Halloween Crafts: Halloween Ghost Sponge Stamping

Decorate your own stationary or make Halloween party invitations using these fun ghost shaped sponge stamps.

To make your Halloween ghost sponge stamps start with a dry flat sponge. A new sponge is best for this project because it won't have puffed up from water yet. Using a pencil first; sketch out the outline of your ghost on the large flat side of the sponge.

Using scissors, carefully cut out the shape of your ghost from your sponge. Be sure to get nice clean edges on the side of your cutout that will be the bottom. If your edges are ragged it will affect the final result by making the edges blurry.

Soak your sponge in water and squeeze it out until all the water is back out, but the sponge feels soft. You may need to do it a couple of times to get out all of the chemicals that are used when the sponges were made in the factory. When you're done your sponge should be barely damp but very soft.

Dip one side of your ghost sponge stamp into craft paint. Check to make sure that the entire surface has a coat of paint on it, with no dry spots. Then press your sponge straight up and down a couple of times on newspaper to blot off any excess. After you have used your sponge stamp a few times you will get a feel for how much paint you should put on it in the first place. But the first few times blotting on newspaper will really help.

On the construction paper or stationary or wrapping paper you would like to decorate, set your ghost sponge straight down, and pick it straight back up, to make a nice clear image of your ghost. You will be able to do this several times before the paint begins to look faint. Then dip it back into the paint and blot off any excess on to newspaper to start again.

Give your stamped images a chance to dry thoroughly and then add any extra details. For example, you may want to give your ghost eyes. Be sure to wash your ghost sponge stamp thoroughly when you are finished using it. If you get all the paint off of it before it dries you will be able to store your ghost sponge stamp and then use it again next year.

Happy Halloween!

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