To set a spooky mood this Halloween night, use a candle and a cardboard pattern to transform a blank wall into a canvas for scary, hovering creatures. The flickering light from the flame will make the figures -- from friendly pumpkins to hissing cats -- perform eerie dances on the wall.

Materials
Our templates (see below), or your own
Tracing paper
Black poster board
Soft-lead pencil
Scissors or utility knife
18-gauge wire
Pillar candles
Black masking tape

Candle Creatures How-To
Select the desired images; draw them freehand, or download our templates, below. Use a photocopy machine to enlarge the image to the desired size. Place a sheet of tracing paper between the image and the poster board. Use a soft-lead pencil to trace the outline of the creature onto the board, then cut out the design with scissors or utility knife.

Wrap one end of the wire around the candle, and secure it with a twist. Using black masking tape, attach the cutout at the other end of the wire.

Place the candle in a dark location on the floor, table, or mantle, and light the wick. Move the candle around to adjust the size and placement of the shadow (the cutout should be between the candle and the wall). You may need to alter the length of the wire or change the candle's distance from the wall to achieve just the right image.

Candle Creature Templates
Fluttering Bat
Fraidy Cat
Scary Cat
Jack-o'-Lantern