Tagging Through Autumn

Greetings!  Autumn doesn't only bring beautiful colors and cool temperatures, but memorable holidays as well.  El Día de los Muertos, Episcopal School's Day, and All Hallows' Eve are the three that inspired me during the past week.

Vivir Sonriendo para Morir Contentos
Mixed Media Collage
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - October
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Use a Rubber Stamp
ABC Wednesday - M is for "Muertos"
Inspiration Avenue - Faces
Try It On Tuesday - Textures
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week #93
Word Art Wednesday

El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is actually a two day celebration in which people throughout Mexico remember loved ones whom have passed away.  November the first is dedicated to children, while November the second is dedicated to adults.  Memorial services are held by most Christian denominations and cemeteries are filled with flowers.  In addition, some families who preserve ancient traditions, may put up shrines in their homes in honor of the deceased which include Crucifix, sugar skulls, and marigolds.  I found an inspirational saying related to the celebration, which I added to my tag - "We must live life smiling to die happy."

Sugar Cookies
Lettering & Doodles
Craftitude Challenge #50 - Things with the Letter S
52 Photos Project: Gallery 25 {starts with a C}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #59
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #63
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Ever since I was a Head of School, we have celebrated Episcopal School's Day at my church with a special service.  All the students, rather they are members or not, are invited to participate as ushers, acolytes, and lay readers.  It is truly a blessed event to have children and families from various faiths gathered together to praise the Lord.  This year, our wise youth group leader decided to have a bake sale after church to help raise money for all their various activities.  (Most of the youth group are also alumni, so I believe it was very appropriate.)  My daughter made some delicious sugar cookies.  In order to make them more marketable, I helped her display them in a basket and made a quick tag for it.  They sold out!

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Watercolor, Calligraphy, & Paper Collage
Tag Tuesday - Tattered and Torn
Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 31/Year 3
Artists In Blogland: Scavenger Hunt {Doors and Windows}
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Take a Word - Creepy
Collage Obsession - Patterns

The tag above was inspired by the classic narrative poem, "The Raven," which was published in January of 1845, by American author, poet, editor and literary critic, Edgar Allan Poe.  The poem is about a conversation between a man who is tattered and torn after the premature death of his love, Lenore, and a raven whose eerie response is always "nevermore."  Poe's masterful writing truly captured the melancholy and feeling of loneliness that may come after the passing of a loved one to most people.  Although this poem is set in a bleak December night, it is often read during Halloween due to it's eeriness.  However, Halloween, a contraction of All Hallows' Eve, is truly a time to prepare for the remembrance of the saints.

May your autumn days be filled with blessings!