Dia de los Muertos :: The Pinata

Here are a few more photos from our Day of the Dead celebration.  This pinata was the third I’ve made and I think it was the best of the three.  I used the cooked wheat paste recipe from Amanda Blake Soule’s Handmade Home, and it was really nice to work with.  It was far stronger than the uncooked wheat paste I usually use, and much smoother.

I originally made the pinata seven layers thick, but it felt a bit weak.  Remembering that the last party’s pinata got busted much too quickly, I added one more layer of paper and it was instantly rock hard!  I was a bit concerned that it would be one of those pinatas that eventually takes a grown-up to crack, but the kids did a great job.  The grown-ups were making wisecracks about the pinata being made of cement, but it lasted through three rounds of kids, each turn consisting of three whacks.  I think it worked out just right, and will certainly make it that thick again next year.

It was filled with small trinkets and organic lollipops.  The kids had a grand time breaking it open, and a fun time enjoying their booty!

A very special thank you to Nathan and Camille Pyatte, our talented photographers.  You can find their work at pyattestudios.com.