Boo! October is here. That means there are costumes to plan and make, decorations to create and, of course, lots of pumpkins to carve. Does your family host a Halloween party leading up to the big night? If you do, capture your attendees' costumes with a photo booth-ready picture-frame prop. Use an open-back frame to create this prop that doubles as holiday decor for your front door. Want the full details to craft this creepy cool project? Get the information below in this installment of our Make It blog.
Materials
- White open-back frame (size 18-by-22 inches)
- DecoArt American Decor Chalky Finish paint
- DecoArt American Decor Soft-Touch Varnish
- Paintbrushes
- Sandpaper
- Cardstock (your choice of Halloween colors)
- Alphabet stickers
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Tape runner or traditional glue stick
- Scissors
- Tag shape punch (optional; try EKSuccess Brands)
- Paper trimmer (optional)
- Hole punch
- Baker's twine or string
- Additional Halloween decorations: cutouts, buttons, etc.
Directions
Frame
- Make sure your work surface is ready and protected for painting. Apply a thin layer of paint to the front and inner lip of the frame. It's important to let this paint dry thoroughly; be patient and let it dry in between coats.
- Apply two more coats. After the final coat dries completely, use a piece of sandpaper to scuff up some of the paint along the frame for a worn look.
- Apply two coats of varnish to the frame. Let the coats dry one to two hours.
Banners/decorations
- For banners, grab one color of cardstock. Use either a tag-shaped paper punch or cut out a rectangle shape free hand or with a paper trimmer. You'll need to make 14 rectangles total for the banner bases. Each should measure 1.5-by-2.25 inches.
- Cut another set of 14 rectangles from another color of cardstock. These should be slightly smaller than the base rectangles, so that you can see that cardstock behind it. Apply alphabet stickers to spell out "Happy Halloween" on these pieces.
- Add the alphabet rectangles to the base rectangles with a tape runner or glue stick. Punch a small hole at the top of each finished banner piece. String each word on a separate piece of baker's twine. Add a small drop of hot glue to the back of each banner piece to keep it secured in place on the twine.
- Add the banners to the bottom and top of your frame by applying a generous dollop of hot glue to the sides of the frame and placing the baker's twine into the glue. Let it dry. To cover glue marks, add a Halloween decoration like bat cutouts or spider webs. Check your local craft store's seasonal stock for lots of options!
