It is a week before Christmas and I am not done with projects as usual. I am in the process of sorting through the jams, jellies, and soaps I made during the summer and trying to decide who would like what the best.

I made a few knitting project bags and decided that a Japanese Knot bag would work really well to hold my small projects. If I had an actual project bag I could save money on all of the ziplock bags I use to hold my projects. After I made one I decided that maybe it would be nice to have two, but that is on hold until after Christmas.

Every Christmas I have requests for kitchen towels with "those crocheted tops you put on a handle and button." I don't crochet as fast as I once did so this year I did everything in my power to not make them. Eventually I broke down and designed my own pattern, but I found a sewn project that I love and they are quick and easy to make. You need a towel folded in half, hot pad to match, thread and a button. When you are done sewing one row of stitching and a button you have a cute towel ready to go for hand drying. I do admit I am still working on them, but they take less than five minutes to make and they will be great for last minute gifts. An added bonus is I get to use up all of the cute buttons that mom had stored away!

The final Christmas gift item I need to finish up are the little pouches that will "wrap" the bars of soap I am handing out. I found some that were nice but didn't want to pay fifty cents a piece for something that would be used once and then fall apart. I picked up a half yard of pretty fabric and some gold ribbon to match then went to work. I think they turned out nice and hope they will be reused.

The next few days we will be busy making Christmas treats, finishing up cards, and wrapping gifts. As Christmas music fills the house I will reflect back on the past year and be thankful for everything He has given me.