Dia de los Muertos Catrina

 

Even before we moved to the Southwest, I loved Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a celebration that originated with the Aztecs, and then when the Spanish colonized Mexico, was incorporated into the Catholicism they brought. Having grown up Catholic, we had three days of celebrations, starting with Halloween, then All Saints Day, then All Souls Day, which is when Dia de los Muertos takes place. It's always resonated with me because my own culture honors ancestors and that's what this celebration is all about. 

Year-round, you'll see Catrinas abound, and incorporated into public art, and you can read more about them here. For years, I've incorporated the holiday into my decor. 

Supplies:

• Skull (Dollar Tree)
• Multi-surface Acrylic Paint (Waverly)
• Tissue Paper
• Acrylic Paint Pens
• Acrylic Flowers

The skulls they have at Dollar Tree every year. I used my go to Waverly no-prep acrylic paint in white to cover. 

I punched a couple of flowers from scrap tissue paper to create the eyes. 

Then I grabbed my acrylic paint pens and just winged it with the design. 

Decorate to your heart's content! 

Catrinas are often decorated with a crown of flowers so I made some tissue paper flowers with tissue that coordinated with the colors I used. These were probably a little too big, but go big or go home, right? 

I attached these with hot glue. I could have stopped here but what fun is that?!

I guess my "signature" is rhinestones and I often say "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling" so, added them as shown. 

The inspiration for the colors I chose. Last year, when we were at Disneyland, (both parks honor Dia de los Muertos) I found this "Coco" sipper at California Adventure and made a beeline to the kiosk that had them! I knew it would get incorporated into my decor. 

And here's my Catrina on display on my island! 

While I'm not of Mexican ancestry, I love having a day where I can honor those I've lost, including those I never knew, who lived lives much harder than mine, so that I could be here. 

Sharing At:

Creatively Crafty Linky Party #271

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, Creative Peeps! October is just rolling along...more like steamrolling, right? I was in Michaels the other day, talking to myself as I sometimes do, and one of the guys was putting up Christmas trees and heard me and said, "Talking yourself out of buying more stuff?" To which I replied, "I plead the 5th," and we shared a laugh. 

Have you seen some of the Christmas stuff they're getting in? I CANNOT add another tree! We have FOUR. But the temptation, especially with some very pretty jewel tone and jeweled ornaments, and some gingerbread themed goodies...TEMPTATION! 

I got the paint and eye pins I went in for, along with some Fall florals at 60% off for when I switch out my table centerpiece. 

This week I shared:

My Haunted House 

Shakespeare Inspired Halloween Decor 

Lots of inspiring ideas shared at last week's party so let's take a look at some of them! 

From Bay to Beach shared a great way to combine current Halloween trends with a natural, beach, Coastal Halloween Decor. 

The Apple Street Cottage shared this fun Doily Ghost. Visit to see it lit up!

Creatively Beth shared these adorable Halloween Wooden Spoons with easy supplies from Dollar Tree. Fun to make with little ones. 

Finally, these wonderfully creepy cupcakes with Homemade Halloween Eyeballs are perfect for the season. From Ann's Entitled Life. 

Thanks to everyone who shared last week, and can't wait to see what you have in store this week. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Halloween: Black and Copper Ode to Shakespeare

 "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio. 

A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy."

--Hamlet, William Shakespeare

I'm a bit of a Shakespeare nerd. Not sure if this scene from Hamlet inspired this idea, or it immediately came to mind once I finished it. 

Since we live in the Copper State, it felt fitting to add some copper to my Halloween decor!

Supplies:

• Skull and Hand (Dollar Tree)
• Multi-surface acrylic paint in black and copper or colors of choice
• Dimensional Glue (Judi Kins)
• Seed bead mixture
• Glitter

No doubt, you're familiar with the skulls they have at Dollar Tree every year. I forgot to take a pic of it before I painted it. Used a sponge spouncer (DT) to cover with Craft Smart multi-surface acrylic paint in black. 

I used this Martha Stewart multi-surface paint in Rust, which is a deep reddish copper.

I also used this to highlight the cracks in the skull, and to highlight the teeth. 

I used a fine-tipped brush for the cracks and to outline the mouth and nose, and dry-brushed some of the paint onto the teeth. 

I used some Diamond Glaze by Judi Kins, a dimensional glue, to hold a mix of seed beads and coordinating glitter in the eye sockets. Pool a little glue, sprinkle bead/glitter mix, and then add a little more glue. It dries quick and clear. 

To finish, I outlined the eye sockets with these Creatology Gems from Michaels which I treat like your favorite seasoning and add to darn near everything lol! Used the same glue to attach, and used up some leftover dark gray rhinestones for the center and sides of the head. 

Originally, I planned to glue the skull into the hand, but it actually cradles perfectly in the hand. Like they were made for each other! 

Creepin' it real! 

Sharing At:

Creatively Crafty Linky Party #270

Halloween: 2025 Haunted House Tour

 

Welcome to my Haunted House! Here is how I used several of the projects I shared along with others from years past. Things bolded and w/hyperlinks are things I made this year! 

Entry table with projects from years past.

Spooky Sitting Room

Witch Cottage, Resin Stand, Tombstones, and Witch Furniture, 2025

Dia de los Muertos Sipper from Disneyland last year, Dollar Tree Skelly Coffin Boxes, Tiered Tray made from chargers and candlestick, and Skulls

I didn't do a post on this, but made this skull from a DT plastic skull and tissue paper. Used acrylic pens and rhinestones to decorate.

Dollar Tree Doll Houses to Glam Haunted Mansion. I painted and decorated a DT crate for the "foundation and made the stairs from DT wood blocks. 

Pottery Barn cloche on my bedroom dresser that I change out seasonally, filled with a set of DT figures I painted to coordinate, and embellished. Five Below Mirror Ghosts. 

DT "Sugared" Skull

Haunted Shelves 

Side Table with Glam Pumpkin Bucket and DT lights. DT Skelly, Rustoleum Chrome.

I added a tulle tutu and witch hat. 

Da Tree. Made the skirt three years ago with fabric panels, fleece, and rhinestones.

DT picks, ornaments, skulls, treat holders, ribbon

I debated about doing the viral Pottery Barn twine wrap on the Witch Boots, but decided the purple went so well as is. 

Couldn't resist the "Pinkoween" trend so devoted this little painted tiered table to that with spray painted and acrylic painted skulls. The crowns are some beads I had in my stash. DT sign.

Pinkoween Skeleton Plaque

Jack Skellington Glass Block Makeover with Mini Top Hat I've had for years!

I didn't do a post on this centerpiece for our table. Pool Noodle base, metal candlesticks, mesh pumpkins, all Dollar Treek with DT, Michaels, and Walmart florals. 

We may not entertain like we used to and we live where we don't get Trick or Treaters. People have asked why I bother. Because it brings me joy! Something we should all seek. 

Thanks for coming to my Haunted House!