This Week's Masterpieces

We have a truly eclectic mix of bags for you this week. You'll probably want them all!

Bid on a bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section for that bag. You can leave regular non-bidding comments, too. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s. The highest bidder at 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the bag!

Postage is extra (from Abbotsford, BC or Phoenix, AZ).

This week's bags are:

• Laughter and Latte
• Ozma of Oz
• The Secret Garden
• Nuggets of Gold
• Tarzan of the Apes

Laughter and Latte

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Laughter and Latte is a daisy bag with flair. The lavender and pink daisy fabric is actually denim! (Thank you, Tammy!) So cute and sturdy! The flap is accented with purple denim, shiny pink sequin fabric and three pink buttons as flower centers.

Under the flap is two large pockets made from a luxurious quilted fabric with a scalloped edge. A dainty flowered pink and green satin ribbon crosses the pockets. (Thank you, Mary!)

The cell phone pocket has a touch of pink ultra suede and light pink rick-rack.

Inside is a sweet teddy bear denim pocket topped with pink sequin trim. The entire inside of the bag is constructed of a thick white and lavender quilted fabric making this a very durable bag.

Look closely at the photo of the inside of the bag.... there is a large silver flower shaped buckle on the back of the strap. Laughter and Latte is the perfect bag to take shopping, to school, or out for a latte.

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Linda.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Ozma of Oz

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Ozma rode into Oz on a green magic carpet. My sewing machine would leave me if I tried to sew carpet, so I had to make due with these lovely upholstery pieces.

The main body is made up of a super soft corduroy-like green fabric and features a side cell pocket and two back pockets.

The front flap is the highlight of this bag, made from the coolest upholstery sample of green, blue, gold, something sparkly, and some raised fuzzy bits (I wish my camera would do it justice). It's bordered with the same buttery yellow upholstery sample that the cell pocket is made of.

The straps also utilize some buttery yellow pieces, as well as a white and green striped cotton (thx Shawna). They are lined with a simple off-white, kinda yellow, kinda green piece of cotton that had a totally antique Eatons tag still on it (also from Shawna).

The inside is a delicate floral pink, green and gold cotton and features two pockets.

And there's also a little bit of this and a little bit of that and I'm completely losing track of who has given me what - but it all looks fabulous together!

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jennie.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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The Secret Garden

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I'm SO excited about this bag. As you can see, it's NOT a messenger bag, it's a tote. A very SNAZZY tote! I've become a bag watcher and the shops are full of totes of all shapes and sizes. Please let me know what you think of me introducing this new style of bag to BFZ.

The main body of this bag is a heritage pink eyelet from my grandmother's sewing chest. It seems a bit washed out in the photos; it's such a lovely, true pink - dare I say a perfect pink?

The tote measures approximately 13" x 18" with 24" straps.

The straps and the band around the top of the tote is a minty blue-green decorator fabric with coordinating pink, brown, and green floral patterns (thanks Ashleigh). Oh yes, and a pineapple - I had to throw in that last pic to show you the funky pineapple.

The bag and straps are lined with a simple floral cotton in coordinating colours (I forget who to thank for this fabric). The roomy interior features two pockets trimmed with a delicate blue plaid from my mother's stash.

*Sigh* I'm not a pink person, but for this bag I might become one. A final note, there will not be another pink eyelet bag - there's only a couple teeny pieces of this super special fabric left.

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jennie.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Nuggets of Gold

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There were several requests to redo Grace For the Moment so…Nuggets of Gold is what I came up with this week. Our cute models were out of town so Grandma is filling in. [Editors note: I think Grandma is every bit as adorable as the cute models.]

The main fabric used is cocoa brown patterned chenille. The colors are cocoa, tan, and chocolate brown with lime green accents. I found a cute lime daisy button to grace the outside pocket and a wooden one for the extra back pocket. Rich remnants and fabric samples are featured across the front flap and finished off with a contrasting scalloped, fringed braid. The inside of the flap is a fabulously embroidered remnant find.

The cell pocket was fun to make using the fringe from a jacket and banded in brown fabric with lime green polka dots. The inside lining is lime green print with the last piece of my daisy capris used for a triple pocket.

The strap measures 38” and can be adjusted.

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Grace.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Tarzan of the Apes

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Should I be embarrassed to admit that Tarzan of the Apes is one of my favourite books? The movies never do it justice.

The pictures really say it all with this bag, except they don't mention that no animals were harmed in its making.

This bag features all the big cats: cheetah, tiger, leopard, jaguar, and the tawny interior is even a bit reminiscent of a lion's mane. The main print is a medium weight cotton canvas. The interior is a tie dyed light weight cotto.

Gold velvet side cell pocket, two back pockets, two inside pockets. And a few jungley buttons to finish it all off.

AAAAAA AAAAaa aaAAAaaa aaaAAAAAA AAaaa aaaAAAA AAAaa aaHHHH!!!!!!

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, August 2nd gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Jennie and stitched up with the help of Jenn V.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Adoption News of a Different Sort

I promised a newsy post on Sunday and here it is. I know, you'd all rather just see the new bags ~ but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for those.

My little bit of news is regarding the adoption process going on right here in my own home. Zaza's adoption is what this fund raising is all about, but my hubby and I are also adopting.

Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of the day our 3 foster children moved into our home! We celebrated with brownie sundaes covered in Smarties and Score bits.

It all started when we we received a phone call from a friend of a friend who wanted to chat with us. It turned out to be a little more than a chat, as he introduced us to the story of a sibling group of foster children that needed a forever home. We'd never been foster parents, nor were we exploring adoption at that time, but 2 weeks later they moved in. It's been quite a ride and there's so many cool and crazy details that have confirmed to us that our Creator was the one who put these children in our home; however, the fact that they're still foster children means that I need to be careful to respect their privacy.

We knew from the beginning that these children were in their forever home, but the adoption process has had some ups and downs and delays and round abouts and and and it's just gone on for a long time. We finally started our homestudy this month and are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

With our own batch of adoptees and with my hubby having 4 adopted siblings - you can see why adoption is close to my heart and why I'm so excited to be a part of bring Zaza home.

See y'all back here tomorrow with a new batch of bags!

Another day ... another dollar ...

Thank you all again for your kindness and support. The words thank you never seem quite adequate, especially when repeated with such frequency. I could write a poem of thanksgiving, but I'm not a poet, I'm a computer programmer ... and poems written by computer programmers just aren't that pleasant.

This week's Bag Biddies (winning bidders) are:

• The Inheritance - Petara - $30
  
• Trails West - Jillybean - $45
• Princess of Mars - Kristy - $25
• Laughing in the Midst of Mothering - Heidi - $65

Please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com to arrange payment and shipping/postage.

Check back on Sunday for some random of bit of adoption/sewing news - Sunday is News Day. And of course Monday is New Bags Day! Check back for pink, daisy, jungle, crazy fun!

01110100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101
And there's a big electronic hug for the first one to decipher the above code.

Don't Let Your Pants Out of Your Sight!

... or the bag ladies just might make bags out of them! Or your shirts. Or your undies *just kidding*!

Bid on a bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section for that bag. You can leave regular non-bidding comments, too. We like comments! Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please and thank you. Highest bidder at 8am (PDT) on Saturday, July 26th gets the bag!

Postage is extra (from Abbotsford, BC or Phoenix, AZ).

This week's bags are:

• The Inheritance
• Trails West
• Princess of Mars
• Laughing in the Midst of Mothering
  

Again, I'd like to direct your attention to yesterday's post - it's about my living room - simply fascinating reading :)

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The Inheritance

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This subtle, rich bag is created from fabrics I've inherited from many sources.

A delicious cream corduroy from Ruth N. comprises the main body of this bag and the large back pockets.

Elegant green tapestry from Maria E. and gold velvet from the MCC decorate the flap.

The straps and underside of the flap are crisp to the touch, being made from a natural linen supplied by Jill M.

The side cell phone pocket is a slice of delicate green upholstery from Susan F.

The straps and insides are lined with a sweetly trimmed piece of cotton, fresh from the Salvation Army.

And finally, the inside pockets are fashioned from green gingham from my Grandma Valeera R.

An abundant inheritance, if I do say so myself.

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, July 26th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jennie.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Trails West

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I had fun "rounding up" the ideas and fabrics for TRAILS WEST. The focal point on the denim flap is a red paisley scarf tied with black velvet and a silver concho buckle.

My friend Cheryl supplied the classy Ralph Lauren jean dress that I used for the pockets under the flap. The pockets and designer buttons for the front pouch are all usable.

The tooled imitation leather that adorns the bottom, straps and bag accents was a very timely donation from Jordan and Breanne. Thanks so much!

I used two wool jackets, one black, and the other red with a black velvet collar. The velvet and jazzy red cording dressed up the cell pocket.

The cherry print, black and white polka dot and red and white checked materials added a nice western touch for the lining. I topped the inside pocket off with a red, wood hand-painted button. Makes a girl want to giddy-up.

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, July 26th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Grace.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Princess of Mars

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Mars is red and so are the accents on the latest in my line of bleached, sanded, razored denim bags. What princess wouldn't want to be seen with this beauty over her shoulder.

The gashed and stitched bits are patched from underneath with an earthy gold chunk of cotton, which peeps through.

The back pocket, cell pocket, and straps are fashioned from a pair of jeans that were actually in pretty good shape, but repairing a zipper always intimidates me. Of course, the pants pockets are still functional.

The straps are lined with a red and blue striped flannel that coordinate so well with the red floral lining, you'd think they were from the same mother (donations from different sources). The flannel also makes up the inside two pockets.

The back pocket and cell pocket are lined with the same feminine, red floral.

What have I missed? A couple pieces of this and that ... who cares - it all looks GREAT together.

Oh yeah, and the bag is modeled by me, Jennie, so you can see what it looks like on a fuller figure (I can actually hide behind it).

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, July 26th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC). This bag was created by Jennie.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Laughing in the Midst of Mothering

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Laughing in the Midst of Mothering is the first BFZ that COMES WITH THE BOOK! Yes, you will get an autographed copy of a devotional book to help you find the joy in mothering. Or you can give it as a gift.

OK, the bag. Yes, it's the sister of 10,000 Charms that flew out of here two weeks ago. The fabrics included are patterned flocked velvet (bottom), wool, corduroy, hot pink ultra suede, satin, houndstooth wool and a flowery cotton interior for a bit of pizazz.

The cell phone pocket has a jazzy black and white swatch of fabric to catch the envious eye of onlookers.

The back of the bag has two large pockets accessible without lifting the flap. So handy. Inside is a colorful surprise with hot pink pockets topped with black velvet.

This bag will help you laugh in the midst of mothering ... or in the midst of whatever else life brings your way!

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 8am (PDT) on Saturday, July 26th gets the BAG! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ). This bag was created by Linda.

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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