Frightening Friday Series Week 3
Halloween is just not the same for trick-or-treaters without decorating the front porch which means you must have a creepy cobweb Halloween wreath to make it just right. I am usually not one to decorate with fake spider webs, plastic spiders, plastic bats, or anything else that is spooky looking, but this year I decided to get out of my comfort zone and try something different. Usually I end up skipping over Halloween when it comes to decorations because I immediately pull out all the orange and bright colored pumpkins and leaves and forget that some of the pumpkins can wait until Thanksgiving.
If you missed week 1 of this Frightening Friday series, I made a framed Halloween spider web but was too chicken to actually buy some fake spiders to put on it. I am happy to say that little by little I am overcoming my fears of spiders and other bugs and actually bought some at the Dollar Tree to add to this wreath. I went back and added some fake spiders to that framed spider web and it looks so much better.
Next week I will be showing my front porch and mantle complete with all my Halloween decorations so don’t forget to come back and check it out. I will also be giving pointers on how to decorate your front porch for Halloween or really any holiday for that matter. This creepy cobweb wreath is just a glimpse of my front porch for now.
Supplies:
Fake crows– I found these at the Dollar Tree and knew I had to pick them up especially because I am keeping the Halloween decorations this year with a black and white theme.
Black pipe cleaners– You could also use floral wire as well.
Small sticks/branches
Halloween ribbon– My ribbon I found at Michael’s was perfect for my black and white theme decorations this year. It almost looks like a black lace.
Hot glue gun and glue sticks– optional
Start by spray painting your sticks or small tree branches black and let them dry while you work on the rest of the wreath.
To begin with, take your fake spider web and start stretching it out. The more you pull it the better and more realistic it will look. The picture below shows mine as I had started but still needing more stretching.
Once you start stretching it out, you will have a better idea of how much you will need and can then cut a section off to use. Place the spider web on the grapevine wreath. It will hook onto the vines very easily without having to add any extra glue or anything. Once you have it in place in one spot, you can then start stretching it even more across the wreath and placing it where you would like.
I have to admit, I had never used the artificial spider web before but was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to use. I always thought it would be messy and difficult to deal with, but it wasn’t at all.
When I decorate wreaths for holidays, I Iike to find ways to place the objects I am using to decorate with on the wreath without having to glue them in place. If I can use something else like pipe cleaners or floral wire, then I can easily remove them at the end of the season and use them again for the next year. The wreath can then be reused for the next holiday season. Not all wreaths are meant to do that though. I made a flag wreath for Fourth of July that was wrapped in yarn. Obviously I would not want to remove all the yarn to just reuse the wreath. Grapevine wreaths though are perfect for reusing. I find that I use the grapevine wreath mostly in the spring and summer and now for Halloween.
Now for the fun part of having those extra decorations that will really put the creepy into this cobweb wreath. This fake crow would be hard to glue on the wreath anyways and plus I wanted to reuse the wreath which is why pipe cleaners are always a great item to have around. The black pipe cleaners were perfect to blend in with the crow and not so noticeable. I placed the pipe cleaner and bent it around the legs of the crow.
Then just place the crow on the wreath and wrap the pipe cleaners around the branches. Twisting the ends together tightly helps to hold it securely in place.
Next add the fake spiders by pushing the spider legs into the fake web. Again this web is great at holding objects in place which is why you don’t need to use any hot glue. If you want to keep it in place for next year and do not want to reuse the wreath, then I would definitely use hot glue to keep things in place so you do not take the risk of the decorations falling off and losing them before next year.
Once your sticks or small tree branch is dry, stick the end into the wreath and place them as you like. I really feel like the black stick really adds that extra dimension from just having a round wreath.
Now measure how much ribbon you need to hang it on your front door and cut accordingly. I wrapped the ribbon around the wreath and then just tied it in a simple knot.
Your wreath is now ready to hang on your front door and welcome those trick-or-treaters to your creepy front porch.
But I wasn’t finished with just one wreath. I loved how it turned out so much. I found this smaller size grapevine wreath at the Dollar Tree several months ago, and I knew I couldn’t pass it up at the time. I had no use for it then but held on to it. The smaller size made it perfect for using to decorate my mantel which I will showing next week.
Stretch the fake spider web as before and place it on the wreath. Then add the fake spiders and that is all you have to do. I did not add the fake crow due to the smaller size of the wreath.
I cut a smaller piece of ribbon than before and used hot glue to glue it together around the wreath.
I am using something to hang this smaller wreath on my mantel that I found by shopping around my house for other décor items to save money. You will not want to miss what it is. Plus feel free to shop around your house for decorations that you already have that will work great.
I am so happy with the way this wreath turned out and can’t wait to show the entire front porch and mantel with you. It has been so much fun to see it all come together.
If you missed week 1 and week 2 of the Frightening Friday series, please go back and check them out too.
Enjoy this creepy cobweb wreath but always enjoy the little things in life!
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Cute! I wouldn’t have thought to put fake spiderweb on a wreath, but it’s a good idea!
Thank you! It actually sticks to the wreath beautifully without any glue or anything. Very easy.
Hey there! Love this! I am actually posting about my Halloween wreath next week… and am including some of my favorite wreaths I have found for additional inspiration. I think I shall have to include a link to this one! Thanks so much!
Thank you! You are too kind. I would love to see yours too. Let me know when you post it. I also love getting inspiration from others.
Will post it on Friday… and I’ll make sure I come back and get you the link 🙂
Thanks! I would love to see it!
http://www.skinnymommytruths.com/2014/10/halloween-wreaths.html
Here is the link to my post where I liked to yours. 🙂 Happy Halloween!
Nice! The bird definitely makes it more creepy in my books!!! Eek! I love Halloween!
Thank you! There is definitely something about a crow that adds that creepy and spooky factor for sure.
Such a good idea! You would never know that it’s a grapevine wreath underneath–oh, I rhymed! 🙂
this is adorable! not sure how smiled upon it would be in my dorm building… but I will have to refer back to this when i have my own place next year!! 🙂
Yeah might scare some people! lol! You should definitely try next year.
I LOVE your spooky wreath! Such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing your project on the Monday Funday Party!
Thank you! Thanks for hosting the link party too!
Thanks for linking up your wreath to Monday Funday Party – it’s adorable! Pinned!
Thank you so much!! So glad to hear you liked it!
Great creepy cobweb wreath. Pinning to my Halloween board.Thanks for sharing at the party this week @DearCreatives Theresa