Mardi Gras 2012

My friend and I were making some Mardi Gras dog collars so our pet owners would be able to share the party with their beloved fur babies and we finally looked at each other and said, "just WHEN is Mardi Gras and how is the date determined?"  Good question.  All I knew is it has something to do with Fat Tuesday--whenever that is . . . 

So I did a little discovery and found it is NOWWWWW!!  Gosh, next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday and that is the end of the Carnival season.  Fat Tuesday always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  Now, I'm starting to put the pieces together a little.  Here's exactly how it is described in the offical Mardi Gras site:

Don't confuse Carnival and Mardi Gras! Carnival refers to the period of feasting and fun which always begins on January 6th, The Feast of the Epiphany. Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.

They publish a parade schedule and it looks like there are non-stop parades and celebrations going on in the fair city of New Orleans.

According to the published info, Mardi Gras was first held by the Krewe of Comus on February 24, 1857.  The King of Carnival in 1892 was Rex and he selected the official Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold and green.  Purple stands for justice, gold for power, and green for faith.


They would have the feasting, parades, and a ball to celebrate this special time of the year.


There is so much more to learn about Mardi Gras and you can read all about it at www.mardigrasneworleans.com


As a tribute to this festive time we created some cute little collars for the discerning party pet.

Mardi Gras Madness

We have all sizes available so be sure to ask if you don't see your size.

Mardi Gras Harlequin

So many choices, so little time!!  

Mardi Gras Harlequin in Gold

Stop by Kady's Pet Couture to find a sampling of our imagination hard at work.


Then let's get out the beads and put on the party music!!

Something Green - UWIB Blog Hop!! Join in!!

Nowadays when you hear the words 'something green' you are immediately drawn to the ecosystem that we have ignored for so many years.  Let's try to be more 'green' by recycling, carry our own bags into the store, carpool to work or play, buy a Smart car; the list is long and every little bit helps.


But what about St. Patrick's Day at this time of year??  Don't we think green when that date starts to role around?  Wear green, drink green beer, celebrate the Irish in any way we know how.  What is St. Patrick's Day all about anyway?


St. Patrick's Day is on March 17th because it is believed to be the day the saint died.  Before his death, he is said to have brought the Christian religion to Ireland.  "Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide" (www.st-patricks-day.com).


Regardless of the reason you 'think green' let's see what we find to help you along those lines via handmade avenues on Etsy presented by those Unique Women in Business team members.  First, I found a adorable dog collar:

Crazy for Collars offers this piece of Green!

 Let's go straight from our beloved pet to that precious little baby or grandbaby:

Fashion Touch does wonders with green yarn.

What about for ourselves:

AudreyGardenLady can twist beads & wire like crazy!

Or a gift for Mom/Sis/BFF:

LMCreations can cut fabric to fit!

Let's think about really going 'Green' with this double duty tote--made from an upcycled tee into a great tote with a SHAMROCK on it!!  Talk about Green!

Rita's Creations serve double duty with Green!

Now I would like to introduce you to some other UWIB team members that are blogging "Think Green" and give you a chance to see what those witty women think when they hear the term.  Check them out, leave a comment and tell them I sent you!! 


After you check them out come back here and leave me a comment telling me which one you think hit on the same meaning you have when you Think Green.  I will send one of you a cute pair of green shamrock earrings as a gift.  (I will use Random.org to draw the winner.) 


The prize: 

Momma Goddess Think Green prize

Okay, here's the list:  Happy Green Hunting!!!

UWIB ETSY Team - http://www.etsy.com/teams/6263/unique-women-in-business-uwib
UWIB Blog - http://uniquewomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/

Participants

Karen Terry-McDuffie   –  http://www.jmjcreations.blogspot.com
Robin Koehler   –  http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
Linda Reynolds   –  http://bellalindadesigns.net/
Birgitte Hendricks  -  http://SewDanish.blogspot.com
Judy Woodley  -  http://www.WellspringCreations.blogspot.com
Rita Wetzel  -  http://ritascreativenest.com
Audrey F  -  http://AudreyGardenLady.blogspot.com
Robin Maria Pedrero   –  http://www.pocketfullofcolors.blogspot.com
Ann Rinkenberger   –  http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com
Trudy Miller   –  http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com
Cory Trusty   –  http://aquarianbath.blogspot.com
Cory Trusty   –  http://delicateadornments.blogspot.com
Nancy Pace   –  http://nancyswildwirejewelry.blogspot.com
Wendy Kelly   –  http://blog.vintageday.com/

Don't forget to comment, and remember 
Think GREEN!!!