>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... ♪♪ >> On this episode, we are learning all about Día de los Muertos from my flower friend Sandy Villegas.

She'll explain its significance in her culture, teach me how she makes paper flowers as well as maché figures, and we'll have a celebration of life reflective of Sandy's cultural traditions.

♪♪ ♪♪ I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow, and I am in them, and that is eternity."

On this episode of "Life in Bloom," we're going to learn more about one of my favorite cultural celebrations, Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, from my flower friend, Sandy Villegas.

This celebration honors the dead with lively festivals and is most strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated.

While it's a time of reflection and remembrance, the main focus is to celebrate the lives that our loved ones lived, and flowers, especially marigolds, play a significant role in the festivities.

♪♪ I am so pleased to introduce my flower friend Sandra Villegas, also known as Sandy Luna.

I first met Sandy through social media and her posted pictures of paper flowers that she creates.

They are amazing and I knew immediately I wanted to bring her to the show so I could share her creations.

She also makes maché figures and teaches the techniques to avid fans in the Tucson, Arizona, area.

I have asked Sandy to show us not only how she makes her creations but also to share the cultural traditions around Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead.

You are on social media.

You also have Luna's Paper Designs... >> Correct.

>> ...where you teach people to make these amazing things.

One day you said -- you said, "I'm going to make paper flowers"?

>> It's like a game with my daughter.

She started it all.

She started making paper flowers and she told me one day, "Do you want to make paper flowers?"

I said, "No, I don't like it."

And she says, "Like what?

I bet you cannot make prickly paper flowers.

And I was like, "Oh, really?"

She said, "Yeah."

And I decided to challenge, you know, take that challenge.

Said yeah, I think I could make them.

I said, "Okay."

>> So this is a prickly pear flower.

So not only do you make the flower, but you make the bud.

You make this out of maché.

>> Yeah.

>> And this is something that you create and the little spikes and everything.

And I love this.

Look at that.

>> So... >> It's all the details that you do.

And so she dared you to make these.

>> Yeah.

>> She dared you to make this.

And you said, "Okay, alright, I can do that."

>> I could do that, yeah.

>> So then also, so I have this.

You sent me this.

>> I know it was the first one.

>> It is, I know.

Right?

Right, right, I love it.

It's a red carnation because you know how much you love red carnations.

And then this is a marigold, which we're going to make today.

>> I make big flowers and then that's for the beginners.

>> Okay.

>> And then we have three levels.

And then at the third level you make with a very more realistic and more detailed.

>> And that's these guys.

>> Yeah.

>> So I mean, look at the difference.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Yeah.

So beginner then more realistic.

You are telling me that there are certain flowers that are also associated with Día de los Muertos.

>> Correct.

Yeah.

>> We have the marigolds.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And the marigold, the scent is thought to help bring the spirits back, that you can sprinkle the petals, and they may follow that path of the petals.

>> Yeah.

>> And this -- Okay.

So this is cockscomb.

Or Celosia.

These are so lovely.

And so this is also a flower that is used for Día de los Muertos.

>> Correct.

Yeah.

>> Along with chrysanthemums.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And then you said also the wallflower?

>> Yeah.

>> So those are traditionally the ones.

But you're going to teach me how to make... >> Yeah.

>> ...a marigold first, right?

♪♪ Okay, Sandy, so this is what we're going to make.

>> Correct.

>> And you said that it takes a while and you're faster.

>> I'm faster than you.

>> I'm sure, I'm sure.

I can't wait though.

Okay, so you did it in stages for us, which is so wonderful.

So you started with this.

How did you do that?

>> So what I do, yeah, I make strips of the paper.

>> So this is the crepe paper that you use.

>> This is a crepe paper.

>> So I have this.

>> Fold this like that and fold it.

>> Fold it.

>> Fold it again.

>> Again.

Okay.

>> And fold it like that.

So then with your scissors, we're going to make this shape.

It looks like an oval inside, but in the bottom you don't do any of the cutting.

>> Don't do any of that, okay.

>> It will be more like a paper doll.

You know how a paper doll when you cut it?

They have to be together.

So now you open it in the middle.

And if you see, like, there's anything that is together, you just cut it.

So we make that.

>> Ohh.

>> But before you open it completely... >> Yes?

>> Put it back.

>> Uh-huh.

Okay.

>> The easiest part is to stretch the paper in the middle.

>> Oh, I see.

Okay.

>> And then you twist it on the top like that with your thumb and your fingers here so it will look like, kind of like wrinkly.

And then you open it.

>> Then you open it.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> So it's going to look like little paper dolls.

>> So the center is pretty much like that when you make it.

So you put this all together like this.

Okay?

And then your wire is going to be in the middle.

>> Uh-huh.

>> But you see how it started.

And look in the center like more... >> I see, yes.

>> Like a little -- Okay.

And then for the next step, then you have to cut the petals more round like that.

And this is what will take you forever.

>> Okay, I see.

So this is why you made everything ahead of time.

Got it.

>> Because we're going to make now individual, single petals.

They are not like paper doll no more.

>> Okay, correct.

Your fingernails come in handy for this, don't they?

>> Yeah, mm-hmm.

>> Yeah.

>> So this one, you're just going to fold it like that.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And fold it like this.

And then twist the spot with your fingers like that.

>> So that's what you did with each one of those.

So we have a single petal that looks like that.

So this was the little paper dolls in the center and the petals added around the outside, okay.

>> So now we do the tacky glue.

>> This is the next set, okay.

>> So you're just going to start putting them in right there.

Okay?

You need to go all around and put in each petal.

>> Oh, I love... >> Following.

But just to make sure this part, it goes inside.

>> Oh, okay.

So pay attention.

Alright.

Got it.

Yeah.

>> Once you put the petals, eventually they're going to go all the way up.

>> It starts to get bigger and it starts to go around.

>> So yeah.

So this is actually the hardest part to do to steady it.

>> This is the hardest part you think?

Okay.

>> Because you have to do one petal at a time and make sure they're in the same lane.

>> Right.

>> Okay.

>> We would continue to do this till it looked like this.

>> Then it's going to look like that.

>> Then we have these.

>> These are really interesting because if you open them... >> Yes?

>> ...they are three petals together.

>> Ohhh, okay.

>> Okay?

So what I did, I put them together but like this.

So they will be turning over and then twist apart.

>> So then you have three petals together.

So these are still the tubular ones from before.

These are going to go in there like that.

>> Yeah.

Once you are done with all those petals around, just to make sure that all your petals are so kind of like reshape all the tubes they are around here.

>> Ohh, okay.

I love that.

>> Okay?

How do you call the part of this, of the flower?

Is that the sepal?

>> Calyx.

But sepal is correct as well, but calyx also.

So like on a carnation, we call it a calyx.

>> Okay.

So before that, we stretch just a little bit.

>> Just at the top.

>> Yeah.

So then we just go like that for a little bit only.

>> Paper dolls again.

>> Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

But this part we're going to make little um... How to call it?

A zigzag.

>> Oh, like zigzag.

Yeah, like pinking shears almost, yeah.

>> Yeah.

So you don't have to be perfect because this is underneath.

Okay.

>> Look at it.

That's wonderful.

>> So this is going to be... >> Oh!

That's great.

I love it.

>> Finish this here so you can look at it.

But to see more of the bottom, you can study like that so you will see how to assemble this.

>> And our glue dries clear.

So if it gets on something, we're not going to see it later on.

>> So that's the... That part.

>> You put the glue.

>> Okay.

>> And you're going to put this paper and then you're going to go like this.

Put more glue here and then you're just gonna... >> Oh, got it, got it.

Okay.

>> I'll let you do that.

The leaf is already made.

>> Right.

So you cut those leaves again and did a little twist on the bottom like this.

>> Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

>> And then you glued them into this the same way I just did there.

>> Exactly.

Yeah.

>> Am I going to do it the same way?

>> With the same way and then you use the paper.

>> It's beautiful and it's a piece of art.

>> Yeah.

>> This is just gorgeous.

This is just gorgeous.

♪♪ So you create the maché skulls, you create the maché skeletons.

And there's a name for this.

So this is... >> A calavera.

>> Calavera.

>> Which is a skull.

>> Okay.

And it's reminiscent of the sugar skulls.

>> The sugar skulls, yeah.

>> And so people would get these and it's just a candy and a sweet that they have.

>> Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

>> Yeah.

And so you decided to make these out of papier-mâché.

>> Yeah, double paper.

>> Okay.

So then there's also the skeleton figures.

And so these are called... >> Catrina.

>> Catrina.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And so you made this one and sent it to me.

So this one is Dorothy because that was the lady who raised me.

We bring this up to celebrate Dorothy.

And then you sent me these for Lucy and Clara.

So we have those in our possession as well.

So how is that part of the culture?

Explain that to me, because it's not really -- it's not scary.

>> No.

It's not.

It's supposed to be something to remember a loved one that is not here anymore.

>> Okay.

>> All what we do is to decorate and pretty much represent is just happiness and the life that they had before and that was all happy.

And that's not scary no more.

>> Right.

>> And when we die, when we pass, it should-- It shouldn't be that scary to.

>> So it's a day of celebration.

>> It is.

>> It's not a day of being sad.

>> No.

And even though they are in our memories, they are in our memories.

But that day is very special because we believe they really come and visit you.

>> I sent you pictures and you did this for Eleanor.

>> For Eleanor, yes.

>> Yes.

>> So Eleanor is very special.

This actually was hard.

And then I studied and -- I didn't know the paper.

So that's something that, you know, that we're going to be painting.

We're going to do some of the skeleton of a dog with white paint and then we're going to make some designs.

They will look more like those.

>> Like these.

>> Mm-hmm.

More colorful around.

>> So we have the skeleton.

>> Yeah.

>> And then we have the brighter ones.

Okay.

So let's do it.

>> You're going to grab your white paint.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And you're just going to make first something like this right here.

>> Okay.

>> So it's one long line with white paint and then another one here but not together.

>> Not together.

>> So here.

So it will look more like a bone.

You are going to add like a little dot here and then the other side.

>> Okay.

>> Then you add another one here and then the other one right there.

And you're just going to do your best.

Any mistake you do, we could erase it with black while it dries.

And then you could put more of that.

As you can see in those figures right there, you have the bones from the neck all the way to this part.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

Sometimes it depends what you want to -- Also, when you are making and painting all this, how realistic you want to make them or just, you know, and your idea how they look.

They don't have to be the bone exactly like they are.

Now we're going to do -- The face is the first thing that we're going to paint with some other colors.

So when it comes to paint, Day of the Dead dog or a Catrina, we use a lot of the brighter colors you can find.

Okay.

>> Right.

>> The more you put, the more, you know, it will pop up and and look more beautiful.

♪♪ The structure are almost the same, but everybody is going to have something different.

And painting also, they will come up with other colors and creativity.

So everybody's going to have their own.

>> Right.

Oh, I love it.

>> Yeah.

>> It's great, it's great.

Alright, my dear.

>> Okay.

>> I think this is wonderful because I love the pieces that you've created for us.

And then now knowing a little bit more about how to create it myself is wonderful.

So another way for us to observe Día de los Muertos.

♪♪ Tagetes is the genus name of marigold, native of South Mexico.

However, some species of marigold have become naturalized around the world.

The common name in English, marigold, is derived from "Mary's gold," a name first applied to a similar plant native to Europe.

Marigolds are said to deter some common insect pests, including mosquitoes.

Pigments in marigolds are sometimes extracted and used as food coloring.

Marigolds are often used in Day of the Dead celebrations.

Marigolds have a very distinct smell and when paired with the right kind of candle, believers say the souls of the departed return for a brief period of time to enjoy the pleasures of life once more.

As marigolds are said to represent the fragility of life, it seems natural that they are used to honor those that have passed on to the next chapter of life.

♪♪ So, Sandy, you know that I am known for the flower crowns.

>> Correct.

>> But I thought that we should make flower headbands because isn't that part of Día de los Muertos as well?

>> It is.

It's a symbol, actually more for the Catrina.

So that represents a Catrina.

So every time you make a hat, a headband or a crown, a flower crown, it is to paint your face like a skull.

You don't have to, you know, do all the color in your face.

But just wearing a crown Day of the Dead, it will represent the Catrinas.

>> Okay.

Alright.

Wonderful.

>> Catrina is, you know, one of the most famous characters that we have for Day of the Dead.

And it has to have flowers for sure.

>> Has to have flowers.

>> Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

>> So I figured that we could translate the same technique that we use with the flower crowns to the headband.

So what I did was I just got some utilitarian headbands.

These are nice because they're soft.

They're black on the outside.

There's a little bit of textural on the inside.

>> Yeah.

>> We're just going to get started on one end.

>> Okay.

>> And so I just leave about an inch or so down, and then I wrap around it a couple times so that it holds it in place.

We're using craft-covered wire to attach the flowers to the headband.

And then I'm going to continue building it all the way across there.

>> Perfect.

>> So I'm going to lay one of my tulips up there.

>> Okay.

>> And I'll keep wrapping him in.

>> Mm-hmm.

♪♪ >> I don't need anything to be any longer than this end.

>> Okay.

>> So now I've got those guys in place, then it's simply just adding these other flowers.

>> Wow.

That's wonderful.

>> The only thing about this is I'm going to have to wind in there, and I'm going to be winding it around those other flowers as I get closer to them.

>> Okay.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> So we're going to take rubber cement.

>> Okay.

>> And let's say we want a flower right here.

>> Okay.

>> We're gonna put that there.

We're gonna put this here.

We're going to give him a second or two.

And then we're just going to glue it in.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Sandy, yours turned out beautiful.

>> Well, thank you.

It was my first time.

>> I know.

Right?

Right?

That's talent.

That's talent.

I love this because I think it's another wonderful way that they could use it as a celebration for Día de los Muertos.

>> Yeah.

>> So I have one more thing I would love for us to do.

Would you like to come back and join me for a cocktail?

That's a Día de los Muertos cocktail that's made with vodka that's been infused with marigolds.

>> Oh, wow.

That sounds great.

>> Okay.

♪♪ ♪♪ Sandy, you have taught me so much stuff today.

It's been amazing.

All of the education about Día de los Muertos.

I just really appreciate it.

It's so wonderful.

>> You're very welcome.

>> So I thought we should have a drink.

>> Yes.

>> And so this is a drink that's dedicated to Día de los Muertos.

It is a vodka that's been infused with marigolds, which the name for marigolds is... >> Cempasúchil.

>> Cempasúchil.

So what we have is we have that.

It's just the vodka with the marigolds, okay?

And so... ♪♪ We're making two.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's not just one.

And then we have a sweet vermouth.

♪♪ And then we have a splash twice of elderflower, and then we have a little bit of dry ice.

So, we don't drink the dry ice.

Oh, excuse me.

And I have... We have to do a couple drops of bitters.

That's what I forgot.

Okay.

♪♪ >> Oh, wow.

That's magical.

>> Be sure not to consume the dry-ice chip while enjoying the drink.

They felt that the dry ice gave it a little bit of that etherealness.

>> Yeah.

>> Right?

And the spirits coming back to us.

So I have a tradition.

>> Okay.

>> I've made you a flower crown.

>> Oh, that's so beautiful.

>> So here, can I help you?

>> Yeah.

>> Let's see if it fits.

>> That looks perfect.

>> There we go.

It looks great.

You look great.

>> Thank you.

>> It's wonderful.

>> Yeah.

That's me.

Now I look like a Catrina.

>> Yeah.

It's true, it's true.

Well, cheers, my friend.

>> Oh, wow.

Cheers.

♪♪ Oh, wow.

>> What do you think?

>> It's very good.

>> It is very good, isn't it?

Yeah.

Thank you for making Eleanor.

This is a wonderful send-off for Eleanor, for us, I think.

And you taught me something.

You taught me about celebrating life.

And that's just part of life.

That's all part and a piece of it.

And having wonderful friends like you makes it even more special.

>> Thank you.

You are very, very welcome.

My pleasure.

>> Cheers.

♪♪ And now it's time for my favorite part of the show -- flowers from you, the viewers.

Today's arrangement is from viewer James Geores, who shared his creation in one of our social-media posts.

James shared that he loves working in small, unusual containers, and this one is perfect for today's theme.

It's colorful, bright, and exciting.

Thanks, James, for sharing your talent with us and for commenting on our social posts.

Please send me your pictures of flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

We call them Schwankes after a viewer's nickname.

Send them to J@uBloom.com.

That's the letter J at the letter U bloom.com and watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows.

I hope you've enjoyed learning about Día de los Muertos as much as I have.

I'm so very grateful to my flower friend Sandy for joining us today and sharing her many talents.

For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

>> Love that flower.

>> I love that.

And so then this one.

This.

Okay.

So this is cockscomb.

Or Celosia.

Because it looks like the comb of a chicken, of a rooster.

>> Yeah.

>> Right?

And then -- But you said also because it's velvet.

>> Yeah.

Velvet flower.

And in Spanish we call it the flor de terciopelo, which is nice, soft, very soft.

>> Oh, my -- Aww.

Okay.

Okay, so you know what?

You know, I had a wholesaler one time.

He used to call it brain fern.

>> Yeah.

>> Because it looked like a brain, right?

>> I heard about that.

>> I think your name is much better, right?

Because it's like velvet.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> Visit J's website, uBloom.com, for flower projects and crafts, complete recipes, behind-the-scenes videos, J's blog, flower cocktails, and more.

♪♪ "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

♪♪ >> With additional support from the following... ♪♪ Closed-caption funding provided by Holland America Flowers.

♪♪