BESTeam Etsy Finds: Week of November 20

Why waste gas and shop in crowded malls when you can get some wonderful gifts online at Etsy.  Come look at some of the great products we found on Etsy this week presented by the Boosting Etsy Shops Team.

Purple and Blue Victorian Floral Fascinator from Poison Garden

Wings amongst the flowers... A little birdie flew too close to sniff the flower and left behind a little tail feather... This Victorian hair fascinator would look great in your hair, on your purse, or anywhere else you can find for a little flair. The light purple flower is accentuated with a blue rose and teal speckled feathers. The clip is easy to put in and would look great on a teen as well as a woman!

Blue Drop Necklace from Blue White Wear

The Chinese porcelain beads are reminiscent of the antique dynasty porcelains which are famous throughout the world. The beads have been hand painted with Chinese characters representing longevity, happiness, wealth, love, and good fortune. Measurements - 18 inches long (46 cm) with a 3 inch (7 cm) extension chain. The drop pendant is slightly over 2 inches (5 cm) long.

Swarovski crystal bracelet with deep blue and clear crystal from Our Home to Yours

A Swarovski crystal bracelet with deep blue and clear crystal Swarovski elements beads. The sparkle of the crystal beads and the color of the rich deep blue beads give this stretch bracelet some real bling. Made with deep blue plated zircon gem cut 8mm beads and crystallized Swarovski elements 6mm bicone beads on a stretch cord, this is a beautiful sparkly bracelet for any age group.

The Creativity Bugs love the opportunity to promote other artisans including their 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: Boosting Etsy Shops Team or the Etsy team page. You can find information about the team, as well as apply for membership HERE!

Happy Shopping!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue 

Recipe Friday: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

This yummy crockpot dish is courtesy of Heather Carter via scrapadabadoo.com. It is sure to become a family favorite.

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Ingredients:

2 lb. frozen hash browns

1 12-oz. can evaporated milk

1 10-oz. can cheddar cheese soup

2 Tbs. butter or margarine

1 tsp. salt

1/2 lb. cubed ham

4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

• Place frozen hash browns in crockpot on a low setting.
• In sauce pan add together evaporated milk, cheese sauce, butter or margarine, and salt. Bring to boil.
• Pour over potatoes; add ham and mix together.
• Cook for 3 hours.
• Add grated cheese and cook for 1 hour.

Happy Eating!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Chicken and Mushroom with Garlic Wine Sauce

Directly from the pages of Cooking Light magazine comes this fantastic recipe for Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic Wine Sauce.

Put this Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce recipe together in less than 25 minutes, probably without a trip to the store. It's adaptable to your pantry--if you don't have egg noodles, use another kind of pasta, and if you're out of tarragon, try basil, oregano, or thyme.

Ingredients:

4 ounces uncooked medium egg noodles 

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided 

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided 

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 

1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

1 (8-ounce) package pre-sliced mushrooms 

1/2 cup dry white wine 

1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Directions:

• Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.
• Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken breast halves in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, stirring well with a whisk. Sprinkle flour mixture over chicken; toss to coat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add garlic, tarragon, and mushrooms to pan; sauté for 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates and mushrooms darken. Add white wine to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring frequently.
• Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Uncover; cook 1 minute or until chicken is done. Stir in noodles; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Place about 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Happy Eating!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving comes but once a year,

But when it comes it brings good cheer.
For in my storehouse on this day
Are piles of good things hid away.
Each day I've worked from early morn
To gather acorns, nuts, and corn,
Till now I've plenty and to spare
Without a worry or a care.
So light of heart the whole day long,
I'll sing a glad Thanksgiving song."

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Creativity Bugs ~ Sandy and Sue

Design Team Calls

Have you ever wanted to be a designer for a design team? Then check out the latest calls from:

Momenta

Momenta Design Team Call – accepting applications through December 15, 2011. Click here for all the details.

Delightful Challenges

Delightful Challenges Design Team Call – accepting applications through November 30 , 2011. Click here for all the details.

Flying Unicorn

Flying Unicorn Design Team Call – accepting applications through December 31 , 2011. Click here for all the details.

Stamp School

Stamp School Design Team Call - accepting applications through December 9 , 2011. Click here for all the details.

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Design Team Call - accepting applications through December 28, 2011. Click here for all the details.

Good luck!

Creativity Bug - Sue

Recipe Friday: Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Tired of serving traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving? Consider a new holiday tradition by making these scrumptious spiced pumpkin cupcakes for your guests.

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients:

½ cup finely chopped pecans

3 tablespoons sugar

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

½ cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 container Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In heavy 8-inch nonstick skillet, cook pecans and 2 tablespoons of the sugar over low heat about 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar is melted. Spoon and spread pecans onto sheet of waxed paper. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar; toss.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil, eggs and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full).
• Bake 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Frost cupcakes with frosting. Sprinkle edge of frosted cupcakes with pecans; press lightly into frosting. Store loosely covered.

Enjoy!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Featured Freebies for the Week of November 14th

Here are this week's free digital images or printables found on websites, blogs, or submitted to us from friends and followers:

The Paper Squirrel shares a Mod Christmas Tree digital image

Little Scraps of Heaven shares an Indian Summer digital image

Edrian Thomidis shares a free coloring page of an elephant and ghost

Lost in Paper Scraps shares 2 octopus digital images and an owl.

That’s all for this week!  Happy Crafting!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue