Call me old fashioned (or cheap) but nothing compares to homemade Halloween costumes. Sure, you could buy a packaged sexy maid costume, but wouldn’t it feel sexier knowing you made the feather duster yourself?

I’ve always had a fascination with Lucy’s witch mask from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” And I support Lucy’s philosophy when she says, “A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality.”

This year, due to a lack of a social life and no better use of my time, I made my own Lucy witch mask out of papier mache.

The nice thing about papier mache is that it’s cost-effective – just paper, glue and a vision. I was obsessed with getting the mask shape right. I found a platter from the dollar store to use as my foundation. I wrapped it with plastic wrap before layering it with paper bits brushed with a mixture of 50% Elmer’s All Craft Glue and 50% water. It’s less messy using glue and since there’s no flour, not as tempting to eat.

A white platter wrapped in plastic wrap.

After three layers hardened, I cut off the top portion of the mask, leaving me with my canvas.

A white papier mache mask with the top portion cut off.

Next up: The nose! I used a banana to get the right shape, wrapping it in masking tape before applying the paper pieces. I stuck the nose on a rum bottle to dry. No doubt it caused chatter among my neighbours, but they’ve seen more questionable things through my window.

A long white nose perched on top of a rum bottle

After the nose was dry, I adhered it to the mask and made outlines for the eyes and mouth with string. I used the upper portion I cut from the head to form the witch’s chin, stuffing the inner pocket with more paper. It doesn’t matter what colour of paper you use, in case you’re thinking Lucy is looking more like James Lipton.

A papier mache mask with white and brown paper.

After a final layer of white paper, it was time to paint the mask.

Look at how terrifying she is! Actually, this was the same expression I had when I was trick or treating as a kid and someone gave me yellow suckers.

A witch mask painted green with pink and white eyes.

I think my mask turned out pretty good, even if I forgot to add the eye holes. It doesn’t matter, since I won’t be wearing the mask on Halloween night. It’s supposed to rain. Papier mache and water are as compatible as Sally and the myth of the Great Pumpkin.

Instead, I’ll put the mask on my pumpkin. I hope the three kids who show up will enjoy it.

A witch on a front porch, wearing a red hat, a green mask and a white bedsheet.

In keeping with the Peanuts theme this year, I also made Charlie Brown “I got a rock” ghost cookies. I’ll be eating these while waiting in the pumpkin patch.

A series of ghost with holes cut into the sheet. Each is holding a bag in one hand and a candy rock in the other.

Happy Halloween!

Making a Lucy Witch Mask