1 oval picture frame, 30 x 40 cm, with backing board removed and glass replaced by dark-painted MDF or cardboard (spray paint it dark walnut or espresso brown)
1 cream or ivory cotton lace doily, at least 30 cm across
Scissors with sharp points (adult use)
Approx. 6-8 stems of faux florals: blush roses, eucalyptus, small astilbe-style sprigs in cream or mauve
Hot glue gun and glue sticks (adult use)
2 small pins or a staple gun to anchor the doily to the backing
Step by Step
Lay the doily flat and find the centre of the top half. Cut two oval eye holes roughly 3 x 4 cm each, positioned about 5 cm apart and about one-third of the way down from the top edge of the doily. An adult should do this step. The holes will be the ghost's eyes once the doily is draped, so make them noticeably larger than you think: lace has a way of making small holes disappear.
Drape the doily over the dark backing board, centring it so the head of the ghost sits in the upper two-thirds of the frame. Let the lower edge of the doily fall naturally into gentle ripples. Pin or staple the very top edge of the doily to the backing to stop it sliding.
Reattach the backing to the frame, or simply lean the whole assembly against a wall. The frame holds everything in place once the backing is clipped back in.
An adult uses the hot glue gun to attach clusters of faux florals to the lower left and right corners of the frame interior, nestling stems behind the doily hem for a layered look. Blush roses at the outer edge, eucalyptus tucked in behind and a few tiny sprigs pointing upward give the arrangement its depth.
Step back and check the eye holes are centred and visible. If the doily has shifted, lift the backing, re-drape and re-pin. The finished piece should look like a ghost floating inside a botanical oval portrait.
Good to Know
Ages 10+ for the scissors step; younger children can choose the doily and arrange the florals.