“Después de todo la muerte es síntoma de que hubo vida.” ( After all, death is a sign that there was life) -Mario Benedetti

Did you know there is only 84 days left until Día de Muertos? Not that we are counting or anything. However, there is a little someone here that is already gathering everything for that special day. His name is Julio and he’s the new baby in my studio.

Julio’s favorite holiday is Día de Muertos. He says he can’t wait for some of his family to come visit him that day. I’m not sure who he means but I guess as most of us, he must have some muertitos (dead people) of his own. Most children would be scared of the dead but not Julio. He says the dead just come to visit and they are the family and friends we love and that love us too. I agree. My family loves this holiday too and every year my little girl also makes a special ofrenda for her muertitos. This year we are adding my mom’s dog photo to it. I know is not a person but is her ofrenda and she gets to decide who goes in it.

Julio has a long list of things we gotta get like, cempasuchil, candles, sweet bread, papel picado, candy, fruit, and so much more. I’m writing this down in case the person who adopts him wants to check back on it. He also asked for a pumpkin bag to go trick or treating too. He says he’s going to use that candy for Día de Muertos. Well at least, that is one less thing we have to get, haha!

Little Julio loves skulls and skeletons and he asked for a special outfit for this special day. I decided to make it as comfortable as possible so he could be in a stroller and maybe fall asleep there. You see the skeleton costume serves as pajamas as well. Isn’t that convenient? He loves it but he told me he is going to be walking before that day because he wants to go trick or treating with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood. What??? Well, he has been pulling himself up and cruising everywhere. This boy is definitely on a mission. So I made him some shoes to practice and I’m so happy he already has a mask in case he gets to trick or treat with other kids. You can never be too careful these days.

Julio is as sweet as a sugar skull. He’s always trying to help in everything and wants to participate in every activity we do in the house. He’s always in a good mood and makes everyone feel comfortable and calm around him. He has such positive energy, so don’t be scared with his costume, he’s really a sweetheart.

Julio is a 12 inch natural fibers baby doll. His skin is heavy weight Laib Yala in red brown color, he’s firmly stuffed with clean wool. His head is floppy.  His legs and torso are one piece but the legs are floppy because of the way they have been sewn. They can also bend at the knees. His arms have been sewn to his torso three times to make it extra strong. They are very floppy as well and bend at the elbow and wrist. His head is made in the traditional Waldorf style with some needle felting to make it firmer. His brown eyes have been hand embroidered with DMC cotton embroidery floss. Julio’s hair is a black mohair mix crocheted wig cap. This yarn does shed a little so this doll is not recommended for babies. The crochet cap has been hand sewn to his head. He’s easy and fun to pose.

Even though Julio is made as a play doll, his sugar skull mask is not. So that is why he is an art doll. If you take the mask away, Julio can be a doll for children 5 and up that do not mouth their toys anymore. His clothes have snaps and buttons that can become choking hazards to small children.

Julio is made to be as sturdy as possible. However, small children’s play should always be monitored. Never leave a small infant unattended with a stuffed toy.

As you can see I made a second outfit for Julio. This outfit can be worn without the shirt when it’s hot or add the shirt when it is a little chilly. I did this because the weather has been a little crazy these days here. One day is crazy hot and the next is rainy and a little cold, not too cold, but cold enough to get sick if you are not dressed properly. He also helped me picked the buttons for his pants, they are pretty cool.

Julio will go home with the following clothes and accessories:

• Handmade diaper with snaps.
• Handmade raglan shirt
• Handmade bloomers with suspenders made with a pattern by Meadowfinch
• Handmade wool blend felt boots made with a pattern by Meadowfinch
• Hand crocheted newspaper boy hat
• Handmade socks made from repurposed baby socks
• Handmade Día de Muertos sleeper/costume
• Handmade paper mache sugar skull mask
• Ghost traveling friend.

If you would like to see more photos of him, you can see them here in his album.

This time I didn’t have the time to make a little video like him like I always do. I may make it later though.

Julio’s adoption fee is 330 USDollars plus shipping. Shipping to Mexico is free and 18 USDollars for the rest of the world.

If you would like priority shipping or insured shipping by a private courier please let me know so I can give you a quote.

If you love creepy cute things and would like to adopt baby Julio, make sure you write a comment in the space provided below stating so. Also make sure the email you enter is your PayPal one. Comments will not be visible to the public, only to me. If there is more than one person interested in him, I will draw a name. I will take entries for Julio until tomorrow Tuesday August 10, 2021 at 3pm CDT.

By commenting you agree that you are 18 years or older. Please do not comment on behalf of someone else, that is just not fair for others. Once a family has been chosen I will send a PayPal invoice that is due upon receipt. Shipping days are Mondays.

If Julio does not find a home in the time stated above, he will be listed in the shop and announced on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for checking my new baby boy out. I hope he makes you love Día de Muertos as much as we do.

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

Read you soon.

Hugs,

Aubrey