Time

Time is of the essence.
Time is short.
Time heals all wounds. 

Everyone talks about time, I don't have time, there isn't enough time in the day.  We all know that our time here on Earth is short and for some it is much shorter than others.  How do you "Spend" your time?  Do you spread love, joy, and warmth? Do you avoid the negative in the world and surround yourself with positive people and try to be a positive force yourself?

I learned a valuable lesson from my rose, ( I posted this picture a few days ago and this was the only rose on the bush)

Today look at my roses.

You may be asking what does this have to do with time, and what kind of lesson can it teach? 

The first rose bloomed and waited, it never criticized the other roses or judged the other roses on their decision on how or when they would bloom.  Yet she was a positive influence by bringing beauty into this world and encouraging the other roses to bloom. 

My point is if you let your own beauty bloom you encourage the people on your own rose bush to bloom as well. 

God never ceases to amaze me in the tools he uses to teach me things....... 

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

www.facebook.com/BagsbyHags

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Serenity Lane

TGIF!  I hope everyone has had a great week!  It is time for our Handmade Circle Shop Of The Week!

This week we are heading down Serenity Lane, (doesn't that name just make you think of a beautiful and peaceful place?)  as we continue our stroll down the lane let's stop off  and visit Serenity Lane Designs. 

Serenity Lane Designs is home to unique handmade and rubber stamping, paper crafting, and more.  Let's take a peek inside the window and see what kinds of wonderful things we can see!

Decorative Clothespins

Sticky Note Holder Mini-Clipboard 

Rainbow Stamped Tea Light Candles

Inspirational Quote Tumbled Tile

A little about Diane the owner and creator behind Serenity Lane Designs: 

I have been playing with rubber stamps and paper for more then 12 years! I love to try new things and learn new techniques. I'd like to think -- if it doesn't move, I can stamp it! ;)

I live in upstate NY with my husband of 16 years and our spoiled-rotten cairn terrier named Charlie. :)

Another great fact about Diane is that she was featured on ABC's The Chew! 

As we take our leave from Serenity Lane I would like to remind you that you can come come back and visit anytime!  You can find this wonderful shop on the map here:  

www.etsy.com/shop/serenitylane

https://www.facebook.com/SerLaneDes?fref=ts

Have a Wonderful and Serene Weekend! 

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

www.facebook.com/BagsbyHags

https://twitter.com/BagsbyHags

http://pinterest.com/bagsbyhags/

Give Me Lemons - I Count My Blessings!

On this road we call life everyone of us at some point rounds that corner and hits the spot where life starts to chunk lemons at us.   You want to scream ENOUGH, or just give up.  I find my self in that very spot of the road these days but no amount of lemons will shake my Faith, because I know the Good Lord will get me past this spot in the road.  So life I am going to chunk a few lemons right back at you and count my blessings!

• I have God on my side who so loved me that he gave his only son so that I may have everlasting life!
• I have a wonderful loving family
• I have a nice cool home in this terrible heat we are having
• I have food in my cabinet
• My best friend is my Sister that is a double blessing!
• I am able to care for my Mother and spend time with her in her golden years.
• I have awesome friends from Handmade Circle
• I am blessed and proud to be the Head Hag of Bags By Hags

So go ahead chunk those lemons, because hey it's Free Lemons! 

You can also get a Sweet Summer Deal, for the next 24 hours I am offering 50% off my entire shop, head over to Bags By Hags and see how you can get a great deal!  No Lemons I promise!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

www.facebook.com/BagsbyHags

https://twitter.com/BagsbyHags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com  

Once Upon A Handmade Time......

Once upon a Handmade Christmas time,Bags By Hags decided to take her handmade items and make the journey to the land of Etsy. She set up her little shop and opened up for business. She really had no idea of how it all really worked but she continued to plug along.

Then one day she met a very special group of people, The Handmade Circle Team, they were so friendly and welcoming! These wonderful artists taught her many things about running a shop, and became more than just fellow members of a team, they became her friends. Friends who encourage, who are happy to help, and who dance with you when you have a sale, and console you when it is slow.

She has now come full circle with this wonderful group of people, and is very honored and humbled to be one of the Leaders of this great team. She hopes to continue to grow, learn, and to now help other people as they make their journey to their own Handmade Dream. Here are a few things she learned over the past year:

• Never stop believing in yourself or your dream
• Stay positive- you get back what you put in
• Hard Work yields beautiful fruits from your labor
• Encourage each other- What goes around, come around
• Never forget that at one point you were once a stranger in this land yourself

We would love to have you join our team, there is always room for our circle to grow!

http://www.etsy.com/teams/11451/handmade-team?ref=pr_teams

Please go check out some of the great shops who are a part of Handmade Circle:

Right now we are having a Christmas In July Sale and all the listed shops are offering anywhere from 10% to 30% off.

http://bagsbyhags.blogspot.com/p/hmc-christmas-in-july.html

You will be glad you joined us in the land of Etsy, and by the Grace of God we will live happily ever after!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

www.facebook.com/BagsbyHags

https://twitter.com/BagsbyHags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com

I'm Climbing The Mountain!

I know at some time in all our lives someone has told us "You Can't Do That"!  Depending on the situation in which it was told to you that may be correct.  But not when it comes to your dream, your vision, your plan. 

Of course there are rules and laws in life that we must all follow.  But when it comes to following my dream, my vision, and my plan "Can't" is a dirty 4 letter word!  My dreams are just like my prayers they are between me and God and I have great faith that he will lead me down the path I need to be on.

Sometimes we are own worse enemy though, we start building our dream, it starts small and we are comfortable with that, then when it comes time to take the next step we hesitate and say no I think I will stay here its familiar, its easy, and its comfortable.  You have just settled into Zoar, where its small and nothing ever grows.  If someone came before you and said you can have everything you dream of by climbing that mountain, it will be hard, it will be a struggle, but if you believe, have faith, and take one step at a time you will reach the top and have it all.  Or you can stay here and keep everything you already have.  Which would you choose?  

I am very thankful for how far my shop has come over the past year. But I am not settling in Zoar, I am climbing the mountain! I have faith, I believe, and I have all the gear I need to climb my mountain! 

I hope you never give up on your dream, whatever it may be. How sad and depressing our life would be if we didn't have our dreams!  Live Your Dream!!!!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

www.facebook.com/BagsbyHags

twitter.com/BagsbyHags

BagsbyHags@gmail.com