Thanks, I saw the post on FB and snapped up a copy. One of those books you want but do not hurry out fast enough and then find it will be much harder to get. Glad I bought mine this morning.

Nice work, Lois! When I've made table runners and place mats, I have used cotton flannel or heavyweight interfacing as the batting. I worry that a puffy batting could cause beverage glasses and stemware to be unstable. Teresa

Thanks everyone! I HOPE they like the gift....BAMA: Work under pressure? Me? It is SO bad for you--makes me want to eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! SHRTY: I started a counted cross stitch sampler for my one and only niece just after she was born--she's about 9 now and I haven't finished it. Am I EMBARRASSED?! I think I'll give it to her for her 16th! So, don't procrastinate like me and get busy woman! CALAM: Yes, the metal flowers are from Mexico--painted my special way. Those do-hickies are called milagros and I haven't done anything with mine yet. I musta bought a hundred! You know I have that CD but have yet to look at it. BAD Pat! CINDYLW: The kitties did keep me occupied (I can see how old ladies leave all their money to animal charities--our local shelter was broken into and some of the animals hurt and stuff stolen--the radio station was collecting at the local SONICS yesterday--I gave them a BUNCH of moolah because I was heartbroken! BUT I kept positive thoughts about the kittens we had to place there.) and we just took our inside cat Buddy and outside mama cat LADBYBUG to board at the vets while we're in Ga for the wedding. Just call me "softie". CRACKPOT: I put a photo of the columns just after the grouted cake cover in my album. That paint is still going strong. I was sorta thinking I might need some closer to the house by the front door--don't know how that would fly w/dh. The grout on the cake cover is a tad light--I might paint wash it darker. We'll see. Here is a link that might be useful:

For second marriages especially, I love to give something monogrammed such as sheets, towels, glassware, table linens, or beach towels. But you know her best and what she might like.