Sunday, May 5, 2013

I Hope the Teachers are Happy...


I've continued to test bag patterns here and there for potential teacher gifts and I think that I've found a winner!  This is the Pleated Pouch by Michelle Patterns.  I've made both the small and the medium sizes and I love them both.  They are simple and straightforward to make and require a minimum of supplies to complete - but still look refined enough to be proud to carry!


I did up these "samples" with a larger print that I wasn't sure would work, but I love the finished product.  I was a little bit astounded that when I finished the front pleats that it looked as though I had purposely matched up the fabric to look continuous - it was completely a happy accident.


And then I made the medium size and it looked almost as good!  I think it just must be the proportion of the geometric print.  However it worked, I'm so glad that it did!

I happened to have those buttons kicking around in my notions drawer for ages - they were the perfect fit for this bag.  The lining was a lime green and blue polka dot that I've used for lots and lots of projects lately.  It's so versatile!


One of the things that I love about this bag is that it can be so skinny and yet the pleats allow it to still hold a decent amount of your stuff.

So this is the first time that I've joined in with the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day and since I've been making quite a few of these bags lately, I'm offering up the winner's choice of size - either small (4" x 4.25") or medium (5.25" x 8.25") and the fabric will be your luck of the draw :)  Here are the rules: comment on this post at any time before 5 pm on May 10th.  The winner will be selected and announced here on May 12th and I will ship anywhere by May 15th!


There are two ways you can win:  1)  Tell me your favorite teacher or hostess gift to make - I need tips!!  Feel free to link up to a favorite pattern, but its not a requirement.  2)  Follow my blog through the RSS or blog feeder of your choice and leave a second comment to tell me about it.  Please note that if you are a no-reply commenter, you really need to include your email address in the post so that I can get in touch with you if you win!

Thanks so much for visiting and happy commenting!


Update:  Comments are closed - thanks for visiting!  The winner will be announced on May 12th!

Linking up with: Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

Plum and June

Fresh Poppy Design

175 comments:

  1. These are adorable... and that lime green geometric print, FABULOUS!!! Thanks for the reminder, I've got to get going on mine;-)

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  2. Homemade journals or homemade journal covers with purchased journals inside.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. My favorite teacher gifts are homemade peanut butter balls in a container that they can keep and use again or The cookie mix in a jar with the recipe attached!

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  4. I usually give a gift card in a little homemade bag / pouch...

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  5. adding you to my google reader!

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  6. I think that the Zip Pouch of Michelle Patterns is a simple and awesome gift for teachers.

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  7. I love making cloth grocery bags. I use this tutorial
    http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0
    but you there are tons out there. I love the small pouch, it's so cute! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. I generally make the teachers a tote bag or a zippered pouch...also knit so I made cowls for xmas for them.

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  9. I think a cute mug rug would make a nice teacher gift.

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  10. I love coffee cozies :) and they're super easy to make!

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  11. Fabulous!
    How about zakka type pencil cases??

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  12. My favorite gift to give si journals or coasters!

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  13. Cookies! I cook more than craft, and homemade cookies are always welcome.

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  14. I love to make either aprons for them or homemade salsa. Both of those are fun and I have had good responses to them. This year I am making a banner with their name to hang in the classroom?

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  15. i like your blog and i am a new follower ;-)

    best greetings from Germany
    Marion

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  16. Cute! I love the fabric and button choice. My favorite hostess gift is wine glass coasters. I have a tutorial on my blog. Super quick and cute to make.

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  17. I either give potted herbs or I make cranberry chutney.

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  18. gift card inside a homemade pouch with snap.

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  19. These are so adorable. Love it.
    I made a mini wall hanging for Christmas for my daughters teachers. And they love it.

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  20. Since I'm the teacher, I couldn't say. Hostess gift...usually zippered pouches or little table runners. I find those to be acceptable. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  21. Homemade cinnamon rolls. Cute pouches!

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  22. These pouches are adorable so I am not thinking you need much help in the lovely gift giving department. Since you asked ... a cloth notebook cover with a spiral notebook inside, any size, makes a nice teacher gift. For a hostess gift, a small table quilt or mug rug makes a nice gift. I like to add some homemade goodies on a paper plate and wrap in plastic with a bow. Thank you for sharing and the chance to win ... :) Pat

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  23. I am a happy follower ... :) Pat

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  24. I find that little notetakers like this are a huge hit!: http://www.larkcrafts.com/needlearts/giving-handmade-holiday-shopping-list-holder/
    or
    http://www.sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-accents/mothers-day-fabriccom-notepad-folder-go

    Or a tissue cozy like this: http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/03/tissue-holder-tutorial.html
    Something most people would never get for themselves, but really appreciate having!

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  25. These pouches are super cute!! As for a small gift I think a fun zippered pouch works great - stocked with a few tasty treats.

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  26. Tea cozy for a teacher's gift!
    mcintoshsusan@hotmail dot com

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  27. I'm a follower!
    mcintoshsusan@hotmail dot com

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  28. Mugs with coasters are my go to gift for teachers.

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  29. Noodlehead's gathered clutch or a small fabric basket filled with chocolate and a Starbucks gift card!
    Love how your pouch turned out - and what a happy bonus that the fabric lined up so well!
    Jamie

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  30. Oh my gosh...I know this 2nd comment doesn't count as another entry, but I just had to mention how awesome your Ron Swanson mini quilt is. Fabulous!!!!
    Jamie

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  31. Cushions or aprons! Terrific giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

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  32. I now follow you through GFC. Terrific giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

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  33. I love to give a succulent potted in something unique from the thrift store. :)
    peachstateme (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  34. I love giving homemade jam to the teachers! They go crazy for the strawberry rhubarb, and for my blueberry citrus :)

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  35. Small pencil cases are good and practical, thanks for the chance!

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  36. For a hostess gift I would make a tablerunner. For a teacher a wallet with a gift card enclosed.

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  37. My favorite hostess gift is homemade jam or candies. Made some spectacular, highly addictive pecan brittle with sea salt a few months ago.

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  38. This year I'm making the teachers AMH voile and velveteen scarfs. They are relatively quick to make as long as you pin them excessively!

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  39. Love these bags. What a generous giveaway. Thank you for participating in the Giveaway Day. I don't have a favorite gift as my kids are kind of past that age. I do love making strip pieced, quilt as you go pot holders. They are fun and easy.

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  40. As a teacher, my favorite gift that I received was a homemade bookmark. I absolutely LOVE to read!

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  41. What great bags. I really don't do teacher gifts anymore as I now have grands but I always thought potholders or oven mits were nice ideas.

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  42. http://lelia-stitchesoflife.blogspot.com/

    you are in my blogroll - or, sidebar of my humble blog!

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  43. Your pleates are perfect! i don't know how to do that (yet). The bags I have made are here:
    http://lelia-stitchesoflife.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-bags.html

    tutorial link here:
    http://quiltsalott.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/origami-pouch-tutorial.html

    As for teachers, I've got to say my favorite is the owner of House of Stitches in LaPorte, IN. She taught me how to tat. She is kind, generous, and a wonderful person!

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  44. I love all the teacher gift ideas...my kiddos have yet to start school so I may need to start writing these down. I like the idea of a gift card in a cute holder. I also like baking or preserving...a friend of mine said her fav gift as a teacher was anything edible...hahaha

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  45. Spicy sugared almonds. So so addictive.

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  46. I am new to teacher gifts as my son is graduating from preschool this month. But I plan to use 'beachy" stuff like a towel, cup, and maybe a bookstore gift card. Thanks for the giveaway! amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  47. I've never made any teacher gifts before (I'm sure that will change once I have a kid), but one of my friends who is a teacher made a joke about any gift card to a place that has Happy Hour. Either than that I saw some key fobs that had a little pouch for chapstick or lip gloss that were really cute. It's kinda gender neutral too!

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  48. diamond candles (have you seen those? they are so cool!)

    abigail (dot) lee {at] gmail {dot} com

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  49. I have made wallets and small card holders for teachers, with gift cards and a note from my son tucked I side.

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  50. I am a new follower, thanks!

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  51. I like to give gift cards to teachers, maybe presented in a cute pouch or something!

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  52. I like to make hot/cold rice bags.

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  53. Cute cards, photo related gifts and food! All good! <3 Thanks!

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  54. I love to give teachers gift baskets filled with goodies I know they love. one teacher in particular enjoyed eating at a local restaurant and loves tutle candies. She also melts scented waxes. So I filled a cute reusable basket with a gift certificate, waxes, turtles, tea, and other sweets.

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  55. Love these - so cute! I like to make coasters or potholders as hostess gifts. My sister is a teacher and her favorite is when she gets gift cards for dunkin donuts/starbucks (always on the run + makes life easier) - so maybe something along that theme could be good? Coffee cozy? Card wallet w/ g.card inside? Mug rug w/ apple? One of those tea bag wallets full of tea bags (if you know they like tea)? A tea pot cozy?

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  56. I'm a new follower via rss reader - thanks!

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  57. Well, I don't know what my favorite teacher gift would be. This is our first year of school. I made my daughter's teacher a 2 zip tote (pattern by Erin Erickson) for the holidays. I don't know yet what I will make for the end of the year gift. kristie_keely(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  58. For parties I like to bring a flower arrangement, for teachers I like to make something they would use, like a tote bag or apron.
    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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  59. following on GFC!
    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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  60. A bookmark made from your favourite scraps of fabric. It's just an option. :)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    lauramdd(at)gmail(dot)com

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  61. And I'm following your blog from now on. "Avid procrastinator", I'm still laughing.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    lauramdd(at)gmail(dot)com

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  62. Never needed to think about teacher gifts, but I did make brandy soaked cherries (destoned, of course) and then coated them in chocolate last year, and they went down very well as little gifts. Love your pouches.

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  63. I think that pouch would make a great gift. I never thought about teacher gifts. It is a tradition that is pretty new, and not universal. I think it is a nice idea to gift something pretty and useful like the pouch, however.

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  64. I don't have any children, so I haven't had to give any teacher gifts... but I am a teacher and I really think that you can't go wrong with anything handmade. I'd love to receive a pouch. There's another pattern by Dog Under My Desk... a notebook organizer pattern. It's fairly quick and the directions are well written. I think it would make a nice functional teacher or hostess gift. Another hostess gift might be some embellished dish towels.

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  65. These are wonderful. I like both sizes but I can see myself using the medium one more. I like to make wine covers with a bottle of wine or if not wine drinkers I will put in sparkling cider.

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  66. I've just been making teacher gifts myself. My favourites are a notebook with notebook cover or a mug rug with homemade biscuits :)

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  67. Super cute! My favorite teacher gift is a bucket of goodies...not necessarily anything I've created (since I usually create for babies and kids)... sjyurcek@yahoo.com

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  68. Love the way these pouches open! My favorite hostess gift is either spiced nuts, or cookie jars with a custom spatula!

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  69. For a hostess gift, a set of OXO tongs or a set of coasters is always nice. Thanks for hosting!

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  70. I like to make journal covers and add the journal in there. Book bags are also a nice touch.

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  71. A great teacher gift is a tote bag!

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  72. I love to make zipper pouches with ruffles!

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  73. Hello from Minnesota! I think zipper pouches, fabric flowers, and clothespin dolls are fun and easily customizable.

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  74. Aw, those pouches are adorable! I like making little zippy pouches as gifts. What woman doesn't need another little purse?!

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  75. Aren't they lovely! And really cool that the pattern matched like that :-)
    I love the gathered clutch tutorial from Noodlehead, it's quick to make but looks really good.
    Thanks for the chance to win, fingers crossed!

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  76. I follow through bloglovin too :-)

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  77. I am pretty boring my favorite hostess gift is a bottle of wine from a local store near our house that has the most amazing selection. We can always find one with a name or label that fits the occasion and have never had a bad bottle!

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  78. I think a handmade tote is a great gift, everyone can use one!

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  79. Oh my goodness perfect matching up. Happy accident - wow!!! I like to make hanging tea towels and tea folders. The tutorial I use is from Displacement Activity blog (Charlotte Newland).

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  80. Yay I am a new follower - lovely blog :)

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  81. last year i made my sons teacher a beautiful handmade birdhouse, and it said the word teacher in beads. I really love these bags as a teachers gift, they are really nice. thanks for the chance to win one.

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  82. After reading all the gift suggestions made by teachers on Pinterest I think that the most asked for gift is a gift card. Impersonal you say? Doesn't have to be...present it in a handmade wallet or card holder!

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  83. Really cute bags! Homemade lanyards are nice.

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  84. Your bags are adorable! What about a fabric covered journal or address book for a teacher gift? Thank you for the chance to win your bag, I love the lime green you used.

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  85. I give a lot of zippered pouches with a little something inside.
    Thanks for the chance.

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  86. card holder with a gift card inside to a local restaurant. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  87. Little bags/wristlets are my favorite go to hostess gift!

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  88. I love to give fresh loafs of bread! It will make ay house or classroom smell amazing all day.

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  89. Candy grams, with a card of appreciation.

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  90. Little zipper pouches! Perfect for teachers!

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  91. Cute bag! I've always given a coffee mug filled with hot cocoa's and chocolate dipped pretzels that we make. Easy and nice. Thanks for the chance to win!
    mommychu2@gmail.com

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  92. I follow your blog with Bloglovin
    mommychu2@gmail.com

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  93. i loved just writing a thankyou note to the teachers....no real gift inspiration here....you made such cute bags!

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  94. a hand made tea towle is a fun gift to give

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  95. I have made covered journals, tote bags, zipper pouches, embellished hand towels, quilts, and pillows. You can always fall back on the gift card option!!

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  96. So cute! I did gift cards because we have lots of men teachers (including my DH) at our small school.

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  97. I love making nice zip pouches and filling them with essentials... always useful!

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  98. I am still trying to figure out a good go to hostess/teacher gift

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  99. These are so great looking! I am going to have to look up that pattern. I have found myself referring to the book "One Yard Wonders" whenever I need a smaller/quick gift. That thing is packed with ideas! Thanks for the opportunity.
    mugirl113 at gmail dot com

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  100. Love your bags. I enjoy making scrapbook mini albums as gifts!

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  101. I am a new follower on google friend

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  102. I think handmade bookmarks (beaded or fabric or crochet ones) are a great gift

    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  103. My favorite teacher gifts were always home made chocolates, but now that my son is a teacher I found out that teacher's favorite gifts are gift cards.

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  104. my kids aren't in school yet but since I'm not too confident in my crafty abilities if I am going to give a homemade gift it would have to be baked goods.

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  105. I homeschool...I like all the "teacher's" gifts I make for myself!

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  106. we make gift baskets or filled mugs for teachers every year.. my step daughter and I make the hanging towels using a pot holder and matching towel, add coffee, teas, wooden spoons, mason jar cookie mix etc

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  107. A journal cover.
    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!!

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  108. I normally just give them homemade cookies in a vase, the girls help make the cookies for them.

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  109. Fabric bowls/buckets filled with homemade cookies.

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  110. I'm following via bloglovin'

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  111. I have made the following business card holder and placed a gift card in it.

    http://www.craftycupboard.net/2011/03/how-to-business-card-holder.html

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  112. I am following your blog via Google Friend Connect.

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  113. I like to give bread basket with warmers as a hostess gift.

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  114. I follow your blog via Bloglovin. Thanks for the additional entry!

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  115. You can never go wrong with gift cards!!! atabanana29(at)gmail(dot)com

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  116. I follow you on Bloglovin! atabanana29(at)gmail(dot)com

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  117. Fabric bookmarks for teachers, thanks! wonderlandbyalyce at gmail dot com

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  118. I'm following your blog now, thanks! wonderlandbyalyce at gmail dot com

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  119. Thanks for offering the neat bags. My favourite teacher gift is a gift card for a coffee shop.

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  120. My favorite hostess gift to give is a nice dish with some sort of home good. I also make cookies in a jar quite often and people seem to love those too. Hope this helps.

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  121. I'm following you via bloglovin!

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  122. My favorite gift is aprons. Great bags you have made.Thank you for the chance to enter your giveaway.

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  123. I love this little pouch I made for my son's teacher at Christmas: http://www.craftyhour.com/2012/12/teacher-zip-pouch.html


    Thanks for the chance - I have two giveaways happening too: www.craftyhour.com

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  124. Sometimes I make the coasters from Last Minute patchwork.

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  125. I don't really have any good tips for teacher gifts. It's not a thing in Britain at all... we just don't do it! Gorgeous bags!

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  126. My son's an adult now so I don't have any tips for teacher's gifts. Something edible so that they don't have to find a place for it?

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  127. I love the happy accident of the fabric matching up :-)

    As a teacher, I always appreciate coffee gift cards even if the denomination is small. Every cup of coffee helps, and it's a practical gift.

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  128. A bottle of wine as a hostess gift never goes amiss, although lately I've been thinking that a set of nice napkins would be good.

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  129. I gave candy, cookies and flowers this year.

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  130. There are some super cute ideas I have pinned on pinterest. I try my best not to make apple themed gifts for teachers-- I think they have enough of them.

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  131. My favorite gift are pillowcases.

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  132. My favorite is a little pouch filled with Lindt truffles. Or maybe a small plant.

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  133. Often I give gift wrap for a gift - some handmade gift bags, pretty ribbons and cards I've made. I figure they're a little different than flowers and they're something that the recipient will use up. cynsaw2(at)yahoo(dot)ca

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  134. I love giving gift cards! They actually get used :)

    christi(dot)joy(at)gmail*com

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  135. As a teacher, I would love to get one of those little pouches. To give as a hostess gift, I usually make cookies!

    anna [at] 64colorbox [dot] com

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  136. I like to make personalized totes for teachers, usually just their first initial on them.

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  137. my favorite gift to give is lotion bars!! they are perfect for anyone because everybody gets dry hands! and i make a cute drawstring pouch to go with them.

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  138. Your pouches are lovely. I love making pencil cases for teachers...of course, they can put anything they want to in them!

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  139. I am a follower on bloglovin'

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  140. A gift card inside a little homemade bag would be great!

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  141. I like to make fabric bags filled with potpourri

    Thank you for the chance to win this beautiful giveaway :)

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  142. I am following you with Bloglovin

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  143. I am brain dead. Last teacher gift I made was a quilt but then she had a baby. I do like gift cards but that too quickly gets expensive. I machine embroidered and framed a poem for a teacher years ago, She is retired but tells me how much she loves it still. Thanks.

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  144. Any little bag is a favorite for a teacher or thank you gift. I also like to bake them something as well. :)

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  145. I am now following your blog. I am looking forward to reading through it!

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  146. I like to give small to medium (fits a pair of shoes) draw string bags w/something inside too.

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  147. I like to make bottle bags to cover the wine I take as a hostess gift!

    Claireepoppins at gmail dot com

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  148. I'm following you on blog lovin. I was so excited to see where you live, I grew up in Lawrence and spent so many summers at Hampton Beach!

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  149. This is what I have made for teacher's gifts. Little bags or pouches.

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  150. One of my favorite teacher gifts when my son was in school was a gift card in a small handmade pouch. Your bags are wonderful.

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  151. I like to give gifts in homemade reusable bags

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  152. I often go with edibles (cinnamon rolls!) but to sew, I like zipper pouches. stick a gift card inside. :)

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