Jesbags.blogspot is Jessie's Bags LLC

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Let me Introduce myself

Hello, for those of you who I haven’t met I would like to introduce myself, am Jessie's Daughter.

Jessie and I started making the bags together in 2006. I picked up the first fabric for her at a yard sale. I put the fabrics together for her to sew. I did not know what I was getting into.

Jessie's Bags has recently become a full time project for me. I hate to sew but love the creative process of putting the fabrics together. I have a commercial art degree and our Instagram and blog has been my creative outlet.

WE are officially now Jessie's Bags LLC so as of 2015 I am Jessie's bags.

I am the bag designer, blogger, the photographer, fund raiser, brand manager, card writer, pick up & delivery department. I do everything but sew. Did I mention I hate sewing?

I am the face you will see at all of the events we attend. Jessie does make it to some of the programs; however she would rather be at home sewing. The cold weather also keeps her in. The knees ache and she is 85 so sometimes she just doesn't feel good.

I am making a few changes to Jessie’s bags. We are now selling some of the bags on our web site ( jessiesbags.com) and using a portion of the proceeds to fund Jessie’s bags for breast Cancer survivors. In this way we are hoping to be able to reach out to more survivors.

We are looking to keep the cost down by getting volunteers to help us and we hope our suppliers will continue to support us with donations.

We would like to expand Jessie’s original idea and reach out to other groups. We are planning to drop off some bags this week to some mothers with babies in the Children’s ICU. One of our friends had a child there a few years ago and we hope these bags will be useful and make a mom smile.

We are also hosting a corporate bag building workshop. The attendees will make a small donation spend a little time and help us put together some bags. We hope to do this at other locations in 2015.

If you see where we are going with our Jessie’s Bags Idea contact us & join us for the ride. We will update the blog and post pictures of JESSIESBAGSONTHEROAD…..

If you saw a strange ad on my blog i am so sorry!

Now I know i have to block stuff!

its a Learning process..... you live... you learn.... then you blog!

Thinking spring Flowers!

How to purchase one of Jessie's Bags...

2/14/15 bags

So many people keep asking about buying our bags.

We now have bags available for purchase through our website jessiesbags.com.

We have at least 5 new bags available every day when Jessie is sewing.

If you want to see the latest creation check Instagram #jessiesbags or

email us and we will send you photos of the newest creations.......

Pay for the bag using pay pal and it will be shipped to you.

Just a sample its already gone!

2/15/15 available

reality bag making Cold Winter vs summer sun

It is really hard working on summer bags when it’s snowing & the wind is whipping, it feels like below 0 degree temperatures. @ jessiesbags.com We are dreaming of tropical islands beach days’ sand & surf…..not ice snow & wind Burrrrrrrrrr

here we snow again!

Did I mention we I want to move Jessie's Bags to Hawaii!

My feet are Ice Cold

remembering the beach days

JessiesBags.com

Instagram #jessiesbagsontheroad

Friday, February 13, 2015

My creative Care giving advice 101

Caring about and care giving for aging parents and aunts has its challenges.

These proud strong willed people are often independent when they need to be interdependent.

Jessie said I’m loosing something as we got into the car yesterday, (I think her clothes needed adjusting).

Jessie

Then she said maybe it’s my mind. I quickly said oh don’t worry about that you lost that a long time ago. And we laughed. Laughing helps we deal with every day changes. We can’t stop her memory from being askew. We keep her busy sewing. When this is her focus she is not fretting over aging issues.

The only problem is we can’t make bags all the time. We have to take care of necessary things. It’s time for a mammogram (for both of us) but I hate to schedule it because when you or your loved one has had Breast Cancer this time of year becomes a traumatic event. Part of my ongoing support for my survivor is trying not to stress her out

It’s Time to get smashed!

And when we finish I’m sure I will need a drink!

Stop and smell the flowers

Gift Bags for Breast Cancer Survivors

Spend time with family & friends

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Going back to Middle School

# JESSIE'S BAGS ON THE ROAD

Yesterday Jessie’s Bags met some Middle School Students who volunteered to work on Jessie’s Bags.

These full of energy excited young ladies had their first lesson in making Jessie’s Bags.

Some of the ladies started off quiet watching from a distance..... as soon as I told them they could make themselves a bag to pick out the colors they wanted everybody wanted to participate.Their teacher had collected boxes of beautiful Fabrics and supplies for us to use.

Beautiful fabrics in all different colors

We quickly started to cut out the fabrics. Excitement was in the air. Some of the ladies knew a little about sewing and quickly wanted to start sewing the bag immediately. They were willing to start sewing by hand. I think they all will come back to work with us again.

I think the creative process is interesting to watch.

I am an unconventional sewer. I didn't measure anything I don’t follow the rules I think there is no right & wrong way to make a bag. These are your bags & your creations. If they have a flaw this is part of their hand made quality. I am an artist. I love putting the colors together. I love the fabric textures. I am grateful that Jessie can take what I do and make it look even more beautiful.

Sometimes I frustrate Jessie because she is a true sewer. Things have to be exact. Her attention to the details keeps our bags looking beautiful.

I think that’s what gives our bags the look of quality.

Maybe someday I will be more like Jessie.

Probably not………. I may have to hire someone pay attention to the details for me……

I will take Jessie to meet the middle school students next time & she can teach them how to really sew.

Meeting new people and talking too much

Jessie's Bags

Every day we meet people. Everywhere we go we see new faces.

I’m a lot like my father he knew everyone and spoke to everyone. Some have made negative comments about this. I however feel this quality is an asset. When I was a child in school I always got in trouble for talking too much in class. I had A’s but the grade in behavior was always bad. I think I inherited this quality from my dad. I did not get this from Jessie.

When I stop at the Wawa in the mornings there is always someone I have never met but I speak to everyone. It may just be a Thank you for holding the door. Or we say good morning. Sometimes we are talking about the weather or price of gas or something happening in the news. I will always smile and say hello.

I recently met someone I had only spoken to over the phone. We met for coffee. I brought Jessie and her bags. This was a good meeting. This meeting has already helped us work toward our goal of having our first corporate event.

While At this meeting a stranger walked over and saw our bags made a donation and got a bag for a friend who is a Breast Cancer Survivor someone he wanted to support. This was OK with me. Jessie always says I’m just like my father. I take this as a compliment. I’m not sure she means it to be one.

Another Person I met recently I have only spoken to over the phone but she gave us useful suggestions and is willing to work with us to promote Jessie and her Bags. This conversation will aid in our future growth.

While Taking care of business at a new bank, I briefly spoke to another employee and he made a comment that has helped Jessie’s bags accomplish another of its goals.

Who knew being a person who talks too much & speaks to everyone would be an asset. I am Proud to say i'm just like my dad.

Jessiesbags.com

Strangers are just friends we haven't met yet!