SUPER SATURDAY SALE!

Join Handmade Circle in a Super Saturday Sale! 16 Shops with 50% or more off! 2 hours only today from 4-6 pm Eastern Time.  Stop By! Great Gift ideas for Mother's Day, Birthday's, Graduation, or a special item for you!


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It Started With A Handkerchief.....

A very good friend of mine recently gave me some great stuff, she brought me several bags and one tub full of fabric, notions, and all kinds of neat items.  I was in heaven for about 3 days going through it all and deciding what I was going to make with it.  In one of the bags was several vintage scarves and handkerchiefs.  One of them a western one.  I LOVE anything western, my whole house is decorated in it, I am all about John Wayne, and am pretty much a boots, jeans, and ponytail in a cap kind of girl. (Okay woman but we won't go there!) Anyways I fell in love with this handkerchief, I tucked in my fabric cabinet and said I am going to make something special with that.  So late Wednesday evening I pulled it out and started designing and decided I wanted to make a Tote Bag using this handkerchief. I sat down and designed my whole bag and here is what I came up with:

First had to have my sewing partner- Miss Kitty - Don't worry she is not allowed to roll around on fabric I use, that is her pile of scraps that I have given her.....

Here is the handkerchief, (I just Love it!) of course it would be way too thin to use as the front of the tote bag alone, so I sewed it to some red bandana cotton fabric.

Added some fringe, because I thought it really enhanced the bag.

I made the back out of the same red bandana fabric. (This is a pic of the finished product)

I then took a piece of black cotton fabric and more red bandana fabric  and created a pocket with 3 divided slots for holding your glasses, money, phone, etc.  I then sewed this to another piece of red bandana fabric and placed it inside of the bag for the lining. 

 Now its time to trim the top! I used double fold tan hem facing (also in the stash I got from my friend!) I actually ironed it out as you can tell then sewed all around, then folded it down and sewed on the inside.

Added a black webbing handle and ta da we are done!

Here she is with one of my Cowboy statues! And now she is listed on Etsy and ready for her new home!

I hope you enjoyed the story of the Vintage Western Handkerchief, and now it is time to ride off into the sunset and create more things.  I still have a couple of handkerchiefs left!!!!!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag-Bags By Hags

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Things to do with Burlap!

As creators most if not all of us find ourselves looking at items and going Hmmm I can make something from that.  I am one of those people, it doesn't always come to me in an instant, I may have to put the item aside for a bit and then one day Eureka! An idea strikes!  This is what happened in the case of the burlap throws.

My daughter and son-in-law recently moved from Louisiana back to Texas, the movers wrapped some of their stuff in burlap throws.  Once their house was ready and all their furniture was taken out of storage my husband came home with these throws and was heading to the dumpster.  I said Whoa! where are you going with those? He said well I was going to trash them, but let me guess you want them?  Yep I do! I set it aside and said I don't know what I am going to make with it yet but something surely will come to me.

So Friday I washed one of the throws, and laid it out on my cutting table and started pondering.   And here is what I came up with:

The burlap throw is now a Beach Tote!!!!! 

I just added a panel and divided it into 3 pockets for carrying your sunblock, keys, wallet, phone, etc.  Inside is nice and roomy to hold all your items you need for a day at the beach!  And to think my husband was going to throw it away!!!! 

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

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My Love for Aprons.....

I love to sew aprons, I love making bright combinations, putting on pockets, and even adding a lacy, frilly trim.

 I believe my love for aprons comes from my Grandmother.  I believe the only time my Grandmother didn't have her apron on was when she was at Church!  She had one that she wore as everyday around the house, she had one she would put on when she went outside, and then there were her special ones for wearing at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Aprons take me back to a wonderful time in my childhood, spending days with my Grandmother, I remember standing on a chair and helping her wash dishes, getting to lick the spoon from the cake batter, and climbing in her lap as she scraped an apple for me.  She always had whatever tool she needed in the pocket of her apron!
And this is why I think I love to sew aprons, every time I finish one I can almost smell my Grandmother's perfume!

Here are a couple of my aprons, Memaw I hope you would be proud!

Marsha Bourquin/Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

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Do You Ever Feel Stumped?

As a person who sews, I can usually look at any particular fabric I have on hand and think oh I see a Beach Bag out of that piece or an apron out of this one.  Well the last couple of days I have found myself stumped.  I look at something and just go hmmmmm instead of Ah ha! It can be very frustrating for those of us that create and sell on Etsy, always trying to come up with the next greatest item.

I have decided that when I have days like that it is best to just walk away from my workshop area and focus on something else as whatever I made I wouldn't be satisfied with anyway!  Taking a much needed break can sometimes be all we need.  Here's to hoping my mojo returns soon!  I did crank out this little bag today, although I cannot take credit for the fabric choice, my daughter put this one together and it actually turned out really cool in my opinion!

Marsha Bourquin Head Hag/Bags By Hags

www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45

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Catching Up/Catching my Breath

It has been way too long since I updated, so much going on in my life the past few months!  Had my daughter, son-in-law, and grand-daughters living with us until their house was ready. Just last week we welcomed grand-daughter number 3!  Tanith Leigh weighed in at 6 pounds and 14 ounces of pure cuteness!

Now it is time to get back into a more steady rhythm!  I have also been busy sewing new items for the Etsy Shop and gearing up for the Summer Craft Fair Season.

My goal is to update the blog at least once a week! Wish me Luck!!!!

Here is a photo of my newest addition to the shop, I really like how this little purse turned out!

Head on over to our shop at www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbyhags45 and check out all of our newest things!  

Happy Creating everyone!

Good Bye 2011

2011 was a very eventful year for me, looking back there was some really rough patches, yet some really great spots too.  I spent most of today reflecting on what all happened in my life this past year and it was a lot! I don't think any of us really realize what we go through in the course of a year, until the end of the year that is.

This blog is my 2011 in a nutshell:

January saw the birth of a new grandbaby, what a joy and a true blessing!  It also marked the loss of my dear old friend Cookie Monster..... She was 17 years old, I had her since she was 6 weeks old what a great companion, dog, and friend.  I still shed a tear when I think of her (which is often).

March came around and I decided to try my hand at gardening, so I planted my first garden, it was a great experience and actually it did really well until the drought and excessive heat took over.

Speaking of heat whew what a summer! Over 40 days of 100 degrees or more!

June was quite exciting my husband bought me a new sewing machine and Bags By Hags was born!!! What a great experience this has been!  I still have so much to learn about running my own in-home business however I am determined to keep learning, growing, and making this business a success!

July brought another loss in my household, in fact 6 months to the day we lost Cookie Monster we lost our little pom Prissy.  She was a rescue dog that we got in Alaska when I worked at Animal Control, she was such a sweet little thing, Never and I mean Never barked!  She came from a horrible situation so I take comfort in the fact that in her last few years she was in a loving home. 

August brought the news that we would be blessed with our third grandchild! 

October brought more change as my son-in-law exited the Army and the kids and grandkids moved in with us.  October also saw the first month of Bags By Hags making the craft bazaars, I really enjoy these as it is so nice to actually talk with your customer face to face and get a feel of what they are looking for when it comes to handmade items. 

As we move into 2012 I already know of many more changes to come.  My kids will be moving out on their own in January, new baby is due March 12th, and I plan on expanding my items for Bags By Hags.  Those are the things I know about, the rest I just trust that God won't give me more than I can handle.  

I wish success, wealth, health, and happiness to everyone in 2012, Let's all make it a great year!!!!!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag of Bags By Hags