Creepy HALLOWEEN cushions....

 

 I am having some issues with my photo's for this post, please bare with me whilst I work on resolving this issue!!

Everybody knows a quick way to update your home décor is to add soft furnishings like cushions.

But cool cushions can cost a fortune, so today I want to show you how YOU can make these 3 creepy Halloween cushions for just a little more than £10...

So, when I was making my Paper Mache Halloween pumpkins the other week, I had a lot of time on my hands whilst waiting for the paper Mache layers to dry, So I filled my time with other spooky décor makes, like these creepy cushions, made to match my Pumpkins...

I got some cheap cushion covers from IKEA(£3 each), found some spooky images on the internet, then made up some easy stencils, then got to work with some fabric paint...

Here's how I did it:

First I made my stencils:

I found this skull and crossbones image from Freestockphotos.com, printed it out in the size I wanted...(notice my printer running out of ink...it doesn't matter as the printed bit is what you want to cut out and throw away, so this is a great project to do when you want to use up the last remnants of ink in your printer)

Then I got another bit of paper, and covered it with double sided tape...I then adhered the skull image on: This will not only make the paper in the stencil thicker, but also provide a level of waterproofing, so that your stencil will last longer...

Using a scalpel, carefully cut out the black parts of the image, leaving the white...

 NOTE: If your image has, like the eyes and nose in mine, parts that are NOT connected to the white of the paper, please remember NOTt to cut them out fully, before cutting a little strip of paper to connect these areas with the rest of the stencil.... like in the image above.

 

 Put your cushion cover flat on the table, place the stencil on top and apply the fabric paint with a sponge...The darts of paper holding the eyes and nose in place, will leave lines in your stencilled image....simply fill these in after removing the stencil.

TIP:Before stencilling your cushion covers, place a bit of baking paper inside to prevent the fabric paint to seep through to the back of the cushion.

For my next cushion I used this fabulous skull stencil

 image by Tui-rector from Deviant art...the same one that I used for my scary skull pumpkin.

I repeated the process described above to make it into a stencil...

Having laid the cushion cover flat, with a bit of baking paper inside to prevent bleeding, I used some masking tape to stick my stencil in the position I wanted...

The sponge applicator I am using makes it easier to control the application of the fabric paints...You can find these sort of sponge applicators in kids paintbrush kits...

I used Dylan fabric paints (ca £1.50 per pot) in gold and white for this cushion.

First I stencilled the white skulls on to the cushion cover, then I let this set until dry (10-20 minutes) before applying the gold skulls...

REMEMBER to have some paper towels to hand and blot any excess pint of your stencil every now and then...

When all your fabric paint is completely dry (1-2 hours) take out the baking paper inside the cushion cover, then iron on low heat to set the paint into the fabric...place a bit of muslin or a kitchen towel on top of your design before ironing...

For my last cushion , I chose this creepy crawly spider stencil image from tag body art....

....repeating the processes above.

This really was such an easy and cheap DIY, and I love the result!

Cool cushions can cost a fortune, but I've made these 3 for £13.50, and I still have lots of fabric paint left over for another project or two...

 I have a few more Halloween décor DIY's to show you over the next week, before I reveal my Spooky home décor in its entirety...

so stay tuned for more easy, maybe not subtle, but definitely not cheesy ,Halloween Décor ideas!!

xxx

June