Not gonna lie. I’m excited. Why? It’s OCTOBER 1ST!!! Know what that means?! HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS GO UP!!! OMG OMG. I have been waiting and thinking about decorations and plans since early September. I got sparked to write this list of links for Halloween tutorials when I saw that Lowe’s had sent me a creative ideas email for Halloween. 
Here is Lowe’s main Halloween page for outdoor decor and a bunch of other fun: Lowe’s Creative Ideas
YAY HALLOWEEN!
They will probably delete their awesome ideas after the season is over. And, that’s not fun. I mean.. I need to keep a constant list! So.. I’m gonna basically copy and paste their stuff into this blog, so we can all have access to the awesomeness FOREVER! I’m only gonna put in the stuff that I think it worth mentioning, which is most of it. Ready?! Go!
Because this post is so long, here is a table of contents! If you want to jump to a certain subject in this post, hold down your CTRL key while pushing the F key, and type in the subject below that you are interested in!
- Spooktacular Shadows
- Treat Caddy
- The Candy Man
- House Ghosts
- Hanging Ghouls
- Candy Corn Planters
- Creepy Curtains
- Unwelcome Mat
- Wicked Wreath
- Graveyard Gate
- Scary Screens
- Family Plot Tombstones
- Giant Spiderwebs
Spooktacular Shadows
Uh.. why didn’t I have something like this as a kid? I’m jealous. I want awesome shadow flashlights. Whenever I have kids, they’re totally helping me make these!
Create Halloween magic with the flip of a switch.
Step 1: Download the pumpkin or bat template, or sketch your own design. Trace the figure onto the back of a plastic sign. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.
Tip: For best results, the figure should be no larger than 8 inches.
Step 2: Place a second plastic sign under the first, and cut out the figure.You will have two matching cutouts.
Step 3: If desired, prime both sides of the cutouts with spray primer, and apply spray paint in your desired color. Allow each coat to dry.
Step 4: Attach the figures to a floodlight or a flashlight.
If you choose a floodlight, glue the two cutouts together with allpurpose cement adhesive to make a stronger figure. Cut a piece of wire about 24 inches long, and wrap one end around the lamp base, securing it with electrical tape. Stretch the other end of the wire to about 12 inches in front of the bulb. Direct the bulb toward the ground. Turn on the floodlight and test the placement of the cutout, allowing the peripheral beam to cast the shadow. Bend the end of the wire into a curl (similar to a paper clip) to hold the cutout, and pinch to tighten around the cutout.
If you choose a flashlight, cut a piece of wire about 12 inches long. With all-purpose cement, glue it centered horizontally across one of the cutouts. Allow to dry, and then glue the second cutout over the wire. Cut a separate piece of wire about 24 inches long, and pinch it in the middle to form the shape shown here. Using electrical tape, attach the middle of the wire to the bulb end of the flashlight. Use needle-nose pliers to make loops at each end of the wire on the flashlight. Connect the wire attached to the cutouts to the wire loops on the flashlight so that the cutout is held about 8 inches in front of the beam.
Good To Know: Keep the cutout about 12 inches away from the floodlight bulb to keep the plastic from getting warm.
Treat Caddy
This. Is. Adorable.
Wrap a plastic pail with electrical tape for a colorful bucket that resembles candy corn.
Step 1: Beginning at the bottom of a yellow 1‐gallon bucket, wrap four strips of 3/4‐inch white electrical tape around the bucket to create a 3‐inch band.
Step 2: Continue the candycorn pattern with four strips of 3/4‐inch orange electrical tape.
The Candy Man
It’s kind of a weird placement of the candy bucket, but hey. It’s all good.
No bones about it, this skeleton tub holds all the candy you’ll need.
Step 1: Sand two 10‐footlong 3/4‐inch‐thick PVC pipes to remove printing and scuffs.
Step 2: Use a handsaw with miter box to cut the 10‐foot pipes into ten 3‐inch pieces, two 7‐inch pieces, two 10‐inch pieces, three 12‐inch pieces, and four 18‐inch pieces.
Step 3: Using the illustration, join the pipe pieces with four 3/4‐inch PVC crosses, seven 3/4‐inch 90‐degree elbows, and ten 3/4‐inch end caps. Use Liquid Nails to attach the pieces for the two assemblies. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.
Step 4: Wash and dry an empty plastic juice or milk container. Spray with white paint, and allow to dry. Use a permanent black marker to draw the skeleton’s face. Attach the container to the skeleton assembly with Liquid Nails.
Step 5: Apply spray primer and two coats of black spray paint to a 15‐gallon galvanized tub, allowing each coat to dry. If desired, paint a phrase, such as “trick or treat,” on the front of the black tub.
Step 6: Secure the skeleton assembly to the inside of the tub using two 3/4‐inch PVC 2‐hole straps and 1/2‐ inch machine screws. Set the leg assembly inside the tub, and place treat bags on top to keep the legs in place.
House Ghosts
How come I can never think of stuff this awesome? What a great use for tomato cages, eh?
Create lighted ghouls from common household items in less than an hour.
Step 1: For each ghost, wrap a wire tomato cage with a string of clear rope lights.
Step 2: Cut a 6‐ x 9‐foot drop cloth to approximately 41/2 x 7 feet to cover the tomato cage. Use a black permanent marker to draw eyes and a mouth.
Step 3: Plug the lights into a secure grounded outlet.
Hanging Ghouls
I’m pretty sure I made these when I was little.
Let the kids join in the fun to make simple ghosts that float in the night breeze.
Step 1: Apply orange spray paint to a 4‐foot shepherd’s hook. Allow to dry.
Step 2: Remove the wire handle from a white 21/2‐ quart plastic pail. Turn the pail upside down. Use a drill/driver with a 9/64‐inch bit to drill two holes on the bottom edges of the pail, and then reattach the wire handle in the holes.
Step 3: Use Liquid Nails to attach a piece of cheesecloth to the bottom of the pail, allowing it to drape down the sides. Use a black permanent marker to draw eyes on the cheesecloth.
Step 4: Hang the pail from the staked shepherd’s hook.
Candy Corn Planters
This craft was what made me click on Lowe’s Creative Ideas in the first place!
Paint a terra‐cotta container in a familiar pattern that complements fall blooms.
Step 1: Use painter’s tape to cover sections of a 12‐inch terra‐cotta planter. Paint the rim white, the middle section orange, and the bottom portion yellow . Be sure to allow each section to dry before removing and reapplying the painter’s tape to cover other sections.
Step 2: Spray the painted planter with a coat of exterior polyurethane.
Creepy Curtains
Not bad, not bad. Man.. if I ever open up a haunted house…
Shredded cheesecloth stained with coffee or tea makes no-fail creepy curtains that make great indoor or outdoor Halloween decorations.
Step 1: Soak cheesecloth in coffee or tea. (We used French Roast).
Step 2: Wring out cloth and let dry.
Step 3: Using your fingers (or dull scissors) shred and fray the bottom of the cloth. Create tiny holes throughout the material.
Step 4: Use 3 or 4 curtains per window depending on size of window. Secure to window frame using cafe rods, dowels, or duct tape.
Unwelcome Mat
Did I ever tell you all that we have a doormat that says “Be Nice or Leave?” Classic.
This extra long “unwelcome” doormat is the perfect Halloween decoration for scaring off ghosts and goblins.
Step 1: Print out the “unwelcome” pattern (pdf). Trace letters on poster board. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.
Step 2: Using a craft knife, cut out the letters to create a stencil.
Step 3: Use painter’s tape to mask off a 1-inch border around the edge of the mat. Use black spray paint to create a border. Let dry.
Step 4: Tape the “unwelcome” stencil to center of mat with painter’s tape. Use black spray paint to fill in letters. Let dry.
Step 5: Use painter’s tape to mask off a 1/2-inch decorative rule above and below “unwelcome letters.” Let dry.
Wicked Wreath
A wreath that I actually might make!
Halloween ghost lights add flashing fun and spooky sound effects to this edgy wreath.
Step 1: Using utility scissors, cut a 42-inch length of 14-gauge wire.
Step 2: Using utility scissors, cut plastic gutter guard into four approximately 5-foot sections. Fold each gutter guard section accordion-style and thread 14-gauge wire through bottom of the screens leaving about 1-inch of wire on the inside of ring.
Step 3: Wrap wire ends together to create a circle.
Step 4: Cut orange surveyor’s tape into 24 12-inch pieces and tie onto wire circle in between pleats created by gutter guard. You’ll want the orange tape to show through the gutter guard.
Step 5: Add ghost novelty lights. Position the ghosts in the gutter guard pleats and secure using 24-gauge wire.
Step 6: Hang wreath using two suction cups with wire hooks.
Step 7: To create the illusion of black ribbon, adhere black electrical tape to the door or wall below the wreath.
Good to Know: You can substitute a wire coat hanger for the 14-gauge wire; overlap the ends one inch and secure by wrapping with 24-gauge wire.
Graveyard Gate
Darn. And last year we bought a crappy plastic gate on clearance after Halloween. This is much better and so much more realistic!
Position this graveyard gate alongside your sidewalk to create a spooky entry. We used leftover foamboard for the sign, but you can use scrap wood or even hefty poster board. Don’t worry about making perfect cuts or measurements. The more rickety-looking, the better.
Step 1: Disassemble the picket fencing by removing the pickets from backer rails.
Step 2: Using the circular saw, cut 3 or 4 of the boards so they are of varying lengths.
Step 3: Using the circular saw, cut approximately 4 to 6 inches off bottom of the end post at a slight angle (so it will lean slightly).
Step 4: To give the gate a weathered look, paint the boards and the end post using watered down gray paint (2 parts water to 1 part paint). Let dry.
Step 5: To create a rundown, dirty look, paint the bottom of the boards and end post using watered down brown paint (2 parts water to one part paint).
Step 6: For the sign, attach a plant hanger to end post.
Step 7: Using a piece of scrap foamboard for your sign, carve “Keep Away” using a craft knife. (Other options: “Price Reduced,” “Enter at Own Risk,” “Beware of Dad.”)
Step 8: Paint foamboard sign with brown paint then fill in carved letters with black permanent marker.
Step 9: Drill small holes in the foam sign and attach to plant hanger using 3 or 4 chain links.
Step 10: Using the square end post and two of the picket fence boards, create a sturdy three legged support. Secure the picket fence boards to the end post using 1-1/2- to 2-inch-long nails.
Step 11: Re-assemble the picket fence alternating shorter pickets with longer ones. Re-attach the pickets to the backer rails at different angles to give the gate a rickety look.
Step 12: Attach the reassembled picket fence to end post/tri-pod using nails, rope, or duct tape (remember, rickety is good).
Step 13: Secure to ground as needed using garden stakes.
Good To Know: Decorate your graveyard gate with traditional pumpkins and gourds or up the spook factor with skulls, black crows, skeleton parts or spiders.
Scary Screens
Sweet and Simple.
Download our PDF with patterns for eerie bats and a spooky tree to create your own scary screens. We used a colony of bats but you can decorate your screen with one gigantic bat or come up with your very own spooky design. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.
Step 1: Download bats and tree template and enlarge to desired size.
Step 2: Trace the bats and tree design onto shelf liner.
Step 3: Cut out the bat and tree design on shelf liner using a utility knife or scissors.
Step 4: Arrange designs on the screen.
Step 5: Using a hot glue gun, adhere designs to the screens. Let dry.
Step 6: Staple screen to lattice strip to make hanging easier.
Step 7: Attach lattice strip to porch eave using brads or tacks.
Good To Know: To store, loosely wrap screen around lattice strip.
Family Plot Tombstones
I’m actually pretty amazed that those are made out of foam board.
Tombstones made from foamboard are easy to create, lightweight and look eerily realistic. Turn your front yard into a Halloween family plot with four different tombstone designs. For extra spook, add fresh dirt, a shovel, and skull at the base of tombstones.
These instructions can be easily adjusted to create the other tombstone designs.
Step 1: Using the PDF cutting diagram as a reference, cut the 4×8-foot foamboard insulation sheet using a jigsaw or Kobalt 3-in-1 Multi Hand Saw. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.
Step 2: Fill the score marks on the foam board using spackling and a putty knife.
Step 3: Round off the foam edges with a wood file to create a timeworn look.
Step 4: To add cracks in the tombstone, score foam with a craft knife.
Step 5: For a more professional look, use a computer to print the desired name. (We used a 175-pt Palatino font from Microsoft Office). Alternatively, use pencil and paper to create your message.
Step 6: Using tape, attach paper with desired name to the foam board.
Step 7: Using a ballpoint pen, trace over letters with enough pressure to cause an impression in the foam.
Step 8: Remove the paper. Using a craft knife, score and crosshatch the foamboard inside the letters, then carve out the excess foam.
Step 9: Drill three holes in the bottom of the foamboard (with name) and insert 5-inch long wooden dowels.
Step 10: Using the foamboard cutting diagram as a reference, make the tombstone base. Glue base pieces together using construction adhesive.
Step 11: Push wooden dowels into foam base.
Step 12: Apply a base coat of Valspar interior flat brown ‘Seine’ paint with a paint brush. Let dry.
Step 13: Spray tombstone with Valspar “‘Santa Fe Sand’” Stone spray paint. Let dry.
Step 14: For a weathered patina, paint the edges of the tombstone using watered-down brown ‘Chocolate Turtle’ Valspar paint (2 parts water to 1 part paint). Let dry.
Step 15: Spray tombstone with Valspar “‘Santa Fe Sand’” Stone spray paint. Let dry.
Step 16: Arrange tombstones in front yard. Weigh down lightweight tombstones with rocks or sand.
Good To Know: Other options for tombstone names…
Seymour Dirtz
Anita Amanda Cook
Fester N. Rott
Bill M. Lader
Ima Buzzkill
Will Knott Rest
Helen Bach
Seymour Coffin
Giant Spiderwebs
So if you want to know what you can do with friction tape… this is pretty awesome.
Step 1: Start with two long strips of friction tape for the outside edges of the web. Measure strips to fit your desired space. Secure to wall using tacks or stapler.
Step 2: Attach similar long strips of tape at random intervals between the first two.
Step 3: Connect long strips with shorter strips, working your way out. Avoid lining up the shorter strips.
Good To Know: Practice by making a small web on the floor. You can substitute electrician’s tape for friction tape.
So. That’s what Lowe’s has to offer in their “Creative Ideas” section for Halloween. I was actually quite surprised – as I usually only thought of them as being all hardware-ish. So, GOOD JOB, LOWE’S!
Don’t go out and buy that cheap crap in Halloween stores. If you make it, it will be 100x better and you’ll learn how to do something new. And who doesn’t want to learn something new?!
Today and tomorrow, I’m putting up Halloween decorations. If I have time, I just might try one or five of these ideas! And of course, if I do, I’ll post them here!
Photo and Idea Credits: Lowe’s Creative Ideas
