that is so sad about the shawl...My mother in law gave away or thru away most of my gifts, so I learned not to give her anything that was special to me...But she had a little mean streak...
Then when I was a newly wed going to nursing school, I made an afghan for my step mother...I had saved a long time to buy the kit..We really didn't have a lot of extra money...we were just living on love...and barely making it...Anyway, she got it dirty and washed it in hot water and put it in the dryer..Needless to say, It was ruined...Then she threw it outside for the dog to play with...Lessoned learned...I never made her anything else...
So I am very careful who I give handmade items to....But now I have beautiful daughters in law and a daughter and sons who love my work....and they are always asking for something to be made special...And I really enjoy doing it for them...Also for Christmas, I got lots of gift cards for fabric shopping at my favorite stores....