“As different as day and night” is a common expression. When we find ourselves stuck inside, we’re often looking for ways to be entertained. For many, crafting is the answer. A little effort goes a long way, and everyone loves seeing “Before” and “After” photos. These crafts will surprise and hopefully inspire you to create a little crafting magic of your own.
I hope you enjoyed these projects. Take a look around your home for any items that could use a little refreshing. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Good Luck!
When I was a kid, I loved dressing up in costumes, imagining who or what I could be. If that wasn’t an option, I would wait until Saturday morning when my mom changed the beds. Why? Because a flat sheet transformed into a gorgeous gown, and the fitted sheet became a hooded cape.
Today, there are so many options for readymade costumes and accessories. Want to take your costume to the next level? Cosplayers design and make their own costumes to participate year-round in worldwide conventions and competitions. Let’s explore the world of cosplay…
Knight in Shining Armor
Designing and building cosplay costumes requires a multitude of skills, including fashion design, industrial design, leather & metal working, hair, makeup, & accessories, wiring, robotics, special effects, and many others.
Industrial Science Fiction
The shapes, colors, and textures work together to create a story. Who is this man? Why does he wear a mask? Pale blue contacts provide another layer as his watchful eyes dare you to come closer.
Vikings– Father & Son
Period appropriate clothing made from hand-tooled leather with leather ties, chain mail, hairstyles, and facial hair are all important elements for these successful characters.
The Good Witch
This is not your typical witch. The neon orange against the black creates an eye-catching look. Blue highlights in her hair perfectly frame her face with its unusual makeup palette, which manages to be macabre and beautiful at the same time.
Body Painting
Body painting is a full commitment from head to toe and really makes a statement.
Every Little Detail Counts
When you create a well-known costume, you must get the details correct. Character recognition and countless competition prizes depend upon it.
Deadpool
Star Wars
Poison Ivy
Elsa from Disney’s Frozen
Julius Caesar
Wednesday from the Addams Family
Anime (retains human qualities)
Anime (doll-like qualities)
Woodland Fairy
Goddess Warrior
Mother Nature
SteampunkMan
Steampunk Dog
Warrior Samurai
Warrior Gaming
Warrior League of Legends
This is my favorite. Each intricate design coordinates with the others, from her costume to the swords and even the tattoos upon her sides. A healthy dose of attitude completes this warrior’s fierce appearance.
Costume design doesn’t have to end with Halloween. In fact, it’s only the beginning. Dare to dream and inspiration will carry you wherever you wish to go.
Regardless of whether you call it a bar, pub or saloon, bartenders frequently say to customers, “Pick Your Poison.” If you are unfamiliar with this expression, it means what kind of alcohol do you want. I found a “Pick Your Poison” sign, which will make a great addition to my brother’s bar. Let’s get started.
Unfinished Sign
I purchased this sign at Michaels Arts & Crafts from their Halloween collection. Experiment with color schemes on scrap paper and then choose your supplies. Later in this post, you will see further experimentation using photo editing software.
Supplies
Supplies:
“Pick Your Poison” Sign (14” wide x 1” deep x 8” high)
Acrylic Paints – black
Magic Markers – green, black
Paintbrushes
First Line Colored Black
Using a black marker, color the top line of text. It may require a few coats.
Second Line Colored Green
Color the next line of text green. It may require a few coats.
Top & Bottom Trim Painted Black
Paint the trim black. I wanted the word poison to really stand out but the marker just wasn’t enough. I switched to paints as you will see below.
Revised Supplies
Revised Supplies: Acrylic Paints – black, metallic green Paintbrushes
Painted Letters
Paint the word Poison with several coats of metallic green. I considered adding drips of 3D paint to make the green letters appear to be bubbling or oozing but decided against it. You could stop at this point if you like the wood grain background.
Photo Editing – Experiment 1
Using photo editing software, I experimented with different background colors. I was just dabbling so I apologize for the sloppy lettering. It was just what I needed to decide how to proceed.
Photo Editing – Experiment 2
I also tested different color combos for the text against the new backgrounds.
Photo Editing – Experiment 3
Because I liked the high contrast and implied sense of danger, I chose red as the background color.
Finalized Supplies
Finalized Supplies: Acrylic Paints – black, metallic green, red Paintbrushes
Painted Background Red
Paint the background red. Due to streaking, which did not appear until after the paint had dried, it took several coats of paint.
Finished Sign
Here is the finished sign, ready to be hung above the bar.
I hope you enjoyed this quick & easy project as much as I did. Sitting here at the bar, I drink a toast to my readers. I’ll save the seat next to me in case you decide to join me.
It seems we are always keeping an eye on the time. Busy schedules and ever-growing “To-Do” lists often prevent us from stopping to review our accomplishments. Let us take a few minutes to look back at the highest ranked posts, as voted by you, the readers. Below is a list of the Top Six posts of 2022, in ascending order:
Number 6: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
In Autumn, as the leaves begin to turn, pumpkin flavored items begin popping up everywhere, from coffee shops to fast food restaurants and even the local pub. To read more, please click here.
Number 5: Decorating Easter Eggs
Dyed eggs are a staple of any Easter celebration. To read more, please click here.
Number 4: Collages: Old School vs. High Tech
Collages can be created by two different methods: 1) “Old School” Traditional, or 2) High Tech. To read more, please click here.
Number 3: Inspiration: Lost & Found – Part 1
Sometimes it feels like inspiration is impossible to find. It hides in plain sight, masquerading as mundane items in our daily lives. To read more, please click here.
Number 2: Halloween: Naughty or Nice?
There are all sorts of Halloween themes and characters to help us celebrate this imaginative holiday. To read more, please click here.
Number 1: Blogging Vacation
Throughout the summer, I usually take a break, by posting every other week. This year there were so many inspirations to share I simply kept going. To read more, please click here.
And there we have it – the top 6 posts of 2022. We have a new year to explore the world of creativity. There are always new ideas and I’ll be sure to include more of your favorites. Your opinions are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to so much more this year. If you have any suggestions for future posts, please let me know.
When you think of Halloween, what images come to mind? Most likely there’s a black cat and a few pumpkins in the mix, and rightly so since these mascots of Halloween have been honored for centuries.
In this vintage illustration, a cuddly kitten saunters through a pumpkin patch.
Ceramic Cat & Pumpkin – Front
Our project this week is an adorable kitten sitting inside a jack-o-lantern.
Ceramic Cat & Pumpkin – Back
This three-dimensional Halloween decoration is available at Michaels.
Ceramic Cat Closeup
The top of the pumpkin sits on the kitten’s head like a little hat. Aww, so cute!
Ceramic Pumpkin Closeup
The cut-outs in the faces of the cat and pumpkin hint at a surprise, which will be revealed at the end of this post in the last photo.
Supplies
Supplies:
Ceramic Cat in a Pumpkin (6” wide x 6” deep x 8” high)
Acrylic Paints – dark green, black, metallic gold, buttercrunch yellow & orange
Paintbrushes
Painted Pumpkin – Front
Paint the pumpkin orange and the stem green. Be sure to paint all the edges of the cut-outs too.
Painted Pumpkin – Back
It will probably require two coats of paint for a nice even finish.
Painted Cat’s Eyes & Pumpkin Top Edge
Paint the cat’s eyes metallic gold, including the inner edges. Add black for the pupils and a dot of white in each. Paint the top edge of the pumpkin, around the cat’s body, with buttercrunch yellow.
Painted Pumpkin Top Edge – Back
Painted Cat Closeup
Painted Pumpkin Closeup
Painted Cat – Front
Paint the cat with two coats of black paint, including the front paws draped over the pumpkin. Add black lines on both sides of the pumpkin stem.
Painted Cat – Back
Working out the Details
At this point I noticed something funny. It looks like this kitten is sitting in a bowl of soup, and his disembodied paws appear to be floating on top! To fix these issues, draw lines in pencil to thicken the pumpkin’s rim and connect the paws, via legs, to the body.
Painted Details – Front
Paint the legs black, and the pumpkin rim orange. With a fine brush, paint the whiskers white and the mouth pink. Indicate toes with thin white lines on the front paws.
Painted Details – Back
Finished Cat Closeup
Finished Pumpkin Closeup
Glowing LED Lights
This is the finished project. Concealed LED lights illuminate the inside, just like a real jack-o-lantern. I hope you enjoyed this fun and easy Halloween project.
Salem, Massachusetts is an interesting place to visit, especially in October. The residents really know how to throw a month-long party, and all are invited.
Live Music
There’s live music and lots of costumes. You never know who or what might appear around the next corner.
Live Street Performances
Street performers entertain the crowds. We were fortunate to see the ghostbusters arrive in their famous Ecto-1 ambulance. “I ain’t afraid of no ghost.”
Salem Cemetery
Wander the streets and cemetery by lantern light on a haunted walking tour.
Good Witches
See a bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens from the television show, “Bewitched,” or conjure up a little magic of your own during a Halloween photo shoot.
Hocus Pocus Films
Take a trolley ride around town to see numerous historic sites as well as film locations from both of Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” films.
While visiting Salem, my mom and I noticed several unique Halloween decorations. Here are a few of our favorites…
Ghosts
In a place with such a long history, there are bound to be a few ghosts.
Pumpkin & Witch
This pumpkin makes spooky sounds and appears to glow in sunlight. The orange-haired witch holds a bouquet of shooting stars and a friendly bat.
Goblin & Crow
The goblin looks perfectly happy for a night of trick or treating, but the crow appears quite annoyed to be wearing his pumpkin costume. More than a few of his tail feathers are ruffled. lol
Mom Ghost & Baby Pumpkin
This one is my mom’s favorite because she loves mother and child themes. We have always loved celebrating Halloween with decorations, costumes, and parties. Lots of warm memories are attached to this popular holiday, and this adorable figurine bring them all to mind.
Metal Spider Candleholders
Here’s an important travel tip: If your carry-on bag contains spikey metal objects, it’s going to be searched! lol. An airport security guard carefully unwrapped the odd-looking objects. When he saw the spiders, he burst out laughing and held them up to share the laughter with all the guards and passengers. It’s still one of my favorite Halloween memories.
There are all sorts of Halloween themes and characters to help us celebrate this imaginative holiday. Every year you decide what costume to wear, so why not choose a style for your decorations? Each of the photos below shows Naughty on the left and Nice on the right. At the end are exemplary displays to inspire your Halloween décor.
Spiders
Jack-O-Lanterns
Pumpkin Pals
Spooky Pets
Pumpkinhead Monsters
Pumpkin Trios
Ghostly Trios
Flying Witches
Pumpkins in the Fog
Skeletons
Scarecrows
Pathway Lights
Pumpkin Personalities
Halloween Beverages
Day of the Dead
Cats & Full Moons
Pumpkins & Vines
Halloween Displays:
Nice – Pumpkin Patch Family
Naughty – Graveyard
Naughty & Nice – Interior & Exterior Display
Naughty & Nice – Ghostly Pumpkin Family
Naughty & Nice – Gated Entry
Naughty & Nice – Pumpkin Creatures
Naughty & Nice – Sunbathing Skeleton
Naughty – Watchful Tree
I hope you have found some ideas to awaken your Halloween spirit. (Pun intended.) Now, you have a decision to make … What will it be – Naughty or Nice? I look forward to reading your answers in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
Illuminated by candles, jack-o-lantern carving is believed to date back to 19th century Ireland. Much like gargoyles, the frightening carved faces were meant to keep evil spirits away, while also celebrating Halloween and the end of the harvest, also known as Samhain.
Mr. & Mrs. Squash
If carving is not in your skill set, painted or hand drawn designs can be applied to real or artificial pumpkins with very little effort. Because they are not carved, they will last throughout the fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Basic Carving
Most carved pumpkins have eyes, a nose, and a mouth. The shapes and angles determine the expression. The nubby teeth, in the left photo, create a friendly face for young children. On the right, glowing light and mysterious fog take a simple carving to the next level.
Accessorizing
This fashionable character is camera-ready for the next Tim Burton film. The black-outlined carvings are an unusual touch, and the hat gives this pumpkin lots of personality.
Devilishly Handsome
This carved pumpkin owes its devilish good looks to the absence of a nose. That one little detail, plus the intensity of the light within, gives him a more ghoulish appeal. The orange skin has been removed from the teeth to create a fiery translucency.
Fierce and Fabulous
Jagged teeth, angled eyes and an eerie glow make this pumpkin a formidable character.
Glowing Eyes in the Darkness
Visitors won’t stay long in the presence of these disembodied faces. LEDs produce high intensity light, which flicker like candles and may also change color.
Sinister Intentions
Choosing a short squat pumpkin sets the stage for these menacing characters. The one on the left appears to be glaring and possibly snickering at viewers. The other has fleshy, bloodshot eyeballs highlighted in a creepy orange light. Glow sticks produce softer, otherworldly light in a variety of colors.
Anger Management
Maybe the tooth fairy forgot to leave him money, or perhaps his dentist is on vacation. We may never know why he is so angry, but the message is loud and clear!
Good Mother or Cannibal?
Wild animals often carry their young by the scruff of the neck. Since the teeth are rounded, and the little one does not look frightened, I think she is a mother protecting her baby. What do you think?
Sweet Kitten
The soft rounded features on this gentle kitten create an adorable expression.
Feral Cat
This adult feral cat hisses in warning, driving everyone away.
Monsters Under the Bed
Most children believe there is a monster under the bed or hiding in the closet. This monster reaches out to grab passersby if they get too close.
Playful Bat
This cute bat reminds me of the movie, “The Little Vampire.” The orange skin had been peeled off the bat to create bold contrast and to achieve a translucent effect when lit.
Things that Go Bump in the Night
Vampire bats, black cats and scary faces are all traditional Halloween decorations.
Nightmare before Christmas
Tim Burton fans will recognize Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. The stitched mouth and curved brow lend an ominous quality to his expression.
Tinkerbell & Frankenweenie
Disney’s Tinkerbell and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie are sure to charm your guests.
Ghostface
From the Scream movie franchise, this disturbing face may haunt your dreams.
Mixed Message
It says welcome, but the jagged cuts look more threatening to me, as if to say, “Get out!”
Day of the Dead
The intricate details of this skull are remarkable. The orange is the perfect background to contrast with this floral skull, a perfect specter for the Day of the Dead.
Monsters Inc.
I am not sure what kind of monster this is, but my what big teeth he has!
Gourd Creatures
These creepy critters have human faces, with thick vines for arms and legs. The wide-eyed stare and twisted fingers look menacing, as if they might spring forward upon unsuspecting viewers.
Fire Breathing Dragon
This dragon was carved from pumpkin, and the artfully arranged flowers and leaves resemble flames. This multi-layer composition offers textures and fine details, harmonized by the many shades of orange.
Let’s Go Wildcats
To create the delicacy of this fierce wildcat, a piece of pumpkin was carved lying flat. The finished cat was reattached to the round opening, and any cut lines were carefully concealed.
Halloween Wishes
I hope you have found a few inspirational ideas for your Halloween pumpkins. Which design is your favorite? Do you like to carve or paint your pumpkins? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!
When it comes to Halloween decorating, skeletons are featured favorites.
T-Rex Skeleton
Terrifying dragons and dinosaurs are a few of the latest décor entries.
Saber Tooth Tiger Skeleton
Wild dogs and Sabre Tooth tigers are sure to follow.
Close-Up Rooster Skeleton
What about ferocious chickens? Ferocious may be a bit of a stretch, but “cocky” is a well-earned title.
Confident & Cocky
At a farm near my home, I saw a defiant rooster face off against a slow-moving minivan. That bird crowed at the top of his lungs. I wonder if roosters use curse words. The bird won the battle of wills! Apparently, roosters always have the right of way. lol.
Unpainted Rooster Skeleton
There are many Halloween bird skeletons, including vultures, crows, ravens, and ducks. When I saw this rooster, I knew I had to do something to make him stand out in a crowd.
How to Paint a Rooster Skeleton:
Inspiration
A rooster’s crown and wattle tend to be red, but anything goes for the feathers.
Inspiration
Because my favorite color is blue, I chose inspirational photos accordingly, but you can choose whatever colors you prefer.
Supplies
Supplies:
Rooster Skeleton (12-1/2” high x 11-1/2” long x 7-1/2” wide) sold at JoAnn Crafts
Acrylic Paints – red, black, metallic sapphire blue, & metallic periwinkle blue
Paintbrushes
Painted Head Details
Brush red paint onto both sides of the two most recognizable traits of roosters, the comb and wattle. Darken the eye sockets with black paint.
Unpainted Rooster Tail
As you might imagine, roosters are very proud of their plumage. Those tail feathers should be bold and colorful to make their presence known and to impress the ladies!
Painted Tail – Option 1
Paint the tail black, which tends to be the most common tail feather color.
Painted Tail – Option 2
Paint the tail a combination of metallic green and metallic blue.
Painted Tail – Option 3
Paint the tail metallic blue. I love the iridescent blue feathers shown in the two inspirational photos. What bothered me about the skeleton was the five bones in the tail, which resemble a metallic hand.
Defining the Tail Feathers
Carefully apply a line of black paint down the length of each tail bone and angled short strokes to create a feathered appearance.
Side by Side
Minimally painted head details versus fully defined tail feathers. If you are satisfied with your results, you could stop at this point. Additional steps below will give the rooster a more frightening appearance.
Painted Eye Detail
Outline both eyes with red paint. This changes the entire expression with a few easy strokes.
Eerie Glow from Within
Paint the inside of the ribs with metallic periwinkle paint. Many Halloween skeletons come with LED lights hidden inside to illuminate the rib cage. This one did not come with lights, but the metallic paint produces a similar visual effect.
Joint Details
Add red on each of the ball joints for the wings and the knees.
Unpainted Rooster versus Completed Rooster
As you can see, this rooster has come a long way from its humble beginnings. At a distance, you can easily recognize it, and the extra painted details catch the light, drawing your attention to this demanding and amusing creature.
For more ideas, please click here to read last year’s post on skeleton painting.
The movie Hocus Pocus is celebrating its 27th Anniversary, inspiring witch themed costumes and decorations. Whether you’re having a Halloween party or simply decorating for the fun of it, a centerpiece is a must for the coffee or dining tables. Below are step-by-step instructions and photos for building your own, one piece at a time.
The Inspiration – As with all creative projects, the first requirement is a source of inspiration. This pair of witch’s boots is sold at Michaels. Although smaller than expected, it still has a spooky vibe. The style varies slightly, but all are black with a silver spider painted on each side. Having a pair of boots is nice, however it’s one piece and can’t be separated. If you prefer a more humorous impression, many stores sell individual witch boots painted in bright, fanciful colors and patterns.
Step 1. Witch’s Boots – Centered upon this coffee table, these boots look quite sparse, but we’ve only just begun.
Step 2. Floral Stems & Owl – For color and texture, the key to this design is choosing strange looking plants in autumn, Halloween colors. Here we have added leafy vines with plush mini pumpkins, and orange lanterns. Bend the stems as needed to adjust the height. Crafter Tips: Do not cut the stems because you may need to adjust the height at the end when the arrangement is complete. (You may not need to cut them at all, simply conceal the bent stems inside the boots). The owl, made from twigs, was already mounted on a long stick for easy placement.
Step 3. Jack-O-Lantern – Orange and black – the perfect color combo for Halloween. This resin pumpkin includes optional lighting. High contrast and a brilliant punch of color lend visual interest to this asymmetrical composition. Instead of a pumpkin, you could use a round platter or globe, resembling the full moon, or a light color witch’s broom to contrast with the dark boots.
Step 4. Ceramic Owl – Contemporary details with an eerie presence make this owl a perfect addition by contributing color, light, and texture. Moss green and tan coordinate with the autumn vines and leaves. Feather-like half moon slits in the body of the owl allow light to pass through and the opportunity to insert mini lights inside with the battery pack underneath, wrapped in black fabric. Crafter Tip: Ensure the battery pack’s on/off switch remains accessible.
Step 5. Decanter – No witch-themed display would be complete without a few unknown potions brewed with magical spells. The clear glass decanter, with four separate chambers and claw-like stoppers, provides much needed height and color on the left end of the display. A little food coloring and water becomes a scary cocktail of witch’s potions. The green color was chosen to coordinate with the other green elements. Alternatives: You could create a grouping of different size bottles or apothecary jars with strange contents inside; or add a book of “spells” and candles to capture the spooky aura. Crafter Tip: Experiment with various objects and colors, being sure to balance the composition.
Step 6. Rat & Snake – Now we need a few creepy crawlers to stir up our primal fears. A rat on top of the pumpkin seems like a natural choice, and the snake has the added bonus of implying movement, as it appears to slither along the tabletop among the objects in the centerpiece. A trip to a Halloween or craft store is sure to have plenty of options, including spiders, worms, skeleton bones, and the like. A few spider webs might kick up the spooky factor another notch.
Step 7 Orange Candle & Metal Candleholder – To add height and a pop of color on the left end of the centerpiece, add an orange candlestick in a dark metal candleholder. Although the base of the holder is plain, it provides an opportunity which we will take advantage of in the next step. The candle had been stuck in a box for years, which caused the wax to curve. This works great in a Halloween project, where crooked lines are more desirable than straight ones.
Step 8. Orange & Black Spider – I never thought I would say these words, but this spider is actually quite beautiful. The camera flash tends to wash out the brilliant colored stripes upon the spider’s body, which is covered in tiny orange and black glass beads. The large size and imposing ready-to-strike posture are just what this display needed.
Step 9. Witch’s Hat – The pumpkin’s toothy grin becomes the witch’s face by the simple addition of a classic black hat, which frames the pumpkin’s face, adds character, and ties all pieces together into a unified Halloween theme.
Step 10. Illumination – This is the finished centerpiece with optional lights turned on inside the owl and pumpkin. It’s spooky fun just like the movie, Hocus Pocus.
Designing a Halloween centerpiece is an enjoyable process for stretching your creative muscles. Start with one piece as an inspiration and decorative items you may already own. Find different ways to use existing items by looking at things in a whole new way with your theme in mind.
