Its Mardi Gras - Beads, Jazz, Floats, and Masks Blog Hop

Welcome to our Mardi Gras parade. I must warn you though while you may enjoy jumping up to catch beads, doubloons, cups, stuffed animals--whatever! Please yell at the float riders "Throw me something, Mister!" Bring a large, sturdy plastic or cloth bag to hold all the treasure you'll be catching - if you try to put all of your beads around your neck, you'll have a hard time standing up straight! Be prepared: some people get so overcome with excitement they will occasionally jump in front of you to grab what a rider has thrown to you. Don't get into a tug-o-war....there are many more floats on the way! If you're from far away, some visitors hold up a sign saying where they are from.. our local riders love to see people from far away have a good time and will throw to them to make sure they do!

The colors of Mardi Gras are: Purple which represents justice; Green which represents faith; and gold which represents power.Mardi Gras is always held the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades.

Instead of beads, coconuts (which apparently is the most prized throw from floats) and other baubles, we have a great sponsor: 

$15 Gift Card for Treasure Box Designs. They are asking you to stop by their blog and checking out their Guest Designer projects and leaving a comment at Treasure Box Designs. They are a part of the parade route!

Sew, sit back with your beverage of choice, just keep in mind the police will be in full force watching for drunken loudness as this is a family event! If you have arrived from Lisa's on the parade route, then you are sitting at the best seat in the house! If you have just happened to be visiting me today, don't get me wrong as I always love visitors, I would love for you to start at the beginning of our parade route at Lynne's .

I made a mask with matching purse, another mask and then I will be showing you one that I DID NOT MAKE I ACTUALLY RECEIVED IT IN A SWAP.

Here is my matching mask and purse. The colors was suppose to be black, blue, silver and white. It was a little tricky but I think I did it . 

I took a wooden purse from Michael's and painted it black. Done the rim and handle in blue.When all that dried I took the silver folk art glitter paint and went over the black. When that was dried I added some real small white lace to the front, adding black glittery ribbon on top of the lace, then white shiny beads on top of the black ribbon. I then added 3 large blue gems to the bottom right corner. In the top left corner I took a white paper flower I got in a swap and added 2 black, 2 white, 2 blue feathers to it and glued it to the left side of the purse. This completed my purse.

The mask was a black one you get at Michael's with 3 in a pack for $1.99. First I took 2 black, 2 white, 2 blue feathers and stacked them then glued them together on the back side of the right. I then took the pearls again and went around the eyes. Next I went around the outside of the mask with the pearls. Along the right side I took 5 large white and 5 large blue gems and altered them . On the left side I took a smaller flower that matched the one on the purse and added a white, blue and black feather to it and then glued it down. On both sides of that I added 2 small blue flowers I received in a swap. This makes my mask complete.

Here are my mask and box together.

Here is a mask I did for another swap. I again took a black mask from Michael's and decked it out. On the back I put this feathery flare thingy that has beads on it too. I found this at Michael's with the masks and feathers. I outlined it in black sequins. Outlined the eyes in pink sequins. Added a pink jeweled heart to center. Pink gem designs above both eyes. Took medium pink gems and went along both sides. Added 2 pink glittery paper flowers to the left side. This completed the mask.

Here is a beautiful mask I DID NOT MAKE. I received it in a swap from a very talented lady who goes by Cynthialoowoo. I absolutely love her creations. 

Hope enjoyed my parade and I want you to continue on the parade route with your next stop - Anita . I would love for you to throw me your comments as to my tribute to Mardi Gras!

For my blog candy i will be giving away 2 masks for you to alter yourself. I will pick a winner on Feb 23 . and let you know. please leave a comment with a way to get in touch if your the winner. 

Here is a list of the awesome ladies and there mardi gras creations. make sure you check out each and every one.  

1. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
2. Rachelle-http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/
3. Kimberly Pate ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/
4. Inga Klaus ~ http://mommahobbit.blogspot.com/
5. Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
6. Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
7. Gill - http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/
8. Haidee-http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/
9. Janet S - http://www.ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
10. Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
11. Lisa Woodward ~  http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com/
12. Rhonda - http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com/
13. Anita`  http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
14. Katie ~ http://www.ktsangels.blogspot.com/
15. Theresa - http://scrappinginheels.blogspot.com/
16. Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
17. Laura- www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/
18. Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
19. Angela-http://creativecraftin.blogspot.com