Day of the Dead Treat or Lantern Bags

dayofthedead_paper_lantern_final

Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is a holiday for remembering and honoring those who have passed. It is a festive, joyous time of celebration. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. The Day of the Dead is officially November 2 but festivities for the holiday span from Oct 31 to Nov 2. During this time it is believed that those who have passed return to their earthly homes to visit and rejoice with their loved ones.

In honor of those deceased, why not make them a beautiful paper lantern and light it for them? Or fill the bag with their favorite sweets and leave it with marigold flowers at their grave? Here’s how we made it:

Things you will need: A white paper lunch bag, a candle, Sharpie Stained brush tip fabric markers, and the Stencil1 Sugar Skull stencil.

DSC05512

Place the Sugar Skull Stencil on top of the bag. Using any Sharpie Stained brush tip fabric marker, start coloring in the Sugar Skull using the stencil as a guide.

DSC05506

Even though The Sharpie Stained brush tip fabric marker is specifically for fabric, it works just as well for paper! The tapered brush tip makes it easy to fill in any space and create thin or thick strokes.

DSC05509

You can choose to leave it as a treat bag, or add a candle inside and make it into a lantern.

DSC05503

Share your Day of the Dead creations with us @Stencil1!

Share this post