A Bluebird Bag Giveaway

Have I bored you enough with craftless posts?! After my last shop update I needed a moment to breathe. I've been very fortunate to have some custom orders roll in, so I've been busily working on those and haven't had much time for anything else. A month ago I got this idea to make a sturdy canvas bag with a bluebird on it. I am not in need of another bag, but still felt like I had to get this idea out of my head and make it a reality.

Two lessons were learned doing this:
1) My serger definitely has issues with thick material
2) All cotton webbing is not the same

But, I am pleased with the end result. It's not perfect by any means, but so very functional. A trip to the farmer's market, toting books home from the library, lugging around diapers and sippy cups...it's the perfect bag for any of these.

I hand painted the "bluebird on a wire." I was very fortunate to find cotton webbing online that matched exactly.  My color choices were really about what I had on hand, but then again, I love chocolate brown and blue together. Stephen thought I was a bit loony for choosing these colors, but I assured him they were "in." (They are, right?)

The cotton webbing was a find on Etsy. I was under the impression that all cotton webbing was of the same thickness. Oh no, not this stuff. It's like a band of steel runs through it. It's so incredibly thick!! There was no way I could do my usual "turn under and finish edge" deal, so I had to serge the ends to keep them from fraying. Again, serger was not happy. Even my trusty pal seemed to put up a fight.

And guess what? It's "Elisabeth approved" and I think she will be sad to see it go. But it will go to a new home next Wednesday morning. Just leave a comment on this post by next Tuesday 9 p.m. EST. And who knows...there may be more things in the bag too!

And totally off topic, but I know there are some vintage Pyrex lovers out there. I picked 8 of these cute tea cups up months ago. When I brought them home Stephen rolled his eyes and they've been sitting unused ever since. So the first person to e-mail me at erin@bluebirdbabyslings.com will get them.  Taken.Thanks! I'll even pay for shipping.

Have a great weekend!!

Comments

[kate]

such a fun bag! my favorite colors, too.

i'm a stay at home mom, too (with a daughter born 10/12/06) at your posts always brighten my naptime internet time.

thanks for sharing your talent and creativity!

[Candace]

I've been coming around for a little while now & really enjoy your site.

The bag is adorable. This is my favorite color blue & I haven't gotten around to making myself a really good library tote. Can I have this one please?

[Wendy]

Love the bag! Thanks for the give-a-way!

[Jenny]

Love reading your blog and about your "simple" (but so very lovely) life up north. I'd love to take those cups off your hands but my cup cupboard runneth over :) So I am trying my hand for the adorable bag (of which one can never have too many!). Very cute!

[Jenn]

What a beautiful bag! The blue and brown it totally perfect, and I would LOVE to put my library books in it!

[Mary Anne]

Have to laugh! We have a cupboard full of this exact "vintage" pattern...cups and rest of the set. But not b/c we are into vintage...but b/c those are the dishes hubby had when we met. Guess that dates us but good, huh? Don't need more of the same but at least it provided me a good laugh at myself. Thanks.

[M]

LOVE the bag. Ruthanne and I are bag addicts. We go on vacation and yep, pop into the local libraries and buy canvas bags as souvenirs. Does it get geekier than that?

[BettyBetty]

My gym bag (a messenger bag from timbuktu) is chocolate brown and that same blue color. So I'll have to say I like your taste. Nice bag!

[sara]

sign me up for a chance at a free bag! Thanks.

[Beth H]

Wow I just stumbled over here from 'Uncommon Grace'. I love your style as well. The bag is super cute and it looks like our kids are about the same age.
I'm adding you to my bloglines...feel free to visit us too.

[Nicole]

Nice! I have been wanting a stylin' library tote! One of my favorite color combos, great hand painting of the bluebird! The picture of Elisabeth's "approval" is very sweet :) I brought home a rather large collection of pale pink plates, from the second hand shop. I thought they were so very retro, my husband was not impressed!They are now sitting in a box :)

[Amy]

That is the sweetest bag. I keep thinking about making myself a bag, but it certainly hasn't happened yet...

[Beth]

Beautiful bag... Yep, definitely "in" colors! We'd love to use something as lovely on library and market trips (my little guy and myself). I enjoy my visits here so much...

[oona]

The best color pairing of all!
I would love this for dragging home the 43058 books my daughter and I check out at the library every week. Thanks!

[Erin]

I am a stay at home mum and I come here every morning to read your posts! I love your blog.
I would love that tote! Its beautiful! :)

[amy]

Love Love Love the bag!! And blue and brown are my favorites as well as birds!! I would love this bag to add to my Bluebirdbaby collection (just toddler pants right now but planning to buy more of your collection)
Thanks
Amy

[Stacey]

Erin the bag is great, I love the color combo and the painting. As for the webbing, if you want a softer one use the tubular stuff it's softer.

[bobbi]

i also love the bag, but could you put elisabeth in it too?

[Heather W]

eye rolling at those cute mugs??? shame on him!!! ;) My grandma used to have the whole set.

Very sweet bag!

[Angela]

What a gorgeous bag! Love the colors, love the hand-painted detail. Would make a perfect diaper bag for me! My baby just turned one this week, so we don't need to lug everything around anymore.
By the way, any fun ideas for stuff to do with baby in the DC area?

[Beth]

I really like the bag. Those are my favorite colors and I love them together. You are so talented and I love seeing everything you create. I hope I get this bag! beth

[emile]

Very cute! And brown and blue are totally in! ;)

[Dawn]

You've really got a "signature look" to your beautiful creations that I love. The bag is wonderful, please put my name in! Have a great weekend.

[Carrie]

How sweet of you to share your talent with all of us! We'd love a bluebird baby original bag way over on the other coast. Thanks for the opportunity!

[Leah]

Chocolate Brown and Robin's Egg Blue - a totally awesome combination, not that I'm biased and used them as my wedding colors or anything.

[Robin]

Love the bag!!! Thanks for a giveaway! :o)

[Sheila]

Oooh, I have a bag thing and this one is great oolors! Plus we are trying to go over to all reusable bags and this would be a great size for the smaller shop runs!!!

[Erin Koch]

Hello Erin, I'm Erin! Love your cute stuff-I found you through Linaloo. I love the bag- it seems like we need a bag for everything- library, church, beach, the car- can't ever have enough bags. I am currently working on painting my living room a softer shade of the blue- so far I'm liking it! Thanks for the giveaway- you have inspired me to do one on my blog!

[Ram in the Thicket]

Sign me up! The bag turned out great ;o)

[Leah]

Bored me? Not at all. I enjoy all of your posts, loved the little piano. The bag is beautiful :)

[Dorte]

Hello there - I found you through flickr! And I agree with Elisabeth - I too totally approve of this bag and think it is absolutely lovely!!! :-) Thanks for doing a give-away!

[Michele]

Pick me! Pick me!

[coffeechris]

I having been flying over to bluebirdbaby ...really enjoy your blog....a little bird says pick me for that beautiful birdie bag bonus.

[natasha s]

Great bag Erin,
Please add me to your drawing hat.I wanted to order the other bag that you made but the paypal is not looking so hot these days so I have to wait:0)
Hope all is well,

[Caitlyn]

What a great blog you have going! It's nice to see such lovely pictures of Maine- we are up in the Dixmont/Jackson area and you really are doing our state justice! Thanks for posting this give-away and bringing some excitement to this mom's life!

[QALBALLAH]

I never win stuff. Why am I bothering...

[Grace]

Well, I'm sorry YOU couldn't keep the tea cups! The bag is adorable, of course. I hope you are having a fantastic Friday. I am having kind of a slow day. But that's good too.

[Shelley]

Cute bag! Thanks for the give-away!

[shelley caskey]

beautiful bluebirdbaby bag! put my name in the hat. :)

[Nikki]

What a cute tote, I'm going to remain hopeful about my chances (:

[Katie]

I have been searching for a bag with birds on it! Love it! Birds are so special to me and always bring me to a place of peace. Thanks for sharing your blog.
kflores@covpres.com

[Sarah]

I just found your blog yesterday, and I am loving it! I spent most of nap time reading past entries. Who knew I would find it just in time for a contest to win a BEAUTIFUL bag, too! You make such wonderful things. Thanks for sharing!

[marissa]

Beautiful bluebird bag! Good idea starter for some of us, too, and thanks for the contest!

[Kim]

Awesome bag !!!!!!!!!!! You make some amazing stuff.

[Rita Joiner]

Lovely bag! Throw me in the mix!

[ru]

i see that m has already told you the sad tale of going to libraries on trips looking for canvas bag souvenirs! regardless, if i win the draw, i think i will not share this one with anybody. love the bird on a wire (you have heard k.d. lang's cover of that on her album "hymns from the 49th parallel?" - best album EVER.).

[Becca]

Brown and blue! What a perfect combination! love the colours! and the bag! Would love to put it to good use! Your posts are always so interesting! Thank you so much for the lovely barettes. They arrived yesterday! yayay!

[Darlene]

Hi Erin,

Found your site less than a month ago and I find your pictures and writing very inspirational. I also have to be very careful about what I eat and have gone the organic route for my family! I can assure you that if I'm picked....your handmade bag would be appreciated and used often. It's in my favourite colours!!! Luv that bird!
Thanks so much and have a great weekend!
Darlene

[sallyd]

Hello Bluebird.. have been reading your blog for a little while now whilst my little one sleeps (5 months old now!!) & have to say that your words about crafting, what your little one is up to, or even just looking at your photos of a wonderful winterland (I'm in australia & have very hot days - no snow!),it all makes for a much happier day!! [a much happier mummy too!] love your work - the bag is beautiful, very stylish! hope you are feeling better too! have a great day!

[Annie]

That bag is gorgeous! I love brown and blue together, and the shade of blue you chose is just perfect. I'd love to put this beauty to good use! It will carry many many library books for my little guy (and me)!