Did you grow up with Casper the Friendly Ghost? I might be dating myself here- but I absolutely loved him! Anyway, I have an affinity for vintage linens and when I saw this doily at a local thrift a light bulb immediately went off, and I wanted to convert it into a cute ghost for Halloween. Please join me for this easy and adorable Halloween DIY.
I have a collection of doilies, and I am always looking for creative ways to use them and this ghostly craft does not disappoint! Lean into thrifting to provide fresh and unique looks for your home, and seasonal decor is the perfect opportunity to get creative!
The Gist:
How to Create a Ghostly Friend from a Thrifted Doily
> Thrift stores are a great resource to find crafting supplies at an affordable price.
> Learn to make a charming Halloween ghost decor with step-by-step instructions.
> Discover tips and recommendations for crafting at home.
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About the Thrifted Goodies Series
Welcome~ it’s the next installment of the Thrifted Goodies series. If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you. Thrift stores are a wonderful resource for so many things and provide so much character and charm for home interiors.
Join us…
The Thrifted Goodies Collaboration
The Thrifted Goodies series consists of a monthly collaboration between myself MaryJo @Master”pieces” of my Life & Rachel @the Antiqued Journey. We share thrift store information & inspiration, including particular finds, tips, up-cycles, stylings & general advice about thrift shopping mostly for decor. Some months we invite a guest host for triple the fun. Welcome to the thrill of the hunt! Thrifting is exciting, environmental and economical. Thank you for joining us!
In today’s post I am sharing how to create an adorable ghost from a thrifted doily. The thrift treasure hunt is fun and a creative outlet, which can’t be replicated at normal retail stores. I love the exhilarating experiences thrifting creates, not knowing what you’ll find around the next corner. As soon as I picked up this doily piece, I knew I wanted it to meet Casper and become a friendly ghost for Halloween.
Rachel is talking about thrifted Fall decor for her home. She always scores the most amazing finds and you don’t want to miss her latest post. When you are done here and if you don’t know Rachel yet, head over for a visit. Introduce yourself, while you check out her newest post here.
You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow: Instagram || Pinterest || Facebook || LTK Shop
If you are coming over from Rachel’s place, welcome! I am so glad you are here today, and I hope you enjoy yourself. Drop me a comment down below and introduce yourself. I would love to hear from you.
Inspiration for Casper the Friendly Ghost from a Thrifted Doily
As I mentioned above I loved Casper the Friendly Ghost growing up. I remember checking out all the books at my school library on repeat around Halloween. A friendly ghost is always a good thing. Who also remembers the show The Ghost and Mrs. Muir? Also a fan favorite here. Anyway, a friendly and charming ghost has alway grabbed my attention and here we are.
Looking at pieces at thrifts with a discerning eye and looking past their current condition or purpose creates a wealth of opportunities. I don’t place doilies on my furniture as originally intended, but instead I use plenty for projects just like this. It gives seasonal decor character which can’t be replicated.
MJ Thrifting Pro Tip:
Look at thrift store finds while thinking outside the box.Sometimes you like an item, but don’t need to use it for its intended purpose. Make it yours.
How to Create Casper the Friendly Ghost from a Thrifted Doily
A $2.50 doily thrift store find transforms into the cutest Halloween ghost decor to rival the Pottery Barn collection. This is such an easy DIY, which is not only super simple to make but also incredibly affordable as opposed to the high end options. Creating your own seasonal decor is the way to go friends when you can easily duplicate the high end look at a fraction of the cost. Embrace it and come along for the ride.
MJ Insider Craft Pro Tip:
Read all the instructions through once & then re-read everything again, familiarizing yourself with everything you need. By knowing what to expect avoids any surprises during a project, preventing unnecessary stress.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Prep Project
- Read instructions thoroughly
- Assemble all supplies
- Remove any tags
- Get bucket ready
Create Mold
- Wrap a ping pong ball in cling wrap
- Place wrapped ping pong ball on top of bottle
- The KEY here is that the height is appropriate to your doily piece so it hangs properly. You want the bottom of the doily to skim the bottom to create a solid base
Create Molding Mixture
- Pour about 1/3 cup of decoupage medium into bucket
- Pour a little less than 1/3 cup of water on top of decoupage medium in bucket
- Please keep in mind these are estimates since I didn’t measure but simply poured and eye balled it; this is not science and I simply lucked out because it was the perfect amount to soak up my entire piece
- Mix thoroughly using chop stick (or anything really- that’s just what I used)
- Dunk doily into mixture and make sure entire piece is saturated and covered
Create Ghost Figure
- Arrange moist doily over ping pong | bottle form centered at the top so it drapes down
- Position doily exactly as you would like, creating strategic folds, since this will be the finished shape
- Allow doily to dry thoroughly
- I recommend allowing your friendly ghost to sit overnight to fully cure and set (my particular doily is thick and heavy so it absolutely needed the time)
Un-mold Friendly Ghost
- Once ghost is fully dry and set, gently remove bottle and ping pong ball
- Voila! Doily ghost should stand on it’s own adorable form
- Do not handle ghost too firmly since although it holds its form it can easily bend or deform if held too tightly
Embellish Friendly Ghost (optional)
- Add eyes if desired (I used black brads from my craft stash- more on this below in the tips section)
- I also including an orange velvet flower, which I really wanted an orange pumpkin a la Pottery Barn style, but I didn’t have one and this orange velvet flower did the trick- I really love how it coordinates with the other flowers in the design
MJ Crafting Pro Tip
Creativity improves our mental health by elevating our mood, lowering anxiety and reducing stress. By regulating our emotions through creative endeavors provides a sense of control and empowerment. Not only does it make us feel better, but it also makes our homes look amazing.
Tips & Recommendations to Keep in Mind
Fabric Options
If you can’t find appropriate doilies at your local thrifts look for other items. A white jacquard or damask napkin would be great option for this project. Also look at vintage handkerchiefs with appropriate patterns or colors. Remember you can also cut up a pillow case, table runner, blouse etc. if it’s the look you want. If you would like to replicate the doily effect I have included some options in the shopping section below for your convenience.
Molding Medium
So I read and watched plenty of tutorials to find the best option for myself and the easiest to share with you. I used Mod Podge decoupage medium since it’s a staple in my craft stash, making it an easy choice. Many tutorials use half water and half decoupage medium but I chose to use more découpage than water because I wanted to assure the stiffness of the end product. You can also substitute school glue if you don’t have decoupage medium. Use what you have. I also saw others used a stiffening agent instead of the decoupage method which seems to work in a similar manner, but I don’t have any of that. Like I said, use what you have.
Patience is a Virtue
Having your ghost form set properly is the key here, and you really need to allow plenty of time for the piece to dry fully. I know we all want to get to the fun part of embellishing the ghost and decorating with it, but patience is key here. It really requires an overnight stay or longer to fully set and harden. And once Halloween is over make sure to store your ghost properly so it does not get squashed or dented. I recommend a dedicated box or if you are lucky to have shelving units for your seasonal decor just prop Casper on a shelf until next year.
Embellishments
The final details are sometimes the most important since they provide character and personality. I used black brads for the eyes since I had them in my craft stash, and they are easy to insert into the doily openings simply attaching on the inside. You can also use black felt circles cut out for the eyes or black buttons would also look great, which can simply be glued on. I also had the velvet flower and twine in my craft supplies, which I was inspired by the Pottery Barn look to add them. When I started the project I didn’t have a plan except the ghost figure with eyes- maybe . I just let creativity guide me, which is my favorite part of crafting my own seasonal decor. You can also leave it totally plain for a minimalist look, which I also considered. Make it yours.
Styling Ideas
The Casper friendly doily Ghost makes any Halloween decor vignette instantly charming. There are many ways you can amp up the vibe of the thrifted doily ghost’s adorable cuteness (yes, that might be redundant, but it’s well deserved). Insert a tea light inside the ghost to create a warm glow. Place Casper inside a glass cloche to immediately add an air of mystery. Raise the ghost on a pedestal plate or stack of books to create the illusion of floating. The possibilities are endless.
Warning
Do NOT burn an open flame under doily ghost. The fabric will be extremely flammable with the added starch or glue. Instead opt for a battery operated candle for safe use.
Why a Thrifted Doily Friendly Ghost DIY is a Good Idea
- It’s a super affordable decor accent which absolutely makes sense for a short Halloween decoration window.
- It’s super unique and the friendly ghost craft can be customized to any decor style.
- It’s a super easy DIY project, which can be cranked out in no time (putting drying time aside).
- It’s super eco friendly repurposing items, which might otherwise fill the landfills.
- It’s a super easy way to get the high end look without spending a bundle (check out the Pottery Barn ghosts).
More Thrifted Linens Related Posts
Grab a copy of my free
Vintage Home
Decor Guide
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MJ Thrifting Pro Tip:
If you frequent your thrift stores enough, you start to familiarize yourself with what the strengths of each store might be, but always keep yourself open to the unimaginable. That’s what makes thrift shopping so exhilarating, finding the unexpected.
The Thrifted Home Super Power
Thrifting is a fun treasure hunt for adults and a secret weapon for interior designers and vintage store owners. Lean into thrifting to provide fresh and unique pieces for your home, creating a collected and curated timeless feel.
Are you wondering right about now…
What are the benefits of thrifting?
PSA…
Count down to Halloween…
Just saying…
Closing Thoughts ~ Thrifted Doily Ghost DIY Conclusion
I’ve totally caught the bug and I want to make more of these adorable, friendly ghosts. I’ve runout of runway this year, but I’ll be making more next year for sure. I’ll be on the look out all year during my thrifting adventures for unique linen pieces. Stay tuned! Thrifting is an adventure, which yields unexpected and unique results.every.single.time. I thrift shop frequently and add treasures throughout our home regularly. Thrift finds give your home a unique look and are budget friendly. I hope this inspires you to go thrifting, or if you’re already a thrifter, I hope it gives you a new insight.
Thrifty finds create a signature style for any home, which can’t be replicated. Don’t forget to hop over and visit my thrifty friend Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey for more thrifting inspiration.
Wishing you the best Halloween! Thank you for being here today and may the Thrifting Gods be ever in your favor.
Au revoir!
FAQs – Thrifted Doily Ghost DIY
Q1. What if I don’t have a ping pong ball to mold the head?
A1. Any spherical shaped object will do. You can use a golf ball or a styrofoam ball or small balloon to create the same effect. Just make sure to wrap it in cling wrap, preventing the fabric from adhering to the sphere mold.
Q2. What are other options to dress up the doily ghost?
A2. Adding ribbon either as a hair bow for a girl ghost or a bowtie for a boy ghost are cute ideas. You can also add jewelry or miniature decorations to embellish the ghost further. A dried bouquet of flowers would give rustic and organic vibes.
Q3. Is embellishing the doily ghost necessary?
A3. Absolutely not! You can leave it with just the eyes if you prefer a simpler look or you can even create a super clean, minimalist look with nothing at all but simply the ghost shape. You do you and make it yours! There is no wrong or right way, just your way.
Shop the Thrifted Doily Ghost Look
- 15.7 Inch Large Cotton Handmade Table Doily
- 7 to 14 Inch Handmade Crochet Cotton Lace Doilies – create a whole family of friendly ghosts
- Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer
- Brad Paper Fasteners for Crafts
- Crochet Flowers Patches Knitted Flowers Floral Crochet Applique Orange – these are super cute, love the pearl centers
- Natural Dried Real Flowers for Craft Orange – I considered using baby’s breath and these would be perfect
- Resin Mini Ghost Pumpkin Halloween Miniature – if you want the Pottery Barn look
- Cotton Twine String, Black & White
- Tea Lights Candles Battery Operated
- Little Giant® Plastic Utility Pan
THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING
Circular Consumption
Reuse ~ Recycle ~ Repair
The notion of second hand shopping leans into the circular consumption paradigm where wares keep getting bought over and over again rather than landing in the landfill.
Don’t forget to Pin It and save for later. You never know when inspiration will strike!
For more inspiration follow me on Pinterest.
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Casper the friendly ghost,
Casper the Friendly Ghost
The friendliest ghost you know.
Though grown-ups might look at him with fright,
The children all love him so.“
Adorable, MJ!!! Such a cute decoration for an amazing price! Love!! Happy Halloween!