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How To Make An Easy And Thrifty Halloween Vignette

October 18, 2017 by boondocks 76 Comments

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By now you must all know that fall is my favorite time of the year.  And during fall we have Halloween which is always so much fun to decorate for.  Last year, while still in Greece we had a blast for Halloween with Mr. Pumpkin Man and we even had a Halloween party. 

So it is only fitting that now that we are in the States we will be going all out and celebrating.  And what easier way to celebrate then by putting together an easy and thrifty Halloween vignette that is created with re-purposed items. 

Today I am also joining some very special friends for a Fall/Halloween blog hop, so be sure to check them out at the end of this post. 
​

Lit Lava Pumpkin, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com

What I used for this vignette: 

  • A Himalayan Salt Lamp
  • One plastic jar
  • One glass Jar
  • A set of fairy lights
  • One battery operated candle
  • An old ceramic plate
  • Two tin cans
  • Various ribbons
  • a few fake pumpkins
  • pine cones
  • A cardboard box

The How -To:


​Let’s start with the obvious.  Can you guess what the above photo is?  No?  How about now?  In the photo below?
​
Yes that big ol’ blob is a Himalayan Salt Lamp.  My son has a few of them and well… it is orange!   I just couldn’t resist!   Do you think I should have asked him first before turning it into a pumpkin? 

I cut out a label into eyes, a nose, and a mouth and added them to the lamp.  I don’t really care what they look like in the daylight because the magic  happens when we turn the lamp on. 
​

The Lava Pumpkin, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
Now this guy next to the Himalayan Pumpkin is a very simple idea.  I just took a jar and painted the little ghost on it.  But the jar was turned upside down.  I then placed a battery operated candle inside…
​
A glass jar painted with a ghost, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
And voila!  Much safer than using a real candle and this “candle” also has a rotating flame which looks so pretty. 
​
Candle underneath the jar, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
These fellows here were also painted onto a plastic jar.  I know we all have plenty of jars weather they are plastic or glass, it really doesn’t matter.  
Plastic jar with painted ghosts, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
Actually there is a whole family of ghosts painted all around the jar. I threw some fairy light inside and added a pretty black and white ribbon on top. 
​
fairy lights inside plastic jar, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
The pumpkins were a store purchase many years ago.  No reason to throw them out, we can reuse them year in, year out. They look fresh because we have surrounded them with up-cycled crafts. 
​
Pumpkins and more pumpkins, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
And those twine covered little globes?  I had bought a whole package of them along with pine cones at Michael’s a few years ago. They actually smell like cinnamon! The orange leaves were found on the street, courtesy of Mother Nature. 
twine covered balls, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
Have you got some tin cans?  of course you do!  I painted mine in black and wrapped a piece of orangey fabric around. This came from an old blouse.  You know I am always doing that to my old clothes. Re-purposing the fabric for crafts.  It is easy and super thrifty.  I then added some ribbon over the fabric to hold it in place.  No glue here, because next month I might want to use the tin cans for something else. 
​
Tin cans wrapped in fabric and secured with ribbon, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
Placed on a platter dish they make a nice grouping, along with the small pine cones scattered around. 
​
platter holding the pumpkins and pine cones, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
​Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
​

​This chalkboard dish was another easy re-purpose.  I found this dish in my dad’s basement …(shhh he doesn’t know that I took it).  It had one of those generic fall landscape scenes on it.  But I wanted it to work harder for me.  So I painted it with 2 coats of chalkboard paint and then prepped it using chalk.  I then wiped off the chalk the next day and was ready to use it.  My daughter grabbed it and drew Jack Skeleton on it. 

​Of course all it takes to change it up is a good wipe down and it will be ready for next month’s holiday!

wall plate painted with chalkboard paint and Jack Skeleton drawing, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
The gravestone is just a cardboard box, the kind that had a frame in it.  It was oncea wall art piece (see I never let anything go to waste).  The wall art had run its course and we really wanted to have a gravestone so my girl just painted it on.  Very easy and it cost nothing. And because it’s a box, it is more substantial than just a piece of cardboard.
Cardboard box painted as a gravestone, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
All lit up!
​
Halloween vignette all lit up, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
All in all, it cost us nothing to make this fun and easy vignette. I think it may have taken me longer to choose which photos to share with you!
​
close-up of gravestone, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
I think this little fella is my favorite!
Little BOO ghost, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
Looking down at the Halloween Vignette, How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
All in all this fun project cost me nothing.  Just a bit of time and a good look around the house to see what I had available. And you know what, being able to re-purpose all those jars and tin cans makes me very happy!

​ I hope these simple ideas can inspire you to make your own easy and thrifty Halloween Vignette. And if you have a Himalayan Salt lamp, well, that’s even better!
​

Up-cycling and Re-purposing Household items to make an easy and thrifty Halloween Vignette, #Halloween #Halloweenvignette #Upcycledjars #Upcycledhouseholditems #repurposing #holloweendecor #easyhalloween #Simplehalloween #ThriftyHalloween #How to Make an Easy and Thrifty Halloween Vignette www.theboondocksblog.com
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Picture
Now make sure to hop on over and visit all my special friends who are also participating in this Fall/Halloween blog hop. 
​

Welcome to our monthly Creative Blog Hop!

This month it’s all about Halloween/Fall Projects where you’ll find lots of inspiration to keep you DIYing for months! Meet your hosts

Tammy @ Hey Fitzy | Mary @ The Boondocks Blog Janine @ Happy Happy Nester | Carolann @ Sassy Townhouse Living Norma @ Paint Me Pink | Sarah @ Creative Ramblings Tara @ Lehman Lane | Michelle @ Our Crafty Mom Sam @ Raggedy Bits | Amanda @ Life On The Bay Bush Leanna @ Faeries and Fauna | Ashly @ Modern Glam Katrin @ KreativK | Jodie & Julie @ The Design Twins Kellie @ Gratefully Vintage

 

Grab some Halloween/Fall Inspiration

An InLinkz Link-up

More Halloween ideas:
Wall Unit Halloween Decor

Fun Tube Halloween Wreath

<< New Kitchen with Room Reveal       HOME      Sweet Inspiration Link Party #79 >>

Linking up to these Link Parties

This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.​

I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. ​Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.

Filed Under: Fun, Projects, Re Purpose, Seasonal, Uncategorized, Up Cycle

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kari Wagner Hoban

    October 18, 2017 at 7:49 am

    I am laughing so hard at the salt lamp because as I write this I have mine on my desk.
    Heading off to make a face for it.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 28, 2017 at 8:59 am

      Then he can just stare at you! 😉 Mine gives me that forlorn look!

      Reply
  2. Katrin

    October 18, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Oh I love your thrifty Halloween vignette Mary and all it´s special characters on it!The lights look soo cool in the dark, what a fun idea to paint the ghosts on them! And not to mention the salt lamp turned into a JackO Lantern! Spooky! Enjoy your Halloween over there my friend <3

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      I hope you have a great time for Halloween Katrin.

      Reply
  3. Marilyn

    October 18, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    It is always a pleasure to link up with you. Thank you for all you do to bring bloggers together. I invite you to join me at #OverTheMoon, #WonderfuWednesday and #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Have a great week!

    Reply
  4. Leanna

    October 18, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Hi Mary, I really love all these ideas but I burst out laughing when I saw the wicked little grin on the chalkboard plate. He startled me into laughter the adorable little brat lol.
    Pinning.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 8:48 pm

      I always try to have a little fun with these guys!

      Reply
  5. Sam - Raggedy Bits

    October 18, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    Mary, what a fabulous idea with your lamp!! He works in perfectly with all of your Halloween goodies!! Love the glass jar idea and your spooky chalk board face!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 8:50 pm

      I really had a lot of fun doing this Sam. Thanks for organizing it.

      Reply
  6. Florence

    October 18, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    I must really be behind the times because I’ve never heard of a Himalayan Salt Lamp. It looks like wax. Is that what it is? Anyway, that’s the coolest thing all lit up. Mary, you are so resourceful with all the other elements of the vignette. Everything fits together perfectly from the ghostly jars to the nuts.. And that RIP is perfect too.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 8:52 pm

      Florence I hadn’t heard of it either till my son bought one. Would you believe me if I told you I put the RIP outside and it blew away?

      Reply
  7. Norma

    October 18, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    Hi Mary, Love all your halloween diy decor it gives the whole space an authentic feel 🙂 Have a Happy Halloween!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 8:53 pm

      Happy Halloween Norma and thank you.

      Reply
  8. Janine

    October 18, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    Mary,
    You are so creative with all your decor! You made a ton of cool and cute things and I love that you celebrated Halloween in Greece last year! I think a return trip is in order!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 9:12 pm

      This year we are celebrating in the US. The authentic experience!

      Reply
  9. Michelle Leslie

    October 19, 2017 at 4:34 am

    You are without a doubt the Queen of thrift repurposing Mary. How did you even think of adding a little face to the salt lamp? We have one upstairs and I would never have thought of doing that. It looks so spooky and amazing. Everything works so well together in typical Mary style

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 9:21 pm

      Michelle it was an afterthought but it worked.

      Reply
  10. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    October 19, 2017 at 7:23 am

    What a cute Halloween vignette Mary! I love the ghost jars with the lights, and the salt lamp is awesome. I have one in the bedroom. We don’t do anything for Halloween but I may just have to pull it out and give it a face, just for fun.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      I hope you do Linda, just so you can also get spooked.

      Reply
  11. Carolann

    October 19, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Oh, I love how everything looks, Mary. I love that salt lamp! It was so cute of you to think to decorate. I have one and would never thought of that. Love how everything looks it’s so festive and perfect for the Fall and Halloween!

    Reply
    • mary

      October 30, 2017 at 9:36 pm

      Are you ready for Halloween Carolann? This is going to be for the first time for my girls.

      Reply
  12. Cindy

    October 19, 2017 at 8:56 am

    Mary, you amaze me with your creativity. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you Cindy it is alway a pleasure to hear from you.

      Reply
  13. Amanda

    October 19, 2017 at 9:29 am

    This is so cute! I love the chalkboard!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks Amanda, the chalkboard is the easiest.

      Reply
  14. a spirit of simplicity

    October 19, 2017 at 9:34 am

    great ideas! I live next door to Salem, MA so Halloween is a very big deal around here.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:09 pm

      Oh what fun that must be for you.

      Reply
  15. Snap

    October 19, 2017 at 10:46 am

    I love fall and I love Halloween. Thanks for sharing these great ideas. The Himalayan Salt Lamp makes a great Jack-o-Lantern!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:10 pm

      I think so too and it looks so spooky at night!

      Reply
  16. Marie

    October 19, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    I saw the Himalayan lamp pumpkin this morning at several of the link parties and thought to myself, what a great idea, and didn’t realize it was yours until coming to visit here this morning. What a great idea!!!!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks Marie it was done on a whim and I’m glad I went with it.

      Reply
  17. Pam Richardson

    October 19, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    Mary, this is such a fun Halloween vignette. The use of the Himalayan salt lamp was genius!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:15 pm

      Thanks so much Pam. I had fun with this vignette.

      Reply
  18. [email protected]

    October 19, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Such a cute chalkboard, and how clever and creative to add a face to the lamp! Very unique!
    Now, did I miss something? I know you were/are in the states, but is it permanent?
    xxx

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Thanks Doreen. I’m guessing that by the time you read this you will have your answers.

      Reply
  19. Tara @ Lehman Lane

    October 19, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    What a great Halloween vignette Mary! I love the idea of using a Himalayan salt lamp for a pumpkin head, so smart!!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:20 pm

      And super easy too Tara.

      Reply
  20. Kim

    October 20, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Mary the salt lamp pumpkin is genius! And adorable. I love it!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:21 pm

      And most of all super easy Kim, I know you like that!

      Reply
  21. Tammy

    October 20, 2017 at 11:26 am

    I love the way your little vignette turned out. Such a sweet and easy project that created a fun halloween spot.
    This halloween hop was so fun! So many great ideas!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:24 pm

      So much creativity Tammy I was in awe of all the great ideas.

      Reply
  22. Carol

    October 20, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Love your Halloween vignette, Mary! I’ve heard of Himalayan salt, but never as a lamp. Very interesting.

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:26 pm

      Carol I had no idea what it was till my son bought a few home.

      Reply
  23. Debrashoppeno5

    October 20, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    I have never heard of a salt lamp but I sure like what you did with it. The whole vignette looks spootacular!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:31 pm

      Thanks Debra. I hadn’t heard of one either but my son has eclectic tastes.

      Reply
  24. Julia - Vintage with Laces

    October 21, 2017 at 12:35 am

    Turning the salt lamp into a pumpkin is such a super cool idea, Mary! This looks so fabulous and I love it so much. I certainly wish we hadn’t thrown out our salt lamp years ago. Bummer!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      Julia my son has an extra one , I’ll send it over to you!!

      Reply
  25. Jeanie Croope

    October 21, 2017 at 7:32 am

    Oh, so festive! And such good ideas — it really puts me in the seasonal mood. Very clever, easy and tons of fun! Loved every photo!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:35 pm

      Thanks so much Jeanie, we don’t need to spend a ton in order to have fun with this sort of holiday.

      Reply
  26. Debbie

    October 21, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Hi Mary, a wonderfully spooky display indeed! I can imagine that Halloween is a fun occasion in America. Enjoy your time there!
    xx

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:37 pm

      Thank you Debbie the stores are full of candy a month before . My son had to hide the candy we bought otherwise we would have eaten it all.

      Reply
  27. Fabiola Rodriguez

    October 22, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    So lovely and thrifty! I’m also a fan of creating decorations with stuff I have lying around the house. No need to go out and spend a fortune on things you’ll just store or throw away a few days later.
    I’ll be pinning and tweeting this.
    Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop linky!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:40 pm

      A kindred spirit. Fabiola this is so true, why spend money on things you will throw out?

      Reply
  28. Kathy A

    October 22, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    Thanx for showing us that Halloween needn’t be all expensive decor that is used for 3 weeks of the year, then relegated to storage! It takes a little time and some imagination! This year I have been making poison/potion bottles using an upcycled spice rack and bottles from my recycle bin! My cloth pumpkins were made from $1 clothes from Goodwill and remnants along with twigs from the yard, silk flower leaves (70% off @ ACMoore), jute and acorns from Dollar Tree!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:45 pm

      And that is the right way to do it Kathy. Not only is it good for your pocket it is also great for your crafting skills.

      Reply
  29. Katerina Konstantinou

    October 23, 2017 at 9:56 am

    How I’m going to persuade my mother to give me her salt lamp for a few days? I’m gonna blame this post of course! Great work Mary! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      I hope you’ve got it ready Katerina! And I will happily accept the blame.

      Reply
  30. Florence

    October 23, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Now I just have to find a Himalayan salt Lamp b/c I love the look! Wonder where your son found it? Pinned again!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Florence my son hates to go shopping but he loves his Amazon. He gets everything through them.

      Reply
  31. Jann Olson

    October 23, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    What fun ideas. An extra bonus is that they are thrifty! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Always thrifty Jann, that is the idea behind this blog.

      Reply
  32. Christina Makri

    October 24, 2017 at 1:10 am

    I see so many different items here, but they all make a wonderful Halloween vignette. I love the Himalayan salt lamp!! And the best of all is that you can use them again if you want! Excellent ideas Mary, thank you for the inspiration 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      That’s what it’s all about Christina. Using what we have and making sure it lasts and not in the garbage.

      Reply
  33. [email protected] A-Z Blog

    October 25, 2017 at 8:17 am

    I love the Himalayan light idea- how clever!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Thanks Judee, it is fun and so easy.

      Reply
  34. nikki frank-hamilton

    October 26, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    Mary, it’s so good to see you and the family having fun with the holiday. I bet the girls will have a blast this year, Halloween in the states!
    I love all of these upcycles! Even more I love the fact that you can use these items again and again. I am a huge lover of anything chalkboard, that bowl is the coolest!

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      Nikki as I am writing this my little one is telling me how she is going to dress for tomorrow to hand out the candy to all the little kids. Nuff said!!

      Reply
  35. Amber Harrop

    October 30, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    Mary you can literally make something out of anything you Lava Jack o-latern is great

    Reply
    • Mary

      October 30, 2017 at 10:53 pm

      Amber it was literally an afterthought. Haha!

      Reply
  36. Keri Roberts

    November 1, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Mary, what a fun way to decorate for Halloween! You’re so clever with your repurposes!! It sounds like your dad has a similar treasure trove of a basement like you, can’t wait to see what you repurpose from it. This is a spooky and fun vignette! Nice!

    Reply
  37. The Freshman Cook

    October 13, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    Beautiful vignette, and I love that you used things you already had! Beautiful colors too! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!

    Reply
  38. Jann Olson

    October 16, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Yes, ghosts do come in all shapes and sizes!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  39. Carol

    October 20, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    I love your use of a himalayan salt lamp for your vignette. You’re always so creative!

    Reply
  40. Carol

    October 16, 2019 at 2:41 am

    I would have never thought of decorating my Himalayan Salt Lamp for Halloween – you’re so clever!

    Reply
  41. April J Harris

    October 22, 2019 at 8:03 am

    What a cool vignette, Mary! This is great Halloween inspiration! Thank you for sharing with the Hearth and Soul Link Party.

    Reply
  42. Barbara Chapman

    October 23, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    This post is very cute, Mary! I love the Himalayan salt pumpkin the best!! Happy to share this for you at this week’s Share Your Style #229.
    Hope fall is beautiful up your way,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply

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