Gift for a Special Teacher

The Bug had her last ballet class of the fall semester this week. Her teacher has just gone above and beyond for her so we thought a special thank you gift was in order.

Several months ago I bought some customizable cups on Pick Your Plum thinking they'd be handy for just such an occasion. Lily was thrilled and jumped at the chance to make a ballerina cup for Miss Ali.

She did such a lovely job!

I hope Miss Ali feels as special as she's made the Bug feel.

I'm not an affiliate for Pick Your Plum or anything, I just like their stuff and wanted to share. Teacher gifts can be hard and these make such a nice personalized one.  The deals change daily but right now they have these cups and some travel coffee mugs available at a super great price. Pick up a few and keep them on hand. You'll be glad you did! (Today is the last day for free shipping, guaranteed by Christmas, on orders of $25 and up so don't delay!)

~Lindsay

Tote Bag for Teacher

A good friend needed a gift for a very special teacher and asked if I could make a tote bag with lots of pockets. It seems, across the board, that this "a lot of pockets" request is a common one.

I used this tutorial for my measurements and basic instructions though I did add additional pockets inside.

I liked that this has these little side pockets on the outside of the bag. I turned my pocket lining a bit to the right side of the pocket and then topstitched because I wanted it to look a like piping. I like that it lends a bit of distinction between the pocket and the side of the bag.

And here is the inside. The center zip pocket is what makes this bag in my opinion. It made the construction a bit more difficult but it was totally worth it.

The side pockets are the ones I added. Teachers have lots of stuff. Lots of stuff requires lots of pockets.

The plaid fabric is one I've had in my stash for a long time. It was mostly scrap and didn't have a selvidge but I'm thinking it might have been Urban Chicks, 1974 line?

The solids were random cottons I had in my stash and that awesome floral is from JoAnn's. They were sold out last time I was there and I'm kicking myself for only buying a yard. 

I'm pleased with the results and hope this very special Kindergarten teacher gets some good use out of her new tote.

~Lindsay

Teacher gifts

I always struggle with what to do for the Bug's teachers to say thanks.
Food? A gift card? It all seems a bit impersonal.

So this year for Christmas, I made her two preschool teachers these little zipper clutches.

I figure, who CAN'T use a zippy little bag, right? 

I used the gathered clutch tutorial on Noodlehead. I've made these before and they really come together nicely. I still have room to improve in the zipper insertion department but I'm getting better.

And, you know, a gift card and some chocolate can't hurt, right?

(Candy bar wrap free printable found here)

~Lindsay