Crazy for Calaveras

 I'm so excited, this weekend it the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Rose Marine Theater in Ft. Worth. This is the 3rd year that we participate and sell our art. I love this event so much, I look forward to it all year long. This past week I've been on over drive, working on special projects for this event. I've been making masks, traditional style and some huge bobble head style.

My mom told me about these cute little dancing skeletons. I picked a few up and painted them. I can't wait, only 2 days left to work on more projects.

Tutorial: Tissue Paper Flowers

I'm in the middle of of drying some paper mache masks. As I wait for them to dry I'm working on a stack of tissue paper flowers that I plan on decorating the masks with. Tissue paper flowers are really simple to make.

You'll need:
Tissue paper (1sheet makes 2 small flowers)
Scissors
Wire Cutters
Floral Wire

1. Flow tissue paper in half .

Something big is coming!

I'm working on something BIG *wink wink. I can't wait to share later this week.

Dia De Los Muertos Coloring Sheet

I've been busy prepping for upcoming shows and I haven't had a chance to do much blogging. Dia de los Muertos is coming up, so I decided to share a coloring page for the kiddos (adults too.) Feel free to print and color. Please share your creations with us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/longoriagirls Enjoy!



*This coloring sheet is for personal use only. The image is not to be resold or used on any products that are for resale. Thank you.

Construction Paper Papel Picado

Recently a friend asked me for some ideas for a kids Dia de los Muertos craft project. First thing that came to my head was Papel Picado. I remember learning how to make Papel Picado when I was around 10 years old. My mom took me to a workshop at Texas A&I Kingsville, the guest artist teaching was Carmen Lomas Garza. I've been a huge fan of hers ever since.
Yesterday my oldest son was out of school recovering from a stomach bug. I decided to teach him how to cut Papel Picado banners. This was also a perfect way to test the patterns I drew up for the children's workshop. I simplified the process to make it kid friendly. We used construction paper and scissors instead of the standard tissue paper and x-acto knife. I'm proud to say that my son did an awesome job following directions and cutting out the design. I was afraid that it would be too complicated.

 If you'd like to make your own Papel Picado banners here's what you'll need:
Construction paper (tissue paper if you are more experienced)
Scissors (X-acto knife)
String (ribbon, yarn, twine, or anything else you'd like)
Pattern (print the ones below if you'd like)

Weekend Recap

I've been busy this weekend. I finished up a new series of paintings and sewed up some fresh new plushies. I'm in the mood to make monsters! Take a look at what I've been up to.

Monsterously Cute Monsters

I've decided that I will dedicate this week to working on some new paintings. Once I got started drawing the images I couldn't stop. As I type I have more in my head that I can't wait to get on canvas. I've created a few new characters the past few weeks, including a Chupacabra named Chuy who owns a pet goat. A Yeti, & a Sasquatch who are yet to be named, but they are cousins, this I am sure of. A swamp creature named Swampy. A vampire who is also not yet named, but I can tell you for sure he doesn't sparkle in the sunlight. As I wait for my fabric to come in I thought it would be fun to paint some pictures of them in their natural environment doing the things they love to do. I've also included Cucuy and Wolfie in my new paintings. Here are some pictures of the sketched out canvases waiting for me to paint them. I'm excited to get to painting that I will leave you here to check out the sketches and maybe send some names ideas for Yeti, Sasquatch, and the Vampire.