Saturday, December 13, 2008

Auction Closed: A Merry Christmas to All

And to all a good night!

This week's bag biddies are:
Bag Biddies, please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup.

This would be a wonderful opportunity to tell you how much we've raised so far - but I haven't done the books for November yet. We've raised a bunch, though. And we are SO THANKFUL. We are thankful for all the donations we've received. We are thankful for the help of friends and family. And we are thankful to all the BAG BIDDIES for coming here and buying our bags. Hugs to you all and may you have a truly blessed Christmas.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

We'll be back in January!

If you would like an email reminder when new bags are posted and little BFZ updates, please join the Facebook Group or send an email to bagsforzaza@gmail.com with the subject of "subscribe".

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Auction Open: Last Chance Before Christmas

This is our last batch of bags before Christmas. Y'all have been so incredible supportive and wonderful, we wish we could sew sew sew for you day and night, but alas, our children whimper to be fed, our husbands whine for attention, the turkey gobbles to be trimmed and the presents rustle to be wrapped...

This week's bags (the last for 2008) are:
  • A Fragile Design
  • Christmas Miracle
Bid on a bag by leaving a name and a bid in the comments section for the bag you want. The highest bidder at 9pm (PST) on Saturday, December 13th gets the bag and ALL profits are put towards Zaza's adoption!

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

A Fragile Design

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This fanciful butterfly bag titled A Fragile Design is both winsome and practical being loaded with seven pockets. (I'm making up for forgetting pockets last week.) I was visiting friends in California this past weekend and a high school classmate of mine donated a bag of material for BFZ. This gorgeous butterfly denim and the patterned green poly-blend are some of the goodies from Melanie G. Thank you, Melanie!

The sides and straps are made of faux suede in a handsome rich oak color accenting the chocolate butterflies on the light turquoise denim. The olive green butterflies are brought out by the trim on the flap as well as the front and back of the bag.

There are two large pockets on the front AND the back of the bag this week. I happened on an adorable little off-white ribbon with a turquoise and green pattern edged with brown that I topped the back pockets with. There are also brown buttons securing the separation of the pockets. Under the flap the pockets are two sizes for your checkbook and your sunglasses, or your hairbrush and your lotion, or your calendar and your pens. The separation is again secured by twin brown buttons.

The flap of A Fragile Design is trimmed with a satiny brown grosgrain ribbon that is gathered for the ruffly appearance. The center is adorned with an antique olive button with a pearlized ring on it.

The cell pocket is trimmed in hot pink fabric and a brown ribbon with pink stitching. (My scrapbooking ribbon is getting depleted quite quickly.)

Inside this sturdy bag are four large pockets with the same brown buttons. There are pockets on both the front and back of the inside.... for your keys, and your lipstick, and your love notes, and your gum packs, and your family photos and your Christmas lists.

If you asked me last week if I thought light turquoise, olive green, hot pink and a luscious brown went together, I would have said no. And then I was introduced to this pretty butterfly BFZ donation.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, December 13th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Linda.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Christmas Miracle

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Christmas Miracle is an apt title for my bag this week because it is a miracle that I still made a bag while getting the tree up, etc. As requested, I did another neutral bag and because there was interest in a similar bag, Tapestry of Hope, this is what I created.

It is made up of chenille designer fabric of tans and dark brown. I also used fabric from a wool tweed sports coat and dark brown velvet (from a much appreciated donation from an upholsterer). The front flap is pieced together using two coordinating fabric samples across the bottom with fringe trim and edged in brown velvet. The under flap is trimmed in brown tweed which is used for the sides, bottom and trim on the front pocket.

I used brown velvet for the front and cell pockets. The handy cell pocket is trimmed in a square designed fabric and has a fringe made from the chenille. I was able to find suitable buttons from my antique stash that secure the top of the pockets. There are lots of pockets to put your treasures in. There is a large double pocket on the back with brown trim.

The inside is a sturdy brown check fabric with a triple pocket made from a multi-colored sample and topped with a diagonal striped shiny fabric to add a little zing.

The straps as tied are 47 ½ inches.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, December 13th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Grace.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Auction Closed: Fa la la la la la la la la

Yes, that's enough "la's" -- I counted them!

This week's bag biddies are:
Bag Biddies, please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup.

Many many many many many many many many (that's the same amount of "many's" as "la's") thank yous to all of you for supporting our quest to give a little Colombian orphan a safe and loving home.

If you would like an email reminder when new bags are posted and little BFZ updates, please join the Facebook Group or send an email to me with the subject of "subscribe".

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Auction Open: Yum Yum

As promised, I did not make a bag this week. But I'm completely GA GA over the GORGEOUS bags whipped up by Grace and Linda. Beautiful, rich looking winter bags. Just LOVELY.

And good news for those of you who liked Jenn's adorable green, blue and pink Lullabies tote from a week ago - I'm putting it up again because the highest bidder hasn't contacted me :(

This week's bags are:
  • Whispers of Winter
  • Fireside Christmas
  • Lullabies for Little Criminals
Bid on a bag by leaving a name and a bid in the comments section for the bag you want. The highest bidder at 9pm (PST) on Saturday, December 6th gets the bag and ALL profits are put towards Zaza's adoption!

Whispers of Winter

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Whispers of Winter is a wintry bag of black, gold, silver and bronze. (I wanted to find an Olympic book to name it after, but they must be in the garage.) Almost the entire bag is made of the sturdy dotted upholstery fabric (that reminds me of Pac Man for some reason.) All of the fabrics were generously donated by Jordan and Breanne (thank you). The sides and bottom of the bag are a gold and black bold stripe.

My cell pockets are getting shorter and shorter, but my razor fits in and barely shows. The pocket is of black wool with the diagonal strip on the top edge for contrast and class.

The outside of the bag is streamlined for a smooth and sophisticated appearance. (Meaning... I forgot to put outside pockets on.) So inside there are FOUR inside pockets for your storage pleasure, two large ones on each side. The pockets are lined with a black faux suede.

This BFZ is constructed for heavy use as well as a dressy evening wear accessory. It would be the perfect purse for the 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, being that it has blocks of gold, silver and bronze, or it would be ideal for Christmas THIS year.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, December 6th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Linda.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Fireside Christmas

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Fireside Christmas is a large tote bag just perfect for carrying those last minute gifts or numerous other goodies. It is made with beautiful Waverly decorator fabrics. The colors are red, green and gold, just right for the holidays and throughout the year. A big THANKS to my friend, Cheryl, who donated them.

I used fusible lining on the inside and outside pieces for a sturdy bag. The print fabric is called “Sunset Boulevard” and has Rodeo Drive and other famous spots named on it. Cheryl also donated the matching braid that divides the striped and print fabrics.

I put a pocket on the front for your fancy sunglasses made of woven chenille with striped trim and I jazzed it up with sparkly beads.

I used the stripes cut diagonally for the front of the straps and a dark red leaf patterned fabric for the back.




It has a magnetic closure in the top center. The large inside pocket divides in three. The flowered embossed cotton is so cheery and I used gold trim for the top where the pocket opens up. On the other side of the lining there is a cell phone pocket made of a rich chenille fabric sample, topped in red.

The bag measures 13 ½ along the top, 18 along the bottom and is 15 ½ inches tall with the straps being 28 ½. The sides are 4 inches.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, December 6th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Grace.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Lullabies for Little Criminals

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Attention: JennaVB, Jillybean, JDP, and Colleen
Yes this bag is up for auction again!
The highest bidder didn't contact me.

Lullabies for Little Criminals is a reversible, light-weight, cotton tote. It can be used as a gym bag, a grocery bag, a purse, etc.

It measures 15" wide -- 11.5" high -- and the straps are 24" long.

The all floral side of the bag has a pocket on each side.

The green and blue side of the bag features a linen tablecloth and a retro remnant from Susan F.

We'll start the bidding at $12 for this little lullaby.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $12 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, December 6th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jenn V.

Auction NOT Open - But Come Back Soon...

So sorry - last night was impossible and this morning is conspiring against me. If I don't get the bags up during my lunch break, it won't be until this evening.

Cheerio,
Jennie C.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Auction Closed: No more frou frou!

I heard about a neat challenge for this holiday season. The challenge is to NOT buy any Christmas decorations and instead donate the money to a charity. I like it! If you really must have something new, GoodHousekeeping this month has some neat ideas for eco-friendly wreaths made out of things lying around your house and all-natural Christmas decor using the beauty of nature. I love it! If you're up for the challenge - let me know how it goes.

This week's Bag Biddies are:
Bag Biddies, please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup.

Thank you everyone for showing up here week after week and buying our bags. If you would like an email reminder when new bags are posted and little BFZ updates, please join the Facebook Group or send an email to me with the subject of "subscribe".

Love y'all,
Jennie C.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Auction Open: Happy Thanksgiving to My American Friends

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all down there. Wish I could join you for another round of turkey and stuffing.

Before we get on to the bags, I want to let you know what's going to be happening over the next month-ish. Our production will likely take a dive, as we're busy getting ready to celebrate Christmas. I have some sewing and crocheting projects to work on and some shopping to do and some presents to wrap, etc. I just can't make any promises at the moment. We may have a bag or two for you last minute shoppers, but I just don't know....

This week's bags are:
  • A Tapestry of Hope
  • A Moveable Feast
  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Bid on a bag by leaving a name and a bid in the comments section for the bag you want. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s. The highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, November 29th gets the bag and ALL profits are put towards Zaza's adoption.

A Tapestry of Hope

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[Picture with button added Nov-26th]

It has been requested that we do neutral colored bags and so here is A Tapestry of Hope. It is made up of two reclaimed fabrics: nice quality wool tweed from a sports coat and dark brown suede-like polyester fabric from a dress. The other fabrics have been most welcome donations. One is a rich, woven chenille designer fabric of tan and dark brown. I also used a plaid fabric of tan, dark brown with a rust stripe running through it and two coordinating multicolored designer fabric samples.

After it was finished I realized that all the fabrics are sturdy and so it can be REVERSED! One side is dressier with the flap being trimmed in dark brown with fun coordinating fabrics pieced across the bottom.

The pocket is trimmed with dark brown fabric and has a two-toned antique button that matches perfectly. The cell pocket is dark brown with fringe trim made from the plaid fabric and is topped by a square design fabric that I also used for trim on the strap and front flap.

The strap is a little shorter than usual at 43” as tied.

Tapestry of Hope: Reversed...

The other side of the bag is a more casual look using the same fabrics, but more of the plaid. The pocket is dark brown with contrasting trim, divided into three with two unique square patterned buttons to reinforce the stitched seams.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, November 29th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Grace.

A Moveable Feast

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A feast for your eyes!

Sturdy blue corduroy remnants from bedspreads for my little bro and sis make up this yummy bag.

The flap is accented with golden yellow, green and blue trim across the front of the bag. The side pocket features a splash of flowery gold trim.

A crocheted golden yellow flower is pinned to the front of the bag, but can be moved to the side pocket, flap, strap, wherever!

The flap and straps are lined with a green print from my grandmother's stash and one strap features a wee bit of those remnants from covering that first couch.






The inside is also lined with the subtle green print.

Fruit and veggie inside double pockets keep the feast theme going, while reminding you to get your 5-9 servings a day. And a large inside divider finishes up this bag.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 9pm (PST) / 10pm (MST) on Saturday, November 29th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jennie C.