Every year, my three boys and I make these little snowman paperweights for their teachers for Christmas. They go to the same elementary school and now the middle one and the little one have teachers that already got them from us.

The boys have asked if we can make something different. I don't really know what. I have 2 baby quilts for my oldest son's teachers that I need to make once I find out they've had their bundles of joy and we can get two snowmen made to different teachers this year.

Does anyone either have an idea, or is there a free (or cheap) pattern out there somewhere for either a quick and small table runner or a set of coasters? I'm just trying to think of ideas. I don't want anything too complex because my boys make them with me and they like doing the work.

I was thinking placemats too, but the boys want to give their teachers something they'll use at school. I'm not so sure placemats is the best idea. What do you guys think?

Oh I just recevievd the new quilters world magazine and they had a reigndeer placemat using the kids hands for the anteler and one foot as the head. it is soo cute and very easy to make!!! www.quiltersworld.com

Do a search up above for Criss Cross coasters. One of the postings has a link with directions. These are fast & easy & are great gifts.

I bookmarked the link to the coasters. Those look great and my boys can participate! I'm thinking about making one matching placemat they can just decorate their desk with.

Is quilt world one of those that's sold in stores? I'm heading out to go buy some more rotary blades in a little while...I'll try and get the magazine while I'm out.

Thank you both so much! These are great ideas AND I have a ton of Christmas fabric left over from my stuffed ornaments last year.

Yes I was going to say the Criss Cross Coasters too. I'm making some now & they are so easy & quick.

This 10 Minute Tabletopper is so quick and easy. The pattern is being given away by local quilt shops. Enjoy.

thanks for the download link, please add this to the link section so others can see it

Cute!

Tube quilting is also a quick way to make a table runner, although not a fast as the 10 minute block.

I just saw a cute mug holder in a Better Homes & Garden Quilts & more magazine, It's like the paper one you get at Starbucks but it is quilted. The sample has cups appliqued on it. It is flat & closes w a button & pony tail elastic. Seems like a cute teachers' gift. They call it a coffee cup cozy. Also a great stocking stuffer.

Here's a link to my site - I've got tons of links. I'm sure you'll find something that will spark your creativity.
http://yarn-or-fabric.weebly.com/pla...ial-links.html

For quick coasters the criss cross ones can't be beat. I've gotten several people hooked on them.

I've got as picture of a snowman made from the snowball pattern. I'm going to make a table runner from the pattern, but not for a couple days. It's a simple pattern and would work up quickly. Just one of the snowmen would make a very cute wall hanging for the room.

Here is a cute snowman that could be used for a wall hanging, or table runners or ......Just one block out of a bigger quilt.

I can't carry links from a site to this board. I always screw them up. HOWEVER, if you google ----------
McCall's Quilting & December 2008 & Winter Weekend
-----------the magazine contents will come up. The whole quilt has several more blocks, but the snowman alone is as cute as a bug, just a couple snowball blocks.

the criss cross coaster is cool

here is the link she was talking about

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/articles/winter_weekend

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccal...ns/web_bonuses


okay-------with a little luck, this will take you to the snowball snowman quilt. It's also in the Dec. 2010 McCall's Quilting magazine, I guess.

[quote=craftybear]here is the link she was talking about

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/articles/winter_weekend




Thanks, CraftyBear. I did manage to copy a link to my word processer and then back to here.

Isn't that a cute snowman? And he'd be so easy.

That is cute. I hit up the only walmart around with a big fabric section....no quilt world mag though. I'll be dropping around the LQS's this weekend. I think the placemats would be great for family. I like the snowman too, it's great.

I showed the boys the criss cross coasters....those are definitely their choice. Maybe they'll like the snowman too!

How about a really simple bag that they can use to carry their marking home with at the end of the day? Or a book cover, or a mug and mug rug?

The kids have fallen in love with the criss cross coasters. As soon as I showed them the link, all 3 of them jumped at the idea. Thank you all so much. I wouldn't have heard of them if it wasn't for you guys. I'm going to buy the Quilter's World when the new one gets out to make the placemats for their grandparents. I think they would be great!