Creativity Bugs featured at All About Cats

We got a really nice surprise this morning. The Creativity Bugs Etsy shop and handmade cards were featured today by Linda at All About Cats.

Please take a moment to check out the featured post on her blog and stay a while to view some of Linda's other blog posts.

Don't forget to check out Linda's Etsy shop All About Cats which features handmade items for cats (and for humans who love them) including:

Fran The Green Frog Organic Catnip Bell Cat Toy

Cat Print Travel Tissue Holder

Have a terrific Thursday!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Featured Freebies for the Week of February 28

Here are this week's featured freebies found on blogs, websites, and sent to us by friends.

A cute mouse from Sew Many Cards

Beccy's Place with an index list of all her free digitals

Limited Runs Digi posted an adorable cow

The Sherlocks Home digi stamp of Bedtime for Mattie

Pink Gem Designs posted a giraffe digi called Ginni with Flowers

St. Patrick's Day Printable from Anna and Blue Paperie

Do you have any freebies to share? Leave a link in the comment section below or send us an email.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

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