Deck out your front porch for Halloween with oversize snakes you might create at home.
Assemble Snake Body
Gather enough flexible ductwork elbows to make the length of snake you desire.
Join the elbows by sliding them into each other, end to end.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Turn the elbows to get the shape you want based on where you plan to use the snake.
Stack layers tightly to reach desired height of the head.
Get extra height in the brow area with smaller foam pieces if desired.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Glue the stack using PL 300 adhesive.
Let it dry thoroughly.
Paint the snakeskin pattern.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
(We used metal mesh as a stencil to create the snakeskin look.
Use acrylic paint to add eyes and a mouth.
Let dry, then seal all surfaces with clear spray varnish.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Make and Attach Snake Tongue
Print the tongue pattern, adjusting to the desired size.
Trace and cut a tongue from red vinyl.
Fold and hot-glue according to the pattern.
Glue to the mouth.
(We used eyebolts in a couple of locations on the snake to hang.)
Repeat in lower sections as needed.
Or, coil the snake’s body around your mailbox or light pole.
Craft the pillow and place it on a deck chair to welcome guests and trick-or-treaters to your porch.
You will also need the printable tongue and snake pillow pattern.
Lay this piece on top of a solid length of felted wool.
Cut backing from a solid length the same size as the top.
Print the tongue and snake pillow patterns, adjusting to desired size.
With right sides facing, pin the pieced top to the solid bottom.
Hand-sew button eyes in place.
Tie the snake in a knot.
DIY your own gourd snakes, and attach them along branches and leaves with wire.
Top the project off with a wicked raven for an added level of spookiness.
These slithering, gourd snakes are perfect for adding to an outdoordisplay on your porch.
You will also need red vinyl, thin wire, branches, leaves, and our printable tongue pattern.
Build Gourd Body
Find two gourds with similar-size necks; cut off necks.
Hot-glue inside cut edges and butt ends against each other to join in a snakelike twist.
Repeat to make additional snakes.
Paint Snake
Prime and paint the body and eyes, then seal.
Dry thoroughly between coats.
Use duct ape or paint to add stripes.
Craft Snake Tongue
Print the tongue pattern, adjusting to the desired size.
Trace and cut each tongue from red vinyl.
Fold and glue according to the pattern.
Glue to the mouth.
Assemble Snake and Place
Use hot glue and thin wire to attach each snake to a branch.
Glue a leaf over the wire to hide.
Glue leaves to the branch for a natural look.
To hang, loop and twist wire around a larger branch in back.
