I have made many quilted items (quilts, table runners, casserole carriers, etc) and given them as gifts. Most of the time they open them with a "oh". But then there is the rare one that gets all excited about the thing and can't say enough about it. And I know that if you give a gift, then its out of your hands. But I have come to the conclusion that it is almost better just to make things for those who ask for them or about them so you know they are interested. I love making it for those who really appreciated them and use them--but it hurts when they are appreciated and all the hours it took to do them, to say nothing of the expense of it. Well, that's my thoughts...