Last year I HAND embroidered and HAND quilted a wall hanging for my DD's MIL. She is a breast cancer survivor and the wall hanging was made of cross stitched pink ribbons. She didn't even tell me "thank you"..... :-(

I was lucky, because at one point I was taking a Mystery Quilt "class" once a month and finishing a small quilt top once a month. After two years, you end up with a bunch of quilt tops! LOL Well, I took them over to my SIL's house and spread them all out on the floor and told every woman there (I think there were 5 or 6) to pick the one she liked. Slowly but surely, I got each quilt finished and each of them gpt her quilt. Since they knew it was in progress, no one bugged me about making a quilt, I finished a lot of UFOs, and I got good homes for my quilts. The remaining tops have been donated to family auctions, so several cousins now have quilts, too.

My new thing is pillow cases, and everyone wants a set.

I know some jails have quilting for the gals. Not sure about guys though. lol

Last night, I sat down and wrote/drew out all the swaps I got myself signed up for and I realized that I better get to gettin' if I want to meet my deadlines. After that, who knows what my swap returns will bring and who will be the beneficiary of the goods.

I have a number of friends, family and acquaintances through the years ask for me to make things for them. I have started being pretty blunt with those acquaintances and tell them just what is involved financially and time wise to make a quilt.. some have asked what I would charge.. up until recently I have been and hand stitcher.. and their jaws drop when I tell them what I would charge to make a quilt. When asked if I will do alterations for them on clothes.. I tell them I won't even hem my own jeans.. why would I torture myself like that. I've decided I'm at an age when I don't have time to beat around the bush and they never get gentle hints anyway..close friends and family are another story, but most know enough to know that "good things come to those who wait".

Get used to it :D:D:D You will work yourself to death if you have a large family LOL Pick a few each year...if you hear complaints about "where's MINE" tell them they are on the list :wink: :D:D:D
I am sticking to lap quilts for everyone, less expensive, I can afford to give more, and I will still have time to do the quilting that I want to do... :D:D:D

Yeah large families. I do some every year. We pick names luckily. And they would understand if I didn't get one or more done. Last year I did 5 this year 4 and this coming year I will probably do 6. New additions don't go in the pool of names and with two pregnant it means an extra two. But baby quilts are fast and easy. Good thing. I am down the the last few anyway. Though from the sounds of it my aunt was impressed and wouldn't mind her name on the list. Actually she told mom that she could make a fortune selling them. She lives in France.

Obviously they do not realize how long it would take to make EIGHT quilts!!!!

ROTFLMAO that made me laugh out loud for real the kids and dog looked at me strangely hahaha :D :D

This is a clever solution!!!
I just found out that I need another baby quilt! Just by june, and for a cousin i barely know...but "I" want to make it, ya know???
My baby quilt is pretty straightforward anyway...

My standard reply is "Stand in line, I started on this quilt I gave ______ several years ago."