Happy October greetings to all. Cheryl here. I struggled internally about what to write about this week. The past week has been one of reflection and I was thinking about a philosophical post. But, I think we need just a little bit of fun around here. So, let's put the emotional reflections aside and focus on Halloween. It's a lot more fun.

And these ghosts and bats are sure to get your home in the spirit. They're easy to make though I will admit the ghosts were a lot easier than the bats.

Here's what you'll need:

I purchased felt squares for .25 cents each at Walmart. Some ribbon. I wanted the tulle kind but this all they had so I went with it. Find some glue, a pair of scissors, and get some fun googly eyes. You could also use paper for this project. I just love felt.

I searched the Internet for a bat template that I liked but I just drew the ghost shape freehand. I drew two sizes to add some variety. For the ghosts it was easy enough to trace the ghosts onto the white felt. The bats- I'm sure there is a white chalk-like pencil out there that would have made my cutting easier but I didn't own it. I held the bat pattern to the felt and tried to cut around it. It was a process, to say the least. Get one side the way you like and then fold that half over and cut around it for a more even bat.

I also turned the patterns over to get a little variety.

Add some eyes so our little creatures can stare at you. I cut random black felt circles for the ghosts eyes and used the googly eyes on the bats. They're pretty cute, right?

Next, use your scissors or an Xacto knife to cut slots into your ghosts and bats. Start at the back of your subject and pierce his brain. Just kidding. Just thread them through, okay? On the ghosts I went through the top portion but on the bats I varied where the ribbon entered the pieces. Sometimes at the top of the wing, sometimes at the bottom. On a couple of them I added an additional threading area so the ribbon wouldn't show through the wing and head area.

All you have to do now is find a place to hang them. I have straight pins hammered into my wall from the paper chain project so I just reused those. Straight pins are a great tool for hanging lightweight items on your walls because they're sturdy enough and they leave a small hole.

These little ghosts and bats are flying around our dining room. And don't stop with the ghosts- pumpkins, witches, spiders - what else?

We are planning on breaking out our Halloween decorations this weekend- we're behind our normal schedule. How about you? Join us in the Forum Section and tell us if you have your Halloween decorations up. And, do you have a favorite Halloween decoration?

Shining off until tomorrow...