First of all, sorry. I came up with this idea and started to make it before I came to the realization that it might make a good Instructable for Halloween. The project is pretty simple, so I don't think it will matter that much.

I don't like cute Halloween decorations and I generally don't make gory stuff. But, I do like things that look realistic and I like to make them CHEAPLY! I typically make my house look like a place that's been abandoned for years with an old picket fence, boarded up windows, tombstones of course, etc. (More Instructables to come).

Anyway, one of my additions this year was this decoration on my front door. If you decorate inside, you could also hang it on a wall.

Here's what you need:

Metal wall vase
Cheap foam skull
Flat black spray paint
Glue gun (with glue of course)
Sand (optional)
Cinnamon and Paprika (What?!?!)
Spray can of clear sealer
Dried flowers, weeds, bones, or whatever you want to put in your vase

Step 1: The Vase

Okay, I didn't take a picture of my wall vase before I painted it or the skull before I attached it, but these pics are basically of the same type of objects. You can get a vase at flower shops, craft stores, etc., but I located mine at a local thrift store for $1.50. The one I used is about 8 inches tall and about 5 inches wide at its widest point. I purchased the skull for $2.

Step 2: The Steps to Your New Decoration

Take your foam skull and slice off the back half of its head. Try to cut it whatever angle is needed so, when the skull is attached to the vase, the skull will be looking straight forward.

Hot glue the skull to the vase (If you can, use a low temp on the glue gun so it doesn't melt the foam too much). Fill in any spaces between the skull and vase with more glue and put a small line of glue around the entire edge of the skull. This will make it look like it was soldered onto the vase.

Spray paint the vase and skull with flat black paint. Optional step- Sprinkle the project in various areas with a little sand then paint it again. This gives it some texture and makes it look like its pitted.

While the paint is still wet, take your cinnamon and paprika and sprinkle it wherever you want it to look like the metal is rusted. I did a light mist of black paint over this and then, when it was almost dry, I used my finger and spread the spices in a few areas. This technique added more shades of rust.

After the paint has dried, give the project a couple coats of clear sealant spray. This is mainly to keep the spices from disappearing over time.

Step 3: Your New Unique Decoration

The project is done! Hang it wherever you like and fill it with some dried flowers, weeds, or maybe some cheap fake roses painted black.

***I will be entering this in the 2011 Halloween Decoration Contest. I wanted to enter it early in the contest so everyone could be inspired and have time to make their own. Soooooo, if you enjoyed this, please remember it when it comes time to vote! Thanks and Happy Halloween!!!