Here are two poems that were suggested quite some time ago when the money pad was discussed... Been from store to store Looking for just the right gift I couldn't find it anywhere It really had me miffed And so I decided After making my mad dash The best thing I could give you Would be some cold hard cash. It was time to go shopping, Didn't know what to do Wanted to get something Perfect, as special as you. As I sat there in panic, The answer came in a flash- Along with warm, loving thoughts Give the kid COLD, HARD CASH!

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!

You bet I'd love to get a quilt. I'd probably appreciate it more than an non-quilter, for one thing. Secondly I give my quilts away and the only one I have kept to date is the first bed sized quilt I ever made and it's getting ratty from washings and I'd love to have another to change off to. Thirdly, the possibilities for designs are endless, so no two need ever be just alike, and fourthly, like Vicky says, something made by someone you love is extra special and when you look at it, you don't always just see the quilt, you see the person in your heart working on it, just for you. Priceless.

YOu asked for opinions--mine isn't about the poem itself--as far as the poem goes, whatever YOU feel fills the requirements of the contest is perfect, regardless of what others here may say. However, I've been competing (in another field) for almost 30 years. I know this is a small contest, not the national kind I compete in, but here's my problem with your post. And I say this only because it's good advice for anyone planning on entering a contest. You NEVER share or publish your work before the contest is judged and the winners announced. Often, in the fine print, there's an admonition against submitting published works (and yes, posting on the internet CAN be considered publishing by some sponsors). Even if there isn't, it's always best to keep your entry close to the vest, so to speak, just to protect it. I'd strongly recommend NOT putting your entry on any website at this point in the competition--it could end up costing you the chance to win. Obviously, that's just one opinion. You can certainly do what you want, but you're obviously putting a lot of thought and effort in this. It would be such a shame if someone either stole your entry, or disqualified it because it was easily found with a quick internet search.