Boo-ti-ful Halloween Projects

Whether perched on a porch or parked on the steps, this wise trio of birds stands guard against the season's ghouls and goblins. Gleaming crescent moons add sparkle; for a spookier atmosphere, paint the moons and owls in glow-in-the-dark paint, or sprinkle the figures in opalescent glitter.

• Graph paper (optional)
• Three 12-x-18-inch sheets of stiff black felt
• 12-x-18-inch sheet of white craft foam
• 8-1/2-x-11-inch sheet of white felt
• Spray adhesive
• White glitter
• Glue gun and hotmelt adhesive
• Three 18-inch lengths of 3/4-inch diameter wooden dowel
• Black acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Computer and printer
• 8-1/2-x-11-inch sheets of white computer paper
• 8-1/2-x-11-inch sheets of lime green card stock

Owl/Moon patterns

1. Enlarge the owl/moon pattern using graph paper or a photocopier; cut out the pattern. Use the pattern to cut three owls/moons from stiff black felt. Cut along the edges of the owl pattern to make separate patterns for the two moon sections; also cut out the two eye patterns.
2. Cut three of each moon section from white craft foam and cut three pairs of eyes from white felt. Spray one side of each white-foam moon section with adhesive, reversing the side of one set so it is in the opposite direction. Immediately sprinkle white glitter onto the adhesive; let dry.
3. Hot-glue the glittered moon sections onto the corresponding sections of the black felt owl. Hot-glue the eyes on the owl faces. Paint the dowels black; let dry. Hot-glue the top 6 inches of a dowel to the back side of each owl so about 12 inches extend below the figure.
4. Use a computer to make the three wording tags. Print a test sample on white typing paper. When satisfied, print the tags on lime green card stock. Cut out the tags and hot-glue one to each owl. Insert the bottom end of the dowels into the ground.
5. NOTE: If wet weather is a concern, laminate the paper and felt before assembling the project.