Ghost Family Framed Halloween Decor Using Cricut

Looking for a Halloween project that is cute, a little spooky, and totally personal? This framed ghost family portrait is such a fun one to make. It uses simple white craft paint on black cardstock to create a family of ghosts, then Cricut-cut vinyl details are added afterward to give each ghost its own personality.

You can make the ghost family look like your own family, your pets, your favorite spooky characters, or just a silly group of ghosts. Add glasses, hats, bows, eyelashes, mustaches, names, or a family last name to make it extra special.

Materials:

• Picture frame
• Black cardstock
• White craft paint with a flip-cap bottle
• Squeegee or scraper tool
• Protective mat or scrap paper
• Cricut cutting machine
• Cricut adhesive vinyl in your chosen colors
• Cricut weeding tools
• Cricut transfer tape, if needed

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare the Frame and Background

Start by taking apart your picture frame. Remove the backing and glass, then measure the inside opening of the frame.

Cut a piece of black cardstock to fit inside the frame. You can cut this by hand, or you can use your Cricut if you want a perfectly clean edge.

Lay the cardstock on top of a protective mat, scrap paper, or another surface you do not mind getting paint on. This project is simple, but the paint can get a little messy when you pull it downward, so it is best to protect your workspace before you begin.

Step 2: Paint the First Ghost

Take your bottle of white craft paint and squeeze a small upside-down “U” or arc shape near the top of the black cardstock. This will become the top of the ghost’s head.

For an adult ghost, place the arc a little higher and use a bit more paint. For a child ghost, place the arc lower and use slightly less paint.

Once the paint is on the cardstock, use a squeegee or scraper tool to pull the paint straight down toward the bottom edge of the cardstock. As you drag the paint down, it will create a simple ghost shape with a rounded head and flowing body.

Wipe off the squeegee after each ghost so the next one stays clean and controlled.

Step 3: Add the Rest of the Ghost Family

Continue adding upside-down arcs of white paint across the cardstock. Vary the height and amount of paint depending on who each ghost represents.

Make taller ghosts for adults and shorter ghosts for kids. You can even make tiny ghosts for babies or pets. Place the ghosts close together so they overlap slightly, just like a family portrait.

After each paint arc, pull the paint downward with the squeegee and wipe the tool clean before moving on to the next ghost.

Keep going until you have a ghost for every family member.

Once all the ghosts are painted, set the cardstock aside and let the paint dry completely. This is important because the vinyl details will stick much better to dry paint.

Step 4: Create the Vinyl Details in Cricut Design Space

While the paint is drying, open Cricut Design Space and create the features for your ghost family.

You can add:

• Eyes
• Glasses
• Hats
• Bows
• Hair bows
• Mustaches
• Bow ties
• Witch hats
• Text with your family name

This is where the project gets really fun. You can make each ghost match a real family member, or you can just give them silly Halloween personalities.

There is also a ready-to-use Cricut project available here:
https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/66fad8532767ccfcb663b291

Use that project as-is, or customize it to fit your own ghost family.

Step 5: Cut and Weed the Vinyl

Once your designs are ready, cut the features from adhesive vinyl in your chosen colors.

Black vinyl works great for eyes and glasses. You can use orange, purple, silver, gold, or any other Halloween colors for hats, bows, and accessories.

After cutting, weed away the extra vinyl using your favorite weeding tools. Keep only the pieces you want to transfer onto the ghosts.

Step 6: Add the Vinyl to the Painted Ghosts

When the white paint is fully dry, place the vinyl features onto each ghost.

Small pieces like eyes may be easy to place by hand. For larger or layered pieces, use transfer tape to help move the vinyl from the backing sheet to the painted cardstock.

Add glasses to one ghost, a bow to another, a hat to another, or whatever details make your ghost family feel complete. You can also add your family name or a Halloween phrase at the top or bottom of the design.

Step 7: Reassemble and Display

Once all the vinyl details are in place, put the finished ghost family portrait back into the picture frame.

Reassemble the frame carefully, making sure the cardstock is flat and centered. Then display your framed Halloween decoration on a mantel, shelf, entryway table, or as part of your Halloween gallery wall.

This project is simple, playful, and easy to customize. The paint-pull technique makes every ghost look a little different, which is part of the charm. Add a few Cricut vinyl accessories, and suddenly you have a sweet little ghost family portrait that is full of personality.

Do More Halloween Decor with Your Cricut

Once your ghost family portrait is finished, keep the Halloween crafting going with a few more Cricut projects you can use around the house. These ideas are easy to customize and make great seasonal decorations you can pull out year after year.

Halloween Door Mat

Welcome trick-or-treaters with a custom Halloween door mat. Use your Cricut to cut a spooky design from stencil vinyl, then apply it to a plain coir mat. Add outdoor paint over the stencil, peel it away, and you’ll have a personalized mat for your front porch. Try phrases like “Hey Boo,” “Enter If You Dare,” or your family name for a fun custom touch.

Ombre Painted Trick or Treat Sign

Make a colorful Halloween sign with an ombre painted background and Cricut vinyl stencils.

Paper Bats for Walls and More

Paper bats are one of the easiest ways to make your home feel ready for Halloween. Cut bat shapes from black cardstock with your Cricut, then bend the wings slightly so they look like they are flying. Add them to walls, mirrors, lampshades, mantels, or entryways with removable adhesive. Make a whole swarm for a dramatic look, or scatter a few around your ghost family portrait to tie the display together.