Halloween Countdown Calendar

Next to Christmas, we love counting down to Halloween! This year, Designer Grace turned a picture frame into a countdown calendar using tags, a binder ring and various Glue Dots products. Get ready to countdown with us!

Designed by: Grace Tolman
Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Level: Beginner
Size: 8” x 4 /1/2” x 3”

I created a countdown calendar to get into the Halloween spirit. By adding adhesive to the frame itself will allow me to take off the decorations from the frame later on when I want to use it for a different project.

Here's what you need:

• Ultra-Thin Glue Dots®
• Mini Glue Dots®
• Permanent Glue Dots®
• Removable Glue Dots®
• Frame
• Glittered Cardstock - Black, Orange, Gold, Die Cuts With a View (DCWV)
• Cardstock- Orange
• Pattern papers
• Ribbon/Lace
• Stickers
• Rhinestones
• Ink
• Key or Binder ring to go around the picture frame
• Star Punch
• 1 3/4" Circle Punch
• Scallop scissors
• Scissors
• Die Cut machine
• Die cuts (or files)
• Additional embellishments as desired: Sequins, buttons, etc.

Here's what you do:

1. Create 31 tags using a cut file. Cut them out using various pattern papers, measuring about 3 ½” x 5 ½”.
2. Cut out the numbers 1-31 using various colors of glittered cardstock.
3. Cut out jack-o-lantern and bat shapes from glittered cardstock as well.
4. Using Ultra-Thin Glue Dots adhesive, adhere two tags together, butting up the backs of each paper onto each other. Ink the edges of all 16 tags.
5. Punch out 31 circles from leftover pattern paper. Adhere them to the orange cardstock with Ultra-Thin Glue Dots adhesive and trim the edges using the scallop scissor. Layer the numbers onto the circle accents using Mini Glue Dots.
6. Decorate each tag using stickers, die cut shapes and ribbons or lace. Adhere elements with Mini Glue Dots, use Permanent Glue Dots as needed for larger items. Start with the #31 first and work your way down the numbers. Once you hit #16, turn the tags over and decorate the back side of each tags using more stickers and embellishments.
7. Use one tag as the front cover. Decorate with punched out glittered stars, sequins and bat. Use Mini Glue Dots to adhere the elements. Add the title with letter stickers.
8. Decorate the top of the picture frame with punched out stars and lace. Adhere them with Removable Glue Dots adhesive (I chose this specific adhesive so I can easily take off the items from the frame in the future if I want to use the picture frame for a different project).
9. Thread the tags through a large key ring and hook onto the top of the open picture frame.

What kind of Halloween projects do you like? Leave a comment below so we know what to make for you!

~Grace

This project can be completed with any of the following products:

Glue Dots Products are available in the United States at:

In the UK Glue Dots Products can be purchased at: