Dia De Los Muertos Crafts

Broaden your October craft color palette with Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) hot pink and lime-green skulls, flowers and flags. Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated just after Halloween. Families gather to remember those who have died, but not to remember the grief. It’s thought of as a celebration (and many adult souls get gifts of tequila left on their graves). Traditional crafts include sugar skulls, paper marigolds and altars. Break out of classic North American-themed crafts and take some tips from our neighbors to the South!

Nom Nom

Learn to make traditional sugar skulls that are colorful, sweet (to the lick) and pretty awesome. You’ll need sugar, meringue powder, water and the skull mold. Later on you will dye and paint your little skull creations.
Learn all the how-tos at mexicansugarskull.com.

Crocheted Skeleton

You can also find instructions to crochet a Day of the Dead skeleton on CraftFoxes. This amigurumi pattern originally appeared in "Creepy Crochets," but our how-to has everything you need to add a little creepiness to your desk.

Crafty Chica

Shrine On

"Cute" may not be the first adjective associated with a holiday known for celebrating the dead, yet “Crafty Chica” author and artist Kathy Cano-Murillo has a list of 100 Day of the Dead crafts, many of which are very cute. Kathy makes lots of glittery and colorful Mexican-inspired pieces. Many of her tutorials are explained in video tutorials.
Follow along with her demos at Craftychica.blogspot.com.

Charmed to Meet You

Grab the kids for this calavera (skull) charm craft. You need some white air-drying clay, pens and jewelry findings so you (or the kids) can sport them all month long.
Check out the directions at Buzzville.com.

Angelic Dough

Trade in your paints, clay and sugar for flour, butter and, well, sugar for a recipe for the traditional bread of the "Day of the Dead." Keep in mind that you'll have to get creative with the dough as Pan de Muertos is often shaped like angels or bones. Anyone living in Miami can also buy some beautiful Pan de Muertos at La Migaja Mexican Bakery (pictured).
See the full recipe at mexiconnect.com.

Let Your Freak Flag Fly

Colorful paper skull flags (much like the traditional papel piacados) are made by executing intricate tissue paper cutouts. Luckily, we've got a simple version and you can print the free template from The Toymaker, then cut and string it all together. Ta-da! It’s a skull-tacular banner in all the colors of the rainbow.
Visit Twig and Toadstool for the whole how to. 

Skull Apron

Whether hosting a Dia De Los Muertos party or just looking to cook in style, this handmade apron is a great addition to your kitchen collection. Grab some acrylic paint, fabric, canvas, and needle and thread (or sewing machine) and get crackin'.
For all the details visit AZCentral.com.