Bags By Hags

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

My Creative Wednesday

I was a sewing machine today! Today I worked on Bible Covers for my shop. These are my very favorite items to make, I make each one totally unique, I want each of them to be a very special one of a kind item for the people that buy them.

For the first one I made this is the pattern I picked out:

I then needed to decide on the color I wanted my handles to be, I decided to pick from one of these books that my friend brought me. Look at all these! There are some great pieces in here!

I decided on a pretty pink one, so I sewed up my handles first.

I then sandwiched all my layers together and pinned it in place.

I sewed it up leaving an opening for turning it right side out:

I then top stitch it to enclose the opening and iron it to make it all pretty and smooth:

See how the Bible fits into the pockets?

Once I was all done sewing, I added a few jewels to the outside for the finishing touch!

It is now all done and ready for photos and listing in my shop

You can see this Bible Cover and all the other ones I made today here. I am listing the rest of them as soon as I hit the publish button. I hope you enjoyed spending some creative time with me, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Have a blessed, happy Thursday everyone! ♥

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

Monday, May 7, 2012

My Journey has only just begun!

Today is the last day of the Handmade Circle Boot Camp. This is a bittersweet day for me, I am proud of myself for making it through this wonderful experience, but I am also a little sad and nervous now that now it is time for me to step out and continue what I have learned on my own. I learned so much about how to make me and my shop grow, I also formed a very special bond with the other ladies who were in camp with me that I truly believe will last a lifetime.

The last assignment today was to write about where we think we will be in 1 year and then 5 years from now. While no one can know all the things the future holds for us, that is up to someone with a whole lot more power than you or I, I can share with you the vision I have for Bags By Hags.

By using the tools and knowledge that I have learned over these last 20 days I believe in 1 year my business will be stronger, growing, and moving forward with great products. I see myself learning new skills to enhance my products and having great relationships with my customers. I also see myself building my website up and directing my customers to that website where I am in total charge of how it looks and operates.

Within 5 years my dream is to have a brick and mortar store. I want a small shop that carries unique and of course Handmade items that my customers will love! I never want to waiver from my roots of handmade, I don't want to be a store where items are mass produced, that is not what my dream is. I dream of Bags By Hags being big enough that the name is known, but small enough that each customer gets the one on one service they so deserve.

I know that life throws us curve balls at times, that is just life, and though sometimes we have to adjust our plans to those curve balls we don't have to give up on our dreams because of it. If God brings me to it, he will bring me through it. I FIRMLY believe that!

Words cannot express how much Debbie Nowicki has helped me with this Boot Camp. She is truly a wise, kind, and great woman with a vision that I have no doubt she will see come true.

To the other campers - Erin, Lulu, Michelle, and Red. May all your dreams come true and I look forward to sharing our journeys down the path to our success!
Remember: Reputation is what people think you are. Character is what people know you are!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This.....

You ever have days where everything seems to go wrong? That was my day on Friday, first our air conditioner stopped working in our house, it was 93 degrees outside and very muggy. Called the repairman and waited. He got here late in the afternoon, did a repair to limp us through the weekend, until he can get the actual part/kit to fix it properly on Monday.

Tried to work on some things for my shop but most of what I was working on just wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to. I decided it was because it was just too hot back in my work area and the heat was messing with my judgement.

Later Friday evening a bad storm came through, lots of lightening, thunder, and wind. I heard an awful crash and knew somewhere a tree had fallen! This is what we saw the next morning.

Frustrating yes it is. But it is not as bad as it could of been!

I am not the type of person who allows the struggles of everyday life to sour me. My faith carries me through these trials and I believe these experiences make me a stronger and a better person in the end. After I snapped this picture I looked up and noticed this, the beautiful sun shining down through the trees.

I stood for a moment basking in this blessing. No matter what life throws at us there is always a blessing if you just open your mind, open your eyes and see it. My cup runneth over and I am forever thankful for that!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Showing Love for my Customers.....

When you are trying to create a successful small business, customer service and customer appreciation are vital to the life of your business. I am quite sure this is something most of us are aware of. But for me customers are more than just a sale, it truly flatters me that someone likes my item well enough to purchase it, it makes me feel good about what I am doing.

I love each and everyone of my customers, I strive to give the best Customer Service possible! My ultimate goal it create and maintain a relationship with all my customers as I want them to return over and over again. I want to know what they think about the product they buy and I also want to know what products and styles they would like to see me carry in my shop.

I want to say a very special thank you to all of my customers, you are helping me to build my dream and without you I would never see that dream come true. To show my appreciation for all my customers ( past and future) I am offering a special coupon. Starting today through Tuesday May8, 2012 you can get 30% off any item in my shop. All you have to do is use the coupon code THANKYOU at checkout. (Just type it in exactly as shown- in all caps)

Remember you don't have to be a past customer to use this special discount, this is for everyone to show how much I appreciate everyone's support! Please feel free to share and tell all your friends!

Thank you for your support, thank you for your purchase, thank you for buying handmade, but most of all THANK YOU for shopping Bags By Hags, where we Love each and everyone of you!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Friday, May 4, 2012

Lets Create A Pot Holder Handle......

What is a Pot Holder Handle? It is actually quite the nifty little accessory to have for your kitchen. Basically it is a pot holder that is made to slide over the handles of your pots and pans to keep you from burning your hands when you are trying to move them from the stove. Today we are going to make one. Ready? Lets get started!

First I picked out the colors I wanted to use, I wanted something bright and cheerful so this is what I picked. (By the way this is a great project for using up those scraps)

Next I cut out all my pieces and pin them together like a sandwich.

Next I sewed the trim at the top.

Then I happen to glance to my right and see this! Wish I could spend my day lounging while someone is working away!

Next we sandwich our two pieces together and sew them up.

Oh you will also need to rewind your bobbin cause we all know that right in the middle of a project is when it always runs out!

Turn it inside out and it will look like this:

I top stitch along the edge using a zig-zag stitch and you are now ready to cook!

These make great gifts! Birthdays, Housewarming, Wedding Showers. You can see this Pot Holder Handle Here

I also have different patterns available in pairs in my shop

If you don't see a pattern/color you like please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to try and create either one or a set that is just the style you are looking for!

Until Next time, happy sewing, happy creating, just be happy!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags