September Ninth Designs: El dia de Reyes blog hop!

January 06, 2013

El dia de Reyes blog hop!

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to the El dia de Reyes blog hop! If you have arrived from Abby's blog, then you are on the right track. If you would like to start at the beginning, click here.

If you don't have a clue what "El dia de Reyes" is, here is a quick run down.

Dia de Reyes, Three Kings Day or Epiphany is observed in Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries on January 6th and celebrates the arrival in Bethlehem of the Three Kings who followed the star for twelve days to Bethlehem bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the baby Jesus. This is the day that the Three Kings revealed Jesus to the world as King.

Several days before January 6th, children write letters to the Three Kings or Rey Magos, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar. They ask for the gifts that they would like to receive. Children then attach their letters to colorful balloons. The balloons are released into the sky, carrying all of the children’s wishes. It is a magical sight.

The night before El dia de los Reyes, figurines of the Three Kings are added to nativity scenes. Before bedtime children place shoes under their beds so that the Three Kings will leave gifts for them. Grass or hay and a bucket of water are left outside for the Three Kings camels’. Children also leave cookies and milk for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar.

On the morning of Dia de los Reyes Magos gifts from the Three Kings are opened and enjoyed. This is a day to spend with family and friends. Preparations are made for the Merienda de Reyes, a dinner with friends and families that celebrates Epiphany. The Merienda de Reyes began with the Spaniards who brought the tradition of celebrating Dia de los Reyes Magos and sharing the Rosca to Mexico. People go to the markets and stores to purchase the needed ingredients to prepare the feast. Bakeries make the Rosca de Reyes or Kings’ Cake, a sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit The Rosca, cut by each person,

symbolizing the danger Jesus was in, is served with tamales and hot chocolate. Inside the Rosca is a figurine of the Baby Jesus. The figurine is hidden because of the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born in safety. Whoever finds the baby figurine must host Candelaria, a candlelight mass day on February 2nd.

So... back to my project.

I made a home decor piece. It is similar to a shadow box, but without the box. I found the 6 x 8" frame at Michael's. I found the 3 kings silhouette image online, by searching Google images, and then converted it into a cutting file in Make-the-Cut.

The wise men were sized to 6.2" x 3.25" and the lettering was sized at 6.3" x .82". Everything was designed in Make-the-Cut and cut out with Silhouette Cameo. I am going to share the converted 3 Kings file with you, but it will not include the wording/font. The font that I used, on my piece, was purchased from Lettering Delights and it is against the law for me to "share" it.