Bags4Darfur

Great News

2009-08-20T09:34:00.002-05:00

That photo uploading problem that I had some months ago with blogger has since been resolved. Now there is no need for two blogspots, and a bright friend of mine did us all the giant favour of exporting this blog back into the original blog: Darfur Project.

Please check back there for updates on the project and plans for the fall and winter- coming soon.

2009-06-10T13:18:00.002-05:00

$14,063.00

(waiting for a few more cheques to come in. I will be holding onto remaining bags until the funds come in.)

(Still feeling kind of lost, but simultaneously enjoying the fact that there seems to be time for reading and even showering. Want to return to raising funds. Want my back to stop hurting. Want those e-mails back in my inbox....... Hope God gives me great direction, and Soon!! Meanwhile, please give your support to: Made4Aid. It promises to be stellar; and I am excited about it.)

She Wanders Back Onstage.... Looks Around Awkward-Like

2009-06-02T15:16:00.002-05:00

hmmm... a Joyce without a bag blog is ~~just a bag~~. I mean just a Joyce.

It's going to take me a little while to find my "new normal". Right now I'm working on two bags for my church's youth group fundraiser-- they are headed to Los Angelos for some do-goodin'.
(psst... anyone hungry for a bag? Meet me in Hespeler Park, Sunday after church. Youth slave and stuff auction happening...)

Meanwhile, I theoretically have enough time to actually put away laundry, instead of leaving it in piles here there and everywhere. Boring. More interesting to actually read a few other people's blogs; a privelege that I've done mostly without during my year of baggy-ness.

When all the payments come in (thank you one and all who've sent- much appreciated); I shall do a tally and present it here. I will also leave a link or somepin' somepin' for people who would like to be contacted when I find myself. Er. I suppose that's a little old and tired for a has-been youth of forty-one. (and three quarters...) More like; when I find a fabulous, irresistable new direction for bag fundraising.

Miss you all.....

The Last Three

2009-05-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bloomin'. Leave your bids here.
Polka Party. Leave your bids here.

Doin' The Happy Dance. Leave your bids here.

This brilliant idea came to me from my personal manager, a lovely reader with great ideas and inspirations. Instead of posting one a day until Friday, she suggested putting the final three on line, and seeing how close to a final tally of $14,000 we could achieve.

Feel free to puruse the posts of the final three bags. If you choose to bid or comment, leave your bids at the post of each individual bag, and leave your comments anywhere.

Get it? Got it.

good.

Polka Party

2009-05-27T07:28:00.003-05:00

Some of you will remember this polka-dotty wonderfulness from a previous post where I waxed eloquent about a lot of fabric from Kim Z. Well, I couldn't let the hiatus begin without using a piece of it, now could I?

I paired it up with a velvety soft taupe/mustard coloured upholstery sample; some cool green curtains for the lining, and a strip of my mother's tablecloth for the strap.

For texture and awesomeness, I added some buttons to the dotty bits.

This is what I'd call the ideal Festival/Yard saling bag. It's small, but large enough to hold your essentials. This bag measures 7" x 9". A pocket beneath the flap is perfect for your keys and phone, and two pockets inside can hold your gold and your diamonds.

This bag is part of the final three. Leave your bid here if you are interested, and the party will shut down at 7:00 am cst, saturday, May 30.

Bloomin'

2009-05-27T07:22:00.003-05:00

Here is another piece from Kim z, combined with some pieces from Valerie C. I couldn't not use these-- they are just that delicious.

I made a mid-sized bag. It's the size of bag that I find myself using most of all- it holds my wallet perfectly, plus some other really important stuff.

Pocket-o-rama.

two inside, and two under the flap.

Three delicious buttons to finish it off.

This bag measures 9" x 11".

Part of the final three; leave your bid here if this one tickles your fancy.

This party shuts down on saturday morning, 7:00 am cst, May 30, 2009.

Doin' The Happy Dance

2009-05-27T07:16:00.002-05:00

A personal favourite; this tea towel turned messenger bag.
Paired up with a soft brown, it really is delightful.

A pocket under the flap for your immediate needs.

Actually; a set of pockets. I see that I divided it to hold a) your keys and b) your phone (if you're one of those really important people who must be available at all times)

I divided the inside pockets a little differently on this one as well. One side has a large pocket, adn the other has two small pockets, plus a pen compartment.

I think they are doing the happy dance. I'm sure that in their world, it's green and summery. They don't need to wear shoes or anything.

This bag measures 12" x 13.5".

As part of the final three, this bag is up for auction until 7:00 am cst, Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Leave your bids here.

Ghana

2009-05-26T07:21:00.003-05:00

A tote bag made with fabric from Ghana, circa 1972.
Two handy pockets on the exterior.

A lovely mountain scene. If I knew my geography, I could tell you what it represents.

But I don't.

Let's just say that its not the Duck Mountains.

Pretty.

The bag turned inside out so that you can see the great pains I went to for functional pockets.

Two on this side, and a large one on the other side with a button closure.

Sorry about that sideways picture. I'm cramped for time right now, so that's just the way it'll have to do. Think of it as pilates, and twist yourself around.

This tote measures approx 16" x 14.5".

I'd like the bids to begin at $25- Cdn.

As usual, the auction will remain open until tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:00 am cst.

Ode to Spring

2009-05-25T07:35:00.003-05:00

Well, we actually got spring this weekend. And it was glorious.

This week is the bag blitz. Five bags in five days. And then that's it. Farewell, adios, ba-bye. (at least for now. I'm sure this isn't all going to lie down and go away. It just needs some rest, is all.)

You could pack your happiness in the loveliness of this orange butterly quilt.

And your bits and baubles in those apron pockets.

This bag measures 12.5" x 15".

Bids begin at $35.00 Cdn. The auction closes at 7:00 am cst tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

That's number one of five. The final five. (for now)

YES

2009-05-22T06:50:00.002-05:00

.... there will be more bags before May 29. In fact, the master plan included bags for yesterday and today. But then there was the expected and unexpected that came along and gobbled up all available time. And just to burst another bubble: I'm not one of those midnight oil kind of Proverbial women. Nope. Come 10:00 pm, I can barely keep my eyes open; even if I tried using straight pins to prop them up for me. And for the last long while; I just can't manage being one of those 5:30 am people either. Not even 6:00 am.

All that to say that this week kind of fizzled out- BUT next week I predict a bag blizzard. A blitz. A grand hurrah.

Five bags. Starting Monday and concluding Friday.
You can bet your bottom dollar.
(Hey! What a great idea! ;)

Hiatus

2009-05-20T13:32:00.003-05:00

Summer fallow.
My dad told me that's what they did in the olden days to return nutrients to the soil of the land that grew our wheat and barley. Every few years, a field would not be re-sown in spring. Instead the soil would be turned over, and then be left to God and nature to restore itself in sun and wind and solitude.

Darfur Bags (the blog) was born in March of 2008. That's fifteen months, three-hundred and twenty posts, several hundred bags, and about thirteen and a half thousand dollars ago.

$13, 632.00 to be exact. With some more cheques on their way, I'm sure. (the cheque is in the mail, right?) It certainly took a village and then some to accomplish that. It has been a pleasure and a thrill to spin some straw into gold, and I've had the privelege of meeting some really special people along the way.

We've sold a lot of bags around here. And I've got enough supplies to make up a whole lot more. This is where the hiatus comes in. Time to re-energize those creative juices. Time to sew for the sheer (shear?) joy of it. What am I saying exactly? That after May 29, (next week Friday) this blog is going on furlough. I don't know for how long.

It's time to let it go and see where it leads to. That feels kind of sad and scarey but it also feels like the right decision.

What about all that wonderful fabric?
Well, I'm not about to quit sewing. What I'm looking forward to is the rejuvination that my sewing machine and my creative spirit are craving. Trying out some new stuff. Entertaining the notion of employing other venues. Letting go of fear of change, and finding a few minutes of freedom to remember the other parts of myself, my faith in God, and the possibilities that still remain.

When I have some brainwaves, or a long enough rest, or some brilliant epiphany; you can always find me at Chronicles of Blunderview. There's also a facebook group called Bags For Darfur that you're welcome to join.

The people of Darfur still need our support. I'm hoping for some renewal and the good that will come of it.

I can always be contacted at re-joyce@mts.net. (which has the same destination as brijoy@mts.net). Or you might just find me fallow in some prairie farmer's field. Soaking in the sun, the wind, and the solitude.

Apron Tote

2009-05-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a bedspread; a set of kitchen curtains, a fancy apron, a striped dress belonging to Loretta, a hammock, and a tie-dyed smock.

They all got together and decided to become a unified front.
(and back, and inside, and strap, and.........)

That scalloped edge is from the apron. It goes nicely with the kitchen curtain.

Can't stop loving the chennille...

That's the bag inside out. What you actually see is three pockets- the green is large. Behind it, the apron piece forms another pocket, but there is a third, small pocket on the inside of the scallop. Nice for a phone and keys.

The scalloped apron edge forms another pocket on the other side.

Please start this auction with $25- Cdn and we'll see where things go until 7:00 am, cst, Thursday, May 21.

Tuesday Tote

2009-05-18T22:10:00.003-05:00

What do you get when you cross a set of drapes with an apron?
Well a tote bag, of course, you silly.

Throw in a bit of ric rac and some soft pink buttons; you're on your way to a pleasant dream state. Or maybe a picnic. Or the store. Or the forest to bring granny some biscuits and jam.

What's better than an old button? Well, two old buttons of course!

On the inside, one large pocket is sewn down the center to form two. The other pocket spans the width of the bag. The exterior pocket is sewn down the center as well.

Bids begin this bonny Tuesday at $25- Cdn. The auction will close at 7:00 am cst on Wednesday, May 20,2009.

Can The Real Sheryl Please Raise Her Hand?

2009-05-14T20:52:00.002-05:00

Can Sheryl who got the final bid on May Flowers, Take 2 send me an e-mail at re-joyce@mts.net so I know to send it to the correct address, please?

Red Velvet Love

2009-05-14T07:07:00.003-05:00

(Does that sound weirdly inappropriate?)

After last weeks love frenzy, I went straight back to the red velvet and had a marvelous time outdoors putting together another symbol of love with an assortment out of my several thousand buttons. (don't get me wrong. That's not too many.)

For the pocket, I used the sweetest hankie back from them olden days. (never-been-used. of this I am sure.... :)
There is a second hanky at the seam of flap and bag.

The inside pockets are from lettuce's vintage pieces.

The strap contains: a chennille bedspread; an embroidered tablecloth; and a scrap of quilting fabric.

This is a pretty big heart; but I figure the followers of the project have hearts about that big as well.

Well.... hmmmm. What to start the bids at. Of course, its nice to see bids come in along with the comments. Let's start it at $35- just to stimulate your economy. This bag measures 10" x 11". It will enhance your life. It will make you happy forevermore. It will wash your dishes. It will cause your children to mind. It will groom your dog.

The auction will close tomorrow morning at 7:00 am, cst. That's Friday, May 15.

(If time keeps whizzing along at this speed; I think I'll be 84 and surprised.)

Some Thoughts on Gifts

2009-05-13T09:21:00.002-05:00

Often, in the busy-ness of kids and pets and the urgencies of daily living; I am struck by the wonder of gifts that I've been given. Kind of a "pinch me-- this is my life" sort of feeling. Express post packages containing marvelous African fabrics. (gear up, adoptive crowd. There's gotta be some awesome African bags coming down the pike!) Little baggies of metal uniform buttons. A book called "The Hospital By the River". A surprisingly insightful little booklet by Cherry Hartman called "Be-Good-to-yourself Therapy". A brilliant turquoise leather coat that belonged to someone's grandmother. (can't wait to employ that piece. Must get leather needles..... Must get leather needles....) Grandma's buttons. Tablecloths from the post office.

And I'm sure that's inconclusive.

Yesterday when I was going out into the backyard with the kidlets; one of them looked up at me and asked; "Are your going to take yours buttons?"

Invariably, they'll take long breaks from the tramp and the sandbox to come run their hands through my treasures and show me which ones are their favourites.

I have favourites of my own.

Lately, I've been sewing them onto bags with uncharacteristic abandon. If they have survived all these years in tins and jars, and then are graciously gifted to me-- what better time to stop hoarding them and start putting them to good and lovely use? Share them back?

One morning last week, a sweet looking little older lady came up to my back door and asked if I was "Joyce". She had two greeting card boxes full of really old buttons that her friend had asked her to deliver to me.

Can you belive how lovely that is?

Some time ago I received this message in my inbox:

My in laws spent 2 years ('75-'77) in Ghana working on a CIDA project.
(It would seem that for most people - once you've been there your love of Africa and it's people never leaves you. )When I introduced my mother in law to your bag blog she wondered if you would have any use for some of the material she brought home with her.

Pictured above are those incredible pieces which I have the distinct feeling that I will indeed have some use for!

I don't want to "get used to" all this generosity.

So, "Thank you " all so very much. There's lots of good left in the world- just go out and make it happen.

(another bag tomorrow...)

Dotty

2009-05-12T07:30:00.003-05:00

Some of you will remember this fabric in oranges, yellows, and reds. Would you believe that Kim Z brought me a piece in These colours?

What a treat.

Plus it goes perfectly with a piece that I found at the local junk shop.

This bag makes me think "Yard Sale Season". See those two small pockets on the front panel? Perfect for keys and a phone. Don't forget to turn it on, or to answer it. That's all I'm sayin'.

I turned the bag inside out to show you the pockets- green on one side; blue on the other.

If you want to push it a little, you could say the bag is reversible.

Bubble party! (sorry. That's just something my kids are fond of saying.)

Bag measures 9" x 10".

Start the bids at $25 and carry on until 7:00 am cst, May 13, 2009.

Tropical

2009-05-11T06:59:00.003-05:00

This cool jungle-y fabric came to me through Kim z; a lady with a great eye for bag fabric. It is an upholstery sample- a thick cotton, durable, and refreshing to the eye.

I wanted some of that soothing green on each side; so I used half of each sample piece per side. The alternate colour option becomes the pocket on one side.

A favourite white and red tablecloth forms the shoulder straps.

See? what'd I tell you about the kitty cats thinking this project is all about them?!

Turns out that it's reversible. The fabric I chose for inside pockets are also upholstery samples in thick cotton. This makes for quite a durable bag.

And not bad looking!

The sun is shining, and I think you'll find me and the kidlets outdoors for most of the day.

Meanwhile, you can start bids on this cat sack at $25- Cdn and this party will rage on until 7:00 am cst May 12, 2009.

Somewhere In The World... Is Spring

2009-05-08T09:12:00.003-05:00

Okay, so here is the last of the great postal worker tote bags.

What I mean is that after this; the two tablecloths that were given to the project by our local postal worker will be exhausted. Not the postal worker. The fabric. The postal worker is tireless; I am sure of it.

Great colours, no?

And great daisies.

We've already had spring in Manitoba. It was on Wednesday, adn I'm sorry if you missed it. The sun was out, warming our skin, and we were all moved very nearly to tears out of sheer relief.

Today is snowed.

Honest-friggin-ly.

(bag turned inside out so that you can properly see the pockets.)

I celebrated the return of winter last night by going to the soccer field in a down vest; thick jacket, hat, and quilt. I nearly froze.

Good thing my kid's team won.

Well, I don't normally post a bag on Friday at noon; but then again I don't usually jump ship on one blog to rush off and set up another.

Blogger. hmmmmph.

Bids begin at $25- Cdn. The auction will conclude at midnight tonight, May 8. (cst)

May Flowers; Take Two

2009-05-07T21:04:00.004-05:00

Who woulda thunk it?

I had enough of this fabric for one more bag, and had even begun to sew it together. With some fancy type dancing, between work, supper, and soccer in minus a billion, I managed to get the bag done up and posted here for your bidding pleasure.

There's something unique about this particular bag. not only does it have a few fun buttons on it just to add some funky; it also has magical powers.

Note the kitty cat approaching in the right hand photo. It's weird and spooky how these pets really seem to believe that these bags are all about them. It's like they really believe that a Pet Spa is just about to begin.

It's hard not to giggle when I'm trying to get these bags photographed.

Love that button.

That's the inside of the bag. Thanks to Valerie C for that fun patchwork, and the bright green straps.

Sweet, ja?

I hope that people who loved May Flowers will be pleased to find this here. I'll break all protocol and post this sucker right now. I'll also do my best to post another bag tomorrow so that people who were looking for a Mother's Day gift (or not) have another chance or two.

The first bid is $25.00 Cdn. This bag will be on the block until 12:00 noon (cst) tomorrow; at which time a second bag will be posted. (barring all major and minor disasters).

Ready? Go!

May Flowers

2009-05-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't need a flowery tote bag to haul their spring-type stuff around?

This marvellous floral piece came with the motherload that I photographed over on blunderview a week or two ago. Just a big ol' box of inspiration.

Can you get over that colour combo? Love, love love it. Green, teale, yellow, and purple. Wowza.

That's the inside of the bag- easiest to show you the pockets by turning it right inside out.

Now that I see it that way, I really should have marketed it as "reversible". Marketing. Hmmmmph.

That is one awesomely awesome button in the center of that flower. I always hoped that I would find a place for it, and here it is.

In other news, I changed the settings so that it is easier to leave comments. "Anonymous" will be accepted once again. Sorry for the delay, I hadn't anticipated all these details.

Bids on the tote will begin at $25.00 Cdn.

The auction will close at 7:00 am Friday, May 8, 2009.

Back On May 7! (thursday)

2009-05-06T07:23:00.003-05:00

I am daily encouraged as I click to this new spot and see faces appearing in the lefthand column, people figuring out a way to comment (You need to set up an account under one of the suggested domains; I think?)

I am taking today to ensure that I reply to e-mails that have gotten lost in the shuffle; photograph a few tote bags hanging around my sewing room door; and ~~sit~~ run around in the sunshine with the cherubs, shedding some of the white scaley stuff off my extremities.

Maybe run my fingers through some buttons. Like Valerie C's and her mother's. (I can't believe that I forgot those very important names in my prior button rant!)

Maybe get some salt for the water system..... maybe pay a bill..... maybe get some stuff baked for snacktime....maybe drink too much coffee... possibly get a walk in.... clean another window? ... and then there's soccer. MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursday evening soccer. Plus basketball for one. hmmmm.... Must run.

I RUV You

2009-05-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

This hearty little piece of goodness has been hanging on my workroom door for a few weeks now. I've just been too selfish to share it yet, is all. I had an all-over good and happy feeling sewing up this piece of red love.

*sigh*

that photo shows the bag turned inside out so you can see that even the inside pockets match marvelously.

Under the flap, you get these two pockets. I like one for my keys and one for my phone; even though I never remember to charge or answer the darned thing.

Loverly.

Please start the bids on this darling at $35.

I'll leave the auction open until Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 am cst.

ToteWork

2009-05-03T08:40:00.000-05:00

Well, with a lot of determination and some less-than-ideal language; I've set up a new blog. Silly old blogger won't reply to my numerous e-mails begging and pleading for help, so I'll just sulkily do-it-meself-thank-you-very-little.

I put together a tote bag using small upholstery samples in a similar style, but in varying colours. I kind of like the effect; and the button accents really spruce it up.

Here is the bag turned inside out so that you can get a good look at the pockets.

These buttons are out of my growing collection of gifts from button collecters all over. I still feel kind of stressed that I no longer remember which button came from whom; who has all gifted their buttons to me; and when they came to me. To the average pedestrian normal person, this may seem like an odd thing to stress over. But to me-- if someone is kind enough to gift me with theirs and or their mother's buttons.......... Well that's no small thing. With the mania of life and trying to keep small hands out of button jars and bowls and cannisters... They've all kind of co-mingled. Now my England buttons, my 82 year old friend of a stranger's buttons; Mrs Rickerts buttons; my thrift shop buttons; my Alice buttons, the sweet little lady who stopped by the house last week's buttons, granny Morris' buttons, reader from Ontario's buttons.... And probably some other marvelous people who I've since mentally misplaced; Their buttons are all living in community! And though I love that in theory; it kind of unwinds me. I'd like to be able to put my hands through my button collections and remember where every last one of those gifts came from.

*sigh*

Just one more frustration of being a bear of very little brain.

This splendid tote bag is available for all your toting needs. $25 Cdn will start the auction, which will conclude on May 5 at 7:00 am, cst.

**It has just been brought to my attention that the comment section works differently on this site than on the prior one. I don't know how to change it, and it appears that you need a URL to comment. It is easy to get that done; but if you don't feel like it, just e-mail me with your comment/bid and I'll put it in the comments myself until I get this new kink figured out.

(I'm not exactly a computer guru myself.)

Crazy Daisy /Bloomin sakes

2009-05-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been blogger complicateous this week. Not exactly annus horribulus (sp?) but not that far off either. (she sighs; dramatically).
I hope my knight in shining blogger armour shows up this weekend. The husband couldn't figure it out either; and he's the only knight around the place.
$25 Cdn will start us off on this daisy beauty. I don't often post bags on Friday, but this week is a little different, Ja? I'll leave the auction open until midnight tonight: Friday, May 1, 12:00 am cst.
Thanks for your patience!
Posted by Brian the Mennonite at 7:25 AM 7 comments
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

For Bloomin' Sakes!
This blog is experiencing a hostile takeover. If you are here to drool over Brian's mouth-watering culinary expertise, move on. I don't want your filthy spit on my bags for darfur.Well, this week didn't go nearly the way I'd dreamt that it might.
So, I've
I combined the button tree with the tote bag. AND I pulled out my fun-lovin' flower sheets from the 70's again. There's something wonderfully springlike about those flowers.The orange and butterfly pictures show the bag turned inside out. Those butterflies form the inside pockets.

This button tree on a hankie forms a pocket on the exterior of the tote.
Bag measures 17 x 15 inches.
The bids begin at $25.00.
This auction will conclude on Friday, May 1 at 7:00 am, cst.
Posted by Brian the Mennonite at 7:06 PM 9 comments
Sunday, April 19, 2009

7 CommentsClose this window Jump to comment form

Anonymous said...
Love it! :)KCar
8:15 AM
Anonymous said...
I'll Bid $26~*Lindsay*~
12:32 PM
tanya said...
I'm almost willing to bid just to get the adorable daisy button. Your daughter made those didn't she?
2:21 PM
Caroline said...
Yeah, for very special femo buttons!!!! $30
2:22 PM
LN said...
$35 am I too late?
12:02 AM
Brian the Mennonite said...
LN- by two minutes! darn. But good for Caroline, at $30.Send me a note at re-joyce@mts.net to let me know your location.
9:24 AM
Anonymous said...
woops.I said that under the husband's name.joyce
9:25 AM