Alert reader pdq sent along this link to a neat tutorial on making wall decals using ConTact paper, along with the comment, “The instructable itself is straitforward & easy, but the tentacled bit pictured is MARVELOUSLY Cthulhu-oid.” Right on both counts. (The author calls it “Tim Burton-esque / Tokyo Plastic vision of swirls,” which also works.)

The tutorial is nicely detailed, including instructions on sketching the design in advance and tips for ensuring that the paper won’t ruin your walls (note to non-US readers: ConTact is a brand rather than a description, so double-check to make sure you’re using similar stuff). There are also bonus instructions for using the scraps for bamboo and creepy tree silhouettes.

I really love the wiggly “tentacles are invading from another dimension” look of the finished decal, and since it isn’t permanent you could update it whenever you wanted a change. The paper comes in a variety of colors (including “chalkboard”), so there are all kinds of decorating possibilities without the long-term commitment of paint or stencils. Neat!