American Girl Josefina Montoya Celebrates Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)

Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. As a New Mexican girl growing up in 1824, Josefina would honor her mother's memory by celebrating El Día de los Muertos.

Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying is common.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).  In most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1 mainly as Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels") and November 2 as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

I have created a costume for Josefina Montoya for this celebration

CSBSEWS American Girl Doll Clothes - Josefina's Costume

Visit the Store (CSBSEWS Doll Clothes) for more pictures and information about Josefina's costume.   Thanks for stopping by.  (Update:  This item sold, but check for newer items).

Passion for Creating

I have met so many wonderful creative people since I becamed involved in E-commerce. Running an on-line business requires a commitment to many areas, including forums.

One of my favorite forums is The Selling Lounge. I have received help, support and inspiration from the members I have met there. A short discussion I had with two of the members focused my thoughts on the difference between folks who are "making things to sell" and those who "have a passion to create".

Mary Russel (Novels by Mary Russel) writes wonderful children books and had commented on the "voices in her head" and noted that she had to get the ideas down on paper to calm the voices. Diana creates natural homemade soaps, perfumes and other organic items (Organic Gifts by Diana). and she added that when she had an idea for an item she couldn't sleep until she tried it out.

I am very thankful to them, because this is the way I feel when I design and sew my doll clothes. When I get an idea for an ensemble for American Girl, I have to go with that idea. I argue with myself about the viability of the design: that the outfit is not teen "fashion forward"; because of the materials I want to use it will be "too expensive"; no one will want that style. But,in order to still the voices and get some sleep, I have to continue with that creation.

After the short discussion with Diana and Mary I realized that anyone who has a passion for creating anything will be compelled to follow that passion where it takes them. Hopefully following that passion leads to commerical success, but as I and I'm sure Mary and Diana can attest, that is secondary to the absolute need to create.

And where has my passion led me lately?? I am inspired by the approaching holidays. Fall air is sneaking in every so often and that is influencing my design decisions.

Here are few pictures of items created in my "fall and holiday" mood:



 Holiday Silk Dupioni Dress for American Girl Doll Felicity

Halloween Fairy Costume for American Girl Dolls

Victorian Tea Dress and Bonnet for American Girl Doll Samantha
Autumn in New York for American Girl Doll Rebecca



Sparkling Halloween Witch for American Girl Dolls



Back to School for American Girl Doll (Includes Boots)

Visit CSBSEWS American Girl Doll Clothes to see all my designs.