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if it ain’t broke … bats on the door decor

October 22, 2012 By Linda 45 Comments

halloween door decorating idea

I subscribe to the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ club.

 

I also believe the ‘you can’t build a better mousetrap’ theorem.  Unfortunately, I have personal experience with this one.  And let me tell you, hearing that snap and that squeal is one of the most unpleasant sounds. Ever.  But it works.  Effectively.  Efficiently.  Quickly.

 

Oh, and I’m a card carrying member of the ‘why reinvent the wheel?’ society.

 

Now, with all that said …

… please don’t get me wrong.

 

I don’t eschew progress.  I don’t squash creativity.  I’m a strong proponent of forward thinking ideas.

 

And while I believe in the tried and true … I truly believe the tried and true can always be improved upon.

 

Take, for example, that big wedge of Swiss cheese on the mousetrap proposition.  Outside of a Tom & Jerry cartoon, I don’t believe it works all that well.  But peanut butter on the mouse trap?  Yeah, that works …

 

Snap.

 

Squeal.

 

And take, for example, my fourth ever blog post.  The post where my Halloween front door idea was inspired by Country Living magazine and Martha Stewart (dot) com to have a bunch of bats fly across my front door.

 

Last year I used three sizes of bats. Cut out of black poster board and affixed with command poster strips …

 

Whereas this year I made a slight adjustment.

 

A small improvement, if you will …

 

bats-flying-across-door-halloween-decoration

 

… and only used two sizes of bats.

 

bats-flying-across-front-door

 

That’s right folks.  I went all wild and crazy and skipped the largest of the bats …

 

bats-halloween-front-door-decoration

 

I know, I know.  I took a big risk on this one …

 

Smile

 

So, what camp are you in?  Are you a ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ kinda gal — or guy — like me … ?

 

signature-orange

 

P.S.  This post was measured against my new “at what price?” standards and it passed “Go” and  collected 200 dollars:

 

It was free.  Check.

I had already planned to decorate the porch this weekend. Check.

And it improved our home and our life since my daughter has been pleading with me to get our Halloween on already. Check. 

 

P.P.S.  The link to the marthastewart.com bat template can be found on this post …

 

P.P.P.S.  Be sure to check out Bonbon Break’s fun, Zombie-inspired Halloween issue …they’ve been kind enough to include me and my mason jar votives  in the fun …

 

You Might Also Like:

halloween pumpkin idea

Bats Flying Across Pumpkin

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Pom Pom Pumpkins

Paper Crafts: Paper Pumpkins

Paper Pumpkins

Halloween Decorating Ideas for Home

Halloween Home Tour

 

Filed Under: DIY & Crafts, Holiday & Seasonal Tagged With: bats fllying across door, bats on door, Halloween, Halloween decor, Halloween door decor

Comments

  1. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    October 22, 2012 at 7:29 am

    I agree, they totally work for your porch so why change it. Perfectly batty! 😉

    Reply
  2. Bronwyn says

    October 22, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Right on. Simple, cheap, and took less time than it would have to come up with something new. And if the kids like it – that is all that matters!!

    Reply
  3. Elena @ `a casarella says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:10 am

    I just went looking for this post the other day! Love it 🙂

    Reply
  4. Cristina@remodelandolacasa says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I love the one before, I love this one even more! A little tweak to something that’s already good is fine with me!
    Have a great week Linda!

    Reply
  5. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:35 am

    I love the DRAMA of those bats! If it ain’t broke…

    Reply
  6. Diana @ Boy + Girl says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:43 am

    I love your front porch! It looks great!

    Reply
  7. szinteriors says

    October 22, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Your entry looks great… I might have to borrow the inspiration! What I loved reading was how it passed the at-what-price test. That test is one to take to the bank, Linda! Good for you 🙂

    Reply
  8. shirley@housepitalitydesigns says

    October 22, 2012 at 11:01 am

    I so love your “batty” porch….Never change a “good thing”….

    Reply
  9. Marianne says

    October 22, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Great porch! I don’t even fix it when it IS broke. I’m just that lazy.

    Reply
  10. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    It’s a keeper and I’m with you – why mess with perfection?!
    Kelly

    Reply
  11. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Yep, things you are already doing count. Things that you have to rationalize as “every other blogger is doing it/has it/would do it if they could”. those things are out:)

    Reply
  12. Bliss says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I need some bats for my belfry.

    Bliss

    Reply
  13. Lauren says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    LOL – your post made me smile, as did the bats (minus the third size!).

    Reply
  14. jennifer says

    October 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    Super cool!! I bet the kids love it!

    Reply
  15. Anne says

    October 22, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    I agree Linda this is super cool! And yes I also agree if it ain’t broken don’t fix it!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  16. Liz says

    October 22, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    Those bats look like they’re in motion! Great job! I definitely believe in “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”….

    Reply
  17. Eva says

    October 22, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I love this…your “bats” and you’re right…sometimes it is best just to admit almost perfection and stay the course!! I still RUE that I didn’t get to meet you at the Southern Bloggers Conference.

    Reply
  18. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    I keep seeing these on Pinterest and I love them! That is such a cute and clever touch! Definitely getting me some next year!

    Reply
  19. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    October 22, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    What a fun Halloween decorating idea–I love the bats! Reminds me of Hitchcock’s The Birds:)

    Reply
  20. Charlene Austin says

    October 23, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Oh my word! I am IN LOVE with the bats. What an amazing front porch you have!

    Reply
  21. laura@Top This Top That says

    October 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Okay- not a big bat fan but your’s freak me out!! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Jeanine Okio B Designs says

    October 23, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    I just love that look!

    Jeanine

    Reply
  23. Cathy@My1929Charmer says

    October 23, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    Cool, love the bats, have cut out over 60 myself. They really add so much charm, and are so inexpensive. Love your front porch, and you door screen. Is that wood?

    Reply
  24. marilyn says

    October 24, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Batty over your porch! Happy Halloween!

    Reply
  25. Maxie Sykes says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:44 am

    Wow! What a creepy entrance you have, Halloween bats cut out of felt and a spooky sign are a perfect combination.

    Reply
  26. Jen says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Love the bats!!! And the price tag!

    Reply
  27. Penny says

    October 26, 2012 at 9:06 am

    What a cute Halloween porch, I love it! Hugs, Penny

    Reply
  28. JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says

    October 27, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Linda, this looks too cute! all batty like 😉 and I like your dark colored porch ceiling.

    Reply
  29. Lauralee says

    October 27, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    Love those bats. I have Martha Stewart cling ones from years back but love this for adding more! On that mousetrap comment…and FYI from our experience….chocolate and Solid Gold Lamb and Rice dog food is way better than peanut butter ( speaking from past experience with those buggers)..maybe a little chocolate in the PB? We had mice passing up the good PB for our good chocolate on the kitchen counter after leaving the dog food as a trade. Caught all of the intruders with chocolate after that right away before sealing up the hole they were getting in from.

    Reply
  30. Marti says

    October 28, 2012 at 4:16 am

    That is so cute! I love the BOO sign with the wreaths. I have a SHOW-case Craft Showcase going on this weekend if you would like to be a part of! 🙂

    http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2012/10/show-licious-craft-showcase-5.html

    Reply
  31. Heather says

    October 29, 2012 at 9:50 am

    How spooky and awesome!

    Reply
  32. Miranda says

    September 21, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    what did you use to affix the bats to your house?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 21, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      I just used those Command poster strips.

      Reply
  33. Sam // DIY Just Cuz says

    September 11, 2015 at 1:00 am

    I LOVE your writing style. You should link up some of your work at our link party (it’s still open at the moment)…I’d love to feature some of your stuff. Pinning this!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 13, 2015 at 10:17 am

      So sweet and thank you so much! Glad to hear some people are actually READING the blog! I will be sure to check out your party and put it on my link up calendar! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam // DIY Just Cuz says

        September 14, 2015 at 12:27 am

        Heck yes I read it! I even showed my husband the door and we agreed we’re going to try out a version of this ourselves 🙂

        Reply
  34. Angie says

    September 15, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    Love this. I don’t think the link under PPS takes you to the bat template anymore. But I think this is it. http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2011Q4/good-things-bats-1011mld.pdf

    Which templates did you use? Thanks!

    Reply
  35. kelly says

    September 18, 2019 at 3:24 am

    Love this! I have been meaning to for the last couple of years make some bats for our door (maybe this year). I have included it in our article, 10 Spooky Halloween Door Decorations, I have that is ok (let me know if not). You can check it out here if you like, https://www.diythought.com/10-spooky-diy-halloween-door-decorations/

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 19, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      That’s absolutely fine! Thank you!

      Reply

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