Because Children Aren't Scary Enough on Their Own

I may have lived in Los Angeles for nearly a dozen years (with many more to come, hopefully) but I’m originally from Chicago. I try to get back home several times a year (even more now since the Best Baby Ever was born and is growing up way too fast) and I was lucky enough to be able to visit in August. Okay, the midwest in August isn’t exactly ideal (I don’t think the humidity ever dropped below 80% the entire time I was there) but I did get to see my whole family, including my Aunt Patte who was visiting from Maryland. 

And we got this super cute girl cousin picture (sorry xy cousins)

One of the things my family really likes to do together is shop. We’re particularly fond of antique stores and the midwest is definitely a great place for that. Definitely better than Los Angeles. I’ve been to enough antique stores to know when I’m getting a deal and most stores in the LA area are severely overpriced. Anyway! All this to say that I enjoy antiquing with my family and I usually find some unique treasures. This trip proved particularly lucrative. In addition to a neat salt/bread box that I’m going to keep craft supplies in and a book about sex from 1968 I also found some cool pictures of creepy Victorian children. My mom and aunts were horrified, but I knew that I had found a new Halloween decoration...and I wouldn’t even have to cut their eyes out to be scary (not a euphemism. Check that tutorial here). 

Supplies
Picture of creepy children (or creepy adults, or creepy dogs, or creepy whatever floats your boat)

Picture frame

Black paint

Creepy accoutrement

Lots of glue

Step One

I purchased a gold frame from Goodwill and that was just a little too cheerful for me so I decided to paint it black. Occasionally, I’ll go for a distressed look with dry painting but this time I just globbed it on.

Mushu helped 

Step Two
Once the paint dried down I decided that I wanted to add an extra creep factor to the frame. Luckily, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween season! And my local dollar store was loaded with Halloween goodies. I grabbed a skeleton garland because a) skeletons have a lot of parts you can use to glue to a frame and b) I thought the contrast would look nice against the black frame. I also had some small plastic skulls left over from an earlier project because, well, who doesn't? I used these goodies and my trusty E600 glue to add a little horror pizazz to the frame. I applied glue every part of the skeleton that was touching the frame, because I don’t want to risk them falling off. Of course, this means that they don’t move. I’m okay with that, but you may want to use less glue for a more fluid monster. 

Step Three
Frame those children. Frame them good. Now display them in all of their creepy glory!

Seriously, look at this. I don’t even need to cut their eyes out. They’re creepy enough.

Do you prefer your Halloween decor sweet or spooky? Let me know!