Now that we're officially in October, our jack-o'-lantern contest is in full swing. If you haven't seen our gallery of submissions yet, you've got to check it out. Once again, we're blown away by the talent. Can you believe this elephant carving above from Bethany?

As you start your Halloween decorating, send us your photo! The winner, as determined by reader votes, will win a $100 gift card from Plum Party.

Martha Stewart is a genius all year long, but she really shines at Halloween. (Which is great for us because so many of those black-and-orange decorations out there just scream "Tacky!") Here are some of our favorites from this year's collections for Michaels and Grandin Road.

This fall, we love the idea of inviting friends over for an outdoor movie in our own backyards. And it's easier than you might think: You can buy an inflatable screen (for bucks), or simply use shower curtains, like Liz from Little Dash, or a white sheet, like Brooke from Inchmark. Add popcorn and blankets (and cute seats for pregnant friends!), and you'll have, well, a night to remember.

See more family movie screenings here, here and here.

See more from Nesting contributor Joanna Goddard at her blog, Cup of Jo.


P.S. Backyard camping and classic family movies.

Photos: Brooke/Inchmark and Liz/Little Dash

Always the source for unique handmade items, Mahar Drygoods does not disappoint this Halloween. Check out these yarn and felt beards (in both child and adult sizes). A-mazing. Add a hat or a pair of glasses, and you can put a big ol' check mark next to "costume" on your to-do list.
Also, check out these throw-together costumes.

Kellie from This Blessed Nest hosted a laid-back gingham birthday party in her backyard for her adorable twins, Mason and Madison. They turned 1 with quite a party, complete with festive food, gingham pennants, a dressed-up photo booth, and lots of friends. Kellie, the gracious host and mom, shared with us some of her favorite photos from that day.

Lots of Kellie's ideas and inspirations came from her favorite blogs. She gave the party her own twist with tables that were set with as much gingham as she could find. Add to that a brunch menu packed with color and flavor and you've got a fun party in the works. Click here to learn how to make the twinkling star watermelon pops. They're actually frozen!

A backyard party is the perfect place to hang pennant banners. They're light enough to hang between the smallest of trees and bushes. Click here for step-by-step instructions to make her no-sew pennant banners. Choose a pattern or fabric you love, and make as many as you want! This is one arena where the more the merrier stands true.

And to top it all off, a "Dressed Up" photo booth was made for partygoers of all sizes. Make sure to assign someone to take photos of each guest peeking through the screen. Sometimes these can be the best photos!

For more, click here.

The finalists for the creative cake contest on our sister blog, One Little Bite, have been announced--including the adorable monkey above! Check out all 10 and let our judges know which you think should take home the free Kitchenaid mixer from Amazon.com and $125 from Wilton!

And, remember, our next reader contest is right here on Nesting. Submit your most impressive jack-o'-lantern, and the winner (as determined by reader votes), will receive a $100 gift card from Plum Party.

Are you ready for this? It's time once again for you all to send us a photo of your most impressive jack-o'-lantern! We know it's a little early, but if you have one from a previous Halloween that you're proud of (or are just really, really on the ball with this holiday stuff), we're ready for it. But if not, don't fret--we'll be collecting submissions through midnight, November 2. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to Plum Party!

Get your carving knives ready....

Crafty moms and dads will want to bookmark (and use of course) the wonderful free printables created by Sara Neuburger for her blog The Small Object.

Look in the left-hand column for free goodies and tutorials that range from printable party invites to gift tags and everything in between. And be sure to pop over to the Small Object shop for a hefty dose of cuteness and fun for all ages.

Also, check out our free birthday-party invitations from Egg Press!

Angie Gubler is a graphic designer (and former Martha Stewart art director), so when she planned a first-birthday party for her daughter Bea, everyone knew it would be amazing. As a nod to her daughter's name, she chose a bee theme ...

... which featured everything from bee decor ...

... and bee cookies and brownies ...

... to make-your-own antennae and a pin-the-wings-on-the-bee game.

And how delicious does this honey-lemon beehive cake look? Happy birthday, Bea! (See more photos on Angie's new blog, Blonde Designs.)

-- Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo

P.S. Don't forget to enter our creative cake contest--you have until midnight on September 15! Check out photos of the fabulous cakes from weeks one, two, three and four, as well as Pixar-inspired cakes and Very Hungry Caterpillars!