Kylee needs help!

After having to put down my beloved pommie/chihuahua mix KeeKee after 16 years, this story of Kylee the Mastiff has pulled at my heart.

Kylee's story from her loving caregiver:

Kylee has a defect in her heart valve called Pulmonic Stenosis.. In Laymans terms, the valve that pumps blood out to her lungs is deformed and very narrow.. Doc says that's why she is having more symptoms as she grows bigger and is intolerant of excercise.. We are told that the condition will grow worse as she grows and that the deformed valve will not grow along with her so it will put even greater stress on her already swollen heart.. the right side of her heart is moderately enlarged at this time due to the effort of trying to push the blood thru to her lungs.. The good news is that it can be fixed with surgery! The bad news is that it will cost $2000 for a procedure called valvuloplasty.. more bads news is that Doc says we need to have it done at the university before she turns 6 months old (in 2 months), else the heart will thicken on the right side and she could arrest on the table.. without the procedure, Doc says she may not make it past 1 year and her symptoms will increase dramatically once she puts on more weight.. our visit today cost $600 and we are desperate to gather funds to save her life.. If you can help at all.. every lil bit helps!

I'm challenging everyone to give up that $5 latte for today and donate it to help save Kylee. Please? Who will join me in helping to save this little girl's life?



Thank you!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Leap Around the World winner and more

Hello and Happy Monday to Everyone!

After a week with issues concerning my blog and Blogger, I am back and it feels like a lifetime. The first order of business is to announce the winner of the Leap Around the World Blog Hop.  I did a random number generator and it selected number 20 to win the Creativity Bug – Leap Around the World blog candy.

The winner is ---- Carol Sue from Carol Sue Designs Scrapbooking

Congratulations to Carol Sue! I will be contacting you shortly to get your snail mail address to send out your prize.

The second order of business is to share a few digital images.

Dianne’s Digital Designs shares an Easter bunny with egg tree digital image

Sliekje Digi Stamps shares an Easter bunny, spring lamb, and Easter surprise digital images

Lastly, I wanted to share a recipe for Jello Popcorn. Make a few batches in different colors to serve as a rainbow treat for St. Patrick’s Day.

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons light corn syrup (honey is a good substitute)
1/2 cup sugar
1 3.5oz box jello, any flavor (not the sugar free kind)

Directions:

• ·        Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a jelly roll pan with foil or parchment. If using foil, spray lightly with non-stick spray and set aside. Place popcorn in an extra large mixing bowl.
• ·        Place butter and syrup in a sauce pan on medium heat. Stir until butter is melted. Add sugar and Jello and stir to combine.
• ·        Increase heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat so it just simmers. Continue simmering for 5 minutes.
• ·        After the sugar mixture simmers for 5 minutes, immediately pour over popcorn in bowl. Be careful, it’s super hot!! Mix right away and keep stirring so everything gets well coated. Spread mixture onto prepared pan and spread out evenly.
• ·        Pop in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes.
• ·        Remove the pan from the oven and let cool to room temp. Then break into pieces and enjoy!

Have a wonderful day!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

CraftFancy: Fabulous folds March 3

Fabulous Folds

Are you always looking to send your family and friends a truly unique card? Then CraftFancy has just the perfect class for you.

Join creative instructor Marnie for CraftFancy’s Fabulous Folds Card class. In this class you will make 4 cards, each featuring a new and unique folding technique that will take your cards to the next level. These cards are sure to impress your friends and family!

Click here for more information!

CraftFancy: Cricut workshop with Cathy March 2

Cricut Workshop

CraftFancy invites you to sign up for its Cricut Workshop with Cathy.

Join CraftFancy’s Cricut expert and creative designer, Cathy, this month to learn how to use your Cricut machine! You’ll create 5 different cards using various Cricut cartridges. Spring is just around the corner, and the cards from this month’s Cricut workshop totally reflect that!

If you have any questions about operating your machine, this is the perfect place to get them answered. Bring along your Cricut machine and basic crafting tool kit to this session.

Click here for more information!

D'vine wine and gifts: Thirsty Thursday

D'vine Wine and Gifts: Thirsty Thursday event

D'Vine Wine and Gifts is a neighborhood wine and gift shop that specializes in unique boutique wines and one-of-a-kind wine related merchandise.  D’vine Wine and Gifts invites you on select Thursdays each month for its Thirsty Thursday wine tasting event.

Join D’vine Wine and Gifts along with friends and other wine lovers for a chance to relax and enjoy some fine wine as you unwind from the day.

Click here for more information!

William Fremd high school: Booster craft fair

Booster Spring Craft Fair

The Viking Booster Club of William Fremd High School is pleased to announce their 2012 Spring Boutique.

The 2012 Spring Boutique is awash in the beauty of silk flowers, velveteen bunnies, and personalized children’s clothing. Find a blend of unique and quality gifts for upcoming confirmations, first communions, Easter holiday, graduations, and baby showers all at reasonable prices.

The Viking Booster Club supports all Fremd High School students with all proceeds raised by the Fremd Viking Booster Club being used to benefit all student organizations at Fremd High School.

Click here for more information!

Grasshopper mint Oreo cookie cups

Grasshopper Mint Oreo Cookie Cups

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, these Grasshopper Mint Oreo Cookie Cups are sure to add that special touch of green to any potluck table.

Who can resist the tasty combination of Oreo cookies, peppermint, cream cheese, and chocolate chips all mixed together. It will definitely be a recipe that everyone is sure to enjoy.

Click here for the recipe!

Coffee cake pound cake

Coffee cake pound cake

Looking for a dessert to bring for a special occasion or to serve at a ladies luncheon? Consider making this Coffee Cake Pound Cake which marries two Southern specialties, coffee cake and pound cake, to create one buttery, best-of-both-worlds dessert.

While this dessert takes some extra time in the kitchen, it is well worth the extra time. Guests will love the taste and probably come back for a second slice.

Click here for the recipe!

Oreo fudge bars

Oreo fudge bars

This past week while I was grocery shopping, I found bags of Oreo cookies in the reduced section of my local Jewel. I can’t remember the last time I had these cookies, so I decided to take a few bags home with me.

I have seen all over the Internet different recipes for Oreo truffles and desserts, so I decided to reserve a bag or two to try a few of these creations. The one to draw me in first was for these Oreo Fudge Bars.

Not only do these Oreo Fudge Bars looks sinfully delicious, but I had all the ingredients in my pantry including sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and of course Oreo cookies.

Pre-warning! These dessert bars are extremely rich in taste, so a little piece will go a long way.

Click here for the recipe!

Oreo peanut butter brownie cakes

Oreo peanut butter brownie cakes

Oh yum! Who doesn’t love Oreo cookies? This recipe for Oreo Peanut Butter Brownie Cakes is perfect to make for the next girls night in, book club, or kids party.

When I first saw this recipe on Instructables.com from Food Snots, I was completely bowled over. What could be more simpler then combining Oreo cookies, peanut butter, and a box of fudge brownie mix.

The original recipe calls for peanut butter, but substituting it with Nutella spread or another nut butter would be a prefect addition.

Click here for the recipe!

Oreo cookies turn 100

Oreo Cookies Turn 100

On March 6th, Oreo turns 100 years young. The Oreo was invented March 6, 1912, at the National Biscuit Company (you know it now as Nabisco) headquarters in New York City.

Oh, oh, oh, ice cold milk and an Oreo cookie. They forever go together. What a classic combination.

Since 1912, Nabisco has made it their business to make life a little less serious. In a world that's become far too adult, a couple of Oreo cookies, a glass of milk, and a shared twist, lick and dunk is all it takes to set your inner kid loose. Celebrate the kid inside all of us.

During its delicious century on this planet, the cookie has led to some pretty serious debates on just how the treat should be eaten: down the hatch or twisted apart? Dunked in milk or crushed on top of ice cream? Meanwhile, some 362 billion Oreos have been devoured.

To celebrate Oreos birthday, consider making a tasty treat such as Easy Oreo Truffles. This is the stuff that dreams are made of: Oreo Cookie crumbs are blended with cream cheese and covered with a chocolate shell for the best-tasting truffles ever.

Click here for the recipe!