Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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
BagsbyHags@gmail.com  


Friday, July 27, 2012

FA-LA-LA FRIDAY FINALE......

Today marks the Final FA-LA-LA Friday, as the Handmade Circle Team's  Christmas In July Sale winds down.

Today in our final feature we would like you all to meet Karalee Goff Gross of ifrogcrafts.


ifrogcrafts was born in Morton, IL in 2007. I have been creating in one way or another ever since i can remember. Making handmade items full time had been a dream of mine for many years. After my husband & i got engaged, he told me that he wanted to give me my dream. So now i am doing what i love--full time.

The ifrog stands for "I Fully Rely On God" & i do. I have dedicated my work to Him. All of my products are family friendly. Each item is handmade, by myself only, with love & care, in my home studio.

Tithes, plus offerings from every single sale are sent to Casa de Fe. This is a Christian orphanage in Shell, Ecuador that is a home for abandoned & special needs children.


Check out some of her lovely products:
Great for Pet Owners
Loved Spots and All
AMEN!
Right now you can save 30% off her products, but you better hurry Christmas in July Ends Soon!

To see all the shops and find more great deals:

And don't forget to enter our Giveaway- No Purchase Necessary!

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Friday!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags
BagsbyHags@gmail.com  





Thursday, July 26, 2012

Laughter is Good for the Soul......



Trying to build a successful business is a serious matter, it's hard work and we are all just trying our hardest to be a success.  Handmade Circle Team has been working very hard on our Christmas In July sale, but I find it very important that we should all take the time to enjoy some laughter each day. 

This month we have held a weekly trivia contest, with the winner being the featured artist on our FA-LA-LA Friday Blog.  Today as I was checking the answers to announce our winner later this afternoon, I got the best laugh I have had all week.  I am going to share and hope you get a good chuckle as well!

Kathy Porter Koontz of Flowertown Originals gave the following answers: 

  1. St. Nick's nose is often compared to what fruit? -  a tomato...wait, is that a fruit or a vegetable?
  2. Catch me if you can" was said by whom? - Bigfoot
  3. In "Jingle Bell Rock" everyone is dancing and prancing, where do they do it? - trick question, those are 2 of Santa's reindeer
  4. There are 365 days in a year, what number is Christmas Day? - Christmas is #1
  5. Who said, "God Bless Us, Every One"?  - I think I've said someting like that once, in a certain tone of voice.

One thing I love the most about being part of the Handmade Circle Team is the laughter we all share in our group.  

But Kathy is serious when it comes to her creating and her shop! She has some great items! One of my favorite is this Polymer Clay Ring . Right now you can save 15% in her shop with Coupon HMCJULY

Check out all the great shops participating in Christmas In July, you won't find Bigfoot but you will find some great items at a great price! http://bagsbyhags.blogspot.com/p/hmc-christmas-in-july.html
Also enter our Christmas In July Giveaway, No Purchase Necessary, awesome prizes! http://bagsbyhags.blogspot.com/p/hmc-christmas-in-july-giveaway.html

I hope you have a wonderful and creative day, most of all I hope you enjoy a little laughter it is Good for the Soul!


Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags
BagsbyHags@gmail.com  

  

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

It's all about the LOVE......


You can own these wonderful tags to add to your Handmade Creations by visiting Growing Phases Farm


As a creator of Handmade Items, I of course only make things that I Love, but everyone who creates has a favorite item.

As Handmade Circle Team winds down it's Christmas In July event and since Christmas is Love, I asked the members to show me an item that they Love.  After seeing the items they posted I have to say I Love them and I think you will too!  Take a look:

Carlin Davis of Pollywog Patterns says she loves Zoe

Jayne Willis of Twiggy and Opal says " I will always Love this Quilt The Best"

Jessica Croft of The Prismatic Peacock tells us - This Lavender Goat's Milk Soap is my absolute favorite! I love the color, foamy lather, and the beautiful relaxing smell that fills my bathroom!

Michelle Smith of Monday's Child Primitives  says, I just love this large scarecrow doll and the pictures don't do him justice...he was so fun to make too. And with the coupon code some lucky person can save $7.00 on him♥

Karalee Gross of Ifrogcrafts chose her most loved item from a loved memory: Thisornament was inspired by one that my mom bought me many years ago, when we were on a trip to Wisconsin. I LOVE the memories & how we both knew it had me written all over it!

Jill Houle of Whispering Rainbows was inspired by a customer, I love the way this turned out! I had a customer ask me to make her a "number 3" to coordinate with the butterfly cupcake toppers I made her and this is what I came up with. Since them I have decided to continue to market them

Kimberly Gorman of Made For Jake loves Frogs: I love this frog print. We designed frogs for our son's nursery. It was the inspiration for us to start Made for Jake!

As for me, Bags By Hags I Love my Bible Covers 

I can promise you this, everyone of the items you see on this page was Handmade With Love!  Head over and see all the great shops participating in the Christmas In July Sale, time is running out to grab a great deal, and I just know you will find something you LOVE! 


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















Saturday, July 21, 2012

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!

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.

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
BagsbyHags@gmail.com







Friday, July 20, 2012

FA-LA-LA- FRIDAY!!!

It is time for Fa-La-La Friday!  Grab your bikini and sunscreen cause this week we are heading down to



Shannon Rose is the wonderful shop owner of A Moment In Paradise - first a little background about Shannon and how her shop came to be, Shannon says:
I am obsessed with all things tropical and my goal is to move to Key West within the next couple of years. Creating things having to with the beach at least lets me escape into that world til I get there :)

Let's take a peek inside her wonderful shop!

First up is SMELLY JELLY
Smelly Jellies are specially formulated polymer gel like crystals that are made to expand as liquid is added. These polymers are completely non-toxic and can be hydrated numerous times, just add some warm distilled water.

 Next we have a HAND POURED PILLAR CANDLE
This 3 1/2 tall round pillar candle is made with palm wax that is dyed teal and scented with Butt Naked. The unique crystal like appearance will make this a gorgeous addition to any home decor. Escape to the islands today. 
Butt Naked - The tantalizing base note medley of granny smith apples and honeydew melon, middle notes of strawberries and pears, with hints of spice.


Sweetheart Roses - Nature's Garden original fragrance. A Sensual aroma of velvet rose petals, fresh oriental tea leaves, rounded out with base notes of soft musk

Natures Garden Palm wax comes from palm trees which are cultivated on private plantations. The palm wax is no threat to rainforests or the organutan ecosystems. The palm wax is eco-friendly, and is provided from a sustainable tree crop which helps to sequester carbon.

You can see all of Shannon's great items in her shop by clicking here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AMomentinParadise?ref=top_trail  Right now as part of the Handmade Circle Team Christmas in July Sale she is offering 25% off with the coupon code HMCJULY.  Head over and discover A Moment In Paradise!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags
BagsbyHags@gmail.com