![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxbH7sfSZj50Ny4y5LdSrhrc68CzBIMDkYtyh0MKLvJgCiCo9nqy8ikd4oyUFBkvCdB6vX5MU7hC2TmsVqj6xjpre3MGlOesZ9NfZEMDwVp1WLM7OXLh_OJyJBmpCbqnlKiA8coNFuTLn/s1600/3010554003_fc4ac17216_o.jpg) |
Dia de Los Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico |
Maybe it's a past life thing but for many years I've looked forward to El Dia de Los Muertos like a child awaiting Christmas. Although I'm not of hispanic descent, I've embraced the culture and enjoy celebrating the lives of friends and family no longer with us. Around mid-October I climb into the attic and pull down the boxes of catrinas, calaveras, sugar skulls, textiles, family photographs- and so much more- that I've accumulated over the years. These are the makings for my ofrenda, or altar, that I build for the Day of the Dead. A big part of my joy is revisiting this collection of objects.
In addition to building the altar, I transform the house with my collection of handmade pillows, masks, and other objects relating to the holiday - many purchased on my trips to Mexico.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpzK9EixLWj57Lolpam398LfEG8qUXUQ7Nmfhmq_uSzK6qBHY9xfDDzBZHzEj25VoW8P5TajvtfB56Y_opr1p3M0Qmc0Y65ZHDvAol_DN0kxQlGeh8bTlaYWTYlhPYhyphenhyphenpbMh07HE1ljDu/s1600/IMG_4724.jpg) |
Felted skeletons I found on Etsy |
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Small collection of calacas, calaveras |
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This guy looks pretty happy |
Every year I do things differently. Sometimes, weather permitting, I build the altar outdoors. We had an abrupt change in the weather this past week so this year I chose the living room.
I begin by layering the textiles over tables, risers and boxes. Then I add the photographs, candles, fresh fruit and flowers. Many friends and family have added to the altar so I continue to include their offerings from past years. This year we added a painting of our sweet dog, Scout, who we lost in January.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvDoj6Kx_RVpCLArbwQZAzFBmEVwpqKXu1aFGjsKBIErlSrC-xKmfeXiZEVVYE4PFfmcrorLAN5VgWuZvdY137urxAA436haLri3TqKsGg-hJ1Y3_xbh5VhITS0CvRVLE17YkCvpxeWkY/s1600/IMG_4664.JPG) |
Layered textiles I've collected over the years |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74wGrRopyr7XeM1haiAAsM_CB-OfnmKt6MG_uOYd4WQi7mBM2cSuZDj5j0dekRM4fmayNYWspjQs04FkEtyvV46gwMpmUjbvuSyEopwE1nizCTTc7bA9CvRoTnuKXUkOgPYtagO8d8Gqb/s1600/photo(83).JPG) |
Our 2014 ofrenda |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-sUdjyYQzmLs6dc1d7BT8WKlklIQOx-he8hcVRbe7JJWZZnfVbk5-uO2AUb7OAXWPv56AdxZwL8atU49S5MD2lNbM13JZQpmH8S6nScbqKFGm2jRfftZw6TQYU8CsTXOogIbMe81GySA/s1600/IMG_4726.jpg) |
Our beloved Scout |
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Paige left us way too soon |
I have a few friends over to celebrate each year and this year I decided to make party favors from interesting images of calaveras. I decoupaged them to matchboxes and filled the boxes with M&Ms. It was my first foray into glitter and I think I'll be seeing glimmers of glitter for many years to come. It's everywhere. Oh, and I forgot to hand out the party favors until half of the group had departed. :(
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj16DXF2XMjcIvC0oM_mn8pDfZxUEKKM7JL3vc6EE94Cte35FqLdfD8iEyOtoD3Jx0UBut5rdGLDn1NgCl5WD_0AxRUWj4NEOaU4xynQ1tUuli5aQnd3noznKIANJSbtYX_bBS_hZwl0q/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG) |
Party favors |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2RTSu1sqFItb0kFr_GCVFF6Joaa4IfONtc1dnuIFzmZXOkxpB33aJrniA2lUn40tOCdbLSNV08S_lnpcA6klZPvakE9myUgJVbVthfzddLrhZXmm2tizqzyS0PTALIDFPLg0_41a-iDt/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG) |
Glitter everywhere for days |
Another first this year was handmade tissue paper pom poms. I found a great tutorial
here and after a total fail in my first attempt, I watched the complete video and the rest turned out well.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidViyUkfkog5TAwk4ivsNgc6_5v4JE7xo0Os94Q7pP-_dVPZqJfDAzLp6oLGOnIXW3TKj0ZTTpwPj8k0TPuVL_U_s2HsSW7TATXiPErlhqt6OUyvZjV3m0pvkSQN86uatUQ6sLyeE7ZJ0z/s1600/IMG_4618.JPG) |
Easy to make paper pompoms |
On the day of the party I decorated the tables. A friend suggested offering mask painting and although I had no idea whether people would participate, it ended up being a great success. Thanks for the idea, Linda, and all those great art supplies! I also put out paper flowers and butterflies for Frida-style headbands.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotruV5i7eWVUzY4ncYnVoarKvkxKZswVvjTZsXjeiajH1xRrCejWatq1E6j14cjL9Ob4KNx2PiiFfLpkl7BbD7OKb3l8OMtmtNDF6DGOXjR4S3PRbyun3ejMjnvHb8O0Y-IsH764kir7L/s1600/IMG_4741.JPG) |
Mask painting and floral headband art supplies |
Everyone seemed to really get into the mask painting and a few made floral headpieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83HIs2gS21FVghh9ojuQqDVh7B2Mwilm7djyLf0YwJYZMGin3KH4eFnFvhYdAIKrehbQerno2wjFzTJQu1XCqFO3WCeqhpWwMTq6K-YK-IsACmfZZ1GsGwww9LnMpmcAw9PlOaWHXGjDu/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg) |
Lots of crafty activity |
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Mask painting fun |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv9YFIeckdtBv1Ode_jHeso78aMYk0bjCAgqUYpopGL4WTHViQ7H6hBSZ_F7GU6t-agY8YwHZTZyj1UD4f30h1T-ZQOdR8URu_0viTWd6gnSkFhQ7LKow3VVU26fxhPIL6LYtGBrnXP9T/s1600/IMG_4759.jpg) |
Find rhinestone and glittery stickers at the Dollar Store and Michaels |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLR6QfySlYbiKpny8ZlHQMJNjMMbOKVhAq-4lfTDqdOI426XzI1JCIQaIKQ04clILqtwa_e3cx6NSoUCodJXCiONjTtZ_ktBG4g7qbdpLIWNxaJetYOfnFHdJZzHlArmoqBYIp73hvC6C/s1600/IMG_4763.jpg) |
The outdoor contingent |
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Fabulous headband creation |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSG2WwggherKF5TzyomMReV5Hiz3_1pA9qO3Kv-aEjmdLrLFAjF-E2Exy7fgofLf5INy9GfM5RytKfSH_-HUL9W8B8B2MJ0OSpW-P13zkY7oq_vrbJySX3y9K56zP5EBUdai6TtNXfaVP/s1600/aimee.jpg) |
Another beautiful Frida-inspired headband |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoRm0GeIbgla4LbWQrVkqTp4SOIhWMJXTb2pGQRr2O_Qm356jjt7r_wul-oglFdCTKgRnkEBrBxZBU9qWQ20xN6of_ZTHAhNtDNJsq6BwNMVioIaQ0EQgt8rqo5j34OEN-MfOJ5ccZBmw/s1600/mosaic455ba9ec07eb9772b74044604aa0c28cd0856eac.jpg) |
Loved their creative energy |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjty5i6mKb7NeEjr4_TE0qb3OW4mGkpEs5-RqEJhvp5nVDg1ZjM2ykDwovhdHN1jrBVMZt51J3ShZ9U8g9vioD4fe2Qe_1n6dw00yOpyHyfW_KTQEOKJ75DGfof5NJH4NC7fyFatyTqqvWc/s1600/IMG_4754.jpg) |
Carl and I |
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