Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

Yokai Shadow Box

Yokai Shadow Box

Every day is Halloween in my home, but the spooky season really unleashes my creativity. I love to do Halloween crafts to add beauty and whimsy to my home. A spooky shadow box is a fun addition to any wall -and you don’t have to be an artist to make one! Let me break down how I made a yokai shadow box.

Making a Shadow Box

Here is how I created this shadow box from an old Japanese print:

  • I searched through pictures from a royalty-free image book to find a scene that I thought may look nice in 3D.
  • After measuring my shadow box, I sized the image to fit.
  • I printed the image on white cardstock and cut out the elements I wanted to be 3D: the ghost, the ethereal flame, and the samurai. Then I took markers to enhance some of the colors and darken the lines. I used a black marker to outline the edges, so they were black and not white if seen from an angle. 
  • For the ghostly elements, I thought it would be neat to have them repeated on the background. For the samurai, however, I didn’t want him to be duplicated, so I edited the image in a photo editor to remove the samurai from the background. Once complete, I printed the background on white cardstock.
  • I attached some foam pieces to the backs of my cutout figures so they would be separated from the background and glued them into place.
  • To add a little more depth to the piece, I took some scrapbook paper that had a leaf pattern and cut the center out to create a leafy frame. I used black marker to color the edges to keep white from showing.
  • For the assembly, I began with my leafy frame, then I added a spacer (included with the frame I bought) to put some distance between the glass and the art. Next I added the main image with the raised figures and background. 
  • To embellish the shadow box, I used hot glue to add some metal pieces to the edges.

The result is an engaging piece which highlights my love for Japanese folklore. The same technique can work for any image. Try searching for a vintage Halloween image or something else that makes you think of the Halloween season!

Have you tried to make your own shadow box art? Show me your creations on Facebook & Instagram.

Yokai Shadow Box

Every day is Halloween in my home, but the spooky season really unleashes my creativity. I love to do Halloween crafts to add beauty and whimsy to my home. A

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Categories
Apparel Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

Haunt Tee Makeover

Haunt Tee Makeover

You have your favorite haunt shirts, but is wearing a t-shirt every day getting a little repetitive? Try a haunt tee makeover to change up your silhouette. Here are some ways to alter shirts for a unique look.

Combine Two Shirts

If you like the logo or image on one of your t-shirts, but don’t like the fit, you can cutout the part you like and add it to a different shirt. That is what I did with one of my Knott’s Berry Farm shirts. I loved the image, but it was on the back of the shirt, so I never got to see it. I thrifted a plain shirt that worked well with the black and greys of the image. Then (with the help of my seamstress Mom) I cut out the image and sewed it onto the other shirt. For added style, I also cut off some of the shirt’s neck to give it an off-the-shoulder look and added some striped straps.

The Finished Piece

This is one of my favorite shirts! It is a unique way to display my love for Knott’s Scary Farm. It is also extremely comfortable.

Turn Your T-Shirt Into a Dress

Occasionally, a haunt will have a killer sale on leftover shirts from a previous year, but I rarely find one small enough for me. If you have a design you love that is way too big, try making it into a dress. Cut along the sides and try the straps together for a no-sew dress. See the video below for an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. Haunt shirts often have a higher neckline than the one this Youtuber used, so I would recommend trying to but out a lower neck as well. 

Add Lace

This is a Pinterest pin from Mold Fashion Tips. I love the idea of cutting a shirt and then sewing on lace. This works well for images or haunt names that are either on the top-half of the shirt (for the first example) or the back (for the second example). There are plenty of spiderweb and skull laces that would work nicely with this idea.

Show Off Your Haunt Shirt Makeover!

I would love to see how you have customized your own shirts. Show me your creations on Facebook & Instagram. 

For more ideas and cool clothes, follow my Fashion Pinterest Board.

Yokai Shadow Box

Every day is Halloween in my home, but the spooky season really unleashes my creativity. I love to do Halloween crafts to add beauty and whimsy to my home. A

Read More »

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Add some spooky fun to your next party with Halloween Scareoke. There are a many karaoke versions of Halloween classics on Youtube perfect for signing along with. Take turns covering

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Since 2004, The Scare Factor has provided Halloween fans with haunted attraction reviews and directory listings. Their reviews are written by a network of professional “Scream Teams” from around the

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Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

DIY Tombstones

DIY Tombstones

Each year I love to create a spooky graveyard display for trick or treaters. While I used to be able to find sturdy, creative designs in big box stores, the past few years have left me disappointed.

This year, I want to try to make my own custom foam gravestone. I have scoured the internet to find some tips and tricks for DIY tombstones. Let’s take a look together and try something new!

The Supplies

To build your own tombstone, you will need a variety of materials:

  • Thick Insulation Foam Board
  • Acrylic Paints
  • Gorilla Glue
  • Sealer
  • Pencils
  • Sharpies

Common tools used include:

  • Utility Knife
  • Heat Gun
  • Paint Brushes
  • Rotary Tool
  • Surform Shaver

After many years of working with them on haunt conventions around the country, I also highly recommend Hot Wire Foam Factory. Stocking foams, tools, glues, and finishes, Hot Wire Foam Factory has everything you need to make professional-quality DIY tombstones. You can often find their representatives at haunt & horror conventions offering DIY Tombstone Make & Takes. Find a trade show or convention near you and see if they will be exhibiting! Their workshops are informative and excellent ways to learn new techniques – and they often have great deals on starter kits.

Tutorials

Here is a tutorial by Wicked Makers (one of my favorite Halloween DIY channels) on how to make a foam tombstone from scratch. It is a wonderful step-by-step guide.

But perhaps you already have a store-bought foam tombstone that is less than ideal for your dream set-up. Wicked Makers have you covered there too! See their video below for easy ways to bring that subpar prop back from the dead.

Enjoy Your DIY Tombstones!

I hope that these resources helped spark your creativity! Have you tried making your own DIY Tombstones? I would love to see them! Share your pictures and videos with me on Facebook or Instagram.

Want more DIY Halloween inspiration? Check out some of my favorite tutorial channels here.

Yokai Shadow Box

Every day is Halloween in my home, but the spooky season really unleashes my creativity. I love to do Halloween crafts to add beauty and whimsy to my home. A

Read More »

Halloween Scareoke

Add some spooky fun to your next party with Halloween Scareoke. There are a many karaoke versions of Halloween classics on Youtube perfect for signing along with. Take turns covering

Read More »

The Scare Factor’s Haunt Advisor

Since 2004, The Scare Factor has provided Halloween fans with haunted attraction reviews and directory listings. Their reviews are written by a network of professional “Scream Teams” from around the

Read More »
Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

Halloween DIY Videos

Halloween DIY Videos

Get ready for inspiration from some of my favorite Halloween DIY videos. 

Halloween is a time for self-expression and creativity. Why settle for store-bought decor when you can make something unique and 100% you? Below are some how-to videos from talented creators who bring their dreams (or rather, nightmares) to life. 

Never be afraid to try something new. Even though you may make mistakes and it may not come out perfect the first time, practice makes perfect. I am constantly inspired by and in awe of people who aren’t afraid to make something themselves. I hope that the below videos can do the same for you!

Autumn Bat Lamp - Christine McConnell

I first fell in love with Christine McConnell‘s dark and vintage style years ago when I received her cookbook, Deceptive Desserts: A Lady’s Guide to Baking Bad. While the book showcased gorgeous cakes and baked goods shaped to perfection, throughout McConnell kept reiterating that it was all about practice. She encouraged readers to just try things and not be afraid to fail. It started me on my journey to be a better baker and led me to try my hand at cupcake, cookie, donut, and pie decorating. I put my photos on Instagram and started to add recipes to this blog. 

In 2018, I binged her Netflix series, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell, where in between skits and Jim Henson Studio puppetry, she once again showed how to be a perfect horror homemaker, baker, woodworker, etc. Basically, everything she touches turns into a flawless vintage-inspired horror masterpiece. Sometimes that perfection can be daunting, as many of her projects are aimed more at master DIY-ers, but they can spark so many ideas and provide lofty goals as you level up your skills. 

One DIY project I would love to work up to is her Autumn Bat Lamp. See the video below:

Watch all of her videos on her official Youtube channel. 

Follow her on Instagram at @ChristineHMcconnell

Yokai Chochin Obake - Alexsandrea Kagachi

Recently I stumbled across Alexsandrea Kagachi’s Haunted Homemaking Youtube Channel. Her videos are the perfect mix of my two favorite themes: Halloween & Japanese folklore. She has the same dark vintage feel as Christine McConnell, but her DIYs are much more accessible to the beginner/moderately competent crafter. She also makes an effort to make her videos fun and whimsical with some puppet pals and fanciful set design. My favorite of her videos is this one in which she creates a life-size Chochin Obake yokai from a paper lantern.

Watch all of Alexsandrea Kagachi’s Haunted Homemaking videos on her official Youtube channel.

Follow her on Instagram at @alexsandreakagachi

Foxy Animatronic - Wicked Makers

Are you ready to upgrade your yard and home haunt displays? Jaimie and Jay of Wicked Makers have a myriad of DIY videos to teach you how to make unique animatronics from the ground up. They have videos for many different skill-levels – from how to plus Spirit Halloween animatronics, to building your own from scratch.

While they tackle all sorts of projects, they excel at making life-size versions of some of the most iconic horror video game characters. From Five Nights at Freddy’s to Poppy Playtime to Bendy and the Ink Machine, they have brought some of the best horror video game villains to life. My favorite creation of theirs is a Foxy Animatronic. 

Watch all their videos on their official Youtube channel.

Follow them on Instagram at @WickedMakers

Vintage Halloween Party ideas from the 1920's - Nikk Alcaraz

While the Halloween homemaking DIY space is dominated by women, one man has truly stood out with his decor and baking – Nikk Alcaraz of Practical Peculiarities. Alcaraz’s Youtube channel is full of baking and vintage crafts to get you in the Halloween mood. 2024 saw the release of his first cookbook, Peculiar Baking. He leans heavily into vintage-inspired recipes and decor – while finding ways to make them appeal to modern horror/Halloween fans. 

His videos are fun to watch and provide great guidance for beginner to moderate DIY-ers. Of course, if you have advanced skills, you can go above and beyond as well! I highly recommend starting with his Vintage Halloween Party Ideas from the 1920’s video to get a sense of his personality – and to try your hand at vintage-inspired decor and treats.

Watch all his videos on his official Youtube channel.

Follow him on Instagram at @practicalpeculiarities

Black Cat Decoration - Christopher Hiedeman

Christopher Hiedeman does not focus solely on Halloween DIY, but I really enjoy his vintage Halloween-inspired decor videos. He does a good job of breaking down the crafts into easy-to-follow and easy-to-replicate steps. They often utilize supplies that you either have on hand or can easily get at a craft store. 

Here is a video on how to make a vintage-style black cat decoration with paper eyes & mouth that can be back-lit for a spooky mantle display.

Watch all his videos on his official Youtube channel. 

Follow him on Instagram at @christopherhiedeman

These are just a few of the channels and videos I turn to for inspiration. With more creators sharing their projects daily, I look forward to discovering more.

Do you have DIY projects you love? I would love to see them! Share your pictures and videos with me on Facebook or Instagram.

Yokai Shadow Box

Every day is Halloween in my home, but the spooky season really unleashes my creativity. I love to do Halloween crafts to add beauty and whimsy to my home. A

Read More »

Halloween Scareoke

Add some spooky fun to your next party with Halloween Scareoke. There are a many karaoke versions of Halloween classics on Youtube perfect for signing along with. Take turns covering

Read More »

The Scare Factor’s Haunt Advisor

Since 2004, The Scare Factor has provided Halloween fans with haunted attraction reviews and directory listings. Their reviews are written by a network of professional “Scream Teams” from around the

Read More »