You’ve seen Hallmark designer Ashley H.’s ideas several times on TMS. You’ve even taken a virtual tour through her kids’ rooms. Happily, Ashley is with us again today – and just in time to help solve the annual conundrum of what to get your kids’ teachers for the end of the school year!

I’ve tried to come up with the perfect gift to give teachers at the end of the school year. I’ve asked friends, looked in stores, and even though the options of candles, mugs, and chocolates are all great, they’re maybe not so great when you get the same thing from all 23 students.

So I recently decided to ask teachers what their favorite gifts were. It was unanimous. They love receiving gift cards! Although grateful for any gift, the idea of going and picking out whatever they wanted in a store they loved felt extra special.

But I couldn’t just hand over a gift card without a touch of love. For me, that love comes in the way of making it feel special and handmade. Instead of using the sad little envelopes provided, I would make little felt holders for the gift cards.

I created two super-simple templates and asked a few fellow Hallmarkers who are Felt Enthusiasts to join me in creating some gift holders.

We all started with the templates and then added unique touches like flowers, buttons, and embroidery to make each holder extra special.

Here’s how to create a super-simple gift card holder for your child’s teacher:

Step 1: Gather your supplies

+ print template
+ scissors
+ craft blade
+ felt (in different colors)
+ button
+ embroidery floss
+ needle

Step 2: Cut out the template pieces. I used Template 1 for this DIY.

Step 3: Thread your embroidery floss. (I separated my floss and used 4 pieces.)

Step 4: Put your back and front pieces together and begin a blanket stitch around the three edges (Figure 1). Bring the needle from the back of the fabric through to the front and then push the needle back into the fabric leaving a small loop. Bring the needle up and thread it under and through your loop. Push the needle back through to the back of the fabric ¼ inch from the last stitch. Make a loop again and thread your needle under and through your loop (Figure 2). Continue until you reach the end of the fabric (Figure 3). Try to keep the stitches evenly spaced and the same lengths. When you get to the end, knot off the last stitch and pull the thread through the back. Snip the thread and tuck the excess between the two felt pieces (Figure 4).

Step 5: Take the flap piece and center it on top of the back piece and blanket stitch the two pieces together.

Step 6: Sew button onto the front piece.

Step 7: Measure and mark where your button is with the flap piece (Figure 1). Cut a vertical line where the buttonhole will be with the craft blade (Figure 2). Use scissors to enlarge the opening (Figure 3).

Step 8: Now slide a gift card in and you’re all set to send a handmade and much-appreciated gift to your child’s teacher!

Do you have great teacher gifts? We would love to hear about them. Tag us on Instagram (@thinkmakeshare)!

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— Ashley H.