Last-Minute Superhero Costumes

Whether you're indulging in Ghostbusters nostalgia or gearing up for the release of Dark Knight Rises, here are some last-minute Halloween superhero costume ideas.

And in case that's not enough, here are 20 last-minute sci-fi costumes for the procrastinating SF fans.

Leafy Pumpkin

From Good Housekeeping

This leafy pumpkin from Good Housekeeping's seasonal decorating slideshow is so pretty!

Normally I don't go in for the more artsy pumpkin decorating ideas, even when I find them really lovely (no lacework pumpkins for me -- sorry, Martha).  I tend to be more of a straight-forward spooky face kinda girl.  But I really like this one. 

It would look nice, indoors, as well, so it wouldn't necessarily have to replace a more traditional  pumpkin on the front step.

If you're in a pumpkin state of mind, Good Housekeeping also has a fuller list of no-carving-required pumpkin ideas (the little ribbons are my favorite) and instructions for a pumpkin candy dish and pumpkin picture frame.

DIY Gothic Votive Candles

 I love these elegant candle decorations by Julie Ann Art.  They'd make a great addition to any well-turned-out haunted house.  The tutorial, as well as some links to other great Halloween craft projects (including cookie-cutter jack-o-lanterns and a bat-printed table runner), is here.

6 Homemade Kids' Costumes

Rookie Moms has links to six great DIY children's Halloween costumes, and if this marvellous Max costume from Where the Wild Things Are isn't enticement enough to check out the list, then I don't know what it.

Cooking Light on Halloween

Cooking Light

Cooking Light has a slideshow of tasty-looking Halloween recipes for grown-ups, including cinnamon-cider candied apples (using Red Hots!), bittersweet chocolate skeleton cookies, and spicy cashew brittle. 

And if that doesn't whet your appetite, there are also slideshows on healthy Halloween food and making your own caramel apples.

Halloween Advent Calendar

I'd love to make a Halloween countdown calendar.  I don't know if I need an elaborate self version stuffed with treats like this one by restlessrisa, but it would be a great way to build anticipation for the long-awaited day.  So until I make one of my own, here are some other Halloween advent calendars for inspiration.

(c) Futuregirl_LeahRiley, via Flickr

I think this spooky house calendar by Futuregirl_LeahRiley is my favorite.  Inspired by this advent tutorial on Crafster, it uses a foam slab to create little cubbies to hide surprises in.

Not only are there lots of great prints going on, but the wonderful silhouetted windows at the top remind me of the animation from A Series of Unfortunate Events.  I think this calendar is cute without being too kistchy - or too goofy-looking, which is my complaint about a lot of of Halloween merchandise.  There's an eerie vintage feel here that I really like, and I'd love to come home to see it on my windowsill every evening.

Sadly, I think this pattern is a bit too involved for me.  I'm crafty, but not exceptionally handy, and I think a 3-D version with so much cutting of holes and laying out of paper would probably be my undoing. 

From Woman's Day

On the other hand, this handsome riff on the Halloween tree from Woman's Day would be much simpler to make.

All I'd need for this one would be a shapely tree branch, black spray paint, and moderate sewing skills (which I have!).

I like the idea of hanging the treats in these little sachets (one could even embroider them with the days of the month), and I think advent element adds a nice sense of purpose to something I've always considered a kind of silly Halloween decoration.  In my opinion, the absurdity of the Halloween tree is surpassed only by the truly ridiculous Easter tree.  I mean, at least dead trees are part of the iconography of Halloween, but nobody will convince me that hanging eggs from a tree makes any sense at all.  [Via Ucreate]

Via Rhinestone Armadillo

Even simpler still is this cabinet-style countdown calender.  The one at left, which includes the Halloween tree pictured, is available from Christmas Traditions - nothing simpler than buying it new, after all.  But it would be fun to create one's own version, using a little set of drawers, or a jewelry box of some kind.  Imagine repurposing a full-size library card catalog to this task!  [Via Rhinestone Armadillo, including several more calendars at the link]

These have given me some good ideas, but I don't think I'm quite ready to decide on any one style.  I'll keep thinking and report back if I ever some up with something good. 

Apple Mouths

From Family Fun Magazine

Although these cut-apple mouths look a little labor-intensive for me, they would make a great healthy alternative to sugary wax lips at a children's Halloween party.

I love the use of almonds for the teeth, and I bet if you used a really bright Red Delicious apple, you'd be able to achieve a very striking gothic effect.  But best of all, I think they'd be just as much fun to play with as they would be to eat. 

 Family Fun has many more healthy Halloween recipes here, including dried fruit eyeballs, pizza mummies, and a watermelon carved to look like a brain.  You can also browse their entire Halloween archive here.

Oh, and if almonds sound too healthsome for you, here's another version that uses peanut butter and mini marshmallows.  Yum!  [Via Best Friends For Frosting]