Christmas Cookie Packages

Before we went to San Diego for Christmas, we baked two batches of cookies to send to James's brother and sister in Lompoc, since we wouldn't be able to make it up to the central coast on this particular trip. We did overbake about a third of each batch (oops!) but at least we got to eat those ones. We picked out the best specimens and packaged them up to mail to the west coast. Of course this gave me a perfect chance to craft up some fancy packaging - I have to say I get as excited about the packaging of most products as I do about the actual product inside! This is especially true of soaps, which often have really gorgeous wrappings, but the thing inside is still... a bar of soap. Anyway, I used some materials in my stash, as well as some sewing machine action inspired by Martha Stewart Living, and put these together! Love it.

Cabled Wrist Warmers, Anniversary Card, Ornament WIP

I know my lack of posting lately seems to imply that I haven't been doing much crafting, but quite the opposite is true! I've actually been quite busy and really quite thrilled with the little projects I have in the works. First let me share a rather cheesy picture of my finished wrist warmers! I'm so happy that these came out well, and I've gotten lots of compliments on them. I definitely reached an impasse at the thought of the last bit of cabling on the second warmer, but I told myself I couldn't make my felt ornaments until these were done. So here they are!

Next up, I made a belated card for my parents since they just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary last week. Somehow I came up with the idea to hand embroider the words, which must be the absolute most time-consuming way to produce any sort of product, despite the fact that I work in the Lab for Manufacturing and Productivity by day. Luckily I gave up on writing out the word "anniversary", ha ha. But I love the way it came out!

And lastly, I am happily working away at my felt xmas ornaments, which I got from Posie Gets Cozy, and I can confidently agree with Andy Paulson that felt is awesome! I've cut out all the little pieces for the Cozy Cottage and the Snowy Tree, and it was immensely satisfying just to feel the scissors cutting through the felt! Mmmm. I used my special extra-sharp fabric scissors of course, the ones that James isn't allowed to touch. Fabric only! Anyway I've just started stitching on the little house, which makes my poor overworked hands get tired after a while. I definitely have some kind of repetitive strain injury in both my hands from computer usage, plus a slight wrist bruise from hockey, overall making it pretty challenging to craft small things for long periods of time. I think I would just die if I could no longer make things by hand! Anyway, here's a terrible photo of some of the thrilling green felt I've cut so far. :)