Haunted Countdown Calendar

Begin by covering your board with paper. (My board is 7×24 in.) I’m using Bazzill extra large cardstock that comes in sheets that are 12×24 inches. You could also use wrapping paper, but be aware that it will probably discolor over the years as it isn’t acid-free. Use double-sided adhesive, and trim off any excess paper.

Cut a triangle from black cardstock to make a roof. I chose to cut mine at a funny angle so it looks like the roof is askew. Cut a rectangle for the chimney.

Add the windows next. I chose to cut 30 windows and 1 door, for a total of 31 days. I used a die cut to make these windows, but you could also just cut rectangles. Adhere to the board.

Decorate the windows with photos, stamps, or stickers. You can write fun fall activities on some, like “go to a straw maze,” or “carve pumpkins.

Next make the countdown windows. I chose to make mine yellow. I printed out numbers and adhered one to each window. You could also use stamps, or just write them with a marker.

 You can add dimensional shutters to a couple of your windows, by cutting a black window in half. Adhere one half to each side of the window, and fold back the paper to reveal the number.

Cut tiny magnet pieces from a roll of magnetic tape. You can buy this in the craft section and a roll costs around $3. Adhere one magnet to the top of each window on your board, and add another magnet to the back of each countdown window.

Put each countdown window over the background windows. Remove one for each day in October.

I taped an envelope to the back of my board to store the windows as they’re removed.