Since it is no surprise that I’m a huge Halloween fan, it should be no surprise that my favorite ride at Walt Disney World is the Haunted Mansion. No matter how long the line, I must go on it at least once every time we go to Disney. Ray shakes his head every time. My employees I took to Disney in June thought, think I am crazy. I love it. It was obviously my inspiration for our DIY haunted mansion sign.
I made this last year during my delinquent blogging year so I don’t have photos throughout the process. It was pretty simple actually. I cut a piece of random plywood to the shape I wanted. I used the jigsaw and didn’t worry too much if it was completely straight or even. I used the sander before paint and after paint to my advantage and “age” the piece a bit.
I used my Silhouette to cut out the stencils for the wording on the sign. I used this font for the Haunted Mansion part since it was the closest match to what the actual sign looks like. I lightly sanded the plywood we used at first, but I didn’t work for perfection since I loved the look of the grain and the roughness.
I just used contact paper and spray paint combined with acrylic paint with a brush, to get the look I wanted. I spray painted the entire board black then used silver, white, and gray spray paint to give the background a bit of dimension. I then used black acrylic plaint to fill in the stencils of the words for the sign.
This is without a doubt, one of my favorite Halloween projects ever. Last year, I left it on our porch as shown above, but this year, I think we will hang it from the porch beam. I’ve done other wooden Halloween signs, but this it the one that makes me smile every time I see it.
Anyone else love the Haunted Mansion as much as me?
PS – Follow along all the Halloween fun on Pinterest too!
Follow Anna [DirectionsNotIncluded]’s board this is halloween on Pinterest.
Linking up to my favorite parties: Serenity Now, Friday Finds Link Party
cassie says
love this, anna! you know i am a fellow halloween lover! 🙂
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
😉 Thanks!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
Love it! I tried to talk my kids into a Haunted Mansion Halloween theme this year, but I got vetoed. I think next October we’re actually going to WDW, so maybe they’ll be more in the mood for it then 🙂
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
You need to let me know when you come down for that! If all works out timing wise, I could meet you there!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
I love the sign. I’m all about Halloween decor
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
Halloween is a fav. Thanks!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I’m so excited to decorate for Halloween! Our favorite is carving pumpkins! Love the sign! 🙂
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
I love Halloween! Such a fun time!
Analisa says
Yesssss! The Haunted Mansion definitely has a special place in my Disney loving heart. I’m working on some Haunted Mansion inspired Halloween decor right now too. Your sign is terrific! You did a perfect job aging it. Love, love, love it!
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
Ooooh! I can’t wait to see your stuff! My love for the Haunted Mansion borders on obsession 😉
Stephanie Daigneault says
Love this! Can’t wait for Halloween!
Anna@DirectionsNotIncluded says
Me neither!!