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A Different Halloween Decoration Idea

This project is easier than you think, especially with the tutorial and templates.  This Halloween countdown sign is in a classic style so it can be used for several years.

Who can blame children for getting excited for Halloween, not only playing dress-up, parties and free candy but its the start of Christmas preparations in Canada?  Such an exciting magical time for little ones, I am hopeful this sign will shorten the long wait.

The black cat silhouette is in the shape of a regular cat, and I made him a little chubby on purpose,  I think he looks more cuddly and adorable than spooky.

The project starts by making the plywood backing and a simple frame, that’s the hardest part, the rest is simple paint by colour.

Halloween Countdown Supply List

Cut the plywood to 17 by 34 inches.       If your plywood is rough sand it and fill any knots.  I purchased smooth plywood so I was able to skip this step.

Cut your 1″by 2″ lumber.  Cut the frame so that the long pieces fit on top of the short pieces.   This is what the top corner looks like.  No angle cuts needed.  The long pieces are the same length as the plywood 37″  the short pieces are 15.5″.  Paint the frame black.

Drawing the Pattern

Find the center of the picture using a measuring tape.  Draw a circle using a pencil and string.  Place the string at the center point, and using the string to measure the distance draw the arches.

Paint the inside of the circle white.  Paint the rest of the background in black and a very dark blue.   Place little strokes of black and then blue beside each other until the background is covered.  Doing it this way is simple, yet prevents the night sky from looking flat.  Let everything dry very well.

Print out the cat printable, line up the two pages and tape together.  Place the cat print over carbon paper and trace out onto the background.

Painting the Background

Start by painting the outside portion of the moon and around the cats tail in dark midnight blue, and dark blue acrylic paints.

Place the black paints in little strips, and apply blue paint between them.  Do that everywhere.  The final result is a dark midnight sky that doesn’t look flat.  It is a subtle difference but I hope you can see it in the photo.

Painting the moon.

Now that you have the outline of the cat transferred on, you can start adding paint to the moon.  Painting between the cat outline and the edge of the sky,  add some white paint in arches, following the moon shape.  Next mix white and dark yellow paint together. together.  Mix the paint with more and more white to get different shades and paint them in a circle over the moon.

I was very casual doing this if its too dark I added white and vice versa.  Layer it until it looks right.  Let dry.

Next paint the cat in black.  Make sure to keep the edge as neat as possible,  and then paint in the general direction that the cat’s hair would lay.  Complete two coats in the shiny black paint, you want the cat to be as dark as possible so it strongly contrasts with the moon.

Let everything dry overnight before starting the lettering.

Print out the two lettering printables.   Line the letters up and center onto your painting.  Use the printables to trace out the lettering with carbon paper.

With a small brush fill in the lettering.  I used the same golden yellow as for the moon but mixed it with some pumpkin orange.

Paint the square in for marking the days with chalk paint.

I considered making something similar on a chalkboard but decided to paint one instead for the colour.    Which do you think you’re more likely to want?  I would love to hear your input.

My first Halloween post of the year.

Leanna

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