Lots of people start decorating their homes for Halloween right after Labor Day in September. Whether you're trying to scare the stuffing out of trick or treaters or you just love the ambiance of All Hallow's Eve, it's time to discover crafting projects to fit your decorating scheme.
If you love spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts, read on for some crafty ways to enhance the Halloween atmosphere.
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Halloween terrarium
You won't have to worry about killing much in this terrarium -- with the exception of one central plant, everything is already dead. White shelf liner over cardboard is the backdrop for gravestones just waiting for your witty epitaphs. Get the full tutorial here.
You won't have to worry about killing much in this terrarium -- with the exception of one central plant, everything is already dead. White shelf liner over cardboard is the backdrop for gravestones just waiting for your witty epitaphs. Get the full tutorial here.
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Painted pumpkins
Turn pumpkins into awesome guardians of the front stoop or tabletop decoration without the mess of gutting them. Use acrylic paint to make your gourds friendly for a child's Halloween party or horrifying to instill fear in wary visitors of the night.
Turn pumpkins into awesome guardians of the front stoop or tabletop decoration without the mess of gutting them. Use acrylic paint to make your gourds friendly for a child's Halloween party or horrifying to instill fear in wary visitors of the night.
Ghostly lanterns
White tissue paper glued to a mason jar diffuses the light of a battery-operated tealight, casting an eerie glow over a table's surface. Use black tissue paper to cut out silhouettes of ghosts, witches, looming castles, or hair-raising cats.
White tissue paper glued to a mason jar diffuses the light of a battery-operated tealight, casting an eerie glow over a table's surface. Use black tissue paper to cut out silhouettes of ghosts, witches, looming castles, or hair-raising cats.
Halloween potion bottles
Make these potion bottles as creative as you want. Mix a little food dye, water, and a little baby oil in a vial; small jars might contain herbs or "eye of newt." Make sure to warn visitors about drinking any of the concoctions. Get the full tutorial here.
Make these potion bottles as creative as you want. Mix a little food dye, water, and a little baby oil in a vial; small jars might contain herbs or "eye of newt." Make sure to warn visitors about drinking any of the concoctions. Get the full tutorial here.
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Foam spider
You don't need many items to make these friendly little spiders. Stick straws or pipe cleaners into Styrofoam balls painted black. Glue on some googly eyes. Not a bit creepy, even arachnophobic guests might be willing to play with these spiders. Get the full tutorial here.
You don't need many items to make these friendly little spiders. Stick straws or pipe cleaners into Styrofoam balls painted black. Glue on some googly eyes. Not a bit creepy, even arachnophobic guests might be willing to play with these spiders. Get the full tutorial here.
Balloon ghosts
As indoor or outdoor decorations, these ghosts are balloons with very simple fashion sense. Cut eye holes in a lightweight white fabric and a hole where the balloon's knot will be. Drape the fabric over an inflated black balloon. Tie a string to the knot and hang it from a hook inside or tree branch outside.
As indoor or outdoor decorations, these ghosts are balloons with very simple fashion sense. Cut eye holes in a lightweight white fabric and a hole where the balloon's knot will be. Drape the fabric over an inflated black balloon. Tie a string to the knot and hang it from a hook inside or tree branch outside.
Black lace luminary
If you love Mod Podge, then this is the craft for you. A tall, smooth vase surrounded by plastic wrap is the mold for black lace Mod Podged to death. When dry, you have a stiff lace on which to decorate. Placed over a fake votive, this luminary glows like a Jack-o'-lantern. Get the full tutorial here.
If you love Mod Podge, then this is the craft for you. A tall, smooth vase surrounded by plastic wrap is the mold for black lace Mod Podged to death. When dry, you have a stiff lace on which to decorate. Placed over a fake votive, this luminary glows like a Jack-o'-lantern. Get the full tutorial here.
Magnets
Turn your fridge into a monstrous work of art with these Halloween magnets. Made of small wooden craft sticks held together on the back with a piece of duct tape, you can stick them to the refrigerator with a piece of magnetic tape. If you want a stem for your pumpkin, just tape a curled piece of green pipe cleaner to the top of the back.
Turn your fridge into a monstrous work of art with these Halloween magnets. Made of small wooden craft sticks held together on the back with a piece of duct tape, you can stick them to the refrigerator with a piece of magnetic tape. If you want a stem for your pumpkin, just tape a curled piece of green pipe cleaner to the top of the back.
Toilet paper roll bat
It's hard to look at this little guy and worry about becoming a vampire. This craft is great to do with kids as it teaches them about reusing and being environmentally friendly. Get the full tutorial here.
It's hard to look at this little guy and worry about becoming a vampire. This craft is great to do with kids as it teaches them about reusing and being environmentally friendly. Get the full tutorial here.
Spooky twig wreath
At first glance, this project looks lovely and peaceful, with bright orange ribbon and nature. But get closer and visitors will notice that touch of spider that turns this wreath from an autumn decoration to a Halloween one. Get the full tutorial here.
At first glance, this project looks lovely and peaceful, with bright orange ribbon and nature. But get closer and visitors will notice that touch of spider that turns this wreath from an autumn decoration to a Halloween one. Get the full tutorial here.
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Spider wreath
No one likes walking face first into a massive spiderweb. This one is so realistic that visitors might not want to ring your doorbell. The wreath is shaped using pipe insulation duct taped together at the top. Wrap the webbing across the wreath and place some arachnid friends on it. Get the full tutorial here.
No one likes walking face first into a massive spiderweb. This one is so realistic that visitors might not want to ring your doorbell. The wreath is shaped using pipe insulation duct taped together at the top. Wrap the webbing across the wreath and place some arachnid friends on it. Get the full tutorial here.
Paper lanterns
These are made the same way you would construct red paper lanterns for Chinese New Year. Use A4 paper, and cut one strip off for a handle. Use holiday appropriate colors, and draw the design before you fold the paper lengthwise and cut at intervals.
These are made the same way you would construct red paper lanterns for Chinese New Year. Use A4 paper, and cut one strip off for a handle. Use holiday appropriate colors, and draw the design before you fold the paper lengthwise and cut at intervals.
Jeweled pumpkin centerpiece
A lightweight plastic pumpkin painted black is the base of this project, although some Halloween or big-box stores may sell already-black plastic pumpkins. Glitter spray paint around the bottom provides an extra twinkle for the fake gems glued to the top. Get the full tutorial here.
A lightweight plastic pumpkin painted black is the base of this project, although some Halloween or big-box stores may sell already-black plastic pumpkins. Glitter spray paint around the bottom provides an extra twinkle for the fake gems glued to the top. Get the full tutorial here.
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