Wow, it’s October already!  This year is flying by!  Cathy here with a little project to help you out at Halloween.  Ever end up with plans the night of Halloween and you’re not able to be home to give out the candy?  Or maybe you want to escort your little characters as they trick or treat their way through the neighborhood and just need a helping hand for a bit.  Believe it or not, your craft and digi supplies can come to the rescue!

You can create a sweet sign to leave out with your stash of goodies. This way you get to enjoy your other plans, the Halloween visitors still get their treats and your house doesn’t get tricked, hopefully!

This is a fairly simple project. All that you’ll need is a picture frame, some printing paper and your favorite Halloween themed digital kit.  Lucky for you, the Mix-a-kit series at ScrapMatters for October has some great Halloween themed items.  You can pick and choose the portions of the kit that suit you best.  I used Frightful – The Patterns, Frightful – The Extras (by WM Squared Designs); Scary Elegance – Paper Pack (by Haynay Designs); Shabby Solids - October Mix (by GeniaBeana); Haunted House Elements, Haunted House Alpha (by Dream Big Designs), Purple Monster Alpha (by Amy Stoffel)

I found an old picture frame that was not being used and painted it black. It is an 8.5″x11″ frame which I turned on its side.  I designed my sign in Photoshop.  I printed it out on Red River Canvas paper.  Just popped it into the frame and I’m all set.

Perhaps the creepy eyes “watching” will keep the kids from taking all the candy!  I used a brush to create smoky clouds to help accentuate some of the design.

Believe it or not, I’ve had to leave a bowl of candy on the porch for the trick or treaters to help themselves in the past. I thought they would empty the bowl in no time. But I actually had leftover!  Hope you have a crafty and Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Mary (littlehiccup) here with a few Halloween photo tips. The hardest part of making your Halloween photos GREAT can be working with low levels of light. With all those spooky (and not) subjects, you will definitely want to try some of the following tips to make your Halloween photos stand out with a few simple lighting tricks. Remember, some Halloween shots actually look better with low lighting because it adds to the mood. Depending on your camera, you may be able to use one or more of these methods. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so in the spirit of Halloween…pick your poison!

Turn off your flash or diffuse it

1. Increase your ISO. This allows you to take better shots in lower light. But be careful, this also makes your images a bit noisy or grainy.

2. Slow down your shutter speed. This will allow more light into your camera, but you will catch any movement of your subjects. A good tip is to use a tripod (and very still subjects) if you use this method.

3. Increase your aperture. This also allows more light into your camera, but with this setting you lessen the depth of field.

4. Another idea would be to have the monster hold a flashlight about 6 inches under his or her chin and shine it up toward their face. It will remind you a little of telling ghost stories at camp, but the effect will be very ghoulish!

5. To diffuse your flash, you can use any of the following: colored cellophane, tissue paper, nylons, or a piece of a frosted disposable cup or translucent milk jug.

Shoot at dusk

If at all possible, shoot some photos outside at dusk. You won’t need to use your flash and you will get amazing results with the natural lighting. I guess there is a reason they call it the golden hour.

Tips for Jack-O-Lanterns

When shooting photos of jack-o-lanterns, make sure and put 2 or 3 candles inside. The more light the pumpkin gives off, the better your photo will turn out. You can also try using a flashlight to light up the front a bit, or use it as an uplight behind the pumpkin to give it a silhouette.

Hope these tips help. I can’t wait to see all those ghosts, goblins and Goofys in your LOs! I apologize for no pictures in this post, but I have to take them tonight!

Happy Haunting!