quiltedsunshine

Nikki! I really like the travel pillow idea!

citruscountyquilter

I often make dishtowels and pot holders to give at Christmas. They are always well received and are something that gets used by the whole family. I use ready made dishtowels and put rows of Seminole patchwork, prairie points, appliques, row of small quilt blocks (like hst or 4 patch) on them.

I made all my daughters and nieces aprons and you would have thought I'd given them a million dollars. I was surprised at how much they loved them. One of my daughters wore a hole in the front of hers and wanted to know if I could fix it. I dug in my stash and found the matching fabric and patched the hole and then put a pocket over it. She now has an extra pocket on her apron in an unusual place but it makes it fun.

One of the things I made this year that got the excitement going from family was dryer balls. You take 100% wool yarn and roll it in a ball about the size of a tennis ball. A skein does about 3 balls. Put the ball in an old nylon stocking and tie it tight and then stick it in your washer with hot water and then in your dryer. I ran mine through 3 times as I was washing other things like towels. I had 6 in a knee high nylon with ties in between each ball. The hot water "felts" the wool and you end up with a solid ball which then can be used over and over. You have to really pull the nylon away from the ball when you finally take them out. To use, you put 2 balls in your dryer and it keeps the clothes fluffed and the natural oils in the wool cut down on static. I got the yarn with a 40-50% off coupon at Michaels, Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's and they were very economical to make.

betty32084

my passion is yo-yo's also- I purchased all of the Clover yo -yo maker forms.I used my Hobby Lobby 40 % off coupon once a month until I purchased them all. I even made Christmas earrings out of the 1'' ones. It is endless of what you can make with them.I made a 14" wreath covered in Christmas fabric yo-yo's.Used only green print fabrics on it.We should start a Yo-Yo passion club!

fivepaws

I plan on doing the same. If it comes out well and doesn't take too long, I will make some for our church bazaar.

justflyingin

Are you talking about your own decorating or for gifts?

lynnie

i'm crazy, I know, but I started next Christmas in October. I have about 4 tablerunners already done.
I'm making everyone a gingerbread table runner, a fabric gingerbread house and an embroidered 3d
(all sides and a roof, Urban Threads) 4" high gingerbread house ornament. Also making for my cousin
that sings at the Whitehouse every year, round musical ornaments. Taking printed sheet music and
Mod Podgeing it to wooden circles, and antiquing them. That's it so far.

psychonurse

I need to start at least in July to make Chirstmas things. But no I wait til the last minute and barely get done
Perhaps I need to start now.
I like the ideas y'all have mentioned. Inspiration for me.

justflyingin

I am have so much Christmas paraphernalia, that I don't want to make anything else for us (as in decorating)...but gifts--that's always an option.

Wonnie

I rarely ever make Christmas themed gifts for Christmas prefering instead to make things that can be used all year long. Even though my children are grown and married the men still love their video games and each have their own favorites. JoAnn's had their deluxe 20"pillows that normally sell for $34.99 for 2 on sale as a doorbuster for $9.99. Bought neutral fabric and printed one of their favorite characters sayings on them and I was thanked over and over all day Christmas for them. I used a Sharpie fabric pen. For the women I made a Hanger Safe. This goes over a hanger and can be used to hold valuabes when you travel. Your clothing is hung over it so it is invisible to anyone who might get into your room with thoughts of stealing from you. It's concealed by whatever ciothing you hang over it. It has two zippered pokets that could hold passports or credit cards and a large pocket in back that could hold a laptop. One daughter uses hers to get her outfit ready for work the next day and uses pockets for her choice of jewery, undies, hose, etc. then hangs her outfit on top. Go to Pinterest and search for "hanger safe" and "stenciled pillows".

Dakota Rose

How about some pictures of this "on demand" table runner. Would love to see them.