Start to Save Seeds for Gifts

If you have an active garden friends admire, you can plan gifts that they'll appreciate. Save your heirloom and non-hybridized seeds; dry them and put them in marked envelopes with instructions.

Several years ago, I started collecting lined baskets that are perfect for seed drying. The lining holds seeds in and still allows air to flow through. I also keep a list of friends who have admired cut flowers I give them. Next year, they may just get favorite seeds so they can grow their own!

Charlotte

Does Your Cat Have Favorite Toys?

My list of favorite cat toys prompted Kay in Kansas to write about her two cats, Sylvia and Darla, and their favorite homemade cat toys:
"Unshelled pecans
Straws
Thread spool
Plastic rings from milk jug
Plastic ring from milk jug with twine tied to it.
Mini hair clip (stolen off of my daughter's vanity)
Old lipstick tube
Jingle bell tied onto ribbon
Oyster crackers"

I loved the oyster crackers - who would have ever guessed!

Do your cats have favorite homemade cat toys?

Charlotte

Memorial Hydrangeas

If you've ever driven down Lombard Street in San Francisco, you know the world's most crooked street is lined with hydrangeas.In memory of my uncle, who lived a few doors down from Lombard Street, I added hydrangeas to my garden this year. My uncle would have been amused. Living on the top floor of an apartment complex with a view of San Francisco Bay, my garden adventures were foreign to him but we could always agree the Lombard Street hydrangeas were beautiful.
Regardless of the kind of plant, adding greenery associated with a good memory is a wonderful way to add a special touch to a garden. Giving a plant that has a special association to someone can also be a nice garden gift that helps them deal with sorrow. It's difficult for some people to even talk about death.

In making memory quilts out of clothing and photos to help people preserve memories and cope with a loss, I have found embracing the gift of life that was shared can be the kindest way to help someone cope, and  move on. Even a simple plant that has a memory associated with it can be the emotional anchor someone needs to manage through their grief.

My uncle was a special family member. By having a plant that I associate with him, I remember the wonderful times we had together and it helps keep those memories alive and close to my heart.

Charlotte

How to Make Homemade Photo Gift Card

Homemade photo gift cards are easy to make and a nice way to customize a gift.
Using a regular sheet of stock paper, print photo 3x5 on one side.
Cut the sheet in half; fold and add your salutation.
Add a date and your best wishes inside; photo cards also make great book marks to add to a favorite gift cookbook.

Charlotte

Propagate Plants for Gifts

One of the gifts my friends seem to really appreciate is a start from one of my plants.

Whether it's a rooted cutting from a Chrysanthemum or a start from one of my Christmas cactus plants, propagating plants can be a very nice and inexpensive gift idea.

If you are planning these gifts for a certain holiday, start 4-6 months before the event. Use new soil; thoroughly-washed pots and a root stimulator, available at most garden centers.

Make sure the cut you make on the donor plant is clean; dip into root stimulator, then place in a planting container with a good soil mix. Water. 

Put in a warm sunny spot or under grow lights and monitor. Depending on the plant, you should see a new green sprout within 4-6 weeks for most plants.

I used to try to remove the original plant. Now I leave it with the sprout so people can see it came from a cutting.

Charlotte

All Packed and Ready to Go!

Hi, our refurbished Raggedy Ann doll has a new home!

She’s heading to Minnesota to be a terminally-ill little girl’s best friend, something Raggedy Ann dolls are very good at doing.

She’s all ready, with a brand new heart and suitcase with an extra change of clothes. This 36” doll is also highly huggable – I’ve squeezed her a number of times to make sure.

She was made by someone in 1981; it's embroidered on her side. I think this is a very lucky doll.

Charlotte

It’s All In the Ears

When one of four customers wanted a personalized appliqué dachshund quilt design, I was ready.

Custom fabric colors, check.

Adding her dog names to collars, check.

How about flapping dog ears…

Well, no guarantee but we did everything we could to give the ears a chance to flap. They’re made out of lightweight fabric and attached only at the top so with a good wind…

Charlotte

Add Printed Photos to Personalize Quilt

One way to quickly make a personalized gift is to add photos printed on fabric, then sew them on a quilt.

Pick a quilt with favorite colors or a charming pattern such as handkerchief quilt. If you're not sure of colors, select something with a variety, that way the quilt will blend in with any room decor.

I can print photos and artwork onto fabric; then you can cut them out and sew them on a quilt. We'll also be glad to do that for you but I know it's fun to do it yourself.

Charlotte

Thought for Today

I wish I could meet her.
She’s expecting a child after a long ordeal with earlier unsuccessful attempts
and we're making a special custom baby quilt for her.
We’ve been emailing about nursery colors and finally have our palette and
saying she wants embroidered in the center of the baby quilt:
"Weeping may endure for a night but Joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30."

Name That Bag!

Quilted bags are very popular. They can easily be made into personalized gifts by adding embroidered names.

Quilted bags can be used as lunch bags, overnight bags, carry-alls to classes and social meetings. Quilted bags can also house favorite toys, dolls, favorite sewing tools and garden treasures.

One more reason to use quilted bags? After enthusiastic traveling, quilted bags can also be washed!

Charlotte