DIY Halloween You Got This!

I just need a hay bale to pull it all together!

I have been gathering tossed aside trick or treat pumpkins from garage sales the past couple years. They look awesome hanging from my maple tree. This year I decided to make a scarecrow for the front of the tree. This is so easy to pull off.

Materials

An old XL or bigger flannel shirt

A plastic pumpkin pail

Dirt, flowers or something to weigh down the pumpkin pail.

A wood stake 4-5 ft tall

A piece of wood to nail on top of stake. Two inches thick like a cut 2X4 will need a long screw. Less thick would be a better choice. Eye up the length so you get the look of broad shoulders. 26-30 inches. Test plank with shirt. Too long and you won't be able to button.

Screws and hand tools. A mallet is best when pounding a stake into the ground.

Plastic bags, plastic packing to puff out arms. Tie off with twine and raffia.

Lay stuff out and think out your project. Decide if you want to pound the stake in and add your plank or add the plank and pound all together into the ground. I weighed my pumpkin with dirt and threaded wire thru the pumpkin and wrapped around wood to keep attached.

This project is so simple and creates a great display. As always I find these projects most satisfying by using scraps from around the house and keeping costs down. Sometimes just going to the shed or garage and looking at all your junk will get your creativity pumping. Also a great way to get your kids imagination going!

Adding props into your landscaping makes it look less generic

Skull head from JoAnn's. Wire down to plank of wood. I added a black light on it for night time.

Halloween is around the corner...DIY Headless Horseman

So, many people at the campground including me just can't wait to put out Halloween decorations! I like the classic, spooky fun. Thrills and chills! I'll pass on gorey and dead babies in a carriage. Yes, I have seen this for sale at a popular Halloween store. To me this is not the exciting, creepy night when I was a kid. I could not wait to put on a costume and visit all the neighbors! Some jumped out of bushes and gave you a fright and others had a welcoming light with carved pumpkins. It was just so exhilarating to be out there on your own being someone or something else for a night!

Last year I did The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in my yard. When I DIY something that is in the weather, I really try to use scraps from around the house. I usually switch themes the following year so I don't like to waste money.  Take your time working this form and you will be successful.

The body underneath the horseman was an old mannequin from my store. However when you prop something on a bench it is not difficult to get a form going. Maybe use some buckets for the core body shape. I love to stuff grocery bags and make arms and whatever. The grocery bags are waterproof. Always have twine, hot glue and zip ties handy as you can easily hold down and create poses with these items. Go to the garage and shed and find some things to make your form.

The arms were a $1 store purchase. Can't beat that! The cool burlap came from Joann Fabrics. I had leftover. This material and any nylon are great because it holds up in the weather. The red material I used for a Christmas tree skirt the year before. It was in a clearance bin. The legs were old pants stuffed with yep...grocery bags and plastic. 

Wrap your materials around your base. Zip tie, glue or pin down. The stuffed legs can be added in or set your core body on them before draping your cape. Tie off the bottom of the legs with twine. Once everything is draped and tied down then cut a slit in the cape and attach the arms. What about the pumpkin? To get the spooky effect you will need red glitter, craft glue and yellow craft paint. Add craft glue to your carved mouth and add red glitter. Color eyes and nose with yellow paint. Once lit it makes the mouth look so scary!!!! The rain made some of the glitter drool but, added to the fun! To top off I took an old piece of board from the shed and wrote "Watch Your Head," in black paint.

Easy Halloween DIY

Don't sweat it if you are not that "crafty." Corn stalks are easy, cheap and transitional Fall decor. Add to each side of the front door, lamp post, tree and more. Buy directly from a farm and get as low as $2 each.
You will need twine to attach to a fixture, tree etc. Twine is also handy for attaching decor pieces to the stalks. Attaching with twine will make an easy change out from Halloween theme to Thanksgiving.
I purchased pre-cut foam ghosts at the craft store. You can add gem eyes or just use a black permanent marker. Wrap twine around body or make a whole to thread twine and attach to stalk. Honestly I am not the best ribbon maker. I always buy double sided ribbon. This way when you make loops it is easy as the design does not flip.
Pipe cleaners are handy to tie off the center of bows. They are also great to crinkle and hot glue to back of ghosts or other shapes. It gives a spring effect and the other side easily attaches to the stalk.
Extras to think about: Thread lights thru stalk. Add glitter for effect on foam pieces. Add a witch hat, cat etc. Create a theme so your stalk makes sense. Also the pieces need to be light weight.
Transition: Since you attached with twine or pipe cleaners this is an easy change up! Take down and add a foam turkey or just a simple Thanksgiving or orange ribbon. I like to add Indian corn and ribbon after Halloween. However the squirrels like when I add it too!