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Here is a perfect Last-Minute Gift for the Tech-Savvy Quilters and Quilt-Lovers on Your List.

Thousands of quilts will be at your fingertips with Quilt Index To Go, a new mobile application just released by the nonprofit Quilt Index, the premiere online archive of quilts.

After downloading the software for a one-time fee, you will be able to view historic and contemporary quilts straight from the Quilt Index with detailed information about pattern names, dates, quiltmakers, and the collections that contributed them.

With Quilt Index To Go, you'll get a unique quilt image every day, but the app also allows you to scroll endlessly through the more than 50,000 quilts in the Quilt Index contributed by more than 25 museums, libraries, and documentation projects. You can follow links to their detailed collections records on the Quilt Index for even more information.

If you don't know what an awesome resource the Index is (or you don't own an Apple device),  go check out the online version free to everyone, www.quiltindex.org.

Cost of the app: just 99 cents. Proceeds go toward Quilt Index expansion and sustainability. The app is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

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Big "bubble" eyes have a way of making animals--whether large or small--just so darn appealing. This week, we have two easy projects ideal for those on your last-minute holiday gift list.

Do you know a little one who's afraid of the dark? (WHO-O-O wouldn't want another cuddly companion to keep close?) This friendly night owl is the perfect plush pal. Use the child's favorite fabrics and colors to create a whole nest of unique buddies that he or she is sure to give a hoot about! Check out this kid-friendly project at Bernina's Sewing Republic.   (Wait just a second after clicking, the project will come up automatically.)

Then, surprise a quilter with a clever needlecase project designed by Nancy S. Brown (Episode 701), featuring the very fashionable penguin shown here.                        

Find more great quilty gift ideas on our Projects page here. 

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Ashley, one of the newest members of the TQS family, has a wonderful story behind her Animal Cookies.

"When I was growing up, start of the Christmas season was marked by the annual tradition of making 'Animal Cookies'. Although I'm not sure why my great great aunt named her recipe as such, the taste of these delicious cookies is as wonderful as the process of making them. Cut-out cookies take a bit of time to make, and then there is the frosting and decorating, but the final result is oh so worth it!

As a little girl (that's 3-year old me in the foreground of the photo) we would devote an entire day to this delicious activity. Mom would fill the house with the irresistible smell of the freshly baked cookies early in the morning, and we knew that we would soon be able to dive into the colored frosting, sprinkles, gum drops, and other decorations. Fast-forward many years, I still uphold this tradition with my son. I pre-bake the cookies so that when decorating day arrives we can get right into the fun part!

My secret for making these cookies more delectable than most cut-outs is to roll them to about 3/8" thick, and trim the baking time to 9-10 minutes. If you pull them out of the oven before they're 100% baked, they will remain soft and rich-tasting. The added thickness will ensure that the cookie is sturdy enough to handle even the most wild decorating scheme! Spend some time making these for your loved ones this year, and know that I'll be frosting away with my 9-year old son, so that he too, can pass this tradition on to his children someday.

Happy Holidays!

Animal Cookies
2 cups sugar
1 lb butter softened (do not melt)
3 eggs
3 T vanilla extract
1 t baking powder
1 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
6 cups flour (add 1/3 cup for high altitude)

Mix sugar, butter, and eggs, and vanilla in large bowl. In separate
bowl combine baking powder, salt, soda, and flour. Gradually add
flour mixture to butter mixture, until completely combined. Chill
dough for several hours before rolling.

When the dough is firm, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough onto
floured surface, to 3/8" thick. Cut with cookie cutters and place on
lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 9-10 minutes or until cookies are
set. Remove from oven, let rest 2 minutes on cookie sheet before
removing from pan.

When cookies are completely cool frost as desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 block cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 T vanilla extract
2 lb powdered sugar

Mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together. Gradually add
powdered sugar until frosting is thick but spreadable. (You may not
need to use all of the powdered sugar). Spread onto cookies, decorate
as desired, and allow to set overnight before storing.

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For their holiday party this year, the hard-working TQS crew have decided to have a cookie exchange.  We thought about doing an "Ugly Sweater" party, but some people were a little insulted that we found their sweaters "unattractive."  So instead, we are going to share our favorite cookie recipes.

First stop is Mary Kay's for her mother's persimmon cookies.  While she was growing up, Mary Kay's mom, would have to hunt down persimmons at the grocer's to make the cookies.  They were a somewhat exotic item. Now, Mary Kay is fortunate enough to have a persimmon tree in her own backyard.  Her only challenge is grab the persimmons before her dog Shade eats them all.  

Here's a bit of spice to start you on your holiday journey.

Persimmon Cookies

1   cup persimmon pulp

1   teaspoon baking soda, sprinkled over pulp

1   cup sugar

½   cup shortening, part butter or margarine

1   egg, beaten

2   cups flour

1   cup walnuts, chopped

1   teaspoon cinnamon

½   teaspoon cloves

½   teaspoon nutmeg

½   teaspoon salt

Beat thoroughly the persimmon pulp, baking soda, sugar and shortening until creamy.  Add the egg, flour, sifted spices, and nuts.  Drop by spoonfuls on greased baking sheet.  Bake in 375 degree oven from 12 to 15 minutes.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Ok.  This is our last and easiest hint! Our TQS 2010 Legend was the founder and served as President of the Board of Directors of Studio Art Quilt Associates.  You should be able to guess who it is by now.  Only a few more days until you can watch this incredible show!!

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Red Coat by ???

Our TQS 2010 Legend began with wearable art garments.  This quilting pioneer has only ever used three blocks in her colorful and museum quality works!  Do you know who it is?

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If your New Year's resolution is a new Bernina, now is the time!

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Our friends at Simplicity are giving away 3 Deluxe Sidewinders to 3 TQS Members and here they are:  Jane C., Suzanne D., and Nancy F.  Congratulations to our winners and thanks to Simplicity for their generosity.

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Kumiko Frydl with Mission Impeccable

Every so often, as I walked through the rows of outstanding quilts at this year's International Quilt Festival in Houston, I had the feeling that a certain quilt was calling out to me for closer inspection. Such was the case with Mission Impeccable by Kumiko Frydl (shown above). 

This astounding miniature (16 3/4" x 16 3/4"!) quilt required 10 - 12 hours of work a day over a four-month period, but it was not the first time Kumiko created this design. In fact, this diminutive beauty is the third quilt in a series, each one tinier than the last. No doubt, Kumiko is a quilter who loves to challenge herself! 

Click to read more about Kumiko and the incredible details that go into making a quilt on this small a scale.    

by Lilo Bowman

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Our wonderful sponsor, C&T Publishing is giving away Quilts 2011 Calendar, a 12 month full-color calendar and pattern booklet to 10 LUCKY TQS MEMBERS and here they are:

Susan B., Denise D., Carolyn C., Jennifer P., Pksye, Darla K., Carolyn C., Frankie P., Claudia L., and Sue L.

Thanks to C&T and WOO HOO! to our lucky winners.