Even though I have been trying oh-so-hard to work on projects from my garage stash, I still can’t help but swing by a thrift store now and then. Because, you just never know what you’ll find. And this sewing bucket was definitely calling my name. I had a crazy idea to upcycle it into a candy bowl holder for Halloween. Something that would allow me to welcome trick or treaters while maintaining a safe distance and no contact.
If my idea worked as well in reality as it did in my head, I wouldn’t actually DO anything to the sewing bucket. It would simply be covered up- no paint, no tools, no nothin’!
And yes, you’re right- I’ve made a Halloween candy bowl before! But it was dainty, perfect for a desk at work, for instance.
This new project, however, would be perfect for trick-or-treaters. So, I gathered up a couple of additional items, including a Halloween candy bowl (which I already had) and a white bed sheet (from another thrift store).
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Ghost Decoration and Candy Bowl Holder
With thrifted finds in hand, I set forth to create a candy bowl holder that would look like a sweet and friendly ghost!
First, I draped my freshly-laundered sheet over the sewing bucket (which looked like a firkin to me) and pushed the candy bowl into the open top.
While the candy bowl kept the bed sheet in place, I used some binder clips just to make sure!
They’re so handy…and I rarely use them as actual office supplies.
Next, I took my scissors to the sheet, and cut off the excess fabric fairly close to the floor, so that it draped ever so slightly.
No Contact Trick or Treating with a Halloween Candy Stand
Then, I asked our green candy bowl to “take one for the team” and get a white-paint makeover! Thankfully, he didn’t put up much of a fight.
This way, he’d blend in seamlessly with candy bowl holder that I was hoping to create!
When the paint had dried, I replaced the bowl and removed the clips from sewing bucket. Now I had a cohesive look that was starting to look a little like a Halloween ghost decoration, wouldn’t you say?
Last but not least, I needed a ghost face on my candy bowl holder and ghost decoration! I went into my stash of felt and grabbed some peel-and-stick felt in black.
This would be PERFECT for what I needed. I just adore adhesive felt for a quick and easy ghost face!
And that, my friends, was all she wrote…err…all she did to the sewing bucket. Isn’t it the cutest candy bowl holder ever?
Perfect for leaving on your front porch or sidewalk, or even for a socially distanced trunk-or-treat!
Alternative Trick or Treat Idea with a Candy Bowl Holder
Now I’m ready for Halloween trick-or-treaters while staying at a safe distance with minimal or no contact!
Would you even guess that there’s a sewing bucket (or maybe knitting bucket) underneath? Totally camouflaged without doing anything permanent to it!
Oh gosh, there is a LOT of tasty temptation here. MUST. FOCUS. ON. PROJECT. NOT. CHOCOLATE.
Oh well, temptation won me over.
Either way, I LOVE the candy bowl holder and ghost decoration. And I can re-repurpose the sewing bucket for yet another project in the future.
I’m also super excited to announce that my first book is now available! If you love working with flannel or fabric crafts in general (sewing and non-sewing), then you will LOVE “Crafting with Flannel”!
Speaking of Halloween candy, if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for Halloween, then you’ll love these ADORABLE fabric pumpkins made from bandanas!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
How did you manage to spray paint that bowl ‘so nice’….???? I just tried spray painting a planter for my first time,,,heck…it looked like a bird flew over it…and left something behind !!!! And yes I did two light coats…short even strokes…but nope…that did not work for me…haha…Was not my first time spray painting…but first time spray painting a object of that shape…round and plasticy…(new word..haha)…any tips? I even used the same paint as you…heck…what did I do wrong..must be the ‘operator’ as I always say when ‘I try and do something’….it never turns out…lol….
Hmmm…well, I will say that spray painting isn’t as easy and fool-proof as people think it is. And when something doesn’t turn out, it could be due to any number of reasons- not just operator error! I have most definitely purchased “bad” cans of paint…that no matter how much I shake the can or how perfect the conditions/item are, I still get a bumpy or cracked or uneven paint job. But I always recommend spray painting on a dry, low-humidity day. Even a touch of moisture in the air can ruin an otherwise glossy smooth paint job! And to help with operator error, I always use my trigger handle (affiliate link: http://amzn.to/2exbxUx ). It makes painting so much more comfortable for me- and keeps my hand/arm from fatiguing. I swear it leads to better results!
Adorable
Thanks, Barbara!
That is absolutely fabulous, cute idea as well as functional, and what a great addition to the Halloween decor!
It’s like a functional costume, right??
This is so creative!! I love this idea!!!
Thank you, Kari!
This is such a cute idea!! LOVE IT!
Jenna
Thank you so very much, Jenna!
I have named your creation Casper-after the Friendly ghost! You are so clever!!
I love it!!!
That is adorable! How fun to use for a party, or just as decor at your door for trick-or-treaters! I love it!!
Thank you so much!!
Oh that is so cute! I can just imagine how much trick or treaters will love seeing it! 🙂 Lisa
Fingers crossed! 🙂 Thanks, Lisa.
Love this clever idea!
Thank you, Camille!
This is a really cute idea for Halloween. Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design Link Party.
Thanks, Carol!
This is just too cute for words! Pin! 🙂
Thank you so much!!
Cute idea, and it looks so easy to make! 🙂
Super easy to make!! Thanks so much. 🙂
Oh he’s super cute Sarah, what a great idea and really functional too. Thank you so much for sharing him with us at the Sweet Inspiration party 😉
Thanks, Michelle!!
This is such a clever and cute idea! Pinning!
Thank you, Lisa!
I LOVE this idea!! I am already crazy about antiques and repurposing! This is such a cute and festive idea. Great post! Now to find me a barrel stand….
I hope you stick around my blog, Pam- it’s dedicated entirely to repurposing and lots of vintage! 🙂
Another awesome idea! Pinned.
That is one sweet ghost ?Hope you have a Happy Halloween! Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared.
Thank you so much, Theresa!
Great idea – had to pin it! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party
Thank you, Helen!!
What a fun and spoooooooooky idea! Thanks so much for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
Thanks, Carlee!
Cute, cute, cute!!
Thank you so very much!
Oh gosh…this is so cute! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
This is such a cute idea! Now if only I can find a barrel stand. I grow weary of carry my oversize basket to the door each year. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great week.
Thank you, Sandra!!
Super cute! Now if I only had a barrel stand! 🙂
Thanks so much!!!
Yes he is very cute! I’m coming to your house for trick or treat because you have the best candy!! Pinning. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
That is so adorable!
I could see this being used for different holidays using different colored sheets or holiday tablecloths to hold Christmas crackers, a Pot O’gold, Easter eggs or even a plant!
It would definitely be fun to switch up all year long! Great ideas!
What a super-cute idea! I don’t have one of those barrel stands, but I’ve got my mind swirling with other ways I might semi-duplicate this. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Carol!!
This would be both handy and so cute beside the front door. Pinning.
Thanks, Leanna!
Sooooo cute. I have one of those bucket on legs in my garage stash and I would never have thought of this. Genius! Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
What an absolutely adorable idea! And one that can actually be replicated pretty easily! Thanks for sharing! #inspiremewednesday – Amy @ http://thegiftedgabber.com
I love a good repurposed project, but I absolutely adore your ghost candy bowl holder. I know it’ll be a big hit with trick-or-treaters, for sure. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.
Thank you so very much! I linked up my latest. 🙂
This is such a cute and simple way to display candy for the trick or treaters! Love it!
Thank you so much, Alison!
Thank you so very much, Alison!
Another great idea, Sarah! And I love that you can still use the barrel stand for other things after Halloween. So fun! Pinned and sharing! Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party this week. Hope you will join us again on Sunday at 12 EST!
Thanks, Cristina!! I’ll be there. 🙂
Cute idea! It’s something to try next year for sure. Thank you for sharing it at The Crafty Corner! I hope to see you there again (new party begins tomorrow 6 am EST).
Cute idea! Did you ever do anything with the barrel stand afterward? No one keeps that much mending around in a corner anymore! It’d make a cute planter (maybe with a round plastic dishpan so the wood wouldn’t rot. By the way, you can NEVER have too many Halloween projects for us Halloween lovers!
Thanks, Kathy!! I actually sold the barrel stand in a garage purge sale and a friend of mine with a furniture painting business bought it. I’m not sure what she did with it…and YAY for more Halloween projects!!
Oh how cute! I bet the trick or treaters love this.
This idea is brilliant, I love it. Since I’ve already decorated my small stoop, next year I plan to use THS idea. I want to sit the candy out by tge front door and let the kids help themselves Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This “barrel stand” as you call it, was a staple when I was a child. My mother owned one (she probably sold it at her garage sale….everything that disappeared went in that sale!) and used it as her sewing basket. It had a round lid with a round knob on it. The memories you’ve just brought back 🙂 I love your use of it though. Super cute!
LOL, I didn’t know if there was a better term than “barrel stand” or “bucket stand”. What is the proper term for them?
It may be a long url but on Google they have images of all kinds of knitting/sewing stands shaped like yours. I hope your website will let you see the link! https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&biw=1920&bih=915&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=YkLxWfP-IqnY0gKUrK3ABQ&q=vintage+bucket+sewing+stand&oq=vintage+bucket+sewing+stand&gs_l=psy-ab.3…238619.238974.0.239463.3.3.0.0.0.0.117.343.0j3.3.0….0…1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0….0.8AOD_1C5vos
Love it! Had to make one of my own last night. Thanks for the inspiration. Check my version out on my blog https://controllingcraziness.blogspot.com/2017/11/diy-ghost-candy-stand-for-halloween-2017.html
That’s great, Christa- just a note, though, when you link to other bloggers that inspired you, there’s no need to make them no-follow links. 🙂 Happy crafting!
This is so cleaver & cute!
Thank you, Barbara!
BOOOOO…. FYI the barrell candy ghost thing is from over 50 yrs ago. It was bought with things called Green Stamps. It also had a lid. My mom used it for a sewing caddy. I use it for the samething today!
My 8 year old son just read this article out loud to me and said:
“Love it!! It’s great!!!”
I love hearing that!!
How do you do it? I NEVER would have come up with this idea!! So cute and original.
I’m a weirdo who finally found a way to channel her weirdness into projects!! 😉
What a fun idea and super cute! I have one the neighbor gave me sitting in my junk stash.
Easy peazie and it is adorable! I love this.
Thanks, Scotty!
I just found your site and you have the most wonderful ideas! I LOVE your flannel crafts, too! Thanks so much for sharing your talents.
Thank you so much, Holly! I actually have my first book coming out and it’s completely dedicated to flannel crafts! It was supposed to come out this Fall, but the publisher has pushed the release until early next year, unfortunately, due to everything going on. But I think you’ll love it when it does come out!
What a fantastic idea for Halloween candy
I wish my area thrift stores had wonderful items like this awesome bucket – it looks like a firkin on legs to me! For $7.99 I would have snatched it too. And the wonderful thing about the Halloween Ghost Candy holder? It’s the perfect height for little trick or treaters. Thank you, Sadie, for the wonderful inspiration.
Well, even my thrifts are hit-and-miss from week to week, that’s for sure. But totally YES, perfect height for the cutest trick-or-treaters!
FYI – this showed up in my inbox titled “Thank You for Swinging By” with some text from 2013. Did you repurpose a posting template, perhaps? : )
Hi….oh, I’m so sorry about this. I accidentally misfired an email alert while trying to remove my very first blog post. (forehead slap!). Since the damage was already done, I quickly redirected that old/bad URL (Hello World!) to an older seasonal post that may be of interest. But, it was a total mistake that I feel awful about!!
Thanks for posting this – you’re right, it was perfect for no-contact Halloween this year. Sans sewing bucket, an office waste basket on top of a small plastic pail (for height) worked quite well.
Ahhhh, what a great swap with the waste basket! I’m so glad to hear it worked wonderfully.
Hi Sarah, Thanks for linking up this week! We will be featuring you at the TCC Linky Party #63 starting on Wednesday!
I was getting ready to bring my antique sewing basket to the thrift store when I stumbled upon your post. I also checked my stash & found a white tablecloth & large white plastic bowl. Win, Win, Win!! Now to add the ghost features & candy & I’ll be all set for trick or treaters! Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder!! Thank you so much for the inspiration! No TRICK… this post was a TREAT!! 👻
Awww, YAY!! I’m “sew” glad you saw this post in time!! 😉