Halloween Countdown Calendar- Guest Post by Veronica Carter

Halloween Countdown Calendar

Materials                   

·         1 – metal household decorative piece (approx. 10½”x13½”)

·         1 – 12”x12” Halloween scrapbook paper

·         3 – 12”x12” different coordinating colors of scrapbook paper

·         1 – sheet of “number” stickers (make sure you have enough to number 1-30)

·         2 or 3 – sheets of Halloween scrapbooking stickers

      (make sure you have 30 stickers that are large enough to cover your round magnets)

·         30 – round magnets

·         4 – fuzzy/decorative plastic buttons

·         1 – 4 oz. bottle of Beacon 3-in-1 craft glue

·         1 – 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint, coordinating color of your choice

·         1 – 4 oz. bottle of Mod Podge, matte or shiny finish

·         1 – roll of ¼” sticky strip tape

·         1 – roll of 3/8” black grosgrain ribbon

·         1 – roll of 7/8” black grosgrain ribbon for hanging your calendar (optional)

Tools

·         Paper trimmer

·         1-3/8” square punch (optional)

·         Scissors

·         Ruler

·         Foam or paint brush

·         Plastic cup for paint and Mod Podge

·         Crop-o-dile with two black eyelets (optional)

Instructions

1.      Paint the edges of your metal decorative piece.  Use a foam brush to cover 1½” depth to provide an edge for your 12”x12” Halloween scrapbooking paper.  Several coats will be necessary allowing each coat to dry before you apply the next.  See figure 1.

Figure 1

2.      Trim your 12”x12” Halloween scrapbooking paper to 8½”x12”.  Center and adhere the paper to your painted metal decorative piece using your 3-in-1 glue.  Make sure to use enough glue to provide a good seal.  This glue is forgiving so it allows you some time to work with before adhering it.  See figure 2.

3.      Punch 30 squares from the coordinating colors of scrapbooking paper.  If you don’t have a punch, simply use your paper trimmer to cut the squares sized 1-3/8”x1-3/8”.   I punched 10 of each color – purple, green, black.  See figure 2.

Figure 2

4.      Add the number stickers to your squares.  Be sure to figure out if you want to create a pattern with your squares prior to adding the numbered stickers.   See figure 2.

5.      Line up and adhere the 30 squares with your 3-in-1 glue or any other scrapbooking adhesive.  Make sure to get a good seal around the squares so they don’t lift after the glue dries.  See figure 2.

6.      Re-use your washed and dried foam or paint brush and add a coat of Mod Podge to the entire metal decorative piece and over the Halloween paper and squares.  Brush on a nice even coat.  Try to go over an area just once or immediately while still wet.  If you brush too much it can tend to get gummy.  The Mod Podge will appear like white school glue and once dried will be clear.  This serves as a seal for your paint and paper, and gives it a nice clean look. You will also notice the Halloween paper will tend to bubble but once dried it will flatten back to normal. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes.  Go over spots if needed.

7.      Cut 4 pieces of the 3/8” black grosgrain ribbon as a trim around your Halloween paper.  Cut and add pieces of the double-sided sticky strip tape to your pieces of ribbon.  Remove the red backing from the sticky strip tape and adhere each ribbon as a trim around the edge of your Halloween paper.  See figure 3.

Figure 3

8.      Add decorative buttons to each corner with your 3-in-1 glue.  You may have to use sharp scissors to cut off the back loop of the buttons that are used for sewing onto clothing.  Gives it a flatter surface to work with.  See figure 4.

Figure 4

                                                                                                           

9.      The metal decorative piece you purchased may have come with sawtooth hangers on the back or hanging wire.  You can get a little creative here with the tools you have available and personal taste.  I love to add ribbon to my hanging pieces.  Use the largest hole in your Crop-o-dile tool to punch two holes on the metal piece and add two black eyelets.  See figure 5.

Figure 5

10.  Cut a 24” piece of your 7/8” black grosgrain ribbon long enough to make a loop for hanging and tying knots at each end.  Feed your ribbon through each eyelet and tie knots at each end.  Trim off excess ribbon.  See figure 6.

Figure 6

11.  The last piece of this project is to create your 30 magnet markers to use on each numbered square.  Select 30 stickers that are large enough to cover the round magnets you chose.  Place the stickers on a coordinating piece of scrapbooking paper.  Cut around each sticker.  Glue each sticker again on another layer of scrapbooking paper using your 3-in-1 glue.  It is recommended to add 3 layers of scrapbooking paper to add thickness to your sticker.

12.  Glue a round magnet to the back of each sticker using your 3-in-1 glue.  Allow to dry at least 6 hours or overnight to ensure that the glue has dried.  And now you’re ready to countdown a fun Halloween with your kids!

*       This project can cost between $18 and 24.  Depends on some of the materials you use or may already have at home.  My favorite stores for craft supplies are Joanns, Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  They always have good sales or email you coupons regularly.  These stores also have apps you can download for coupons.

*       The glues and adhesives I suggest are my favorites for any project and know they are going to make your creation last for years to come.

*       I suggest that if you are not a regular crafter, find a friend who is and offer to share your supplies and work on this project together!

*       The colors and embellishments I used were based on my preference but feel free to modify.  The greatest thing about crafting is that you can make it your own by adding your own little flair.  Happy Crafting!

    -Veronica Carter has a real gift and passion for crafting. This is evident in all the amazing things she creates. Veronica is a UCLA alumni, wife and mother to 2 amazing boys. She currently lives with her family in Arizona.