218: getting and giving

My Modern Quilt Guild had a gift exchange this holiday season.  We made it in January so as to not add to anyone's handmade gift stress. :)

The idea was a swap of a smallish handmade gift.  We had members fill out a little survey about their style and favorite colors and fabric etc.  We chose names randomly so you knew who you were making it for but not who was making yours (you know... secret santa style).

In the end, one person dropped out but I had already given their name out so I made 2 and got 2 gifts because it was really my goof up.  Plus, more fun for me!

I actually got 2 members that I at least know a little bit so I had fun making the gifts to their tastes.

First, for Kristina I made small bag.  I forgot to mention that I had everyone bring the gifts wrapped and kept them secret so everyone could try to guess who they were fun as we each opened them.  We might skip the guessing part next year, because it was pretty tough.  Anyway, the bag I made for Kristina was from my book which should have been a dead giveaway. (Pardon the pix but I forgot to take any so I snapped some at the meeting.)

She said she loves color so I went for it.  The accents are navy so I feel like it's great to dress up a pair of jeans.

Next I had Robin, who was our sectretary this past year.  I know Robin loves all things Parisian and she asked for any kind of craft sewing so I went for a notebook cover.  I pretty much made up the pattern myself and it was a tight fit but it worked out great.  

And to go with it was some little holiday bunting that reads "joyeux noel" for next year's decorating.

In return I got 2 fab gifts.  Turned out Kristina also got me. :) She made this awesome zippered wallet with lots of pockets and even place for a pen.  Aren't the fabrics so cheerful?

And she made this bag for fabric weights and gave some penny weights she made.  She knows I do enjoy Hello Kitty.  I put the rest of my weights in it and it looks adorable on my shelf.

Then, the other Jess, as I affectionately call her, got my name.  Actually she did, then we had to re-pick because I messed up and she didn't, and then when I let everyone know one member dropped out and they should make something for me, that was who she had so she had me again.  She tells it better than me. 

Anyway, Jess knew I was hoping (OK expecting) an ipad for Xmas so she made me this awesome zippered pouch for it.  I love the scraps with the linen and how she quilted it with random lines.  Jess is my VP of the guild this year as well as maintaining our blog, so the Jesses rule!

It was so much fun, like another Christmas, that I'm sure we'll do it again next year.

JT

Comments

[Jess]

:D