Gift Making Time

 Last Christmas, I was unprepared with small gifts for my co-workers and ended up spending a fortune on last minute presents. I vowed that would not happen this year! I have been on the lookout for a small handmade item that would be inexpensive, but would be a thoughtful, personalized gift. Fat Quarter Shop came  to the rescue with their free, simple, quick, and adorable Coffee Koozie pattern http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/CoffeeKoozie-Pattern.pdf

 Here is my sample using purple scraps. They recommend using a mini charm pack which would be good if I did not have overflowing scrap bins...I picked up 13 of the reusable dollar cups at Starbucks and need to get some more because I offered to make some for my daughter for some her favorite teachers. High school teachers are not showered with gifts the way that elementary teachers are, so they are much more appreciative of goodies!

I got elastic hair bands at the dollar store and buttons from my stash. I am going to fill the cups with candy and hot drink mix packets. Then, put bows and gift tags on them and they will be fun, useful, and inexpensive gifts.

 I whipped these up yesterday afternoon in no time flat. My daughter's high school colors are black and red, so those are for some of her teachers. The other nice thing about these coffee koozies is they are good for males too!

I have made progress on one of my last blocks for the Love Blooms Here BOM I have been working on all year. For Slow Sunday Stitching, I need to add the leaves on this side and start on the other side. It is a rainy, windy day here which is perfect to stay in my pajamas, drink warm drinks, watch football, and slow stitch all day. To be inspired by other slow stitching visit Kathy's linking party here http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com

I am about half way done with the quilting for my Modern Herringbone and I hope to finish that and start on the hand binding. I should have it finished soon, so stay tuned!