Happy 4th of July

Americans in Strength

Americans in strength unite This union born in freedom’s light United States, how sure we are We’ll pull together, near and far The world can see of what we’re made Each state is of the highest grade Determination, filled with pride Our people’s will won’t be denied Our founding fathers set to stay The road we’ve traveled to this day A quest for right cannot be wrong With help from God, we will stay strong Support our troops ranks number one For the job they do is never done When forced they put it on the line True patriots, when called they shine Let’s raise Old Glory with a cheer And thank all soldiers, past and here

by Roger Robicheau

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!

Creativity Bugs ~ Sandy and Sue

Recipe Friday: Awesome BBQ Side Dishes

Last weekend I had a backyard BBQ with family. Along with hamburgers and the traditional European sausages on the grill, I served up two new side dishes that were a hit.

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients:

4 cups broccoli, chopped

1 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins

1 cup mayonnaise (I used light)

4 tablespoons orange marmalade (I used Smucker’s Sweet Orange Marmalade)

¾ cup chopped pecans, divided

¼ cup red onions, diced

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onions, cranberries, and ½ cup of pecans

In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise and orange marmalade.

Pour dressing over top of broccoli mix and toss.

Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup pecans and refrigerate.

Steakhouse Potato Salad

Ingredients:

3 lbs small red potatoes, quartered

½ cup mayonnaise (I used light)

¼ cup ranch dressing (I used Hidden Valley Light)

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided

1 cup shredded cheese (I used 4 cheese blend)

4 green onions, thinly sliced, divided

1 stalk celery, diced

Directions:

In large pot filled with boiling water, cook potatoes until tender about 10 minutes.

Place cooked potatoes in large bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour or until completely cooled.

Whisk together mayonnaise and ranch dressing.

Pour dressing over top of potatoes and mix lightly.

Add celery, half of crumbled bacon, and half of green onions. Mix lightly.

Sprinkle top with remaining bacon and onions.

Refrigerate

Enjoy!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

BESTeam Weekly Feature - HeadpinWear

Come check out this week's BESTeam featured Etsy site HeadpinWear

HeadpinWear is owned by Cathy from Benicia, California. She started designing jewelry a few years ago and  really just wanted to make jewelry for herself that would be unique and would complement her apparel. In creating and designing, she has found that she has to be "In the Mood"! Cathy is not one who can just sits down and makes something, for the sake of making it. She is thoughtful and meticulous in the complete design from start to finish. Sometimes it may take days to finish a piece, and then sometimes it’s simple and easy, but that’s rare. Although she calls her jewelry simplistic, Cathy can assure you that it is all quality work.

At HeadpinWear you will find classic and retro designed jewelry with Gemstones, Swarovski Crystals, and other varieties to flatter you, and your own style! Cathy believes that jewelry is an accessory. It is not meant to be center stage or steal the show. Jewelry is meant to enhance your being, inside and out, and complete your sense of style. It is the cherry on top of your sundae"!

Here are just a few of the items that caught my eye while browsing Cathy’s HeadpinWear Etsty shop.

Raspberry and Key Lime colored Czech Glass Bead Earrings on Vintaj Brass

A romantic sorbet of Key Lime and Raspberry make up this delightful combination in these Czech Glass Earrings. A juicy Raspberry Drop dangles from the bottom of a two tone translucent round Czech Glass Bead. The edges of this two toned round are exquisite in their Picasso finish. Above this center Bead is a Melon Bead which mixes the flavors of Key Lime and Raspberry thoroughly. In appearance these two colors are now a swirl! To complete this flavorful combination the Melon Bead is capped sweetly, with a Vintaj Brass Flower Bead Cap. 

Orange Chalcedony, Fire Opal, Carnelian Gemstones and Thai Sterling Silver Bracelet

A luscious and lovely combination of striking Orange’s and Rust’s are combined in this bright Bracelet! Each Gemstone is separated either by a Thai Sterling Silver Rondelle Spacer Bead with an engraved Flower Motif, or by an AB Carnelian Rondelle. The Gemstones consist of orange sorbet Chalcedony Rondelles, Fire Opal Nuggets, and Faceted Carnelian Rondelles.This Bracelet closes with a Bali Style Sun Burst Toggle.

White Starfish mixed with Pearls, Larimar, Sterling Silver, and Brass Set

A distinctive White Patina Starfish set amongst sparkling and complementing shades of our coastal waters completes this stunning necklace. Wire wrapped on Vintaj Brass Wire, between double strands of Solid Brass Hand Antiqued Chain are light sage Freshwater Pearls, Larimar Gemstones, Swarovski Crystals topped with Vintaj Brass Bead Caps, and a Pewter Clamshell Bead. An Antiqued Brass Ball and Socket Clasp close this necklace.

For the earrings, three sparkling Swarovski Crystals in shades of Indian Sapphire dangle from Antiqued Brass Chain and are connected by a loop to a bold and captivating Swarovski Indian Sapphire AB Crystal. An elaborate Vintaj Brass Bead Cap adds more detail to this already gorgeous bead! This ensemble hangs directly from Handmade Vintaj Brass Ear Wires. 

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

Featured Freebies for the Week of June 27th

Hello and Happy Monday!

Here are this week’s freebie downloads, digital images, and stamps that we found on websites and blogs or sent to us from friends and followers.

The Crafty Journal shares a digital image of hugging frogs

The Broken Box Store shares a wheelbarrow, mom and kids, and stacked house digital stamps

The Broken Box Store also shares a pansy tattoo, Wendy doodles font, and just in time for the 4th of July is America Toodle

Debbie from Arty Crafty shares a bit of everything digital images

Lilly's Night Garden shares a few flower digital images images including fuchsia, lily, and gerberas

Sliekje Digi Stampss shares a hamster with flowers, a garden kitten, a baby with balloons, and little angel

That's all for this week. Happy Crafting!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Summertime Chicken

I found this recipe from the Family Circle website and knew I had to try it.

Ingredients

  Chicken:

1   container (8 ounces) low-fat plain yogurt

3 tablespoons  balsamic vinegar

8   thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (bout 1-1/2 pounds total)

  Tomato-Mozzarella Topping:

1 tablespoon  olive oil

1 medium-size  onion, cut into 16 wedges

1/4 cup  balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons  water

1 pound  plum tomatoes, cored, seeded, chopped (about 4 cups)

1 teaspoon  salt

1/2 teaspoon  black pepper

1   piece (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 cup  loosely packed basil leaves, chopped

Directions

1. Chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and the 3 tablespoons vinegar until well blended. In a plastic food-storage bag, combine the chicken and yogurt mixture; seal and turn to coat. Refrigerate 20 minutes to marinate.

2. Meanwhile, heat a broiler, or prepare an outdoor grill with medium-hot coals, or heat a gas grill to medium-hot.

3. Tomato-Mozzarella Topping: In large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion; saute for 5 minutes or until slightly softened; the wedges will fall apart into pieces. Add the 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and the water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low; cook until the liquid has reduced to a sauce and onion is tender, about 7 minutes.

4. Increase heat to medium-high. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; let cool 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in mozzarella and chopped basil.

5. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Gently rinse chicken and pat dry.

6. Broil or grill chicken about 4 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes per side or until internal temperature registers 170 degrees F on instant-read thermometer. Place chicken on large platter. Scoop 1/4 cup topping on each chicken piece. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 224, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 68 mg, Sodium 527 mg, Carbohydrate 6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 24 g.

Happy Friday!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

BESTeam Weekly Feature - Jewelry by Jaynemarie

Come check out this week's BESTeam featured Etsy site Jewelry by Jaynemarie

Jaynemarie started making jewelry when her daughters were small. She would make them clothes and accessories and soon discovered that she really enjoyed designing and making jewelry. Jaynemarie would always receive many compliments and questions about her jewelry and because of that she decided to design and make jewelry for sale.

We can see why Jaynemarie received all the compliments after view just a few of the many pieces she has available in her Etsy shop including:

The Blushing Bride's Pearls and Rose Quartz Heart Necklace

A rose quartz heart highlights this pearl and rose quartz necklace. This is 18” (46cm) of gem quality white freshwater pearls with rose quartz rondelles and a lovely rose quartz heart briolette as its finishing touch.

Handmade Sterling Silver Carved Onyx Necklace

Striking necklace made with beautiful hand-carved onyx knots and sterling silver filigree diamonds. This necklace is 16" (41cm) and is adjustable to 19" (48cm). 

Handmade Carved Onyx and Sterling Silver Earrings

Beautiful hand-carved onyx knot beads finished with sterling silver teardrops make a striking pair of earrings. 

Romantic Pearl Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings

Elegant collection of necklace, bracelet & earrings have graceful curves of sterling silver, each curve tipped with white freshwater pearls. 

These are only a few of the wonderful items available. Please check out the rest of this beautiful collection Jewelry by Jaynemarie Etsy shop and don’t forget to check out the Jewelry by Jaynemarie 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: 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