Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Halloween Tutorial

Warning: I am a terrible tutorial tutor--er. I always assume people know what I'm talking about (when they don't), and I forget to take pictures of half my steps. So....let's see how this goes. Many of you either commented or e-mailed me for more specific directions for this project. I learn so much from so many other people, that I was GLAD to share my expertise at painting a box.
I buy the little craft boxes in different shapes. I have found them at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Wal Mart. They are cheapest at Wal Mart. I then spray paint them--inside too!
Once the paint is dry, or dry enough to pick up because you just can't stand the wait anymore, you can start to decorate. I picked up several sheets of (somewhat) coordinating Halloween paper. Since there's a 31-day count down for this holiday, I didn't want to have the same couple of patterns over and over. I cut out the paper, decoupage the box and the paper, smooth it out and let dry--again, very impatient for this part.

While I'm waiting for the lid to dry, I glue the strong magnet onto the back of the box. I use Sobo glue because Martha told me to, but I also find that it adheres the best. Other glues will release the magnet (remember, the magnet is strong!). NOTE: My hands do not have a disgusting fungus growing on them (that I know of). As I said the other day, I have about 12 projects going on right now, so my hands have been caked in spray paint!Now for the fun part! I have (and bought) various rub-on letters to use for the actual countdown, and I bought some Halloween stickers to decorate with. You could use little punches to place coordinating paper, ribbon through some hole-punched paper, and stickers to embellish.
That's the fun of it! You decide how you want it to look. Inside the boxes, I plan to put a couple of pieces of candy, Halloween tattoos, or some other little treat for my kids to reveal.
I would recommend this for a Christmas advent, too! I already have a different one that I use (to be revealed when that season gets here, of course), but it sure is a fun project! My kids can't wait to use it! Good luck, and I REALLY hope I didn't forget anything!

43 comments:

Unknown said...

This is a great tutorial Chris! I look forward to seeing the Christmas one.
Diane

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Oh!! You are just too much, Girl!!
BTW...perfect tutorial. Got it...immediatly (not that I'm going to make it...but that is MY issue)

Love the idea. Now, can ya just send me some of your creative energy...in a box??!

Nicol said...

What a fun idea. I must say when you first showed them, I thought their cute. But now they are really cute. Maybe once I move I can start on a project like this.

Kelly said...

Oh, how cute!

I also would think it would make a cool birthday count down as well!

Thanks for doing this, I just *might* do it if I can finish my other 1 million and 1 projects first! ;)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tutorial :) I am for sure going to do this with my 2 kiddos & I like the idea of making one for Christmas too :) Thank you for posting :)

@TiffanyRom said...

Totally adorable!!!!

cherry said...

You did good...I understood...that is saying a lot ya know. Hey are you an English teacher...I feel like I have to mind my p's and q's....cherry

Kendra@My Insanity said...

So fun! I did something similar last year for Christmas, that I will post when it gets a little closer to that season. I'm not sure if I'm going to get the chance, this year, but now I really want to make one for Halloween. How clever to use magnets!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Right when I was reading your post...I was thinking Christmas coutdown too! So fun..thanks for teaching us!
-Sandy toes

AJ said...

You must sleep well at night:) Love this project!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh too cute. You should sell those sweet things!

Marie said...

So are you sticking all 31 boxes on your refrigerator? That's the reason for the magnets, I take it? I love this project... it's very cute! I'd do it for sure if my kids were younger, for sure!

Natalia said...

This is such a great project! I am definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the tutorial!

kristen said...

What a great idea! I think I'll try to get a Christmas one done this year. Thanks for the tutorial!

Georgia Girl said...

Great tutorial! I just bought one at Kirklands but will have to print this out and maybe do one for another holiday. I also have one for Christmas but you know there is a holiday in every month.

Shannon said...

Looks so fun!! I love it!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love love love this project! I have started gathering the materials for a Christmas advent...I can't get my act together for Halloween, but yours are so cute it is hard to resist trying. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea Chris!
Carrie

Michelle said...

That's so neat...Thanks another craft to add to the list!

Moi said...

this is really cute and creative! thanks for sharing!

sweet momma luv u said...

So, when you are finished do you frame it with a metal backing to attach the magnets to? I guess I need to see the whole thing done.

I think I will start on a Chrsitmas one now. That way it will be done before the end of Nov.

Thanks a bunch for the great tutorial!

Jody

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

What a great idea to use this for Christmas - I love having a lot of advent Calendars.

Positively Creative! said...

This is SO cute, I love me a Halloween Advent calendar.....can't wait to make mine! Thanks for the gret tut!

Tausha said...

thanks for the great info session! I love the calender and I am so going to do one-I figure I have a couple days until oct starts-I work best under pressure.
Joannes has some cute debbie mum stacks-half off! Must go and get some asap! My hubby will not be happy! But, when the craft fairy calls, one must answer!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

These are the cutest little boxes. I know you said your kidd-o's are really excited to open them. Heck, I would be too!

Unknown said...

You did a great job on the tutorial!

I'm looking for some ideas for invitations to a teen Halloween party...any ideas??

Inspired Kara said...

I am putting this in the "save for when you have kids" corner of my brain :)

Tanya said...

What a great tutorial. I just love it!!!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Ok, so I already left a comment, but tonight when I was at my $ store, I saw the little boxes you used...various shapes, 3/$1. I was jazzed! I'm thinking my hubby will like me all the more if I made him a countdown. :) P.S. Thanks for the sweet comments! - Mandi

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Okay, so maybe I'm a nutjob here posting for the third time, but I was tooling around twopeasinabucket.com. Their gallery is full of scrapbook layouts and altered items. I keyed in 'baby wipes' and these came back. Granted there are only three that really are altered wipe containers, but maybe they will spark your creative juices!

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?gallery=1

Our Complete Family said...

You did such a great job teaching us! I love the project. And your kiddos will really love it!!! Happy Fall~ Les

Glitter & Bliss said...

Wow!!! What a great idea. You are so good at what you do. :) I posted a cute vintage Halloween print today. I think you could really make something cute out of it. Check me out.... Have a great day!!!

Lettered Cottage said...

Really, really cool idea!
You are so creative friend.
:-)

Layla
The Lettered Cottage

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Chris,
You are out of control. You have to be the best mom ever!! These are so darn cute. And the tutorial...PERFECT! : )
Thanks for sharing.
Mary Lou

Emily said...

So inspiring! Can't wait to make one of my own. :)

BTW, love your blog! It has become a regular read of mine.

Meghan said...

This is really super cute!

Ann said...

I totally get your tutorial. And you know what? While reading your instructions, I'm already picturing I'm doing it. Great...what a cool bonding activity for me and my 7 yr old son who loves Halloween so much.

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I'm sooo going to make these, but for Christmas. There's absolutely NO way I'd get them done for Halloween. Maybe if I start this week I'll get the Christmas ones done for NEXT year. :) What a fun idea!

Sarah said...

Super cute and what a fun and easy project. Can't wait to see the Christmas one. I bet it merryerific :)

Megan said...

nice job! awesome! you've got so many great ideas here!

Megan

Stephanie said...

Those are so darling! I might try this for Christmas.

Lauren said...

what a great idea! i'm definitely doing this for christmas!

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Just found this (late much? Naw!) and it's just adorable!

Beka said...

http://scrap-fanatic.blogspot.com/

I loved your idea!! Thanks so much for sharing it. I posted a link to the one I did! It was so much fun to make.

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