dreaming of hearts

 

Valentine’s Day became even sweeter in our house when our sweet smilin’ Rylie was born 10 years ago. The anticipation of this day each year now has me dreaming of hearts and the color pink like never before. So Friday night, when I found myself with some time to sit down and sew I couldn’t wait to make some little girl bags, like I used to make for her (she is WAY too cool for them now!).

I also was wanted to make a jersey scarf I could wear that wasn’t overtly Valentine (quite a bit more subtle than the sparkly heart shirt I wore last year!).

 

Check out my ETSY site for little girl bags and red, white and pink jersey scarves made just in time for Valentine delivery AND, be sure to watch facebook this week for a jersey scarf giveaway!

tis the season

Pumpkin spice candles are burning, frost on the roof, the heat just kicked in… it just makes me want to bake! Made some YUMMY gluten free banana chocolate chip muffins this morning to greet this beautiful day and thought, hmmm… finger mitts – the perfect giveaway for today! Leave a comment on the blog or facebook with YOUR favorite thing to bake and you will be entered for a chance to win these cuties (see below!). Winner will be announced at 3pm CST today on facebook!

 For the gluten free fans out there, here is my quick and easy fix for banana bread muffins – enjoy!

Banana Bread Muffins with Chocolate Chips

1 package of Gluten Free Pantry muffin and scone mix

2 eggs

1/4 c. oil

1/2 c. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 c. mashed bananas

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together and fill 12 cupcake liners 3/4 way full. Bake for 15 minutes at 350. Easy peasy!

new journey

A new journey is underway. I am not sure where it will take me, but I am ready. A press release is going out at Noon today and I wanted to share the news with you first. I have been so aware (but denying) that my heart is just not into Bagolitas anymore. I miss philanthropy, community and feeling a great sense of purpose each day. BUT, I love to create. So what to do? I finally have settled on a solution and am so excited to open myself up to new possibilities. It’s a win win. Read on!

PRESS RELEASE 10.19.2012

First and foremost, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and interest in Bagolitas. SO hard to believe that it has already been over 7 years since I opened my home to show off my creations. If you have been following Bagolitas through the years, you are well aware of the rollercoaster ride of explosive growth through direct sales and rapid downsizing with the economy to a soft landing back in my home.

 

While I felt so incredibly blessed to be able to hang onto a piece of the company that I dearly, dearly love, I can’t shake what my heart is telling me – God is calling me to something new. The final push I needed was a book called Crazy Love by Fancis Chan. It is an inspiring book, calling us to live a radical, love-motivated life, fully surrendered to God. I was paralyzed after reading it the first time, trying to decipher what that looks like for my life. After reading it a second time and not wanting to let go, it is time.

 

BUT, it’s not exactly over. I love creating, love sharing what I create and think that is still an important part of who I am. Luckily, there is a brilliant solution called ETSY. It is a community of 400,000+ online stores of crafty people like myself. By moving over to ETSY, I can eliminate all of the overhead cost of keeping up my website. Hooray!

 

Because of my savings, I’m passing it on to you; FREE SHIPPING on all orders – 24/7! New items are already waiting, including toothfairy pillows and hot iron holders. Check it out: www.etsy.com/shop/BAGOLITAS

 

Moving to ETSY means that I will no longer have an email database, so this is the last email correspondence that you will be receiving. If you would like to continue our journey together, I would be thrilled! There are 4 ways to do that:

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bagolitas

“like” the Bagolitas fan page on facebook and be part of this community of amazing people. There are over 2000 fans already out there to take advantage of seeing all of the new arrivals, being eligible for giveaways and to hear what’s going on in Bagolitaville. First giveaway is next Friday!

 

My Blog: www.fortheloveofhandbags.wordpress.com

I never write as often as I would like, but love sharing what is inspiring me, what I am working on, stories from life, recipes and talking about faith. Subscribe and new posts will come right to your email.

 

Email:

Not on facebook? No worries! Just send me an email (janice@bagolitas.com) with subscribe in the subject line and I will email you directly when there are new arrivals. Be sure to add my email address to your contacts!

 

A New Adventure!

The Iowa City Community Hunger Project:

www.facebook.com/iowacitycommunityhungerproject

 

“like” our facebook page to keep tabs on the project, happening June 7-8, 2013. Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9

 

My small group from church is taking on this project and will be recruiting 500 volunteers and raising $22,000 to provide 100,000 meals for Feed My Starving Children. So exciting!

 

I am both honored and humbled that you have been part of this journey and look forward to all that is yet to come!

 

With gratitude,

Janice

nothing sweeter

My sweet cousin, Mel, is getting married in October. I absolutely love that making handbags allows me to give a truly unique gift, so I was thrilled when she let me make her a clutch for her special day.

She wanted something that she could wear beyond the big day (she’s savvy, too!). We added a touch of her wedding colors (eggplant accent) and added a wristlet strap.

BUT, the frosting on the cake was looking up as I was about to get started and seeing the spool of black thread I saved from our Grandma Sunshine’s sewing machine. It was just enough to make her bag. Nothing sweeter!

space hogs

Just read the book Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to Downsize, Declutter and Simplify. Am now HORRIFIED and the amount of stuff we have (and I was already a purger!). This morning I had a window of time where we had a service person come and I didn’t want to get into sewing mode so I tackled 1 quick decluttering project, all the pens and pencils. I mean seriously, 2 different drawers did not close without a wrestling match because of these innocent, unassuming space hogs. I am certain I still need to cut what I kept in half, but here is what is heading out. Woot woot! Next on the list, the tupperware cupboard…

If you had a window of time, what overstuffed drawer or closet would you tackle?!

coming soon

Traveling to Costa Rica this past week FUELED the itch I had to replace my Bernie* bag with something new. You, too?

I finally sat down to create my dream bag, pulling features from the old Boston* bag like the handles (love them!) and the scoop top between the handles to allow for plenty of arm room, the outside pocket and then I added fabric panels stitched together for a more sophisticated look. For sizing, I stuck fairly close to Bernie’s spacious measurements and made it just a little bigger (13″w x 12″h @ tallest point x 4″d). Can it be too big?!

It is tucked away in this photo, but I went crazy and added a messenger strap so when it was loaded down and my shoulder was tired I could give myself a break. HOWEVER, the bag is a wee big to throw cross body (a lot too big) so I am throwing that feature out. I know, bummer… maybe you can convince me to keep it? I hope you love it as much as I do, because it will be one of the new sizes offered this season, which will kick off NEXT WEEK!

*For those that aren’t familiar with the “B” named sizes of the direct sales days, my apologies!

penzeys, please!

I discovered a hidden gem that takes the vegetables I serve (and hope the kids will eat) to reality, they love them! It is from a company called Penzeys Spices (maybe you have already heard of them?!) and the spice blend is called Sandwich Sprinkle. It’s hand-mixed from: garlic, coarse salt, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, black pepper. Yummy!

I’m lovin’ it so much that I keep it in a shaker and sprinkle it on anything green. Favorites at our house? Slice zucchini and toss with olive oil and Sandwich Sprinkle, put on skewers and grill. We’re also fans of brussel sprouts (what?!). We’re picky though, only the little ones! I cut off the bottom nub (what to call it?) and take off any loose leaves. Toss them in olive oil and Sandwich Sprinkle, then lightly coat the bottom of a skillet or fry pan with oil. Place them flat side down over medium heat and in about 7 minutes, delicious goodness!

Beyond sandwich sprinkle, there’s a whole world of delicious blends waiting to make food taste better and tons of great recipes on their website www.penzeys.com. I order online and usually find a coupon. If you are one of the lucky ones, there may be a retail store near you. I am just giddy to be heading to one for the first time next week in Des Moines, can’t wait! Is it just me? Any one else out there Penzeys fans?