So last year was the handbag year. This year is actual wearables.
I was going to make my sister a dress, but after realizing it would be all too obvious when my mom asked her for measurements, I decided on an apron for her to use at work (high-end men's stylist/barber).
I scoured the internets this morning, and after about 3 solid hours of "meh" designs, I stumbled upon this gem:
http://kerrimade.blogspot.com/2008/04/crafty-tool-belt-tutorial.html
Hooks for scissors and EVERYTHING! I'm going to add more hooky-doos for other implements, but I figured that was going to be a great start.
For my mom, she get's cold easily despite living in Florida, and after last year, she doesn't want to deal with walking the dog in 20-30F temps early in the winter mornings. She doesn't need to invest in a heavy coat, but she needs more than what she has. So I'm designing a special wrap/shawl out of polar fleece with dog-walking in mind. Screw gloves, she'll have pockets for her hands, one that will have a finished hole to hold the leash through. There will also be a pocket for the leash and for CLEAN bags for the poop. (She's on her own for the dirty ones.) And because it's 100% synthetic, she'll be able to just throw it in the machine when it gets dirty and not have to worry about shrinking or fading.
Depending on time, I'm thinking of this for General Stuart's sister:http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/road-cape
She had a really cute new Vera Bradley bag, and I think I'll make it to match.
For his parents...It's been requested that I make a quilt.

*gulp*
So uh...anyone else going handmade again this year?