Remember last month I told you about take-along projects. Carry little ornament-sized projects with you this month to work on whenever you can. You'll be surprised how much you can get done while you wait somewhere, or while you're on your coffee or lunch break. (Please don't stitch during board meetings -- management frowns on floss fuzzies in the board room!)

Look through your already-started-but-not-finished pile. I bet you have one or two items that just need a little more stitching, some backstitching or some beads. Finish those up and give them away. If your frame shop isn't guaranteeing framing in time for the holidays, consider giving a gift certificate to help with framing expenses. But remember, I have loads of advice on my site about stretching and framing, so you might find some ready made supplies to finish that gift on time.

I would wager you also have pieces you've finished, but just haven't framed. You can finish those up (by framing them, making them into ornaments, pillows, or stockings) or you can give them with a gift certificate to a frame shop. Don't let those beauties wither in your closet or dresser drawers. Let someone appreciate them year-round.

Quick stitching projects, if you haven't started, are ornaments, because of their size. Select ornament styles with no or little backstitching and not many color changes for an easy gift. To finish, you just need a backing and some batting. Put right sides together (the stitching and the backing), sew almost all the way around, flip right side out, stuff, and stitch up the hole by hand. I find it works best to put the batting in as cotton ball sized pieces. Stuff as tight as you can for a really nice full look. I make my own cording now, but you can purchase beautiful cording to finish off the edge of the pillow (where the seam is) and to hang it. I sometimes decorate with homemade tassels, buttons, or pre-made silk ribbon roses.

Make a pin cushion. This one is easy, and I have to credit my friends at the Crosse Stitchery for the idea. Make an ornament-sized piece. (These are lovely if you do them over one on linen or an evenweave). Purchase a terra cotta pot at the craft store that has an opening slightly larger than the size of your design. Fill the pot with batting, and just tuck the design down over the top of the batting (it will be lower than the lid, unless you can figure out a way to make a raise, or muffin top style pincushion). Put some antique or unique hat pins in it (so your friend gets the idea) and voila! You could also do this with a small basket for square or oval shaped pieces.

And since I'm talking about baskets, consider making one decorated with your needlework. You can stitch on pre-finished banding (where the edges are finished) or on scraps of your own fabric (simply stitch a long band, then flip under and iron down the edges. Then you can whipstitch those edges together with thread so they won't come loose). Repeat one pattern over and over -- this gets to be easy because you remember what to stitch. Hot glue around the edge of a basket and fill with bath supplies, cookies, stationery supplies, baked goods, gourmet food items, whatever! You could also decorate a basket with a big wire ribbon bow and a hand-made ornament.

Perforated paper makes really quick finish projects. Stitch an ornament on perforated paper, and you're already almost done with the finishing. To finish the back, I use fusible webbing from my fabric store to hide all of the threads on the back. I usually iron the webbing on before cutting out the design with my scissors. Webbing comes in a few colors, usually, so you can use a color to "match" the perforated paper. I sign the backs of these with a thin sharpie marker. You could also make a holiday pin to wear with perforated paper (or fabric, for that matter). You can purchase many different types of pin backs at your local craft store.

You can also use an ornament to top a plant poke. You can purchase thin dowels at your craft store. Hot glue or fasten the stick inside the ornament for a cute gift that could be included with a new plant.

Another quick finish gift is little porcelain boxes with needlework in the lid. I sell these, but you can find many different styles of containers (from plastic to porcelain) at craft and needlework stores. Stitch a small design and just pop it in the lid. Done! I've also seen needlework used as a jar topper for homemade jellies, jams, soup mixes, etc... Slide a square of needlework under a Mason Jar lid and tie off with a bow.

You may also consider giving someone a needlework "kit" (either pre-packaged, or one you made up) as a gift this year. You've heard the proverb about "teach a man to fish..." haven't you? I gave my sister and sister-in-law needlework kits last year, and while they had done some stitching previously, it really got them hooked to get those supplies all in one package. Sit down with your friend for a learning session. Not only are you passing on the gift of needlework, but you're spending time with a friend. Give the children in your life simple projects to work on (even if it's latch hook rugs, sewing cards, or a friendship bracelet kit). How many of us started with simple projects like these?

And if you have needleworking friends already, basic supplies are always welcome: a nice new pair of fabric or embroidery scissors, some gold or platinum needles, a new floss storage system, a needlework tote bag, a book of stitch diagrams, a history of samplers book...and for creative gifts, you can put together a theme package. Make up a package of fibers, beads and fabrics that are all Christmas colors or all shades of purple, for example. Do a gardening theme stitching gift -- shovel, rake and birdhouse charms, flower buttons, a few gardening charts and a packet or two of seeds. Make up a tea party stitching gift: a tea cup, some tea leaves, a pattern of china cups, some gold thread and needles, and a lovely soft quarter of Antique White Jobelan or linen! Make up a sampler gift pack: a few sampler charts, some overdyed fibers, Platinum needles, a book on sampler stitches or history, and an antique tool you might find at your local antique shop. You get the idea?

I wish you nothing but the best of holiday seasons this year. Surround yourself with those you love this holiday season. Donate to your local foodbank or shelter. Count your blessings. Kiss your children. Tell your significant other, "I love you." Remember those you've lost. Go to church. Sing carols. Bake cookies. Buy yourself a gift. And for heaven's sake, DO SOME STITCHING!

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com