Monday, June 30, 2008

For your bidding pleasure (bidding closes Sat @ 8am pdt)

This day did NOT go as planned; I'd intended to post these delicious beauties much much earlier, but camping trips, academic papers, broken VWs and impromptu visits changed everything. But I think it'll be alright.

Yes we're back for another exciting round of community bidding at Bags for Zaza. I can just hear Uncle Leonard, calling out those numbers.

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 please. Highest bidder at 8am (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize!
Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC or Phoenix, AZ).

Here are the bags we have this week:
  • The Velveteen Rabbit
  • By the Shores of Silver Lake
  • Ten Thousand Charms
  • Bandoola
  • Rekindled
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Velveteen Rabbit

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This classy bag is a patchwork of coordinating stripes, dots, diamonds and solids in mint green, blue-green, tans, golds and dark browns. The flap is accented by a matching tassel as well as gold silk side trim. The cell pocket has golden bumblebee trim as well as triple decker fringe trim (my absolute favorite!) and the bottom of the bag is chocolate wool. The entire inside is lined with mint green and cream striped silky fabric as well as two pockets.

This is the fanciest bag of a bag yet for BFZ... with five coordinating fabrics including the bees. Soft as the Velveteen Rabbit in his initial state.

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 (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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By the Shores of Silver Lake

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Denim exterior - some new remnants and some recycled from old jeans.

Trimmed with orange plaid, pinstripes, and a bit of this and that.

Finished up with a too sweet piece of daisy trim that's been in my mother's stash since I was a child.

Three inside pockets and an outside pocket for sunglasses or a cell phone.

My model is at a sleep-over, but the bag is the same size as my others, check out The Heart is a Lonely Hunter for an example.

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 (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Ten Thousand Charms

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This vogue Bag for Zaza is for the chic woman who loves black and white. The entire bag is constructed of thick, embossed black fabric. The inside of the straps, the cell pocket and the back of the flap are heavy houndstooth wool. The XOXO trim is a grosgrain ribbon that gives the bag the 'WOW' factor. There is polk-a-dot silk ribbon accenting the cell pocket and inside pockets. The lime green accents on this bag are handled delicately in prize locations: the flap, the cell pocket, the tips of the straps and the trim on the inside pocket. The inside is lined with a dainty flowered print and the two large pockets are separated by a cute lime button on the trim. The flap is decorated with a variety of four different fabrics including the three dimensional black flower and twirls sewn on the white background.

Stunning! (OK, girls.... I almost kept this bag. I love 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 (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Bandoola

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Blue camo cotton canvas meets brown herringbone wool. Who thinks these things up? Lonely and neglected fabrics from my grandma's and my stashes are now feeling loved and needed in this fun new messenger bag.

The straps are dark brown, lined with blue.

More dark brown, along with a swirly blue floral print, make up the energetic interior.

Two sturdy pockets on the back's exterior can hold a paperback or a bottle of water. A narrow side pocket cradles your cell phone or sunglasses. Two inside pockets hide your keys or incidentals.

My model is at a sleep-over, but the bag is the same size as my others, check out The Heart is a Lonely Hunter for an example.

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 (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Rekindled

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This handsome bag consists of rich burgundy, olive green and honey oak-colored brown. The fabrics used are tapestry, corduroy, plushes and an upholstery weight woven cotton. The tapestry fabric dons Aztec designs depicting turtles, goats, birds, the sun and Kokopeli, the flute playing dancer. The flap is accented with a trio of buttons. There is a cell pocket on the side of the bag as well as two pockets inside.

This bag is waiting to be rekindled with its owner.

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 (pacific) on Saturday, July 5th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Public Thank Yous

There are so many people to thank and I'm sure there will be more as time goes on. Friends, family, coworkers, and strangers have encouraged me with kind words and advice, generous donations of money and materials, and with help sewing. Here's my attempt at a list (in no particular order):
  • My dear husband and children have been so very patient and helpful
  • Leah R.
  • Linda C.
  • Beth N. and her MIL
  • Jayme Y.
  • Jenn V.
  • Susan F.
  • Maria E.
  • Kathleen D.
  • Joyce H. at Darfur Bags
  • And of course my mother and grandmother -- for hording all that fabric and then giving it to me!
Oh, I hope I haven't missed anyone.

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Friday, June 27, 2008

Bidding closed

It's over ... for this week. Winners - please email BagsForZaza@gmail.com.

This week's winners:
  • Anne of Green Gables goes to Joelle from Winnipeg.
  • Anne of Windy Poplars goes to Gloria.
  • Origami goes to Chel.Pixie.
  • The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel goes to Mummy.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What a glorious and lovely response to our efforts.

Check back Monday for a new batch of original tastiness.

Jennie C.

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Monday, June 23, 2008

Place Your Bids

Going once, going twice...

Bags for Zaza is trying a new format. We've got four new bags for you and you've got four days to bid on them. That's right, you heard me - I said bid! Just like those fun, community silent auctions. No eBay here, just trust and a little competition - let's bring Zaza home.

Bid on a bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section for that bag. You can leave regular ol' non-bidding comments, too. Bidding starts at $25 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 8am (pacific) on Friday, June 27th gets the prize!

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

Here are the bags we have this week:
  • Anne of Green Gables
  • Anne of Windy Poplars
  • Origami
  • The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel
We'd love to hear from you - please comment and let us know what you think of this new format.

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Anne of Green Gables

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This chic bag is of similar color and size to the carpet bag carried by Anne Shirley to her new home at Green Gables.

Deep blues, greens and browns make this earthy bag a sure winner. The flap is adorned with beads and sequins of gold and bronze which accent the corduroys and striped denim fabrics. The bottom of the bag is rich pine green velvet and the cell pocket on the side is bronze satin. The inside pockets are hand embroidered with an Asian design and have crocheted edging. The strap includes a hand stitched vintage quilt piece with hexagon pieces. This bag is sure to make you feel like you're in the White Way of Delight or by the Lake of Shining Waters.

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 (pacific) on Friday, June 27th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

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Anne of Windy Poplars

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Anne of Windy Poplars is a textile delight. Vintage colored chenille, hand pieced antique quilting bits, flocked fluer de lis.... ahhhh.

When Anne was in Windy Poplars at her first teaching job, the town grew to love her as a spirited, loveable, almost meddlesome girl. Just like this bag, spirited, loveable and almost meddlesome from the scrap bags of many grandma's.

The flap is a rainbow of oranges, light blues, pale yellows and mint greens topped off with a lovely orange flower with a blue button center. The cell pocket is also from Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt pieces. The strap is a hodge-podge of the flap fabrics and the back of the bag is sturdy orange flocked fabric in swirls the same color as Anne's hair.... carrots. The inside pockets are detailed with flowers and touristy information from the East Coast. This bag would inspire even Anne's imagination.

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 (pacific) on Friday, June 27th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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Origami

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This highly detailed bag has an oriental flair thanks to a vintage embroidered table runner that was stitched in my great grandmother's needlework store. The front of the bag includes hand pieced hexagon quilting patches in the theme of Grandmother's Flower Garden, an embroidered Asian covered bridge with an ornamental tree, black velvet edging and white chenille. The back of the bag has a little Chinese fellow holding a lantern next to his pagoda... all hand stitched. Under the front flap are two pockets made from an embroidered, cut-work napkin. Inside there are two pockets from antique quilt flowers. The bottom of the bag is cashmere. The measurements are 13"W x 11.5"H x 3.5"D. Lots of attention to detail in this bag suitably named Origami.


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 (pacific) on Friday, June 27th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Phoenix, AZ).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel

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Scarlet, gold, and avocado tapestries make up this rich-as-butter bag. All were donated by my friend Maria (who has exquisite taste).

The side pocket has a snazzy little fringe and the front flap is finished off with two scarlet buttons.

Two inside pockets.

Hmmm... Is it red or is it burgundy? I seriously don't know - it does different things in different lights. Maria -- if you're out there, any comments?

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 (pacific) on Friday, June 27th gets the prize! Postage extra (from Abbotsford, BC).

About the Bags ~~ FAQs

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OK, this just in from Maria ... the red has more rust undertones, burgundies are NOT her thing. And that green and red chintz was $100/metre. Yikes.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Celebration Time

Woohoo! I've just received a payment that tipped me past my initial goal of $500! Thank you Cyndy.

Stay tuned for new goals! And new bags!

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Monday, June 16, 2008

SOLD: Harold and the Purple Crayon

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This designer mini-bag is a combination of cowgirl and princess with rainbow sparkle fabric and denim. All of the jean mini skirt pockets are still usable even though there is a pink "hankie" corner sewn in the pocket on the back of the bag. Inside is a shiny lavender dream with two pockets for those essentials every princess carries in her purse. The bag measures 11.5" W x 9"H x 2.5"D. From shoulder to bag, the straps are 13" long, but can be adjusted by moving the knot. The flap is decorated with ric-rac, grosgrain ribbon and denim fringe. The sequined butterfly applique is sure to bring an admiring smile to a special young lady's face.

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This bags is located in Arizona.

SOLD: A Swiftly Tilting Planet

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I couldn't find a book called Seventies Living Room, which is what I really wanted to name this bag, but I imagine the Murry's living room might look something like this.


I scored the orange, gold and brown print (complete with a tilting globe of planet earth) at a thrift shop.


The upholstery pieces that make up the sides, bottom and flap of the bag came from a friend's stash of samples. The cream corduroy straps are also from that helpful gal's stash.


A bit of rust wool from my great aunt and some brown corduroy from my mom's pirate costume finish off the exterior of this bag.


Lined with a coordinating sheet from the 70's and some bits of this and that. Two inside pockets, an inside divider and a side pocket for cell phone or sunglasses.
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This bags is located in British Columbia.
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