BESTeam Weekly Feature - Off the Wall Expressions

Come check out this week's BESTeam featured Etsy site Off the Wall Expressions, a vinyl lettering and wall art design company. 

Off the Wall Expressions is owned and operated by a husband and wife design team specializing in high quality vinyl graphics. They do their own unique designs and order production,  as well as local installation.

Vinyl designs are quick and easy to apply, instantly transforming your space into something special. You can use vinyl to decorate, make a statement, motivate, inspire, amuse, and organize any area. Vinyl can be applied to any smooth surface such as walls, windows, wood, glass, refrigerators, plastic, bathtubs, picture frames, and many more.

Family Tree with photos and leaves

The 'Family Tree with Photos' vinyl decal is a unique way to display your favorite pictures. It measures 74"w X 73"h when applied as shown.  Apply photos to the 'frames' with photo corners or double stick tape. Swap pictures as often as you like!

Girl - Sweetness with Attitude

"Girl, Sweetness with Attitude" definition.This vinyl decal measures 22.5"w by 6.5"h. Perfect for any girls room over the bed, above a desk, or on a bare wall.

Chalk Thoughts

Use  "Chalk Thoughts" vinyl decals so everyone can 'read' your mind. Each 'chalk thought' sticker measures 12" X 10", and you will receive two!

Use regular chalk (we include a piece with every order!) to write on your "Chalk Thoughts" bubble, and simply erase with an eraser when you change your mind! 

These are only a few of the wonderful items available. Please check out the rest of this beautiful collection at the Off the Wall Expression Etsy shop and also take the time to view the Off the Wall Expressions 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: Decorative Candles-I did it!

A while back,  my sister Sue posted about creating decorative candles and  I knew I had to try one of the techniques. I have seen these picture candles using tissue paper all over blogland and just never got around to trying it. Well, let me tell you, it took me longer to take the pictures than it took me to create the candle. I love it!

So, just a little something about my crafting style. I am the sister who's motto is "it's good enough." My workspace does not have to be perfect (or uncluttered), things do not have to be exactly the way they should be, they can just be good enough. Case in point. I knew I had white tissue paper. Where? It's in the recycle bin. Yes people, I grabbed crumpled up white tissue paper from the recycle bin to do this project. I figured if it would fail, no harm no foul.

Here are the steps I took to complete this quick project:

1. Remove crumpled up white tissue paper that was included in my daughter's pajamas from recycle bin

2. Search for a decent picture of my family from my laptop

3. Cut and paste picture into Word so that I can crop and make my picture the size I need. No fancy photo program for me. Just use what I've got

3. Tape crumpled tissue paper (with masking tape because I can not find regular tape) to a white piece of copy paper

4. Print photo (Hooray, it worked)

5. Run into my basement and find small white candle that has already been used (why use a new nice candle if this project is going to H-E double hockey sticks in a hand basket)

6. Cut photo from paper and place on candle with push pins

7. Take heating tool and heat photo to candle

Done and it's beautiful!
Creativity Bug ~ Sandy

Featured Freebies for the Week of June 6th

Hello and Happy Monday!

Today we have a number of great new digital stamp and image freebies that we found on blogs, websites, or forward to us from friends and followers.

Paper Dreams of Mine shares a key to my heart, tree, and vase filled with flowers digital image

The Sherlock's Home shares digital images Alyssa, Rainy Day girl, Happy Birthday cake, and Birthday circle sentiment

Anne's Cards 4 U shares a painted seashell digital image

Pop N Stick shares an adorable dog with boa, singing hedgehog, and 3 different pigeon digital images

Paper Squirrel shares a June bride digital image

Beary Wishes shares a bear picking tulips, a tweet bird with flowers, thanks a bunch bears, and love roses digital images

Starry Nights Studios shares a butterfly, grasshopper, baby chick, and an early bird digital image

That's all for this week! Have a wonderful Day!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak with Tomato, Onion, and Cheese Salad

Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak

Ingredients:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

1 pound skirt steak, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces

Cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add steak, turning to coat; seal and marinate at room temperature 25 minutes, turning once. Remove steak from bag; discard marinade.
•  Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle both sides of steak with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
•  Add steak to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove steak from pan; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Tent with foil; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices.

Tomato, Onion, and Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 ¼ teaspoon vinegar

2 ¼ cups grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup diced sweet onion (such as Vidalia)

3 tablespoons blue cheese or feta cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Combine tomatoes and onion in a large serving bowl.
• In a small bowl combine oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well and pour over tomato/onion mixture.
• Toss salad to coat with dressing.
• Sprinkle cheese on top.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue 

BESTeam Weekly Feature - Turquoise Angels

Come check out this week's BESTeam featured site the Turquoise Angels Etsy shop owned by a mother and daughter team from Purcellville, VA.

Turquoise Angels  is a family owned company specializing in infusing art and clothing. They create hand made clothing for girls, babies, and mommies which includes custom hand tied tutus, cotton dresses, screen printed garments and hair accessories.

These ladies love what they do and who they get to do it with!

Flower Girl Tutu Dress

Turquoise, light blue and yellow layered tutu dress with three flowers. Bodice is made of a soft wide elastic band for comfort. Flowers may vary by style or design due to availability but will be in a beautiful coordinating color. Straps are made with tulle or double faced satin ribbon.  This lovely dress can be made in any custom colors.

Chicken Little Petti tutu

Yellow and orange layered Powder puff ballerina tutu sprinkled with bright orange ribbon through out. Tutu is completed with a two toned oragne flower clip (clip is removable and can be worn different ways and for multiple purposes.)Clip may vary by design and color.

Easter Pink and Sherbet Orange Twirl tutu

Tutu is handmade with luscious orange,and yummy cotton candy pink soft tulle tied in two different lengths to give the tutu added fullness. 

Baby Headband Hot Pink with handmade organza flower

Hot pink handmade organza flower paired with a hot pink stretchy skinny headband.  The perfect accessory for spring and summer or a new baby girl gift.

These are only a few of the wonderful items available. Please check out the rest of this beautiful collection at the Turquiose Angels Etsy shop and also take the time to view the Turquiose Angels blog “a blog about juggling family, work, and life while maintaining only a slightly crooked halo”.

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 May 30th

Happy Monday! Here are this week's wonderful digital images and stamps freebies found on websites and blogs or shared with us by friends and followers:

Victoria at Paper Squirrel shares a little girl with flowers digital image

Altered Scrap is all about animals this month and shares a moose, a rooster, a lion, and a cat digital image

When the Scrap Hits the Fun (just love that blog name) shares the With Love, Have Fun, and Happy Birthday ticket digital stamps

Di's Digi Downloads shares a little girl digital stamp

That's all for this week! Happy Crafting!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

In Honor of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.  First enacted to Honor Union and  Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end. It began as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the civil war, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events.

The Unknown Soldier 
by Roger J. Robicheau

You need not ever know my name

This unknown soldier seeks no fame

I'm here to bring out thought from you

May your heart see more than your view

America, we marched with pride

We gave our life, for you we died

How well we knew the time might come

When life could sound that final drum

Please think of us as life moves on

We tried so hard till that last dawn

Do let our spirit fill the land

Pass treasured freedom, hand to hand

God blessed this country with such love

Hold in your heart, abundance of

And when you stand before my grave

Think not of one, but each who gave

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Creativity Bugs ~ Sandy and Sue