When i went to my first retreat last year some of the ladies did nice little things.

Stilleto made out of skewer - http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/...stilettos.html
Small plastic box with mints - box is great for bobbins
small piece of non-slip shelf liner - good to but under your rulers to keep from slipping

Enjoy your outing. Sounds wonderful.

I work in the office of a public high school and several teachers give us gifts each year. Honestly, I wish they wouldn't - I don't need more things, and would rather they put the money toward a donation to the fund we have for needy children or to their favorite charity or church.

That said, we have one teacher who is crazy crafty and comes up with some great things. I LOVE this years, and it would be fairly inexpensive as well as easy. She sewed a small bag that ties with a ribbon (this was sewn into the seam an inch or sew from the top) and put an inexpensive pair of gloves - the kind that are fairly lightweight and look quite small but fit just about anyone) and a travel sized tube of hand cream. They were labeled "Gas Gloves" and the tag says to keep it in your car to put on when you are gettign gas so your good gloves don't get ruined.

If you look on Pinterest I'm sure you'll probably something similar. This is one that I'll definitely be copying - in fact, I bought the lotion on my way home and will be getting the gloves tomorrow. Lots of fabric in my stash I can use, lol.

I have both received and made these, love them!

A nice little thread catcher so that it folds flat? http://needlingthings.blogspot.ca/20...d-catcher.html

I have made mug organizers for my friends. The are the quilted covers for a large mug that is used for your seam ripper, stiletto, scissors, emery board... I usually add a mechanical pencil and emery board to each. These can be made from stash tailored to each personality. The dollar store has the large mugs that work so well!

Love the idea of the thread catcher, and any small sewing related items.