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Halloween Art

October 11, 2011 By Vicky 43 Comments

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Did you know themed cookie cutters should be on your wishlist?  What’s that? You are trying to be healthy and you don’t eat cookies?  You still need cookie cutters.  I can’t tell how many times I have used my giant set of cookie cutters and not once have I made cookies with them.  I got a giant Wilton set at Michael’s with a 40% coupon, but really any kinds of cookie cutters will do.  You might be wondering what does this lady use cookie cutters for if not for cookies?  I mean it’s almost blasphemous not to use them for cookies. Well, take a look at our cookie cutter art!

Before I get into today’s project, I want to throw out some quick cookie cutter ideas.  They make great play dough accessories.  Kids can roll out the dough and cut out fun shapes.  They are an easy way to spice up meal time.  Cut a fun shape out of a piece of bread or sliced cheese and you have just become the cool mom and added some interest to a meal.  And I suppose you can use them to make cookies as well.
With Halloween fast approaching I thought some Halloween activities were in order.  So I dug out my Halloween cookie cutters and decided that we could use them to make prints with paint.  In addition to Halloween cookie cutters, you will need some paper (copy or construction)  and appropriately colored Halloween paint.  I started out with orange and white.
Directions for this one are as you would expect, just dip the cookie cutter in the paint and press down on the paper to make a print.   I am not sure if I did not use enough paint in my tray for dipping, but I found that just dipping the cookie cutter in the tray did not always give it a full coating of paint.  Often, we had to move the cutter back and forth in the paint to get it fully covered.
B made some pumpkins.
I really like the look of this on black construction paper.
C made a picture with the moon cookie cutter.
Spooky Haunted Houses
We added some black paint to the mix and A experimented with the moon shaped cutter.
So I think these came out really cute and I think they would be even more adorable if you have kids who are a little older and have more hand control.  I will warn you ahead of time that this was a very messy activity.  If you don’t like messy activities (you might want to check out the name of the blog) then this is not for you.  There was paint everywhere!  At one point when they were drying the cat jumped up on the table and got paint on her tail.  She did not sign up for this.  Please note, no cat was harmed in the creation of this art.  But one cat got her pride wounded.

When I was trying to clean up the paint “A” said, “I have an idea!”  Usually nothing good can come of that as her ideas usually involve her mouth and copious amounts of M & M’s.  But this time it was a good idea.  She took a sheet of copy paper and pushed it onto her tray to make a print.  We had done this a while ago, and I guess the experience stuck with her.  When B saw her doing this she wanted to do it too.  Little C had checked out of the activity a while ago.
The next day when all the paint had dried, I was left with dozens of these prints.  They were pretty enough on their own, but I wanted to do something more with them.  Since the colors were so festive I decided to make some Halloween banners.
Some of the prints after they dried.

For the first banner, I used my Halloween cookie cutters (see, I am using them again!) to trace a ghost and pumpkin shape on the dried prints.  I traced 7 ghosts and 6 pumpkins and cut them out. A hole punch would be great here, but I think ours has up and left.  I haven’t seen it in forever and I don’t want to buy another one because I know it’s around.  Anyway, I just used a scissor to poke the holes.  So don’t worry if you don’t have all the proper tools since you can always improvise.

Next, I strung up my shapes on some white grosgrain ribbon and our banner was complete.
I was pleased with this banner but still had so many prints left.  I got this idea to cut letters out of the prints to spell “Happy Halloween” and make another banner for the mantle in our family room.  I just hand drew the letters and cut them out.  I used some cream colored scrapbook paper as the backdrop for my letters.  I am pretty lazy and so I didn’t want to do anything that needed to be that precise.  I tore the cream paper with my hands to get a rustic treasure map kind of look (I love to use this technique when scrapbooking) and glued the letters on.
I like to make hair clips for my girls so I have a basket of various grosgrain ribbon.  I found some orange ribbon and poked some holes in the squares of letters and strung them up.
Here it is, a festive addition to our Fall Mantle
Big props to “A” and her good idea!  The kids were very excited to see what I made with their art.

 

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Filed Under: art

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Comments

  1. Joyce @Dinosaurs&Octopuses says

    October 11, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    I have a cookie cutter addiction. And cookies. And Michaels. We were doing something with our cookie cutters today! Great timing. I LOVE how your prints turned out and I adore what you did with them. I'm also jealous because we are remodling and moving and I can't really decorate like I typically would. I'm going to pin this though, so I know how to make some banners next year! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Mallory says

    October 11, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    I love your unexpected banners! How fun! Plus your kiddos helped out!

    Reply
  3. Rachelle Ball says

    October 11, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this banner. So stinkin cute! I don't even have kids and I want to make one. 😉

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your feedback on my Framed "FALL" Letters project and I am happy to have you as a follower! I have added you to my list, as well.

    Rachelle @ http://dazedtoamaze.blogspot.com/
    ([email protected])

    Reply
  4. Monster Mom says

    October 11, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    Following you back! And I'm #800!!! yay!

    Reply
  5. Lori says

    October 11, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Love cookie cutters – what fun you all had! Darling banner!

    Reply
  6. Regan says

    October 12, 2011 at 1:23 am

    Thank you for stopping by. I'm following you back 🙂

    This is an adorably wonderful idea!

    Reply
  7. PAPS says

    October 12, 2011 at 3:50 am

    I use cookie cutters too. My kids enjoy a lot of fun projects too. I try to do a lot of hand work with them but as they get older it is tough with time since my older boy gets school projects and has a lot of activities. Thanks for visiting my blog and following. I am following back.
    http://www.thoughtsofpaps.com

    Reply
  8. ferrellgraph-x says

    October 12, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Vicky your little artists did such a fabulous job! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way you created a banner with their art! I will be doing this with my som Parker! Thank you for the inspiration!
    Kindest regards,
    Jennifer

    Reply
  9. Brittney says

    October 12, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    What a great way to use the pages and pages of artwork my 2 year old creates, I love this! I also love cookie cutters…just came home from my last "treasure hunt" at the goodwill with 2 bags of cookie cutters for play doh!

    We actually just used our Halloween cookie cutters to make new crayons.
    http://moms-heart.blogspot.com/2011/10/autumn-cookie-cutter-crayons.html

    Reply
  10. JDaniel4's Mom says

    October 13, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    I really love your banner! It looks like you had a wonderful painting it.

    I hope you will link this to my Halloween Traditions: Craft link up on Oct. 24th.

    Reply
  11. Wendy says

    October 13, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Thanks for following given you a follow back:) I just love the banners!

    Reply
  12. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Joyce, I know what it's like to be in transition. Hopefully next Halloween you will be able to decorate to your hearts content. Thanks for pinning this!

    Reply
  13. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Mallory, I love when I can get them involved.

    Reply
  14. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Rachelle, it was pretty easy!

    Reply
  15. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Monster Mom, so excited to have you as 800! Woo-hoo!

    Reply
  16. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Lori, thanks! Cookie cutters rock!

    Reply
  17. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Regan, thanks for stopping by!

    Reply
  18. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    PAPS, I have heard it gets very busy as they get older.

    Reply
  19. Vicky says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Jennifer, Thanks! So glad you and Parker will be trying this. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Michelle says

    October 13, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    this is such a cute and fun idea!!

    Thank you for following my blog Mama's Baby Cupcakes. I'm now a GFC follower of your blog 🙂

    Reply
  21. Lori @ La-La's Home Daycare says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    What a great idea! That banner is awesome!

    Thanks for linking up with Holiday Kid Craft Link Up!

    Reply
  22. LadyD says

    October 13, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    What a lovely banner. Your display is gorgeous!

    Reply
  23. Brooke @ Let Kids Create says

    October 13, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    This is awesome, Vicky. I would have never thought to use cookie cutters with paint, nor to use them to trace and cut out shapes. I love the banners. My daughter who is sitting with me wants to make one now. Should be fun!

    Reply
  24. Tutus & Tea Parties says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:30 am

    Wonderful idea! I never would have thought to use cookie cutters for painting! We have a ton we use for dough. I am so doing this tomorrow.

    Thanks for linking up @ Tutus & Tea Parties

    Reply
  25. Little Wonders' Days says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:55 am

    This is a fun idea! I love the banners. Too funny about the cat.

    Reply
  26. Mrs Happy Homemaker says

    October 15, 2011 at 3:02 am

    Adorable!!!

    Reply
  27. Mandi says

    October 15, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    Those banners are so perfect! Genius idea!!! I always have these weird painted papers from my kids that I don't know what to do with, so they just hang on the fridge for a week. This is such an awesome idea for those! I'm getting out the cookie cutters. 🙂
    Mandi at BBM

    Reply
  28. Crafty Mischief says

    October 16, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I love the banner! what a fun idea! I think I've found a way to keep my 5 year old entertained for an hour. Thanks for sharing!
    Your blog is great! I've awarded you with The Most Versatile Blog Award. Stop by my site to check it out. Thanks!
    http://www.craftymischiefbybrittany.com/2011/10/blog-lovin.html

    Reply
  29. totschool says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:02 am

    Thanks for stopping by my site. I like a lot of the ideas in your blog too. I really love the beautiful banner!

    Reply
  30. Jenna says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    awww these are sooo cute! thanks for sharing! found u thru mel at the crafty scientist. love your blog!

    itsjustcalledspicy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  31. southernscraps says

    October 16, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    Both of these banners are great!

    Reply
  32. Brie says

    October 17, 2011 at 1:01 am

    This is a GREAT banner! And I'm sure your daughters feel so special to have contributed to the family decor! 🙂 Love!!! Thanks for following me! I just became a new follower – looking forward to seeing more!

    Brie @ BreezyPinkDaisies

    Reply
  33. TimeForLemonade says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    GAH! I am in love with your halloween banner – it came out SO cool! I also never thought about using cookie cutters as paint stamps – awesome idea! I'm a new follower 🙂 How does one go about getting as many followers as you? I'm jealous!

    Reply
  34. Our Country Road says

    October 18, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    This is adorable! I love that your daughter had an idea :).

    Reply
  35. Kristy says

    October 18, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    Oh yes, you have got me wishing for themed cookie cutters. Better take a peek in my "other holidays" bin just to be sure I don't already have Halloween cookie cutters – along the lines of your hole punch. 🙂 Found you through the Living Life Intentionally linky.

    Reply
  36. Leah says

    October 19, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Preeeety Fun!

    Reply
  37. Vicky says

    October 20, 2011 at 4:52 am

    @ Michelle, thanks for following!
    @ Lori, thanks for the sweet words.
    @ Lady D, thanks for coming by!
    @ Brooke, hope you and your daughter have fun with them.
    @ Tutus and Tea Parties, get out those cookie cutters. 🙂
    @ Little Wonders Days, you know how cats are.
    @ Mrs Happy Homemaker, thank you!
    @ Mandi, it's a fun way to recycle.
    @ Crafty Mischief, thanks for the award. I am so honored to have gotten it a few times already.
    @ totschool, thanks for the kind words
    @ Jenna, thanks so much, I am following you as well.
    @ Southern Scraps, thanks, they were super easy to make.
    @ Brie, yes they love being a part of things
    @ Time for Lemonade, it's a lot of hard work. I am embarrassed about the amount of time I spend on blog related activities.
    @ Our Country Road, she has lots of ideas.
    @ Kristy, cookie cutters are so fun.
    @ Leah, thanks!

    Reply
  38. Miss Charming says

    October 20, 2011 at 6:24 am

    I love the Halloween banner. Such a creative idea! (I'm now a follower.)

    Reply
  39. Mrs. G says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:38 am

    We featured this post at Kidding Around Friday! Come on over, grab a button and like up again!
    http://growingupgardner4.blogspot.com/2011/10/kidding-around-linky-party-1021.html

    Reply
  40. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    October 23, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    I agree! I adore my cookie cutters! I use them for art, pancakes/french toast, sandwiches, etc…. I seriously have tons & have a long wish list still to add more 🙂

    Thanks for sharing on the Sunday Showcase! I hope to see you again this week! I showcased these on facebook & Twitter!

    Bern
    http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase

    Reply
  41. artsy_momma says

    October 23, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    The cookie cutter prints and banner turned out awesome! Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂

    Reply
  42. Buy and Sell says

    November 24, 2011 at 7:56 am

    ..that little girl is so artistic..
    ..that Halloween decor is so cute..

    *_* maica *_* Buy and Sell

    Reply
  43. Properties philippines says

    January 4, 2012 at 8:07 am

    that girl is so amazing for decoring the whole house !

    – nina

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Vicky, founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for play and learning activities for kids, kid friendly food, parenting tips and general family fun, you will find it at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me or drop me a note. Thanks for stopping by!
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