Not So Spooky Halloween Decor & The Ghost In The Mirror
Is Halloween a big thing for you? I’ve always wanted to go all out and add that major scare factor to our home. Like giant spider webs, eerie lights, and jiggling skeletons hanging from the trees. But here in South Africa, it’s not really the done thing. Plus, we stay close to a primary school, and I would feel really bad if our spooky Halloween decor gave the little ones nightmares. I can just picture a whole bunch of angry Moms and Dads breaking down our door to tell us that we scared the crap snot out of their kids. So when we decorate for Halloween, we usually do it on a small scale and try to go for “cute scary” rather than something straight out of a horror movie. And I think this loving skeleton couple sure fits that not-so-spooky Halloween decor theme.
Every day is Halloween for a horror fan, we just go a little crazy in Spooktober
Aren’t they just adorable? Not so sure about the ghost in the mirror, though. He’s a little bit creepy.
Ahh, well they say true love never dies, and it sure looks like the skeleton couple will hold on tight no matter what’s looking over their shoulder 😉
What You Need to Make “Not So Scary Halloween Decor”
Besides two small skeletons and something to stage the scene in, you don’t need any fancy stuff to create this little Halloween tableau. We used an old clock for ours. I have this thing for large old clocks and love using them to create fairy gardens, but a box frame or deep canvas will work too. And don’t worry about messing up the old clock. Once Halloween is over you can ban that ghost in the mirror right back where it belongs with a scraper and a cloth. But more about that later.
You’ll also need some floral foam (oasis), moss, a craft knife, a black and white printout of a skull, glue gun, mirror effect spray paint, black spray paint, and mod podge.
How to Make The “Not So Scary Halloween Decor”
Remove the backing and glass from the clock or frame and put it aside for later. Take a piece of floral foam and squish it onto the frame.
Floral foam is super soft, so it leaves an indent that you can use as a template to cut a piece to fit inside. Glue the foam down and trim away any excess.
Grab a hand full of moss and spray them it black. Once it’s dry, glue it all over the floral foam.
Glue the two small skeletons together in a loving embrace. We had to cut the legs off of ours so they would fit nicely inside the clock but feel free to play around with yours. Experiment with different poses until you’re happy before gluing them together.
Glue the little skeletons onto the moss and floral foam before moving on to create that creepy guy in the mirror.
Adding a Ghost In The Mirror
There are quite a few ways to create a ghost in a mirror, from trick photography and Adobe After Effects. But I don’t have Adobe, and my photography skills need some work, so I just downloaded a creepy skull image from the internet and printed it out. It doesn’t matter whether you use an inkjet or a laser printer; they’ll both work. Give the glass a good wipe to remove any smudges and dust, and cut the image, so it’s smaller than the piece of glass.
Apply a thin layer of mod podge onto the glass and the image. Don’t cover the whole image with mod podge; it creates a more dramatic effect.
Place the image face down onto the glass and remove any air bubbles with an old credit card or brayer.
You need to work quite quickly, so the mod podge doesn’t dry. While it’s still wet, carefully peel back the image.
You can see in the pics above how the areas where I didn’t apply any mod podge won’t transfer, giving the print a jagged look. You can use your finger to rub away more of the print if you like; just make sure you don’t rub off the skull 😉 Once you are happy with the transfer, let the mod podge dry before finishing it off.
Finishing Off the Ghost in The Mirror
I wanted the ghost to appear in an antique-ified mirror. Is that even a word? It’s really easy to do. Just give the glass a light mist of water and vinegar before spraying it with mirror effects spray paint.
The water/vinegar mix repels the paint and leaves these interesting, random patterns. Wait for the water/vinegar mix to dry (about 5 minutes) before applying two coats of black spray paint. Once the paint dries, carefully slide the glass into the back of the clock or box frame and secure it with hot glue. That’s it. Your not-so-spooky Halloween decor is ready for Spooktober.
Just for fun, we gave the one little skeleton a small top hat made from craft foam. I think it suits him. He looks like a true gentleman who will protect the love of his life from anything, even that creepy ghost in the mirror.
What do you think? Is the “not so spooky” loving skeleton tableau something you would add to your Halloween decor? Or do you prefer to go all out?
If you like the idea, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Will you be upping the scare factor for Halloween? I’d love to hear what you have planned, so stop for a spell and leave a comment. And if you’re looking for more quick and creepy Halloween crafts, then you’ll love these ideas:
- Realistic of eyeballs with free printables,
- Matilda the spider and her wire web,
- 5-minute vampire wings,
- Super easy skull and crossbones place card holders,
- A magical floating tin can filled with ghost breath,
- Working skeleton hands ice tongs for that extra creep factor,
- Fairy graveyard with spooky gravestones,
- Miniature witch legs in a cauldron,
- Crazy sprouting seed skull,
- Creepy skull and floating bottle of potion.
Oh, before I forget, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of finding some of the materials we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more unique DIY and craft ideas to share with you 😉
Or if you prefer to buy instead of DIY.
And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
Absolutely stunning, love everything about it.
Thanks so much, Anita. I must admit the “loving couple” is one of my fav Halloween decor bits to put up. It always makes people smile
This is fantastic Michelle. Unique and somehow romantic lol. I guess even ghouls and ghosts need love too.
I am with you on the not too scary decor, I don’t create it either.
We all need a little love and not so scary Halloween decor ?
I love your not so spooky couple in the clock. The ghost is a little creepy. Such a creative way to add some not so spooky fun on Halloween. ❤
? As long as the ghost is the only creep thing then I’m happy ?
Such a unique piece for Halloween. It’s perfect.
Thank you Daphne’
Honestly, I am not a fan of any scary things but this Halloween decor is really beautiful and I am sure my sister would love to try this.
I’m so happy to hear that Catherine, thank you very much
P. S you are so talented. That’s some other kinda art.
P.P.S that looks scary. Hhehe
? Thanks so much Sakshi ?
This is such a cool idea! I really like the antique clock that you used. He definitely needed a top hat because he’s obviously a gentleman! haha?
Oh he’s most definitely a gentleman that one ?
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I would love to do this DIY, it seems easy enough.
I hope you do give it a try Evelyn, it’s real easy to do. In fact the most difficult bit was trying to figure out how to pose the two little skellies ?
I really love this decor – its suitably spooky enough without being overly scary for little ones! I love Halloween, so much fun to be had at this time of year.
Thanks so much Asha. Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year too. It’s so much fun to come up with ways to decorate without going over the top with the scare factor
This is too cute! It’s like you created your own Mercury Glass! I love it!
? You’re so right Christie. You can use the same technique to make faux Mercury glass
Your DIY craft always amazed me to the max. Love this Ghost mirror tutorial as it still spreads a love message with both white skeletons hanging tightly to each other. I love how you still dress the male skeleton with a black hat..
Thanks so much Kuma, that’s so sweet of you ?
How cool is this? I am glad you try not to scare the trick-or-treaters too much! My father rigged a ghost that ran on a wire from our house to the driveway. It was cute but the first kids who saw it ran out into the street screaming! LOL Thanks for sharing!
Oh shame, that poor little kid. I think Halloween messes with the little ones minds although I love your Dad’s idea. Maybe we can try something like that in our backyard where the little ones won’t see it ?
I love how unique this Halloween decor is. Oftentimes you find skeletons and pumpkins everywhere. This one has a little romance and class to it.
Romance and class, I like that. Thanks Fatima
This project has the stamp of “Michelle” all over it! I don’t know how you think up these ideas, but they’re always distinctive. My fave is the ghost in the mirror & the way you created the border around all that spookiness.
? Thank you so much Florence ?
Wow this is amazing and so cute. You are clearly very talented. Happy Halloween, enjoy it!
? Thank you very much Rachel and happy Halloween to you too
Awe your skeleton couple is so adorable, Michelle! Just the right amount of scary. Pinned and sharing 🙂
Thanks so much Marie ? They were fun to make
That definitely does not look easy … so many steps!!! The end results is phenomenal though.
❥ tanvii.com
Thank you Tanvi ? and I promise it is easy. You can always skip the ghost in the mirror and add a spooky picture in the back instead.
Aww wow this is super cool! Love the idea! What fun! 🙂
Thanks so much ALexandra ?
That is so amazing! I actually think this is kind of spooky on a certain level. It’s like they died in each other’s arms or something. It’s fantastic!
Oops, you’re right Stacie, they do look like that. I suppose subconsciously that’s part of the story I was trying to create
This is so cool. I don’t know how you think of these clever ideas. They’re always so unique and pretty!
? Thanks so much Stephanie, you just made my day
Michelle!! LOVE this!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing this great project!
Hugs,
Deb
Awww Debby, thank you. That means a lot to me. You always come up with such lovely Halloween vignettes
That is the coolest craft! I absolutely love it!
Thanks so much Lissette, I’m glad you like it
Oh my isn’t that just the cutest little scene. I love the way it tells a such a poignant story.
Thanks so much Susan ?
Dare I say it Michelle? I know you were going for scary but this is too, too adorable. I love the mirror technique too. Happy Halloween I think the not too scary look is perfect and so refined!
?Of course you can say it’s adorable. That’s just the look I was hoping to achieve and at least it won’t frighten the little people
Genius as always! The couple is lovely-spooky and the ghost mirror oooh so cool! That is a technique I must try!! Wishing you a spooky scary Halloweentime my friend…I wish I could come trick-or-treating to your door.
Ahhhh now wouldn’t that be awesome Katrin. We would have so much fun coming up with not so scary Haloweenish things.
Ops you did it again!!! You have such a creative mind Michelle! Love it, pin it, love it, pin it!!!
? Thanks so much Christina ?