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Young House Love » Our First House » Halloween Fun: Making Paper Bats For Our Lamp Shades

| By Sherry Petersik | October 13, 2009 | 54 Comments

Halloween Fun: Making Paper Bats For Our Lamp Shades

Last week’s Halloween fun didn’t end with that post. In fact we had a few more easy (and cheap!) ideas up our sleeves so we’re back to share the goods. First we took another little Martha Stewart trick and added black bat silhouettes to the insides of our living room lamps:

Halloween2 Bat Lamp After

And it was really easy. Here’s how we did it in under ten minutes using stuff we already had around the house (total cost: $0.00). First I sketched out bat shapes (inspired by a quick google search) on small white pieces of paper (tip: it helps to cut the paper into rectangles that are about the size that you want your finished bats to be just keep you on track):

Halloween2 Bat Drawings

Then I cut those sketches out and created little white stencils that I could trace (with a pencil) onto black construction paper (black cardstock also works if you have that laying around). After they’re traced you simply cut them out and you’re left with awesome little bat shaped pieces of paper (feel free to print this photo out, blow it up and use it as a stencil if you’d like the same bat shapes that we sketched):

Halloween2 Bat Stencils

We especially like that we got three bat shapes for the time that it took to make two since the one bat that’s flying to the left can be flipped over to look like he’s also flying to the right, just to keep things looking a little less formulaic.

Halloween2 Bat Cutouts

Then we just used two loops of scotch tape (one on each wing) to stick each one of them inside the two lamp shades in our living room for a bit of eerie ambiance when the lights are on (of course the obligatory warning here is to make sure they’re firmly in place and nowhere near the hot bulb so they don’t start a fire; CFL bulbs burn a lot cooler so they’re a nice bit of added insurance). Oh and we wondered if you’d see the tape through the shade but you really don’t- just the silhouette of each bat. It’s a super polished look for not much effort. Gotta love that.

Halloween2 Bat Lamp After

And the funny thing is that when the lights are off our linen shades make the bats completely invisible, so they look pretty run of the mill…

Halloween2 Light Off

… until you switch them on for some Halloween fun. We can’t wait to have them glowing in our front window when trick-or-treaters approach on the 31st. It’s like a modern take on carving a pumpkin (don’t worry, we did that too and we’ll share those pics in a bit…). And adding an orange bulb would be the icing on the cake (our shades just happen to cast a yellowy-orange glow as-is).

Halloween2 Lights Far

And of course we had to decorate my beloved concrete greyhound for the occasion too. We used an old necklace I already had laying around for a bit of a dark chain-y look around his neck along with some ever-so-thin spiderwebs (leftover from the porch spookifying project that we have yet to share).

Halloween2 Whippet

Easy and free! The only downside is that we think Burger’s a little jealous at all the attention we paid to the faux dog in the house, so of course we have a costume for him too. Stay tuned for that along with our spooky little porch project and some pumpkin carving pics coming soon. And speaking of soon, we’re going to blink our eyes and it’ll be Christmas so Halloween really is right around the corner. Anyone have any fun costume ideas (for themselves or their dogs)? Any pumpkin carving or porch spookifying projects in the hopper? Do tell.

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Filed Under: Holiday & Entertaining, Our First House

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Comments

  1. Avatar for MeaningfulgrrrlMeaningfulgrrrl says

    October 13, 2009 at 9:45 am

    This is my first Halloween season as a “Kitty Mommy” and I’m contemplating purchasing a lobster costume for the furbabies – something like this (http://retrolife.typepad.com/katamari/2009/09/cat-in-a-lobster-costume-the-party-continues.html).

    Something about cats in lobster suits I find hysterical. Excited to see Burger’s outfit to greet the Trick or Treaters!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    October 13, 2009 at 9:46 am

    My husband and I are going to be Luigi (not a Mario fan) and Princess Peach for Halloween. We are currently in the process of getting our two pomeranians Mario Brothers costumes for Halloween. What can we say we’re a gamer family. :)

    Reply
  3. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:14 am

    I am pretty sure our dogs would eat through anything we tried to dress them up in.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Jen Z.Jen Z. says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:26 am

    Love the lamps. Great idea. :-)

    Reply
  5. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:30 am

    There is a hysterical feature on pet costumes in the October issue of Country Living, including ones for daschunds that look like hot dogs with mustard or ketchup. I thought of Burger when I saw them. Here is the link to the slideshow from that issue: http://www.countryliving.com/homes/country-living-october-issue?click=pp. Click through to slide 6 to see what I’m referring to.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 13, 2009 at 10:37 am

      Wow Lisa! We’re betting you’ll be quite entertained by Burger’s costume then. Too funny!

      xo,
      s

  6. Avatar for Kim at Yellow Brick HomeKim at Yellow Brick Home says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:48 am

    You guys, this is such a GREAT, simple idea! Loving it.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for JenniJenni says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Mia our papillon is going to be a turtle, Betty our Boston Terrior is going to be a squirrel and boyfriend and I are going to be lawn ornaments. :) He will be a garden gnome and I will be a pink flamingo. :)

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Laura@JourneyChic[email protected] says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Love this idea! I’m heading to the craft store after work to pick up supplies for our Halloween party and will be sure to get extra black construction paper for this little project.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:18 am

    I do love your batty lamps- so great! Wish I could get into the holiday decorating a bit more this year… for both Fall and Christmas. Unfortunately my moving date of Nov. 21 makes that a bit difficult. Sigh… Guess I’ll have to hit the after holiday clearances to stock up for next year.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for SharonSharon says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Love the bats on the lampshade. Very effective for little effort … and can’t beat the $0.00 price!!!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogKasey at Thrifty Little Blog says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:20 am

    The lamps look great! I love that the bats don’t show when they are turned off. I can see this same concept working for other holiday images- maybe with a silhouette of Santa and his reindeer?

    Reply
  12. Avatar for A Southern AccentA Southern Accent says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Wow! You guys are going all out this year. Have you looked at Martha’s Halloween magazine? I love it. I’m planning to spookify my porch this weekend, so look for some pics from me next week!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 13, 2009 at 11:27 am

      Hey A Southern Accent,

      We haven’t checked out Martha’s Halloween magazine yet but we’ll definitely put it on our to-do list. Sounds fun!

      xo,
      s

  13. Avatar for Danielle@Newlyweds Paradise[email protected] Paradise says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Hey! I did that same idea last year with the bats! So cute! I should do it again. Can’t wait to see the porch

    Reply
  14. Avatar for briel K.briel K. says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:39 am

    that’s so cool! i like how you can’t see them when the lights are off. yay for halloween decorations!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:47 am

    GREAT IDEA! I MADE THE “BLOODY CANDLES” LAST WEEK….AND NOW I MUST GET ON THIS.
    MY POOR DAUGHTER HAD A NIGHTMARE LAST NIGHT….BETTER NOT DO BATS…MAYBE A WITCH HAT. :)
    YOUR POSTS ALWAYS SEEM TO KEEP ME BUSY MAKING THINGS.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for VSKellyVSKelly says

    October 13, 2009 at 11:50 am

    For anyone that has some extra cash to buy some nice Halloween decor this season, Grandin Road has a catalog featuring Martha Stewart collection of Halloween decor and it is top notch. It’s out of our budget as we have too many house projects! But for the crafty, you could probably create something similar. I especially love the glitter skeletons. http://www.grandinroad.com/
    ENJOY!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Amy @ Renovation InnovationAmy @ Renovation Innovation says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Holy bat lamps, Robin! Cute idea. We’re not doing any Halloween decorating this year, given that we are still in a state of renovation mess. We won’t be dressing up the pooches either – although last year, our chihuahua make an oh-so-cute devil and our min-pin made the cutest pumpkin. I’ll have to dig out the pics and post them on the blog soon – I’ll send a link when I do…

    Reply
  18. Avatar for COZY KITCHEN BY THE SEACOZY KITCHEN BY THE SEA says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    YOU GUYS ARE JUST TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I REALLY NEED HELP AT MY HOUSE………..JUST CALL SAY AN EXTREME MAKEOVER IS NEEDED !
    I’M NOT REALLY USED TO ‘SMALL’ SPACE………….EEEKS !

    Reply
  19. Avatar for susansusan says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    awesome! i love it!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Jenny @ Making the Most of MoneyJenny @ Making the Most of Money says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    I love it! That is brilliant – and so simple too! I can’t believe I’ve never seen it done before. But you can bet it will become a Halloween/other Holiday staple in our household! (I can see it looking awesome with snowflakes, or christmas trees, or gingerbread men, or turkeys, or hearts, or shamrocks…) I love the incredibly inexpensive decoration ideas you guys have! Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for ElaineElaine says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    The more I read your blog, the more I realize you guys are way cooler than me. :-)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Lisa in SeattleLisa in Seattle says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Your bats look great! And they are actually quite realistic shaped, too. We have a small bat colony nearby and they hunt right over our house. On summer evenings, I loved sitting on the deck watching them flap around overhead making a dent in the mosquito population. They’re funny, chubby little things that look like they shouldn’t be able to fly at all.

    P.S. Thanks for your earlier tips on spray-painting ceramic objects. It’s working perfectly and things are turning out great!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for kellykelly says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Hey Sherry (& John),

    Great post… you guys are so crafty! I’m pretty sure the bee pillow in the pic is from a giveaway post from earlier, but I can’t seem to find it in the archives. Do you mind sharing where you got it from? I love it!

    (And btw thanks for the post on the magazine monogram- you’re the best!)

    Kelly

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 13, 2009 at 12:43 pm

      Hey Kelly,

      Here’s the link to the awesome little etsy store where we got our bee pillow. Love it!

      https://www.younghouselove.com/fab-freebie-not-too-shabby/

      xo,
      s (& j)

  24. Avatar for Jessica J.Jessica J. says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve got a cute little 12 pound pomeranian who is mostly tan. When I first got her, my husband said she looked like a football – small, compact, mostly brown. So for her first Halloween I surpised him with her costume. I couldn’t find a doggy football costume, so I bought a brown toddler t-shirt at the thrift store and sewed on a white shoelace in the pattern of football stiches on the back.
    She hates to wear it, but we get a good 5 minutes of enjoyment out of it every year :)

    PS. I’m hoping Buger is dressed as himself, a hamburger!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for MariaMaria says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Hi! You guys are featured on the website Apartment Therapy, as you probably already know. Here’s the link if you didn’t know: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/young-house-love-098330

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 13, 2009 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks for the link Maria! We’re so excited!

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for Mary @ StyleFylesMary @ StyleFyles says

    October 13, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    ooo the greyhound is so cute! I love your lampshade bats too! We do the same thing here at work! I love your cutouts…I am envious of your artistic hand!!!!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Jennifer S.Jennifer S. says

    October 13, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Cool bats!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Jessie (Vegan-minded)Jessie (Vegan-minded) says

    October 13, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Love the lampshades! I especially like the fact that you can’t really see them when the lights are off, it makes them extra spooky and fun!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for TristaTrista says

    October 13, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    I have enjoyed both of your halloween posts. After I read the last one, I drove right over to the Dollar Tree to pick up a crow and a red candle.

    That night I fixed up the candles and picked out a stack of books with creepy titles. I didn’t have any candy for our candy bowl yet, so I just put my $1 crow in the bowl. That night when my husband got home, he almost jumped out of his skin when he saw the bird sitting in the empty bowl. I don’t think he gets all of my attempts at design, but he’s learning to love them. Thanks for the ideas!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for ElleElle says

    October 13, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Wow, I almost fell out of my desk chair as I was reading this post. I did the EXACT same thing to my living room lamp shades! I used bats and witches hats though, but same idea. Can’t wait to see the costume you have for Burgalicious.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    October 13, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    AHH!! Love it, I’ve already printed out the cut-outs and can’t wait to get home to decorate my lamps with the bats! What a great thrifty idea.! Keep the Halloween ideas rolling….

    Reply
  32. Avatar for ChristinaChristina says

    October 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    I love all these Halloween posts you guys are doing!! And am so excited we have a couple more to look forward to! We have our halloween costume for our cat all picked out [he will be sporting a bandana and cowboy hat and will be a cowboy obviously] but this is our dog’s first halloween so its gotta be just right for him! [last year our cat was a devil]. I love the bat wings in the lamp, they look great! Can’t wait for more Halloween fun!!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for JacciJacci says

    October 13, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    The first thing I noticed was the new pillow, too :) Dig it.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    October 13, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    Have you all seen the Better Homes and Gardens dog pumpkin stencils? http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/pumpkin-carving/pumpkin-carving-stencils-of-favorite-dogs/?page=8 They have a chihuahua!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 13, 2009 at 5:33 pm

      Hey Amanda,

      Fun! We definitely think Burger deserves a pumpkin in his likeness!

      xo,
      s

  35. Avatar for KarenKaren says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    Once again, a simple twist for a lot of fun… neat, amazing idea for no cost at all, simply amazing! what could you ask for? keep the ball rolling=)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for SondraSondra says

    October 14, 2009 at 1:30 am

    Here is a pumpkin carving idea – I saw it in the most recent issue of Country Living. Pumpkin lanterns for the porch! I am so doing this:) Here is the link…

    http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/lantern-pumpkin-1009

    Reply
  37. Avatar for OscarOscar says

    October 14, 2009 at 7:55 am

    I have a lamp like this at home, I’ll definitely do this for halloween. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for ChrissyChrissy says

    October 14, 2009 at 9:39 am

    My mom dressed up our childhood dog once, who was a chow mix, and the look in her eyes just said, “My ancestors were ferocious wolves who roamed the country in packs being predators and I’m dressed like a pumpkin. How humiliating.” She then preceded to chew up the costume!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2009 at 9:43 am

      Haha, we love a good dog rebellion story!

      xo,
      s

  39. Avatar for JessiJessi says

    October 14, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    I was sitting in our living room with my son doing arts and crafts (his fave!) with Halloween foam stickers when I remembered this post on your blog. I got to thinking…wonder if these smaller foam bat stickers would work? So I tried it, and it looks fabulous! So a super easy and also cheap way to decorate your lamps for Halloween…foam stickers!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for CariCari says

    October 14, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    This is one of the cutest ideas that I have seen yet! You guys rock!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for CourtneyCourtney says

    October 14, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    So clever! Love it!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for KOS! (Keep On SKOS! (Keep On S'myelin!) says

    October 15, 2009 at 10:36 am

    That looks great!

    I love the lamp. Where did you get it?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 15, 2009 at 10:39 am

      Hey KOS,

      The lamps were actually wedding gifts from Linens N’ Things (they’re from their Nate Berkus line and we fell in love with them and registered for two). Miraculously we got both of them before they sold out. Maybe you can find something similar on ebay or nextag.com? Happy hunting…

      xo,
      s

  43. Avatar for Amanda GAmanda G says

    October 24, 2009 at 9:55 am

    My best friend actually does a similar thing every year for halloween as well (his favorite holiday by the way). Now if you don’t have patience or complete accuracy with an xacto knife then this isn’t the projct for you but I thought I would share his amazing talents.

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/mpressdesign/114147397557?ref=ts#/photo.php?pid=2577631&id=114147397557

    Reply
  44. Avatar for chelseachelsea says

    April 27, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    To the left of your monogram “P” in your living room, what is the picture of? it looks like another monogram “R”, could you give the details on that wall?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 27, 2010 at 3:51 pm

      Hey Chelsea,

      Here’s a better shot of the frames on that wall for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/and-now-from-some-halloween-fun/

      What appears to be a monogrammed R is actually just a photograph we took on vacation (it’s an iron fence with some wire hanging off of it that someone shaped into a cool sculptural accent). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for ErikaErika says

    October 1, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    Ok, this is just a burning question I have, so I figured I’d post it here:

    Do you guys use CFL bulbs? I know they’re great for the environment, a lot less cheaper (in the long run), etc etc but I HATE they way they cast light. Hate it, hate it. I have yet to find them where they don’t shine light that makes my skin crawl.

    Any advice?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 1, 2010 at 3:23 pm

      Hey Erika,

      We actually do use them in nearly all the fixtures in our house, and the secret is that we tried a bunch to find ones that we like (not too yellow or too blue). We believe the ones we like are labeled “soft white” instead of “sunlight” or “warm light.” Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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