SKELETON ART FROM AN OLD CD

This is an easy and inexpensive art project for your kids for Day of the Dead.


Supplies:
-- An unwanted CD
-- Black acrylic paint
-- Sponge paint brush
-- Wooden coffee stirrer


Apply 2 thick layers of acrylic paint on the recording side of the CD, letting paint dry thoroughly between coats.



Once all paint is dry, hold the coffee stirrer and begin to scratch off the paint in the depiction of a skull that you like. The reflective side will show through and catch the light in interesting ways.

Cross-Post: Making Paper Marigolds (Zempasuchil)

Mah friend, Supa Fresh Widow has a great video post on making marigolds out of crepe paper streamers - in Day of the Dead vocabulary, these are called "Zempasuchil." Take a look:



Click HERE for the full post.

Love,

KIDS CRAFT - SKELETON FLAG for your OFRENDA

Supplies:
-- Black felt rectangle
-- Thin dowel
-- Scissors
-- Glue that dries clear
-- White cardstock
-- Permanent marker - black
-- White Q-Tips
-- Clothespins

Gather all your supplies and wiggly ones.


Draw a skull - make it a happy one, or at least that is my suggestion. Cut it out and lay aside.

Lay out your black felt rectangle.

Plan out your skeleton. Lay out your Q-Tips to plan where they should go. Cut 6 Q-Tips in half for fingers and feet. Place your skull where you will want it.


Begin glueing your Q-Tip pieces down, being careful to add a little more glue on the "tips" of each Q-Tip.

Glue your skull down.

Let everything thoroughly dry.

When thoroughly dry, turn over your flag and take your dowel. Place dowel at top of flag, rolling the felt edge over your dowel. Glue it in place with a light, even application of glue. Use clothespins to hold the felt to the dowel until thoroughly dry.

Hang your flag on your alter or in your room... here is our finished flag!

Love,


P.S.
If you want to have different colors, go for it! Purple and white, red and white, green and white... make this fit your child's love of color!

LINKY UP!

If you plan to join us for Dia de los Muertos, link up by clicking HERE...

BooYah

A NEW Childrens Book for Dia de los Muertos...

Rosita Y Conchita
This independently published large hardcover book is a compelling story of twin sisters separated by death who are working to make a connection on November 2nd - Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead.)

The story unfolds in bright illustrations and in both English and Spanish verses, side-by-side. It begins with the affirmation that the departed want to make a connection with the living.


Then we join Conchita in Pueblo City as she prepares an alter for her departed twin Rosita. The story evolves through various efforts each twin makes to be with one another, ending with a heart-warming resolution and understanding of how the two can and do find each other.

This book is delightful for adults and children, and if one is attempting to work on language acquisition this book is an excellent experience of both languages.

The last portion of the book has a description of the holiday, directions on making sugar skulls and a primer on how to draw Rosita.

I highly recommend this book for your family, it is lively and refreshing. Both girls take active part in their process of bridging the gap between worlds, and I think it leaves the reader, whether child or adult, with a sense of empowerment. The wisdom of these ancient traditions ebbs forth from the story. The tale teaches those of us on this side of the veil that when we are in our grief of separation, our pain can be warmed and eased by acts of engaging with the departed.

Rosita Y Conchita. Created, illustrated and Spanish written by Eric Gonzalez, English written by Erich Haeger. Copyright 2010 by Muertoons Publishing.

Available at www.muertoons.com.


love,

still life 365: a post on Dia de los Muertos...

"I created this Dia de los Muertos altar, or ofrenda, for my daughter Lucia Paz"... "This was an incredible project for me. Opposed to feeling sad, it made me feel joyful to think of brightly colored things for my daughter's space.-Angie"


still life 365: Mid-Month Challenge: Rituals:

Join Us For an Online Celebration of Día de los Muertos!

image from shopsacred.com

My friends who have had significant losses in their lives are all going to participate in a "Day of the Dead 2010" celebration.

To read more, see fellow blogger and fellow widow: FRESH WIDOW.

I designed a button if you decide to participate and have a blog - I am awaiting approval, but here is my draft:


We will all be posting regarding our thoughts, reflections, ideas and experiences - next for me is a book review of Rosita Y Conchita...

Consider joining us for this online community experience!

Love,