If you’re anything like me, you started thinking about next Halloween on November 1st. For those of us that enjoy celebrating a bit of Halloween every day of the year… it doesn’t mean we’re not crazy excited about the real thing. And since others can count down to their big day… or even count down to Christmas…. why not countdown to Halloween! Make this Days Until Halloween Countdown Sign to keep the excitement going for all 365 days!
Did you know that this Saturday marks 200 days until Halloween? I know… it still seems so far away. And I’m certainly not one to wish time away, but we all know how much time flies. Before we know it, we’ll be at the hundred day mark, and only a few weeks after that… the Halloween merchandise hits the stores! Ahhhhh – my favorite part!!
In honor of the small milestone we are about to hit, I decided to make a Halloween countdown sign. As you may imagine, in my business, gearing up for Halloween is a very real thing, and I am constantly mapping out projects and events for Fall. So, this sign will come in very handy for me….. a little bit of excitement mixed with a little bit of panic to get it all done in time!!
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Here’s what I used for this project:
- (1) 4′ x 2 1/2″ x 5/8″ board
- (2) pieces of 1.5 x 12 x .25 utility wood
- Saw (optional)
- Flat Black Paint & Primer Spray Paint
- (8) 1/2″ Screws and Screw Driver
- Frame (with easel back) or stand alone picture table easel
- Iron Orchid Mould – Fleurish
- Iron Orchid – Baroque 3
- Skull Silicone Mold
- Corn Starch
- Small Paint Brush
- Paper Clay
- Set of Painting Knives
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- Heat Tool (optional)
- Black Chalk Paint
- Pewter Rub ‘n Buff
- Cricut Machine
(I used the original Cricut Explore, but there are new & improved versions out since I purchased mine years ago)
- Cricut Tools
and 12×12 Cutting Mat
- Silver Craft Vinyl
- Transfer Tape
- Cup Hooks
(I used the original Cricut Explore, but there are new & improved versions out since I purchased mine years ago)
and 
Building the Board:
Cut the long board into 4 equal lengths of 12″. I used a saw, but most home improvement stores will make cuts for you for free if you buy the wood there.
Cut the utility board to a length between 7 – 9″
Spray paint the 6 pieces. Ultimately, the finished project will be painted with chalk paint, but I started off with spray paint before I put the boards together to ensure that even the sides of the boards would be coated with at least a layer of black paint before being sandwiched together
Remove the Frame Easel from the frame. I purchased this cheap 8 x 10 frame from a thrift store (you know how I like to incorporate thrift store finds into my projects!). Just make sure to find a frame that is similar in size so the easel will work for the height & weight of the countdown sign. If you’d prefer to hang the sign on your wall, or even use a free standing table easel, both would work, and you can skip this step
Line up the 4 boards side by side to create a 12″ x 10″ rectangle.
Place the Utility wood across all 4 boards, evenly spaced, and centered. Ensure there is space to place the frame easel if you are using one.
Screw the screws through the utility wood into each of the 4 panels. This holds the boards together
Reattach the frame easel. Depending on the hardware used on the original frame, you may need replacement screws for this.
Create the Number Tags:
Paint the front & back side of the wooden tags with black chalk paint
If you have Design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, you can create a custom border and number design, and then upload the image as a cut image into Cricut Design Space, and resize to fit your tag.
OR – You can also create a border and number directly in Cricut Design Space. Use the Shape tool to add a Square to your canvas. Unlock and Resize to fit your wooden tag. Duplicate the shape, reduce the size, and layer on top of the original. Then use the Text tool to add a number. Resize and center over the squares. Highlight all 3 layers in the layers panel, and select Attach. The 3 pieces will now be cut as a single design.
Send your image to cut. Design Space will walk you thru each step as soon as you click Go.
Separate the cut image from the vinyl.
Use Transfer Tape to adhere the image to the tags. There are easy to follow instructions that come with the transfer tape for attaching the vinyl to it.
I used 12 total tags, and added the numbers to the front and back. Note – to have all 365 days of the year, you will need 3 each of 0-3, and 2 each of 4-9, a total of 24.
Final Details:
Create designs out of paper clay using silicone molds, and attach to the top of the board using the tacky glue. For more detailed instructions on using paper clay and silicone molds, check out these Skull Candle Sconces or this Baroque Vase. Both tutorials will walk you through every step of the process.
Allow the clay to dry. I typically give it 12 hours.
Paint the board and clay with the Black Chalk Paint.
Add Pewter Rub n Buff to the Raised Edges of the Clay Designs. Use caution because a little can go a long way! I chose to do this project in all Black & Silver because I wanted it to be able to sit with my decor year round. I may be into Halloween everyday, but I’m more of a skull girl than a pumpkin girl when it comes to my everyday taste. Rub n Buff comes in a ton of colors… order a Sampler Set
Back to Cricut Design Space…. Use the Text Tool to type Days Until Halloween. Choose a font, and Resize to fit the board.
Send your image to cut. Follow the same steps as above to adhere the vinyl to the board.
Add 3 hooks spaced evenly across the board.
Lastly, add a larger hook or 2 to back, if you want somewhere to hold the extra tags that are not in use.
Now, go hang up your numbers, and let the countdown begin!!
this post contains affiliate links…
And this week… a project that started with a shop-bought sign. Are we in tune or WHAT?! As a fellow Halloween obsessed, I’ll be on the lookout for another one now so I can create this beaut! Sx
This is lovely. I really liked this post. Thanks for sharing.
Of course!! So glad you liked it!!
Might have to have a go at this!
Your photos are always so gorgeous and love the level of detail you go into 🙂
Thanks so much Joe!!