I just saw a really cute snowman placemat in the new Quilt Magazine. The face is a large version of a snowball block with applique. I don't need new placemats but I'm tempted to make a couple anyway. I also have way too much stuff to work on to even be entertaining this notion.
I think the french braid tablerunner that you quilt as you go would be quick and you could just do matching placemats out of one piece of the same fabrics?