Why time spent watching YouTube is never wasted….
Without even trying, I somehow came across a video of a loaded pocket (I think they are also called loaded envelopes). I had never heard of these before so obviously had to check it out. Whoa! Why has the universe kept these from me up until now?! I watched a second video, then I got stuck in. If anyone else has been similarly unaware, they are basically made with either a gift bag, or a US style lunch bag. You add extra pockets and then load them up with goodies.
This one is for my sister and contains bits and pieces I either know she needs, or can use, plus a bit of fun too. I chose a paper pad that I have had for years but will be to her taste, and added in a bit of Anna Griffin. I made a few quick note cards and then the envelopes from patterned paper, plus some circular seals. Also some slim gift tags as she often makes jewellery for her friends. The mini pegs were easy to cover with scraps of paper, and the fridge magnets are punched circles of more paper scraps glued into bottle caps and then a dome sticker over the top. I put a double layer of magnetic tape on the back as the grab was a bit feeble! I think they are still more decorative than useful but what the heck.
I made the rosette thingie (sorry, I have no clue what it is actually called) with an embossing board that came free with a magazine recently. Its purpose is purely decorative and I think it was a bit of a waste of time to be honest. I had no instructions, so winged it to make the support stick. A straw was the right thickness but too weak, so I strengthened it by gluing a kebab stick inside before covering it with paper and fastening to the header piece. All a bit of a faff, really.
Also going in are some craft items, but there is no need to take pictures of them, and a big bar of chocolate. Just because.
You can get a LOT of stuff into one of these and making it and the various elements was fun. It could easily be used to give different small gifts – maybe pampering goodies, flower or vegetable seeds, stationery, herbs and spices or cake decorating supplies. Anything really. And again, the best bit is the feel of the stuffed pocket and the rustling noise. Heaven!
This is so cute – I like it! The newspaper on the side is such a great idea. Your work is so good and just elegant. 🙂
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Aw, thank you very much. I like the sound of elegant!
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How special! Never heard of these but it looks awesome!
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They are a fund thing to do. Thank you!
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Love this idea! I had something similar that I made for my classroom about 10 years ago. Each one dealt with a children’s book and the items in the pockets represented parts of the book. Good for comprehension and story re-telling! I will try to find an example!
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Yes! I do love the one you made! Your Sister will love it, they are filled with so much creative goodness!
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Thank you! It was a fun project!
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Omg!!! This is so amazing! Great post
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Thank you so much!
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WOW you have done a stunning job x
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Thank you so much!
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Beautiful, practical, chocolate!!! What an amazing and thoughtful sister you are! I will be researching how I can get the paperwork started to become an adopted sister of yours so that you can make lovely gifts for me!! This is such a fabulous little gift – especially for just saying “You’re special!” or “Just thinking of you” or “Get well soon” or any occasion!! 😀
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Thanks! I am not sure my sister would agree with your description…. I agree though these would make good ‘anytime’ presents. And you might want to think twice about the adoption now. I just added random predictive text to this reply, then hit ‘send’ accidentally on my tiny tablet and had to rush to the pc to edit my comment! Still wanna be part of the gene pool?!
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Are you kidding – I want to even more now!!! You should see what fun the auto-correct has with my texts to my daughter!! 😀
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Why have I never heard of these?!!! I love this idea and the fact that you can get a lot in them! 🙂 The one you have made for your sister is gorgeous and I just know she will love it! I’m going to have a little look on You Tube now….
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Well at least I am not the only one! Thanks Karen. You will make gorgeous ones!
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Gorgeous. I’ve joined Swap Bot (as recommended by IdleEmma) and there’s lots of ‘pocket letters) talked about, I think it’s this sort of thing, and having seen one they look so fun!!
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Really, really good fun to do. Plus it will help me deal with paper bag mountain! Well, one at a time, anyway!
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And you could incorporate doilies…
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Sorry for the late reply…but Ha Ha! And yes, I have!
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I have never heard of a loaded packet, it looks like a small care package, but so much cooler!! This is such a sweet idea, and it looks good too 😀
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Thank you. A care package is a lovely term for it!
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What a lovely idea! I did something similar for my mother at Christmas-not made, like your wonderful creation, but just a large gift bag with all sorts of little things like chocolates, bath stuff, notepads…she complained she never got a Christmas stocking,lol!
Yours is lovely, the gift that keeps on giving… fascinating! 🙂
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Same idea though. Lots of little gifts making something bigger. I like it!
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Oh this is really cute! I just might have to make some for Christmas! Trying to think ahead! Ha! 🙂
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Actually, me too! They would work great with Christmas papers.
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I love those! Did you just turn up the bottom of the lunch bag to make the extra pocket? I can see a sister craft in this one!
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Yes, absolutely that is what you do. Glue down the ‘free’ flap of the box bottom, then fold up the bag to make the pocket you want, hiding the boxy bit. I also added a deeper pocket first (you will hopefully see what I mean from the slide show), so that I had more layers. If I explained this really badly I can copy in a link to YouTube for you. Definitely a ‘sister craft’ and I’d love to see what you make!
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That is fabulous! I think I will try my hand at one this summer. Birthday gift? Christmas gift? New teacher welcome? There are so many possibilities.
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You made an absolute beautiful job of the pressie bag! Love it! I too bought the magazine for the rosette maker, as I just cannot get hold of Tim Holtz Rosette die for love or money, and thought this would be a good substitute. Like you I thought it was a lot of messing around, but I was pleased with the finished item, and yours look at treat too. Great make! 🙂
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Very nice and very interesting!
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this is amazing – i definitely have to make this too! ^_^
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Oh, thank you! Sorry for the late reply – holidays and family are the reason!
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I have never heard of these types of bags. Now I am going to HAVE to look it up and try it out! Thank you for finding this and making it.
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omg WOW these are so cool!! and so Pretty! Like everyone else. I have to look them up. You did a beautiful job on them. They are gorgeous. =) Very impressive.!
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Thanks! Sorry I was late replying. But hey, at least I know I was not the last to find out about these. Makes me feel better!
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you most definitely were not!
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Brilliant! Beautifully made as always. Like the idea of garden/seed packet ones. Happy Easter. Hope your day is full of fun and lots of chocolate.
Hugs Flo xx
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Sorry for the late reply – life, apparently, is anti-blogging! Thanks for the comment and good wishes!
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Stunning – well done 🙂
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Thanks!
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BTW, are you aware that if I click on your WP link, it says the site is ‘no longer available’? Are you still posting? Sorry, I should have mentioned that in my previous message.
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Really ? wondered why things went quiet. Yes still posting as link works for me.
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I have just posted hopefully you can view it
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Nope, it says ‘thegodmotherweb is no longer available’. I’ll Google you instead!
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How odd will tweet them and see if they know
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wow – that’s an awesome idea! never heard of them either – thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you! Sorry for the late reply – been a bit busy elsewhere!
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I’ve come across pocket letters before, but never loaded pockets… you’ve done a brilliant job! So many goodies, and I just love the black and white with a touch of pink colour scheme.
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Thank you! Sorry for the late reply – life gets in the way sometimes!
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It does indeed! I am in no position to criticise anyone for late replies 😊 though it’s more often my brain rather than life that gets in the way 🙄
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That’s gorgeous, I bet it’ll go down a treat. I love things that are multipurpose too, and you don’t need to wrap the gifts. That’s always a bonus! (Please tell me you don’t have to wrap the gifts!)
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Sorry for the late reply – have been away from blogland – yes, definitely no further wrapping required. Totally within your comfort zone!
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It looks beautiful, what a clever idea.
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Yes, not my idea, but a good one!
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Wow love this idea and they look so fun to make too! I’ve never heard of it so I definitely have to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
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I think you would enjoy doing one!
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So cute and a great idea of what to do with all my beautiful paper scraps I apparently saved for something amazing such as this
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Absolutely ideal for using scraps, yes!
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Thank you SO much babysis! It’s probably the prettiest and most girlie thing i’ve ever seen and must have taken you ages to do. You’re absolutely right that i love the combination of colours, papers and designs! The only issue will vebusing any of the items – because the whole thing looks so lovely as it is and i won’t want to take anything out (‘cept the chocolate!) Xx
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There can always be more….!! Xx
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You’re BRILLIANT!
Amazing make, and who-ever you made it for must know you love them bigly! That’s a true work of heart.
Love it Puff. xxx
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Thanks Cobs!!I gave it to my sister and she loved it.
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