The moment I spotted this grapevine basket at Goodwill, I had visions of mushrooms and forest wonders in my mind. It just had a wild and brambly look to it. And since summer came and went before I got to it, I decided to make something cute-spooky with it. Mushroom garden decor with a Halloween twist seemed like the perfect seasonal plan.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Why mushrooms? Well…they seem to be everywhere these days, especially in Fall and Halloween decorations. Plus, I kept seeing them pop up in my neighborhood during my morning walks.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I took it as a sign- especially when I came across some old decorative craft mushrooms while I was antiquing.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
My craft idea was a quirky blend of dark cottagecore, a little forestcore, and enchanted Halloween forest all mixed together. And I couldn’t wait to get started!
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Filling a Grapevine Basket
First, I needed to tame the basket by trimming off any wild vine strands. My little shadow cat, Pixie, was determined to help by pointing out (with her teeth) which grapevine sprigs to trim.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
To use the grapevine basket as a foundation for my mushroom forest decor, I needed to fill most of the space with floral foam. I cut a small brick down to size and set it inside.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Then, of course, I needed to hide the foam- and I had plenty of Spanish moss leftover from this Halloween art project. So, I tucked that all around the piece of floral foam in the basket.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Looking better, eh? But for the top of the foam, I wanted a slightly different look and opted for reindeer moss instead.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Next, I layered it lightly over the top of the foam to cover it up. I didn’t use any glue- you’ll see why in a minute.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Gosh, it looks kind of pretty just like that, doesn’t it?
But I digress- I still had more decorating to do in order to make it a mushroom forest.
Creating a Mushroom Forest
I had several decorative mushrooms to play with: the vintage pack, a few scavenged from old floral picks, and some Halloween mushrooms from Michaels.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Now, to build a forest floor full of mushrooms, I needed to turn each one into a pick. A pick that I could stick into the floral foam under the moss.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
After pillaging my craft and floral supplies for wire pieces, I carefully inserted the wire lengths into each crafty ‘shroom like this.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you have to buy wire new, 18-gauge floral stem wire and a wire cutter should be ideal.
Then, I simply stuck each mushroom pick into the floral foam like this.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Peep Pixie there in the background- still watching me, not understanding why I don’t need her help…
And just as I had planned, all my little mushroom picks pulled double duty. Not only did they look charming and enchanted, but they held the reindeer moss in place.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
My mushroom forest decor was mostly complete- it just needed a touch of Halloween to finish it off.
Mushroom Forest Decor for Halloween
You see, I’d seen all these delightful prints and watercolors of ghosts with mushrooms. And I just needed to create my own version, albeit a 3D version. So adding a ghost to my grapevine basket was a no-brainer.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Admittedly, I took the easy route with a small ghost candle (that I won’t ever light). I thought about making a little fabric ghost- I really did. But in the end, I was a smidge lazy and a perfectly-sized ghost candle happened to cross my path.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
It’s hard not to love the cottagecore or woodland Halloween things I’m seeing everywhere these days. And I loved creating my own version of it with my cute-spooky version of a mushroom forest.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I didn’t use any glue on anything so I could disassemble it all after Halloween was over. But honestly…I think it’s pretty cute for year-round sweetness. Maybe without our little waxy ghost friend, but even he’s pretty harmless!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this VERY non-creepy Halloween project. I mean, who doesn’t want to scamper around a mushroom forest like that? And I wonder what other enchanted Halloween cuteness I can come up with?
I guess it’s back to the thrift store for more inspiration for me!
If you enjoyed this cottagecore ghost craft for Halloween, then you may also enjoy these milk glass ghosts of mine, as well.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
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.
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