It may be April, but I spent my weekend working on a homemade skeleton costume for my daughter. No, I am not super prepared and making sure her Halloween costume for the year is ready 6 months in advance, rather she is in a play this week with the part of a skeleton in an ancient ruin. Since we were given some creative latitude, she wanted a girly skeleton. Your average party store does not stock Halloween costumes at this time of year and I was not on the ball enough to order one ahead of time, so I was destined to make it myself.

We found a cute costume called Hip to the Bone as our inspiration:

For the homemade DIY version of this girly skeleton costume you need:

• Long sleeved black t-shirt (found on clearance at Target)
• Black leggings (already had)
• Black skirt or skort (found on clearance at Old Navy)
• Piece of pink tulle or similar fabric (was a remnant we had from a previous project)
• White fabric paint
• Pink puff fabric paint
• Marvy Uchida Fabric Ball & Brush Marker fluorescent green
• Paint brush
• Painter’s tape
• Printable bones stencil (print on cardstock and cut out with a hobby knife)
• Printable ribs stencil (print on cardstock and cut out with a hobby knife)
• Printable heart stencil (print on cardstock and cut out with a hobby knife)

Start off by placing a piece of cardboard between the layers of the shirt and use painter’s tape to hold the heart stencil in place. Use the pink puffy paint to fill in the heart – don’t worry about making it perfect. Remove the stencil before the paint dries completely. Let the heart dry for at least 4 hours.

While the heart on the shirt is drying, cut out the leg bone stencil and tape it to the lower leg of the leggings. Be sure to place cardboard between the fabric layers. Since we are adding a skirt to the costume, you just need a bone on each lower leg, not the thigh bone. Using the white fabric paint, fill in the bone stencil – it may take a few coats. Let the paint start to dry and remove the stencil before the paint is completely dry. Repeat on the other leg. Once the paint was dry, I outlined part of the bone with a glow in the dark fabric marker.

Once the heart is very dry, place the rib cage stencil over top of it and tape into place. Paint each of the ribs with white fabric paint and outline areas with the glow in the dark fabric marker, too.

This is how the rib cage of the skeleton costume looks when its done. You will need to paint the bones on each arm, too. Remember there is an upper arm and a lower arm. The lower arm is actually made up of two bones so I used the same bone stencil but did not fill in the inner part of the bone all the way.

To give the costume a girly look, I made an apron out of a remnant piece of pink sparkly tulle. I cut holes in the top edge and ran a piece of ribbon through it. We tied the apron around my daughter’s waist over top of the skirt rather than attaching it permanently – that way she can wear the black skirt on its own if she wants.

Drum roll, please… the finished project…

And guess what? I think I have her Halloween costume for this year ready to go already!!

At first I figured these cute candy people favors my friend made were real “nerds” but now that I look at it, I think they might just be a little confused. Are they nerds? Smarties? Dum-Dums? Or just a couple of Tootsie’s? Well, no matter how you look at them, they are just cute!

To make these easy candy people favors you need (per favor):

• A small box of Nerds
• 2 Tootsie rolls or similar size/shaped candy
• 2 Rolls of Smarties
• 1 Dum-Dum or similar lollipop

Use the Nerds as the body and attach the “limbs” using tape or a hot glue gun.

Of course, your herd of Nerds is only limited by your imagination! What a cute and easy, last minute Halloween treat!

This has got to be the coolest new Halloween decoration yet! They are called Funkins – artificial and very carvable pumpkins for Halloween. Made out of a special synthetic foam, the Funkins are hollow with half inch thick walls. I saw a whole bin of these at Joann today and was amazed how realistic they are.

Basically, you carve whatever pumpkin pattern you want into the Funkin and you have the perfect fall decoration that won’t rot, you didn’t have to dig out slimy seeds (although some will say that takes all the fun out of pumpkin carving), and can easily take a 5 watt light.

You can purchase Funkins through Amazon or Joann.com. They vary in  price depending on the size Funkin you purchase.

Need some pumpkin carving ideas for your Funkins? Try these printable Pumpkin Carving Patterns.

Ever since my daughter was little she has been fascinated with butterflies. One of her favorite everyday dress up accessories are butterfly wings – she has been known to put them with just about any outfit. They have been a part of more than one Halloween costume, too! She wants to be a butterfly again this year, but she wants something new and different. In looking all over the web for the perfect butterfly Halloween costume, here are some of our favorites for infants, toddlers, girls and even grown ups. (click on the photos for purchase information).

Baby Butterfly Infant Costume – 12/18M Butterfly Costume, Newborn (0-9 months) Toddler Butterfly Fairy Costume Prestige Mariposa Butterfly Barbie Costume Pink Butterfly Fairy Child Costume Butterfly Princess Toddler/Child Costume – Small (4-6) Child or Tween Butterfly or Fairy Costume Butterfly Fairy Child Costume Purple Butterfly Costume with Wings Orange Butterfly Costume with Wings Fly-A-Way Butterfly Wings Child Halloween Costume Butterfly Masquerade Tween Costume Flowy Butterfly Child Costume

Let’s face it, some people love their dogs so much that they treat them like children and sometimes even better! And at Halloween, they even dress up their pets – usually it is the dogs that get dressed up. Some of the pet Halloween costumes are adorable, some are ridiculous and some are down right scary, but one thing they all are is FUN!

Here are some of my favorites!

Hawaiian Pet Costume – Small Jockey Dog Rider Pet Costume Animal Planet Hammerhead Shark Pet Costume – Small Hot Diggity Dog Costume – Funny Pet Halloween Costumes Darth Vader Dog Costume – Star Wars Pet Costumes Astro Pet Costume – The Jetsons Halloween Dog Costumes Yoda Dog Costume – Star Wars Yoda Pet Costumes Dino Pet Costume – Flintstones Dog Halloween Costumes Pet Butterfly Costume – Butterfly Costume for Dogs Scarecrow Dog Costume – Pet Halloween Costumes Wizard of Oz Dorothy Dog Costume – Pet Halloween Costumes Wizard of Oz Taco Dog Costume – Taco Pet Food Costume Costumes for Pets – Princess Pet Costumes for Pets – PET, WITCH Costumes for Pets – ZELDA DEVIL PET LARGE Costumes for Pets – RAGGEDY ANN PET MEDIUM Costumes for Pets – ELVIS DOG XMALL Costumes for Pets – TATTOO DOG DOG SMALL

Gathering your best ghouls together for a Halloween party? Why not print out one of our free Halloween Party Invitations to get things started (and then grab some of our Halloween printable coloring pages and word games). We recommend printing them on card stock or other heavier weight paper. Click on images below to view and print full size.

If these Halloween invitations are not quite what you are looking for, check out more Halloween invites from our favorite online merchants:

Buy now! Orange Spiders Halloween – february 13 creative – Halloween Party Invitation $1.29 Suck everyone into the web of fun you’re creating this Halloween with an invitation that features some funny-looking spiders and a bright orange background. The details of your party are easy to read so everyone will be able to attend this exciting event! 4" x 8" Flat Card   Buy now! Formal Orange Halloween – Rob+Bob Studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Invite guests to an elegant Halloween party with this Victorian-inspired card design in black and white. 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Monster Party – Rob+Bob Studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 You’re cooking up plans for a ghoulishly good party. Tell guests that it’s alive, alive! – with this card. 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Spider Web Invite – Rob+Bob Studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Catch them in your web of a good time. Invite guests to your Halloween party with this spooky card 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Halloween Cats Party – Amy Smyth Made It – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Cats may have nine lives but Halloween only comes once a year, so invite your family and friends to join you at your Halloween party with this unique card. 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Vampire Halloween Poison – february 13 creative – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Get everyone ready to have a frightfully fun time at your Halloween party with this vampire invitation! This invitation will have everyone counting down the days to your bash. 7" x 5" Flat Card   Buy now! Frankenstein Party – Rob+Bob Studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Frankly, you’ll be in stitches if they don’t show up to your party. Invite them to come with this card! 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Colorful Halloween Bash – the co. co studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Get ready for a fright fest when you send guests this invitation for your Halloween party! With such a fun background and the details of your party in a chocolate banner, everyone will come ready to have a scary good time! 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Haunted House Party – Amy Suther – Halloween Party Invitation $1.29 This stylish, slightly spooky card is a great way to invite all the creepy creatures you know to a freaky Halloween party. 4" x 8" Flat Card   Buy now! Purple Bats Halloween – february 13 creative – Halloween Party Invitation $1.29 Fly into the Halloween season with an invitation full of frightening bats! Your party is sure to be the talk of the town when guests receive this festive invitation, complete with a black border to get everyone in a spooky Halloween mood. 4" x 8" Flat Card   Buy now! Hearty Halloween Party Invitations $1.47 Clever and eerily beautiful, these Halloween party invitations will have guests dying to RSVP.   Buy now! Halloween Time Invitations -8 $3.96  $2.97 Invite your best friends to your party with these Haloween Time Invitations!   Buy now! Halloween Personalized Invitation $0.99 Each of our Halloween Personalized Invitations measures 5" x 7" and comes with an envelope. (Each)   Buy now! Ghosts With Hats – Rob+Bob Studio – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Tip your Halloween hats to a good time by inviting guests to your party with this ghastly cute card. 5" x 7" Flat Card   Buy now! Bat Tree – Cardstore – Halloween Party Invitation $1.69 Invite your favorite ghouls and goblins to hang with you and your ‘batter’ half. Send this cute card. 7" x 5" Flat Card

I just love having talented friends! Here is an absolutely awesome Halloween cake one of my friends is making for their kids’ school Halloween cake contest. I think she is going to win! What do you think?

If you are looking for more Halloween fun, come visit our sister site for tons of fun Halloween printables for kids of all ages!

Did you know that Raggedy Ann is celebrating her 95th birthday this year? And the beloved red, yarn-haired girl is still a favorite costume for Halloween!

Making a Raggedy Ann costume is not that difficult – basically you need a red yarn wig (or you could make your own by dying a standard rope mop red), a long sleeved blue dress with white apron style smock over it, red or red and white striped tights and some red makeup for cheeks and black make up for freckles and eyelashes. Here are some more specific instructional posts:

• How to make a homemade Raggedy Ann costume
• Raggedy Ann costume instructions
• The cutest baby as Raggedy Ann

Or check out these very affordable, ready to wear Raggedy Ann and Andy, too, costumes (click on image for ordering info):

Buy now! Kids Costumes – RAGGEDY ANN BUNTING $22.32  $19.95 Bundles of Joy! This little comfortable baby costume includes bunting with hats. Features self locking closure strip at the bottom for easy diaper changing.(Fits up to 25" long – 15 lbs.)   Buy now! Raggedy Ann Child Halloween Costume $31.49 Our Raggedy Ann Child Costume includes a one piece blue with white polk-a-dot dress and white apron, white bloomers, red and white striped stockings and a one piece hat and wig. Fits child sizes 4-6. This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product.   Buy now! Child Rag Doll Costume – Raggedy Ann $25.00  $19.95 You won’t be throwing around this Rag Doll! The cute as a button doll known for her red, braided locks of hair, is none other than the Raggedy Ann Rag Doll. This Raggedy Ann Child Rag Doll Costume features a blue bonnet, white blouse, apron, and blue skirt. She’s sweet and her red hair can’t be beat. You shouldn’t waste your opportunity to be the cutest type of doll ever in this Raggedy Ann Child Rag Doll Costume!   Buy now! Adult Costumes – RAGGEDY ANN ADULT $40.89  $35.95 Adult one size fits most. Costume includes hat (with yarn hair attached), dress with apron, bloomers, and red and white striped socks. Shoes are not included. Awesome Quality!   Buy now! Raggedy Ann Adult Plus Halloween Costume $52.49 Includes a one piece blue with white polk-a-dot dress and white apron, white bloomers, red and white striped socks and a one piece cap and wig. Fits up to women’s size 18. Pair with Andy for a fun couples costume! This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product.   Buy now! Costumes for Pets – RAGGEDY ANN PET MEDIUM $14.40  $9.39 Cotton dress with attached apron features cloth tie Black satin dress detailed with fringe, faux rhinestone buckles, lace overlay accents, fishnet stockings, long pearl necklace and sequined jeweled feather headpiece. Boa not included. Large size fits 12-14.   Buy now! RAGGEDY ANN WIG W/HAT $11.64  $10.09 A white Raggedy Ann cap style bonnet with attached red yarn wig. One size fits most. This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product.   Buy now! Raggedy Andy Child Costume $34.99  $29.99 Our Raggedy Andy Costume includes a one piece outfit with shirt and attached pants, attached bow, red and white striped stockings and one piece hat and wig. Fits child sizes 4-6. This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy™ product.   Buy now! Raggedy Andy Adult Plus Costume $53.99  $45.99 A Classic costume, Now in Plus Size! Includes a one piece red and white checkered shirt with blue pants attached, red and white striped socks and a one piece hat with wig. Fits adult sizes up to a 59" waist. Pair with Raggedy Ann for a fun couples costume! This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product. This product will be available in July 2006.   Buy now! Raggedy Andy Bunting Halloween Costume $24.14 Includes: Bunting with attached hat/yarn wig. Features self-locking closure strip at bottom for easy diaper changing. Available in one size, fits up to 25" long and 15 lbs. (Approximately 9 months) This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product.   Buy now! Raggedy Andy Adult Halloween Costume $41.99 Our Raggedy Andy Adult Costume includes a one piece red and white checkered shirt with blue pants attached, red and white striped stockings and a one piece hat with wig. Fits adult sizes up to 48" waist. This is an officially licensed Classic Raggedy Ann & Andy product.

Oh my, oh my, I can not get over the cute factor in these Owl Smores made by Amy at Living Locurto!!

Using simple graham crackers, marshmallows, yellow candy melts, chocolate chips and candy corn, these Owl S’mores would be the perfect treat to make with young children! No bonfire needed. Jump over to Living Locurto and get the full instructions for making the Owl Smores.

One of the most popular Halloween costumes of all time is the pirate – and with so many variations of a pirate costume, there is bound to be one that fits the style of pirate you want!  Click on the images below for more information on each individual costume and ordering information. And for more pirate fun, be sure to check out our free printable Pirate Invitations, Pirate Party Crafts and Printables, and even more Pirate Party Ideas and Supplies.

Caribbean Pirate Child Costume (Large – 10) Ghost Pirate Child Costume – 12/14 Bratz Pirate Child Costume-Large 12-14 Pirate Captain Child Costume-Large (12-14) Pirate Child Costume – Large Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones Child Costume – 10/12 Rogue Pirate Child Costume – 10/12 Seven Seas Pirate Child Costume (12-14) Treasure Hunt Pirate Child Costume – Large (7/10) Lil’ Pirate Cutie Child Halloween Costume Pink Punk Pirate Child Halloween Costume Child Brown Buccaneer Wig – Pirate Costume Accessories Child Pirate Hat with Marabou Trim – Halloween Costume Accessories Child Tricorn Hat – Colonial or Pirate Costume Accessories Rhinestone Eye Patch – Pirate Costume Accessories Rhinestone Pirate Eye Patch with Skull – Pirate Costume Accessories See Thru Pirate Eye Patch with Gold Trim – Pirate Costume Accessories Adult Black Pirate Hat – Pirate Costume Accessories Adult Black Suede Pirate Hat – Pirate Costume Accessories Brown Caribbean Pirate Hat – Pirate Costume Accessories Adult Velvet Pirate Hat – Pirate Costume Accessories Burgundy Super Deluxe Pirate Captain Costume – Adult Pirate Costumes Super Deluxe Pirate Captain Costume – Pirate Costumes Super Deluxe Pirate Girl Costume – Pirate Costumes Adult Punky Pirate Costume – Pirate Costumes Ghost Pirate Child Costume – 4/6 PIRATE INSTANT COSTUME Adult Costumes – PIRATE RENAISSANCE LARGE Kids Costumes – PIRATE MUSCLE 12 TO 14 Kids Costumes – Pirate Boy-White/blk pants Kids Costumes – Caribbean Pirate Boy Adult Costumes – Pirate king Adult Costumes – PIRATES OF CARRIBEAN ELIZ Teen 7-9