Sunday, October 29, 2017

Día de Muertos


Today I'm sharing a tag with Valerie, the host this fortnight for Tag Tuesday.  Her theme is Autumn/Halloween and since Día de Muertos falls in autumn, I thought I would share this.  I'm also linking to Try it on Tuesday whose theme this fortnight is Circles (I'm hoping those dots are circles) and Moo-Mania and More whose theme is Halloween.

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration, and not something to be feared, at least according to Mexican belief.   It has become one of the biggest holidays in Mexico, and celebrations are becoming more common in areas of the United States with a large Hispanic population.

They love to create alters with a dead relative prominently featured on that alter.

They leave gifts, food,  

trinkets,

and light candles.

The alters can be elaborate or plain (although the more elaborate the better), 

but a picture of the ancestor is usually shown center stage.   In lieu of that, a skull is often used.  These elaborate altars are created to welcome departed spirits home.

Several of you saw my friend Darla offered to send skull napkins that I could use in my art.  I carefully tore the top layer of one of the images and used some German Scrap gifted me by my friend Cindy for the frame.   I've hoarded this so long, Cindy probably doesn't remember she sent it to me.   I used glue stick to start the napkin, then realized I was getting it crooked on the yellow heavy cardstock I had chosen for the background.  That was an unfortunate decision, because as I attempted to straighten the napkin, I wrinkled it more than I hoped.

Originally, I planned to use the Spanish text taken from a Spanish/English Dictionary as the shelf.  However, I had enough German Scrap left over to make a realistic shelf on which to place two candles and a gift I made from heavy scrapbook paper.

I sewed the flames of the candles using variegated thread, and sewed the assembly to the handmade corrugated cardboard tag I painted using some of the colors of the napkin.

Please join me today at Tag Tuesday, Moo-Mania and More, and Try it on Tuesday.  And thanks for visiting me, too!

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag. Love the napkin you used, and the use of corrugated card and sewing. Thanks so much for joining us at Tag Tuesday and TIOT, much appreciated. Have a nice Sunday, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

This is absolutely adorable - I love how detailed you worked here... the frame and the sewing and this lovely candles with even light on them...the fitting text - terrific!

A wonderful tag linked to the challenges!
Thank you very much for joining the Try It On Tuesday and Moo Mania & More challenge.
You rock the challenges today!!!

Happy Sunday Miss Elizabeth! Here is a big storm-- many people without power already here in my area... not nice.

oxo Susi

Lula said...

Wonderful take on out theme Elizabeth! Love the way you have used the napkin! Thanks bunches for joining us in the fun at TioT this time. Hugs!

CJ Kennedy said...

That napkin is awesome. You assemblage is a beautiful homage to those who have crossed to the other side.

My name is Erika. said...

This is cool! I think adding those little candles really finished it off. :) I would never have thought of that. It would be fun to go Mexico and actually see these celebrations. We don't have enough Mexican Americans here to really see it but my friend in New Mexico says it's huge in Taos. Maybe when I retire I can go and see it. That is, if I have enough money to go and see it.:) happy rest of your weekend. hugs-Erika

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Love the napkin and the way you used it. The Day of the Dead Celebration is very similar to 'All Hallows Day' though I'm sure although people know Halloween they don't realise the relevance of the following day. Have a great weekend, Angela xXx

Meggymay said...

It is a fabulous tag for the themes. It is great for TioT's, a dotty background and big circle eyes, fantastic.
The candles looked good and the crinkles that appeared when you stuck down the napkin give super texture effects.
Yvonne xx

Jeanie said...

I really do love this, Elizabeth. The colors are wonderful and I love the symbolism. Beautiful texture here. Don't you just love working with napkins?

peggy gatto said...

So clever, love the details!!

nanskidrewski said...

Love the color and detail in the tag.

Divers and Sundry said...

I like all the detail and how the tag actually looks like an altar. Getting in the spirit :)

Let's Art Journal said...

Wonderful tag! The napkin skull looks amazing and I like how you depicted the alter and candles just like the celebration 😁. It was fun to learn about this holiday too, thanks! Hope you had a lovely weekend and wishing you a happy new week! J 😁

Michele said...

this is marvelously made with so many gorgeous details. well done! xo

Rosie said...

A fabulous piece, Elisabeth

Thank you for joining us at TRY IT ON TUESDAY

Rosie said...

And I say also thank you for sharing it at MOO MANIA & MORE

Marfi-topia said...

wonderful work on this. I really like what you created here!!
love the layers.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! and Wow!again! This looks fabulous-I love the information too! So pleased you joined us at Try It On Tuesday! I can see I need a big catch up here!Hugs,Chrisx

Linda Kunsman said...

awesome tag art!!! This image totally jumped out at me and I love it. Great info on this celebration and a beautifully composed piece of art.

UplayOnline said...

the frame and the sewing and this lovely candles with even light on them...the fitting text - terrific!


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Julmacray said...

Those are really cool. Great job. :)