I’ve been pulling this Jack O’Lantern TV out of my attic every year for the past five years. It’s a really unique Halloween decoration, one that gets all sorts of comments from parents and kids alike during trick or treating. Turning an old TV into a Jack O’Lantern wasn’t my original idea, but I tried to find the person that did it.
Jack O’Lantern TV
See in 2010 I posted on Facebook saying that I was spray painting a TV for my next project. That aroused some curiosity! One day in the fall of 2009 I was watching CNN and they had this really cool Jack O’Lantern TV sitting on the counter right behind the anchor desk. I would love to give credit to the mastermind behind this Jack O’Lantern TV, but I was unable to find anything except for the transcript of that show that I was watching. There’s a snippet at the very bottom of the transcript that says someone named Karen came up with the idea and that she even sells them. I’m sorry Karen, I couldn’t find anything on CNN’s blog about it or anywhere else, but thank you for the inspiration!
Here’s a video demonstrating what it looks like:
(As you can see, I have done my best to credit the creator and my inspiration for this project. It’s always important to give credit to a source and link back whenever possible when you make something you find somewhere else.)
Other than painting the TV, I don’t know how Karen made her face. I chose to use vinyl.
Things you will need:
- An old TV that you don’t care about, but it has to be able to turn on. You need the “snow” that appears on the screen to get the full effect.
- Painter’s tape
- paper or newspaper
- White spray primer
- Orange spray paint
- Matte sealer spray
- Face (see below)
There are several options for the face:
- Paint it with acrylic craft paint
- Use a Sharpie permanent marker
- Use decoupage (Mod Podge) and black paper
- Electrical tape or black duct tape
I covered the screen with plain paper using that blue painter’s tape. Don’t want any paint on the screen, but you could easily remove it with vinegar or window cleaner if need be.
Then I used a white primer to spray the entire television. I let that dry for about 20 minutes.
Then came the orange spray paint. So funny, after I finished painting it my daughter happened to walk outside and said “What the? What are you doing to that TV Ma?” Ha ha!
While the orange paint was drying, I found a fun face stencil and put it in Adobe Illustrator (I just have the trial version) to change the shape a bit. Then I used a cutting machine to cut the stencil from black vinyl.
I sprayed a coat of matte sealer over the orange also.
Then simply stick the vinyl face to the TV screen and turn it on! Turn the volume down all the way and do not connect the TV to cable or satellite, you just want a snowy screen.
Here’s a video I shared on Instagram a couple years ago with my cute kitten :) Some friends that saw the photos thought I had painted the snowy screen, so I made the videos in this post to show what it looks like.
Hope you enjoyed this project! If you like things that glow in the dark for Halloween you will probably like my Halloween luminaries, my monster yard lights, and these creepy hand luminaries! Oh and don’t forget my Pumpkin Painting Party! Happy Halloween!
Jack O'Lantern TV
Supplies
- An old TV that you don’t care about but it has to be able to turn on. You need the “snow” that appears on the screen to get the full effect.
- Painter’s tape
- paper or newspaper
- White spray primer
- Orange spray paint
- Matte sealer spray
- Face see below
Face
- Paint it with acrylic craft paint
- Use a Sharpie permanent marker
- Use decoupage Mod Podge and black paper
- Electrical tape or black duct tape
Instructions
- I covered the screen with plain paper using that blue painter’s tape. Don’t want any paint on the screen, but you could easily remove it with vinegar or window cleaner if need be.
- Then I used a white primer to spray the entire television. I let that dry for about 20 minutes.
- Then came the orange spray paint. So funny, after I finished painting it my daughter happened to walk outside and said “What the? What are you doing to that TV Ma?” Ha ha!
- While the orange paint was drying, I found a fun face stencil and put it in Adobe Illustrator (I just have the trial version) to change the shape a bit. Then I used a cutting machine to cut the stencil from black vinyl.
- I sprayed a coat of matte sealer over the orange also.
- Then simply stick the vinyl face to the TV screen and turn it on! Turn the volume down all the way and do not connect the TV to cable or satellite, you just want a snowy screen.
Video
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Emma says
I would like to paint a tv for a different purpose and was happy to see that someone else has done this. Out of curiosity, did the paint ruin the buttons of the tv?
Amanda Formaro says
I didn’t have any problem with the buttons, but the only one I really used was the on/off button.
lisa-gabrielle says
Thank you so much for this inspiration!! I waited a whole year to do this craft!!
Just letting you know I posted it on my blog and linked back to you!!
Amanda Formaro says
That looks awesome Lisa, thank you!
Amanda says
Thanks Gail!! :)
[email protected] says
wow! I love this! crazy unique piece!
gail
Amanda says
Emailed it to you!
Lesley says
Hi again, Amanda! Thanks for offering to send a .pdf of the face template. My e-mail is lesley.withers @gmail.com (no space). It'd be great to have for next time!! :)
Amanda says
Hi Ginger – sent you an email with the attachment! :)
Ginger B says
Hi! I just found this last week and I found a cheap tv this morning at a yard sale to make it :O)
but I thought I saw a link to a face template and I guess I didnt. any chance you can send me a pdf of it? Im going to paint my tv in a few minutes.. so I can put it out tomorrow night for the trick or treaters :)
Thank you so much!
Ginger
email is ginrob @mail.com (no space)
Amanda says
I'm sorry I answered this so late Lesley! Obviously it's way late for getting you the stencil, I'm so sorry! If you still want something, I could do up a PDF and you could print it out and use that, let me know!
Lesley says
I'm a new fan, & I love this one! I especially like the face stencil. For those of us without a Silhouette cutting machine or the template for this face pattern, might you be willing to make/sell your design? I'd certainly be happy to buy a couple!
Amanda says
Thanks Wendy!
Wendy says
Very cute!!!
Amanda says
Thanks Amy! He's so fun :)
Mod Podge Amy says
I love this. It rocks!
Amanda says
Thanks you guys!
greenbean says
omg!…i freaking love this!…and guess what i was able to snag off my neighbors trash pile tonite!…i'll be picking up the spray paint tomorrow!…i'm going to love having this on the porch the nite of trick or treating!…
Christie says
It would make a great nightlight! Love it!
Amanda says
Thanks you guys! This TV is really fun, can't wait to display him :)
marla {family fresh cooking} says
You are so crafty lady! Love this TV :)
LissaMe says
oh wow I love this and no rotting pumpkin to deal with after halloween. This would be perfect for my kids halloween party… You've got my wheels turning now.. Thanks for the inspiration
Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says
Amanda – This is so cute and clever! What a neat idea! Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party, I have featured this here:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/09/clean-mama-printables-winners-sunday.html#comments
Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Envy My Cooking says
Found your blog through links…If you ever need new recipes come swing by our blog. we also have a great give away going on now.. A free purse of your choice
Coco loves vintage says
Fabulous!!!
Nf1andprek-whisper says
i love this you have a lot of cool idea!!!
Amanda says
Thanks for the feature :)
Tiny says
Hi :D I featured your tutorial at my Festival of Frugal Crafts.
http://tinyscreations.blogspot.com/2010/09/festival-of-frugal-crafts-1.html
If you would like a "been featured" button, it's at the bottom of the post :D
C.R.A.F.T. says
very cool! come on over and link up to MMM!
Amanda says
Thanks Sandra, thanks Michelle!
Michelle L. says
Love it so much!!!
Sandra says
That is hilarious!
Amanda says
Thanks ladies! yes the static is really what makes this project so cool!
Kristol Faucheux says
INGENIOUS!!
shirley says
I love this idea! Sad to say we have 2 older TVs in the basement that we have yet to get rid of because they cannot be programmed to cable and can't be fixed (grr) Now if I can just get my husband to haul them upstairs, I will be putting them on my front porch come Halloween night. Very spooky with the static!!
Marie {Make and Takes} says
NO way!! This is awesome! How very very clever.
Wendy says
OK, that is totally awesome!!
malia says
Amanda– This is so special! I would love for you to link up to A Crafty Soiree today… http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com
xoxo malia
Katie says
OH my… LOVE this! I think I need to go to goodwill and find a very inexpensive TV… I think my husband will probably really think I'm whacko… but I need this in my Halloween decoration collection!
Amanda says
Thanks so much for the feature Michelle! :) :)
Michelle@Somedaycrafts says
This is hilarious! I wish I had a spare TV around!!!!! I just see this on my front porch! I highlighted this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. You have amazing ideas!
Amanda says
Thank you for all of your kind comments!
Yes shabnam, the screen is on and working, that's the "snow" you see when you have the TV turned to an inoperable channel. There's a video right above the comments so you can see how it looks.
shabnam says
the monitor working or not?
jane says
This is so cute. We have a couple of old T.V.s and my hubby loves to spray paint, so this is a craft project we can enjoy together. Thank you for the inspiration! Our little ones will love it I am sure. Thank you for your wonderful recipes also. I am going to make more of them this week.
Sue says
I LOVE this! So unique!
Becky says
I am totally in love with this. What a great idea!!
Becky
mrsbettierocker.blogspot.com
Beansieleigh says
I LOVE it!!… Now if ONLY I had picked up that old tv set I saw sitting out on the sidewalk the other day!!!
Jami says
I'm going out tomorrow to find an old tv!!! That is AWESOME!
Thanks so much for sharing (and for the gentle reminder to credit the inspirations!)
smiles~
Maria says
You did it AGAIN!!!
artsy_momma says
How clever & different :)
the cape on the corner says
that's fantastic! what a fun idea, i love it!
Katrina says
Ok, I'm going to go look and see if we brought the TV with us when we moved!
Annie Rose says
I love it! Im going to show hubby later – he will think its cool!
Amazing_Grace says
LOL! This is terrific! :)
MONICA says
wow it's fantastic!