Tote-ally Awesome Contest
When it comes to making a fun and functional fashion statement, the answer’s in the bag. Go ahead—get carried away with Country Woman’s new Crafty Bag Contest.
Enter your original creation, and you could win $300 cash to stash in your purse. For variety, we’ve divided entries into three categories:
- Clutches and wallets: Coin purses, billfolds, checkbook wallets, drawstring pouches and more.
- Shoulder and handbags: Bags of different sizes, shapes and styles with either carrying handles or straps that fit over the shoulder.
- Oversize totes: Diaper bags, duffels, backpacks, beach bags and others.
There’s plenty of room in our bag challenge for all kinds of techniques—feel free to knit, sew, crochet, quilt, felt or weave. Materials are up for grabs, too. You can use fabric, yarn, leather, rattan, canvas or recycled materials, like jeans, flour sacks, plastic bags and neckties.
Since originality is key, feel free to personalize your entry by dying or batiking fabric,
embroidering designs or embellishing with beads. And don’t forget special-occasion bags, including bridal purses, chic evening clutches or totes with holiday themes.
We’ll award $300 to the first-place winner in each category. See the rules below for a complete list of prizes.
Winning bags, with directions, will be featured in future issues.
Entry deadline is April 15, 2009. We can’t wait to see the innovative and eye-catching ideas in your bag of tricks!
Contest Rules
You must be the original designer of your bag. This means you’ve designed it “from scratch” and not copied it from another crafter, a published pattern or item you saw.
The actual bag must be submitted as your entry; label it with your name, address and phone number. You’ll also need to include instructions, charts or patterns, and a list of materials needed for every bag entered.
Bag designs may use purchased items (handles, clasps, buckles, zippers) that are widely available. All patterns must fit on one magazine page at full or half size.
A completed contest entry form (above, right) must accompany each entry. Photocopies or hand-copied forms are permissible.
Country Woman staff, including our craft editor, will judge entries on uniqueness and expected appeal to CW readers (35% each), workmanship (20%) and practicality of the bag for its purpose (10%). The first-place winner in each category will receive $300, and one runner-up in each category will win $150.
Be sure to include a check for return postage if you want your craft back. Although all care will be taken with entries, Country Woman cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items.
Entries must be postmarked by April 15, 2009. Mail to “Crafty Bag Contest,” Country Woman, 5400 S. 60th St., Greendale WI 53129.
Winners will be selected on or about April 30, notified by mail to be announced in our August/ September 2009 issue, and possibly featured in future issues. Any other entries featured with instructions in future issues will be paid at standard contributor’s rates.
By entering, you agree to allow Country Woman to picture and/or publish instructions for any items submitted, and you grant Reiman Media Group, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners and licensees use of this material, including your name, hometown and state. We reserve the right to modify, reproduce and distribute this material in any medium and in any manner or appropriate place. We may contact you via phone, E-mail or mail regarding your submission.
No purchase is necessary. Contest is governed by laws of the USA. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. Total number of entries expected: 200 to 300.