Bags By Hags

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Friday, October 12, 2012

We all love our dogs, they are more than just dogs, they are members of the family. They make us laugh, greet us with such joy when we come home, and no matter how many mistakes we make on a daily basis, our dogs still love us.

Bags By Hags has created the perfect Tote Bag for dog lovers everywhere.

Made from a recycled dog food bag, this tote is perfect as a market tote, or great for everyday use as well!

I lost the best 4 legged companion I ever had almost 2 years ago. I still miss her. Her favorite treat was bananas, just the other day I was making a Banana Pudding and while cutting up the bananas I started to cry, I always saved one banana for Cookie Monster. Her paw prints will be on my heart forever.

I am also a big advocate for adopting/rescuing dogs from a Shelter, especially older dogs as they seem to get overlooked because everyone wants a puppy. I saw this daily as back before I became Bags By Hags, I worked for Animal Control in Fairbanks, Alaska.

So love those dogs with all your heart, they sure love you! And please if you are thinking of adding a new dog to your family, visit your local shelter first, your best friend may just be waiting on you!

P.S. Please don't tell the cat about this post!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Friday, July 13, 2012

FA-LA-LA FRIDAY (WEEK 2)

The Handmade Circle Team continues to "Rock around the Christmas Tree in July"! We are now almost to the end of week 2, everyone is working so hard but we took a little break to play our second round of Trivia. This weeks questions were:

The Movie, " Miracle on 34th Street," is in what city?
Alvin the Chipmunk wants what for Christmas?
What is the most heard Christmas Carol?
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Lucy want for Christmas?
Name the 3 Reindeer whose names begin with the letter "D"

This week's winner is Lynette Melton of ChinquapinRidge in honor of her knowing the correct answer to all

five questions, we are going to showcase some items from her shop. First a little about Lynette:

I am a llama and alpaca rescuer, a cat rescuer, a dog rescuer, parrot, goat......you get the picture! Hubby and I live on a farm in Rutherford County, NC, where we enjoy our animals, our gardens, and just living in the country. We volunteer with Southeast Llama Rescue. I do the bleach art work, dying, spinning, and a bit of the needle felting featured in this album. Hubby creates 2 and 3 dimensional art by needle and wet felting sheep, goat, llama, and alpaca fiber.

Here are some of the wonderful products you can find in her shop:

MoairLocks - Hydranga - Hand Dyed - Ready to Spin or Felt

LilacDream - Llama Roving - Hand Dyed - Ready to Spin or Felt

Sorbet- Single Ply llama/wool yarn

You can also visit all the other Christmas In July Shops Here where you can save 10% to 30% right now. Hurry over oh and be sure and enter our giveaway, want a chance to win some great Handmade Items? Click Here to Enter- NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!
How did you do on the trivia questions? I would love to hear from you! Have a Fantastic FA-LA-LA FRIDAY!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com

Monday, June 25, 2012

Texas Heat, Texas Earthquakes, and a Texas Sized Sale!

Here at Bags By Hags it was a hot, shaky, and busy weekend!

Last year we broke records for the heat we had, it was just miserable so when June started off somewhat cool by Texas standards, I thought oh maybe we are going to have a pretty mild Summer this year. Well yesterday the 100 degree temperatures returned. Looks like Summer is sitting in.

My sister's Guinea Bird, cooling off as she waters her yard. She can walk out into the yard and call here Guinea Bird and here she comes running!

Yesterday morning we experienced a little shake, rattle, and roll! Earthquake hit very close to our house, we heard a loud boom, then the house started shaking! We all just froze and looked at each other. It was a 3.4 according to the news. Not a big one, but big enough for us in Texas who are not used to them! Not sure why we are having them now but for the past couple of weeks they have been hitting close to our home. I was born and raised here, I expect the heat, have been through a couple of tornadoes, but I sure don't know how to deal with these little ground shakers!

I did take some time off yesterday to go down to visit my daughter and 3 grandchildren.

First up is Anna and my Mom. Anna loves her great grandmother!

Then we have Miss Nattie Jo, her and her blanket, she is like Linus!

I was unable to get a good shot of Baby Tanith, but I promise you she is cute as a button, giggling, and growing like a weed.

My husband then drove me over to my childhood home, we lived here from the time I was about Miss Anna's age until I started 4th grade. The old place is falling down, I just stood and looked, but in my heart I could hear laughing children, and feel the love that once made this house a home. My husband took a couple of board from the house. He is going to make me a cross out of the wood, which I think is awesome!

I have also been very busy getting ready for the Handmade Circle Team Christmas in July Sale. This is going to be a wonderful event! We have some great things planned including some fun with our Blogs, and I am working on a great raffle! You don't want to miss this awesome sale. We have so many great shops signed up. You can see them all here:

Have a great evening everyone!!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood?

Remember that song from the Mr. Rogers Show?

I actually live out in the country but I do have a few neighbors, all very friendly and we watch out for each other. (Okay so my next door neighbors are my sister and her friend, but hey they are great neighbors!)

Because I take care of my Mom, I don't leave the house much, except for my afternoon strolls, my favorite time of day is right at sunset and I like to get outside and get some fresh air. You never know what you may encounter. Here are a few things I discovered while out for a stroll yesterday:

Kim and Tina Waving at me as I start out on my stroll!

Beautiful Flowers along the way, but watch out for the Bees!

Pony Boy - He lives across the street, He is the sweetest dog!

Honee Girl, one of my sister's dogs, she thinks she is a show dog!

I learned a long time ago that something as simple as a late afternoon stroll can be the biggest blessing! The little things in life mean the most!

So I challenge you to take a little a walk around your neighborhood, I would love to see what you discover!

Of course feel free to stroll on over to our Shop as well, you will for sure discover some unique items at a great price!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

twitter.com/BagsbyHags

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Getting Stopped in My Tracks.......

As most of you know in addition to running my business Bags By Hags I also take care of my mom who has dementia. Some days are smooth as silk, some days are as a bumpy as a country dirt road. But I have faith this is what I am supposed to be doing and the Good Lord will help through!

This morning in between picking up fabric that my little monsters stole out of my scrap box, dealing with a small chihuahua who is barking as I am sweeping the floor, my mom decides she cannot find any of her clothes. I ask her what are you looking for? What do you want to wear today? I want my pants like yours (I am wearing black yoga pants) Mom they are in your basket in your room, so I go get them. Start back with my chores and she says will you fix my hair like yours? (Mine is tossed up in a ponytail) So I stop again and fix her hair for her. I turn around and she says am I as pretty as you are now? Oh Mama you are much prettier I tell her! Funny how when you are so busy trying to get stuff done something so simple can stop you in your tracks. Yes, this is what I am supposed to be doing........ (Now if I can just find where she put her glasses......)

I was also out in the garage changing out my laundry and noticed the little squirrel that has been around for the past few days, I quietly came in and grabbed my camera to take a few pictures. As you can see he is just like me busy about his business but I was able to get a couple of shots. What an awesome sight for me!

You just never know what is around each corner of the day, it may just be something that will stop you in your tracks and make you thankful for all that you have!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Sunday, May 20, 2012

What I Love About Texas......

Everyone is proud of where they come from, their hometowns, and their home states no matter where the may end up living in their life. I was born and raised in Texas, I love it here! The whole time we were in Alaska (which is a beautiful place and I met some wonderful people who I am proud to have as friends) I missed home, my family, where I came from.

I love where I live, I love small town, and I love slow pace. I also love the little things in life, to quote a line from Robert Duvall's character "Gus" - from one of my favorite movies Lonesome Dove, " Learn to enjoy all the little things in life, like a sip of a good whiskey of a evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman as myself"

Here are the little things I enjoy and love about Texas and where I live:

A beautiful Texas Sunset

Trumpet Vine starting to bloom

Kim and Tina's dogs who greet you at the door - Duchess, Little Girl, and Honee Girl

The Guinea Bird that Lives at Kim and Tina's (Love to hear them)

Slow Pace

Wild Sunflowers starting to bloom

God's Glory at it's finest!

Hope you enjoy all the little things, wishing you a Blessed Sunday, and a great week ahead!♥

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Friday, May 18, 2012

Dog, Cat, or Family Member?

If you follow my blog you have seen the pictures of my animals, I love my animals, they are part of my family. My animals are very spoiled, well loved, and well taken care of.

Sadly that is not true of all animals and I saw this first hand when I worked for Animal Control in Alaska. Some days I would just come home and cry, there just aren't enough homes for all the unwanted animals and you have to realize that you cannot save them all no matter how much you want to.

We happened to find baby kittens living in our shed and managed to capture them, poor little things they were so hungry and thirsty. The mama cat belonged to one of our neighbors so my husband took the kittens to them and thankfully they said they would take them. I really wish they would spay mom.......

This is what a tough life my animals lead:

Ringo - You know I love him he is allowed to sleep on my John Wayne Blanket!

Doc - Yes again I allow him to sleep up in the chair.

Little Man - Sits here everyday and watches out the window for my husband to come home, he is Troy's dog!

Ruby - Little Ruby laying on the Dog Bed at my feet.

Miss Kitty - She is waiting on me, she sits in the chair behind me when I'm on the computer (when she is not sitting up on the desk) she is ready to go to the workshop with me!

I wonder if they even know how lucky they really are?

I have a couple of great items in my shop for pet lovers out there, first up is our Puppy Love Tote

A great tote made from recycled denim, and a great bargain!

For the Cat lovers out there, its Cat's Galore!

This is one of my favorite tie purses in my shop

I hope you have Dog-gone great day and a Purrfect weekend!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Awesome Days......

I must say today has been a pretty awesome day!

First my husband and I drove down to see our grandchildren - had to get my sugar fix! I also wanted to take my daughter her Mother's Day Present. It came from this wonderful shop This is what I gave her:

I won the necklace during one of Handmade Circle's BNR Raffles. I had Amy who is the wonderful owner of this shop put all three of the grandchildren's name on it, then I gave it to her from the girls for Mother's Day. She Loved it! She actually teared up a bit when Nattie Jo gave it to her. You can find this wonderful item here.

We all then loaded up (in two separate trucks as not enough room in one for all the car seats!) and went to Wal-Mart had to get a few things. This was our riding and shopping partner today! Miss Nattie Jo!

We go about our shopping and of course I head back to the fabric area needed to pick up a few items, and SCORE! They had racks of fabric on clearance, here are my finds at $1.00 per yard!

Can't wait to see what new items I can come up with for my shop!

We then headed home and had to do a little bit of the dreaded housework, but my floors just had to have attention! I couldn't stand it any longer. Poor Ringo and Doc, they were banished to the back yard while the sweeping and the mopping took place.

Hubby was nice enough to help me with the house chores because he had plans!

Notice anything in the back of his truck? My husband loves to fish! So off he goes!

I then noticed these gorgeous flowers blooming at the side of my house! I just love them!

Well since the husband is off fishing and the chores are all done, think I will head back to my little workshop area and create since I do have awesome new fabric to play with! It was an AWESOME Day and I am truly blessed, all the little things in life mean so much! How was your Saturday? I hope you were blessed with as much of an awesome day as I was!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A Mother Can Soothe More Than a Fussy Baby

A mother has a natural instinct when it comes to soothing a fussy baby. It is just something that comes out in her, a mother's love and calming words make almost any situation better.

But what if it is not a baby or child that needs soothing? What if it is an animal?

Meet Ruby:

She is our little dog that wandered up into our yard about 8 years ago, no one ever came forward to claim her so she became part of our family. She has a bad heart and has to take medicine everyday, we almost lost her last year because she had to have emergency surgery and her heart is bad, the vet was worried she wouldn't survive the surgery. But she pulled through, although the vet said she should never be put under anesthesia again.

Last night we had a storm move through, Ruby was so scared, shaking, and panting, and whining. She is actually my husband's dog but no matter what he did he couldn't get her calmed down. I was at the sewing machine working on new items for my shop. She came running to me, I put her up in my lap, started humming, and just kept sewing. In just a few minutes she had leaned up against me and was completely calm. My husband was amazed, he asked me,"What did you do"? I told him and he just shook his head.

I believe the fact she could sense that I was calm, (sewing does that for me) helped her to calm down, just like it would a child.

This is her constant buddy Little Man, we adopted him from Animal Control in Alaska when I working there. The storm didn't bother him at all.

With Mother's Day this Sunday I wanted to let everyone know that if your pets are your children you certainly understand that instinct of calming them down and soothing them when they are upset. Animals are such a wonderful part of our lives and they deserve the very best! So Ruby don't worry if another storm comes through we will just head off to the work area, sew, and I will hum for you, that is the least I can do for you sweet one.

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Heart Does Heal........

If you are an animal lover then you know the joy of owning and loving your pet. I have known that love, I had a constant companion for 18 wonderful years, from the minute we brought her home she was my buddy. Cookie or "Monster" as we so lovingly called her took every step I took, wanted to be with me wherever I was and was most happy laying at my feet. She went to Alaska with us, loved to roll in the snow, and made the trip back with us when we returned home to Texas. Her favorite thing was of all things bananas! Oh and she loved ice especially if it was ice from a glass of Whiskey and Coke! She also loved to get into boxes as you can see in the photo!

Last year she made the trip over the Rainbow Bridge, I was devastated! Heartbroken does not even cover how I felt. For days after I would find myself looking down near my feet and look for her. I swore I would never have another, I just couldn't imagine going through the heartbreak of losing an animal again that I loved with all my heart.

Then in September my daughter and her husband had to move in with us for a bit as he was transitioning out of the Army. They had a cat, she was very aloof and really didn't want any one to mess with her at all, so I just let her be. Slowly she started to come around me more and would let me pet on her. When they got ready to move my daughter was 9 months pregnant, with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Their house is pretty small so I said just leave the cat with me, she is fine and doesn't bother anything or anyone here. I didn't really want a cat, but guess what? I got one!

This cat who I have named Miss Kitty is now my constant companion, she follows me everywhere, and cries for me if I go to the garage or to the room where I ship all my orders from. She loves to be with me when I am working in my shop area and loves to play and bat at the thread and my yardstick. She will actually sit behind the sewing machine watching me as I sew.

She also loves to sit on the desk when I am on the computer and will walk in front of the screen as if to say hey you are not paying me enough attention!

I had no intention of opening my heart so wide open again to another animal. Shhh don't tell anyone but I love this cat. Cookie Monster Dog will always hold a very special place in my heart, and no animal will ever replace her, but it appears I now have another constant companion. My heart has healed and I now know the joy of loving an animal again.

Love them with all your heart, cause they sure love you even on your worse day!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags