Linda's Been a Busy Girl

Linda's caught the sewing bug! In other news, her son caught a different kind of bug.

Linda's bags for this week are:

• Swallowdale
• Through Every Season
• The Cricket in Times Square
  

Bid on a bag by leaving a name and a bid in the comments section for the bag you want. Or you can just leave chatty comments as well. The highest bidder at 8pm (PST) on Monday, July 13th gets the bag and ALL profits are put towards Zaza's adoption!

Please make sure to check back and contact me if you're the highest bidder.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Silver Stuff

Boca in Bend - you're the highest bidder on Anne of Avonlea.

Please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup. Thanks so much for your support. All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Zaza's adoption.

And now if you'll humour me, here's a conversation I recently had with my 12 year old soon-to-be-adopted son...

William: Mom, when did you put that silver stuff in your hair?

Mom: What silver stuff?

William: You know, when did you dye all those hairs silver?

Mom: Right. Well, you see, I couldn't decide between the latest crazes in hair styles, so I thought I'd do something original and dye a few (hundred) individual strands of hair silver. And while I was on a role, I had them crimped, too -- you know, just so they'd be all wiry and fashionable looking.

... at least he called them "silver" and not "gray".

Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Avonlea was created by Linda and is located in Phoenix, AZ.
Click on any picture for a larger view.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $30 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 8pm on Monday, July 6th gets the BAG! Postage extra.

Anne of Avonlea is a collection of bits and pieces for that shabby chic look and feel. If it was pink, yellow, green or blue and in my scrap bag, it's on this purse! I love denim mixed with the light colors for that vintage appearance.

The flap is fashioned in a quilt pattern and I'll explain them left to right, top to bottom. A scrap of a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt stitched by my grandmother or her mother, lime green chenille fabric from Becca, hand sewn embroidered pink flowers and raised "ribbon" from a tea towel, denim, machine embroidered flowers and cut work from a second hand table cloth, denim, cream canvas looking cotton with hot pink roses, buttery yellow and cream striped denim, and again, more machine embroidered yellow flowers form the table cloth, lighter denim and (the grand finale) and hand embroidered pink dogwood flowers from a table cloth that my mother made almost 50 years ago. (Way to go, Mom!)

The front flap is decorated with pale yellow chenille rick-rack, white lace with pearls, green and white striped satin ribbon and hot pink and white gingham ribbon. There are also vintage buttons in baby blue and light green, as well as a newer heart shaped pink button. The front flap is lined with denim.

Under the flap is an edge from mom's table cloth with more of the dainty yellow lace edging. Cute blue and green button mark the line in the center of the two pockets.

The sides and bottom of the bag are two shades of denim. The cell pocket is trimmed with the corner from mother's tablecloth with handmade dainty yellow lace.

The faded denim on the bag is from a pair of Jill's old Calvin Klein jeans. It is quite soft from years of styling. Thanks, Jilly.

The back matches the quilt pattern on the front and the only addition to the fabrics are two squares from a chenille bedspread (my fave). The quilted part makes up two pockets, with one quite narrow one for pens or reading glasses. The divide is accented by the pink rose button.

Inside Anne of Avonlea is mostly denim, but the pocket front is a vase full of mom's hand stitched pink dogwood flowers. The pocket is trimmed with pink and white gingham ribbon and a light pink and tiny yellow antique buttons.

The strap is knotless and measures 52", the perfect length to sling across one shoulder for hands-free garage sailing. It is made of denim, the yellow striped denim, the chenille bedspread, Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt and the canvas "looking" cotton with hot pink flowers.

All the denim fabric makes this a sturdy little bag! It measures 12" long, 9" tall and 3" deep. I love the look of this bag and some day I will decorate an entire room like this. Enjoy!

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

JayP is this week's Bag Biddie

JayP, please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup.

Thanks so much for your support. All proceeds from this fundraiser go toward Zaza's adoption.

Check back tomorrow morning for another bag!

It's like we're on a roll or something...

Mia's Story

Mia's Story was created by Linda and is located in Phoenix, AZ.

Click on any picture for a larger view.

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Bidding starts at $30 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 8pm on Monday, June 29th gets the BAG! Postage extra.

Mia’s Story is a bag with a surprise, just like Mia’s Story. This bag is not the typical BFZ size. It measures 11.5” long, 9.5” tall and 2.75” wide. A smaller, cozier version of our large carrier bags. The straps, however, are longer than usual, measuring 49” the way they are tied in the photos. It can be shortened or lengthened by changing the knot.

This collection of fabrics has a rich history, just like Mia’s Story. My friend, Regan, came over and was picking out fabrics for her bag while my mother was standing nearby wearing black pants with orange, red, pink and yellow flowers embroidered across the bottom of the legs. She asked if my mom was almost finished wearing those pants. :o) So the pants were donated to BFZ several days later.

Regan also bought a child’s sized Asian top with little men embroidered on it at a second hand store and brought it to me for her bag. Her bag was finished without the little men included. They are inside Mia’s Story as pockets with their original frog closure from the little shirt. (That was the surprise, in case you were wondering.) There are two little orange buttons anchoring the top of those pockets.

The pockets under the flap are made of an embroidered placemat that I picked up at a second hand shop. It is covered in tiny blanket stitches that are so adorable.

The insides of the bag are a soft green silk-like fabric, the color of the plants from Mia’s Story. The same pale green is also the underside of the straps.

Also on the straps are vintage pieces of a quilt called Grandmother’s Flower Garden made of 2” hexagon scraps. This was a remnant from my great grandmother’s stitching shop. It includes four different fabrics in greens, yellows and soft oranges.

The sturdy orange fabric makes up the sides, side of the flap and the straps of Mia’s Story. It is a rich woven decorator fabric with several shades of beautiful oranges.

Pockets include: cell pocket, two on the back of the bag, two under the flap and two inside for lots of storage.

The flap and outside pockets are adorned with black satin ribbon with tiny white polka-dots.

Happy Bidding! And Thank YOU for helping bring Zaza home!

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Most Marvelous Miriam

Tonight's Bag Biddie is Miriam! Thanks so much Miriam ... again. We know where to find you.

All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Zaza's adoption.

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P.S. I was looking at a baby name website and for the first time thought to look up Zaza. It means movement. Neato, eh? It's not even her real name, but it speaks to the journey that's ahead for this little girl.

P.P.S. Why was I looking at a baby name website? Because our own adoption is actually moving along and although we're not changing our children's names, we're adding an extra middle name.

G'night.

Caught Up

Ooops - where has the time gone? I went to a meeting at my boy's school last night and then I got caught up in sewing my next bag and totally forgot that the bidding war had ended.

This week's lucky Bag Biddy is:

• Images of the Past -- A.C. -- $41
  

Please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup. All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Zaza's adoption.

I'm thinking we'll be back on Monday with new bags. That's what I'm thinking.

Happy Friday!

Images of the Past

Bid on this bag by leaving your name and a bid in the comments section. Or you can leave regular ol' chatty comments, too! Bidding starts at $30 and increases by whole $s please. Highest bidder at 8pm (pdt/mst) on Thursday, May 7th gets the BAG! Postage extra. All proceeds go towards Zaza's adoption.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

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Images of the Past was created by Linda and is located in Phoenix, AZ.

Click on any picture for a larger view.

Images of the Past is a spunky little handbag with an Oriental flair. The fabrics for this bag were all remnants from a diaper bag I made not long ago. I've been itching to get at them for a BFZ.

The shiny Chinese red fabric is adorned with dragons and other oriental designs. The front pocket on the bag is made of a gold fabric with round oriental motifs and the black fabric has colorful peacocks on it. The trim on the pocket is gold silky braid with dangling clear beads.

The bottom of the bag feels like velvet, but upon microscopically close inspection, it is a corduroy. It is very soft and luscious. It is trimmed with a gold braid that has two lines of black velvet running through it.

The handles are black painted bamboo and are attached with two straps of the red shiny material.

The inside is entirely constructed of a silky gold fabric with a variety of oriental designs of flowers and coins.

The bag is lined with a thin batting so the purse has some form and cush to it.

The bag measures 12.5" across, 10.5" tall and 2.75" wide. The handles are 7.5" x 4.5".

Happy bidding on Images of the Past.

It Is Well With My Soul

Hey All! Gosh it feels good to be well again. Thank you all for your patience. If I haven't answered emails or mailed packages or something ... please email me because I got a bit behind with being so under the weather, but I'm alive again (and hopefully immune to that new piggy flu) and I don't mind being double-reminded about things I've missed.

This week's Bag Biddies are:

• With Endless Sight -- Heather in Michigan -- $35
  
• Words from a Fearless Heart -- J.A. -- $31
• Mom ... and loving it! -- A.C. -- $30

Please email BagsforZaza@gmail.com within 1 week to arrange payment and postage/pickup.

In case you hadn't noticed, I think I've gone back to the old format, more or less. It gives y'all a bit more time to bid. And I have two new messenger bags ready to go up tomorrow morning. Feedback on what we're doing is always welcome.

Thanks so much for your support. And thank you again LaVonna for your extra special contribution! All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Zaza's adoption.

We're Back!

This week's bags are from our Arizona crew.

Bidding is now open on:

• With Endless Sight
• Words from a Fearless Heart
• Mom ... and loving it!

Bid on a bag by leaving a name and a bid in the comments section for the bag you want. Or you can just leave chatty comments as well. The highest bidder at 8pm (pacific) on Monday, April 27th gets the bag and ALL profits are put towards Zaza's adoption!

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

Wacky Wednesday

Here's how it works. Posted below are 6 items: Two light weight tote bags + Four pairs of Lovely Spring Glovies.

Each item is $20 and this includes postage to Canada or the U.S!

It's first come, first serve -- so don't hesitate.

If you would like to buy one of these items, simply leave a comment on that post indicating that you want it and your name (i.e. something like, "Mine. Jennie C.").

And then email BagsForZaza@gmail.com to arrange payment and shipping. That's it!

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What are Lovely Spring Glovies? They are cute little crocheted fingerless gloves ... "glovelettes" if you will. They provide a little bit of extra warmth, without the full coverage of mittens or gloves. They can also be a fashion statement and look great with long or short sleeves. We've recently received two HUGE donations of yarn, so we thought we'd try something new. I've been wearing my glovies for a couple years now and they made a brief appearance on BFZ in a post last November.

_________________________

All proceeds go towards Zaza's adoption!
We've raised approximately $5700 so far!

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

Whispers of Winter

Click on any picture for a larger view.

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

Click on any picture for a larger view.

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

Click on any picture for a larger view.

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.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

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.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid

A Tapestry of Hope

Click on any picture for a larger view.

[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.

About the Bags ~ FAQs ~ How to Bid