Dia de los Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead!? Sound like an oxymoron? For some maybe yet in Mexico and  some places in America it is a celebrated holiday.   Dia de los Muertos is full of rich history. Day of the Dead history

There are many who view death as the end of life, ‘the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.’

I wanted to take a combination of the American ‘Memorial Day’ holiday, Thanksgiving, My native American history and Dia de los Muertos and combine the good of this tradition to remember & honor those close to us who have gone on.

This year I created a dream altar of beautiful candles.I took candles I have been saving for the last few years and melted them together on a foil covered piece of particle board. Once all the candles were situated I wrapped the board front with a beautiful scarf of black velvet and draped french scarlet ribbon alongside the separations between the candles. I placed it high on the mantel above our fireplace to be displayed.

Our mantel

I love the folk art that is derived from this celebration. The calacas are fun to collect & display. Samples of art of Dia de los Muertos

My Folk Art by ORTEGA

I made this Dia de los Muertos outfit by request for our newest little LeafandInk family member.

The bloomer/tu tu design I created

For me this is a time to be artistically creative, a celebration of life, celebration of eternal life & a time to be together in love. It is a time of reflection, to remember those who have given us sustenance and those who have blessed us along life’s way.

My altar of familiar items reminding me of loved ones & friends who have passed on.

Always a family feast when together with Grandma Fay~We miss her so

My favorite vase made by Pedro Tecayehuatl. I treasure this! See more of his creations here http://tecayehuatl.com.mx/

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html#ixzz149AVa7sx