I always seem to miss getting pictures of one project at the actual party.  At the Dia de los Muertos party, it was these napkin rings:

I like paper plates.  I use them at parties.  Nothing against them--really!  But sometimes I want something a little more special than paper plates, yet I don't want to break out (and risk breaking) the fine china.  In these circumstances, my favorite solution is a simple glass plate from the dollar store.

I've been furiously at work these past couple weeks, and haven't been posting consistantly.  Photo shoots and writing articles for Festivities and Bird's Party magazines, plus my daughter's 9th birthday party this weekend.  Ack!  I think I'm going to sleep for a week after November 1st.  

I'll be back to a more normal schedule on Monday, so until then, I'll try to pop in with the occasional teaser.  Like this.

Candles were everywhere at our Day of the Dead celebreation created for Festivities Magazine.  Some I bought from a local Mexican market with traditional Dia de los Muertes figures painted on the glass, but most I made.  The easiest by far were the paper filigree work wrappers I made for glass candle holders.

Planning a party with fiesta flair for Cinco de Mayo or Dia de los Muertes?  These miniature tissue paper flowers look like the classic Mexican folk art tissue paper flowers and make the perfect party embellishments.

At the Day of the Dead party for Festivities Magazine, I knew I wanted lots of paper crafts in general, and papel picado (perforated paper) decorations in particular.  Mexican folk arts are famous for spectacular and creative uses of paper, and I've always been a sucker for paper arts.  

This guacamole with sweet corn is chunky and simple and amazingly delicious.  Don't wait for Cinco de Mayo to make this amazing dip!

When Halloween passes, don't pack up those skeletons quite yet, because November 1st starts the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, Dia de los Muertos.  

Use scraps of silk and lace leftover from making a wedding veil to make an amazing keepsake ornament.

When I started planning the Day of the Dead party for the fall issue of Festivities magazine, I started searching for some good Mexican recipes.  Living in the Phoenix area, we have many Mexican dining options--from fine restaurants to taco trucks and everything in between.  I haven't had much need to learn about cooking this cuisine with so many options so close at hand.  But there's something special about making food from scratch, and whenever possible, I try to make all the food for my parties.