Ghosties!

This morning, the Fall garden was finally planted. Mustard greens, carrots, beets, cabbages and collard greens are all bedded in their rows. Only the Brussels sprouts and broccoli have to be planted. Now, we wait for a nice rain and hope the dog keeps the rabbits from nibbling the new plants. After finishing this, I played inside with more Halloween decorations. Today's project..cheesecloth ghosts! These little ghosties are simple to make, so simple that my children used to make them when they were in elementary school. Martha Stewart has a similar ghost in her craft magazine that my lovely daughter-in-law sent me. I stuck with my tried and true method to make mine though..it is basically the same as Martha's only I use a few different supplies.

Supplies:

• 1 large paper cup
• 1 light bulb (regular incandescent style)
• 1 yard cheesecloth (approximate measure)
• 2 small wooden spoons or pencils
• 3/4 cup liquid starch
• small bowl
• scissors

Using scissors, poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. Plus carefully poke two tiny holes on either side of the bottom about 1 inch from the bottom edge.

Shove the wooden spoon handles (or the pencils) in the side holes for arms and the light bulb for a head in the big hole in the bottom. (which is now the top!)

Cut the cheesecloth in half and plop it in the bowl. Pour the liquid starch over it and start squishing the cloth around to saturate it.

Once this is done, carefully drape the wet cloth over the top of the form you just made. Arrange the cloth in a "ghost" shape taking notice to shape it around the "arms" and "head". Do the same with the second piece of starch-soaked cheesecloth.

Now comes the hard part....wait until dry! ( I try to place mine in a sunny spot for about an hour.) Once dry, carefully lift the ghost off of the form..this may take some careful prying but try not to lose the shape of your ghostie. After it is removed, this little fellow is ready to haunt your table top!