Christmas gifts
 

ANYONE GETTING A JUMP ON Christmas GIFTS THIS jULY?
I'm making yo yo pillows with pearls in the center and a quilt for my newly married cousin and her dh a Christmas quilt of packages with a big fancy bow. it's a quilt.

so any good ideas yet??? share with all of us.

I've started on cowboy boot stockings for Adopt a Platoon. Just at the cutting out stage right now....but it will be here before we know it. --- You KNOW i'll be making some place mats for friends/family again! ;)

Actually I just finished a the twister Christmas tree quilt - made it throw size - and gave it to my SIL for her birthday in June. Now I am re-quilting a Christmas patchwork quilt that I made for my eldest daughter over 20 years ago. (It was very tempting to throw it away and start over because there were so many things I don't like about it now - but she loves it. It was tied and the batting was barely there so she wanted me to put in new batting and instead of tying it, I am quilting it. Not doing anything fancy - the 1/4 inch next to the ditch.) That will be it for Christmas - but knowing me, I will be a wild bug in November and want to push out something. :-)

Yes I am too

I have some fabrics bought and different ideas but nothing started yet. Fabric for pj pants a couple people, pjs for grandsons, vest for son, he likes to dress nicely, and a table runner for daughter. I think that's all that especially for Christmas. Maybe I should start a list so nothing gets forgotten.lol

I haven't decided what to make my quilting friends this Christmas.

I've started making gifts for my bee members but haven't made as progress as I would like!! Christmas will be here before you know it and I don't want to be rushed!!

I gave my daughter and son-in-law a quilt when they moved to CA July 1st. Now to keep things even I will make (4) lap quilts for my son's and their wives quilt for Christmas. One is almost finished as I'm quilting it now. Plus I have fall craft shows to sew for. There simply isn't enough time in my days....LOL

I saw some free patterns for Christmas trees that are darling. Need to go through my jelly rolls and see if they will work on these patterns. I have tons of Christmas fabric to use up !

I made by "posey" möbius scarfs out of minky. I hope they like them. Soooooo soft!

It's been a few years since I made potholders. Maybe pack with an interesting spice (za'tar?? ) and a recipe.
The gang got holiday napkins last year, which were appreciated.

I have been asked to make two Spiderman quilts for a friends 3 and 5 yr. old grandsons. In the creative process...
Not really on my list of to do. But I will keep them simple a Warm Wishes pattern and My Favorite Donation quilt pattern which is a strippy. I have a Christmas quilt that still needs its binding(from last year) and the pile of fabrics just waiting on the cutting(dining) table. I am getting ready for the big Highway #141 Garage sale. Hope I make lots of fabric money!!

Pillowcases, grocery bags with wide straps, zip pouches, covered journals, tablerunners, microwave bowls, ..

After reading this post....I better git to work ASAP after I finish one more quilt for granddaughter!! Never hurt yo start early

love the idea of adding a spice to the pot holder Dotty.
I always like giving something extra with the gift. Great idea, might steal your idea for myself.

Someone gave me a tin of flavored / herbed tea --- it has tea, lemon verbena leaves, spearmint leaves, lemongrass in it....not my kind of tea for drinking (i'm just a plain English/Irish Breakfast tea type) --- so that was one of my thoughts - to add it in between the layers of quilted hot pads.

Most of us have a lot of Christmas decorations. I'd love a wall hanging with a snowman that says Happy New Year.
Or any wintery thing to put out when the tree is gone.

So far I only have some potholders done. Been too busy making quilts to think much about Christmas yet but it is coming fast. I do this every year though. Think I have lots of time then I really have to push to get it all done. I am thinking about making pillowcases too for different ones on my list. Those are always nice. I love to read everyone's ideas or what they are making. Keep them coming & have fun!

I like your thinking.

Aprons!! for everyone. Put something cute in the pocket, a recipe, a cookie cutter. One with a hanging buttoned on hand towel is great for sloppy cooks like me!

Here's a cute idea i found this morning:

http://24blocks.com/2015/07/snap-pur..._term=20150715

I only make handmade gifts for very close family or friends. And only those that appreciate a handmade gift. So each gift is tailored to the specific recipient. So, basically, I have no plans for a lot of Christmas crafting this year. Although, I will be making 1 table runner as a surprise for a friend. And, I think I will try out making some clear drawstring bags for my grandkids for their toys. I really like the tutorial found here. Maybe it will help my daughter help them keep there toys organized. http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html

I'm in the process of making a large lap quilt for my mom. But, I'm giving it to her early. I want her to have it before it gets cold.

I do so enjoy hearing all the fun things everyone is up to.

I'm always looking for ideas for items to sell at my church's Holiday Fair, where I have a table. I've made and sold many Bow Tucks bags in the past, but was looking for small items I could make. I had my shoulder replaced 2 months ago, so I didn't know how I would be feeling, but I'm feeling great and can do so much more than before the surgery, thankfully. Although I can't go all gangbusters right now I was fascinated by the zippered pouches made by Jenny on MSQC, so I'm taking some of my scraps and making those in various sizes. I'll also be making placemats, table runners, Christmas wall hangings, tree skirts, etc., etc. Hopefully I'll have another good year.

I found on URBAN Threads little lacy sailboats, my cousin is getting married and her dh to be loves sailing.
I think it will make a great surprise for her new tree.

i'm still thinking about the spices and some nice handmade potholders.

I made hotpads like that one year. I just made a pot holder with 4 squares and quilted with an X. The back was made like an envelope for a pillow and birthed. Then I made a little muslin bag and filled with cinnamon potpourri. Slip the little bag in the back and the hot pot heated it and the smell came out. Remove the little bag for washing. After making them, I thought. What if the cinnamon doesn't really go with the food they are putting on the hotpad? Well they can remove it. Not like it fills the whole room. I bought, but haven't made, coasters made like that too. Figure the cinnamon goes with tea better anyway. Gave them as a gift. The recipients brother saw them and talked about them the whole time he was there so she gave them to him when he left. Still haven't decided how I feel about her giving away the gift I gave her.

dd, sorry she gave away the gift, but maybe he never commented on something b4 so this was something he really loved. still, she gave away a gift. make her another one and tell her to keep it. it hurts when we put effort into a gift, and someone give it away. about 28 yrs ago, I made my brother a quilt, when I went to his place and saw holes in it, I wanted to cry. he let his dogs chew it. I no longer talk to that brother, the quilt was just the tip of the iceberg, what he did was even worse than that. but people say, when we give it away, it's no longer ours. so I guess that's what we have to deal with when we make beautiful gifts.

I have already started making little ornaments for the nursing home, They need about 140 so have to get busy early. We plan on making a card to go with them. All summer have been crocheting preemie baby blankets for the Levine children's hospital . There is a group of 3 or 4 that work on these projects. We just love doing this sort of things.

can you give us an idea of the ornaments you make, or even better a picture?

Lynnie, your quilt sounds awesome. Looking forward to seeing a picture when it's completed.

Betty, just LA quilted the presents quilt. something quick I whipped up. now just need to bind it.

would you like a potholder with a nice spice, and which spice?

Have thought of the aprons for my 2 DIL's, maybe also pretty potholders/dishtowels, also like the cookie cutter and recipe idea. My aunt gave me a little dress that you tie onto the dish soap bottle, it had a pocket, and a little saying about holding your rings while you do the dishes, really cute, but nowadays they all use dishwashers. I hate dishwashers, rather have another cabinet in its place!

Linnie, we are making Christmas tree ornaments out of felt, your choice of colors, Using a cookie cutter for a pattern. making a front and back with a little stuffing inside and decorative stitch around the out side. decorating them. putting a gold cord to hang by. This will be something they can unwrap. we are also making each one a card to go with it.

I made 2 of my DGD's quilts, but that's as far as I've gotten.

I usually make free standing lace on the emb machine. this year, reindeer again and sailboats (new).