Hey, everyone!

Are you shopping for a fellow stitcher this season? Being one yourself, you already know the hard part isn’t figuring out what we like — it’s finding something we don’t already have multiples of. As you know, most quilters are stocked up on the essentials and then some, so the trick is finding gifts that are fun, practical, or interesting enough to make them go “hey, where’d you find this?” If that sounds like your situation, here are some stocking stuffer ideas that might just fit the bill — small enough to stuff, useful enough not to end up in the re-gift pile, and unique enough that they might not have it yet.

First up on the list: Primitive Gatherings Vintage Quilt Notecards — because who couldn’t use a more quilty way to send birthday money? These feature actual photos from my personal vintage quilt collection. They show antique quilts and real history turned into something you can stuff into an envelope and send off to a friend! Sold in sets of eight for only eight bucks, these beauties are blank on the inside so you can write whatever kind of message you want. Pick from a collection of Mixed Variety Quilts, a Circa ’30s & ’40s Throwback set, or the Vintage Sewing Machines Collection if that’s more your vibe.

Next up: nail files. Yes, really. Because even quilters have fingernails that need filing, and why shouldn’t they be quilty while they’re at it? These cuties measure about 7″ long and 3/4″ wide, with a full-color print of one of my designs on one side and the Primitive Gatherings logo on the other. Both sides work as actual nail files, so you’re not sacrificing function for aesthetics. Available in four different designs, these functional gifts are small enough to toss in your purse or project bag, or to keep at your sewing table for when you snag a nail mid-stitch. Practical? Yes. Adorable? Also yes.

Another winner: lip balm. Not the waxy garbage that lives at the bottom of your purse forever, either — actual good lip balm. These Bee Bella tubes are made in the USA from sustainable bamboo and loaded with beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and cocoa butter. They’re bigger than your standard lip balm (.18oz vs. the usual .15oz), last up to eight hours, and part of every sale funds honey bee research, which I think is super cool. To make it even better, you’ve got five different scents to pick from — Door County Cherry, Peppermint, Vanilla Bean, Pomegranate Mango, and Cranberry Orange — or just grab a 3-Pack and be done with it. Personally, I have one of each scattered around because I still can’t decide which one’s my favorite… what a problem to have!!!

What’s better than finding the perfect stocking stuffer? Finding one that someone else already put together for you! Jess assembled our “Sew Comfort and Joy” gift set with precuts from Red & White Gatherings (while supplies last — we might sub in similar fabric if we run out), a floral nail file, a soft makeup brush, and a “Sew Comfort & Joy” pouch to hold it all. It’s quilting meets pampering, and it’s completely ready to gift. Use it to fill a stocking, bring it to a retreat to swap, or keep it for yourself. That being said — you may need to order a few!

If the idea of a pre-assembled gift set appeals to you, then you’re going to love Jess’s Woolly Treats Gift Packs. They’re loaded with hand-dyed wool goodies and a few extras that make them feel special without spending and arm and a leg. Each pack includes a 10-piece hand-dyed Primitive Gatherings 5″ wool charm pack, a coordinating Valdani thread ball, Primitive Gatherings #22 Chenille needles, a seasonal or floral nail file, a couple of Van de Walle’s caramels (because sewing requires snacks), and a random color needle minder. They come in a variety of wool colors — reds, greens, blues, mustard, purple, and more — all tucked into a clear pillow box that’s ready to gift. You can easily toss these into stockings, bring them to your next guild meeting, or use them as a unique and convenient retreat gift!

Last on the list — and not available quite yet — playing cards with a quilty twist! Printed on linen stock that feels like it literally belongs in the casino, these unique card decks turn my quilts into little pieces of pocket-sized art. Four designs are on the way, each one featuring an actual photograph of a quilt I recently designed! Choose from Take Off, Echoes from the Past, Crop Circles: Dark Version, or Crop Circles Light Version… when they arrive, that is. These cards are hot off the press, so they haven’t made it onto our website just yet, but don’t worry! They’ll be up some time next week and available to order on our website.

Well, there you have it — a whole list of stocking stuffers that actually make sense for quilters. After a busy week of teaching and running around the shop, it’s nice to pause and think about the little joys of the season. It’s been a full week for me, and I’m more than ready for a quiet, relaxing weekend. But I have to say, if I wasn’t feeling festive before, I definitely am now… especially after getting a special visit from the Winneconne Historical Society carolers earlier this week. What a treat that was. Check it out!

Alright friends, I’m outta here! It’s supposed to be below zero all weekend with windchills in the negative 30s, which means a couple of things. ONE: If you’re in the path of the cold snap, always remember that it’s better to be SAFE than sorry. Don’t leave the house if you don’t have to — better yet, STAY HOME! And TWO: Winter = the holidays = ’tis the season to SHOP! Good thing there will be plenty of time to do a bunch of it over the next couple of days. Temperatures like this are dangerous. It only makes sense to say inside! Stay warm, everyone. See you soon! ~Lisa