When I was a kid, we experienced the most fantastic snowfalls, deep enough to build giant, towering snowmen, complete with a snowwoman and little snowpeople.
We ignored the cold, and with nearly frostbitten cheeks, we carved tunnels under the snow, pretending to be explorers of new frozen lands.
The snow from my youth provided enough powder for us to build barricades, behind which we would arm ourselves with a frosty pile of ammunition and take cover from the barrage of incoming snowballs.
It was a glorious time!
Well, at least that’s how I remember it.
Today, I’m admiring the foot-deep winter wonderland we just experienced by wrapping myself in a blanket, sipping on a piping hot coffee, and staring out the window.
Instead of playing in the snowy tundra, I’m in the studio crafting black glitter ravens for our Edgar Allen Poe birthday celebration.
These creepy crows can be added to the Nevermore banner, hung as ornaments, or incorporated into Halloween decor.
So, grab a hot drink, and let’s get started.
For this project, we will need:
Heavy black cardstock
Scissors or a cutting machine – I’m using the Cricut Maker
Adhesives such as white craft glue or Mod Podge
Black glitter
Glue Spreader
Hole punch
Ribbon or cording for hanging
We will also need the Poe’s Nevermore Ravens files from the Haunted Library. Select the SVG for machine cutting or the PDF for hand cutting.
Opt for glitter cardstock if you’re in a super hurry or the thought of using gobs of glitter makes you queasy.
If cutting by hand, open the PDF in your favorite reader (Adobe, FoxIt, etc.), print each raven at the desired size, and trace them onto the black cardstock.
For machine cutting, upload the SVG into your design software, such as Cricut Design Space. Resize if desired.
Cut each raven from the black cardstock.
If you want to hang your raven, use the hole punch to make a small hole.
Working on one raven at a time, cover one side with a thin coat of Mod Podge. To minimize the mess, I like to lay down a sheet of Press N Seal for this step.
Sprinkle the raven with a layer of glitter. I recommend using a funnel tray to corral all the glitzy bits.
Gently tap the cardstock over the tray to remove any excess glitter, and use a toothpick to clear the hole if necessary.
Repeat this for each raven.
Once the adhesive has dried, add a second layer of Mod Podge and glitter.
For a two-sided display, repeat these steps on the backside.
If desired, add a final coat of Mod Podge to seal the glitter.
As I like to live on the edge, I skipped this step.
To hang, cut a length of ribbon or cording, thread it through the hole, and make a knot to secure.
Now, you can suspend a few glitter ravens from the Poe Nevermore banner or hang them above your watch party buffet.
I opted to try a different glitter on each raven – some with hints of violet – and I love the look.
I know all this glitter and glue might seem a bit extra, but I believe the craft therapy I received from it was worth the effort.
For more Poe macabre and mystery, check out our Tell-Tell Heart velvet bookmark.
Until next time – stay spooky.
