(ARA) - What in the world should I give Mom this year?

As the holidays approach, most of us are beginning to think about the list of gifts we will need to buy. We may visit the mall or look through catalogs in search of the perfect thing; but for those we are close to, the gifts that may mean the most are the ones that we create ourselves.

One way to express this affection for your loved ones is to give them each a personalized gift that you have sewn or embroidered yourself. There is a whole range of products available to help you produce a distinctive project, from customized sewing systems to specialty threads to instructional books and CDs.

"When you create a gift, you are giving of yourself," says Gayle Hillert, vice president of education at Bernina of America. The Bernina company, located in Steckborn, Switzerland, produce creative and innovative sewing systems, overlockers, embroidery machines and accessories.

If you are looking for inspiration and the tools to make it happen, Bernina's Web site, www.berninausa.com, offers project ideas for every skill level and every category of sewing, including quilting, home decorating, garment sewing, crafting and embroidery.

Great ideas for homemade holiday gifts, small and large, are featured in each category on the site. In the embroidery section you can learn how to make holiday button covers, baby burp cloths or a beach towel carry-all. Included are the instructions, supplies, and the approximate length of time needed to complete the project. Recent featured projects in the sewing and quilting category have included easy Halloween costumes, a ruffled rug, and an embroidered mantel cloth with a holiday design.

"Most people are more creative than they think and just need some inspiration," says Hillert. "And in many cases it doesn't take more time to make a gift than it does to shop for one."

Whether you are interested in creating quilts, garments or embroidered craft projects, Bernina's newest sewing and embroidery system, the arista 200E, offers a number of innovative options. It is the first and only one of its kind that is Microsoft Windows CE-powered, and with its large color touch screen, it is easy to use. The artista 200 creative system offers the industry's most powerful software, a CD-ROM drive, an optional modem that takes the user directly to a special site to gain more information on sewing, the ability to download embroidery designs, and an embroidery module for making personalized gifts.

If you are looking for a gift for the creative person in your family, Bernina dealers carry a wide selection of books, as well as offer classes and ideas on a variety of topics. Bernina's educational department provides instructional and inspirational support for all Bernina machines. With more than 70 optional feet and accessories, a library of licensed and nonlicensed embroidery designs for all holidays and special events, every person can create that special gift of love for a friend or family member. And every person can find a special creatve gift for that loved one who sews.

So this holiday season, share a little bit of yourself with each gift by creating a holiday keepsake with a Bernina sewing machine, embroidery system or serger.

For more information about the artista 200E or other products and accessories, or to locate an authorized Bernina dealer visit www.berninausa.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content