What could I make for Christmas Gifts...
 

for 13 employees, mixture of men and women? And should I have started in January LOL?

They all know I quilt, and I'm truly an amateur, but instead of restaurant gift cards I thought I'd like to make something, but I don't want to do something cheesy. Open to any and all suggestions.

Mug rugs with a coffee gift certificate? Or with a cup?

these fabric boxes are very popular right now and take less than an hour each to make
http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com...-tutorial.html

Tote bags are always useful.

that's what I was going to say, or a little wallet that holds courtesy cards and such.

The microwave bowls for each one to use at work. DH took one to his job to use in the microwave and everyone asked where could they get one for their own. A tutorial is on the tutorial page. They are for used for heating single bowl of food, not cooking it.

Connecting Threads website has a free download for a tissue box cover. Very easy to make (I made one in less tha. An hour today. You could make in fabrics that would be meaningful to each person. Everyone needs a box of tissues at their desk

I would make a little fabric gift bags with Christmas fabric. (Like a smallish tote) Bake up some goodies to put inside, add candy and some cocoa packets and it would be darling.

ditto ..... and a little pocket on the mug rug to hold the gift card.

You personalize each and show you put some thought into it, by choosing fabrics that suit the person. eg. golf fabric for the golfer, fish for the fisherman, needles and notions for the quilter etc.

If you want to complete the ensemble, make a quilted sleeve to go on the cardboard take out cup.

The mug rugs will be quick and easy to make ... and might even give you an excuse for a FART!
The sleeves can be fiddly, though would be a nice added touch.

QuiltE, I havent seen someone use the term FART in a long time. Alot of people still look at it and go, What? I just love the term and the expression it brings to the face of those who dont know it and the look of pure joy for those of us that do and actually go on a FART every now and then. LOL

Gosh ... I see it used here on the QB quite regularly!

I have a big FART scheduled next Saturday at Marshall's Dry Goods.

pillowcases, are great for that. tv remote holders, tablerunners. I made my dh a football runner for the livingroom table. the 10 minute table runner is great. those bowl warmers are great too with a jar of salsa. rice heating bags, if they are I a cold climate. the tote bags are cute with chips and a dip in them. or coasters too. let us know what you do.

I put a tutorial on just a day or so ago for a tissue box and they do not take long at all. I made 19 of them in three days.

i am making the insulated sleeves for the cast iron cookware. 2 each with their monogram embroidered on it. except for our single young guy. he's getting a potholder with a "magic the gathering" emblem embroidered on it. he's into gaming and only microwaves his meals

I agree - I have made these for craft fairs - but they did not sell (I don't know why) so I brought them home and my family loves them - my father-in-law used one and requested his own - they work great - just make sure to use the 100% cotton batting like the potato bags use.

How about a quilted Christmas ornament?

I like the mug rug idea. Even if you can't afford to add a gift card. You could get a mug at the dollar store to finish it off

Exactly what I was gonna say, Tartan!

How about an ipad/iphone stand for their desk? Easy to make and vey inexpensive if you use rice for filling.

I think those are so neat, I would of bought some had I been there. I could so see them for co-workers. I know I can make them, it is just getting the time to do it *sigh*. they are just so cool. maybe I should give it a try for gift ideas or at least for me. thanks for reminding me.

This is a fantastic idea! I think I'll use it for some of my gifts that I want to give this year! :)

How about those things that go around a mug to keep drink warm. It is a straight rectangle with some kind of fastening at the ends and each one could represent the person.

Could you share where you found this? I would love to make a few of these! Thanks in advance :)

I agree. They are great. We actually don't use them in the microwave. We heat our bowl of food and use it as a holder. (We eat watching the tv lots of times) also it's great with ice cream to keep your hands from getting cold. My daughter moved out for college and told me she really missed 2 things. Our garment steamer, and the fabric bowls. I made her two and she was thrilled.

I'm in the microwave bowl holder camp. I needed a last minute gift a few weeks ago and was able to put one together in about 30 minutes. I think they are great!

Thanks for the link. Those little boxes are cute and do look easy.

My best friend made me one. You put it under the bowl when you microwave in a bowl thus making it easier to take the HOT bowl out without getting burned. Men do use the microwave too. Looking at the pattern, it doesn't look like it would take too much time especially if you did an assembly line. Good Luck !!

I like the mug rug idea and you could try the dollar store to find matching coffee cups. Or you could pair a small package of cookies with the mug rug for those afternoon coffee/tea breaks.

Cookie mixes in a bag, cookie mixes or hot chocolate or flavored coffee mixes with a mug rug, Christmas bag full of cookies, or caramel corn, cup with mug rug made to match design of cup (check thrift stores for cups).

Yea like QuiltnNan said make the fabric baskets -- Make them big enough for a box of kleenex and put a box of kleenex in them ( For their desk ) !

Any of the Jar Mixes .... cookies in a jar, soup in a jar, etc.

How do you measure the 2" corner triangle?...
2" up each side from the corner point and draw a line between them?
Or do I draw a line 2" from the corner straight outward into the body of the corner and, if so,
how do I make sure the sides then are equidistant from the corner point?

I like the mug rug idea for work gifts. Could be made with Christmas fabrics or girly/guy fabrics.

I just posted some pictures of Mug Rugs and cups that I did. The cups had decorations added using my Silhouette Cameo. Take a look!

For the women a zippered cosmetic bag

Saw this under "Links/Resources for a Cookie-Plate-Mat. It would be a nice gift with a plate of cookies on it.

they seem to be big hits so I'm curious what you were selling them for? Our Project Linus group will be in an alternative craft show this weekend and will have them for sale ($5 each or 4 / $15). Since these are all donated items, don't want to over-price them so the group can bring in some much-needed money.

OK I know you'll laugh at me, BUTT what is F-A-R-T ?