We had a gift exchange at Paneras last night and it was so much fun. All of our gifts ended up being pretty comparable in size even though we never discussed our projects ahead of time.
One of the gals made chocolate stir spoons. (I can't wait to use mine!) Another gift was a candy cane in a crocheted "snuggy" with a choice of a gingerbread man or snowman button embellishment. It doubles as an ornament and it's so cute! Tammy made cute holiday earrings for each of us, and we all immediately put them on. There were also gifts of little meat tarts and cookies. Everything was so wonderful, and we really had a fun night.
Tammy also made an "extended" Birthday gift for me...a gorgeous yarn bowl that she threw herself in a pottery class she just completed. It's so beautiful! My Birthday was officially extended to seventeen days this year! Thank you, my friend.
Krisann surprised me with a special teeny, tiny crocheted basket with yarn balls and needles. The needles were made from toothpicks! Thank you, Ka for such a sweet gift.
I decided to make keychains for each of the gals. I used knitting sheep fabric to make the fob for the keychain and then added heart twill tape to secure the large split rings to the fob. I sewed two pieces of fabric together and then stuffed them with silk-blend fiberfill. Of course, it's not finished until I add my label.
You use labels on your projects, don't you? (I get my labels from a couple of great sellers on etsy, and I've always been happy with their products.)
I hope you're finding time for little gatherings with friends over the holidays. It really didn't matter that our gifts were small. All of them were made from the heart, and isn't that what the season is all about?
The mail delivery on Saturday held a surprise for me.
I've been reading on Dee Dee's blog that she's been learning to make charms. She recently took a class and was perfecting her technique. Well, girlfriend, let me tell you! Dee Dee, you've got it figured out now, girl! Look at the fabulous key chain my sweet friend created just for me! Acorns! She knows what tickles me! Blue Beads, a heart-embellished charm and acorns...
and when I turned it over, this is what I saw. Perfectly personalized from the studio of one 
talented Texas girlfriend to her grateful pal in Florida. Thank you, Dee Dee! A proper, handwritten note is on its way to you.
If you can't get enough of the giveaway goodness in Blogland these days, The Brocantess is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th Post. You won't want to miss a chance to win her gifts! Please tell her you heard about it here and Donna says "hi". Just click on her photo to enter before she chooses the winner on Sunday, Mar. 21st.
