Why?

A friend is someone who knows all about you

and still loves you.

~ Elbert Hubbard

By the time I'm done with this year's Christmas gifts, 11 handwoven rag rugs, I figure I will have put in somewhere around 50 hours - between 4 and 5 hours per rug.  

And it's not like I saved money by hand making gifts - the recycled t-shirt yarn ran about $20 per rug and the cotton warp thread adds another $10 or so per rug...  

So, why do I do things like this?  

Well, when I ride in a friend's car, I see the Not Ugly Car Trash Bag that I made as Christmas gifts in 2012: 

And when we have a potluck meal at work, I see half a dozen of the insulted casserole totes (but NONE of the insulated wine totes!  What's up with that?) that I made as Christmas gifts in 2011:  

When I visit a friend's house, I see, draped in the kitchen sink, the handwoven dish towels that I made "for" Christmas in 2009 (although I didn't actually get them finished and given out until mid 2010):

I haven't actually seen anyone wearing his or her bathrobe, Christmas gifts from I can't remember when - but that one is okay by me!  ;)

So, why do I do it?  Because I am lucky to have friends who value my handmade gifts - despite the irregularities and imperfections - friends who see the love and time that went into each gift.  

I am lucky to have such special people in my life.  :)

And that's why do I do it.  :)