This Old Musty Spell Book  is a simple and fun craft to make that will add to your Halloween decorations.

All you need is a paper mache book, three shades of grey and black paint a gold leafing pen, natural sponge and maybe a stencil for lettering.

Paint the book inside and out with the darkest black.  After it dries sponge lighter colors of paint all over to give it a mottled, aged look.  Write the word “SPELLS” on the cover with a gold leave pen. Make sure it’s thoroughly dry and add some more paint with the sponge to dull the brightness of the gold.

Because the book opens you could store something inside or turn the inside into a spooky Halloween collage. You could also put pictures of your children all dressed up inside, add new pictures every year and when Halloween rolls around again they’ll have fun looking at all of the costumes they’ve had over time.

Post Notes: Originally posted on my typepad blog October 2009