As a prelude to Mardi Gras (coming up on February 9 this year) and with a nod to the epicenter of Louisiana/New Orleans Voodoo, we are making voodoo dolls! To be specific, that's the collective we: you and we. Oui? My family thinks I've gone around the bend and off the deep end, but they think that a lot. This little idea has blossomed into a bit more so read on... Many years ago a friend jokingly gave me a voodoo doll as an outlet for my frustration over a boss that was ignorant and overbearing. They are both long-gone...

Humans can be so difficult to find gifts for. Dogs, on the other hand, are a piece of cake. This is Landy, my sister's dog, a dapper dude who practically lives on the beach, named after Jimmy Buffet's booze. This ribbon is called Nautical Anchors by Tula Pink. But it's been two years since that Christmas. Based on how grimy Waldo's collar is after he's had it for less than six months, Landy (and Waldo) could probably use a new collar. Waldo helped me with this one. It's made with a reversible dinosaur bones ribbon, which Waldo generously modeled for...