No more sitting like a lump on a blog!

Things are looking a little less snottier and sore throatier around here. :)
there hasnt been alot going on but I did manage to take a few photos and get things ready to go to the post office tomarrow.Finally,phew!
First off here is a little cutie I finished for Belinda awhile ago but havent been able to get even a decent picture of...

Secondly,my yard!!Things are going crazy back there since all of this rain has been happening.I really need to get out there before it becomes an even bigger jungle.


And lastly this plate,I was getting ready to wash it and realized I should ask blog and flickrland if anyone has seen any like it.My grandma had this set and I ate off of it pretty much my entire life until she passed away.I would be willing to pay for a set or trade anything in my store. Id even be happy with one more plate.All I have now is the one and I almost eat every meal off of it! lol
Keep your eyes out please! hope everyone is well. :) xo

Rain Rain

It's raining here today off and on.Its really neat because one second its sunny and with a blink of the eye its dark.The kids are home sick and are sleeping soundly all snuggled up in their beds. Its just the dog and I sitting here listening to the rain and the birds outside.I love opening the door and smelling the wet pavement and seeing everything thats popping up and blooming and getting fruit on it.I had been thinking if the kids werent home it would be a good day to go the beach but the more I look around the more I realize why would I want to leave......Yup I think its going to be a great year..

Im still alive,just in bed!

Everything is on slow time. If I havent mailed it out yet I will. Im dying to sew,so many crazy GREAT ideas go thru my head while Im sick. :)

oatmeal cookies,buttons,and why I got in trouble at the post office

I used to keep all of my buttons seperated by color and then one day I decided ah who needs all of these jars and poured all of my nice beautiful SEPERATED buttons into one big gallon jar...
Well not real a good idea because everytime I was looking for something I would have to pour them out into a cake pan to find what I was looking for so today I decided to seperate them all once again....4 hours later Iam almost done!
I dont know if anyone else does this but when I get a package in the mail I save the envelope box or whatever it is.Yesterday I took some things to the post office that I had wrapped with a cut up priority envelope that I had recieved in the mail.I used it for 4 differant packages so I was really pleased with my recycling.Well I waited in line all happy and smiling and when I get to the counter she says "mam,are these priority mailers turned inside out?" keep in mind these packages are about 4 inches square
I say "yes I took one that I had recieved and cut it up to mail these"
"mam do you realize that you are stealing from the United States Post Office?"
ok so now Im embarassed and everyone is whispering.
She proceeds to explain to me how Iam stealing and I decide to just pay priority mail even though its one envelope cut up into 4.It ends up being almost $5.00 more a package to mail them because I used that envelope ...lesson DONT RECYCLE! just kidding but if you do this be careful!
Im trying to stay away from the sewing machine today so in between buttons Im making oatmeal cookies,they are lowfat and I thought Id share the recipe,they arent too sweet and I think if my kids were still little I would make them all the time with carob chips instead of choc chips.


Low-Fat Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips (or Raisins)


1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/4 c plain apple sauce
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add cinnamon if using raisins, instead of chocolate chips.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars. Beat in the egg, followed by the applesauce and the vanilla extract. Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Add chocolate chips or raisins just before the batter comes together.
Drop tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 9-12 min at 375F. Cookies will be light brown at the edges, but will not get as dark and golden as regular cookies.
Let cool on sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Anyway,whatever you are up to today have a good one!

my new roomie!

orland the watching owl mini, originally uploaded by little black forest.

Well actually not mine he belongs to my daughter,but I made her promise I could keep him in the living room until she graduates. Which is 2 years from now! He was made by Belinda at LITTLE BLACK FOREST she does such lovely work. You can tell how well made her things are by looking at the pictures but when you see it in person...her stitches just blow me away..and make me try harder. I just finished up what Im sending to her tonight...pictures tomarrow if its not raining.:)

Audrey

thoughtful, originally uploaded by annieoakleaves.

She is finally done and going into the shop today! I have had her on my mind for a long time and was waiting for the perfect vintage fabric for her dress,which I found on etsy.She has vintage jewelry in her hair,on her shoes,clutch,and dress. She even has vintage eyelashes.Originally I wasnt planning on making her a stole but her head was so heavy from the jewelry I needed to something.I have another one started in pink for valentines day but first Im going to finish a very special gnome girl and a very special mushroom. :)

Look who is coming to my house!!!!

Owl for Annie, originally uploaded by Old School Acres.

Im doing a trade with Laurie at Old School Acres,I cant help but feel like Iam the luckier one on the trade.I will post photos of mine when she is done. :)

Bee happy!

bee, originally uploaded by annieoakleaves.

Ive been making an attempt at polymer clay and painting lately.Painting terrifies me,it pretty much always has but living with the fantastic painter that I live with it kind of puts things in perspective for me as to just how mediocre my skills are. Im going to keep plugging away at it though,maybe this time next year I will have something fabulous painted..... or a closet full of unfinished objects! Things have really been going fast since Christmas,I will say that Christmas totally whipped my butt this year.I took on way more than I could handle and stay sane with.Why do we do that?Alot of times no one really notices so why not sit back and relax....I Do Not know.
I have some great things Im really excited about going on around my sewing machine.Cant wait to show you....... :)

Lolly Lolly

Lolly Lolly, originally uploaded by annieoakleaves.

This is a mushroom i finished last night.I have several more that just need faces,which would probably only take me a half hour but i cant bring myself to do it yet. lol Id like to try some differant expressions and things like,ah well,tomarrow maybe. tomarrow for sure I will be listing alot of fabric and vintage things. Its a new year, out with the old in with the new. How is your new year so far?