Quick Crafting

Still not a lot of crafting going on - it's been difficult to get motivated. I did manage to whip up four juggling balls, a doughnut, and a cupcake for a stocking exchange at work:

The picture was snapped with my cell phone - not the greatest - but I didn't mind since I've been making the doughnuts, cupcakes, and juggling balls/hackey sacks for a long time. The other goodies in the stocking include a puzzle cube, two fun pens, two puzzle books, some suckers, and two lotions. The card is handmade - leftover from my stash of cards from Christmas past. I think this particular card is from 2009, the last year that I handmade our cards. The stocking is from Hobby Lobby - I wish they had more, I want one for myself!

So, I think this brings me up to 27 crafted projects in 2011! Even with my upcoming vacation from work, I know I won't meet my goal of 50 projects. But, it's okay. I'm proud that I managed to complete a little over half my goal. If I truly counted each item made (as in, each altered puzzle as it's own project) my total is 37 projects. Hmm, even better!

Even though I won't meet my goal of 50, I plan to complete a few more projects by the end of 2011. Starting this Friday at 4:30 p.m., I'll be on vacation until January 3, 2012, which means plenty of time to craft, and hopefully time to develop a healthy habit of regular exercise. Here's a mini-list of the projects I hope to finish by the time I return to work in 2012 (in priority order):

• denim cupwarmers (Christmas gifts, and project for the blog at work)
• cord bracelets (Christmas gifts)
• messenger bag 
• wallet to match 
• accessory bags to match
• afghan - "c" (need to finish by the end of February)
• amigurumi "d" and "r"

 I'm also going to do some baking this year. I've gotten away from baking in the past couple of years, but with all the time off, it's worth it to give it a go. Sugar cookies are a must, as are buckeyes. I won't bother with peanut blossoms this year - Husband doesn't eat them, and my mom's are always better anyway. I also found this recipe for chocolate fudge S'more thumbprints, so I'll give them a try. I think I'll try rice krispie treats again - my last attempt failed, but maybe I'll have better luck this time.