Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt Winner Announcement

Hellooooooo!  I hope that those of you who celebrate Hallowe'en had a wonderful day on Thursday.  Unfortunately, every year we get fewer and fewer children coming to the door.  It didn't help that by 7:00 p.m. it was raining.  We had a whole four kids show up; down from the twelve we had last year.  I remember a time when there was over a hundred and thirty kids coming to the door.  Those were the days...

Anyways, while there wasn't much going on Hallowe'en wise in my physical neighbourhood, there was a lot going on in the virtual neighbourhood.  We started bright and early over here on Creative Bug on the Loose with our first ever Treasure Hunt and provided clues throughout the day at each of the DT's blogs.  Unfortunately we didn't get very many people participating.  However, I do know that the handful that did, enjoyed themselves and that made all the work worth it!

Prizes!!!

Everyone who made a guess, automatically will receive the following Hallowe'en word art creation:

So...

Ike 

Edwina

Kitty 

D~

Sidelle; and

Isobel

...each of you will soon be receiving an email with the above image attached so be sure to keep watch for it.

Now, for anyone who left a comment on each of the DT's Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt blog posts, I am also offering up the following prize...

Now I have gone to each of the posts and sorted through the comments and it looks like...

Ike 

Edwina

Kitty 

D~; and

Isobel

...will be receiving a paper as well.

And of course, that leaves the grand prize of three images of the winner's choice from the Creative Bug Digitals store.  The word once unscrambled was TREATS.  Hopefully, it wasn't too difficult to figure out!  All the people who entered the correct word were thrown into a magical Halloween bag.  Uh...let me rephrase that, all of their NAMES were thrown into a magical Halloween bag.  Now while I can't show you the bag (since it is magical it won't allow any pictures of it to be taken), I can show you my assistant who chose the winning name.

Meet Spot.  Spot and I have spent many a wonderful Hallowe'en together so he was the perfect choice to assist me in choosing the winner for our Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt.

Drum roll please....BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish...

Congratulations

Kitty

Okay now what are the odds that a cat would pick out the name Kitty.  I promise you that there was no cat collaboration involved.  While both these cats do live in the same country, the winning cat lives nowhere near us and couldn't have possibly influenced Spot in any manner.  You have my Promotional Coordinator Pledge.  Unless of course there was a psychic connection....hmmmm.... BUT I can't be held responsible for how someone may psychically communicate with my stuffed animals.  Really, there is only so much that is in my control!  Anyways, moving on...

So Kitty, you need to go to the STORE and choose the names of the three images you want.  To help me out, include the category they live in please.  Then email me by clicking HERE (it is a new address specifically for win related emails for Creative Bug Digitals), with the subject CBD Treasure Hunt Win with your choices and I'll mail you your three images as soon as I can.  Remember, for you other winners, I will be mailing you your goodies so you don't need to do anything but wait for them to arrive.

Thanks to all of you who joined us!  Maybe we'll do another Treasure Hunt in the future!

Okay peeps, that is it for this post.  I'm still conferring with Naomi about which name we will be choosing to represent Naomi's sweet little witch image.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten and should be able to let you all know soon!

Have a fabulous first week of November and don't forget to join me on Tuesday for the next freebie!  Chow for now!

Time for a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt!

Happy Hallowe'en Everyone!

Vampires, Werewolves & Ghouls!  Oh my!

It is time for a...

It's LISA here and I was wondering if you would like to have a little fun today and earn a chance at winning some more of Naomi's awesome Hallowe'en images plus some other goodies?  Well if 'YES' is your answer then stay tuned.

We have a six letter word that you need to figure out:

_____     _____    _____     _____     _____     _____

Throughout the day clue's will be released on each of the participating DT members' blogs with the last clue being released here, on Creative Bug on the Loose, at 4:00 p.m. later today.

When you receive a clue, you must go to the store and figure out what letter it is we are looking for.  Once you have the clues for all six spots, unscramble the letters and come up with a word.  I'll provide the email address you need to send me your guess, in the post that goes out at 4:00 pm on this blog with the final clue.

Just to make sure you understand, I'm going to walk you through the process, which will give you your first letter.

 

Clue #1

1. Go the Creative Bug Digitals Store at http://www.creativebugdigis.com.
2. Find the Halloween section. 
3. Click on the second image across in the third row down.  This will bring the image name up for you.
4. What is the last letter in this image's name?  Take that letter and write it down.  This is your first of six letters.

Now to make sure that you did it correctly you should have clicked on the image, "Pumpkin Kins".  The last letter is of course an 'S'.

__S___     _____    _____     _____     _____     _____

You now have one of your blanks filled in.  Remember you will need to unscramble the word when you have finished collecting the five remaining letters.

Ready to start?

Well, then head on over to Vicky's Blog,  Crafting Vicky,  right now for your second clue.

If you happen to get lost along the way you can find the complete line up below.  Times are listed in EDT...

The Treasure Hunt starts over at Creative Bug on the Loose at 8:00 am.

Go to Vicky's Blog, Crafting Vicky, at 8:00 am for clue #2.

Go to Lisa 's Blog (that's me), Décosse's Dynamite Doodles at 10:00 am for clue #3.

Go to Jen's Blog, Krafty Keepsakes at 12:00 pm for clue #4.

Go to Suze's Blog, Craftysuze at 2:00 pm for clue #5.

Come back here to Creative Bug on the Loose, at 4: 00 pm for clue #6--the final clue.

Now don't worry, if you aren't around for the day, or perhaps sleeping if you live in a different part of the world, that is okay too.  You will have until Midnight on Friday EDT, to complete the treasure hunt and email me your answers.  We want to make sure that all of our readers have the chance to participate.

Prizes!!!

What is a Treasure Hunt without prizes?!  Everyone who gets the word correct will have a chance to win three images of their choice from the store.  There will be one grand prize of three images.  Additionally, everyone who participates will receive a special Halloween word art image AND if you leave a comment on every single blog participating in the Treasure Hunt, you'll also receive a free digital paper.  That is two freebies just for playing along and your chance to win an additional three images from Creative Bug Digitals.

We look forward to seeing you participate!!!

HAPPY HUNTING!!!

Bit By the Bug Tuesday -- "Petrified Pumpkin"

 Welcome to the final week of...

Hello everyone.  It is LISA HERE with the final image in our Too Cute To Spook Collection.  Today I bring you...

Petrified Pumpkin

 

I absolutely adore this image.  It is definitely one of my favourites.  It also provides the perfect segue into today's Hallowe'een history lesson.  Today we are going to look at three of the most well known symbols associated with Hallowe'en.

Jack-o'-lanterns

Jack-o'-lanterns were traditionally carried by people dressed up in costumes on All Hallows' Eve in order to scare off evil spirits.  There is an old Irish folktale that tells of a man who encounters the devil on his way home after drinking throughout the evening.  The devil tricks Jack but his quick thinking traps the devil and they strike up a bargain that the devil can never claim Jack's soul.  Well, let's just say that Jack doesn't live the best life and when he dies heaven refuses him entry.  Keeping his promise, the devil won't let Jack into hell and instead whips a live coal from the fires of hell at poor Jack who catches it and places it within a hallowed out turnip.  Since that time it is said that Jack and his lantern have been wandering the earth looking for a place to rest his soul.  Jack of the lantern--Jack'o-lantern.  The idea was that hallowing out the turnip and carving a scary face in it would keep Jack and any other restless spirit away during the time of year when it was thought that the veil between the land of the living and the land of the dead was the thinnest.

As you may have noticed during the above folk tale, it was a turnip that was referenced.  Traditionally, in Ireland and Scotland it was the turnip that was hallowed out and carved each year around Halloween.  It was only when immigrants from these countries came to North America that they switched to using pumpkins which were not only softer to work with but also larger making the carving process much easier.  The American tradition of carving out pumpkins was first recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general.  It didn't specifically become associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.

Witches

How did witches become associated with Hallowe'en?   Let's start with the concept of the witch in general.  In some cases, it is believed that the people referred to as witches were actually the very first scientists.  Scientists had a different way of looking at and thinking of things and these strange beliefs were seen by the common people as sorcery, magic and witchcraft.  Samhain was a time of year when the spells, charms and predictions of these wise people were the most powerful and thus would be sought out.  Wisdom was and still is associated with power and so their knowledge about plants, herbs and animals were generally only passed down within families and to trusted friends.  This is actually where the word witch comes from.  In the Wicca religion the word witch means 'wise one'.  One of the major witch Sabbaths was held on October 31st as the day for hunting and celebrating the capture of animals. 

Unfortunately, as Wican beliefs became more popular than Christianity, and a whole lot of religious and political stuff got in the way, these practices started to be looked on as evil, the witch hunts began and that my friends, is a whole other history lesson. 

 Black Cats

Black cats have long been seen as being spiritual animals and have had the unfortunate luck to be associated with witches.  They were also seen as being able to sense the difference between good and bad spirits.  Superstitions link them to being bad luck.  The colour itself has been associated with mystery and magic.  Other beliefs have them serving as vessels to allow ghosts to return to the earth during that time of year when it was easier to do so--Hallowe'en.  It's no wonder then why these poor little black fur balls are thought of so negatively!

Other Symbols

Unfortunately I don't have time to get into the symbolism of the other things that are linked to Hallowe'en but here is a list of them, just to name a few:
Bats
Devil
Dracula
Frankenstein
Full Moon
Garlic
Ghoul
Goblins
Grim Reaper
Mummy
Owls
Scarecrows
Skeletons
Skull
Spiders
Werewolf
Vampire

It is easy to see why Hallowe'en gets such a bad wrap.

Anyways, it is time to check out what two of our DT came up with to showcase Naomi's fabulous Petrified Pumpkin...

 

Look at all that sparkly goodness.  You can check out the details of this creation over on Jen's blog Krafty Keepsakes. 

 

Vicky found the perfect sentiment to go with her great card!  You can check out the details of this project over on Vicky's blog Crafting Vicky.  And check out that cool skull stand?  I wonder how many different ones Vicky has?!

Sneak peek guesses...

I went from not fooling a single one of you last week to fooling you all this week which means I get a bit of break from having to create any special treats!  I'll enjoy the break while it lasts since I am not able to fool you guys all that often.

DON'T FORGET...

We are really hoping to get a fantastic name for Naomi's latest new release which is a sweet little witch.  The prize for the name we choose is a total of three images and depending on the number of entries there might be more prizes offered.  We want to have lots of ideas to choose from so if you haven't already offered up a name, please go and check the details of that post out HERE.

 

Time for another Hallowe'en joke...

 Q:  Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

A:   He didn't have the guts!

 

(source:  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/nosuchfile.htm) 

 

 

Well that is it for this post.  Things will be a little different next week.  Next Thursday there will be no new release so I won't be here on Saturday with a sneak peek.  However we do hope that you come back and visit on Hallowe'en Day, Thursday, October 31st, because the team and I have something fun planned for all of you. 

 

Until then, stay well and stay crafty!

References 
Author Unknown. (1996-2013). Halloween. Available: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween. Last accessed 22nd Oct. 2013.
Author Unknown. (N.D.). Halloween. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween. Last accessed 21st Oct. 2013.
Author Unknown. (1999-2013). Halloween's Origins. Available: http://www.brownielocks.com/halloweenhistory.html. Last accessed 21st Oct. 2013.
Brand, Patricia. (2007). Halloween Symbols - Meaning. Available: http://suite101.com/a/halloween-symbols-a34313. Last accessed 21st Oct. 2013.
Matthews, Bob. (1998-2014). Halloween Traditions, Customs, Symbols and Terms . Available: http://www.pumpkinnook.com/halloween/halloweentradition.htm. Last accessed 21st Oct. 2013.
Mendoza, Jean. (2011). Halloween Symbols – What do They Mean? . Available: http://www.lomography.com/magazine/lifestyle/2011/10/31/halloween-symbols-what-do-they-mean. Last accessed 22nd Oct. 2013.

Bit by the Bug Beginnings: Another Bug is Born

Welcome to the...

Hello everyone LISA HERE with today's post! We are embarking on a brand new theme this month with our Too Cute To Spook Collection. Hallowe'en is fast approaching and it is time to commemorate this occasion with some fabulous new images and of course some fun and facts along the way...

Hallowe'en originated from two different avenues coming together: pagan and Christian traditions. Although today, it has mainly lost its religious connection and is now more of a fun night for children to dress up and have a little fun. What does Hallowe'en mean to you? For me it is a time to explore different sides of your psyche and for one day, revel in the freedom of pretending to be someone completely different. Do you know how Hallowe'en is celebrated in some of the nations around you? Well, if you don't, I hope that you will stick with us over the next four weeks as we explore different aspects of Hallowe'en and some of its customs. Now, I do understand that many people in varying religions do not accept or participate in anything to do with Hallowe'en. It is certainly not our intention to offend anyone who does not believe in this occasion; so if you do not celebrate Hallowe'en, I hope that you will join us again next month. We hate that you won't be with us for our freebie and new releases this month, but we certainly understand your reasons.

For those of you who do celebrate this unique custom, you are in for a treat as Naomi has created some new images just for the occasion. Let's check out the first one...

 

Pumpkin Kins

  Pumkin Kins will be available in the store for purchase as soon as Naomi gets back on track.  However, if you are wanting to purchase it right away, please contact me (links below) and we'll make arrangements for you to get it sooner rather than later.  It is a bit of a stressful time as she cares for Michael after his surgery but they are both doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.

It was my intentions today, to start sharing some of the neat Hallowe'en tidbits I have come across in my research.  Unfortunately it is now after 5:30 am my time (EDT) and since I'm about to face plant into the keyboard, along with the fact that this post was supposed to be out over an hour and a half ago (sorry Suze), I'll just have to wait until next week to start sharing some interesting facts with you all.  What I do have to share with you today is just as good and that is a card from the ever fabulous Suze from Craftysuze who has created this wonderful project to show off the Pumpkin Kins...

I just love the little expressions on their faces.  You know they must be having one great conversation that only the two of them are privy too!  Now if you happen to like the backdrop that Suze used for her card this week, I have an in with the creator, so if you are interested in obtaining it (it is a freebie) just drop me a line (email link below). Thanks Suze for your wonderful card this week!  You always do a great job of showcasing Naomi's sweet images.

Sneak peek guesses...

This week we had a traditional sneak peek.  While there were some of you who guessed on a few different aspects of the image, only one person actually got it completely correct:  

 D- said... I am guessing a sweet little pumpkin or two nestled amongst some vines and leaves.     Crafty hugs, D~

So, I will be creating (whoops, haven't done it yet) a trio of word art images inspired by Hallowe'en to send out to D~.

Now as I said, there were a couple people who got some of the parts correct:

Kimberly Goodman said...Smiling pumpkin.

ike said... Hmmmm - I reckon it's a girly in a Pumpkin Patch :-)

So since Kimberly and Ike each got an element correct (smiling pumkin and pumkin patch), the fair thing to do is send each of these fine ladies one of the items from the word art trio that I'll hopefully get a chance to create in the next couple days.

So, D~, Kimberly and Ike, please send me an email by clicking HERE with the subject heading 'CBD Sneak Peek: Pumpkin Kins' and I'll send you off your goodies as soon as I've created them.

Thanks to all of you who continue to stop by and check out the sneak peeks each Saturday and offer up your guesses.  It really does mean a lot to me!

Okay, moving on...

Now, it is your chance to win a copy of these two sweet Pumpkin Kins...

It is time once again to try and give away a few copies of this adorable new release.  To be eligible, just leave me a comment letting me know what your favourite Hallowe'en tradition is?  With readers all over the world, I am really looking forward to seeing what you have to say.  I hope that you will play along for your opportunity to win Pumpkin Kins.  Not only is this cute little image suitable for your Hallowe'en cards but I think it would be perfect for any type of fall themed card including Thanksgiving which will be here in just a little under two weeks for us Canadians.  So, what is stopping you from entering?!  Leave the answer to the above question in a comment ON THIS POST by noon on October 16th, in order to have your chance at winning this image.

Winners will be announced on October 17th, when it will be time for the next new release!!!!

Which brings me to the winners of the last new release.  To be eligible to win a copy of the last new release. The Manchester Family, I had asked you to leave me a comment letting me know if you could be a sock monkey, what would you look like?  I was totally thrilled with the response I got.  Here are the answers I received (please note that I have edited out parts of the comments and only included the actual answer to the question.  To see the full comment, please go to the comment section of that original post HERE)...

 ike said...
...I think if I was a plush Socky Monkey, I would have a purple Punk hair do, tattoos and be dressed like a Goth and with spiky Biker Boots LoL

Fit Kitty said...
Ok, if I were a sock monkey, I would be a girl (obviously) and I would have a big smile on my face, showing all my sock monkey "teeth". And I would be holding a small sock kitty in my hands...

Iris said...
If I were a sock monkey I'd wear purple and some wild striped socks.
 
scrapclose2theheart said...
...I would be in the traditional colors with the red heel. I would have a BIG GRIN on my face b/c I smile a lot. I saw some with glasses & I do wear glasses. BUT, I wouldn't be one in one of those girly tutus! Too fru fru for me. Dress me in jeans & a t-shirt & I will be a happy camper.

Kimberly Goodman said...
For me to be a sock monkey the sock would have to be either red or blue cause they look the best, wear glasses because I ain't as young as I used to be. I need a sock puppy glued to my side and being under feet. The monkey also needs to have a pair of sissors in one hand and something crafty in the other hand. Oh, and my sock has to have a little more stuffing as I'm full figured.

Edwina said...
...I would be a pink monkey with lime green sparkles on it and wear a hat with flowers, ribbon, and a butterfly decorating the hat if I am a sock monkey.

D- said...
Well if I was a sock monkey I would be dressed in black jeans and a blue or green shirt. I have hazel eyes that change shades of colors depending on the color I am wearing especially green. Since I teach small reading support groups in an elementary school I would be holding a book....

Aren't all these answers great?  If I had the ability to make sock monkeys, I would create your perfect type for each of you.  Can you imagine that tea party?  Oh what fun.  Now generally, I try to give away one image for roughly every three people that participate in answering the designated question when it comes to handing out the new release images.  Well, it is very possible that this may be the last time you see me over here.  I could be out of a job when Naomi finds out I'm sending this image to each of the ladies who took the time to share their ideal sock monkey replica with me.  So, that means that the following individuals walk away with a copy of the Manchester Family...

Ike

 Fit Kitty

Iris

  scrapclose2theheart aka Patti

 Kimberly G

 Edwina

 D~

Winners, please contact me by clicking HERE with the subject heading 'Image Win:  Manchester Family' to get your copy of Naomi's sweet image from the last release.  Please note that it might take me a few days to get back to you though, so I appreciate your patience.

Now what would a new theme be without a new set of jokes?  Here is the one for this week:

 Q:  How does a girl vampire flirt?
A:  She bats her eyes.

(source:  http://www.squidoo.com/halloween-rhymes-the-fun-the-silly-and-the-scary)

 

Please come back and visit with me on Saturday when it is time to show the next peek in our Too Cute To Spook special collection of Hallowe'en images. 

 Until Saturday, have a fantastic couple days and good luck everyone!

Treat Box

Free Snowman (night scene) here

Hello and thanks for visiting today!

 One more day  Michael, myself and Troy will be on the boat leaving PEI to head to Halifax to meet with Michael's Surgeon... Are you wondering who Troy is??  He's an angel sent to earth for Michael and I... (I believe)  Troy and I have been living together for 2 years , we are best friends and he is my life support, I love him with all my heart and soul. He couldn't be closer to Michael if he was his own son and I am always grateful to have him in my life. Michael is anxious about going on this trip so I kept him home from school, I am sure the teachers would understand. I need your prayers for fever has raised it's ugly head again and I am taking the symptoms with me.. it has to be done right!  As Michael says, (" We can be sick but still be happy right mommy?) My answer is always  " ABSOLUTELY!!!" , he smiles every time. I believe everything is for a reason and I believe God will take care of me what ever the situation.

• Today I am sharing a treat box that I made ! I got the treat box at Walmart and used plain white tissue stamped with Halloween kisses which I got from Jaded Blossoms.  

•  I also used Foil tape sheets to use behind the pumpkins face to make it shine... ( Foil tape sheets by Ranger)

• I used the Halloween Kisses stamps to stamp on the white tissue and I also stamped on colored cardstock and punched them out and adhered them to the bottom of hersey's kisses, mmmmmmm!!!!

I know I could have done more but this was all I had time for...I will be adding ribbon and a tag for sure!

Have a great day!