A Spooky DIY - Halloween Spell Books

Thanks to Collective Bias and its advertiser for inspiring these Spell books and compensating this shop. All opinions are mine alone. #TrickOrSweet #CollectiveBias
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Halloween used to be one of my least favorite holidays to celebrate. From people dressing up in super scary costumes to all of the sugar comas experienced - I was just never a fan. But I've learned to appreciate all of the fun that is to be had during Halloween. With October on the cusp, it's now a perfect time to start decorating the house with pumpkins, goblins, candy, scarecrows, and DIY Spell books.

I first started my shopping with by getting some large variety bags of Hershey's candy from Walmart. Then I was on the hunt for some good books to turn into my spooky DIY spell books. 

Click to tweet: Candy and crafts, that's what Halloween is about.

There is something to be said about the scent and feeling of picking up an old book. I've never been one to appreciate reading books electronically - I'm a paperback book fan all the way. So gather some old books or pick some up from the thrift store and let's get to decorating. 

What you will need:

- light colored cardstock

- craft glue and brush

- brown craft paint

- sponge or paper towel

- sandpaper

- old books; paperback or hardcover 

Steps:

(1) Start by scuffing up the books with sandpaper. If the books you are using already don't have character, just sand away to make them a little more aged. You can also remove the covers of the paperback books and pull away at some of the spine. The spell books will appear more authentic the dingier they are. 

(2) Next is antiquing the books with some brown paint. Use a wet paper towel or sponge to dip into the brown paint then smear onto the book edges. This will give the books a natural aged appearance.

(3) Create spell book covers or use my free printables. This is where you can get really creative or even customize the books with your family names on the cover, perhaps as the author. You can find all three of these covers to print off for yourself by following these links;

Beginners Guide to Potions

Advanced Spells & Curses

Universal Brews

(4) After printing out the covers, you will want to distress them by crumbling. Just roll the cardstock into a ball then flatten out. This will help make your covers look aged and used. 

(5) Using the craft glue, brush the back of each piece of cardstock and the book covers then press cardstock firmly into place. 

(6) Once craft glue has dried, you can distress the books one last time. Using the same wet sponge or paper towel and brown craft paint, wipe any areas that you want to look aged. I went directly over the cover and a little heavier on any corners. Feel free to make your spell books as dingy and dirty as you want. 

(7) Display your spell books on a shelf, laid out on a coffee table, or alongside some candy. 

I currently have my books displayed on a coffee table with a big bowl of candy next to it. I grew up with dishes of candy all throughout the house. Most of the time my sister and I just ignored the candy that was sitting directly in our faces each day. Now I only keep candy in the house for special occasions, or cravings. These large variety bags of Hershey's candy from Walmart are perfect for Halloween. I'll have enough to set out on a table and extra to pass out on Halloween. 

Click to tweet: I'm getting ready for Halloween with these DIY Spell Books.

What's your favorite type of Halloween candy?

When do you start decorating for Halloween?

My Candle Closet

During the fall and winter months in my house you can find at least one candle burning.

Yet while I am typing this I do not have any candles burning. Oh well.

Well I went into my candle closet I may or may not have a candle closet and found a bunch of not useable candles. I hate to through the glass containers away so when the candle no longer burns I set them aside until I need the container for something. 

I noticed that many of my nonburnable candles have a similar or complementary scent so I decided to make a layer candle. This would allow me to continue to use those scents.

The three candles I used to layer were all from Bath and Body Works in the scent 

Fresh Lemonade, Passion Fruit & Guava, and Mango & Spearmint.

I added a candle wick to an empty glass candle container.

Then I started to melt down the wax in a pot of low boiling water.

It took about 7 minutes per candle.

Once the wax melted, I poured them into the empty container layer by layer.

Now I have a lovely candle that I can burn. The scents really complement each other.

Here is what you need:

• Candle wax (in any combination of scents and as many different scents)
• Candle wick (at least height of glass container)
• Saucepan taller than the height of wax you need to melt. 
• Water

Directions:

• Add enough water to the saucepan to come to the height of the candle wax you need to melt.
• Heat water to a light boil.
• Place a candle wick in an empty glass container.
• Once water is to a light boil, place one of the candles in the water to melt the wax.
• When wax is melted, pour into glass container with wick in the center.
• Place that container in the freezer to harden up the wax while putting the next candle in the pot of water to melt.
• Continue this process until you have melted all the candle wax for your new candle.

What do you do with your burned out candles?