Rainy Day Craft Fair

Rainy Day at the First Congregational Church Craft and Flea Fair today in Elmhurst. Did meet Mindy Krissinger and I will be selling my bags at her resale and consignment shop here in Elmhurst.

More pictures from Haiti

More pictures from Haiti

Blue Jane's Bags go to Haiti

These are some pictures of the team from our church who handed out the Blue Jane's bags during their recent trip to Grace Orphanage in Haiti. Thanks to Rod, Ethan, Shannon, Toni, Joanna, Angela, Hannah, Rosie, Sharon, Maria, and Mae for delivering the bags and thanks to all who contributed hair items that were given with the bags!

Elmhurst Relay for Life 2010

The Elmhurst Relay for Life has come and gone and it was a successful one for our Hearts with Hope Team. I raised over $2,000 and our team raised over $4,300. The day of the Relay we sold Blue Jane's bags and raised $127. Thanks to all my great team members: Rosie, Shauna, Soon Har, Anjanette, April, Carol, Barb, and Jan. They were great team members and we all had a wonderful time at the Relay.

Collection for Haiti Bags

I am in the process of collection fun hair items to put in quart sized ziploc bags. These bags will go in the Blue Jane's bags that will go to the orphanage in Haiti at the end of the month. If anyone would like to donate items, let me know.

Blue Jane's Trend

I was at the nursing home this afternoon doing my usual volunteering to read and play cards on the Alzheimer Unit. A nurse from Hospice noticed my Blue Jane's bag and asked where I got it. She mentioned that she has seen the bags displayed for sale at Curves recently. I told her those were my bags that my friend, Carol, a Hearts with Hope relay team mate had placed there. She said to me, "I thought you looked familiar." Maybe I am getting famous in Elmhurst. I want to know - is this how Vera Bradley started out?

Jeans ready to be cut up for bags

I have been very fortunate to have people get jeans for me at garage sales and donate them for my cause. I also do my own shopping at Goodwill, St Vincent de Paul, etc. Last weekend I was able to purchase 18 pairs of jeans at Goodwill in Champaign. I especially like the decorated jeans. When you see the picture, you know that I have my work ready to be cut out!

Haiti Bags and Relay for Life

I have the 40 bags ready to go. Now on to collecting items to fill the bags. Meanwhile my Relay for Life team member, Carol Breidenbaugh, has my bags on display at the local Curves. Hoping to sell some bags and raise more money for the American Cancer Society.

I am just getting started on this blogging adventure. I wanted to chronicle my journey in ministry with my Blue Jane's bags. I have my own website but wanted to have a way to make things more personal. Right now I am sewing bags to sell and raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on June 19. I also am preparing to send bags to an orphanage of girls in Haiti. I made some and sent them over a year ago, but they were destroyed in the earthquake. This time I will be sending 40 more bags and am hoping to make little gift bags to include in each one. I am going to be collecting hair items (barrettes, headbands, etc.) or just any "girlie" type items to put in a quart ziploc bag which will go in each denim bag. If you want to join me in this adventure let me know.