Webster & his Rug
Webster is our new pet. He’s low-maintenance…completely house broken…requires no food or water…in fact, he’s ideal for toddlers and can win any staring contest. Oh and he was our jumping off point for our spooky porch makeover. He puts the ‘ooo’ in super spooky…yes that was a stretch and I liked it 
Isn’t Webster cute?
And he was really easy to create.
All you need is some sprinkler parts (I got mine in the outdoor irrigation aisle at Lowes)…one piece of 12″ riser, one of the 6″ riser and one of the joint elbow for each leg…and then a medium sized pumpkin.
Then using a 3/4″ drill bit, make eight holes (oh and Jer varied the angle at which he held the drill so that some legs would stick up higher than others to make for a more convincing crawler).
Then sink the end of the 6″ cutoff riser into the hole. That sounded dirty – but let me assure you, nothing will squirt out Man I have a gift.
Anyhoo…do you see those ridges on the legs? Jer & I think that it makes it look like hairy legs in real life. oooo-spooky!
After Webster’s legs are assembled, it’s time to add eyes. I wanted bulging cartoonish eyes because it went with our kid-friendly look.
I used the bottom half of plastic easter eggs and some straight pins to make the eye balls. Since the eggs were already white (spraypainted for Will’s birthday party chicken egg hunt) all I did was use a Sharpie to make the black pupils and then blacked the balls on the end of the straight pins. Luck had it that there were already two little holes in the ends of the eggs so it was easy to push the pins through into the pumpkin.
So that’s how we made Webster. And the best part is that we can remake Webster every year (since the parts can just pull out and be rinsed off for future Halloweens).
Not bad for $15 – especially considering that most spider creatures at the stores cost that much and can’t be reused.
And spiders need webs like Marilyn Manson needs his black leather pants. It’s a fact. So it was my duty to provide a web for Webster. Enter brainstorming session.
After a little thought about how I could make a rug for Webbie for cheap & easy (we didn’t have time to paint a rug and let it dry…and we were trying to use only items that could be found at your local home improvement store) so I thought that a drop cloth could make a pretty fantastic statement floor covering. The only hitch was my uber-cheapness. Yes…I am sooo cheap that I would hate to make a rug outta a drop cloth and never be able to use that drop cloth for anything else in the future (like curtains or as reupholstery fabric or as a table cloth). My cheapness is a problem sometimes.
So after a little brainstorming, we landed on tape. black duct tape.
In order to make your own, it’s really straightforward – just lay out your drop cloth flat (I ironed mine because I thought it might make it easier to lay the tap down). Then make your support lines (I did five but I think six or even seven would work). I recommend taking the ends of the tape all the way to the floor and using them to keep the drop cloth from moving.
Then just cut small lengths of duct tape to make the web. Start from the center and work your way around in a circle. Not all the pieces have to match up (see the ones below) but it helps if most of them do. Also, I found it was easier to put the start down and press the tape into the drop cloth as you went to the next support line (then cut).
At the end, you can go around and fold the support line ends under. I chose to bind the edges just for a more finished look…just take a three foot section at a time, starting at the corner – lay the piece half way over the edge and then fold and crease.
Fifteen minutes later, I had a very convincing spiderweb home for Webster.
And I think it adds that certain Tiger Blood juice that the porch needs (name that famous trainwreck).
So there you have it folks – a couple fun tutorials for our Halloween Spooktacular!
Have you guys been decorating your porches? Did you pick a certain theme (like ours was spiders) or did you just go all-out-halloween? Or perhaps you went with the classier ‘fall’ look that extends all the way to Thanksgiving? Spill your guts
That’s genious Katie!!!! It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of it” moments…..lol. super super cute…..def. puts the oooo in spooky in a kid friendly way!!
Genius*……wow!! Ha!
Bookmarking this for next year!!
Too clever!
I’m super glad you shared that it didn’t take long, or cost too much, to complete either project. When I read your original post, I thought “So cute — but how long would it take?” This is something everyone and anyone can do!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
Super adorable!
My hubster went & bought the sprinkler pieces – it’s taking me forever to remove all of the upc labels. Can’t wait to make it! Thanks for sharing.
haha…try soaking it in water – we had the same issue but only with one piece (that little bugger would not come off!)
Good luck!
xo – kb
Im petrified of spiders, but webster is pretty cute. The porch looks super spooky so well done!
over in the UK we dont get a lot of people who go all out, im hoping that by the time i have kids Halloween will be more popular so we can have parties and go trick or treating!
Cant wait to see what Will is wearing this year!
I love this so much! its so cute!
That spider web entrance is GENIUS. I love it. It’s so perfect in your space!!
Sheer Brilliance! Clever, easy, family friendly, CHEAP! I wonder if a white plastic shower curtain would work? That would be even less expensive. I need to do this and pass it on. Love it!
That’s true! And you could reuse the shower curtain for a table cloth or a painting drop cloth or whatever later
Do you think it would tear? That would be my only thought…I really want to reuse the drop cloth and I am hoping that it doesn’t get too ruin as a rug (although my guess is that it’s nothing that a quick run in the washer won’t fix). Oh Becky – don’t you love being cheap? 
xo – kb
how cute! i love webster! i showed this to my husband (who is afraid of spiders) because i want to do this, but i think it might take me until next halloween to convince him!
do you have any “pinned” ideas for the repurposed drop cloth? last year i made our christmas stocking from a $5 home depot one!
I haven’t pinned any – but I am hoping to use it for reupholstering a little rocker I got for Will
xo – kb
Awwwww, he’s so cute! And probably housebroken (or porchbroken) and pretty sure he won’t give me nightmares. I can rival his hairy legs with my own, though (blush).
I haven’t decorated my front porch but I did Fall-ish the inside a bit. But it’s $ store cheap and not very classy but apparently it’s just my style, ;0) Maybe next year I’ll tackle the porch!
You are a genius! This is absolutely adorable!!
That might be the first recorded incident of ironing a dropcloth in history
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Looks great!
Looks great! How did you hang the wreaths on your doors? I love the idea of hanging wreath from behind the door.
I just looped the ribbon through the wreath and then over the door and secured it with duct tape
It’s not pretty from the other side but I’m the only one to see it!
xo – kb
Good idea! I’ll definitely do it for my front door with all of the holidays to come!
Katie – How did you hang your wreaths on your front doors? Are they attached to something on the other side? Thanks!
Actually they are looped through the ribbon and then the two ribbon ends are duct taped to the other side
Yup…totally redneck style.
xo – kb
I love Webster! Such a cute idea! And that rug is awesome. I wish I would have thought of that before today… don’t have time to make one now. I used spiders as a theme as well and made these for the front door-
http://casa-de-christine.blogspot.com/2011/10/itsy-bitsy-spiders.html
They were cheap and easy too. I also made them a web but it will hang on our front door (will be revealed during the Pinterest challenge on Wednesday).
love it all! your porch is boo-tiful
[not to be confused with booty ful]
I love the idea of using a drop cloth for curtains!!! I need a good set of curtains for my guest room! Ahh…..I love cute, inexpensive ideas!
Great! I’m so filing this for next year!!!!
Great idea, so clever! Your front porch looks great, it makes such a statement!
I love your Halloween decorations, and that’s saying a lot for me. I usually hate Halloween decorations! Your porch looks great!
Love this! I wish I had seen this earlier. I would have totally done this and put it in my dining room for my party! I dont have a rug in that room as of yet (I need an 8×10 $$$) and it really would have been fun! Definitely doing this next year!
Have been wondering since we moved into our house (over 2 years ago!) what to do to “dress” up our front doors. Brilliant idea! Hang up wreaths with ribbon! How does it attach to the inside? I’m sure I could figure something out but just thought I’d check. I never could quite picture it in my mind, now I’m excited for Christmas wreathes!
I just duct taped them to the back of the door (lazy gals way) but I’m sure that a thumbtack would work too
xo – kb
Katie, I have been stalking your blog for sometime but recently subscribed. I am a HUGE fan…from Australia. Halloween is no big thing here but, by God, this is adorable. You are an inspiration to me, I simply adore your blog and feel if I was ever in the US of A I would possibly have to stalk you (don’t be frightened…I have two small children…international travel is not on the agenda any time soon
).