Six months later, I'm half way through the project and I think she has really loved the ones I've made her so far. Tomorrow I'll be putting the February ones in the mail to her along with a card and a little chocolate. I can tell you all this and it won't spoil the surprise for her because I don't think she stops by here very often.
I found the easiest pattern/instructions online to make the pillowcases and it employs a French seam, so absolutely no stitching shows. It definitely gives them a very professional, store-bought appearance.
I have a grand time picking out fabric and sewing them up to send south to Columbia. So here's what she's received so far . . .