Bags By Hags

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Out with the Old - In With the New!

It has been quite a year! 2012 brought many changes, lots of laughter, a few tears, and many blessings!

In 2012 I discovered the Handmade Circle Team I have made numerous friends, learned so much, and Bags by Hags reaped the rewards from learning so much from this team! We were very blessed to surpass our goal for the year and we look forward to new products, new goals, and meeting new customers in 2013.

2012 saw the birth of my third granddaughter in March.

My oldest granddaughter starting Pre-K

And the middle granddaughter turning 2 today!

My grandchildren are the sunshine of my soul!

I cannot believe all the smiles, hugs, and lovies I was blessed with!

As we move forward into 2013 look for new products, new adventures with these girls, and hopefully new goals will be met.

What are some of your favorite memories from 2012?

Bags By Hags wishes everyone a successful, prosperous, and blessed 2013!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dedicated to MOM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

You gave me life, you taught me the rights and wrongs, you taught me to be a strong and independent woman. You have dried my tears, calmed my fears, and shared in the joys of my life. You always told me I could do anything and be anything I wanted to be. I am blessed you are my mother.

Now it is my turn to take care of you as you walk into your golden years, this is my promise to you, I will dry your tears, calm your fears, and share with you many joys to come. I am now blessed to be your daughter.

Happy Birthday Mom I love you to the moon and back!!!!

Fun Facts: Mom was born in 1935 when the cost of things looked like this:

What Things Cost in 1935:
Car: $580
Gasoline: 19 cents/gal
House: $6,300
Bread: 8 cents/loaf
Milk: 47 cents/gal
Postage Stamp: 3 cents

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com

Monday, September 3, 2012

Time Marches On......

Time - how it does march on! It's hard to believe that Summer is winding down, the kids are back in school and before we know Christmas will be here!

Labor Day Weekend always finds me reminiscing about some of the most happiest moments of my childhood. We always made the trek to Turkey Texas or Washington Oklahoma for the Collins Family Reunion. This was all my dad's family. They loved getting together, laughing and talking, playing cards and dominoes. I remember playing with my cousins, the wonderful food, and being smothered my Aunt Agatha's kisses. And of course there was the big bet between my dad and cousin Michael Collins, $100.00 on who was going to win on Texas-OU Weekend. My mother would get so mad that daddy would bet that much money ($100.00) was a lot of money then! I love all these wonderful memories!

Now time marches on, all my dad's siblings have passed and we no longer have the Collins Family Reunion. I often wonder where all my cousins are, what is going on in their lives now, and if they have the same fond memories like I do. Oh and Michael Collins - Texas will beat Oklahoma this year!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com

Friday, August 24, 2012

YESTERDAY......

It seems just like yesterday I was holding my newborn first grandchild. I have blinked and now this Monday August 27th, she starts Pre-K! I have no idea where the time has gone! I have 3 beautiful grandchildren, all girls, but Natalie Jo or "Boo" as she is known to me, well we have a special bond. I delivered her! She wasn't waiting for the nurse to go get the doctor, so when they came back in I was holding my grandchild! The most awesome experience of my life!

I always heard you never know true love until you become a grandparent, well let me tell you they are right! My blog today is a collage of memories of Miss Natalie Jo, Boo I love you so very much and I cannot believe it is time for you to go marching off to school!

In honor of Miss "Boo" starting school, Bags By Hags is having a 25% off Sale! 25% off our entire shop. Just use coupon code BTS12 at checkout.

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Dance.......

Looking back on the memory of the dance we shared neath the stars above.......

I have come a long way, going through some old pictures recently I am amazed at how much my life has changed and how far my journey has come. I wanted to share some of the moments before I was:
Bags By Hags

Long Before Bags By Hags

Daddy was a Truck Driver we used to get to go on the road with him in the Summer, we were on the way to Bangor, Maine. (Mom, Dad, and little Brother)

This is my little brother Wesley, we laugh at this photo as he is now an Investigator for the Sheriff's Department so he dresses like this everyday- minus the pajamas!

A family portrait from years ago one of very favorites!

Tombstone Arizona with my sister Janet

The day my Soldier graduated from A.I.T.

Before I was Bags By Hags I was 911 what is your Emergency?

I could have missed some pain, but I would have had to miss the "Dance"

I hope when you look back through your photos you realize you enjoyed your dance on your journey to your own dreams.

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

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

My Favorite Memories.....

Today would have been my Dad's 83rd Birthday. Dad passed away in January of 1989, I wish he were still here to see all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. I miss him but I have some wonderful memories...

Dad was 6'5, I remember riding on his shoulders and feeling like I was on top of the world.
Dancing on his feet.
Dad was a Truck Driver, I have been all over the United States, we used to get to go with him in the Summer time. I loved sitting on the Doghouse in the truck and my favorite time was driving at night.
We never had much money but he managed to take us to see all the Disney Movies, and the John Wayne movies. And we went to the Fort Worth Stock Show every year.
He was the baby of 12 children and all his brothers and sisters got together every year over the Labor Day Weekend. Daddy loved spending time with his family. I have such wonderful memories of those Family Reunions.

Losing your loved ones is a hard thing, but by the Grace of God the tears turn to smiles as you focus on those wonderful memories and the love that lives in your heart for the rest of your life.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Sunday, June 3, 2012

You Are My Sunshine......

It is hard for me to believe that my oldest grandchild will be turning 4 this Thursday, where does the time go??
Natalie Jo and I bonded from the get go! In fact I delivered her, the nurse stepped out of the room to go get the Doctor, my daughter said"Mama the baby is coming" when the Doctor walked in, I was holding Natalie Jo.

So it is hard for me to believe that 4 years have just flown by! She will be staying with me for a week starting next Saturday. Not sure how much work I will get done, even though she loves to sit with me as I sew stuff for Bags By Hags but we have bubbles to blow, a driveway that needs chalk drawings, nature walks to take, and even a camp out planned with her cousin one night. I plan on enjoying every minute with her as time does fly by!

She truly is my sunshine (in fact that is "our' song we sing it together all the time)

I am truly, truly BLESSED!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Special Day......

Today is a special day, it is my best friend's (who happens to also be my sister) birthday! She is my rock, I can tell her anything, she is Bags By Hags biggest supporter, and I Love her Moon and Stars!

We have been through so much together, from her holding my hand and supporting me through my husband's deployment to Iraq, to sledding in Alaska (we almost died going down that hill!) to now us taking care of Mom in her golden years, and keeping me laughing on those difficult days.

Happy Birthday Kimmee, God sure blessed me! I Love You So Very Much!!!♥♥♥

THROUGH THE YEARS:

Taken years ago at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

The State Fair of Texas sometime in the 70's

The House where we grew up, so many memories.....

Nothing better than Sister Hugs!

She wrote me this when I was living in Alaska, now we live next door to each other and right back at you Kimmee! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Friday, May 25, 2012

I am Free......

I am free to worship God how I choose.
I am free to speak my mind.
I am free to vote how I want.
I am free to dress the way I want, live my life, and be me.
I am free to run my business Bags By Hags the way I want to.

I am free to do all the above things and more all because of the many sacrifices our men and women in the Military past and present protected those rights for me.

My husband and my son-in-law are part of those who served our Country. I couldn't be more proud or more honored that people I love so very much did this.

This is my wonderful husband when he was deployed to Iraq. It was a long, stressful year and to this day I am so very proud of him!

I hope you take the time this weekend while you are grilling, enjoying time with friends and family or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy this Memorial Day to remember this is not just the kick off to Summer but also a day to remember so many who gave their all for us! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Keeping Your Sense Of Humor.....

Trying to have a successful business is serious stuff. I am working so very hard to make Bags By Hags a success, it is my dream - My Handmade Dream. However I firmly believe you should keep your sense of humor, how can you go through the day without lightening up and laughing a bit? Especially at yourself sometimes.

Children know all about laughing and playing (we could learn a lot from children) this is my middle granddaughter Anna. She is such a little cut up always giggling and laughing, yesterday she decided to put the strainer on her head to look through the holes and giggle.

I laughed and laughed at this photo, laughter is good for our soul!

Sewing is also something that soothes my soul, I love to design and create unique items, yesterday I took a lightweight denim jumper, designed a tote bag and came up with this.

This is my Americana Tote perfect for the Summer!

I hope you do something today that soothes your soul, especially laugh! I know I will be going back to look at that picture of my granddaughter to get me a good giggle for days to come!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.twitter.com/BagsbyHags

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Moments of Memories.......

It's funny how certain things in our daily life will trigger a certain memory. Music does this for some people so do certain smells and that is what happened to me yesterday.

I was busy working on a new apron for my shop, I was ironing the pieces for the waistband and ties and had to use a little spray starch. The smell of that starch immediately made me think of my Grandmother. Memaw as she was known to me, I loved her to the moon and back and would stay with her every chance I got. Just that little burst of scent took me back to when I was child happily playing in her kitchen as she was doing her ironing. Something I hadn't thought about in such a long time. It was a wonderful feeling and made me smile, such a blessing to me.

This was taken at Christmas in 1988, Memaw and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The little girl leaning up against her- My daughter who is now all grown up with 3 children of her own.

I was able to sail right on through making my new apron with such a smile on my face. Memaw would be proud I believe, she could sew anything!

The body of the apron is made from a vinyl recycled tablecloth, perfect for using while working in the garden as you can just take a damp cloth to wipe the dirt off the apron body. You can read all about my latest apron here.

I now have 3 grandchildren of my own, I hope when they grow up something so simple will trigger a good memory of them playing happily at Nona's house. As I love them to the Moon and Back just like I loved Memaw and she loved me!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags