Thursday, October 28, 2010

So cheap it’s scary

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Can you believe Halloween is just days away? The days are going by SO FAST! I’m so excited for Monday though – November 1st is the first day I really allow myself to start thinking about Christmas. And I have a fun holiday event I’ll be announcing on Monday that you won’t want to miss! ;)

So anyway, we’ve had Halloween all over the place for a while now, but I’ve let the Bub kind of take over. I tried putting things out just so…and that lasted about ten minutes. What can I say – he’s like his Momma and is crazy about the holiday decor! I’m not going to fight it. :)

I’m so proud!! Sniff.

I’ve had the buffet in the foyer decked out for weeks now, but today the Bub and I finished it up with a little somethin’ somethin’ on the walls.

When we started working on that spot, our bright, fun lamp (consignment find) wasn’t looking so spooky. :) I wanted to Halloween-it-up a bit without having to do anything permanent.

We found some super cute downloads from the Silhouette site and used them to dress up the lamp shade a bit:

IMG_1143ACK! Are you dying? I adore these little guys.

I just gave them a very light coat of spray adhesive and stuck them on the inside of the lampshade:

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They were cut out of black card stock, and if you don’t have a craft cutter, you could easily download designs and cut them out. You may want to just find spiders with thicker legs if you are cutting them out by hand. :)

I love them so much! And how about snowmen for Christmas? Or snowflakes? DYING.

I finally made it back into Goodwill a couple of weeks ago, after a loooong time away. I found a $2 vase that was perfect for my Halloween “tree”:

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I filled it with some Dollar Tree netting, then grabbed some sticks from outside, spray painted them black and just stuck them in.

I know…I think I’m the last blogger on earth to do this. :) I wanted something with lots of height and it was perfect! I added some of my Pier 1 spiders ($1.50 for ten I think?) here and there, and some foamy bat stickers we had:

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The Spooky sign was from a couple of years ago and is just a $1 word mounted on Halloween paper, in an old frame:

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We couldn’t resist another spidey on the platter. :)

I found some sparkly spray paint on a recent trip to True Value, and knew I had to use it somehow:

Don’t you love that name – Titanium Silver? The little skull above was from Michael's and is a cardboard texture. A little Titanium and he was ready to go!

Our other skull head friend was an ugly plastic guy from the Dollar Tree, and because he was slick plastic, he got a coat of spray primer (also thanks to True Value!) and then a couple coats of the Titanium:

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I propped him up under a cloche and wrapped my cute beady stuff around it. Doesn’t he look so happy now? He’s positively beaming. ;)

The pumpkin was another cardboard-y thing from Michael's. I really wanted to use one of the Funkin pumpkins, but this little guy was only a couple of bucks – way cheaper! I sprayed it white and attached some strips of black gems in the grooves(a buck on clearance!):

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Our final project today was to add the bats flying off on the wall:IMG_1182

I cut out the ghost (by hand) out of window film I bought forever ago for the new pantry door. (You may remember it took me about six months to get that baby up.) I didn’t like it’s texture though – too bumpy for what I wanted. But perfect for a ghost in the mirror! Buwahahaha!! I love him!

We used the Silhouette to cut out the bats, but again, these are so easy to cut out on your own! I just stuck them to the wall using tape:

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I plan on keeping all of these – I think they’ll hold up another year easily!

We love our spooky foyer!:

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The best part – the whole thing was less than $10!

The cut outs are my favorite part by far…I’m so excited to do even more with them next year. ;)

Are you working on any last minute Halloween decorating or crafts? We’ve got a couple more little projects to work on over the weekend. That’s what the Bub tells me anyway. :)

For more Halloween goodness, click here for past projects!

 

*I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.*

56 thrifties said (comment here):

byLGD Glass Jewelry said...

sarah you're just amazing. your spooky touches are so inviting! :) i hope you saw Modern Family this week, it made me think of you and your halloweening and whatnot. I can't wait to see what you do for the holidays. hugs, laurie

DaisyJo said...

I love this so much, it's ridiculous! I can't decide what I like best! The uniquely decorated pumpkin? The halloween tree? The bats on the wall? The sneaky spider on your door? The orange pumpkins stacked together making sort of a Punkin Statue??


So inspiring!

Mellodee said...

Great!! This is one of the best Halloween additions I've ever seen. The flock of bats is inspired! The cut-outs on the lamps are delightful! The whole thing is just really, really cute! Happy Boo Day!

Megan {Honey We're Home} said...

How fun! I like this kind of Halloween decor:) And I agree- the lampshade idea could easily be changed out for Christmas or another holiday.

Courtney {a thoughtful place} said...

Those lamp shade decals are darling. So cute. And I like the bats as well. Happy Halloween!

Anonymous said...

Your entryway is spook-tact-ular!

Carrie said...

Great idea for the Silhouette shapes! I don't take many pictures at Halloween so I was not sure if I should buy any of those discounted shapes!! Now I might! LOL :) Nice work :)

Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants said...

I love it! I wish my kiddos were younger... not really ;) but it was so fun decorating when they were young! What is that white pumpkin, did you make that, what are the black things stuck inside of it?

Lady Rink said...

I am so in love with the bats and the spider lap shade. This is hands down my most favorite Halloween decor blog post!

Thelittlebrownhouse.us said...

I absolutely love it! The two things I love the most are the fact that it was under $10 and that your son got to participate in putting it together - that makes it a win win!

Carrie said...

Great ideas and so cheap, who could pass on those spiders and bats?!

madge1967 said...

This wa a wonderful front door display....like I said before you don't have to use 'Orange Purple and Black' for Halloween! Great Job!
Oh, I saw the same Skull at the 'Dollar Store' too. I am so glad you painted him....now he looks great!!!
Melissa

Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating said...

I love the bats! Too bad I'm too lazy to cut some out by hand... darn! ;)

Oh My Moore said...

Love the bats! I so very much enjoy seeing your creativity and allowing it to inspire others. Thank you for the motivation to just do something because it makes us happy to do it!

Shanarun said...

I love your foyer too! It looks fantastic!!

Traci said...

Love those lampshades - way too cute!

Simply LKJ said...

Love the lampshades Sarah! And, I can so see them changed out for Christmas!! Snowflakes would be darling. We mostly decorated for "fall" rather than specific to Halloween. Guess that kinda happens when your kiddos are older.

Ames said...

These are so cool! I am going to steal the bat idea from you. I love the look! Thanks for sharing it! ~Ames

Anna @ Blissful Whimsy said...

This is so absolutely adorable. I just love the fact that you have a "Halloween tree" :o)

Elizabeth @ My Life, Such as it is... said...

I love the little pumpkin with the gems in the grooves. You can actually use that for ordinary fall decorating too.

Shopper Gal said...

Your foyer is just the cutest I've ever seen!! I love that you have a Halloween tree! CUTE!!

Shopper Gal
http://www.shoppergal.com/

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks great, Sarah! Love the spider lampshade and that it's just temporary!

cleverlyinspired said...

Love the bats too and the lamp!! I may use that one!!!
you would love a to see what I did with a garage sale frame...
http://cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com/2010/10/garage-sale-frame-my-favorite-piece-of.html

Bella Michelle said...

Oh. MY. Stars! I love your bats on the wall!!!! Fantastic!

Lauren @ Our Very Blessed Nest said...

So cute! I love the ghost on the mirror... spooky! haha!

sfeather22 said...

Soooo cute! Favorite elements? The bedazzled pumpkin, the tree. Can totally use those ideas for other holidays....and the lampshade silhouettes as well. Oh heck...it ALL my favorite! You always rock it out. And your little guy must have his Mama's talent!

Tamela said...

Very cute!!!

Missy said...

This is SOOOO awesome! I love how much you were able to do with such a small amount.

Scientific Housewife said...

I love all the decorations!

Laurie Marshall said...

GREAT! I bought some great bats somewhere... (it's been that kind of October) but they came with their own sticky dots that are crap. I need to get them back on the walls for the 31st at least. LOVE the ghost in the mirror - totally going to steal that. I'll do a Halloween foyer post on Sunday. :)

Beth @ Free Stylin' said...

I LOVE the spiders! Oh my gosh! So cute - especially the one on the door. And the bats are a GREAT idea. Do I have enough time to make them?!!! We'll see! I have one more project - luminaries...I'll have to link up as soon as possible! Love your blog Sarah - seriously!

katie said...

Very, very cute!!!

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

Great halloween touches! I need to get more Halloween decor!

kristine said...

it looks spooktacular! i love that folded up the bat wings. how clever and it REALLY makes them look so much cooler! nice work!

Bloggymom said...

Love your room. The pumpkin with the gems is my favorite.

betsey at b.bar said...

Oh, I love it all! Especially the silver/grey dollar store skull. I picked up that hideous guy, too, and made him over, but in black... the grey makes him look totally different! Loves it!

Betsey at b.bar
www.bybbar.blogspot.com

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oh, that little spider is too dear!! Love it!!!

Debbie said...

Love it, love it, love it! The bats are perfect.

Tiffany said...

Love the bats on the wall! (I mean I love it all - but the bats on the wall are over the top cool!)

I didn't get to do any decorating for Halloween this year :( My husband has the entire house tore apart for a bathroom remodel (don't ask how it's all over the house, it just is.)

Tim & Katie said...

Can you please come over and decorate, organize my entire house?? I have an old 1970's split level with little or no character. I love your home! Keep up the great work and fee free to come do my home. It'll be a breath of fresh air and creativity for you. :)

Lady Thought said...

Our last minute halloween decorating consists of carving pumpkins tonight and putting them outside! I'm not really a seasonal decorator, other than Christmas, but we have SO MUCH FUN with the pumpkins.

paula said...

It's all amazing and so fun ...gotta admit I like the ghost in the mirror the best. Cute!

Sheila @ Dodging Raindrops said...

It looks fantastic!

Sagebrush said...

You are very creative, a true talent. I'm not much on spiders! but the you used them is very nonthreatening. I especially like the silhouettes. I'll be borrowing that idea for Halloween and Christmas. I've also posted your article on my Twitter page for my customers to see.
Sagebrush
http://www.PillowBazaar.com
Decorator Pillows for economical home and office decorating.

Anonymous said...

So cute! Love the cutouts!

http://bloggingbypictures.blogspot.com/

Robin the Super Mom from Missouri said...

Love it!! My only suggestion for next year is to change out the 2 pieces of framed art on the wall for some Halloween-y prints. Or even use the "Eeek" & "OOOH!" prints you have on your mantel!

Chic Coastal Living said...

I loved the way you stacked the pumpkins. I would have never thought of that! I went to the pumpkin patch today and didn't buy any because they were missing their stems. I just may have to go back tomorrow bight and early!

Anonymous said...

I love the cutouts too~!!!!!! OMG!!! you are sooo creative :)

Tanya said...

Can you shoot me a quick note? What's the Silhouette site? New to me! But love love love what you did and am very interested for my home and my 3rd grade classroom!

Marianne@Songbird said...

Happy Halloween. You are definitely ready for it. Looks great!!

jacqui said...

You really are a creative genius! I really do not celebrate Halloween but your decorations are nice. I am waiting to see what you will be doing for christmas!

Jacqui
http://www.exquisitegifts4less.com
http://www.exotictreasures4less.com

For gifts you won'ywant to give away, and unique exotic home & garden decor.

The Lovely One said...

SO Cute! It's clear to me that I need to get myself a Silhouette. I think you should have a giveaway!

Jessica said...

Love this! It turned out super awesome!

-Jessica
http://metamorphouse.blogspot.com/

Pam said...

Awesome. Loving the lamp shade.

Bargin Corner Princess said...

Total and complete AWESOMENESS!!!
It's so great to be "Thrifty" =)

Susan Graham said...

Ah! I bought the exact same shelves from Target and had the EXACT same problem! I actually tore up my receipt from Target, rolled it into a few small balls and shoved it in the holes on the back of the shelf. Worked like a charm. Great minds.... :)