Spooky Stairs

Guests will feel right at home with this friendly invitation -- until they realize they've been bewitched! Use a spooky Halloween font like Chiller or Jokerman to create the words on wood-pattern paper. For stability, paste the printed paper onto balsa and tack the pieces to the wooden steps. To decorate concrete steps, affix the phrase with double-stick removable poster tape.

• Computer and printer
• 8-1/2-x-11-inch sheets of wood-pattern scrapbook paper
• Three 4-x-36-inch pieces of balsa wood
• Spray adhesive
• 12 decorative tacks

1. Type the message (we used "Come in and Sit a Spell") in the font of your choice on a computer, adjusting the font size so the words are no more than 3 1/2 inches tall. Format the text so each individual word will be centered on a page. If necessary, adjust the print orientation to landscape so the text runs in the same direction as the wood grain on the paper.
2. Print each word onto a sheet of wood-pattern paper. Cut the printed sheets into 4-x-11-inch strips, centering each word on a strip.
3. Position the words on the balsa pieces.
4. Cut additional 4-inch-wide strips of wood-pattern paper with the grain running the length of the strips to completely cover the balsa. Spray adhesive onto the back of the strips and smooth into place on the balsa.
5. Use decorative tacks to mount the signs on the stair risers.
6. NOTE: If wet weather is a concern, laminate the paper before assembling the project.