The Author Wants You to Know...
Name: Sue Phillips
Instagram: @homespunwithlove
The Fall season has me thinking of Bonfire night, traditionally celebrated on 5th November here in the UK, and Halloween, which is probably celebrated more in the States than this side of the Atlantic, on 31st October.
For those of you who celebrate the latter, here is a recipe to offer as a treat, for your own little ghosts and ghouls, followed by a primitive make, to decorate your home.
Ghost Cookies
Ghost Cookies
The quickest way to produce these is to buy a pack of ready-made cookies.
- Make some glacé icing - see below.
- Place a small amount of icing, just slightly off centre of the cookie and press on a white marshmallow.
- Pour a spoonful of icing over the top of the marshmallow and let it spread randomly over the biscuit. Tip ~ if you sit the cookies on a wire tray, the icing will just drain through, rather than the cookie ending up sitting in a puddle of icing.
- Place two chocolate chips or currants to make the eyes. Leave until the icing is set.
To make glacé icing - place sieved icing sugar into a small bowl. Gradually mix in cold water until it has a thick pouring consistency. If you accidentally add too much water, just thicken back up, by adding more sieved icing sugar.
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On its own this primitive ghost can be stood in a small container ~ I used an old rusty bed spring. If you make more than one you could push a group of them in a plant pot filled with soil and place by your front door, to welcome Trick or Treaters.
Inside the home, a fraid of ghosts work well as bowl fillers or dot around the home on shelves and amongst ornaments. If you make several you could turn it into a party game - How many ghosts can you find?
Primitive Ghost
Whilst I have kept my muslin white, if you want a real primitive look, stain the fabric with tea or coffee first. To make it even more primitive, replace the twine with a strip of homespun woven check fabric.
You will need:
- 30 cm /12 inch square of white muslin fabric. Or use any lightweight white fabric that drapes well
- A small amount of toy filling or use a polystyrene ball approx 5-6 cm / 2-2.5 inch in diameter
- 25 cm / 10 inch twig
- A piece of jute twine or string and glue
- Kraft label - letter stamped or hand written in black pen
- Black acrylic paint or black marker for eyes and mouth
- Place a small amount of glue on one end of the twig.
- Gather your stuffing into a ball and place on the glued end of the twig. If using a polystyrene ball just push the twig into the ball.
- Place the ball into the centre of the fabric square and gather the fabric, bringing it tightly round the twig underneath.
- Secure in place with the twine, with a double knot. Adjust the fabric so it is draping evenly all round.
- Using a small amount of the black paint add two oval eyes and a mouth on to the head section, making sure it is the front.
- Decorate your tag and attach to the twine. I used lettering stamps.
Now you are ready to make some more. If you want your ghosts to be larger, just start with a longer twig, a larger square of fabric and extra stuffing, to keep it all in proportion.
If you enjoyed making your own version of Sue’s Primitive Ghost, head to her Folksy store to view more beautiful homespun items and seasonal crafts. Use code Celebration10 for 10% off all orders.
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