Wicked Witchcraft Doormat

I love the idea of greeting Trick-or-Treaters with a personal message, but the holiday mats I've seen in catalogs and stores were over $25. I found a plain natural mat for $10 at the hardware store and channeled my inner "good witch" to create this simple doormat. Don't care for such a friendly note? Try something a bit more wicked: "Enter if You Dare," "Beware: Haunted House," or "Don't Look Back." Then, just add a spooky image.

Here's how to make your own:

1. Find Halloween motifs online, in magazines and at party stores. Reduce or enlarge images to desired size, then print and cut out. Don't use anything too intricate, because the natural mat is not easy to paint.

2. Pick your message, then choose a font or purchase a stencil for the lettering. You can easily size letters on the computer (try a font size of about 500-600). Print and cut out letters. Space cut outs or stencils evenly across mat, leaving room for image motif.

3. When spaced evenly, outline letters and motifs with permanent marker. Use acrylic craft paint and a sturdy paint brush to fill in letters. Dabbing mat as necessary to get into the grooves.

4. Accent letters and add color to motif with contrasting colors. Allow to dry.

Let the Trick-or-Treaters beware!