Creativity Bug

Leap Around the World blog hop

2012-02-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome to your next stop in the Let’s Scrap “Leap Around the World” blog hop.

If you came here from Betty Anne Orr at http://letsgetscraphappy.blogspot.com/ then you are in the right place! If you did not, Mindi Brown at http://scrapchat-n-coffeetalk.blogspot.com/ has the hop order to help you find your way.

I am so excited to be the 5th blog host out of 50 for such a fun and huge blog hop!

Here is the sketch I am showcasing for the hop:

Here is my card:

I want to apologize for the quality of the picture. My camera decided to stop working at the most inopportune time and I had to scan both my card and blog candy. Unfortunately, the scan does not show any dimensions and is of poor quality. I hope to have my camera working soon and an updated picture of the card posted here and in the gallery.

Now for the fun part! Here is the blog candy I am offering!

Here is how easy it is to enter for my random draw:

Be or become a member of Let’s Scrap which you can do by clicking here http://letsscrap.ning.com/ . It is free, easy and fast! Once you get there, I am sure you will love it!
Become a follower of my blog
Leave me a comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing is about Valentine’s Day

And if you would like a second chance in the draw:

Make a card from the sketch I have posted and upload it to the gallery at Let’s Scrap. Please tag it as 5-2-11, LEAP5
Leave a comment on this post with a link to your card on Let’s Scrap.

The hop ends at 11:59 pm Central Standard time February 29th, which you would be able to track using the clock on the main page of Let’s Scrap.

Thanks for visiting the Creativity Bug blog and have fun with the blog hop. Your next stop will be the talented Debby De Wilde @ http://drdewilde.blogspot.com/

If you get lost along the way or have joined the hop in the middle, Mindi Brown @ http://scrapchat-n-coffeetalk.blogspot.com/ is the beginning of the hop. You don’t want to miss any of the fun!

Pairing wine and chocolate for Valentine’s Day

2012-02-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

Pairing Wine and Chocolate

This Valentine’s Day instead of buying a heart shaped box of chocolate and bottle of generic wine, consider pairing a fine selection of chocolates from Fannie May with the perfect wine selection to impress your sweetheart.

Some say it can’t be done, pairing wine with chocolate however they are natural companions. Both have complex flavors and notes, both have similar components and nuances in common. If you have the right wine to complement the right chocolate it can be a match made in heaven!

Click here for more information!

Kuretake ZIG design team call

2012-02-13T10:40:00.000-06:00

Kuretake ZIG Design Team Call

Kuretake ZIG is looking for new US Design Team members!

Do you love ZIG pens, and want to be part of the Kuretake Design Team? Well, here's your chance! Kuretake ZIG is looking to expand their US Craft Design Team so they are looking for crafters based in the US and Canada that are either familiar with ZIG pens or enthusiastic enough to start using them!

They are looking for card makers, scrapbookers, mixed media artists , and anyone that uses ZIG pens in a creative way! You don't have to be on any Design Teams at the moment but you do have to be enthusiastic and committed to using ZIG pens in your work

Click here for more information!

Chocolate chip cheesecake with Oreo crust

2012-02-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Oreo Crust

Growing up, the cookie of choice in our house were Oreos. There was nothing better than a few cookies, broken apart, and then dunked in ice cold milk for an evening snack after homework.

When I recently ran across this recipe for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Oreo Crust, I knew I found a perfect dessert to make for Valentine’s Day. What could be better than the creaminess of cheesecake, the crunchy goodness of Oreos, and the sweet taste of chocolate rolled into one delicious dessert.

Click here for the recipe!

Caramel crispies

2012-02-13T10:35:00.000-06:00

Caramel Crispies

Are you looking for a 100 calorie or less snack treat for the kids that is easy to make and uses basic pantry ingredients? Then get ready to pull out the ingredients to make Caramel Crispies with the kids today.

These Caramel Crispies bars are a perfect combination of Cheerios, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and caramels.

Click here for the recipe!

Graham’s 318 coffeehouse Valentine special

2012-02-13T10:33:00.000-06:00

Graham's 318 Coffeehouse Valentine Special

Come to Graham’s 318 Coffeehouse in Geneva on Valentine's Day and share a romantic chocolate fondue for two with Graham's own chocolate, homemade dipping selections such as pound cake, marshmallows, and angel food cake, and even the classic favorites like strawberries, bananas and graham crackers!

Want to celebrate Valentine's Day at home with your loved one? Graham's and 318 have Chocolate Fondue kits for sale for $33.98, which includes a beautiful ceramic fondue pot and stand, a package of Fondue Chocolate complete with a recipe to make delicious chocolate fondue, as well as a package of our homemade Valentine's marshmallows, which are pink and shaped like hearts!

Click here for more information!

Cinnamon bun popcorn

2012-02-13T10:30:00.000-06:00

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

Whether you are tuning into tonight’s Grammy show, hosting an Emmy party, or just having family movie night, popcorn is the tastiest treat to serve.

Instead of popping up a bag of plain old microwave popcorn, pull out a few extra ingredients from the pantry and surprise your guests with Cinnamon Bun popcorn.

This popcorn snack is a mix of cinnamon caramel popcorn, pecans, and a light drizzle of white chocolate.

Click here for the recipe!

Gino’s East: The giving heart

2012-02-13T10:27:00.000-06:00

Gino's East: The Giving Heart

Spread the love as Gino’s East celebrates the true meaning of it this Valentine’s Day with “The Giving Heart.” For every deep-dish, heart-shaped cheese pizza purchased from Wednesday, February 8 through the end of the month, a portion of proceeds will go to Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Click here for more information!

Sweetheart sugar cookies

2012-02-13T10:24:00.000-06:00

Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Show your sweetheart just how sweet they are to you this Valentine’s Day by baking up a batch of Sweetheart Sugar Cookies.

These cookies are tasty, sweet, and easy to make.

Click here for the recipe!

NutterButter and chocolate overload cupcakes

2012-02-13T10:21:00.000-06:00

NutterButter and Chocolate Overload Cupcakes

What is it about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate that gives a person’s taste buds sensory overload?

These NutterButter and Chocolate Overload Cupcakes take the combination of peanut butter and chocolate to new heights. The sweet aroma of these baking in the kitchen will have the entire family begging to lick the bowl and they will try to gobble a few straight from the oven.

These cupcakes are a perfect taste sensation with the combination of devil’s food cake and NutterButter cookies with chocolate and peanut butter frostings.

Click here for the recipe.

Berry shortcake trifle

2012-02-09T10:04:00.000-06:00

Berry Shortcake Trifle

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you will want to surprise your sweetheart with a tempting and tasty dessert.

This Berry Shortcake Trifle dessert looks impressive but is a cinch to make. The best part is that your Valentine will love digging into the luscious layers.

Click here for the recipe!

Engagement chicken

2012-02-09T10:01:00.000-06:00

Engagement Chicken

Just in time for Valentine’s Day and a hope for a ring from your sweetheart comes this recipe for Engagement Chicken.

Engagement Chicken is a famous dish known for getting a man on bended knee with a ring in hand asking for your hand in marriage. With just lemon, salt, pepper, herbs, and chicken, you can get your man to say "I Do."

This famous chicken recipe has been around for years. It was first published in Glamour magazine in 2002 as a way to reel in your man, and shockingly it actually worked! After the article was published, 21 women and counting wrote in to the magazine claiming they got engaged after cooking the chicken.

Whether this is a myth or fact, doesn’t your sweetie deserve a tasty home cooked meal?

Click here for the recipe!

Dusted chocolate covered almonds

2012-02-09T09:59:00.000-06:00

Dusted Chocolate Covered Almonds

Wonderfully delicious, almonds have long been revered as a symbol of wellness and health. The nuts are enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health.

Almond nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals; the kind of well-balanced food ensure protection against diseases and cancers. Just a hand full of these nuts a day provides enough recommended levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein.

Click here for the recipe!

Gibby’s wine den: Some like it hot

2012-02-09T09:57:00.000-06:00

Gibby's Wine Den: Some Like It Hot!!

It is may be cold outside but things will be heating up at Gibby's Wine Den this Thursday! Join in on the “Some Like It Hot!” event.

Sangria by the glass at the bar will move your minds to a warmer locale. Tantalize your taste buds with Tapas from Gracious Hall Catering that will warm you up.

At 7:30 p.m. the dance floor will heat up with an authentic Spanish dancing performance from A Step Above Dance Studio with dance demo and lesson available.

Who wouldn’t enjoy a little Spanish get-away in the middle of winter?

Click here for more information!

Two bite chocolate cream pie

2012-02-09T09:53:00.000-06:00

Two Bite Chocolate Cream Pie

How many times have you had a party and guests turn down a dessert because they are dieting, the servings are too big, or they are not cake fans??

These Two Bite Chocolate Cream Pies are a chocolate lovers delight and are a spectacular indulgent but only 110 calories so even the dieters can enjoy.

Serve these decadent treats at your next party gathering, family reunion, book club, or girls' night in.

Click here for the recipe!

Grapefruit chicken pistachio salad

2012-02-09T09:51:00.000-06:00

Grapefruit Chicken Pistachio Salad

Did you know that February is National Grapefruit Month and it’s the perfect time to celebrate this Florida gem because it’s in peak season. This means that grapefruit is mouth wateringly delicious and fresh this time of year.

Grapefruit is a superstar among superfoods. Just one grapefruit packs more than 100 percent of the daily recommended serving of Vitamin C. Additionally, lycopene, the pigment that gives grapefruit its pink color, is linked to protection against heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, and it's been shown to help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol.

With grapefruit season at its peak, now is the perfect time to try some new grapefruit dishes.

Click here for the recipe!

Green tea smoothie

2012-02-09T09:48:00.000-06:00

Green Tea Smoothie

According to an ancient Chinese proverb, it's "better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one" and current health research backs up that claim.

Embrace the wisdom of the ancient Chinese philosophers and fight cancer and heart disease with a sip or a spoonful of green tea. Pure nutrition in a glass, this disease fighting smoothie features high antioxidant berries, green tea, and heart healthy soy milk.

Click here for the recipe!

Scrap-Friendzy design team call

2012-02-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

Scrap-Friendzy Design Team Call

Scrap-Friendzy is having a DT Call! Scrap-Friendzy is a challenge based site with a laid-back, friendly environment where everyone is welcome. They focus on inspiring and encouraging our members, as well as, teaching new techniques to take our scrapbooking & paper crafting to the next level!

If you are a kind, energetic paper crafter that enjoys inspiring, encouraging and educating others in paper crafts, then this might be the perfect place for you. Scrap-Friendzy is such a fun, active place to hang out and are always having a blast, so if you'd like to join the team- here's your chance.

Click here for more information!

The Chopping Block (LS): Sushi boot camp

2012-02-09T09:42:00.000-06:00

Sushi Boot Camp

Sushi lovers rejoice! Learn the intricate ins and outs of everything sushi related in this intensive hands-on class offered by the Chopping Block in Lincoln Square.

Mario Scordato, sushi chef and Chopping Block instructor, will teach you how to perfectly cook and season rice, how to select and properly cut tuna, salmon, yellowtail (hamachi), eel (unagi), soft shell crab and shrimp for creating basic and more intricate maki rolls, hand rolls and nigiri.

Click here for more information!

Heart kabobs

2012-02-09T09:40:00.000-06:00

Heart Kabobs

Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean serving unhealthy desserts or lots of chocolate. Serve this healthy Heart Kabob treat to your Valentine, kids, or at your next ladies luncheon.

This treat is made with fresh watermelon, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, and a citrus yogurt dip.

Click here for the recipe!

The Chopping Block (LS): Valentine’s feast

2012-02-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Feast

The Chopping Block knows the way to your hearts and nothing starts a perfect night like a sumptuous dinner. Bring the object of your affection, and they will treat the two of you to a fun, romantic and delicious evening.

Treat yourselves to a lavish meal complete with cooking lesson! A complimentary glass of bubbly is included.

Instructor Jeff Adamek will teach you how to make Sautéed Scallops with Brussels Sprout and Bacon Hash and Brown Butter Sauce; Endive and Watercress Salad with Toasted Walnuts, Apples and Goat Cheese; Dijon and Herb-Crusted Pork Loin with Sauce Robert; Aged Cheddar and Potato Gratin; Chocolate Amaretto Mousse.

Click here for more information!

Love bug cupcakes

2012-02-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

Love Bug Cupcakes

These Love Bug Cupcakes are perfect for a Valentine’s Day party, garden party, kid’s birthday party, or just an extra-special snack.

These treats will get your party guests and kids buzzing with excitement. They are made with boxed devil’s food cake mix, whipped frosting, and a variety of candies.

Click here for the complete recipe and directions!

The Chopping Block (LS): You had me at chocolate

2012-02-09T09:32:00.000-06:00

You had me at Chocolate

The Chopping Block invites you to sign up for “You Had Me at Chocolate”.

Lose control with these insanely decadent chocolate masterpieces. Bring an assortment of your edible treats home for your Valentine! Instructor Kimberly Schwenke teaches you how to make Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Marshmallow Filling; Chocolate Pecan Bars; Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting; Chocolate Toffee Cookies.

Click here for more information!

Ice cream cupcakes

2012-02-09T09:29:00.000-06:00

Ice Cream Cupcakes

Planning a kid’s birthday party, ice cream social, or baby shower? Consider making these delicious one serving Ice Cream Cupcakes for your guests.

These lip smacking mini sundaes are the perfect size for little kids. And there's hardly any cleanup since the bowls are edible!

Click here for the recipe!

The Chopping Block (MM): Baking boot camp

2012-02-09T09:27:00.000-06:00

Baking Boot Camp

The Chopping Block invites you to sign up for “Baking Boot Camp” cooking class.

Roll up your sleeves and spend a three day, dough-filled weekend in the pastry kitchen.

Day One - Doughs and Batters: Yeast Dough; Pie and Tart Dough; Brioche Dough; Croissant Dough; Devil's Food Cake; Lemon Lavender Cookie Dough; Linzer Cookie Dough.

Day Two - Pâté a Choux, Custards and Filling: Pastry Cream; Chocolate-Glazed Éclairs; Chocolate and Caramel Ganache; Pistachio Crème Brûlée; Buttercream.

Day Three - Assembly and Garnishing: Shape and Fill Croissants; Frost and Assemble a Layer Cake; Bake and Assemble Cookies; Assemble Chocolate Raspberry Tart.

Click here for more information!