DIY Life

LED technology is everywhere. It's cheap and easy to use for any project, and particularly fun for Halloween creations. If you're looking for a frightening costume accessory try the LED eyes. If you're thinking of something a bit less haunted, but still in the Halloween spirit, this LED hat is just the right fit.

This project is not a simple one, and you could probably find something similar (though not quite as cool) at the store, but if you have a good understanding of microcontrollers and a lot of time to spare before Halloween, give this a try. Here are the construction notes to help you build the LED creation.

If the project is a bit too complicated for you, start now and make a St. Patrick's day hat, or an accessory for next Halloween.

Are you still wracking your brain looking for the perfect Halloween costume for your little tyke? Or are you just procrastinating because your little one has decided they want the most expensive costume ever made? Never fear, you still have 2 weeks until Halloween, but I highly suggest you get your butt in gear before your child doesn't have a costume at all, such as is my case at the moment.

As I was browsing around trying to find ideas to make a costume for my 2 year old, I found an awesome article from Michaels.com. In this article you will find 31 costumes to make from T-shirts and sweatshirts. You can make everything from a pumpkin costume to a pirate costume, with just some very large t-shirts or sweatshirts, fabric paint, felt, and other crafting items, such as scissors and thread. There is little to no sewing required, which makes these costumes very simple to make. Even if you waited until 1 or 2 days before Halloween to do most of the costumes, you still would gave a great looking Halloween costume.

LED eyes, the perfect accessory for your Halloween costume. You'll look like a demon wearing these frightening lights over your eyes. The best part is, it only cost $1. Here's what you'll need:

Materials

1. 330 ohm resistor (any 200-500 ohm will work)
2. 2 Miniature LED - red
3. Battery adapter
4. 9 volt battery
   
5. Crimp connectors
6. Velcro strap
   

Take a look through the full instructions and accompanying pictures. It's really interesting to see the actor wearing the headband in light contrasted with how frightening she looks in the dark.Sit at your front door to terrify trick-or-treaters, or wear them as an original accessory to your Halloween party. It is a quick and cheap Halloween trick that sure to be a popular DIY hack this year.

[via: Hacked Gadgets]

Just in time for Halloween, this video shows you how to make fake wounds with gum or Fx wax. These gashes look pretty realistic. They can be pulled off simply and inexpensively. Here's what you need:

Materials

1. Fx wax or gum
2. Skin tone foundation
3. Blade
4. Black and red makeup
5. Fake blood

The video shows the transformation from bare foot to seriously injured foot. It's quite impressive. He sure makes it look easy slicing through the gum; personally, I'd be a bit nervous about that part. I guess it's the price we'll pay for a great gag. Top off your costume with these realistic looking wounds and you'll be ready to terrify your neighbors this Halloween.

For children, a homemade Halloween costume can be the best kind. They get to pick the most intricate details and stay up late working with you until it's "just right". Personally, I'm a huge fan of DIY Halloween costumes. If you are planning to make costumes this year there are some important things to remember. This check list from Essortment will help you keep safety in check while creating the next great costume.

Costume Safety Checks

1. Ensure the costume has proper ventilation
   Any homemade mask needs vents at the nose, mouth and top of the head. Children often think they are breathing fine, until there is a real problem. They likely won't notice discomfort as quickly as we would, so you're best to make sure that there is plenty air circulation. make sure you test the mask out at home before sending them out in it.
   
2. Use flame resistant materials
   With awkward clothes and big capes there is a big risk of getting caught in the flame of a jack-o-lantern or by some other fire source. Commercial Halloween costumes are required by law to be flame retardant. If you're sewing something yourself, the fabric you choose is likely not. Choose a material that is flame resistant or consider applying a separate coating of flame retardant.
   
3. Make sure there is proper visibility
   If you have to use a mask, keep eye holes as big as possible. Children will quickly feel disorientated if they only have partial vision.
   
4. Allow for a good range of motion
   Try not to design a costume that restricts motion or requires the child to hold their head or back in an unnatural position. Children should be able to move quickly and get out of the costume if needed. Think plenty of velcro.

Marie Antoinette is one of those historical figures who's life and death captures our interest and perks our curiosity. She was the beautiful and eccentric bride of King Louis XVI of France. In 1793 she was beheaded for the crime of treason. Her rich life and gruesome death are probably the reasons that she is constantly used for costume inspiration. I've seen many variations of a bloody Antoinette, but I have never seen a costume as well done as this Headless Marie Antoinette Costume.

Nicole Magne, the creator of this costume and a brilliant Canadian artist is one of the MAKE Halloween contest winners. If you're thinking of taking it on, this costume is going to take you a good chunk of time, but the results are well worth it. Beginning with the initial sketch where she conceived the idea through the complete costume, she outlines each step along the way. The accompanying pictures should help you get an idea of what each step should look like. You'll need decent sculpting and sewing skills to pull this off. Her commentary is hilarious and the end result is both stunning and scary.

I'd imagine it would be hard to keep your head in that position all night, but she comments that it wasn't too bad, and well worth the effect I'm sure. If you're still looking for that memorable Halloween costume, this might just be the one.

This cool costume is ever cooler considering that the genius use of an old umbrella is pretty much all you need.

Check out this umbrella bat costume. The site has step by step instructions and pictures to help you along the way. The umbrella transforms into wide spanning, collapsible bat wings and tall pointy bat ears. All you need to do is pair it with black bottoms and a black hooded top and you're ready for Halloween.

This clever project sticks to the recycling theme we love so much at DIY Life, and produces a brilliant costume. What other costumes have you made that reuse household items in creative ways?