As the leaves begin to fall and the weather turns colder, the days get shorter, and the nights longer. This time of year is perfect for sipping hot cocoa, snuggling up with a good book, or curled up in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn.
With Halloween coming up, I’m excited to showcase some spooky DIY projects that can be made using some household items you may already have at home. Whether it's a beautifully crafted candy corn necklace or a handmade pumpkin lantern, these DIY haunts are perfect for any season.
Candy Corn Necklace:
Start by choosing your favorite type of candy corns. You can find them in the candy aisle at most grocery stores, specialty candy shops, or even at craft stores. Cut them into bouncy shapes using cookie cutters and use string to attach to a piece of jute twine or ribbon.
Pumpkin Lantern:
Take two pumpkins (make sure they are fresh), clean them inside and out, remove any seeds or skin, and cut them in half lengthwise. Make an impression on each pumpkin using a sharp knife to create a shape that can be decorated. Once the shapes have been cut, use hot glue to attach them to one of your lanterns.
Pumpkin Lanterns:
These lanterns are perfect for outdoor parties or just hanging over your porch or patio. You can also find pumpkins that come in sets of 2 or 4 with matching lantern bases.
Vinyl Decal Wall Stickers:
A vinyl decal wall sticker is a fun and easy way to decorate any space. This DIY project can be done in minutes by following these steps:
1. Cut out your desired shape or design from the vinyl sheet, leaving an extra 1/4 of the size at each corner.
2. Using a sticker cutter or scissors, carefully trim around the edges to create clean, uniform lines.
3. Spray paint the decal with your preferred spray paint color, let it dry and peel off the plastic sheet.
4. Apply the decal to the surface you want, following any instructions on the back of the sticker sheet.
Pumpkin Painted Skull:
For a more complex skull project, try painting your own pumpkin. This technique allows you to get creative with designs and colors, and it's perfect for those who are willing to work some extra hours in the kitchen. Here's how to make your own painted skull:
1. Choose your pumpkin – keep your eye out for a dark green color that doesn't have any white or yellow spots on it. This will help ensure that your skull is perfectly black.
2. Wash your pumpkin with soap and water, making sure to remove any dirt or dust from the surface.
3. Allow the pumpkin to dry completely (this may take several hours).
4. Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the guts of the pumpkin, including the seeds and ribs.
5. Use a sponge or brush to apply paint to the exposed parts of the pumpkin.
6. Allow your painted skull to dry completely before using it as a decoration or sculpture.
Halloween Decorations:
Halloween decorations are an excellent way to add some spooky ambiance to your home or party space. Here are some ideas for DIY projects that you can make using your household items:
1. Spooky garland: Create a candy corn garland by stringing together small candy corns, alternating with other Halloween-themed decorations like dried pumpkins or acorns.
2. Pumpkin lanterns: Cut out the middle section of a pumpkin to create two pumpkin lanterns, one for each side of your house.
3. Jack-o-lantern wall art: Hang up jack-o-lantern wall art with your favorite spooky images or designs. This project can be easily done using a paintbrush and your favorite Halloween paint color.
4. Spooky wreaths: Create a DIY wreath by creating a cobweb pattern around the base of your plant vase.
5. Haunted house: Set up a haunted house or maze in your backyard or yard, using inflatable Halloween props and decorations like tombstones, spiders, and ghosts.
Want to impress your friends with some more creepy decor? Here are some ideas for even scarier Halloween treats that you can make using food items:
1. Pumpkin pie: Turn a classic pumpkin pie into a horror story with scary pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns topped with blood-red filling and spooky decorations.
2. Candy corn cocktail: Mix vodka, orange juice, and pumpkin pie spice for a Halloween cocktail that will send shivers down your guests' spines.
3. Pineapple ghost cookies: Use white sugar cookie dough, cut out a scary face into the top of each cookie, and add a green sprinkle for the eyes. You can also make witch hats or bats from leftover candy corn kernels.
4. Fake blood-stained mold: Use the white chocolate toothpicks to form the body of an undead creature, leaving the teeth and face intact.
5. Pumpkin pie sushi rolls: Serve pumpkin pie as a sushi roll with candy corn-shaped rice, edamame beans, and cucumber slices.
Happy decorating!