I don't know about you, but every year at about this time, I start to think of all the Christmas projects I'm not going to get finished. I start planning around Labor Day, and no matter how much time I spend in my studio, there just never seems to be enough time. So, I'm perplexed over the same dilemma as last year....do I donate my Christmas fabric to someone else, or do I store away the project for yet another year? This year, I think I'm going to go the donation route.

There are lots of organizations around eager to accept the excess fabric and notions you may be wanting to get rid of. Here are a few unconventional ideas for you.

*Animal Shelters - Fabric can be used to make cute little bandanas for the pets before they leave with their new families, and it can also be used for bedding for the animals during their stay at the shelter.

*Summer Camps - Believe it or not, this is the time of year to donate craft items to summer camps. Many of them begin their planning just after the first of the year.

*Homeless Shelters - All kinds of things can be made with fabric at the homeless shelter, and it also serves a need many of these people have.

*Nursing Homes - Many of the people in nursing homes still quilt, and yet they don't have a way to get out to buy fabric and notions. Donations are greatly appreciated and used.

*Preschools - You know they are always making something at the preschool, and I've never had one turn down a healthy sized bag of fabric scraps.