lotsa lotta calacas

I suppose recognizing you have a problem is the first step, but I just really really need more of these little skeletons dudes. I've been having fun scouring the internet for them. I found a lot of them (and all my sugar skull supplies) at
MexicanSugarSkull.com


I've at least tried to keep to some sort of budget, which has precluded some of the really great things I've found. I would really love a large Peruvian retablo (like example above) - but I figure it might be nice to save some money for food at the party.
Great retablos by the Jimenez Family
I would also love a giant arbol de la vida (tree of life). There are some pretty amazing ones out there. If I have time, I might try making a simple one.
The Soteno Trees of Life

Halloween 2008, or rather, Dia de los Muertos 2008

I'm a little late getting started with the planning for this year's big Halloween party. I wasn't sure I was even going to have a party this year - too many things going on. But when a friend pointed out that I should have the party on Nov 1, I realized it could be a Day of the Dead party instead. That was pretty much all the inspiration I needed and for the past couple weeks have been having a great time searching for all things Day of the Dead.

Top picture - Started to pick up misc decorations. Gotta have lots of marigolds and calacas (those cool little skeleton dudes). I'll be building a huge ofrenda (altar), and my philosophy there is more is more.

2nd picture - I dug deep into the depths of my storage shed to find an old puppet theater I built maybe 10 or so years ago. Depending on my time, I want to turn it into a big eleaborate nicho, and fill it with happy calacas. It's actually in better shape than I thought it would be. I didn't remember the curtain. Probably have to take that out.

Last picture - Results of failed craft experiment. I had some of these foam skulls, so I painted two with gesso and started putting patterns on one. I think instead I'm going to cover the skulls with paper mache. I want to fill in the eye and nose holes a bit, and make the shape a little more stylized.

So that's the start. I'll post here and there over the next two months as I manage to squeeze in a little craft time.