I'm really wanting to get Christmas stuff done early, before the baby comes this year. I also really want to make a lot of things. I enjoy making things with my sewing machine, just not great in the ideas area. I looked about, and found some that seemed reasonable to do for someone of my skill level. I'm putting them here, but not on facebook, since a lot of these gifts will go to in-laws, who can all see me on facebook. First, skirts. I've been wanting to have something I can make for my girls, so these are just my demo models, which turned out well enough that they can wear them for real. I will most likely make some of these for my neices, and maybe the twins, in a fun fabric.   
Next I saw these placemat/napkin sets. Figured it couldn't hurt to try. Once I got all the pieces cut out, I could put one of these together in 15 minutes. I finally bought a rotary cutter yesterday, so even the cutting part will really speed up. The extra fabric I had laying around that fit with this was Christmas looking stuff. Place mat: 
Place mat with napkin: 
I had also seen these fabric buckets/baskets, and thought I'd try it too. These might need a little more work, mine didn't seem to be as deep as it should be, but in all it worked OK.  
Basket holding napkins 
Whole effect. 
So, I think for both sets of Paul's parents, and his sister, I will make a set like this. Maybe out of Tech fabric. I really enjoy keeping busy with this kind of thing. Hopfully I will discover more things I can make. Now my lisst of things is baby towels, diaper bags, skirts, and placemat sets. We'll see what is next. For lots of pictures of the girls, see here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=302631&id=512285514&l=32fb087077 | 
