A Ghoul's Guide to Halloween Decor

Halloween is quickly becoming my favorite holiday.

Why? Well, there are no over-priced presents to buy. No big meal to make. No big clean up afterward. Just some house decorating and figuring out what the kids want to dress up as (starting back in January for Lucy!).

So, we are taking a break from Lincoln Avenue to share with you some smaller projects that have been keeping us busy. I tend toward the less cute and more gory. But check it out for yourself.

This is the first thing you see when you walk into my house.

AND THIS IS THE SECOND. (And it's already made my daughter scream!)

OK, NOW FOR THE WREATHS

We made these for a school auction which is why there are so many. We had a lot of fun making them and they are all Pinterest-inspired. Take a look at the links below and make your own!

1. Snake Wreath: http://happymoneysaver.com/10-days-of-thrifty-halloween-fun-ideas-day-2/
2. Boa/Skull wreath: https://www.trendytree.com/blog/variety-of-halloween-wreaths/
3. Dr Seuss wreath: http://lilluna.com/30-halloween-wreaths/
4. Hand wreath: http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2014/10/halloween-shoutouts.html
5. Rubber eyeball wreath: http://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1189/best-halloween-crafts-ever/
7. Monsters Inc. Wreath: http://realhousemoms.com/25-wreaths-fall/
8" can't find link
9. Black boa/plastic eyeball wreath: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/decorating/budget-friendly-outdoor-halloween-decorations-pictures?soc=pinterest

BABY HEAD IN JAR

I just love this one. And, lucky for me, I found an old-fashioned doll head at the Goodwill.

SIMPLE SKULL WREATH

This couldn't be easier. Buy a Bag 'O Bones at the Dollar Store. Get your hot glue gun out. And go for it. Have as many areas touching as possible and you may need to clamp or tie them together as they dry.

BLACK SNAKE WREATH

This black rubber snake wreath is one of my favorites and its pretty easy. Here's what to do:
1) Buy a wooden wreath base at Michael's or a local craft store
2) Buy rubber snakes from the Dollar Store
3) Wire the snakes onto the wreath base
4) Spray silver paint on as a base (not necessary but I like the look of it)
5) Spray black paint to cover the wreath base and the snakes. Make sure to look at it from every angle as there are a lot of nooks and crannies in these squirmy beasts.
That's it. Now just hang it, stand back and be proud!

Stripe your pumpkin

This striped pumpkin was the easiest thing ever. Here's how we did it:
1) Get a pumpkin. Any one will do but I thought the greenish/white ones were cool
2) Put on blue masking tape on alternate areas of the pumpkin. You may need to cut it a little in order for it to fit properly and to taper down on the ends
3) Spray black paint. I usually put some plastic down on the front lawn because I tend to be accident-prone
4) Remove masking tape, and, TaDa!