Thanking A Hostess...

 Do you give a gift to your hostess when invited to a party?

I always try to take a little something to let her know we appreciate 

the invitation. Sometimes I take a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers, 

but my favorite gifts are always handmade. My first choice is a set of 

napkins if I've been to my hosts' home before and know their decor. 

I also have a stack of brand new tea towels that I like to embellish. 

They're simple and easy but have a great wow factor. I just take a strip of 

fabric 2 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric, and cut it to the width of the 

towel (plus 1"). I press each end of the strip under about 1/2". Then turn one 

long edge under about a 1/2" and position it on the towel. (I always double 

check placement by folding the towel in half so the sides meet. I want to make 

sure both ends of the fabric line up with folded.) Topstitch the fabric in place 

about 1/4" from the turned edge. Next, I choose a crocheted lace or woven 

ribbon and sew it down over the other raw edge of the accent fabric. Remember 

to turn the ends of the trim over at the sides so they're finished, too. I do a set 

of two and tie them with a pretty ribbon. It's that simple, but they always look 

like it took a lot longer to make. (Is this understandable? Would pictures help?)

 

We were invited to a friend's home last weekend for a delicious fondue party. 

They live on Siesta Key - right across from the beach, so I thought something 

with a beach theme would be appreciated. A strip of "Martinique" on each towel,

and finished with a lovely mocha crocheted ribbon. They didn't take long either!

There's nothing quite like a personal touch to thank your hostess.

(By the way...they were a hit!)