Ghostly Table Decor

Learn how to make this light-up ghost with easy-to-follow directions.

The leaves are falling and there is a slight chill in the air. Is that chill from the weather or our ghostly friend? This easy-to-make ghost will add a festive look to your decor, on a table or the mantle. Make one or a few. Included the kids – they will love the messy factor of the fabric stiffener!

Materials:

  • DIY fabric stiffener (* recipe below)
  • White fabric (muslin, cotton, t-shirt, fabric diaper)
  • Googly eyes
  • @Glue Dots
  • Aluminum foil
  • Armature structure for ghost (**suggestions below)
  • Electric light – or electric candle

Ghost Directions:

Cover your work surface with aluminum foil, cover the armature with foil as well.

Place the fabric into the fabric stiffener, using your hands make sure the cloth is completely saturated. (this is the fun messy part)

Drape the saturated fabric over the armature. Take some time to place the fabric and adjust the folds. If you have areas of fabric that are longer than other areas, tuck them under so the bottom edge of the fabric is all at the same level.

Allow the fabric to completely dry.

Once dry, remove the fabric from the armature.

Attach the Googly eyes to the fabric using Glue Dots.

Place the light under the ghost and he is good to go boo all your friends.

*To make the fabric stiffener:
You will need:
water
corn starch

Directions:
On the stove, boil 1/4 cup of water.
In a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup of cold water and a Tbsp of corn starch. (mix well)
Add the cold mixture to the boiling water in the pan.
Stir constantly and allow the mixture to boil.
Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

** Armature:
An armature is a structure similar to a skeleton. It is the framework that will hold up and shape your fabric while it drys.

The Purex crystals bottle was the perfect shape, round at the top with long sides.

To make a similar shape, place a tennis ball on top of a soda can and cover it with foil.

Another option would be to put a small blown-up balloon into a glass and cover it with foil.

Mummy Wrapped Candle DIY

Make a quick and easy mummy candle for your Halloween decor.

Do you decorate for Halloween? Looking for a few easy and fun DIY ideas? I love easy decorating ideas. This wrapped Mummy Candle is easy, quick, and costs very little to make. In fact, most everything needed was found at the Dollar Tree. It’s a little messy, making it that much more fun to get involved!

* includes a recipe for DIY fabric stiffener

materials

Materials:

  • Fabric Stiffener **
  • Gauze
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue Dots – mini
  • Pillar candle

Directions:

 remove label
remove the label from the candle

 fabric stiffener and fabric
Unroll the gauze and fully coat it in the fabric stiffener (messy part!)

 wrapping
Start with one end of the gauze and begin to wrap it around the candle. Do so over a protected area. I used a large plastic bag.
Continue to wrap leaving a space open for the eyes. You do not need to use the entire length of gauze, but I did.
Set it aside to dry. At this time you may want to light the candle so that it burns down a bit to better glow the eye area when used. 

 using glue dots
Attach the eyes using a Glue Dot. Take the eye to the Glue Dot and then remove it from the roll.
Try not to touch the Glue Dot with your finger so it remains as sticky as possible.


 attached eyes
Place the eyes.


 final candle
Finished!

*To make the fabric stiffener:
You will need:

  • water
  • corn starch


Directions:
On the stove, boil 1/4 cup of water. 
In a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup of cold water and a Tbsp of corn starch. (mix well)
Add the cold mixture to the boiling water in the pan. 
Stir constantly and allow the mixture to boil and or thicken. 
Remove from heat and allow it to cool. 

– this recipe can be doubled