For larger items a simple solution is to make fabric gift bags, like this embroidered wine bottle bag from www.embroideryonline.com. This also makes a nice gift sack for a collection of small items in an empty Pringles container - cover the can with fabric or paper, fill, recap, insert into bag, tie to seal. You can embellish your bags with embroidery or decorative stitching and/or use a seasonal fabrics. Not only do both of these items make a nice gift presentation, but they're recyclable as well. I have some that I rescue from the recipients after the holidays, then pack away to use again the next year - our own little holiday tradition!

The smart, well-prepared folks have already done their gift shopping, and are smugly putting labels on their already wrapped and beribboned gifts. (And, of course, they dropped off stacks of cards at the Post Office right after Halloween.) The rest of us are frantically writing our lists, trying to remember what we gave the twins last year, wondering if we can regift those watermelon scented candles, and wishing the days were 36 hours long for the next four weeks!

While you're out shopping this weekend, braving the crowds at the mall, pick up a little something extra to drop off at your local BERNINA store for Toys for Tots. (Click here for a list of participating stores.) BERNINA of America, Inc. is an official sponsor this year. For those of us who do our shopping online (my office is so much less crowded than the mall!), donations can be made online.

I won't be joining you at the malls, but you might see me at my local thrift stores. While I haven't taken the Homemade Pledge, nearly all of my gifts will be things I've made or bought from local or online artists and crafters, or items I've recycled/repurposed. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting and linking to some simple, quick-to-sew projects, like the card at right. Just trace two circles, cut them out, place cheery fabric on the wrong side and stitch it in place. Then use crayons and markers to draw a branch and ornament hooks; better yet, glue snippets from your shrubs in place and use real hooks.