Raggedy Old Annies

Happy Birthday to my BFF!

So I fell asleep Wednesday night...sitting in my comfy chair stuffing dolls.....the cat jumped off my lap and it woke me up and I decided to pick my lazy self up and go to bed. But I had to turn the computer off first....so I figured since I was up and in here I would check my email. Then I realized that it was like 2 minutes until Missy's actual Birthday!!!!! So I had to stay up just so I could blog about it! Why I wanted to hurry up and blog about you ask??? Well because EVERY year we've had fun by posting a funny pic of each other on our birthdays....and it started way before blogs came around. Missy started it! She was nice to me this past year....and I'll be nice to her NOW after I took the FUNNY picture off that I had to remove because I didn't want C to get upset! If you didn't get a chance to see it...I'm sorry.... but this one is one of my favorites....isn't she soooooooo cute!!!!!!

   

So there you have it!!! Happy Birthday Missy!!!!!! Wish I were there to eat some cake with you!!!!! But you'll be here soon enough and we'll have cake then! Missy ya and LOVE YA!

A little Humor....

When I told you I was playing racquetball with my friends...I wasn't joking!

Nice eye wear huh? I told my friends that I'm gonna go get the ones that have the elastic back....cause they kept slipping down....and I'm also going to get a headband and maybe some leg warmers!!! And when I get skinny...maybe I'll even wear some tight spandex!!! NOT! LOLOL Off to bed for me now! I'm really tired and REALLY SORE! You wouldn't think it would make you sore...but OMGosh..it does!

Have you tried.....

these ever so yummy......green bean fries from TGI Fridays??? They were so yummy...I wish I had some now!

My friend Sandi and I went out on Saturday to Photograph...getting ready for our class to start...and after spending some time on the beach photographing anything and EVERYTHING....we headed down to the "Gas Lamp District" in San Diego and started out with lunch....after driving around and around trying to find the perfect parking spot! We had fun! Then we topped it off with a movie...27 Dresses! OMG!!! So cute!!!

Sorry..no doll updates today....took the weekend off....but back to work tomorrow! After playing with Sandi's new "Lensbabie" lens for her camera...I MUST HAVE my own! So I need to work for it!

Organized?

I wish I was MORE organized! I'm really NOT...and my sewing room is a mess right now!

I recently received an email from Cindy Markovcy of Homespun from the Heart asking for my permission to use the pictures of my sewing room for an atricle that she is writing for "Beneath the Willow Tree" News. She "thinks" I'm so organized! LOLOL So she asked for some tips on staying organized. I had to tell her that I'm really NOT that neat and clean, of course I cleaned up for the pictures! But I did give her a few tips on what does help me keep certain things organized and easy to find. It really helps to keep rick rack and seam binding seperated by color and then I have bagged them up to keep them neat in the drawer. And the same with my lace....all folded up neatly placed in baggies. And the drawers...they are just those 3 drawer plastic bins that you can get at Walmart....what are they like $10.00? And they fit neatly under my built in table...I have 4 of them right next to each other. I took a couple pics of the inside of the drawers to share.

And look what I just brought home!!!! I was so excited!!! I wanted a Sizzix and I couldn't find one here in town. I started searching eBay and found some good deals on there.....but....my friend had one...and didn't use it that much because she also has a Cricut.....so she was more than willing to trade me for dolls!!!! YIPPEEE!!!! It came with 2 alphabet sets and another set that needs the adapter. And I've already purchased 2 different tag die cuts. I'm looking for the HUGE heart now!

And check out this cool tool! Guys have their tools...and girls have thier own too! This gadget punches holes through CHIPBOARD!!! I wanted the pink one...but this is the only one that they had. I got it at the local ScrapBook store..they owed me some money for my dolls......so I took it in trade. I got that and a pile of papers!

I guess I can't work tonight...the cat has found it warm and comfy in the chair that I sit at my sewing machine in.

But I did finish some dolls earlier and have already added them to my website. Here is a pic of a new one!

Guess what??? My BFF Missy is coming to see me!!! Next month! Feb 22-24! I cannot wait! We already have big plans! First of all she's coming without the kiddos! I'm so proud of her!!!! So on Friday night...I've already arranged with my friends here to go out so they can all meet! So we'll probably do Mexican...that's Missy's favorite...mine too! Then on Saturday...we are heading to Carlsbad because we signed up for Candice Carpenter's Easter Banner class!!!!! And then on Sunday...who knows what we'll do....I'm sure we'll find something....and then she leaves that night. So maybe we'll head out early and find some shopping to do, since we have to travel to the airport....we might as well make a day of it! Gotta keep her busy so she won't "think" about her girls every moment!!!!! But I understand! So I cannot wait!!!

My friends and I decided we needed a little exercise in our life, so we all agreed upon Racquetball. I played it some when I was a lil one...my parents loved it! So off we went to the gym that offers it..and they gave us a free 2 week trial EACH...isn't that cool...and well let's just say WE LOVED IT! We're very sore now...but what fun! We laughed sooo hard! I wish I had my camera with me! I had all intentions of taking it with me...but I had a dentist appointment before we were going....and I didn't want it sitting in the car. Man...I'm mad at myself now! I'm sure I'll get some good ones next time...but they won't be as funny as the very first expressions the 3 of us had on our faces!

I think that I have chatted your ear off enough tonight. I think that this has to be my longest post ever! Sorry! Tomorrows Friday! Yippee! Have a GREAT weekend!!!!

Are you ready........

for more dolls? Because I just finished up another batch!!!! Check them out here!

A couple of them SOLD before I could even blog about them.....literally right after I hit the "publish" button!!!! I can make them for you if you want....just email me!

So this weekend was fun! C had 2 friends over on Friday night...they came home with him right after school! See the game room is working out GREAT! This is exactly what I want! I want the kids here...so that way when he's a teen...I KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING! Sorry no pics....C is just sick and tired of me in his face...and his friend's faces with my camera! He'll regret it!!!! So anyway...after I picked them up...we went to the grocery store because I had no "munchies" in the house! So I let them pick out lots of junk...and that they did!!!! I did feed them a good dinner...but let them eat whatever they wanted afterwards!!! How fun is that? I went to bed around 11ish....but I was told in the morning that they stayed up till 2:30!!!! I never heard them! On Saturday we were supposed to go the the snow in the mountains closest to us....but my friend called around and found out that it was all melted. BUMMER! I really wanted to go up there and take pics.....next storm I guess! Saturday night we went over a friends for dinner and played the game "Catch Phrase". It's a handheld game that you pass around. We did guys against girls! What fun!!!!

So on Friday during the day...I was working on dolls...and my TV was on...and I have my daily routine...and I LOVE to watch them Judge shows...I know....don't laugh...but I find them really stupidly funny....and well.....I recognized a name from high school.....c'mon that was 20 years ago (this summer) and how did I remember that name so clearly? Well....I remember it because her and her friend were VERY mean to me in middle school....wanted to kick my bootie on the last day of school....so chicken me didn't go to school that day...and well......I worried all summer they would kick my butt on the 1st day of school...but hello..they forgot I guess...but anyway...she went to the same high school...and well I guess didn't amount to much....because she was on Judge Joe Brown being sued by a former boyfriend for $5000.00!!!!! I guess he kept a running tab of what monies she borrowed...and her defense was that if she had known he was gonna keep a running tab of money he gave her...then she should have kept a running tab of times she slept with him to pay the debt off!!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE she said that!!! Oh and I did mention she was tweakin!!! YIKES! So I just had to share that funny story!!!!

So I am off to bed....and working on more dolls tomorrow!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!!

Tiny Annie Attack!

Yes....lots of Tiny Lil Annies! I had a few orders for them....so I made some extras!!!!

You can find the ones that are not sold yet on my website. And there are a couple others added too!

I've been working crazy.....this was my pile before I dressed them...... poor lil girls were freezing!!!

Yes...it's freezing here....well for me it is! My husband says I'm cold at 80! We have snow up in the mountains closest to us! I want to take Christopher up to the snow so bad! Missy sent me the pictures that she took of her family in the snow and I am soooo jealous! I feel like I haven't been anywhere good to take pictures! I need to get out more! But I love to stay home!

I wish I had something good to chat about with you right now...but fact is....I haven't been doing much lately other than working on dolls. Like I said...I need to get out more! LOLOL

Have a great rest of the week!!! Looking forward to the weekend....I already miss sleeping in...and it's only been 3 days since we started back from Winter Break!

Rain motivates me!

Yes....it's true...it does! I LOVE the rain...and I love staying home working while it's raining! It is just such a cozy feeling, makes you want to stay inside and get something done. Anyway...why would I want to drive around in the rain getting out and getting wet.....did I mention that I "melt"? LOL I wish! It was hard to wake up this morning. It was so dark and gloomy. Even Christopher had a hard time getting up...I think he thought it was still the middle of the night. I've been working all day....and enjoying every minute of it!

I wasn't going to make any New Years resolutions this year...being that I never stick to them and all...but I did tell myself that one of my goals...yes..let's call them "goals" is to pour myself back into my dolls and website. I think that I have a pretty good start on it! It's feeling good! I'm enjoying it! Take a peek on my website for the dolls in the collage above. I just added them tonight!

My 3rd photography class starts on the 23rd...I am so very excited about it!! I cannot wait! I upgraded my camera...and I haven't really had a chance to play with it yet....and I anxious! Not to mention we will have a BRAND NEW STUDIO for our class. So exciting!

Christopher's Winter Break from school ends this weekend...so that means back to the grind of getting up early every morning. Gosh it's been nice sleeping in....but it's time to get this house back on a schedule!

Well...back to work.....time to start a new batch of Annies!!! Any requests?

Happy New Year

wow...it seems crazy! I swear...the older I get the faster the years go by! I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Years Eve. We decided to stay home, comfy in our jammies playing mexican train dominoes and eat lots of junk food! And....as usual, I didn't make it up to the New Year....I was in bed and fell asleep by 11:45...I know....why didn't I just stay up...but really...why? My lil one did however did stay up....seeing that he has that new game room and all! I just went in and made him GET UP....it is after noon and all! LOLOL He told me he stayed up till 3am!!!!!

I did update my website the other night...took off alot of sold out dolls and put on just a few new ones...but Glitter and Grunge updated too....so there are a few new ones there too!

I'm going to work this afternoon....there are some orders that NEED to be out in tomorrows mail! Have a nice relaxing day!!!!!

Moving on.....

Christmas is over...and we are moving on.....it's only the day after and well.....my trees are down...everything is packed up and it's already up in the attic! Sad huh? But....that's what I felt like doing this morning....sick and all...yes...I'm sick! My lil one has kindly shared his cough with me. That's what I get though for loving on him all the time! So....let me show you the HIT of Christmas morning!

My mom bought RockBank for Christopher!!! I've been hiding this since the day after Thanksgiving when we went shopping. We were so excited to find it...it was the last one and I thought it would totally sell out...LOLOL but they didn't....I've seen them stocked everywhere since that day. But it made our day...so we just remember that feeling! Christopher got alot of GREAT things! Remember how I told you how picky he is with his clothing? Well Grandma (Marks mom) and Papa (my dad) both gave him Tilly's gift cards! YooooHooo!!! That's an expensive clothing store and I cannot afford!!!! So.....since C got lots for his Xbox...I decided to turn the guest room into a GAME ROOM!!!!! His bedroom is just getting way to crowded...and this RockBand has a drum pad...and guitar...and a microphone! Last night...all 3 of us were Rockin Out! I can't carry a tune...but I only failed once...or twice! LOL Since I said we were moving on.....C and I painted the Game Room today! Looks like he is doing most of the work though!

How's the color? I really like it! I was going for a color we had at our previous house...and I thought I was dead on...but when Mark got home...he said it was like 8 shades lighter than what I was painting! OOOPPSS! Well I like it! And it's going down the hallway and out through the rest of the house too! I am ready for a neutral color in my house...and the yellow in the family room has GOT TO GO!

Okay...we're tired....and I'm off to bed..plus C is really teasing me right now...he says ya'll don't want to hear about my life....he says I'm being "chatty". LOLOL

Merry Christmas!

I am amazed that it is already Christmas! I swear, the older I get the faster the years go by and by! But even Christopher said Christmas came quick this year...and even this past month...well even week has just flown by! I'm a little worried this year...as my Christmas tree is looking very empty with presents! Normally I do not put anything out until after Christopher goes to sleep on Christmas Eve...but this year he was buggin and buggin me....so I put stuff out..but with no names! He's not stupid though..he knows they are all for him! And I even wrapped everything in similiar boxes! He has no clue! And what he is making guesses on is totally WRONG! And I even tricked him on one! LOLOL Here is a view of what little is there...and there is very little because EVERYTHING a 10 year old wants is VERY EXPENSIVE!!!!!! He's totally into XBox and anything electronic!!!!! I can't afford the boy! And clothes...only Quiksilver, Volcom, Element, etc will do! Is it just me...or do they start this fashion trend alot younger than we did? Don't forget....Santa will leave a little something too....and little probably doesn't mean cheap either!

I received my "WINNING GOODS" from Jen Duncan! OMG!!! Awesome fabric...and look at all the extra stuff she put in!!!

She spoiled me! If you do not frequently visit her blog...than you MUST!!!! She is a great inspiration! I even saw her post of her goodies from Kmart...and what did I do yesterday after seeing them??? Headed right over to Kmart! All the Martha Stewart Christmas stuff was 50% off. But sadly, not much left! There were lots of really cool ribbon and such to decorate your trees with. I LOVED the tree skirts....and they were a really good deal...but I already have one...so I didn't feel the need for another. Here is the little bit that I bought.

Then I spent the rest of last night baking cookies! My favorite M&M cookies that I have been making EVERY year pretty much since I've been married. Phew...that's a long time! I have tried several different M&M recipes, but this one is my favorite...and it's one my mom has shared with me! So I am going to share it with you!

M & M Party Cookies

• 1 cup Shortening
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups plain M&M's

1. Blend shortening, brown sugar and granulated sugars in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Sift remaining dry ingredients together; add to sugar-egg mixture, blending well. Stir in 1/2 cup (I add more) M&M's (reserving the rest for the tops of cookies).
2. Drop from teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet; decorate tops with remaining candies. Bake in moderate oven (375) for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Remove cookies with spatula to wire racks (I just lay them on foil); cool completely. After baking, some candies may be slightly cracked. This adds texture and interest (plus all the calories fall out).

Okay..there you  have it! I have made so many..they will be my breakfast, lunch and dinner! LOLOL

Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!!!!!