“Happy Day of the Dead”!

Today, I am bringing to you a Mexican holiday celebrated mainly throughout Mexico, Central America and some parts of the world.

In Mexico, “death” is something to be celebrated.

This holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration takes place on November 1, [in connection with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day] and on November 2 [All Souls Day], which is today!

Besides visiting cemeteries and churches, the tradition includes building private altars honoring the deceased. These colorful and beautiful altars are built at home, at schools, at churches…everywhere you can and decorated using photos and memorabilia of your departed, sugar skulls, flowers, in particular Marigolds, candles and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.

You can look amazing photos altars here: Google Altars

  (click on photo to enlarge)

You can reproduce this card or create your own for yourself or perhaps offer it to a Mexican friend to be put in his/her family altar…I am sure that the person receiving it will be gratefully surprised of your gesture and knowledge of the festivity…!

This card is called a “Tent” card, I did another one here: 3D Card…as you can see this shape card is great to display die cuts and can be used for any occasion…

Skeleton dolls and sugar skulls are made to enjoy on this day and they are a big part of the event, so the Dancing Skeleton is perfect for this holiday!

NOTE: I use the hat for the skeleton from the Gentleman Leaping die.

Enjoy and “Feliz Dia de los Muertos!”

Instructions:

1- Die cut the front of your card with the die “Grand Gothic Window” to make the window

2- For the inside: use the left over from the “window/aperture” for the inside of your card…see the “side” picture. Stamp the “Distressed Tag” on it and write your message.

3- Die Cut all your pieces

4- Assemble the card, then add embellishments   

Side View: 

    

TIP: Use a piece of acetate to glue the skeleton see below:

For my altar, I cover in newspaper a “Papier Maché” skull from the craft store and I decorated with some butterflies, flowers and some bling. The card and the skull will be a great addition to my altar!

(click on photo to enlarge)

For the skull I use these two butterflies:

The Vivienne Butterfly and The Darla Butterfly

 

PS: We love to have your feedback/questions. I will be responding to them (if any) at the end of the day, just click below on “comments” and post them.

Supplies:

*Memory Box DANCING SKELETON Craft DIE 98374	*Memory Box DELICATE VINE Craft DIE 98120	*Memory Box GRAND GOTHIC WINDOW POPPY STAMPS Craft DIE 845
*Memory Box DISTRESSED TAG Craft DIE 98244	*Memory Box GENTLEMAN LEAPING Craft DIE 98395	*Memory Box MOONLIGHT BUTTERFLY Craft DIE 98260
*Memory Box KALEIDOSCOPE BUTTERFLY Craft DIE 98261

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Comments

[Maureen Morton]

Wow, Bibiana! Another wonderful and unique creation - and, you helped to educate me, too. I never quite understood this. Love your skeleton - he has so much personality.

Dave, please turn off the security requirement to type in the mystery words - it make commenting too difficult.

[Linda Broom]

Love it, Bibiana! I get to see beautiful art and get smart at the same time. What an interesting tradition. And your alter is beautiful.

[bibiana martinez-ziegler]

Hello Dear friends:
this is Bibiana, I am so glad that you got to know a little bit more about this festivity...
thanks for your nice comments! until next time