i love penguins and freebies

Published 11/30/2009 dream. inspire. create. Leave a Comment
Tags: holiday, free, creativitae, christmas, cute, desktop, printables, calendar, wallpaper, 2009, penguins, penguin, ice skating, skating, snow, trees, greetings, december

I was in a wintery mood today, although I live in Florida and we never get snow. With these past 5 days off from the day job, maybe I’ve gone coo coo or should I say penguin? I’ve got some new printable greetings in the Shop and I whipped up a FREEBIE printable holiday card for you…AND a desktop complete with December 2009 calendar! The cards print one-up on an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet, trim and fold to 5″ x 7″. Cards fit a standard A7 envelope. Desktop is 1680 x 1050. Check out the Freebies tab for more penguins (iron ons), a lovely Winter Pomegranate Scrub recipe with printable tag and some printable Gift Tags. (for PCs right click images below or option click for Macs)

FREE printable greeting card

FREE desktop with calendar

free printables not for commercial use, personal use only.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

my kind of cookies :: no-bake

Published 11/28/2009 dream. inspire. create. , everything else 1 Comment
Tags: baking, christmas cookies, cookies, creativitae, cute, easy, holly, marshmallows, mom, no bake, recipe, wreath, wreaths

As you may have previously read, I’m not much of a baker. When I was married I did a fair job of cooking, cleaning and all that stuff. Since I’ve been on my own, I’ve regressed into something of a teenager, with cereal for dinner and “whatever is easiest” eating habits (sorry Mom, it’s true). The subject of Christmas cookies came up recently. Everyone’s trading recipes and reminiscing about their favorites. I pretty much love all cookies, and cake, and…well, let’s just say I’m not a picky eater! As a non-baker, the notion of No-Bake cookies interests me, and I remember one favorite that my Mom would make, Holly Wreaths. I asked my Mom to send me the recipe (and she did, cuz she rocks like that!). I also visited christmas-cookies.com to see what other no-bake goodness there was out there and there’s so much, you have to check it out. What are your some of your favorites? I’d love to hear about them.

Holly Wreath No-Bake Cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine
30 large marshmallows
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp green food coloring
3 1/2 cups corn flakes
red cinnamon candies (1-2 tablespoons)
optional: silver dragées

In a heavy 2 quart saucepan melt butter or margarine and marshmallows over low heat. Add vanilla and food coloring and stir until well blended. Fold in corn flakes (being careful not to crush them too much!). Drop by rounded greased tablespoons onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheets and shape into 2 inch wreaths. Decorate each with candies. Let cool. Do not freeze. Makes about 25 (about 80 calories per cookie).

This post has gotten me excited about the live wreath I ordered through a school fundraiser (it is due to arrive sometime this week). I can’t wait to decorate it and show you all how I make the big fluffy no-brainer bow!

Special thanks to my Mom for helping me out on this post.

[Image via valleyviolet on flickr]

Etsy love :: deck the halls

Published 11/27/2009 Etsy love 5 Comments
Tags: arts, christmas, country, crafts, creativitae, cute, deck the halls, etsy, Etsy love, handmade, inspiration, love, selling

Happy Thanksgiving and shopping frenzy Friday my peeps! I’ve pulled together some of my favorite Etsy items for those, like me, who decorate the weekend after Turkey day. This weekend I’ll be pulling out boxes from the closet under the stairs so that I can set up my Christmas cheer. Etsy is a great place to find inspiration, I’m in love with garland (or bunting) this season. Enjoy your holiday everyone!

Metro Retro Designs

Nesta Home

Sunshine and Ravioli

Tangled Things

the tiny house

Tippy’s Textiles ‘n Stuff

[images link back to their source on Etsy]

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

Published 11/25/2009 dream. inspire. create. , everything else Leave a Comment
Tags: bohemium rhapsody, cute, friends, fun, the muppets

This made my day! Thanks Tom!

perishable, cherishable, fetishable

Published 11/21/2009 dream. inspire. create. , goodness Leave a Comment
Tags: aunt luddy, austin, creativitae, cute, gesine prado, holiday treats, honor, leno, letterman, mom, mother, sandra bullock, Texas, the blind side, the blindside, travel, waltons fancy and staple

I was watching Jay Leno last week, which I normally wouldn’t do since I’m a Letterman gal (no, not that gal) but I saw a preview that day that said Sandra Bullock would be on Leno, so I was SOLD! I love her to John Cusak proportions. I could watch her all day. Anyways, I’ll save my gushing for another time. This post is mostly about Walton’s Fancy and Staple in Austin, Texas, not my girl crush on Ms. Bullock.

I’m not much of a traveler. There is a very short list of places I would like to travel to. The list goes like this: Savannah, GA anytime…and Ireland, in this lifetime. That’s it. But I’m happy to share with you a new addition to the list! Austin, Texas…specifically Walton’s Fancy and Staple. You’re probably wondering what in tarnation that has to do with Sandra Bullock. Well, while I was watching her on Leno I learned she has a bakery! She brought enough of her Aunt Luddy’s White Trash treat for the whole audience (because she is that awesome). After some creative googling I found Walton’s Staple and Fancy among many posts resembling recycled press releases. Long story short, Ms. Bullock and her sister, Gesine Prado, opened the fab deli-bistro-floral-catering piece of heaven in honor of their mother. (add another reason to the list of why I love Sandra) I’ve borrowed some images from the web site, they all link to the site so go check it out:

I’m really looking forward to seeing Sandra’s new movie The Blind Side! Hopefully I’ll get to see it this weekend.

[images from Walton's Fancy and Staple]

Etsy love :: Thanksgiving printables

Published 11/19/2009 Etsy love , dream. inspire. create. 1 Comment
Tags: art, creativitae, creativity, etsy shop, free printable, handmade, holiday, inspiration, paper, printables, projects, thanksgiving

Well, well…and where have you been? Oh, wait, I’m sorry that should be what you’re saying to me! I’ve been in full design mode this week, but I have not forgotten you, I promise. I just remembered today that I never bought my turkey last weekend. I missed a HUGE deal at the big box mart, oh well. I will get the turkey and fixings this weekend. In addition to being in design/shop/website mode I have been rounding up some Etsy Love Holiday features and I’m having such a great time checking out all the goodness (I should soooo be in bed right now!)

But it’s not too late for Thanksgiving Etsy Love! I’ve plucked some really cute printable items for your perusal and included something special for you…(FREEBIE ALERT)…but before you take a peek, check out the Etsy shops below, you still have time to get down with your creative self and show off your skills to friends and relatives with these sweet (and affordable!) printables.

Printable Stationery from ali design.

4″ x 4″ Giving Thanks Printable from every thing creative (etc.)

Keep Calm and Carry Spoof
2010 Printable Calendar from little brown pen.

Printable Thanksgiving Kit-The Harvesters from Wild Olive.

Personalized Recipe Cards (4 designs) from Sparrow Graphic.

And…now for the FREEBIE(s)!

3 of them! Did I mention that Creativitae is officially ONE!! Yep, we had a little blahg-versary this month. To celebrate, I’ve got these gifts for you: Thanksgiving placecards, an Acorn Alphabet sheet (get crafty!) and an i-love-lists printable to help you with the shopping and holiday ready making. Enjoy! (for PCs right click each image below or option click for Macs)

[Etsy shop images link to their source]

busy busy bee…

Published 11/11/2009 dream. inspire. create. Leave a Comment
Tags: art, craft, creativitae, design, etsy, handmade, holiday, inspiration, projects

Wow, I see that I’ve taken a whole 5 days off from posting…I know! Bad blogger! I’ve been working on the Shop and the Hub (the blog and shop website) these past few nights. I’ve also been wondering if I’m some kind of a lunatic for creating all this extra work for myself. But, I’ve gotten some really positive feedback lately which tells me that the effort is worth it. Besides, it’s either projects like the Shop and the Hub or it’s projects like laundry, yech!

I’ve got a whole two-week break from the Look Up Series to focus on my little creative babies (shop and hub…shub?). I will give you a peek of what I’ve been up to soon enough. It’s christmassy of course with a dash of cute and pinch of pretty. I want the items I create to inspire others to get creative (wow, blog theme tie-in, hehe) while also being user and budget friendly. Everything I design for the Shop has to follow that “formula” in addition to having room for embellishments so that the fabulous craftistas out there (I’m talking to you!) can add their own touches. I imagine I will be up to my eyebrows in glitter and pop-dots at some point this month but that’s what life is all about…right?

Check back this week for a special Etsy Love post I’ve been coveting for 5 whole days! I think it might be my most favorite feature yet! There will be more FREE printables this month and (EEK!) another giveaway! I’ll throw in some of my favorite cookie recipes as we near December and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my live evergreen wreath so that I can decorate and share it you. Ever wonder how they make those really fluffy bows? Well, I’ll show you! (wink)

Here’s a little holiday sparkle to get you in the mood:

twice as nice :: The Brightside Project

Published 11/05/2009 goodness , my blog crushes Leave a Comment
Tags: art, beauty, blog, creativitae, decor, fabulous finds, facebook, fashion, giveaways, handmade, the brightside project, twitter

Can it be? Can The Brightside Project get any brighter??? Well the answer is a resounding YES! The Brightside Project hosts a giveaway daily…you read that right…daily. Each month is themed and this month’s theme is The List. As in, the list of special people for whom you buy gifts and create joy for (because you rock it like that). Basically, with each giveaway you answer a specific question, by way of leaving a comment. The winners are announced on Wednesdays. That’s all, just read, comment, wish, and you may win! November is extra special though…The List is a one for them and one for you…that’s right, double the gifts! How can you not go there right now and participate? Why, it would be irresponsible of you not to, and un-American!! (too much? ok, sorry, I got carried away)

You can thank Miss B. and Miss K. by spreading the word about The Brightside Project through Facebook, Twitter, your blog or just leave them a comment and tell them how awesome they are. They work extraordinarily hard to brighten our days, they deserve some love!

[images from The Brightside Project]

found :: nice package

Published 11/03/2009 dream. inspire. create. , found 2 Comments
Tags: big cartel, blog, business, creature comforts, cute, dream, etsy, ez, fresh, inspire, life, marichelle, packaging

I’m becoming a bit obsessed with packaging…probably my Etsy addiction along with my shop and the anticipation of my first order is to blame. I want everything to be just right. Cute, smart, fresh. A big thanks goes to Lushlee for posting about this new shop Nice Package. I was delighted to learn that this enterprise is the collaboration of two of my favorite bloggers Marichelle Burdman (formerly of Heart Handmade, currently of Wunderlust and Lifeflix) and Ez Pudewa (of Wren & Chikadee and Creature Comforts). I love, love, love their new venture and, of course, the site design rocks (clean, fresh, smart). Both ladies are experienced Etsyians and I really admire their success (along with their friendship, sweet photo!).

If you want a fresh look in packaging this year (gift giving or selling) check out Nice Package. The photo styling alone is worth the click! I’m definitely adding them to my inspiration page.

[images from Nice Package]

creativitae series :: look up {10}

Published 11/02/2009 look up 1 Comment
Tags: art, blog series, creative thinking, creativitae, cute, happiness, life, look up, reflection

That’s right, I’ve been at this for 10 weeks (counting this post!). In case you are new to Creativitae, here’s a quote from the first look up post:

My thought with this series is that if we can get the nonconstructive (or destructive) behaviors, that are within our control to change, out of the way then we will be more free to express ourselves creatively, and in turn we will be happier, which benefits not only us but everyone around us.

Much has happened in the last two months that I can honestly say I did not expect. Bad stress and good stress, bad news, worse news, surprising news. Writing this series each week has helped me with my perspective on life and how I deal with the stressors. Life is fluid and you have to learn how to ride out the stormy parts. Topic #10 is along those lines.

Reflect.

It’s true that we have to look back to where we were to see how far we’ve come. I am loving the fact that a year ago this month I didn’t even know what a “blog” was. I was surfing around one day and I wanted a “vintage” look for a charity ball I was to attend (wow, that sounds way more glamourous than it actually is). I came across a wedding blog and from that day forward I knew I had found something…an outlet…a tool to create a world for myself (outside of my own mind) a creative space to connect with other artists. The learning curve has been immense, the connections profound, the flood of creative inspiration at times overwhelming but wonderful all at once. If you ever feel like you’re not getting anywhere, try thinking about where you were a year ago, if that doesn’t do it then go further back. It’s not about thinking “it could be worse” it’s about thinking how it is better. I’m going to take a 2 week break with this series. It will return with 10 more weeks of topics! (yay, and the crowd goes wild!).