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Day of the Dead (or All Saints Day)

Day of the Dead ~ Día de los Muertos
                   Always in Love   by Robin Horasanian  Collage # 3135 & Sabor
Day of the Dead has been celebrated in Mexico on November 1 & 2 for as long as can be remembered.  We as artists enjoy the holiday as an opportunity to create colorful and happy art.  Even though the name might imply sadness, it is a happy celebration.  
Read all the way down to see truly fun projects done by our team and to learn a bit more about the Holiday.
Ingrid Vient - Flowers of the Dead Stencil & Sabor
                          Let's PARTY  by June Macfarlane  Collage #3136 & Stencil
                           Having a Fiesta by Lyneen Jesse  Collage #3136 & Sabor 
Ingrid Vient's Enamorado Shrine Sabor Papers

Deck of the Dead by Jean Moore Sabor papers & Collage 3146
It's believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of deceased children (Angelitos) are allowed to reunite with families. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.In most villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made in each home, from simple to outrageously ornate. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers, fruit, nuts, stacks of tortillas and Day-of-the-Dead breads ~ pan de muerto.
Items that the deceased individual liked are placed on the alar, such as certain candy bar or a special cookie, beer or champagne, personal belongings, and photos.  Ofrenda altar building keeps the family close.  The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the Angelitos. 
On Nov. 2, cigarettes and liquor may be left on the altar. Folk art skeletons and sugar skulls provide final touches.   This can be an expensive holiday for rural families. Some may spend two month's income to honor their relatives. They believe happy spirits will provide protection, good luck & wisdom for families.

On the afternoon of November 2, the festivities might be taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village band and reminisce about their loved ones. Tradition keeps the village close.


Day of the Dead has become a bit popular in the U.S. ~ perhaps because we don't have a way to celebrate our dead families and friends, or maybe it's because of the color and pagentry
All Souls and Saints Day ~ November 1 and 2nd

Special church services and perhaps cleaning of the cemetery tombs are part of the traditional activities around the world.   The indigenous peoples of Latin America have combined the Catholic holiday called All Soul's & All Saint’s Day, with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones.
Our Authentic Holy or Prayer cards are so rich in mixed media possibilities.

Thanks for joining us today as we wish all your living and deceased family and friends a day of kind reminiscing.  

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