If you have not made your own marshmallows yet,  you are seriously missing out.  I haven’t bought marshmallows since I made our first batch.

We added chocolate chips as eyes (and eyes and eyes) for our spooky little treats. Fast and easy.  Enjoy.   Martha Stewart Marshmallow Recipe.

What a day.  Wow.  SUGAR OVERLOAD.  Out we went in to the craziness of Trick or Treating in a business district.  We had to empty the pumpkin almost 2 times, it was getting so heavy! SHEESH.

It was an unbelievable haul.

Then we had to get ready for part 2.

Iz was a butterfly, I was a flower and Superman was Superman.

So many doors, so little time.

Iz went through her stash and got her goods prepped for the Halloween Monster.  See, the Halloween Monster takes your extra candy so you can Trick or Treat next Halloween.  If you don’t leave her any candy, she won’t let Halloween happen next year.  But don’t worry, Iz has quite the stash.

Dressed in a lovely butterfly costume, we headed to Columbia City, where the lovely local shops were handing out candy.  At Retroactive Kids, Bellen Drake was photographing the kids.  I just love the shots, and I can’t wait to see them.  You can see more of her beautiful work on her web site.  (I wonder if they’ll be doing this for Christmas?  hmmm)

Iz was so delighted, she munched on a few pieces in the back seat while we left Columbia City and headed for West Seattle.

We had a sweet evening, with not a lot of sugar consumption.  The Halloween Monster (she’s friendly, don’t worry), did come last night and took some of the candy.  We leave her some of the treats so we can trick -or-treat next year.  The rest will be rationed off, and probably forgotten about in a few days.

Eye Patch – gift
Pink Striped Turtleneck from The Gap – thrifted
Black and white plaid skirt – Hand-me-down
Fancy Pirate Girl Apron – made by me
Hanna Anderson Striped Tights – Gift
Motorcycle Boots – Hand-me-down
Treasure Bag – made by me

Right before we started in the parade.  I love this green coat.  Perfect for an outfit like this.

Word Girl and Super Girl.

The police gave each child a glow-in-the-dark necklace.

Her very, very first candy bar, a Nestlé Crunch.  She ate it , liked it, and didn’t ask for another!

Now, as a mom to a 2 year old, it’s kind of giggly fun. Everything is new through her eyes. I find myself wanting to try things I haven’t done for years, just because Iz will get to experience it.

Here’s a sneak peak into our decorating for Halloween this year (more as we get closer):

I wish I had found *cuter* skulls. These are kind of gross in their mean-ness. She still loved them. Has anyone found *cute* skulls? Oh do tell!

This is part of Iz’s costume. We are all going to be pirates. I’m making a little apron-ish thing for her to wear as part of her costume. One of the rules this year is to use only what we have (it’s a great rule, might just as well be a standing one forever, makes it more fun!)

These are all the pieces. All rectangles. I had envisioned something a little different than what I sketched below, but as I’m working on it, I’m in love with it.

This is what most of my flat sketches look like. Actually, they have a lot more writing on them with different colors and numbers crossed out and re-written over and over again. (I keep all of them, in little books and folders – great for referring to later.)

I showed it to Iz this morning in progress, explaining that it was for her pirate costume, and she said, ” No, it’s too bling”. I kid you not. I’ve never said the word bling to her, except for when she was just a few months old and in love with the bling someone was wearing in the office I was working in.

There’s lots of great costume inspiration out there:

Sew, Mama, Sew! Halloween Pool

Intructables Costumes

Makezine Halloween Archives

And if you are nearby – don’t forget out getting some help with your costume at LuckyStitches this weekend:

Costume Night (a LuckyStitches and Art Star Event)

Skill Level – ALL WELCOME!
$35 plus the cost of any supplies

Session A – Wednesday, Oct 17 6pm-9pm
Session B – Wednesday, Oct 24 6pm-9pm

Are you putting together your costume and need a little help? Starting from a commercial pattern? Making it up as you go along? Come stitch, sew, paint, glue, you name it, get help and advice.

Supplies Needed: It will vary. Are you planning on sewing? Then bring your machine and kit and all needed materials. Are you planning on using glue and paint? Then bring your base costume and the items needed for embellishing and we’ll warm up the glue guns!

Costume Emergency (a LuckyStitches and Art Star Event)

Skill Level – ALL WELCOME
Suggested donations starting at $10

Session A – Saturday Oct 20 9AM-12PM
Session B – Saturday, Oct 27 9am-12pm

Come for 10 minutes or come for 3 hours. Spread out and work in the space, get advice, a helping hand, use the glue guns or a sewing machine.

Supplies Needed: Bring whatever you are working on, including embellishments