Halloween Projects and Ideas from the Queen of Domesticity - Martha Stewart

Photo above and below by Sang An.

Even though my daughter is 8 this Halloween, she seems to be more into it this year than ever before. My neighbour and I are planning a Halloween party for all the kids at our end of the estate and I've got to whip myself into gear to make cookies and possible a cake (see the ghost cake below - this is what I'm hoping to make!) Since Halloween is still not the huge phenomenon it is in America, I got my mother to send over Halloween cookie cutters - a ghost, cat, bat and witches hat - now to do black and white icing!! I don't think I am going to have a quiet week next week for the school holidays!

So, for my own inspiration and all you mother's across Ireland who need a few ideas to keep the kids busy next week - I've pulled together a few of my favourites out of Martha Stewart Living magazine. She's got loads more ideas on her website with a Halloween Central section and even a Halloween Party Workshop - just don't let the kids see or you'll be under serious pressure to produce all these by next Saturday!

Loved this simple idea of glittering pumpkins - and great for a any age kid!

For the more adventurous - these cut out pumpkins take a bit more artistic commitment.

Simple easy pumpkins with noses!

Turn pumpkins into cachepots - wouldn't these look great sitting out on your doorstep?

Photo by Sang An.

I love this ghost cake and am going to do my best to re-create it for my daughter - need good white marshmallows though and that black cake plate really makes all the difference.

Photo above and below by Eric Piaskeki.

Don't think we'll be able to dine outside but you never know we could have another dose of Indian summer.

I love these urns filled with a variety of gourds and pumpkins (I know we don't get the same range here in Ireland but you could even build up pots with winter cabbage and a pumpkin or two) On the door is a huge wreath made of bittersweet - I think I'll head off to forage the hedgerows here over the weekend.

*Note: All images were taken from various issues of Martha Stewart Living magazine - I have credited photographers where I could. (Unfortunately when I tear out ideas, I sometimes don't have the page with the photographer credits on them).