Tea, totes & T.J. Maxx

Are there any other tote bag fanatics reading today? Yes, I thought so! I can't seem to resist a nice tote bag, but I like the cheap ones as well. When stores started coming out with reusable 99-cent bags a few years ago, I was understandably pleased. I use these in my crafts room closet for storing yarns and thread, and they're good for transporting lightweight things like teatime linens as well.

Then, a friend pointed out to me one day how very thrifty it is to use these bags instead of traditional paper gift bags. They're certainly a nice alternative to the $3-$4 bags I've typically purchased, and with some creative use of tissue, you can easily fill up the space around just about any gift, large or small. As soon as I began using these as gift bags, I vowed that if I ever saw one with teacups or teapots on it, I would buy all I could find. When I saw this design at the T.J. Maxx in Rome, Ga. on Saturday, that's just what I did. (Alas, there were only 2.) But then I went to another store in Carrollton and bought the 12 they had, and I will s-l-o-w-l-y be giving them out *only* to tea friends in the coming months and years.

Teacups!

A tea kettle!

A teapot!

And there's even what appears to be some newsprint in the teacup designs! (I work for a newspaper, for heaven's sake!)

Although I decided I'd probably purchased enough of the bags, I couldn't help merely *looking* for more when I was at my local store this week, but I didn't see any. Still, if this design appeals to you as much as it does to me, you might want to be on the lookout next time you visit your local T.J. Maxx.