Bit By the Bug: Another Bug is Born

Hello and welcome to the beginning of four weeks of our 'Tis the Season' collection of images.  It is that time of year after all, when people are busy getting ready for their respective holidays around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers living in the United States and as soon as this holiday is finished, we are about to kick off the proverbial holiday season with a slew of celebratory days followed around the world.  While some are religious or spiritual in nature, others are in celebration with the winter solstice. Then there are others that are just plain goofy and out there.

Over the course of this next week, the following occasions will be observed:

November 28

Thanksgiving

Today is of course Thanksgiving being celebrated by those individuals whose home country is the United States of America.

Make Your Own Head Day

Oddly enough today is also, Make Your Own Head Day.  It is a crafty day that is very popular in grade schools, and art classes where students make copies of their head using various methods and mediums.

 

November 29

Black Friday

Black Friday is another observance that primarily takes place in the United States and is always the day after Thanksgiving.  It is traditionally one of the two busiest shopping days of the year.  The reason it is called 'Black' has to do with the world of economics.  For accountants, red signifies loss and black signifies profit.  Generally, the holiday season is the time of the year when retailers see from one half to three quarters of their annual sales.  Since holiday sales formally begin the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday represents a turning point for most merchants.

Buy Nothing Day

Ironically, this day is also referred to as Buy Nothing Day.  A day that was created to put a 24 hour moratorium on holiday shopping in order to protest against the commercialism of Christmas.  Given all the sales that will be taking place today in the States, I'm not sure this date is all that effective.

Red Planet Day

The planet Mars is often referred to as the "Red Planet" because it appears red in colour.  Red Planet Day honors this celestial neighbour of ours, the fourth planet in the solar system. On Red Planet Day, people are encouraged to take a few minutes to look upwards into the night sky, look towards Mars or to take a few moments and get to know more about this planet through reading and research.

You're Welcome Day

Oddly while this occurrence is celebrated world wide, it is traditionally celebrated the day after Thanksgiving.  The odd part is that it is only the States that observes Thanksgiving at the end of November so why a worldwide occurence is after an American National holiday, baffles me.

This day is simply meant to  encourage us to simply say "You're welcome".   Think of it as a way of helping to bring manners back into play in a society that seems to have forgotten them for the most part.

 

November 30

Advent

For Christians, this day marks the beginning of a holy season.  It is the start of the liturgical calendar and is a rather important time for Christians as they wait and prepare for the coming of the Lord, Jesus, whose birth will be celebrated on Christmas.  In earlier days of the church, Advent was a time of prayer and confession. Today, Advent is typically more of a time of preparation and expectation of the coming of the Lord.

St Andrew's Day

In Scotland, and many countries with Scottish connections, St Andrew's Day is observed with a celebration of Scottish culture including traditional Scottish food, music and dance. Schools across Scotland hold special St Andrew's Day events and activities which include: art shows; lunchtime ceilidhs; dance festivals; storytelling; writing tall tales; cooking traditional Scottish meals; and of course no Scottish celebration would be complete without bagpipe-playing.   St. Andrew's Day also marks the start of a season of Scottish winter festivals.  Since 2006, it has been an official bank holiday.

Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

Apparently, another worldwide occurrence.  On this particular day you are supposed to call in to work and tell them that you are staying home because you are well.  Now obviously, not many people would get away with this at their places of employment.  However, if your employer observes mental health days with no reprimands, then today would be the perfect time to use one of them.

December 1

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Many groups around the world recognize this day including, Government and health officials.  The day is often observed  with speeches or forums on topics relevant to AIDS.  AIDS is responsible for millions and millions of deaths around the world making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. 

December 3

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

According to the UN, over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability!  I'm included in those statistics.  It is nice to see that there is a day dedicated to bring more awareness to people living with disabilities who can face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude us from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society.

November 27 to December 5

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday observed over the course of eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar.  This may occur any time from the end of  November to the end of December in the Gregorian calendar.  Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication.  During the eight day observance, Jewish people commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE.   The festival is observed by kindling the lights of a nine-branched Menorah.  One light is lit each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night.

Hanukkah is celebrated with a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the 8-day holiday, some are family-based and others communal. Many families exchange small gifts each night, such as books or games. Fried foods (such as latke potato pancakes, jelly doughnut sufganiyot) are eaten to commemorate the importance of oil during the celebration of Hanukkah.

Well now that we have all the different special holidays and occurrences taking place between now and the next 'Tis the Season' post, how about we take a look at what is new in the store this week.  Let me introduce you to....

  

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree will be available in the store for purchase as soon as Naomi gets back on track.  However, if you are wanting to purchase it right away, please contact me (links below) and we'll make arrangements for you to get it sooner rather than later.

I love this little Christmas Tree.  It is unique, short, a little squat, and a bit off kilter.  Hey, Naomi drew me in tree form!

Now let's check out what one of our DT came up with to showcase Naomi's tree version of me tree...

Wow!  Look at all those trees!  Not only the image but that fantastic embellishment and that background paper too!  Oddly enough, the paper that I created for the sneak peek give-a-way has spotted green trees much like what is on Suze's paper.  However, I swear it is a fluke since the paper was made long before I set eyes on her card.  You can check out the details of this creation over on Suze's blog, Craftysuze.

Monica has gone shabby chic with her project this week.  What a wonderful piece for her first official DT creation.  I am always a fan of music being used as part of a card.  The addition of gemstones adds the perfect touch to that funky little Christmas tree.  You can check out all the details of Monica's card by visiting her blog, TaylorMade 4U.

Sneak peek guesses...

I just knew it was going to be too easy this week.  So, the four people who guessed, all got it correct.  That means, KT Fit Kitty, Edwina, Sarah and Kimberly Goodman are all entitled to the paper I created.  Each of you, please send me an email by clicking HERE with the subject heading 'CBD Sneak Peek: Christmas Tree' and I'll send you off the digital paper displayed below.  Please note that it might take me a few days to get back to you though, so I appreciate your patience.

Now, it is your chance to win a copy of the latest new release...

It is time once again to try and give away a copy or two of Naomi's newest release.  In order to have your name in the running to win a copy of the Christmas Tree, I want to know, what is your favourite holiday decoration?   I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Leave a comment ON THIS POST by noon on December 11th, in order to have your chance at winning this image.

Winners will be announced on December 12th when the next new release is issued!

Which brings me to the winner of the last new release.  I had asked, As the nights become cooler, what is your favourite thing about the transition from fall to winter?  Well, only two people, answered the question so in the spirit of the season, I am gifting the last new release, Owl Scenerely Simplified, to both people. 

 Edwina

 Fit Kitty

The two of you can contact me by clicking HERE with the subject heading 'Owl Scenery Simplified' to get your copy.  Like I mentioned above, it might take me a few days to get back to you, so I appreciate your patience.

Now you can't go without this week's joke for the kid in all of us:

 Q:  Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters?
A: They are always dropping their needles.

(source:  http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/JokesAndRiddles/christmas.html)

 

One image down and three more to go in our 'Tis the Season collection.  I hope that you will all join me on Saturday when it is time to show the next peek.  Until then, have a fantastic couple days and good luck everyone!  For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope that you have a wonderful weekend surrounded by family and friends.  Eat well, be merry and have some stuffing for me please (just make sure there are no nuts in it, or it won't be a good day for me at all).

Please note:  I apologize if any of these dates or information are incorrect.  It is not meant to be a slight on your particular faith or observances.  I am simply going by the research that I uncovered.

References:
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Advent Season. Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/christian/advent.htm. Last accessed 21st Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Black Friday. Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/blackfriday.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Buy Nothing Day . Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/buynothingday.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013. 
Author Unknown. (N.D.). Hanukkah. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2013). International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2013. Available: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1607. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Make Your Own Head Day . Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/makeyourownhead.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (N.D.). November. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Red Planet Day . Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/redplanetday.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (N.D.). St. Andrew's Day. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Andrews_Day. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). Stay at Home Because You are Well Day. Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/stayhomewellday.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (N.D.). World AIDS Day. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day. Last accessed 21st Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2013). You're Welcome Day. Available: http://www.cute-calendar.com/event/youre-welcome-day/16688.html. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.
Author Unknown. (2000-2013). You're Welcome Day . Available: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/yourewelcomeday.htm. Last accessed 27th Nov 2013.