Ya'll know about my love for Santa's. Well in my search for him online I have run across some really remarkable artist. This morning I am looking at Maureen Carlson's wee folk. Her web site is just packed full with a list of her upcoming classes and virtual tours of your shop, both in the spring and winter. I love the expressions she gives to her people and even tho she doesn't have a Santa her site is well worth looking at. Or better yet for those of you who live in or around Jordan, Minnesota, go see her in person.
We are due to have either a lot of snow or freezing rain starting tonight so I am trying to figure out what I need from town so I can get it all in. We live 8 miles from town, which isn't to much if the roads are good. But like with every small town they have not been able to keep our roads clear this year. We have a lot of back roads between us and town and those are the last ones to see a road truck. So we must plan ahead.
Of course with the colder, wet weather comes all the aches and pains of someone with chronic pain ailments and "old age". I know I must pace myself but this time of year with Christmas just 7 days away it is real hard. I have been busy doing what every household is doing this time of year, wrapping packages, baking cookies and other treats, send cards and packages, the list goes on. But one thing I am doing different this year so I don't over work myself and then not enjoy the big day when it gets here, is to put a timer by me ,set for one hour. This helps to remind me to take time for myself and just relax.
That of course doesn't work when I have to keep doctors appointments or deliver packages, but it does help here at home. The end of last week was a rough one as I had to travel 90 miles one way to a doctors. That took some time to recuperate from and then the bad weather hit us with the dampness. But I am back up to par today so hope to get more done today. Got some more polymer clay 'playing`to do.
I hope you all are taking time for yourselves and enjoying this Christmasie time of year.
Don't forget to check out my other sites. Thanks and
Happy Crafty Day, CraftyLinda
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Santa's, Santa's everywhere.

While sitting here with my heating pad and hot cup of tea ( it is cold here in Michigan this morning with the wind blowing and I over did it yesterday) and trying to find a comfort zone, I have been reading my email. I opened the Polymer Clay Daily post I will thrilled to see Dennis Brown mentioned on her site.
Being a Dennis Brown and Santa fan, I of course had to check out everything. His page on Reasons to Believe is just full of amazing Santa's that he has sculpted using polymer clay. He is a very talented guy who obviously loves Santa.
There is a page where you can see works from other clay sculpture artists like, Janell Berryman with her whimsical characters, Laura Benge with her Rolly Polly Santa, Becky Goasdoue with her creatively detailed works, and Kathy Cornell who is a reuse, recycle artist. You will have to be your own judge as to whom you like the best. But if you are like me I could not make up my mind to just one. They are all so great and have their own special technique.
There are pages and pages of Santa's, from wood carved to resin and whimsical to folk art.
So if you love Santa as much as I do and have some time to spare go take a look. But be warned you may get lost in there and have to have your familiy come and rescue you. hehe
And while you are looking around you might want to visit my other site at LGdesigns, I have a good post on the different uses of Future floor polish.

Ya'll have a warm and fun day.
'till next time,
Happy creative day..Linda

Peanut butter,oatmeal,choc chip cookies

Isn't it funny where our minds can lead us? While thinking about one thing all of a sudden something else comes to mind. This morning I was looking thru my emails and checking out Christie Friesen's web site, which BTW is a great site with lots of info and eye candy,I got to thinking about peanut butter,oatmeal,choc chip cookies. It got so bad that I had to stop what I was doing and go bake some. Then of course I had to eat a few with my DH. They were great by the way. So good in face that I thought I would put the recipe here so you can make your own.
So here it is.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup choc chips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together shortening, margarine, brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the oats snd choc chips until just combined. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until just light brown. Don't over-bake. Cool and eat.

Now is says you are to get 48 cookies and I never did like those little teaspoon size cookies so I got 30 man size out of my batch. Any way you do them I hope you enjoy.

After having eat my full and storing the rest I decided I better get busy with my Christmas earrings. But first I wanted to write and tell you my recipe. Now I will get in there and finish up with my earrings. They have the cutest little Santa hats and mittens. I will have them in my Etsy store shortly so please go have a look.
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