Is anyone else finding themselves really busy this week? I thought I was organized this year but now I find myself rushed again finishing many things up. Tomorrow evening is our annual Christmas party for the quilt group I host. I am looking forward to it!

In the midst of these party preparations, I was able to finish up a quilt this past weekend. I still have to make a label for it but could not wait to share it with you. I had decided to freehand quilt holly leaves ~ 4 per square ~ between the red beads I sewed at each corner. I had three squares quilted and just was not happy with it. I finally asked Jos what he thought and he too did not like it. This is such a pretty series of fabric from Fig Tree Quilts and the quilting was taking away from the fabric. I UNquilted this quilt and left it with only the beads. I am happy with it now as it is a simple and old~fashioned looking quilt with vintage lace along the border.

Each year, I have to come up with a new theme for our gift exchange at the Christmas party. After all these years, it is not always easy to come up with a new idea. This year, I borrowed an idea from a Yahoo list I am on. They did a flower gift exchange and I thought that was a cute idea. I left everyone free to choose to buy or hand make a gift.
I love giving lots of small gifts so I came up with these ideas for the handmade part of the gift. Above it a thread holder I sewed. It is a little waste basket for while you are sewing, stitching or quilting.

I decided to make the wrapping a gift also. I sewed a pajama/unmentionables bag to hold all the small gifts. This bag is reversible also.

I love seeing it stuffed with all the small gifts wrapped in tissue inside!
