Christmas Craft Party and Cookie Exchange

I’m finally getting caught-up on my blog following the holiday and Hawaii craziness! First up, some snaps from the Christmas Craft Party and Cookie Exchange. I invited over 16 lovely ladies for a festive workday. They brought their sewing, knitting, greeting cards, gifts to wrap, and even papers to grade, and we all worked away for hours while listening to Christmas music. Then, we swapped some cookies. I’ve always wanted to host a holiday cookie swap—it’s even on my Life List—and it was such fun!

1. There were so many different types of cookies for the swap, from jam thumb prints to angel fingers to peppermint pixies—even cranberry bliss bars and chocolate-dipped pretzels. These spritz cookies from my good friend Melody were one of the most beautiful contributions: bright, perfectly formed, and sparkling with sugar.

2. Charissa, one of my sisters-in-law, samples some of the cookie bounty. I picked up cake-size baker’s boxes from The Container Store for everyone to box up their treats, which worked out very well.

3. My Auntie Nette makes amazing quilts, and she brought over a current project to work on. Plus, she snagged the most comfortable spot in the room!

4. Melody and her mom, Sharon, with their bounty.

5. Vicky, a longtime friend, worked on finishing holiday orders for her Etsy shop. Random tid-bit: She and her husband recently purchased a new home, and she has a room dedicated to crafting, with shelves full of yarn and an inspiration board. It’s amazing.

6. For my cookie contribution, I turned to my blog roll and the pecan pie cookies I’d seen drooled over on Bakers Royale. I did a test run the week before the party and wasn’t satisfied with the cake-like consistency I got. Naomi, the blogger/recipe creator graciously gave me some tips over email. After a couple tweaks (I think I creamed the butter way too long), my subsequent batches turned out sublime. I love the hint of cardamom in the filling. Can’t wait for an excuse to make these again!

7. As the hostess, I didn’t really sit down long enough to get much crafting done, hehehe. But I did crank out one Christmas card using kraft cardstock, scrapbook paper swatches, embroidery, and a little bling.

8. My sister Erin worked on several projects, including writing in her Christmas cards.