Decorative Halloween Blocks DIY

This week's craft is one that I have wanted to do for a while. I've had some blocks sitting around that I picked up at Goodwill a few months back and I knew I would be using them to create some kind of Halloween themed home decoration.
Here is my supply list:

Wooden blocks- mine were a lucky $2 find at Goodwill but you an find them at craft stores or even make your own from scrap wood which I actually really love. When the size varies it gives them a cool look.

Modge Podge


Foam brush to apply modge podge

Paint brushes for paint (can use the foam brushes too if you want)

Small wooden letters, mine spelled "Boo"- any cute Halloween themed word would look great. I like "Wicked", "Spooky", "Haunted", or of course "Halloween" if you have enough blocks.

Liquid Nails craft glue for the letters.

Halloween craft paper, I got a small book of it at Michaels & used their 40% off coupon to save some loot

Chalk paint in Graphite

Acrylic paint in Pumpkin

Because my blocks were older and had a design on them already, I decided to use the dark chalk paint to cover most sides. I didn't want to have to sand off the original paint and chalk paint gives really good coverage without any need for a primer. I also wanted to use the chalk paint so that I could use different sides of the blocks as a chalk board.

I painted the remaining couple of sides in the Pumpkin orange. It took several coats because I was covering the old baby blue color that was originally there.
Here are the blocks when I started:

I painted them over the course of a couple of days, just because I wanted to let them dry and I only have an hour or two at most where I am free to sit down and do my crafts :)

Once all of the paint was dry and looked the way I wanted, I traced the shape of the block onto a piece of craft paper and cut it out, then made sure it fit right. I trimmed it up where it needed to be fixed then used that piece as my guide and traced the rest of the squares.
I cut out several more prints than I needed so that I could play with the patterns and see which ones I liked best before I settled on the five I would use.


Next step was to apply to the modge podge in a thin layer on the block. I then quickly put just a tiny streak on the edges and corners of the craft paper before applying it to the block. I smoothed it out quickly so there were no bubbles or wrinkles.
(Obviously you do this with each block.)
For mine I chose to only use craft paper on one side, then leave the other sides revealing the paint and the word I chose. Some people like to use craft paper on every side and it looks super cool if you get some nice images that mesh well.

My last step was to glue on the letters, I used a pencil to mark the blocks in the places where I wanted my letters to sit. Once I made sure they looked even, I glued them on using liquid nails- any craft glue would work, we just had this around because we are also in the process of building a doll house.

Here is the finished product!

And with the chalk board in use as a Halloween countdown

Hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments section. I am still getting the hang of typing out these tutorials and may have missed a small step here or there.

Happy Home Haunting!

It's never too soon for Halloween

I was out shopping this week for more Halloween wonderfulness when I heard someone huffing and puffing about it being "too soon" for Halloween displays.  I was then inspired to create this little meme.

EVERY DAY IS HALLOWEEN... don't they know that?

♥

 

DIY Potion Bottles for Halloween

Making potion bottles for Halloween as part of my indoor decor has been on my to do list for a while. Unfortunately I never quite got around to it the last couple of years so this year I decided to start planning early since Fall can be a very busy time in our household.

There are dozens of different styles of potion bottles on Pinterest and in stores like Michaels to use as a reference when you start creating your own version. I wanted to create a whimsical feel with my bottles, and based some of them off of fairy tales and books.

Here are the supplies I used-

Different size and shaped bottles with corks collected from craft stores and Goodwill.
Extra fine glitter in black, purple, and red.
Modge Podge for applying labels.
Label template found HERE
Pledge Floor Finish (for the glitter bottles)
Acrylic paints in silver, black, and purple
Black Tulle for decorating & use inside some of the bottles.
Plastic skulls from dollar store
Spiders from dollar store
Halloween craft paper from Hobby Lobby (used for some of the labels, such as the Trick or Treat & Poison bottles)


Creating the bottles is pretty simple and does not need much explanation. I used paint inside some to create the appearance. Just squeeze it in & move it around to coat as thinly or thickly as you want it. I also used vinegar/water spray inside some to create a a foggy look like in the "witches potion" bottle. (the paint doesn't stick to the vinegar areas fully)

The glitter bottles were created by taking Pledge floor finish, squirting some into the glass bottle, swirling it evenly throughout, draining out the excess then using some sort of funnel (or in my case, folded card stock) then pouring a generous amount of glitter into the bottle and quickly swirling it around to create an even layer inside.
I love the way this looks, the glitter bottles are my favorite and I am not a glitter loving kind of girl.

For the corks, I painted some to match the bottles, others I left as they were. I glued the plastic skull on. The glittery spider was a piece of a floral arrangement and it had a stem which is stuck into the cork.

Tulle was cut and used to tie around the neck of some of the bottles. I also used to tulle as the potion in the Madame Leota elixir and Poison bottle- I just fed it into the bottle until it looked the way I liked it then cut it off leaving some sticking out of the top before corking the bottle again.

The labels on the Witches Potion, Trick or Treat, and Poison bottles were cut from a piece of Halloween craft paper.
I used the above template to create my personalized labels. This part was really fun. I actually created a dozen more that I plan to use on my next set of bottles.
I have references to Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, The Disney Haunted Mansion and Game of Thrones on this set.
I will probably create more intricate labels next time which include ingredients and perhaps some snarky warnings. These I just printed and modge podged on. I aged some by using a paint brush and applying some cold coffee from earlier in the day. I also used a lighter to burn some of the edges of the paper to give a more aged look.

Because this is a pretty easy craft, these instructions aren't step by step, and I just typed everything out from memory so feel free to post any questions you have in the comments and I will reply.

Here are my finished diy potion bottles. Hope you enjoy them! Happy Haunting!

Madame Leota's Elixir

More crafts are coming, stay tuned!

Halloween on a budget

As Summer starts to draw to a close, and back to school shopping wraps up in the coming weeks, expect to see more and more Halloween merch hitting the shelves of your favorite retailers.
If you are a Halloween fanatic like me, it's hard to resist buying everything you see, (or at least wanting to).
With our family having grown in the past year, and with the oldest being a teenager, there isn't much money left for frivolous spending so I always keep my eyes open for bargains all year long when adding to my Halloween collection.
Here are a few tips I have for creating a spooky home haunt, or just adding to your decor without breaking the bank. Some may seem obvious (because they are) but it never hurts to share information.

1.) Never pay full retail price, especially in huge Halloween specialty stores.

I love Spirit and other Halloween retailers as much as the next ghoul, and I realize they have to make a living but I will never buy a full priced item at one of these stores, especially the large props that run into the hundreds.  I always hunt for online coupons. My advice is to join the mailing lists of your favorite stores well in advance. They will send out "clearance" sale email alerts many times throughout the year. Buying something in May can save you big bucks.
Also, resist the urge to buy new before Halloween, and wait until the day after and plan for next year. These stores will mark almost everything in the store down each day that passes to clear their shelves.

2.) Craigslist hunt all year long.

For every person who becomes a Halloween enthusiast, there is someone else who just doesn't have the time (or the storage space) to do it anymore. I find Halloween items all year long, and the further you are out from Halloween, the better deals you can make. Many sellers just want that stuff out of their garage and will bargain with you.
I always let them know that I am an enthusiast and do not re-sell anything, which is true. Or if I do change themes and decide to let stuff go, I try to pay it forward and sell cheap to someone else like me who loves the holiday, but can't spend a weeks pay on an animated skeleton.

I also place ads throughout the year in the wanted section, explaining that our family does a large Halloween display but on a budget. I have gotten a few responses this way from very nice people.

3.) Dollar Stores and Goodwill are your friends.

Most seasoned Halloween veterans know that the dollar and 99 cent stores stock lots of cool Halloween items. Always hit these places before you go out to other shops, or check them before committing to Target or even Walmart. I find that the skulls, candle holders, even masks and accessories are often just as cool, or can be with a little imagination and crafting.
Also, don't limit yourself to just Halloween items- utilize cheap every day items and create your own spooky decor... more on this in the next tip.

4.) DIY tutorials, google, and Halloween forums are a must use!

There are so many cool ways to create your own Halloween decor these days. Thanks to pinterest and youtube, it is easy to find step by step instructions on some really awesome Halloween decor, props, and more.
Plus, if you make your own scary piece, you have bragging rights and a unique creation that almost no one else has... except the other 50 people who not only pinned it but actually made it!

5.) Recycle & Re-purpose your old (or even broken) Halloween decor, don't just trash it.

Halloween forums are full of geniuses who will be glad to suggest 1000 ways that you can re use an old prop or skull. Just get on there and start searching.

6.)See Halloween in everything.

Anytime I am thrifting or yard saling, I am on the hunt for stuff that just looks haunted or interesting. That weird doll you got for a quarter can make a great prop.

7.) Summer clearance sales items are just a coat of paint away from being Halloween items.

Never shy away from something based on it's color or pattern. A coat of gray or black paint can turn a cute pink clearanced candle stand into a creepy candle stand that will look great on your Halloween tablescape.
Michaels and Hobby Lobby always mark stuff down 80 and even 90% off in July and August to make room for Fall.

8.)For outdoor decorating, lighting is more important than having 100 props.

Ok so lighting isn't cheap- but instead of buying that $150 animatronic prop at the Halloween store, spend your dollars on awesome lighting. It will make all of the difference in setting the scene and making your spooky house look and feel cooler and more haunting than everyone elses.
There are many lighting tips on youtube from seasoned Haunters.
Besides, what good is the life size talking Witch if no one can even see her?

9.) Use what you've got!

Everyday household items can be used as accessories to your haunt. For instance, I am using shepherds hooks in my haunt this year to display some of my hanging props. I got them at Big Lots on clearance for $5 and when I am done I can still use them in my yard.
Or stuff some old clothes you never wear & boom, instant dead body. Fill an old Halloween mask for a head, or use a large rock where the head should be to create an eerie accident.... eek!
Look around your house and in your garage, you will be surprised at what you will find.

10.) You are the best Prop of all.

Sounds cheesy, but a great costume, some makeup, a little lighting and YOU sitting at the candy bowl to greet trick or treaters can be the best prop of all.
Utilize your thrift stores, estate sales, goodwill etc for old tattered rags to wear or clothes to create a costume.

Happy Haunting ghosts and goblins!