Halloween Pumpkin Topiary With Spiders 2012 Ideas from HGTV

We stacked three plain pumpkins together then adorned them in spiders to make a spooky Halloween decoration.

By : Joanne Palmisano

To make this adorable pumpkin topiary, we pinned on spiders and wrapped the pumpkins with black yarn.

Tools and Supplies

serrated knife
scissors
hot-glue gun
3 carving pumpkins (we used faux pumpkins from Funkin)
30 to 40 straight pins with a black tops
flashlight
black yarn
small plastic toy spiders
one large spider

Carve and Stack

Carve the top and bottom of the top pumpkin in the stack. Carve the bottom of the middle pumpkin in the stack. This way stack on top of each other and the top one will have an opening for the flashlight.

Insert Pins

Push the black sewing pins into the pumpkins in a random pattern. Leave half of the pin sticking out. Use about 15 pins per pumpkin.

Create the Spider's Web

Starting at the bottom, wrap the yarn around one of the pins then bring it to the next pin, wrap it around and repeat. Keep weaving the yarn back and forth around the pins until you have one big web. If necessary, use the glue gun on the yarn to keep it from moving.

Add Spiders

Tie or glue small strands of yarn to several of the spiders. Tie the strands to the webbing so the spiders will hang down. Then glue some spiders directly to the webbing. Add several to the top to make it look like they are escaping. Place a few on the floor and make them look like they are about to scatter.

Include Mama Spider

Insert a flashlight into the top pumpkin to illuminate the large spider. Then place the spider as if she's escaping, too (again, be careful of the pins).

How to Make A Natural Pumpkin Topiary : Halloween 2012 Ideas from HGTV

To make this fall porch decoration, we stacked three pumpkins in a planter then adorned the pumpkins in vines, greenery, baby's breath and a few feathers.

Tools and Materials

serrated knife
scissors
hot-glue gun
3 pumpkins (we used faux pumpkins by Funkin)
painter's tarp
greenery (U-shaped) pins
grapevine (twigs)
1 to 2 long bows of artificial greenery (boxwood looking)
2 packages of dried flowers (baby's breath)
5 bunches of feathers
2 to 3 bunches of artificial flowers or grass-like (pom-pom) stems
1 large urn planter

Paint and Prep

In order to be able to stack the pumpkins, break off the stem of the bottom two pumpkins. or cut holes in the bottom of the top two pumpkins. Paint the pumpkins if desired.

Wrap in Vine

On a painter's tarp, layout all the pumpkins and greenery. Start with the bottom pumpkin, unwind the grapevine and cut a piece to go around the bottom of the pumpkin, let some come up from the bottom a little. Use u-shaped pins to hold it in place.

Wrap in Greenery

Cut a piece of the boxwood greenery and place it under the grapevine twigs, use pins to hold it in place.

Add Feathers

Place three of the five bunches of feathers around the grapevine. You may want to use the scissors and cut off most of the stem and then tuck in the rest in between the pumpkin and the grapevine. Use a hot-glue gun (medium heat) to keep in place.

Add Flowers

Cut pieces of the flowers and its greenery then tuck them into the grapevine around the base and glue into place.

Fill in With Baby's Breath

Use dried flowers to fill in the rest, make sure some pieces will hang over the edge of the urn.

Continue onto the Other Pumpkins

Repeat the steps on the upper two pumpkins, but don't use as much decoration as you did on the base pumpkin.

Use the Tarp to Stuff the Urn

We used our tarp not only as a work surface, but we put it in the bottom of the urn to bring the height of the pumpkins up close to the top of the urn. If a tarp doesn't work, try rocks, packing peanuts or old towels. Place the pumpkins in the urn on top of the tarp, allowing it to sink slightly into the middle of the tarp. Make sure none of the tarp shows or the inside edges of the urn.

Fill in Where Necessary

When everything is in place, fill in any blank spaces with more flowers, feathers or even birds.

Ways to Make a Pumpkin Topiary : Halloween 2012 Ideas from HGTV

4 Ways to Make a Pumpkin Topiary

Don't just decorate with one pumpkin; stack three together to create a clever topiary.

Elegant Entry

Create a beautiful entry this fall with a nature-inspired topiary. Wrapped in baby's breath, vines, greenery and a few feathers, this trio of gourds matches the porch's natural colors and style.  

Spider's Nest

This totem is carefully wrapped in tiny spiders and black yarn. The big mama spider on top is illuminated by a flashlight inserted inside the top pumpkin. 

Enlarge Photo+ Shrink Photo–

hide captionshow caption

Zigzag

Learn More This illuminated chevron topiary will help guide trick-or-treaters to your door. The design lends a modern feel, but it is also reminiscent of Charlie Brown, the kid who got nothing but rocks in his treat bag.

Enlarge Photo+ Shrink Photo–

hide captionshow caption

Light 'Em Up

Learn More

Zigzag

This illuminated chevron topiary will help guide trick-or-treaters to your door. The design lends a modern feel, but it is also reminiscent of Charlie Brown, the kid who got nothing but rocks in his treat bag.

Light 'Em Up

These pumpkins are illuminated with clear lights and strands of crystal. This elegant stack will last all fall. It makes a great Thanksgiving centerpiece as well as a Halloween beacon.

2012 Black and White Halloween Decorations Ideas

Make Halloween memorable for you and the kids with these spooky, yet chic displays.

By : Kim Stoegbauer

Spooky Banner

I designed this spooky banner to hang on my fireplace mantel. If you like crafting with paper, you will love this project. The banner stores easily for you to bring out each Halloween season. 

Faux-Feather Garland

A regular green-leaf garland from the craft store turns into a fabulous Halloween decoration when spray-painted black. The featherlike leaves on the garland we used reminds us of black crows, perfect for the Halloween season.

Chair Garland

To create this garland, we used basic white coffee filters. You just need an easy-to-find inexpensive needle, ribbon or twine and a bit of time to create a ruffled chair garland. Another idea is to make it longer and hang from your mantel or banister.

Creepy, Crawly Lamp

The simplest of ideas can often also be the most effective. This pretty ruffled lamp turns scary with a large rubber spider crawling up the shade

Hand Candy Bowl

 Turn an average white bowl into a spooky candy container by attaching a creepy hand to a foam block (to keep it upright) and then fill with Halloween candy. Kids and adults alike will fear placing their hands into this eerie dish. Will getting the candy be worth the scare?

Hanging Heads

 We love using glitter for Halloween projects, especially black glitter. Find papier mache objects, like these skulls, at the craft store, add glitter using a spray adhesive or glue, then hang from your chandelier with ribbon or string. A sure bet for creeping out your dinner guests.

Head on a Platter

Off with his head! A scary skeleton head looks even creepier when presented on a pedestal cake plate. Just find the most frightening skull you can and put him on display. Screams and squeals are sure to follow.  

Spider Wreath

This fabric wreath is simple to make and can be used for many occasions by changing the embellishments. The mini black-glitter spider clips contrast perfectly with the bright white fabric. With just a few basic materials and tools from the craft store, you can dress up your front door for Halloween.

Spooky Halloween Accessories 2012 Ideas

Who said Halloween has to hamper your home decor? From the store to your door, try these easy ideas for celebrating the spooky season in style.

• By : Charity Curley Mathews

Grim Grinning Ghosts

Lit from within, these burlap ghosts can add a surprisingly whimsical feel to a ghoulish holiday.

Make It Miniature

Handcrafted from natural materials such as tree bark and wood chips, this set of brush ornaments is eco-friendly, biodegradable and a great choice for limited spaces.

A Gorgeous Glow

This stunning pair of pumpkin candleholders is a true work of art. Hand-welded from hand-forged sheet metal, they're simple to light; just pop in the votive candles and enjoy the glow.

A Not-So-Tangled Web

Warning: Real spiders will be very jealous. With 100 glass lights set over a natural twig and handwoven rattan frame, this twig spider web is the prettiest web we've ever seen.

Pretty Paper

Get into the spooky spirit with these spider and skeleton paper lanterns. They're perfect as a pair, or create a cluster for a more dramatic look.

All Lit Up

When you've had your fill of pumpkins and ghosts, try adding some decorative Halloween twigs to the front porch. This set of 5-foot twigs comes pre-lit with 50 orange mini-lights already in place.

Creepy Crawly

Look out! This giant spider measures 6 feet across, making him larger than most trick-or-treaters. And if his size doesn't cause a spooky scene, the flashing red eyes certainly will.

The Perfect Pumpkin

Fool guests with this faux pumpkin that mirrors the size, color and texture of an actual pumpkin, and is complete with a spider carving.

Spooky Halloween Table Settings and Decorations 2012 Ideas from HGTV

 

Host a spooky yet elegant Halloween gathering with colorful, bold table settings and decorations. These easy Halloween ideas are sure to impress even the bravest of guests.

 

 By : Farima Alavi

 

 

The Dark Black Raven

For an ominous look, RMSer michellelouise22 placed a black raven and spray-painted tree branches at the center of her fireplace mantel to represent Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven. She made the "nevermore" sign with vinyl letters, and the black candleholders and miniature pumpkins give an extra dark touch.

 

A Succulent Dinner Party

Host a lush dinner party with a vampire theme. Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie started with a black velvet tablecloth and dressed it up with dark red accents. To resemble blood, Courtney hung cloth napkins from the table and added red drip candles on top of antique black candleholders. Add a mirror to the table to reflect the eerie candles, and stick "Blood Red" labels on the red wine bottles.

 

Skull Decor

Skulls fill this creepy dining room decorated by RMSer nyclq, who chose a black-and-white theme. She topped a gauze table runner with a delicate branch centerpiece that holds skull tea lights. The skull theme is carried through to the buffet table, featuring black candelabras and a mummy skeleton. The bright orange window panels are the only pop of color, which adds a dramatic touch to the space.

 



Pumpkin Carving Party

Carving pumpkins is one of the most interactive Halloween activities, so throw your own party filled with delicious treats and whimsical decor. Korinne Seel of Swank Sweets set a playful spider web tablecloth as the backdrop and enhanced it with inexpensive paper Halloween fans. All the edibles are from the local supermarket and customized with party printables by Anders Ruff Custom Designs. Set the pumpkins on cake stands to make them the focal point of the table.

 

 

Skeletons on the Table

You don't need gory decorations to spook your guests. RMSer debbiedoos set a frightening table with a metal skull centerpiece, red skull wine glasses and plastic bones on the place settings. To add more of a scare, she hung yellow CAUTION tape on the windows. This dinner table is sure to lead to a thrilling night.

 

Ahoy, Halloween!

Decorate in red, black and white for a pirate-themed Halloween party. Courtney spruced up vanilla cupcakes with pirate ship cupcake toppers. Fill an old rum bottle with root beer to act as decor and refreshments for guests, and serve other delicious treats in large treasure chests.

 

Magic and Whimsy

RMS user michellelouise22 chose a yesteryear theme for her Halloween decor. She made a kid-friendly centerpiece by placing fake red apples in a black "Poison" pot and painting one apple black to symbolize a poisonous one. The spider wine glass and hard resin book complete the supernatural look.

 

A Witch Gathering

Create a tall grim centerpiece by filling a three-tier cake stand with various Halloween decor. RMSer Tamgypsy filled the centerpiece with glittery skulls, bones, spray-painted Christmas ornaments and a silver witch's hat. She placed miniature skulls on the plates and brought crystal elements to the table with candle holders and wine glasses.

 

How to Create a Spooky Halloween Bar 2012 Ideas from HGTV

Are you entertaining this Halloween? Turn your cocktail bar into a "mad laboratory" by serving scary potions and dressing up the bar with spiders, blood and dismembered hands.

 

By : Joanne Palmisano

 

Halloween Cocktails

We used old utility car as a beverage bar for a Halloween party. We covered the cart in spider webbing then filled the bar potions, magic spells and some spooky decorations.

 

Make Concoctions

Download and print labels to turn your beverage bottles into serums, potions and magic spells. Our labels are editable, so customize them to your desired poison. Use a glue stick to adhere the labels to the bottles. We used wine and liquor bottles.

 

Add Flesh & Blood

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on the bottom shelf of the cart. Make some bloody handprints on the cardboard using red craft paint. Add a little oatmeal to the paint if you want a little more flesh and gore. Let the handprints dry then lay the cardboard inside the bottom of the cart.

 

Web It

Stretch the white webbing over the cart, use a hot-glue gun to attach it the corners and underneath the edges of the cart. Stretch it out to make it look like a spider web, leave a little room to get to the bottom shelf of the cart

 

Add Giant Arachnid

Place large spider on the web to make it look like it is crawling up the side of the cart. Use a little hot glue if necessary to attach its feet in place.

 

Lend a Helping Hand

Place the cut off hands at the end of the cart (preferably if there is a handle) to make it look like as if they are pushing it. Use hot glue gun on a couple of the fingers to keep them in place.

 

 

Set Up Bar

Place the bottles, glassware and a candle on the top of the cart. Then arrange the little spiders in and around them.