Webster is our new pet. He’s low-maintenance…completely house broken…requires no food or water…in fact, he’s ideal for toddlers and can win any staring contest. Oh and he was our jumping off point for our spooky porch makeover. He puts the ‘ooo’ in super spooky…yes that was a stretch and I liked it 🙂
Isn’t Webster cute?
And he was really easy to create.
All you need is some sprinkler parts (I got mine in the outdoor irrigation aisle at Lowes)…one piece of 12″ riser, one of the 6″ riser and one of the joint elbow for each leg…and then a medium sized pumpkin.
Then using a 3/4″ drill bit, make eight holes (oh and Jer varied the angle at which he held the drill so that some legs would stick up higher than others to make for a more convincing crawler).
Then sink the end of the 6″ cutoff riser into the hole. That sounded dirty – but let me assure you, nothing will squirt out 🙂 Man I have a gift.
Anyhoo…do you see those ridges on the legs? Jer & I think that it makes it look like hairy legs in real life. oooo-spooky!
After Webster’s legs are assembled, it’s time to add eyes. I wanted bulging cartoonish eyes because it went with our kid-friendly look.
I used the bottom half of plastic easter eggs and some straight pins to make the eye balls. Since the eggs were already white (spraypainted for Will’s birthday party chicken egg hunt) all I did was use a Sharpie to make the black pupils and then blacked the balls on the end of the straight pins. Luck had it that there were already two little holes in the ends of the eggs so it was easy to push the pins through into the pumpkin.
So that’s how we made Webster. And the best part is that we can remake Webster every year (since the parts can just pull out and be rinsed off for future Halloweens).
Not bad for $15 – especially considering that most spider creatures at the stores cost that much and can’t be reused.
Joanna@perfectlyforeternity says
That’s genious Katie!!!! It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of it” moments…..lol. super super cute…..def. puts the oooo in spooky in a kid friendly way!!
Joanna@perfectlyforeternity says
Genius*……wow!! Ha!
Regan R @ RenovatingRothenbergers says
Bookmarking this for next year!!
Destiny says
Too clever!
I’m super glad you shared that it didn’t take long, or cost too much, to complete either project. When I read your original post, I thought “So cute — but how long would it take?” This is something everyone and anyone can do!
Katie @ The Inspired Life says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
Shannon says
Super adorable!
Kelly C. says
My hubster went & bought the sprinkler pieces – it’s taking me forever to remove all of the upc labels. Can’t wait to make it! Thanks for sharing.
Georgia says
Im petrified of spiders, but webster is pretty cute. The porch looks super spooky so well done!
over in the UK we dont get a lot of people who go all out, im hoping that by the time i have kids Halloween will be more popular so we can have parties and go trick or treating!
Cant wait to see what Will is wearing this year!
Bethanyb says
I love this so much! its so cute!
Ashley says
That spider web entrance is GENIUS. I love it. It’s so perfect in your space!!
Becky says
Sheer Brilliance! Clever, easy, family friendly, CHEAP! I wonder if a white plastic shower curtain would work? That would be even less expensive. I need to do this and pass it on. Love it!
Katie says
That’s true! And you could reuse the shower curtain for a table cloth or a painting drop cloth or whatever later 🙂 Do you think it would tear? That would be my only thought…I really want to reuse the drop cloth and I am hoping that it doesn’t get too ruin as a rug (although my guess is that it’s nothing that a quick run in the washer won’t fix). Oh Becky – don’t you love being cheap? 🙂
xo – kb
Katie says
haha…try soaking it in water – we had the same issue but only with one piece (that little bugger would not come off!)
Good luck!
xo – kb
Traci @ yellowWISHBONE says
how cute! i love webster! i showed this to my husband (who is afraid of spiders) because i want to do this, but i think it might take me until next halloween to convince him! 🙂
do you have any “pinned” ideas for the repurposed drop cloth? last year i made our christmas stocking from a $5 home depot one!
Katie says
I haven’t pinned any – but I am hoping to use it for reupholstering a little rocker I got for Will 🙂
xo – kb
momstheword says
Awwwww, he’s so cute! And probably housebroken (or porchbroken) and pretty sure he won’t give me nightmares. I can rival his hairy legs with my own, though (blush).
I haven’t decorated my front porch but I did Fall-ish the inside a bit. But it’s $ store cheap and not very classy but apparently it’s just my style, ;0) Maybe next year I’ll tackle the porch!
Shannon says
You are a genius! This is absolutely adorable!!
Sarah says
That might be the first recorded incident of ironing a dropcloth in history :-).
Looks great!
Petra says
Looks great! How did you hang the wreaths on your doors? I love the idea of hanging wreath from behind the door.
Heather says
Katie – How did you hang your wreaths on your front doors? Are they attached to something on the other side? Thanks!
Katie says
Actually they are looped through the ribbon and then the two ribbon ends are duct taped to the other side 🙂 Yup…totally redneck style.
xo – kb
Katie says
I just looped the ribbon through the wreath and then over the door and secured it with duct tape 🙂 It’s not pretty from the other side but I’m the only one to see it!
xo – kb
Petra says
Good idea! I’ll definitely do it for my front door with all of the holidays to come!
Christine at Casa-de-Christine says
I love Webster! Such a cute idea! And that rug is awesome. I wish I would have thought of that before today… don’t have time to make one now. I used spiders as a theme as well and made these for the front door-
http://casa-de-christine.blogspot.com/2011/10/itsy-bitsy-spiders.html
They were cheap and easy too. I also made them a web but it will hang on our front door (will be revealed during the Pinterest challenge on Wednesday).
Hilary says
love it all! your porch is boo-tiful 🙂 [not to be confused with booty ful]
Kaci says
I love the idea of using a drop cloth for curtains!!! I need a good set of curtains for my guest room! Ahh…..I love cute, inexpensive ideas!
Daria says
Great! I’m so filing this for next year!!!!
Nicole says
Great idea, so clever! Your front porch looks great, it makes such a statement!
Melody says
I love your Halloween decorations, and that’s saying a lot for me. I usually hate Halloween decorations! Your porch looks great!
Cordia says
Love this! I wish I had seen this earlier. I would have totally done this and put it in my dining room for my party! I dont have a rug in that room as of yet (I need an 8×10 $$$) and it really would have been fun! Definitely doing this next year!
MG says
Have been wondering since we moved into our house (over 2 years ago!) what to do to “dress” up our front doors. Brilliant idea! Hang up wreaths with ribbon! How does it attach to the inside? I’m sure I could figure something out but just thought I’d check. I never could quite picture it in my mind, now I’m excited for Christmas wreathes!
Katie says
I just duct taped them to the back of the door (lazy gals way) but I’m sure that a thumbtack would work too 🙂
xo – kb
Carla Mahony says
Katie, I have been stalking your blog for sometime but recently subscribed. I am a HUGE fan…from Australia. Halloween is no big thing here but, by God, this is adorable. You are an inspiration to me, I simply adore your blog and feel if I was ever in the US of A I would possibly have to stalk you (don’t be frightened…I have two small children…international travel is not on the agenda any time soon 😉 ).
Amanda says
I know I”m pretty tardy to the party (but hey, in my defense, Yahoo just featured your post) but I want to say, I DIG IT! And that I’m so cheap I go with the “fall” theme to extend my money spent on decorating.