Making shrunken heads from apples is actually an early American tradition that started when early settlers made dolls using apples for the heads. They did this by carving a face on an apple and then drying it. Now of course, they are used for movies, videos, haunted houses and Halloween decorations. By soaking a carved apple in a solution of water, lemon and salt, the salt will draw moisture out of the apple once it has be removed from the soaking bath and the lemon will help keep the color of the shrunken apple head light and fairly uniform.

Quick tips:

1. Select an apple that is fairly round and as large as possible. Apples shrink significantly in size as they dry, so the bigger the apple you start with, the better.
2. Your carved apple head will also take up to two weeks to to dry so be sure to begin this project in plenty of time for Halloween.
3. The best way to dry your apple is to hang it from a string. Try not to hang it directly in front of a window that receives a lot of sunshine; the warmth and brightness can encourage rot. You also want to avoid very moist areas, such as the kitchen sink or near the washing machine in the utility room. If you can hang them in a cool dark garage, that is ideal.

Be as simple or as detailed when carving your apple head as you wish and have fun with this great Halloween craft project!

Ingredients

1 (or more) large-size, fairly round apple(s)
Bowl of water
2 tbsp. salt
2 lemon wedges
Vegetable peeler
Small knife for carving
Whole cloves if desired
Kite string or other heavy string

Directions

1. Prepare your water about 15 minutes before you are ready to dip your apple(s). Do this by filling a large deep bowl with about four cups of cool water. Pour in the salt and then squeeze juice from the lemon wedges into the bowl. Stir for several seconds so that the salt will begin to dissolve into the water and the fresh lemon juice will blend.
2. Peel the apple with your vegetable peeler; leave the stem on if desired (it will not affect the drying process). Coring your apple isn’t necessary for drying, but if you wish, you can create a longer, more drawn “face” by coring. (Non-cored apples will end up more round or square in shape.)
3. Begin carving a face into the apple. You will be carving inward around the most prominent facial feature—the nose. The eyes should be sunken into the apple. Don’t worry about details at this point; just exaggerate whatever features you’d like to stand out on your finished project. For deeply-set eyes, make sure the eyebrow ridge stands out fairly far, and place a clove in the center of each to make a dent once the head is dry. Make sure that you cut deep. When the apple shrivels up you will lose some of the definition in your cut so make sure to cut everything a bit bigger/deeper than you think it should be.
4. When you are done carving, soak your apple in the prepared water. Let it sit for a minimum of 10 minutes or longer if you live in a high humidity area. Spin the apple a few times as it soaks.
5. Add some white rice for teeth (just push it into the apple and the apple will shrink around it to keep it in place.)
6. Hang your apple up to dry using kite string or other heavy duty kitchen string.

Once your shrunken apple head is dry (in about two weeks) you can begin to really have fun with it. You can display it as is or add some very fun details. Glue some large grains of rice in the mouth for teeth if the original ones fell out during the dying process. Make them jagged and scary looking! Or you can glue some strands of pet hair on the top for that scary old man look.

Have fun!

You can build your tombstones using plywood or Styrofoam. Both of these are great for this project because you can buy Styrofoam in larger thicknesses (2″ or more) at your local crafts store and it’s already textured so it looks more like a grave stone from the start. Sheets of styrofoam insulation from a building supply store can also be used.  Be careful though, because Styrofoam can be tricky to do the lettering on, is pretty fragile and thicker pieces get expensive. It is also difficult to store from year to year as you will need to place them in large sealed containers to keep them from begin damaged by other stored items or kicked around.

You can also elect to create your Halloween tombstones out of plywood. It is easy to work with, quite inexpensive and you or somebody you know may already have usuable scrap pieces laying around. A standard 4′x8′ sheet  of plywood will be enough for about 6-10 tombstones depending on their size and shape and should only cost around $10-$15 depending on where you live. Storage for these is easy, as all you have to do is lean them up against a wall. No special storage containers required.

How to Build Your Tombstone

1. Determine the size of your tombstone. 18″w x 24-30″h is a good size for a basic stone. Make sure there is enough room to write the epitaph.
2. Have your epitaphs ready to write. Here are a couple of websites that you can get some great ideas from: Funny Stones to Tickle Your Funny Bones and Eerie Epitaphs. Just have fun making up your own as well!
3. Trace out the design of the tombstone on your plywood or styrofoam. A French curve or cans of various sizes are good tools to help with drawing curves if you are uncomfortable freelancing.
4. Cut out the headstone. A jig saw works well for plywood. You can use a keyhole (drywall) saw or large utility knife for Styrofoam. Be sure to work with your Styrofoam outdoors as it can be very messy.
5. Paint the headstone. For plywood, start with a base coat of grey or off-white. Next, apply a coat of stone texture spray paint to give it a weathered appearance. For Styrofoam, you can just use the stone texture paint. After the paint has dried, paint the epitaph and any other design elements (skull, scrollwork, etc) on to the stone with a small brush and black paint. For styrofoam stones, it helps to press the letters into the foam first before painting them.
6. Secure your headstones. The last step is to attach mounting stakes to the back and place the stone in your yard. Use whatever you have available to keep your tombstones in place. For Styrofoam stones, plant stakes pushed into the bottom work well. For plywood stones, you can screw shelf brackets into the back then use tent stakes to secure them into the ground.

Halloween is nigh! And what an opportunity to use your creativity and imagination to create your very own Halloween costume. You can even make it a family affair by sitting down with pen and paper, designing your ideal costume and then going on a “scavenger” hunt through boxes, attics and second-hands stores to find the perfect Halloween props.

As it is just barely September, you have plenty of time to get your idea’s down on paper in and imprinted on your mind. Grab a large box to store your finds as you poke around through boxes, cupboards, the back of closets, yard sales and Goodwill!

If this is a family activity, don’t turn up your nose at something that won’t work for your costume, but may well be perfect for somebody else’s. At this stage, just pick up everything that catches your eye. You never know… you may want to change your costume to something else entirely as Halloween gets closer. That is the fun of collecting all of these bits and pieces!

So where do you find these treasures?

• Attics
• Basements
• Garage
• Boxes and trunks
• Closets
• Drawers
• Family members – think Grandma if you are going for a vintage look!
• Garage sales
• Good Will and Salvation Army

Have fun with it!  You can even make some great Halloween decorations doing this.

Each year as Halloween approaches, we create a life size witch who sits very placidly on a bench in the front courtyard. The only three items that had to be purchased were a scary latex witches mask (full mask with hair and all!), a cane that we purchased for $1 at a garage sale and of course, the pointed witches hat that you can get at any dollar store.

The witch is made up of the following items that were found in the back of my closet and in other places around the house.

1. Floor length black skirt that was going to be sent to Goodwill.
2. Long sleeved black tunic top that was also going to Goodwill.
3. A discarded pair of black ladies high heeled boots. Long since out of fashion, but perfect for our witch!
4. A pair of life size rubber hands that we found at a garage sale. They were apparently part of a CPR training dummy and are quite life-like!
5. 3 old pillows to make up the body.
6. A small flash light to put inside the mask at night to light up her eyes. We taped a piece of red construction paper behind her eyes to make her glow! Quite scary.

We then sit her on the bench and surround her with pumpkins, a cow skull (found in a field) some dried flowers and just about anything else comes to hand.

Then…

On Halloween, I dress up exactly like her, take her place and rise up to offer candy to the neighborhood children.

Halloween is nigh…

Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses.

Here are some fun and sometimes silly facts about Halloween. Early traditions that are believed to be the precursors to Halloween include:

• The Celtic tradition of giving thanks at the close of the harvest season.
• The European tradition of lighting candles and masquerading in costume to scare evil spirits away
• The Irish custom where wealthy landowners would give food to the poor in hopes that the ghosts would look favorably on them and spare them from mischief.
• In Scotland and Ireland trick-or-treating began as “guising” where children disguised in costume going from door to door for food or coins — is a traditional Halloween custom, and is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money.
• The practice of “guising”at Halloween in North America was first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going “guising” around the neighborhood.

Did You Know That

• Halloween was formerly known as All Hallow’s Eve?
• The name “Halloween” comes from Scotland and the Celtic Feast of the Sun which marked the end of summer was known as “Hallowe’en.”
• The Celtics would carry a lantern when they walked on the eve of October 31st?
• The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States.
• The telling of ghost stories and viewing of horror films are common fixtures of Halloween parties. Episodes of television series and Halloween-themed specials (with the specials usually aimed at children) are commonly aired on or before the holiday, while new horror films are often released theatrically before the holiday to take advantage of the atmosphere.

Jack -O-Lantern Trivia

• The “jack-o-lantern” gets that name from a mean old man named Jack who was too mean even to get into hell. The Devil gave him a piece of burning coal and sent him away. Jack used a turnip to hold the burning coal and serve as a lantern.
• The first “jack-o-lanterns” were carved with faces to scare evil spirits away. They used turnips not pumpkins for those original jack-o-lanterns.

Do you have Halloween traditions that are not listed here? We would love to hear of them!

In September we also remember our grandparents as National Grandparents Day falls on September 11, 2011 as does the anniversary of that terrible day in New York when the Twin Towers came down.

Coloring Pages and Printables

If you are looking for some great coloring page resources to keep your little ones absorbed and entertained this month here are some autumn themed coloring pages and printables.

We will remember 9/11

• We will remember 9/11 candle coloring – Color this candle and put it on the wall to remember 9/11/2001

• Statue of Liberty We will remember poster

Having a Halloween party at school? Whip up a tray of these and just wait for the oohs and ahhs from delighted children. And adults love them as well.

Ingredients

1. Your favorite boxed cake mix
2. Halloween themed cupcake baking liners
3. White or cream cheese frosting
4. Red and yellow food coloring
5. 1 tube black decorating gel OR melted chocolate (Hint: the tube of decorating gel is much easier to handle!)
6. Black string licorice
7. 24 large gum drops
8. Toothpicks

Instructions

• Follow the instructions on the cake mix box for cupcakes
• While the cupcakes are in the oven, start preparing the orange icing by mixing in a few drops of red and yellow orange coloring in the tub of icing. Start with just a drop of each and then add more to get the desired orange color.
• After the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with the orange icing
• Using the black decorating gel or melted chocolate inside a plastic bag (cut-off the corner to make it like a piping bag), make 3 or 4 concentric circles radiating out from the center of the cupcake. Then use a toothpick starting at the center of the cupcake and pulling to the edge of the cupcake about 8 times around the entire circumference to create the web-like appearance.
• Take a large gumdrop and attach 3 or 4 pieces of black string licorice to each side to make the spider legs by poking a hole in the gumdrop using a toothpick where you want to insert the licorice. Use the black decorating gel to put a couple eyes on each gumdrop and place the completed spider on top the cupcake web.

This Halloween, your little boy can act as the Lord Vader, who was known as the most trusted and loyal commander of the dark side of the Force, the Sith. Stand up straight and walk tall like the imposing father of the protagonist Luke Skywalker with a Darth Vader costume. A black flowing robe, a black jumpsuit with an EVA collar in 3-D molded silver, a 3-D futuristic belt, a 3-D futuristic chest piece, and of course, the black boot tops will make your kid a great Darth Vader. To complete the dark side costume ensemble, an injection molded face mask will get him heading on to his sinister Sith plans of invading the neighbors with the trick and treat!

Once known as the engineering and piloting genius nine-year-old, Anakin Skywalker, Lord Darth Vader was trained by the all-wise and all-powerful Yoda, the Jedi Master of the good side of the Force. A natural talent as a kid, Anakin became a better skilled Jedi after he was trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the best Jedi Knights. When your kid wants to have a Darth Vader costume for Halloween, he will be glad to know that as a kid like himself, Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker turned out to be one of the best Jedi Knights later.

Your little Darth Vader may also be told of the story behind the costume, why Anakin Skywalker was slowly lured to join the dark side of the Force, how he was injured during a fierce battle, which later became the reason why he had to don a new outfit and became Lord Darth Vader. Now, that would surely make your little kid give it his best shot at being little Lord Darth Vader-at least for the Halloween. For the parents who want their boy to really look and feel like the real Sith Lord, they can also buy him the separate accessories like the light saber, the breathing device, and of course, the gauntlets or gloves to complete the whole Darth Vader costume shebang!

To make the whole Halloween trick or treat of your little boy complete, his siblings or the other neighbor kids may also don other Star Wars Halloween costumes. They can either come as Jedi Knights or warriors complete with their flowing robes and light sabers, or one can don a Yoda costume with the elaborate face mask of the wise and powerful Jedi Master, or for the little girls who can wear a wraparound or flowing robe with belt Leia costumes. There are many Star Wars costumes that kids will surely enjoy wearing this Halloween and even after, so get started, check out online stores now and get your kid a Darth Vader costume and more for the other little ones!

Kids who are not really confident of their creative side don’t have to be concerned about thinking which outfit to wear on that day. An online store like Kids Costumes For Halloween takes your blues away by presenting its wide selection of creative Halloween costumes to select from. Sometimes individuals are tired to see those usual pumpkin, witches and vampires costume.

Well-liked girls costumes consist of a fall-fairy child costume comparable to Thumbelina but is much more colorful. Also a newest creative style is a Monster Bride child costume in Green’s character. A hip costume that will be worn on Halloween is the mummy princess costume. If your little girl doesn’t mind a scary look then she can order devil darling costume total with tail and horns.

A scary midnight bride outfit is perfect for that terrifying look your daughter would love to achieve. It’s accessible in a set of veil, rose and gown that are all in black. This costume also has another version described as dark bride child costume that functions a more gothic look.

For your little boys, they can express their creative side via innovative Halloween costumes still presented by this online shop, and comes in many various looks. A total 3-D zombie costume may be worn that shows grayish jeans with so many tears and muscles which are also torn, with bones peeking from the inside. Also accessible is really a lab technician zombie costume that’s in a set of coat, mask and shirt with tie that is truly horrifying.

A headless horseman costume is also ideal if your child aims to surprise his buddies at their costume party. This imaginative Halloween wear is truly shocking to see the first time because you’ll be greeted by a headless creature and as he gets closer, you will see the gross headpiece that functions a freshly decapitated head.

With this array of creative costumes for your child’s Halloween costume party, you’ll certainly never run out of suggestions and fresh concepts to display in that a lot awaited event of your adventurous child. These costumes are specially created to showcase a horrifying effect that any child will surely love on Halloween night.

kids halloween costumes 2011

The thought of dressing up allows them to express a different side of them and explore a new identity. Excited mothers sometimes make their own girls Halloween costumes to add a individual touch, but the web now offers us the easiest and most handy method to have a kid’s costume.

Buycostumes.com showcases various costumes that will definitely make your kids’ wish come true. Check their website and take the very best choose for your small girl’s Halloween costume.

Some girls still prefer the girlish feel of wearing princess costumes. Kids Halloween Costumes 2011Kids Costumes 2011 provides a lot of fairy tale classics. Also available are the most girls’ favorites including Hello Kitty, fairies and Barbie costumes. But for more adventurous and fresher ideas, why not take a look at newest costume ideas for this year’s Halloween? They have new and upcoming styles to choose from. New ones are from newest movie releases like Transformers 3 and Harry Potter. You may be surprised to hear there’s a Transformers 3 costume for girls. Indeed, this on-line store presents female edition Optimus and Bumblebee costumes.

If your girl is a Harry Potter fanatic, there’s a lovely Gryffindor Robe Child Costume available for her. The movie Kung Fu Panda recently showcased a brand new edition of the film, and if your small girl was stunned by it, then she’ll surely appreciate wearing a Kung Fu Panda child costume. If she wasn’t over the Zoo Keeper movie craze but, then there’s 1 fantastic costume from that film that she could model.

Your daughter can be the very first 1 to wear a unicorn child costume that’s yet to be released This unicorn costume can be an inspiration from an upcoming movie known as Tintin: secret with the unicorn. Other exciting girls’ costumes to wear for this year’s Halloween are Happy feet costumes especially simply because the movie will probably be showing a fresh version this year. If your beautiful girl is a fan of Twilight’s Bella, Edward and Jacob then Halloween is the right time to express her love for it through a black robe costume inspired by the movie and just in time for the anticipated return of the Twilight craze now that the latest edition to the saga is set to be shown on November this year.

Monster high characters have definitely captured girls’ hearts and this site offer them new costumes inspired by the show. It features Draculaura, Frankie Stein, Lagoona Blue, Cleo de Nile and Clawdine. As a latest edition to the costumes to look forward this year, the store functions different three Angry Birds costumes according to the popular game Angry Birds.

kids halloween costumes 2011

The Elements Of A Buccaneer Costume. The traditional gents pirate costume consists of a number of important components. To help get the best pirate costume pay a visit to this jack sparrow halloween costume blog.

The hair Pirates aren’t identified to take the very best proper care of their look: they’ve got far more critical issues to be concerned about! Consequently, pirate hair is frequently lengthy and messy, held into spot having a classic pirate bandana.

The chapeau Pirate hats can be found in a number of special shapes and sizes, although they are generally massive and triangular in shape. In case you truly want everyone to understand you’re a buccaneer then obtain a hat marked using the timeless skull and crossbones.

Clothing. Pirate clothing typically includes fluffy tops, vests, and slacks tucked within their dark-colored boots. If you want the top cost for your buccaneer halloween costume then visit this costumes price comparison website.

Accessories. No pirate would be total without having his sword, so ensure you might have 1 to hand. Other accessories that’ll assist you to complete the buccaneer appear incorporate an ear ring in 1 ear, feathers in your hair, as well as a parrot on your shoulder joint.

Many pirates actually have missing hands and fingers, that they replace with tow hooks, and absent legs, that they replace with the real wood peg leg. Including any of these accessories will make certain everybody knows what you have come as at this Halloween night celebration!

If you would like to use your inspiration from well-known buccaneers from the media channels then you can find a couple of distinguishing attributes of these buccaneers you’ll need to incorporate:

Jack Sparrow. Jack wears the classic puffy pirate shirt and large boots, but his most noteworthy feature is his hair. You will require long, darkish dreadlocks if you want to go as this pirate at Halloween, with a crimson bandana along with a triangular in shape buccaneer cap.

Davy Jones. Here’s a special buccaneer costume concept! The top thing about Davy Jones is definitely his beard full of tentacles. You’ll be able to put this together your self, but thankfully you’ll find realistic masks available if you would like to make issues a bit simpler!

Captain Hook. This well-known pirate was often right after Peter Pan, but could never really get him. He has distinct curly locks, a hook for a hand, plus an unreasonable concern about ticking wall clocks!