I am planning to make a shadow box for various family members. There were some old Singer sewing books in my grandmothers "stuff" years ago. Several of the pictures are in color and I want to make copies of these to include in the box. Also from my grandmothers and mothers stuff are buttons (still on the cards) thread on wooden spools, laces, rickrack. Several packages of needles on those large cards with flip up tops, old tape measurers, etc. etc. etc. I am thinking these items in a shadow box along with a "story" about sewing in our family (placed in a pocket on the back) would be a treasurer for our family, especially the younger grandkids who have never experienced a day with the women in the family working on a sewing project. My brother from Washington state will be here the first of August, I am planning to get his ideas on this. Pehaps he will either make the shadow boxes or print out some pictures of our grandmothers to add in the boxes. I have wanted to do this for years!!!!!!!!!!

I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts in this thread. I am always on the lookout as well for Christmas ideas for giving to those we care about.

Much of our family lives far away and we have succumbed to sending gift cards and such because of shipping costs, although I always include fudge(could be shot if I didn't include it) and a few goodies that can be crammed in the priority boxes! I also always make a new ornament each year for the grandkids...we have 14 now, so ornaments can take time! I will also be doing some table runners, and small quilted items...a DDIL has requested a tree skirt this year to match the stockings I made last year.

I am hoping to do some purses and totes,little cornucopias with hand made chocolates which my friend makes,some placemats by request and a seasonal hanging for my oldest son. This should keep me busy.

For the girls at work, I'm knitting dishcloths and quilting potholders.

I made hanging trash bags for the car last year and they were a huge success. All are being used and each person loved the fabrics I picked for them specifically.

I am making aprons for all my girls, crocheted bath scrungies. hanging towels, knit phentex slippers and maybe some knit or crocheted dish clothes. and maybe a couple of bow tuck bags.

My local qs has a pattern for place mats that open to 4 different patterns. I will make some of them Diane c

I like picking up stuff early too, but you found great sales!

Going to be making a lot of mug rugs.

I will be making my aunt and uncle some lap quilts for their den.