How to Make a Flying Skull Halloween Card

Author:
Sherry Venegas
Updated date:
Sep 18, 2022

Ms. Venegas has been using origami to make rosettes and medallions since 2003. She shares art/craft techniques and ideas online.

Halloween Card Ideas

This craft page outlines the steps to completing a handmade Halloween card for friends or family.

A blouse bought at a discount store prompted the idea. It features a skull with butterfly wings behind it. Flying heart themes are everywhere, and even before I had the blouse paid for, the flying skull developed into a Halloween theme card.

When back at home, the evening was spent drawing skulls I found online by searching "draw cute skull." If you are making a guy card, search, "draw skull" for scarier versions.

Paper folding is my niche and deciding on a fold for the card was the next decision. Try tweaking your own or use this version.

This is the blouse that was the inspiration for this card.

6 Ideas for a Flying Skull Greeting Card

The blouse prompts the skull greeting cards pictured above. These ideas should get your creative visions stirring.

Make flat butterfly or dragonfly wings.
Make accordion fan folds for the wings.
Instead of a skull, use a witch's face.
Use a pumpkin face instead of the skull.
Make a bright Mexican sugar skull and use serape colors for a background fan on each side of the face.
Skip the fall colors and add color or motif for any time of the year.

Basics Supplies

Blank 5x7 inch card
Halloween paper for a background
Two 3-inch squares, and two 2 1/2-inch squares of Halloween paper for folding
Scissors, glue, pencil, and drawing paper

Step 1: Draw the Skull

For this project, use images online for practice. Also, view videos on the subject.

Below are a few doodles and the drawing decided on for the card.

Here are a few of my doodles as I practiced my skull drawings

Step 2: Fold the Wings

Cut a three inch square in half diagonally. Fold triangle in half at the point.

Open and fold each lower tip up to the top point.

Open triangle and refold down the center at the top tip. Have the fold on the right side.

Fold the right side down at the center as shown.

Open and fold down to the last fold just made. Shown here in blue.

Open the triangle and refold creases to form a mountain as shown.

Turn over and fold back and crease 1/4 inch parallel to the folds indicated with arrows.

Bring the new folds back and arrange to look like this.

Turn project to the right side and it should look like this.

Bring each side down as shown to create a stepped art deco form.

Snip the white tips off like shown on the right side.

Cut a three inch square in half diagonally. Fold triangle in half at the point.

Step 3: Use Photo Tools to Refine the Cartoon

Scan the drawing and load it into a photo editing app. Use the photo tools to make the cartoon look even better.

Experiment with HDRish, Comic Book and Focal B&W. When satisfied with the changes, use the print option to get eight copies on card stock.

Add watercolor to the B&W skull to match the card you are designing.

Step 4: Assemble, Glue, and Mount

Glue a square of craft foam to the back of the skull to give some depth to the design.

Glue the four wings on the back of the skull, mount on background paper and use photo splits to do the final mounting on the card to avoid wrinkly glue blotches.

Do you like to start early for Halloween?

flycatcherrr on August 08, 2013:

That's such a friendly looking skull and very well done. I just love homemade cards - making or receiving them - at any time of year!

Mona from Iowa on August 08, 2013:

This is sooooo cool! Love it.

Nancy Tate Hellams from Pendleton, SC on August 04, 2013:

Wow, you did a super job with this great Halloween Card. Thanks for the wonderful instructions.