My kids always have deep and profound questions ready for me when I go to tuck them in at night. I suspect that it's often just a ploy to wring a few more minutes out of their day. True to form, my 10 year old daughter recently asked, "Why does adoption cost so much anyway?" Wanting to give her a thorough answer I told her, "For a lot of reasons, but let's talk about it tomorrow." As I was heading out the door she made one last attempt, "Is it because of the shipping?"
I promise, more bags are coming...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Expired Fingerprints?
No news on Zaza, but apparently her adoptive parents fingerprints have expired and they need new sets done. Weird or what?
Whilst sewing tonight, my 10 year old took it on herself to entertain me with jokes -- could anything be more torturous? But she was also helpful in turning straps inside out, emptying my garbage bin, and she even provided a name for my next bag. Stay tuned...
Currently available: Little House on the Prairie
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Whilst sewing tonight, my 10 year old took it on herself to entertain me with jokes -- could anything be more torturous? But she was also helpful in turning straps inside out, emptying my garbage bin, and she even provided a name for my next bag. Stay tuned...
Currently available: Little House on the Prairie
-
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
More Bags in the Oven!
Many thanks to those who have purchased bags. There's still a few left in this batch - get 'em while their hot!
Through the Looking Glass ~~ sold to cbetcher
Little House on the Prairie
Gulliver's Travels ~~ sold to Katybeth
Stay tuned, I'm working on the next batch and will have them posted in a week or so.
Through the Looking Glass ~~ sold to cbetcher
Little House on the Prairie
Gulliver's Travels ~~ sold to Katybeth
Stay tuned, I'm working on the next batch and will have them posted in a week or so.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
SOLD: Through the Looking Glass
My first bag! Bright aqua corduroy (from my grandmother's stash) paired with plaids, florals and stripes. Alice would be delighted.Three inside pockets.
Three crocheted flowers with buttons (pinned on for versatile placement and removal for washing).
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Green camo and khaki canvas - who wouldn't pair them with green checked gingham? This bag is all about the contradictions.Two inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.
Accented with a funky multi-fabric heart (pinned on for versatile placement and removal for washing).
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: Perelandra
Heavy purple cotton canvas, rescued from a friendly little garage sale in 100 Mile House. Blue pin-striped corduroy flap (leftovers from bedspreads my mom made many years ago).Trimmed and lined with a sweet multi-color floral from my grandmother's stash. Other crazy bits of cotton add the perfect snap to this bag from another planet.
Two inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.
Two crocheted alien flowers with buttons (pinned on for versatile placement and removal for washing).
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: Little Women
Delicious brown corduroy - this picture does NOT do it justice. Remnants from a jumper I wore for about 5 years straight.
Trimmed with a light pink and white floral fabric from my grandmother's stash.
Two inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.
Delicate pink crocheted flower with button (pinned on for versatile placement and removal for washing).
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: Gulliver's Travels
Heavy purple cotton canvas, rescued from a friendly little garage sale in 100 Mile House.Trimmed with plaid upholstery from my first couch, multi-colored striped cotton from my grandmother's stash, and bits and pieces of other projects that I won't bore you with the details of.
Three inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.
Trimmed with buttons from my 20 year old stash.
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: Dracula
   | The pictures don't do this black and red shocker justice. My teen loves it. Lined and trimmed with red rayon from a what-was-I-thinking 90's jumpsuit. Black plaid finishes things off perfectly. Two inside pockets. Two polka-dot outside pockets, hidden under the flap. And another outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.Click on a pic for a larger view. |
SOLD: Bobbsey Twins
Blue and black striped upholstery fabric. Leftovers from one of my mom's period costumes.Lined and trimmed with a brightly patterned cotton in red, purple, blue, etc. From my grandmother's stash.
Two inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.
Trimmed with buttons from my 20 year old stash.
I can make another one of these if anyone is interested!
Click on a pic for a larger view.
SOLD: A Scandal in Bohemia
   | Earthy wool plaids and tweeds. Bits of my junior high and high school sewing projects. Lined and trimmed with a fantastic orange and brown floral sheet from Value Village. Three inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone. Trimmed with buttons from my 20 year old stash. Click on a pic for a larger view. |
General Information About the Bags
Unless otherwise stated, my bags are messenger style bags:* 13.5" wide
* 12" high
* 3.5" thick
* 42" strap (approx)
The strap is adjustable! Just tie the knot differently (two options shown in the photos). Also, if you ask, I can stitch the two ends of the flap together at a specified length and there will be no knot.
The bags are sewn from a variety of fabrics. Spot cleaning is your safest best. If you insist on washing it (no guarantees) - hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry.
They work well as a large purse or as a small book bag. They are usually sturdy enough to hold a binder and a large textbook (but it would be more fun to load them up with sunscreen and a good novel). Most are not sturdy enough for laptops or loads and loads of books.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions
[Updated September 25, 2008]
Who is Zaza and why does she need bags?
Zaza doesn't need bags, she needs a home. She's an orphan in Colombia and all profits from the sale of these bags goes towards her adoption expenses. Once the adoption is final, she'll be my niece. Read this blog for more info.
Can I post a link on my blog/website?
Of course! As long as you say nice things. Here's a picture you can use.
Who's all involved with Bags for Zaza (BFZ)?
I started it (Jennie C). And then I was joined by Linda (Zaza's mama-to-be), Grace (Zaza's grandma-to-be), Leah (my sister), and Jenn V (my workmate). These are our main team of sewers. But others have helped with sewing, and delivering bags, and donations, etc.
You are all so creative and talented - where do you get your inspiration?
Thank you. Actually, I pilfered 93% of this scheme from Joyce. She's my sister's husband's mother's cousin. She is raising money for the crisis in Darfur. Her bags are fabulous and she is brilliantly creative. If you like her bags - buy one - she is the queen of eclectic! I bought a Darfur messenger bag and made some changes to the pattern to suit what I wanted. Our bags' styles are inspired by the fabrics we have, books from the library, bags walking down the street, etc... We've recently branched out into some different styles of totes and purses.
How do I know all the money is going towards Zaza's adoption?
You don't. You'll have to trust me. Ask my sister. Or my sister-in-law. I'm honest.
What materials are used in your bags; why do you call it eco-friendly?
I started this project by using up the materials already in my possession. Some were remnants from other projects, some were projects I didn't even get started on. Some of these fabrics have been passed down from my great grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother, to me. Apparently I come by my pack-rat-gene honestly. It's about time someone gets some use from this stuff. Then other pack-rats started coming out of their holes and donating from their stashes. So wonderfully generous. I also snag the occasional great deal from thrift stores. And we re-purpose appropriate items, such as jeans, linens, etc. I call it eco-friendly because we're using stuff that could otherwise end up in landfills.
How much of the purchase price goes towards Zaza's adoption?
Because we don't buy much, our costs are low (thread and needles). So, up until August 31st we were donating it all - 100%. We're now deducting our minimal expenses and those will be reported on every month in this post.
How do I buy a bag?
You bid on it by leaving your name and an amount in the comments section for that bag. Read these instructions if you need more details.
I have some fabric. Do you want it?
Thank you so much for your offer. Is it all right if I look through it, and then donate what I can’t use to a great thrift shop that I know? Or I could return it to you. I'm determined not to come out of this with more fabric than I started with.
I don't want a bag, but I'd like to contribute to Zaza's adoption - what should I do?
Contact Linda.
What's in it for you?
An adorable new niece, of course. And getting rid of my ridiculously huge stash of fabric is definitely a bonus.
What's with the crazy names on your bags?
I'm a book worm and I needed a catch. So, they're titles of books. Good books (mostly). You should read them. Note: books are not included - but libraries are eco-friendly, too!
Who is Zaza and why does she need bags?
Zaza doesn't need bags, she needs a home. She's an orphan in Colombia and all profits from the sale of these bags goes towards her adoption expenses. Once the adoption is final, she'll be my niece. Read this blog for more info.
Can I post a link on my blog/website?Of course! As long as you say nice things. Here's a picture you can use.
Who's all involved with Bags for Zaza (BFZ)?
I started it (Jennie C). And then I was joined by Linda (Zaza's mama-to-be), Grace (Zaza's grandma-to-be), Leah (my sister), and Jenn V (my workmate). These are our main team of sewers. But others have helped with sewing, and delivering bags, and donations, etc.
You are all so creative and talented - where do you get your inspiration?
Thank you. Actually, I pilfered 93% of this scheme from Joyce. She's my sister's husband's mother's cousin. She is raising money for the crisis in Darfur. Her bags are fabulous and she is brilliantly creative. If you like her bags - buy one - she is the queen of eclectic! I bought a Darfur messenger bag and made some changes to the pattern to suit what I wanted. Our bags' styles are inspired by the fabrics we have, books from the library, bags walking down the street, etc... We've recently branched out into some different styles of totes and purses.
How do I know all the money is going towards Zaza's adoption?
You don't. You'll have to trust me. Ask my sister. Or my sister-in-law. I'm honest.
What materials are used in your bags; why do you call it eco-friendly?
I started this project by using up the materials already in my possession. Some were remnants from other projects, some were projects I didn't even get started on. Some of these fabrics have been passed down from my great grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother, to me. Apparently I come by my pack-rat-gene honestly. It's about time someone gets some use from this stuff. Then other pack-rats started coming out of their holes and donating from their stashes. So wonderfully generous. I also snag the occasional great deal from thrift stores. And we re-purpose appropriate items, such as jeans, linens, etc. I call it eco-friendly because we're using stuff that could otherwise end up in landfills.
How much of the purchase price goes towards Zaza's adoption?
Because we don't buy much, our costs are low (thread and needles). So, up until August 31st we were donating it all - 100%. We're now deducting our minimal expenses and those will be reported on every month in this post.
How do I buy a bag?
You bid on it by leaving your name and an amount in the comments section for that bag. Read these instructions if you need more details.
I have some fabric. Do you want it?
Thank you so much for your offer. Is it all right if I look through it, and then donate what I can’t use to a great thrift shop that I know? Or I could return it to you. I'm determined not to come out of this with more fabric than I started with.
I don't want a bag, but I'd like to contribute to Zaza's adoption - what should I do?
Contact Linda.
What's in it for you?
An adorable new niece, of course. And getting rid of my ridiculously huge stash of fabric is definitely a bonus.
What's with the crazy names on your bags?
I'm a book worm and I needed a catch. So, they're titles of books. Good books (mostly). You should read them. Note: books are not included - but libraries are eco-friendly, too!
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