miycreations-Halloween-decor-idea, miycreations, MIY

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Miycreations Project article and photographs
by Madeleine M Langlois MaddyLane Designs

“Get a “step-on-it!”
Add a welcoming touch to your Halloween Decor
Recycle Décor - Transform leftover vinyl or linoleum flooring into creative
Halloween Mats

Hands-on time: under 3 hours.
Total time: plus paint and varnish drying time.
Skill: easy and kid friendly.
Cost estimate: Average $18.00.

Materials & tools:
- Vinyl flooring or linoleum flooring (sold by the foot at major home renovation
centers)
- Pencil, long steel ruler or measure tape
- Utility knife
- Gesso (to use as a primer)
- Acrylic craft paints in fall colours, PBO Deco (Cream Couleur)
- Craft paintbrush 2.5 cm and fine paint brushed for details and outlines
- Exterior clear high-gloss latex urethane
- Artist oil pastels sticks in assorted colors (sold individually by the color, they
feel like fine chalk)
(I used Burnt Sienna, Indian Red, turquoise blue, may green by Holbein)

(Materials for this project are available at arts, crafts, and hardware stores as
well as at garden centers.

Autumn is always a great source of inspiration. Why not get a step-on-it and
create a colorful and inviting pumpkin mat which is sure to add warmth to your
entrance while welcoming your quests this fall.

Mixing mediums is the key to achieving this rustic look by combining bright
acrylic paint colors and using oil pastels smudged over the dried design for
innovative detailing on simple vinyl flooring. If you can carve a face on a
pumpkin you can paint a pumpkin mat!

Measure the vinyl to the desired size and cut with a utility knife or strong cutters.
Apply two base coats of Gesso with a paintbrush onto the backside of the vinyl.
Allow each coat to dry for at least an hour in between coats. With a pencil draw
a freehand basic pumpkin outline shape with leaves at the top directly on the
mat over the dried Gesso, or you may opt to cut a stencil of your design.

Using assorted acrylic colors, paint in your design with various paintbrushes.
Blending and overlapping similar shades such as using three different shades of
orange over each other as you go. Let each color dry before apply the next
color range. Let the whole design dry before painting on the eyes, nose, mouth
and outlines around the pumpkin using a fine paint brush.

Once your design is completely dry, use oil pastels pencils to add shading and
details on the pumpkin’s face and leaves to add a three dimensional illusion
(effect). Smudge the oil pastels with your finger tip or a paper towel, use
whatever feels more comfortable. Don’t hesitate to try using contrasting colors; I
used Turquoise Blue and May Green in the leaves and Indian Red, Burnt
Sienna on the pumpkin.

Apply two to three coats of exterior latex urethane to the surface, and letting dry
between each coat. Let dry overnight. Using the cutters, cut around the pumpkin
shape and the mat is ready to be displayed to greet your guests.

Tips: You can apply non-skid backing (available at hardware stores) at the back
of the mat apply with double-faced tape if you desire or if you have a heavy
traffic area entrance. For a large area mat you can use a paint roller to apply
the paint to the vinyl flooring.
For maintenance, simply wipe the mat with a warm damp cloth is usually
sufficient. Mild soap detergent can be used with a damp cloth.

Variations: This project is an easy way to create amazing fall or holiday
projects in any shape and size such as; placemats, coasters or table runners. If
you have a long hallway or pathway, make several mats in shapes of fall leaves
and painting them in all different autumn colors or eerie spooky shapes from
ghosts to bats for Halloween.

Here’s a fun idea; make a mat for your cat or dog eating area in any festive
holiday shape or shapes to amuse you pet such as a bone, mouse or fish
shapes.

Decorative holiday mats can also be used as wall decorations positioned near a
front door or side wall mounted with scotch double-stick tape or quality sticky
tack.

MIY Fun Halloween Decor Idea
Pumpkin Matt
"f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s"

Autumn is always a great
source of inspiration. Why
not get a step-on-it and
create a colorful and inviting
pumpkin mat which is sure
to add warmth to your
entrance while welcoming
your quests this fall.