HALLOWEEN! My 2nd favorite decorating holiday! Now, I've never been a big fan of blood, guts and gore so you wont see any of that in my home, however, I do get a kick out of turning my home into the ever creepy yet oh so cute 'Francis Manor'. And I'm pretty sure I enjoy it as much as I do because it is so easy to add a little spook to your home without having to remove everything off of the counters and without breaking the bank! Some of you may be saying "Ha! easy for you maybe!" I hear ya - so here are a few dozen pictures and "RULES" to help you...
RULE #1: USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.
Do not clear your shelves and counters and go out and buy new stuff! Instead, buy a lot of little spiders, skeletons, spider webbing, black tulle, skulls, & ribbon. Then add things to the things you already have out - if you are like me then you already have 'Fall' decor out so you will probably be adding spiders to pumpkins and skulls to pine cones.
RULE #2: USE THE DOLLAR STORE!
I think sometimes we assume that if its a dollar then it must be "cheap" - and I will be honest, I have been guilty of discriminating the dollar store in the past, and lets face it, some of the things are very poorly made but that's part of the whole "you get what you pay for" idea. However, sometimes you are pleasantly surprised to find a high quality item you love or need and you only have to spend $1 for it. Sometimes, the dollar store can be your best friend! The bird/skull statue was a great find this year - it is HEAVY! Very well made and it was only $1! I have seen similar things at Target for $7! Also, the dollar store has a lot of the little spiders, skulls, creepy bugs (colored, but you can spray them black) foam pumpkins (Spray those too! Black, gold, glittered..) etc. Buy them at the dollar store! You will pay too much anywhere else.
RULE #3: PICTURES SPEAK VOLUMES.
There are a few simple ways you can add tons of creepy character to your home by using the frames you already have on your walls and shelves. You can print off spooky pictures of mansions, ghosts, skeletons, and even creepy t.v./movie characters! Another way is to take a photo you already have framed and add google eyes over the person's eyes using a little tape.
RULE #4: USE MOTHER NATURE!
Branches, pine cones, and rocks can be quite spooky and are always free! Gather a few and with black crows, spiders and webbing (dollar store finds) spruce them up all around your home.
RULE #5: DO PINTEREST.
Notice how I didn't say "use pinterest". That's because when most people use pinterest, they simply pin things. I advise you to DO pinterest. Pick 1 or 2 things you would like to do that you feel you could accomplish and then do them. Make it a goal to complete a pin. You can do it. You will feel so good afterwards and you will have tangible proof that you can do more! Here are a few pinterest ideas that I have done...
The skull over the faucet and the black 'poison' bottles were from this year and I love them both! So many people with such great ideas out there! It is so inspiring! Another fun one I did this year (by far my favorite so far)...
"Old" medical flashcards!!
I came across a post where a girl had made these but never shared a link to print them - she just gave her idea - which is great, cause it gave me something to go off of - but its so much easier when people share the file so others can print it too! So I made my own cards and I'm sharing the file with you here. Print them off, cut them out and rub a wet tea bag around the edges to make it look old. Then clothespin them to twine or make a garland or...
RULE #6: KNOW WHEN TO SPLURGE.
As a DIYer and a FRUGAL person by nature, I rarely buy anything that I think I could make. Instead, I think of ways to duplicate the item with things I already have. However, sometimes a DIY project can get out of hand and before you know it you have spent more in supplies than it would have cost you to just buy the store-bought item. I think I'm probably speaking to my fellow DIYers when I say "if it is a decent price or you really like it, go ahead and just buy it. There is no shame." LOL!
This year I wanted some new pillows and I thought about making them but I decided to do some pricing of store bought ones first and boy am I glad I did! I found this Skull pillow on amazon for $5! As a Prime member this baby cost nothing to ship and it was on my doorstep in 2 days! I love it! Go grab yourself one!
And if you aren't a DIYer you can find really adorable yet affordable things like this 'Scary' banner at annabell bash! (only $9!) (self plug :-)
RULE #7: ODD IS GREAT!
You don't have to follow the norm. Odd things have a place during Halloween! I had a mannequin head lying around in my craft room and it dawned on me that although it isn't scary, its odd and that works! so I sprayed it with "rock" spray paint (Medusa was here! lol!) added a witch hat and a necklace and placed it on a candle holder. I bet you have odd things lying around too!
Okay, so maybe you don't like the whole creepy black and white thing - I get it. That's why my kitchen still stays "Fall" during Halloween. However, I do still add a little spook...
31 wood blocks from annabell bash $4
(I have no shame. LOL! :-)
