Halloween is just around the corner, which means it will soon be time to shamelessly exploit the cuteness of our children.

We'll dress them as baby animals and baby vegetables, and some of us may even dress them as baby Gagas.

As a new mom, I am determined to create the perfect costume for my 2-month-old daughter. Of course, it will have to be something fairly simple considering I don't actually know how to sew yet, nor do I own a sewing machine.

But what costume could possibly capture my baby's essence, her personality, her unbearable smushiness? (My husband and I have dubbed our baby girl "Smushy Face" due to the way she scrunches up her face in a series of distinct looks, usually while she's simultaneously hiccuping, burping and passing gas.)

I already bought her the mandatory pumpkin costume, pictured here, which I found at the Marshalls on Barrett Parkway for $12.99. But we'll be going to a couple different functions for the holiday, and I am determined to channel my creative genius and make something from scratch to stuff her into for a variety of photo ops.

Martha Stewart has some cute ideas, of course, including a masked owl costume made of felt and a sock spider baby costume attached to a Mommy web. But I think the Martha Stewarts of Kennesaw can do better.

Do you have any ideas I can use and claim as my own? I encourage our more crafty and artistic readers to share your ideas for do-it-yourself costumes for infants, kids and animals too. You can also upload photos directly to this article by clicking on the "Add your photos & videos" link under the main picture.

Also, be sure to check back in with Patch since we'll be having an online Halloween costume contest later in the month.