Green Bag Lady: December 2009

New Years GREEN Resolution FREEBIE!

Well, it appears to be time for another FREEBIE, what do you say? Here is what you need to do. . .

Pick one of the following GREEN resolutions and tell us in your comment which one you are going to do for 2010 and beyond. It doesn't count if it is something you already do, you HAVE to pick something NEW! (hey that rhymed)

•recycle

•compost

•join a CSA

•use fabric bags (all the time)

•stop using wrapping paper

•buy local foods as much as possible

•give only handmade gifts (if you are not crafty, check out ETSY)

•conserve water

•turn your thermostat down or up (depending on the season)

•switch to energy efficient light bulbs

•switch to energy efficient appliances

•reduce what you buy

•plant a tree

•LEAVE A COMMENT, IN THE COMMENT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THIS FORMAT: name(at)something(dot)com it is important to spell out dot and at so you don't get spam, if you DO NOT leave an email address, we will not hunt you down to send you a freebie, thanks.

•IN THE COMMENT PICK ONE OF THE GREEN RESOLUTIONS ABOVE.

•DEADLINE FOR THIS FREEBIE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MIDNIGHT (CST), WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 2010

•WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN TO GET A SHOPPING BAG, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE, IT'S OK, JUST TELL US WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN ONE FOR INSTEAD!

•Yes, we will ship internationally.

HAPPY COMMENTING! TERESA

COMMENTS CLOSED, Bagette Dad will be emailing the winners. Thanks for the great resolutions!

One Year Ago. . .

One year ago I was excited to get over 3000 bags right after Christmas. That means in the first year of the project, 3000 bags were made and given away. We are now over 8000 bags. 5000 bags were made and given away in 2009. WOW! Thank you to EVERYONE who is involved in this project, the Bagettes, the sponsors, the wonderful people who donate fabric, the DAD who provides funds, ships, and updates the site. It is truly an amazing effort, there is NO WAY we would be here without the time, donations, and skills of people close to me and around the world. Happy, happy GREEN new year to you all! I look forward to seeing where 2010 takes us!

Love, Teresa

Work. . .

I was sewing some bags this afternoon when Little Man came in and said, "I see I have work to do." He likes to get down on the floor under the serger and picked up all the scraps and put them in the pet bed bin. He says it is his job. It's nice to have such willing help!

Look for a FREEBIE tomorrow! Teresa

Faith in Humanity. . .

I am so happy I can barely stand it. I got to the airport this AM to fly back to Tennessee only to find that I didn't have my wallet. A frantic search turned up nothing. We managed to still board the plane and get on our flight. My sister looked everywhere at her house to no avail. We got back here, I called Sears at the Mall of America as that is the last place I remember having it. Would you believe someone turned it in???? Cash and all! If you are the kind person that turned my wallet in and happen to be reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It would have been a lot of work to replace everything in it! A very happy Teresa

Bags on Christmas!

After Bagette Dad left Tennessee, he went to visit Bagette Aunt Frances in South Dakota. While there, Frances made plain white bags for the grandkids to decorate on Christmas. Here are some photos of the process and the results. . .

Look what Bagette Frances got for Christmas. . .her own lables!

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing post-Christmas! Teresa

A pet bed for Bagette Alicia. . .

Photos of Frederick and Toonces using the pet bed...never simultaneously
though! Bagette Alicia

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I hope this finds all of you enjoying friends and family. We are having a great time in the snowy north!

Teresa

California Bags!

hi teresa

here are a few pictures from the day without a bag in los angeles. we hung out with some high school students from the compton high recycling club. i thought they would be cool additions to have a bag of yours.

happy holidays!!
i am going to post about it today too.

take care
sara (The Daily Ocean)

jennifer - bag #6585
vanessa - bag #6672
cesar - compton - brown produce bag

Georgia Bag!

Hi Teresa,

I know this picture is a bit late....but here it is...bag number - 7814. I am using it & my older bags and just love it... :)

Sudha
Earth has been loaned to us, we never owned it!

Check out Sudha's green blog here.

Hawaii Bag Family!

Aloha Teresa!

Sorry my picture is so late! I took it awhile ago but got distracted in the past few months! I just want to tell you that we love using your bags and it makes us feel good that we're doing something good for the earth. I got a lot of compliments on them too! We use them not only for grocery shopping, but for regular shopping too!

I'm also sending you some fabric too. I hope you like it and get it soon! I think you'll like it! Put it to good use!

Take Care!
Cindy Chun - Hawaii - USA - # 6572
Jon Chun - Hawaii - USA - #6574
Merik Chun - Hawaii - USA - #6571
Caleb Chun - Hawaii - #6570

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have known Cindy for almost 20 years. We met when she was an exchange student at the University of Minnesota. We worked together at Northrop Auditorium. I'll never forget one night when The Nutcracker was on stage in the background and Cindy was staring out the window in awe. I asked her what she was looking at. She said, "Look at how beautiful it is! I have never seen snow before!" Cindy, thank you for opening my eyes to the beauty of something I grew up with and had taken for granted. I am like Cindy now when it snows here it Nashville. It is truly beautiful, just like darling Cindy and her family! Look at those boys!

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Teresa

Popcorn! A wonderful GREEN Christmas gift!

My student Kristina, who is adorable, walked into my office this week and handed me a bag of popcorn and said, "Merry Christmas." I love popcorn (who doesn't?) so I was very excited. Upon closer inspection, I realized the cloth bag that the kernels were nestled in had her name on it. She told me that over Thanksgiving, her WHOLE family (mom and brothers and all) hand printed the bags with printmaking ink and a linocut she had made, filled them with popcorn and were using them as gifts. They even have instructions sewn into the seem. How cute is this? What a GREAT family project and what a GREAT gift that is consumable, comes in a compostable cotton bag and even uses eco-friendly inks. I love it! After the photos, I will tell you how I make eco-friendly really CHEAP popcorn. . .

Here is Kristina and her family making the bags. . .cutting the fabric. . .

. . .printing on the fabric. . .

. . .tadahhhhhh. . .

. . .the bags drying. . .

. . .the finished product--front. . .

. . .and back. . .

. . .Little Man LOVES popcorn too!

Teresa's Microwave Popcorn
1/3 cup organic popcorn--bought in bulk and brought home in a fabric produce bag! :)
1 brown lunch bag (they come in a pack of 100 and sold at the grocery store)
1 piece of clear tape (masking tape will not work, it come off in the heat)

Put the popcorn in the bag and roll it over 2 times about 1/2 inch each roll, seal it with the tape, put it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, just listen for it to stop popping, take tape off, put in a bowl and ENJOY!

This is the easiest and most environmentally friendly way to eat popcorn. You can use the bag over and over, just ask Bagette Dad. If it rips, just recycle it!

You can add 1-2 tbsp of butter and some salt if you don't like it plain.

That's it! Have a great weekend! Teresa

Horse, check. . . pacifier, check. . . Green Bag Lady bag, check. . . let's go!

Teresa,
Sorry it's taken me awhile. So far I've only remembered to take my camera out the once, but I promise I will get pics of every one being used. This is bag 7518 being used here in Asheville, NC by my son Haydin to go into the grocery store!

Happy Holidays,
Kate

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong"

Really, how cute is this little guy? sigh. . .Teresa

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Have you been to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams? I recommend putting it on the top of your to do list. They have gorgeous furniture AND it is all ECO friendly! I was thrilled to be invited to a holiday party at the store. The employees did a brief presentation about the history of the company and its legacy of eco friendly practices and products. How wonderful to know that there are businesses out there that have been working to improve the earth for so long and not just joining the green fad.

I told them about the Green Bag Lady project and they are now going to save their fabric samples to be made into bags AND they produced 2 bolts and a large piece of lovely fabric right there on the spot! I want to buy ALL my furniture there!

Thanks everyone at MG + BW! You are fantastic--Teresa

Tonight at the Belmont Mansion. . .

Belmont Mansion is having a Christmas Open House tonight. It is from 430-630pm. There will be jewelry, pottery, pies, purses, baby items, etc. The mansion gift shop is having a huge SALE too! We will be there giving out FREE Green Bag Lady shopping bags. If you live in Nashville come and get your holiday shopping complete!

For directions and more information click here.

We hope you will join us! Teresa and the Bagettes

P.S. You have until midnight tonight to enter the FREEBIE below!

Holy Gift Bags Batman. . .FREEBIE!

I don't usually do freebies right on top of one another, however, I seem to be drowning in the Holiday Gift Wrap Bags I was obsessed with making for the last 2 years. I was wrapping presents today, which means I was shoving things in the gift bags and tying the ribbons because I have vowed not to use wrapping paper (unless it is off another gift or I already own it). Anyway, truly, this is THE easiest way to wrap gifts. No tape, no scissors (who can find those anyway?), no paper cuts. . .even my husband can handle it.

Can you help take some off my hands? If you are a randomly selected winner you will get 2 handmade gift wrap bags from the Green Bag Lady. I have already put them in envelopes so they are just waiting for names and addresses. There will be FIVE lucky winners.

Just FYI, the bags may or may not look like the ones pictured above AND they may or may not need to be touched up with an iron. Those of you who know me well, know that I DO NOT iron! :)

To enter this freebie do the following:

•LEAVE A COMMENT, IN THE COMMENT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THIS FORMAT: name(at)something(dot)com it is important to spell out dot and at so you don't get spam, if you DO NOT leave an email address, we will not hunt you down to send you a freebie, thanks.

•DEADLINE FOR THIS FREEBIE IS MIDNIGHT (CST) Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2009.

•5 winners will be randomly selected on Dec 16 to win 2 gift bags each.

If you are not selected, the gift wrap pattern is here, make some!

Thanks for playing! Good luck! Teresa

P.S.--I don't know what is going on with my blog header, I have my web team on it. Um, that really means my friend James who works for chocolate.

P.P.S--Yes, those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know that I stole the bag wrap photo from this post last year. No time for photos when you do a spur of the moment freebie!

Congratulations to our winners, Helen, Patsy, Martha, Lee and Christene. Thanks for the comments. Helen, Bagette Dad has not heard from you. Leave a comment if you did not get his email!

Sew Mama Sew (and FREEBIE below!)

Green Bag Lady is being featured on Sew Mama Sew right now as part of their "Quilting for Peace" (read below).

In September we conducted a poll to find out what you’d like to see on the [Sew Mama Sew] blog in the future. Many of you left comments about your desire to see more opportunities to contribute to charities through craft. This is important to us too, so we were happy to see that there were so many of you looking for ways to become sewing activists. (description found here on Sew Mama Sew)

In conjunction with the feature, Sew Mama Sew is doing a Grocery Bag Sew Off. Just by making reusable shopping bags in the next 2 weeks you can earn chances to win some amazing prizes from Fiskers!

So, GET SEWING and WIN! Please, send me photos of the bags you make and I will post about you on this blog.

Happy stitching and GOOD LUCK! Don't forget to enter the Pioneer Woman FREEBIE in the last post! Yay!

The best to all of you this season--Teresa and all of us at Green Bag Lady

email photos to (bagettedad[at]gmail[dot]com) thanks!

Pioneer Woman (FREEBIE at the end of post)

Have you heard of Pioneer Woman? She is an amazing woman who lives on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. She has 4 kids, she home schools, maintains a blog and website daily, photographs every day and somehow managed to write a cookbook in her 3 minutes of spare time. And, oh, Pioneer Woman Cooks has reached #1 on the NY Times Best Seller list.

Anyway, Bagette April, Bagette Karen, and I read her blog. She was in Nashville tonight signing cookbooks. Bagette April dearly wanted to go but her husband had to have surgery today. So, Karen and I went and got a book signed for her. . .

We gave out bags while we stood in line. . .

We saw a woman in line with a Green Bag Lady bag! She got it at the Farmers Market! Her bag is on the right and she was kind enough to hold the bag that we gave to Pioneer Woman on the left. . .

We finally got to the front of the line and gave Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) a bag. . .

I told her about Green Bag Lady. . .

We also gave bags to Pioneer Woman's sister Betsy and her friend Hyacinth. . .

FREEBIE!!!! Read on. . .
If you made it to the end of this post, there is a reward, I will give away 2 Green Bag Lady bags that are made from Amy Butler fabric like the one we gave Pioneer Woman if you leave a comment on this post.

To enter this freebie do the following:

•LEAVE A COMMENT, IN THE COMMENT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THIS FORMAT: name(at)something(dot)com it is important to spell out dot and at so you don't get spam, if you DO NOT leave an email address, we will not hunt you down to send you a freebie, thanks.

•DEADLINE FOR THIS FREEBIE IS MIDNIGHT (CST) DECEMBER 12, 2009.

Good Luck, I will randomly choose winners on Sunday.

Thanks! Have a great week. Teresa

comments are closed, winners are: Carin and Orlita CONGRATULATIONS!

Sew Mama Sew Freebie Update. . .

The comments are now closed, we have chosen the 100 lucky winners. My father, aka Bagette Dad, will be emailing the winners soon to get shipping information. (check your spam folder in case the email went there!)

Congratulations to those that won. The list is too long to publish here. If you were not a winner, please check back to the site frequently as we do freebies on a regular basis.

Thanks to all of you, I loved reading how you are going green this holiday season! All the very best, Teresa