I plan to give them both - the masks take very little time, and I can make a couple of them this afternoon or tomorrow. First I have to preshrink the fabric. I don't have a huge pack of toilet paper, and we are running low ourselves as it is.

What Patriceny said. It's a lovely gift which she should graciously accept without exception.

A pillow is a comforting gift, and it's beautifully made of lovely fabric. It's not something you just ordered from Amazon, it took time and effort on your part. How thoughtful! I'd come water your plants for a gift like that! Doesn't matter if it goes with her décor; it's a special gift. As you said, if it's not her taste, she can pass it on. If someone made me a gift like that, I'd be thrilled. Masks make a nice add-on gift.

Very pretty. elegant and neutral. Do let her know it’s hand-made by you. i can’t imagine anyone not liking it, but that part you can’t control. She would certainly know that her help with the plants was Appreciated by you.

Beautiful pillow, it looks luxurious yet restrained.

That is lovely. I would think anyone should appreciate a hand crafted gift like that. I think you can never have enough pillows! Thoughtful.

I love it....classic and elegant.

Very classy! Love it! Your a very thoughtful gift giver Lars.

For my new renters, who arrived a day early........I left a 4 pack of toilet paper and a "Thank you for renting from blah blah llc ..." card. :0) Plus a shower curtain, hooks & liner ...sealed in the new packaging.

It is a lovely pillow.

Gifts are hard aren't they? When a person does a favor for you it helps to know what they like or do. Does she like plants? She must do something other than Yoga. Still it is a lovely pillow and no one can fault hand made face masks.

I really don't know that much about Sara, but she does like plants and has an herb garden in her back yard. I actually know more about her husband Scott, as he talks more about himself than she does. She's a good listener but doesn't give up much information. She told me she doesn't like swimming pools because her mother used to make her clean theirs. As for the plants and herbs, I already told her to pick whatever herbs in my back yard that she wants, and she has done this in the past, especially when I had a lot of dill. This year I have a lot of lemongrass, and I don't know whether she likes that or not. I could give her a few packages of dehydrated apples that I made recently. I'm sure she would like those, as they came out very well, and she let me know that she likes apples. I could give her some lemons also.

I guess I should not worry about the pillow, but if I give her multiple gifts, she might return some of them. I let her pick what she wanted of items I brought back from Fiji.

You're a very thoughtful gift-giver, Lars. I'm with the others, be sure she understands you chose the fabric FOR HER, and that you made it yourself rather than ordering. I think the fabrics are lovely, and should go with any decor. The masks will also be appreciated, I'm sure. Washable masks are so handy!

Lars...Did you buy a cannibal fork in Fiji?

I'm a no frills gal and I like it and think it is a great gift. Even though I don't use many pillows (no frills) a few are always nice to have and that one is a really nice one.

The pillow is beautifully made, elegant, and neutral enough for any decor.

If you are looking for another idea, in yoga, it's wonderful to have a lavender scented eye pillow on when doing savasana.

https://blog.etsy.com/en/make-a-diy-lavender-eye-pillow/

Of course, these days, sending a dozen rolls of toilet paper might work too.

;)

The pillow is very nice!

Lovely pillow and very well made. IMHO a handmade gift is always appreciated by most people.

Nicole, I did not buy a cannibal fork in Fiji, partly because I was afraid it would break in transit and partly because it was a bit creepy. I did, however, buy a beautiful large cannibal club, and it barely fit in my suitcase. It's hanging on the wall in my dining room, next to an oil portrait of me from 1982.

I'm no help because you sound just like me. I "what if ....." my hand/home made gift ideas to death. And, then end up buying a scentless candle (or the equivalent). ;)

ETA, not saying you should though. All of your ideas are wonderful and she'd be crazy not to be ecstatic over any/all of them.

You are so thoughtful and I would appreciate it!

I think someone who is a yoga person would appreciate pillows - especially one made from a beautiful natural fabric.

Lars, it’s just lovely. Natural fabric, neutral colors but beautifully patterned, and lovingly sewn. I’m sure she will enjoy it.

Lars, the pillow is beautiful! Anyone in their right mind would be honored to receive it.

What a gorgeous pillow. I admire your work and she should be thrilled to receive that pillow. Very thoughtful.

Beautiful work, beautiful pillow, Lars. Maybe add a little pot of dill! ;-)

I can give her some herbs after I get them started again. Right now I don't have dill, and if I did, she would be able to harvest it. I do have parsley, however, as that grows wild in my back yard, except in the summer.

You are a caring, sensitive person. If someone with your heart gave me a pilllow that wasn’t my “style” I would pit it on my sofa or bed and appreciate the good vibes true love brings. I want to do something from the East coast to get a scrap of yarn with your sweet spirit!

Such thoughtfulness in making her pillow and you made it beautifully, Lars!

Lars, have you been inside your neighbor's house and know that this color/style pillow would complement some of their decor?

I'm picky with stuff I buy for my own house, so I would never try giving someone home decor items as presents!

Since she likes yoga wear, another idea would be a gift certificate for Athleta or lululemon.

Sorry to differ, Chispa, but it's not about whether it suits her style or not. It's a thoughtful, handmade gift. People with manners express their gratitude and use it or put it in the closet. Maybe the yoga gift certificate would work for another time; that's a good suggestion but does not have the personal touch.

A gift is a gift from the heart. It doesn't have to match a "decor" only a soul.

That's a beautiful gift. My gosh, handmade with affection. I'd work that pillow in no matter what.

If you need TP, I have found that it's possible to check Target's inventory online, at a store near you, so you don't have to venture out for nothing. Good luck.

It's a gorgeous pillow and hopefully something she'll appreciate. I'll bet that she loves hanging out in your beautiful garden while you're gone, tending the plants.

Quite lovely indeed! I hope she appreciates it as much as you've appreciated her helping you.

You're a good neighbor, Lars.

Lars, that pillow is a beautiful and thoughtful gift. I don’t see why anyone would not like it. You are so talented, and a handmade gift from your hands is special. I certainly hope she likes it!

Socks, not sure why you are apologizing to me. Lars asked for people's opinions on whether he should go ahead with giving the pillow as a gift. I asked a question and gave my opinion. You are free to give your opinion too. Lars can read all of them and decide on his own which way to go.

I have been inside her house, and I don't really remember much of it except that the color scheme was neutral and somewhat beige. Therefore I think the colors in the pillow will be appropriate, but I'm just not sure about the silk. Anyway, I am making cotton masks for them.

Good that you have actually been in their house. Neutral and beige sound like perfect backdrops for the pillow! Have a good trip back to LA. Traffic is still light, but I did notice more people/cars out and about this past week.

If someone gave me a personally handmade silk pillow in thanks for a modest service, such as an easy watering job, I would be amazed and grateful! It would tell me that the gift-giver was not only thoughtful but also sensitive to the "small" details that enrich our homes and lives in a unique way. Your gift of this pillow is a wonderful idea, Lars!

When I'm in a position like that I give a digital iTunes gift card so they can rent movies etc.

Lars, I just thought about a yoga pillow!

Lars, you are incredibly talented. What a gorgeous pillow, beautiful workmanship.

I don't think it takes much skill to make a pillow, except for the zipper part. I actually spent more time deciding what fabrics to use than anything else! I also finished the raw inside edges of the fabrics with my overlock machine.

Eld, I do have some bolster pillows form in L.A., but I did not bring them with me, and I do not know the size. They would make good yoga pillows, I think. Bolster pillows are a bit more difficult to make because of the round ends. I usually put welting in them as well.

It's a beautiful and thoughtful gift, created by a very talented and thoughtful person. I honestly don't understand why you are 'not sure' about the silk, as I can't understand why anyone would object to it. It's a beautiful fabric.

Rusty

Because.....it is important for Lars to get it right!

The pillow is beautiful. Annie's suggestion about an eye pillow is also great. Lots of people like to use one during final relaxation. It sounds like you have a real friend who can be honest with you about not liking jewelry. When I first started dating my now husband, he gave me a necklace. I don't like to wear jewelry and anything around my neck, no matter how light, makes me feel like I'm strangling. Since we were not yet exclusive, i told him nicely to give the necklace to someone else. The next time I saw him, he had gotten the necklace made into a bracelet. I wore it in front of him until it (thankfully) broke.

He had always dated women who liked jewelry and he wanted to give me gifts. As my birthday approached, he talked about taking me bracelet shopping and I knew he was thinking about something expensive. You should have seen his face when I told him that what I really wanted was a crown! And that's how I got some expensive, needed dentistry for my birthday.

Lars, the pillow is beautiful. I love the fabric and the color. I am sure your neighbor will like and appreciate the pillow and the face masks. She is a nice neighbor to look after your garden while you are in Palm Springs, but you are too by expressing your gratitude in such a thoughtful way.

I absolutely love the pillow! I think it’s perfect. For a future gift I bet you could whip up a nice yoga bag for her mat and a couple of other items. Include an inside pocket for car keys, phone and wallet,

Sara sounds like my daughter: athletic with a pretty tailored style. I think DD would love the pillow and enjoy the luxury of the silk. You made good choices in the style, the fabric, and the colors!

That's a really beautiful pillow, Lars. I'm sure your neighbor will be thrilled with it--I know I would be.