A Basket Filled with Goodies

In less than two weeks, the Antioch Jr. Women's League is having comedy night and I have volunteered to make a basket filled with CreativityBugs goodies for an auction following the event.

To start things off right, I decided the basket needed a cute bud vase with candy flowers to add some cheer

Then I tucked in a few handmade note cards to spread some sunshine

Who couldn't use a notepad with attached pen to tuck away in a purse for quick note taking

A basket is not complete without a few pampering items, so I thought these decorated candles would look great on a bedside table or around the tub

As an added surprise, a fabric favor bag filled with nail polish and files

I do hope that the auction is a huge success!

If you like any of the items shown here, check out the Creativity Bugs Etsy shop where many of the same products can be purchased.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Looking for a Challenge - ScrapFIT

I just found out about a great new challenge blog called ScrapFIT. Here are the details:

• ScrapFIT’s challenges are issued on the 1st and 15th of each month.
• You have until the last day of each month to add your layout to each challenges using Mr. Linky! 
• They have 2 fabulous prizes each month from either sponsors or from ScrapFIT itself! 
• ScrapFIT will select the winners of both challenges at the end of the month! 
• If you participate in both challenges you have double the chance of being a winner!

You still have time to get into this month's challenges Kick the Winter Blues and Dream a Little Dream.

Have a great day!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Rainbow Cupcakes

As soon as I saw these cupcakes on the Family Fun website, I just knew I had to share the directions with everyone. They can be made as a St. Patty's Day treat or would be cute for a kids birthday party.

Ingredients:

• white cake mix (prepare batter according to package)
• food coloring
• cupcake liners
• whip cream or frosting

Prepare your favorite white cake mix and divide batter into 6 small bowls. Dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color using the chart below.

RAINBOW COLOR	DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
Purple	9 red and 6 blue drops
Blue	12 drops
Green	12 drops
Yellow	12 drops
Orange	12 yellow and 4 red drops
Red	18 drops

Line 16 muffin pan wells with cupcake liners. Starting with the purple batter, evenly distribute amongst each baking cup. Follow with blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red. Spread batter with the back of the spoon to cover the color underneath.

Bake following directions on the back of the cake mix box.

When cupcakes are cool, remove from cupcake liners, and frost. 

Enjoy!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Ingredients:

1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
4 lbs beef or sirloin tips
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 (4 oz) cans mushrooms, drained
1 (10.5 oz) can of beef broth
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tblsp flour

Directions:

• Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Toss in bowl with beef tips.
• Add beef to crockpot followed by onions and mushrooms.
• Combine broth, worcestershire, and ketchup. Pour over beef and vegetables; stir well
• Cover crockpot and cook on low setting for 7-8 hours
• Make a paste from 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons flour
• Add paste to crockpot and stir well
• Turn crockpot setting to high and cook for an additional hour

Beef tips can be served over rice, noodles, or dumplings.

Enjoy!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Baby Card

My baby cousin and his wife are going to be proud parents to little boy very soon. This weekend is the baby shower, which gave me an opportunity to get out my baby papers to create a card for the occassion.

I didn't want to make the traditional card, so I decided to play with a few folds and came up with this accordian pleated card filled with tags.

The front has a cute little giraffe

And the inside has 3 tags with nursery rhymes about Jack (the name they chose for the baby) and one tag with a message to the expect parents

I can't wait to give this card along with the gift on Sunday.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue



Featured Freebies for the Week of Feb 21st

It's Monday and time for featured freebies. These are free digital items found from blogs, websites, or shared by friends to make papercrafting fun and affordable.

This week's freebies include:

Patches of Pink with links to an adorable heart dino

Tip Junkie with a link to a printable affirmation gift set

Yolanda's Image Make Share with a link to a 1956 Ford Fairlane printable

Spyder's Corner with a link to a rocket printable

The Sherlocks Home with a link to Cassidy spring cleaning printable

Little Scraps of Heaven designs with a link to a shooting star digi

If you have any links to freebies you would like to share, send an email or leave a comment below.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Beef Tostadas

It's time to get out the slower cooker to enjoy the Mexican flavors of Beef Tostadas.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef round steak
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup lime juice
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 packaged tostada or hard taco shells
3/4 cup fat-free refried beans
1-1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican-blend cheese
3/4 cup salsa

Directions

1. Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. Place 3 tablespoons of the lime juice, the garlic, jalapeño, onion, chili powder, cumin and cayenne in a slow cooker. Place beef on top and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8 hours.

2. Remove beef to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle, shred with fingers or using two forks. Place shredded beef in a large bowl.

3. Strain remaining liquid in slow cooker over a bowl or measuring cup, discarding solids. Add strained liquid and remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice to beef in bowl and stir to combine. Cover; keep warm.

4. Warm tostada shells in oven according to package directions. While tostadas are baking, heat refried beans in microwave for 1-1/2 minutes on HIGH, stirring halfway through until warm and spreadable.

5. Spread each tostada with 1 tablespoon refried beans. Place 1/3 cup beef over beans and divide lettuce equally among tostadas. Top each with 1 heaping tablespoon cheese and 1 tablespoon salsa.

Recipe courtesy of Parents magazine.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue