Scoopie wrote:
My mom makes those bags but puts wheat in them (we are in wheat country). They are wonderful to keep warm and cuddly or for aches and pains.

Last year I made everyone Christmas place mats with napkins and gave them as early gifts. Then followed up in Jan and early Feb (birthdays) with everyday placemats. Made about 35. I'm officially done with placemats!! I started making beaded snowflakes for package decorations, or to hang on the tree. They are my own design, and I incorporate vintage crystal beads into them. One idea is to make a warmer. Not quite sure what you call them, but you make a muslin square sack (around 8"x 8", just big enough for a box of rice to fit into it) and enclose all sides. Then you make a pretty outer cover for it, that is removeable and washable. Can be terry cloth, minki (sp?), polar fleece, etc. Microwave for 2 minutes, and relax, get warm, or help the pain. Dawn in MT

Ack!!! On my todo list that I made in Jan is a quilted stocking for my hubby....not done yet, and tree skirt....not done yet. I guess if I don't pick difficult patterns I could get them done. Sometimes I have a tendency to over plan and make simple harder. I did get other things done on the list though. Any suggestions for those? Gifts for men are hard, but Tim is using a crochet blanket as a leg warmer now that we are having some cooler evenings. Maybe small lap quilts or for a man that cooks(not mine...he does great ordering though) a manly apron or fun hat or even tool bag for his cooking tools. Sandi in FL

I have no idea what I'll make for gifts. I want to make most of the gifts but.... OTOH, we only get gifts for our 2 kids (and they have needs that we'll meet for Christmas: blender, electric blanket -- not frills) and then dh's family. So I have MIL & FIL, then his sister, her husband, and their 12 y/o son. MIL & SIL love getting something I make them. I've done Christmas table runners, quilted/pieced purses, clutches/cosmetic bags, cardigans from sweatshirts. I'm running out of ideas!!

I don't know what I could make for the men in that group. FIL, SIL's husband, nephew. I won't make quilts as they are too $$. More in the $30 - 50 range. Any ideas?

My dd on the other hand, is making all the men hats! She is a milliner by love and from her schooling but it is only a side-line for now. She is excited about these. They are in process. I think she's drafted the pattern and made the muslins.

small purses and gift bags, candle mats or wall hangings that have a total of 1 block. Small quilted tree ornaments. (Can I mention knitted bells here?)

I make everybody the same thing. It's faster and if it is cool enough, no one minds.

I just took a good look at the calendar and counted the weekends between now and Christmas!!! :shock:
Yikes, I better go find some nice quick projects. Let's see, shopping bags and pillows and insulated drink holders and embroidering ready-mades.... What's your best ideas for Christmas projects? I HAVE to get busy...I wonder if my boss would understand if I told him I had to take off until January?