(Please click for larger pictures)
Yesterday I set up our Day of the Dead shrine. Last year it fit on our printer table; this year it's about eight feet tall. Wow. And we all love it. Madly and passionately love it.
My regular readers should recognize a lot of the projects included. It's such a special time for our family to reminisce about loved ones, tell their stories, laugh together.
I wanted to make a shrine for Grandma Maki and my Auntie Myrtle but wasn't able to. Hopefully they'll be added by next year.
Left Side (Note the traditional Tequila... it's missing a snort or two *grin*)
Center:
Right Side:
One of my favorite parts of this shrine is the flower garland I hung around it.
They are all made with water bottles. My DH hosts a large meeting each month and I asked him to bring home all the used water bottles. I bet he didn't expect me to make this. LOL.
In case you haven't seen these before, they were popularized by Anthropologie and everyone was making them back at the start of 2010. Mine got all the way through painting and then hid in the basement for six months.
Here's how you do it:
1. Wash
2. Cut in Half
3. Dry Thoroughly
4. Cut Petals using scissors
You do this by cutting out a piece like this
5. Bend the petals down. Some won't stay down, don't worry.
Side View
6. Do this to all your tops and bottoms
7. Spray Paint. I like mixing colors but I also prefer my projects to be very imperfect.
Assemble. I hot-glued a top into a bottom piece and then used a bottle cap for the centers. You can then further embellish them with Sharpies and paint pens if you like.
All that was left from a huge box of "trash" was this:
Not bad!
Most of the items in my ofrenda were made using Bombshell Stamps and supplies by Gauche Alchemy. My inspiration came from the lovely Crafty Chica.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
14 comments:
Your shrine is really cool! I am just learning about this tradition with a lot of residents here decendents of or they have come from Mexico.
I have learned sooooo much from you Nicole!!! Now I see how it all comes together and is totally gorgeous!!! I love the plastic bottle flowers!!!! Those are so flippin saaaweet!
I love sharing Dia de los Muertos with my students and your offrenda is beautiful! I love, love, LOVE the plastic waterbottle flowers! I am definitely going to try this.
WOWzers! This is AMAZING! I was just thinking about your shrine from last year that appeared in the mags :) I was hoping you'd resurrect it this year! And resurrect you have! You've made it bigger AND better!
Awesome tutorial too!
Those are cool flowers.the "shrine" is fun too!!
Thanks for visiting. Come back over and enter the giveawy when you get a chance
Beyond awesome!
Dude....seriously love your style. And, how genius are those waterbottle flowers. Lurve it.
Wow! Just... WOW! Nicole. Beautiful, I just love the idea of this tradition and must find out more about it.
Can you imagine how big your shrine will be next year??
wow, this is really amazing!
Submit them in my Handmade Halloween Contest - starts now!
Susan,
http://entertainexchange.blogspot.com/
Party and Entertaining Inspiration
Love it! This is my theme for my Halloween party next year, cause I like my kids parties to be a little more than just entertainment. You have done such a beautiful job!
what a beautiful shrine...i love all the elements. popping in from entertain exchange and very glad i did
Nicole...you do amazing work! My name is Drew Bufalini and I'm putting together an ebook BY chronic pain patients FOR other chronic pain patients about how to find meaning in their lives despite the pain. I was wondering if you would be interested in contributing? If so, please contact me ASAP at drew_bufalini@yahoo.com
What a cool alter! I love how you did the flower garland!
Such a great tutorial...and great idea too! Love your flowers... think I´ll have to try them out myself...
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