Thursday 5 August 2010

My first Giveaway!

I keep wanting to do a giveaway and then I think, what if no-one wants it. Well, this is silly and I have decided I am going to grit my teeth through the potential embarrassment of no-one wanting my item aaaaaaaaaaand…do my first giveaway!

Because after the pants trauma I thought I’d do some straight seams for a bit, I’ve been sewing shopping bags. And I’d like to give one away to someone. Might that someone be you, perchance? ;-) They’re the kind of shopping bag you take with you and put in your pocket in case you end up ambling round the market or similar, buying Stuff (so they would be useful if you wanted to Shop Local, not banging my drum or anything.) They’re light and foldable, and unlined/ no fastening (and made from good substantial cotton/ all exposed edges serged.) I’ve been using some of the bolder fabrics from my stash – I love both of these equally, so I’m going to give you a choice! These bags are both in the region of 11.5" by 14" (the African Wax Print one is slightly bigger), and they’re both machine washable. The winner can choose either:
A retro flower-print shopper – this is made from a vintage (poss. seventies) cotton from Finland, and has medium and dark blue flowers on a green background,

An African Wax Print shopper. I bought loads and loads of this fabric from a shop just off Brick Lane to sew on when I was first starting (or, starting to sew seriously), and so it has particular sentimental value for me (sigh). They both have my exciting new label on one side, and the other side is blank.

Also I was listening to YMCA and other classics of that ilk when I was sewing these bags, and I was also doing the dance (no really, I was), so I imagine that will have charged them both up with quite a lot of positive energy ;-).

To enter my giveaway:

Since this is my first one, let’s keep it simple. To enter, just leave me a comment below – that’s all! Tell me which one of these bags you’d like if you win, and tell me something about your favourite local market/ shop and why you like it. Make sure you leave a link to your website or somewhere where I can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. I’ll choose the winner through a random number generator a week from now – 7pm Thursday 12th August, and I might try and produce a tiny separate bonus surprise for the person who leaves my favourite comment (although I don’t know what it might be yet, so it could be a bit random!). I don’t mind where you’re from, I’ll post anywhere.

(Hooray! That wasn’t too painful. Perhaps I’ll even do it again in the future. I won’t get ahead of myself, though. I'll wait to see if anyone enters first.)

24 comments:

Susie Jefferson said...

LOVE the stamp - didn't it come out well! Good luck everyone (I'd love No 2...)

Anonymous said...

Lovely bags :) I like the first retro flower print :) looks so nice. My favourite local market/shop is Kirkgate Market in the centre of Leeds, I like it cause they do cheap everything :D

meeyeehere said...

I just love these bags! The 2nd one is my most favorite,it is very me!!! I shop at Wongs which is a tiny local store but it has a real nice feel to it.
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

Thifa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

So I decided to post on the Comment Train on Rav and I end up entering a contest? Talk about good luck! Always have to support a fellow Rav member and I was going to knit myself a market bag, but why do that if I can win one? I think I like the first one better but I can't make up my mind! Where do I shop and where would I use my bag? The local Netto, but I would use it anywhere in Germany! Considering that we have to purchase a plastic bag if we don't bring our own! (i may have to empty it of my last WIP before i leave for the store first though :))

LauraMB42@yahoo.com

Mumma Troll said...

They are lovely bags Susie, I especially like the first one.xxx

Mumma Troll said...

By the way i've sent you an email.

LizzieK8 said...

Very nicely done!

SJ said...

You are silly. You bags are really cool. Of course people will want them. I want one! Your fabrics are great.

Congratulations on your first contest!

Worsted Knitt said...

Beautiful! I think I would choose the first one, as I am also from Finland (however not the seventies). I'd use it to shop at our local organic supermarket and carry home all the delicious vegetables (and pasta, tofu and all the other stuff too!)

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Your bags are lovely! Sure people would want them. I like both, but am pulled toward the first one. We don't really have small markets where I live, but there is a natural food market down the street. They have a deli and are very popular during lunch. I enjoy their oven baked potatoes alot!

Little Miss Adventure said...

I've arrived from Ravelry's Comments Train, but will play along anyway!

I'm currently living in Antarctica so for now 'shopping' involves getting a snow-mobile and a sledge, driving to one of the big chest freezers that are in buildings around base, and loading up with big boxes of frozen peas/beef/potatoes. Fortunately it doesn't matter if it takes a while, as it is 0 deg F outside anyway, so defrosting isn't a problem!

Back in the real world I really like the monthly farmers' market in my parents village. There is a great local cheese stand, and in Autumn one of the apple sellers also does boxes of mis-shapen apples for £1, which are great to buy for my sister's horse.

I like the bluey/green bag because I like big bold flowers!

Anonymous said...

oh! ohhhhhhh! a giveaway! hurrah!

bag number one please!

favourite market.. has to be Totnes Friday market -c os there is a happy mix of hippie - and food and second hand and junk. and i love junk. particularly retro junk :)

Dina said...

Very cute bags

Tangled in Threads said...

Those came out so nice! I would have to say the first is my favorite

Joan said...

Want. I have a small preference for Bag no. 1, no-- no. 2, no-- I would be thrilled to win either! I came over here after reading your very funny comment at The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady, and then just about died laughing when I read your mayonnaise post. I live in France and I love shopping at my local market. Where they don't hand out shopping bags!
joan(dot)rigg(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I really love the first bag. Ah let's see my favorite local shop when I'm at school would have to be City Market. The reason for my love of this market? It all comes down to the bulk section and the yogurt covered cranberries they have...my mouth is watering just thinking about them :D

I can be found at ravelry or livejournal under the username soundlessecho07

Saffy said...

I'd love to win the retro flower-print shopper because I'm a big fan of blues and greens.

You can catch me on ravelry as Saffie.

lorraine said...

i dig the green and blue one...there is this yarn shop thats about one town over from where i live. its owned by an excentric older lady and all her yarns are old and dusty and she occasionally has $5 sales where she throws misc. yarn in plastic laundry baskets which she scatters across her store..needless to say i shop online mostly

Mel said...

Those bags are both lovely, although the top is my favourite because the colours are so pretty. I like to shop at the local farmers market- sadly its only once a month, but I love the cheeses, breads and the amazing mushroom stall that sells so many yummy different types.

Patricia said...

Wonderful bags - the top one especially. I love vintage fabrics but sadly am rubbish at sewing

My favourite shops are usually charity shops with wonderful names. My most recent favourite was the "Society for the Rescue of Destitute Animals" which had a marvellous 19th Century philanthropy feel to it. Sadly they just renamed it to "Supporting animals" which sounds like a casting call for Dr Doolittle

Susie said...

OK, entries closed! Thanks so much everyone for entering. Off to go and do my random number generator thingy now ;-)

Susan aka paintermom said...

This is great! I'd love the bag with the blue and green. I work each week on an organic farm in exchange for a share of veggies. This would be just the thing to tuck them into. I also love farmers' markets.

Unknown said...

Good luck with your first giveaway!

I love the African print bag. The print is interesting and your tag adds more interest.

stealthystitcher@yahoo.com