A Crafter, Between Naps on the Porch, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter
I’m Feeling Inspired – Halloween Edition
I wish I still drank out of drink boxes, or that I had kids that needed these. Would it be weird if I made a few of these and gave them to my neighbors kids. Yeah, that would be weird. I don’t want to become the weird drink box lady.
Source: parents.com via Addison on Pinterest
Pumpkin Drilling
This is how I would carve my pumpkins if I was carving any this year. It just seem so fun to attack the gourd with a drill.
Halloween Inspired Door
I think this is stunning. That is all.
Children’s Halloween Costumes
I had some pretty sweet Halloween costumes when I was a kid. I specifically remember being a clown, witch, genie, and mouse. Several years I had two costumes, one for trick or treating and one for school functions. I grew up in a private school and some costumes were strictly forbidden. So on those years I would be a witch/genie at home, but would wear something else to school. One year, I just wore all my favorite things and called it a costume. I think I called it a fairy costume, but really it was just a flowy skirt with high heeled white boots.
…and for your viewing pleasure, the three cutest kids costumes I’ve ever seen.
Adorable! If I was that little girl, I’d try to let my mom wear it year round.
This one too. I love the skirt and probably would have worn it all the time.
I CANNOT stop smiling at this little shark. Cutest thing EVER!
Seriously adorable!
DIY Glitter Skull
Source: inthefunlane.com via Addison on Pinterest
Finding a black glitter skull was not as easy as I thought it would be. I loved all the detail in the one above, but I kept finding ones like the one below. It is from ZGallerie. You can barely make out the features, but it wasn’t bad for $10.
Since it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, I decided to make my own.
It’s not quite the same, but it’s perfect for me. I named him ‘Leno’…I mean seriously! Look at that chin!
Step 1:
Collect your supplies
- Black Spray Paint (It does not have to be High Heat, that’s just all I had on hand)
- Paper Mache Skull
- Black Glitter
- Homemade Mod Podge
- Foam Brush
- Paper Plate or Kraft Paper or Newspaper
Step 2:
Spray paint the skull with Black paint (again, high heat is not necessary. This was the only black spray paint I had and didn’t want to pay for a new can). Painting the skull black makes it easier to apply the glitter later. It won’t be as obvious if you don’t get full coverage with the glitter since the base will already be black.
Step 3:
I used a foam brush and applied my Homemade Mod Podge to the skull in small sections. While still wet, I sprinkled on the black glitter. It probably goes without saying, but please do this over a paper plate/Kraft paper or newspaper to minimize the mess. It will also let you collect the spare glitter and pour it back in the bottle.
By the way, I had purchased the big bottle of Martha Stewart Onyx Glitter. I needed so little for this project the bottle still looks brand new. If you don’t need the glitter for anything else, feel free to buy a smaller size, you won’t need as much as you think.
I may need to glitter-fy my whole house now, just so I can justify having bought the BIG bottle. You’ve been warned.
Step 4:
Let dry. I also recommend sealing the skull with a finishing spray. The glitter sticks pretty well, but it’s an extra measure that you may want to consider if you’ll be storing or moving it around.
Project Cost Breakdown:
Paper Mache Skull (Michael’s) = $2
Martha Stewart Onyx Glitter – Large (Michaels) = $5 (after using 50% off coupon)
Spray Paint/Kraft Paper/Homemade Mod Podge(already owned) = $0
Total Project Cost: $7
Boo! DIY Mummy Pumpkin
Boo!
I just can’t help but smile every time I pass this little guy. He was so easy to make and is just so adorable I can’t stand it.
Below was my inspiration…and I’ll admit theirs came out a little better than mine. Mine looks a little more marshmallow than theirs, but I love it all the same.
Step 1:
Collect your supplies
- Plastic or Foam Pumpkin
- Spray or Liquid Fabric Stiffener (I used heavy spray starch)
- Cheesecloth
- Googly Eyes
- Scissors/Tacky Glue or Hot Glue
Step 2:
Cut the cheesecloth into strips
Step 3:
Apply the fabric starch to the cheesecloth. I used a spray starch because for some reason I couldn’t find liquid fabric stiffener anywhere. The spray starch worked fine, but you need to really drench the fabric. I used a cardboard box to contain the spray and minimize the mess.
Step 4:
Start placing the wet fabric on the pumpkin. There’s no magic with this, just go with your gut. It took me a few tries to figure out the starch and the first few pieces were too dry. REALLY drench them.
Looking good so far…
Step 5:
Affix the googly eyes. You can use hot glue, but I used tacky glue and they are holding just fine.
Step 6:
After you affix the eyes, add a few more layers of cheesecloth to cover the eyes just a bit.
Optional: the inspiration picture advised to cut out a small opening and paint a little mouth, but I acutally liked mine better without the mouth.
Step 7:
Let the cute little guy dry.
Ok, seriously, how do you not smile when you see those eyes?
Project Cost Breakdown:
Small Fake Pumpkin (Michaels) = $5
Cheesecloth (Home Depot) = $4
Heavy Spray Starch (Target) = $1
Googly Eyes (Michaels) = $1
Tacky Glue (already owned) = $0
Total Project Cost: $11
SHOWING THE LOVE!!
Linking To: Polly Want A Crafter, Between Naps on the Porch, Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Not JUST A Housewife, Today’s Creative Blog, Centsational Girl, Savvy Southern Style, We Are THAT Family, Very Merry Vintage Style, Blue Cricket Design, Ginger Snap Crafts, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Beyond The Picket Fence, The Artsy Girl Connection, Vanessa’s Crafty Nest, Addicted 2 Decorating, Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Dear Creatives, Ohh Baby Designs, Funky Junk Interiors, 5 Minutes Just For Me
