Confession Time

I know this isn't a good way to begin the year, especially after I shared with the world my craft purchasing avoidance... Well, I fell off last week.  The product that caused the loss of my self-control was a kit to make a Christmas paper house village and it was 50% off at Barnes and Noble.  The damage was $7 and change.  The only thing to do after falling off is to get right back on the horse... Hopefully, the next time I am tested my self-control will remain strong and intact.

I failed to mention one of my other resolutions for 2012.  I want to craft or do some activity of my choosing for myself every day.  This one is proving to be an easier resolution to keep.  I may not be actually doing something every day but I feel like I am making improvements.

This weekend I went to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  It was kind of an early birthday outing with my spouse.  I am a big Beauty fan.  I also saw it several years ago when it has a limited run in Imax theaters (also a birthday outing, I sound like I should be a kid).  I loved it in 3D and my husband enjoyed it too.  The 3D was tastefully done and really enhanced the feeling of depth and fullness in the film.  I also noticed that some of the colors seemed to be more vivid, for example the red roses in the opening sequence.  I haven't seen any other 3D movies recently to compare to but I wish I'd gone to see Lion King in 3D when it was out too. 

This week I decided that I was going to step out of my comfort zone completely and attend a meetup for a podcast that I've been listening to for years.  I have never met anyone involved with the show or anyone else who listens.  I am a complete lurker on the web forum and really not an extrovert so this is out of character but I am so excited to meet this group of people who have shared interests.  It's just really odd to feel like I "know" these people and they don't even know my name or anything about me. 

I think I've confessed enough for this evening...  

New Year Resolutions

Yes, I am one of those.  I admit it.  I make resolutions.  I have the normal ones - lose X pounds, save more money, etc.  One of the big ones that I am trying to keep this year is staying on a very restrictive craft diet.  I am attempting to not make ANY craft purchases for the first 6 months of the year and then reassess.  Some people would find this silly but for me this is harder than any food diet.  I LOVE craft stores and probably make 1 to 2 craft purchases each week on average.  No worries, my craft love has not been diminished.  I am just trying to focus my craft love on all of the projects and inspirational ideas I have had already.  I have the necessary tools and supplies already for thousands of projects and that is what I will be working on. 

Some recent projects include making some small holiday gift bags for next Christmas, making some Dora pillows for my niece (sew and stuff panels).  I also worked of organizing some of my fabric to be displayed on a new 3 shelf bookcase.  It looks really colorful and provides a reminder of all the fabric I have when inspiration strikes.  I also just started knitting a hexagon lap blanket in Harry Potter Ravenclaw colors.

Well I am off to knit another row.  Hope your weekend is crafty!

Christmas Crafting

So this weekend was pretty crafty in my house.  During football season hubby and I spend our Sundays watching all the games (thanks to DirecTV).  Being a multi-tasker this translates to few hours of possible crafting that can be done. 

This weekend I created some Christmas themed trays made from some chargers that I picked up on Black Friday and some Christmas rub-ons.  These are going to be some great Christmas gifts, I mean who can't use another tray for cookies this time of year. 

The other crafty project was some tags for Christmas gifts.  Apparently the endless supply of cheesy tags that I've had for years can be exhausted because I realized while wrapping gifts earlier this month that I was completely out.  So, I grabbed my Sizzix, a few dies with tags and a random assortment of solid colored cardstock and cutout about 120 tags of various sizes, shapes and colors.  Then I customized them with some Christmas foam stickers, holographic stickers and some great adhesive "stickers" that you can then add glitter too.  Voila, fun and cute tags.  Best of all, I was able to create them by using materials already on hand. 

I joke with friends that before they go out to buy supplies for their next project they should just give me a call.  My basement is a pseudo-craft store - if you need it, I probably have it (in several colors to boot)... The humorous/scary thing is this is not a joke. I am completely multi-craftual and my weakness is craft stores. I am inspired by more than I have time to complete, so I have a lot of great supplies waiting for their turn in the spotlight.  Does anyone else have the same experience?