Willferg posted the following during the summer. I have made 40 of them and the only thing I had to purchase were the plastic tubes from Amazon......quite reasonable.
all the rest came from my stash........
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...m-t248453.html

Thanks for the link, Jan. I love those little boxes and the tute looks so easy. Definitely going to try some.

I made mug covers for my friends. I bought big tallish mugs from the Dollar store and made the covers from sewing theme fabrics. The covers can be made from fat 1/4s. They fit on top of the mug with little pockets all around the outside and the inside. They fasten with Velcro or buttons/ponytail ands. They can be used for your sewing tools. I have several by my machine. They are great sellers at fairs but are a little time consuming to make. I will try to find a picture and post it[ATTACH=CONFIG]496727[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]496727[/ATTACH]

I forgot to say that I made these by adapting aSimplicity pattern. simplicity 2450. I made mine a little taller than the Pattern I bought. These are great for pens, emery boards....to keep at a desk or by chair. Use your imagination and have fun!

Have you made any thread catchers for them yet? We did inexpensive gifts for our Christmas Party last year, no names on the gifts but had number and did a sort of musical chair game with sewing/ quilting trivia game and we ended up with the gift we were holding or rather the number of the gift and mine was a thread catcher. I had planned to make one, but never did, I really love the one I received. This year I am making some pin cushions (using a stuffed dress form pattern) an will end up gluing these to a small glass canning jar for buttons or extra pins or whatever that I purchased at JoAnn's.

I can always use another pair of snips. Mine are always hiding when I want them. I must own three, but can never find one!

There is a thread catcher. I haven't made one yet but it is cute as a button.

http://needlingthings.blogspot.com/2...d-catcher.html

thanks for all the great ideas. I think instead of making one thing and getting bored, i'll make one of this and that, this way i'll have a few different items to choose from as I need them.
Thank you all for your great suggestions.

Do they travel? A jewelry roll and vinyl lined shoe bags are great gifts. Do they go to classes, retreats or quilting groups? I make a smallish tote bag with side zippers so it will open up flat. I have slotted pockets on one side that holds various tools and a large pocket on the other for fabric pieces. Use any tote bag pattern and just put zippers or Velcro tabs on sides.

some really great ideas here. I have a few things in mind, but don't want to say what.
you might be the recipient. some really great ideas. thanks everyone