Tuesday Tutorial: Trash to Treasure Goodies

These past few weeks have been a bear and I haven’t had a chance to do any crafting. I have been spending my time job hunting, interviewing, and getting my house fixed up inside. With all this going on, I feel like I have been neglecting our Etsy shop and not really put in 100% to the Creativity Bug blog.

So as not to disappoint our friends and followers, this week’s tutorial is really a listing of a few craft projects I have been wanting to try my hand at along with links to their how-to tutorials. My hopes is that next week I will have at least one of the projects completed with pictures and everything!

The first project is for a cheese dome turned into a cloche. My sister Sandy sent me a link from The House of Hepworth showing how you can turn a simple cheese plate/dome and candle stick (both found at thriftstores) into a beautiful cloche.

Once complete, it can be used as a display in the kitchen and anywhere around the house. I already have all the materials on hand and am just waiting for a sunny day to spray paint my plate and candle stick outside.

I love making things from recycled or old things, so when I saw wind chimes made from utensils and other kitchen items at a craft fair, it was one project I knew I wanted to learn to make. While doing a search on Google, I came across the ButterNugett Creations blog where they made a stunning wind chime using an old teapot, hemp, keys, and bells.

I can’t wait for my next garage sale and thrift store spree, as I will be looking for old keys, utensils, and bells to create a wind chime for my backyard. I even have the perfect tree to hang it from.

I am forever looking for a pen and paper to jot down things to buy at the store. Soon the paper gets lost or I have a few dozen sticky notes in several different places. I decided that I wanted a noteboard or chalkboard to hang in the kitchen, but as usual wanted something shabby to match with my kitchen. After doing a Google search, I came across the Crafty Girl blog where she had a brief tutorial on how to make a chalkboard frame.

Can I say, it was love at first sight! I have the chalkboard paint and spray paint already on hand along with the measurement of the cabinet that I want the frame to hang from. Now all I need to do is find the perfect sized ornate frame.

That’s it for this week! If anyone has made any of these projects or has any trash to treasure projects to share, please include a link in the comment section.

Happy Crafting!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Featured Freebies for the Week of June 20th

Hello and Happy Monday!

Here are the freebie digital images and stamps that have been found on blogs and websites,  or shared with us by friends and followers.

Create with TLC shares five different ice cream sundae digital papers that would be great for scrapbooking and card making.

A little late for Father’s Day, but we have a love you to pieces sentiment and word download also from Create with TLC

GTC Crafty Corner is offering a 5 part Bird Spotting Freebie series; bird spotting 1, bird spotting 2, bird spotting 3, bird spotting 4, and bird spotting 5

Disguised as a Grownup shares a hillarious digital stamp about marriage

Ginger’s House shares a free sentiment that would be great on a card or framed

That’s all for this week. Have fun crafting!

Creatitivity Bug ~ Sue

Happy Father's Day

What Makes a Dad ~ author unknown

God took the strength of a mountain,

The Majesty of a tree,

The warmth of th a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the easle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew his masterpiece was complete,

And so he called it ….. DAD

We love you DAD!!

Creativity Bugs ~ Sandy and Sue

Recipe Friday: Italian Flank Steak with Roma Tomatoes

Mix the marinade before work, and when you come home, light the grill, toss a salad, and set the table--presto!

Makes 4 servings

1⁄4 cup water or low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth

1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon mustard powder

1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1⁄4 pounds flank steak, trimmed of all visible fat

8 Roma tomatoes, halved crosswise

Combine the water or broth, vinegar, garlic, basil, thyme, mustard powder, and pepper in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add the steak and seal the bag.

Marinate the steak in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (but no longer than 12), turning the steak occasionally.

Prepare a fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill or broiler.

Lightly coat the grill rack with olive oil cooking spray. Position the rack 4" to 6" from the heat source.

Remove the steak from the marinade.

Drain and blot the meat to remove excess marinade.

Place the steak and tomatoes on the grill rack or broiler pan.

Grill or broil until browned, 4 to 5 minutes on each side for the steak and about 3 minutes on each side for the tomatoes. Watch the steak carefully, as the balsamic vinegar can cause it to burn if not properly blotted.

Check the steak for doneness by cutting into the meat.

Let it stand for 5 minutes on a cutting board.

Cut the meat across the grain into very thin slices.

Nutrition at a Glance

Per serving: 260 calories, 33 g protein, 14 g carbohydrates (9 g sugars), 8 g fat (3 g saturated), 45 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 120 mg sodium

Happy Friday!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue 

BESTeam Weekly Feature - DesignsbyMayanna

Come check out this week's BESTeam featured Etsy site DesignsbyMayanna.

 

DesignsbyMayanna is a hand crafted jewelry shop that features beautifully designed necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. What started out as a business idea for 10 year old Ayanna (her interest lasted 3 weeks) turned into a business venture (and passion) for mom Patrice. In Patrices own words “Making jewelry was, at first, just a hobby –– it soothed my mind and allowed me to put the pressures of daily life aside for a while. As my skills improved, however, I began to buy more and more beads and findings and books and beads and ribbon and chain and… well, you get the picture.”

Here are a few of the items that caught my eye in DesignbyMayanna’s shop.

Spring Mix Necklace

24" Triple strand necklace features Czech glass pearls and Celestial Crystals in hues of pink, blue, turquoise, peridot and white and echoes the delicate colors of spring.

Multi-Mixer Earrings

Agate and jasper charms dangle from three golden chains in these fun to wear earrings.

Champagne On Ice Necklace

22" Double Strand Champagne Pearl necklace is made of quality Czech glass. Two sizes of pearls combined with golden Italian confetti glass gives a new twist to a classic favorite.

Black and White Beaded Wristwatch

Black, white and antique silver bead wrist watch, fashion jewelry, plus sized, ladies Great with womens' business clothes! 

Accented with rhinestones this simple and elegant watch goes from day to evening with ease. Made with black tourmaline and white quartz beads this watch goes anywhere with anything!

These are only a few of the wonderful items available. Please check out the rest of this beautiful collection at DesignsbyMayanna Etsy shop and don’t forget to check out the DesignsbyMayanna blog.

The Creativity Bugs love the opportunity to promote other artisans including the fellow Estians but especially the BESTeam group. These friendly, talented, and very hardworking individuals work together to promote their shops and help others with marketing, advertising, and tips and tricks for running an online business. If you are a seller on Etsy, have a blog, and either FB or twitter, then you might be interested in joinging the BESTeam. You can find information about the team, as well as apply for membership HERE!

Happy Shopping!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Tuesday Tutorial: Ideas found in blogland

It is Tuesday and I don't have a tutorial ready to post. But have no fear as I have included some great ideas with links to their tutorials found on blogs that I currently follow.

Get ready for the 4th of July with this fantastic Red Hots and Blue Fourth of July Rocket wreath created by Tatertots and Jello. I love how Jen used Dollar Store materials to create festive wreath for under $4.

Looking for a welcoming wreath for your front door? Jen at Tatertots and Jello does it again with this innovative Burlap Wreath. I love the mixture of burlap and Amy Butler fabric.

Want to dress up the refrigerator or a magnetic board? Why not make your own magnets. Coffee Girl Crafts has a great tutorial on how to make Bubble Word Magnets. All you need are some glass pebbles, epoxy glue, strong magnets, and scrap papers.

Want to make more magnets? Coffee Girl Crafts has another great tutorial on how to make Bottle Cap Magnets. Not only is this a great way to recycle bottle caps, but it is a fun project for kids and scout troops.

If you make any of these great projects using the tutorials, please make sure to post a link in the comment section so that we can see your finished work.

Happy Crafting!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Featured Freebies for the Week of June 13th

Hello and Happy Monday to everyone!

Here are this week's featured freebie digital images, stamps, and clip arts that we have found on websites and blogs or that were share with us by friends and followers.

Creative Mamma has a great Spring Mini Kit that includes a to do list, shopping list, and printable grocery list

Another great freebie from Creative Mamma includes the Summer Reading Kit for Kids which features a reading log, reading notes (for mini book reports), bookmarks, and book labels.

Lotta Bruhn features printable stickers including spaceman and everyday animals

Don't miss Lotta Bruhn's current digital freebie Victoria and Daniel paper dolls

Squigglefly has an assortment of digital freebies to try before you buy including a journal frame, speech bubbles, turtle, and hummingbird. Just click on the pictures from the Squigglefly site and they instantly download.

Amanda Parker shares a wonderful Summer Shindig party printable freebie kit

Hope you enjoy this week's freebie goodies. Happy Crafting!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue