Sunday, May 10, 2009

'Auld Alliance' Giveaway

As I live in France and like to visit my parents who've moved to Scotland, I've been collecting a selection of French and Scottish goodies for my 100th post giveaway. Anyone from ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD is welcome to enter: The 'Auld Alliance' is the name given to the military, diplomatic and trading alliance between France and Scotland, which began in 1295. You can read more about it on websites here, here and here, if you're interested. Obviously, it was in the interests of Scotland and France to curtail the interests of my native England, so that was the basis of the alliance! Access to French wine was also much enjoyed by the Scottish. There is still an organisation of the name today, although the alliance was officially disbanded in the early 20th century:
Here is a glimpse of the lovely little things I've been collecting for you: they've been picked up on various outings which I've chronicled, on the whole, in my blog, so our lucky winner will be able to track back through my links and find out where most of the items came from.
Let's look at the Scottish bits and bobs first: my mother has donated this 1930s(?) clan tartan handkerchief from her collection, and I have added two sweet saltaire beads (that's the name of the Scottish flag) for you crafters, and a lovely little lavender bag lady in the Macgregor tartan, bought from the self-aid craft shop I visited in Edinburgh.
Now to the French connection: you may see the vintage-style apron I found in Veti Relais waiting for one of you here, in the background. In addition I'm giving away the vintage silk Pierre Cardin scarf from the braderie, some Ebay lace, a modern book of antique French samplers, with detailed embroidery patterns, three vintage children on coffee cards from a Vide Greniers, one of my latest fashion suppliments (1898), and a French craft magazine suppliment from precisely 110 years later, entitled '100% Récup' full of weird/wonderful craft ideas.I'm going to add in another vintage photo (wait and see) and some violet flavoured lollipops, a speciality of our area, in the assumption that our winner will be able to find some children to pass them on to!I've got three ways that you can be entered in the giveaway, so please feel free to go for all three; you'll triple your chances of winning...
Entry one: Leave a comment here on this post for me!
Entry two: All those who've signed up as followers to 'Troc, Broc and Recup' will automatically be entered, so please do click on the 'follow' button if you enjoy reading my blog.
Entry three: Please use my giveaway button at the top of this post on your blog, and link to me, or otherwise mention the giveaway on your blog. Make sure you let me know while commenting on this post, and then I'll follow you up and give you another entry into the giveaway.
So that could give you up to three chances to win - I do hope you like the look of the goodies and join in!
I'll keep the giveaway running until Tuesday May 19th (the first day I have enough free time!!!), and then I'll do a draw from all the entries and let you know our lucky winner. Best of luck - I look forward to hearing from you.

57 comments:

Josie-Mary said...

oh yes count me in!!! I'm already a follower & I'll put a link on my blog :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Floss, those goodies are amazing, please count me in. About your sun burn, see if you can get hold of some camomile lotion, pop it in the fridge for a few hours, then apply it when it is nice and cool, it always works for me.
I am so excited about this give away, I've never won one before, but have been thinking about doing one myself, I think I will once the rose swap I am hosting is out of the way.
I really hope you are ok, and that your sun burn eases soon, take care , Love Melanie.xxxx

Lululiz said...

I only found your blog about a week ago, but I love it. We have a little cottage in Bourgogne and whenever I am there, I love going to the vide greniers, braderies, brocantes etc etc. I haven't been able to go since November, because of our new doggie ( rest of the family has, without me, humph ), so I would love to win your goodies to make up for missing out on the vide greniers, lol.
I do have you on my follow list as well, and I shall certainly put a link on my blog, too. Keep posting lots of lovely vide greniers finds, won't you?

Anonymous said...

Hi again Floss. I could not post the piccie linking to your give away on my side bar, so what I've done, I've made a new page titled 'Give Aways', on the top left hand side of my blog, and in there I will post links to future give aways I'll be doing, and ones my fellow bloggers are doing. The piccie worked fine in there, and is linked up with this page. I will also announce it on my posts, especially as the closing date draws near.
Take Care
Love Melanie xxxx

Anonymous said...

Ohhh, and thank you so much for adding me to your blogroll, I'm so happy when I make new friends on here, it is wonderful! xxxxx

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

You have the apron in the giveaway! You know how much I love it. Oh please pick me!! I am a follower already and I will link to your post sometime this week. Well that gives me three chances to win so here's hoping. Have a great day, sorry night!

Sal said...

Hi there!
Please count me in!
Thank you ;-)
Seeing your Scottish goodies reminded me of
my 2nd teaching practice,many years ago,when my class and I did a project on Scotland.
It was fab and the room was full of gorgeous art work featuring a variety of tartans etc etc.
We all had great fun! ;-)

Jeannette said...

I have to give it a try...such a wonderful giveaway! And to have 3 chances......wow!
XXX, Jeannette

claire said...

what a fantastic giveaway. I shall pop the button on my sidebar xx

Kris said...

Hi Floss, What a great giveaway. I'm in the states so not sure if I can enter, but I'll be more than happy to put your giveaway button on my sidebar.

I love that you offer the history along with items.

Kris

Alexis said...

Ooh, I just found your blog through Happy Loves Rosie, and I'm so glad! I'm going to subscribe right away!

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Oh, it looks wonderful! I'm going to put your button on my side bar! Thanks for having such a wonderful giveaway.

Poppy said...

I would love to enter please!
What beautiful things!
I have still got loads more too read of your posts, you seem too find lovely things; I would love to live in France.
I hope I can go too Lille again this year for the market!
Love Lou
xxx

Hen said...

Oooh yes, please might I enter? Looking forward now to reading back through your blog.
Hen x

Hazel said...

Found your blog through RedGingham....count me in would love to win those beautiful things!

Anonymous said...

Hi Floss. Lark Rise to Candleford was first aired on the bbc in January 2008, then they made a Christmas special which was shown in December 2008, then series 2 was aired in January 2009, and this summer, they will be busy making series 3 to be shown in early 2010. I love it. Have you read the book by Flora Thompson, it is magical, I adore it, it is my favourite book of all time, and I was so happy to find out the bbc were making a tv adaptation of it. If you love gentle, rural, funny period drama, I would highly recommend you somehow purchase the Lark Rise dvds and the book, you will love them.
Pleased to hear your sun burn is easing off, watch out for the sun stroke.
Take Care
Love Melanie xxxx

Anonymous said...

If you like, I could make you a copy of series one and two of Lark Rise and post them to you? There are 4 discs in each series, also I have a spare copy of the book if you would like that, just let me know. xxxx

Sam said...

pick me ...pick me!!!!

;0)
Sam xx

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

This has to be the most unusual giveaway I've seen yet!

maryboys said...

please add my name, floss:) this is both lovely and educational...

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Count me in. I was hesitant to enter, since I am on the other side of the "pond", and did not know if you wanted to deal with the shipping. Thanks for stopping by. I am on my way over to do a link now.
Glenda

Mandy said...

Oh count me in again and I will definitely put something on my blog too xxx
Thank you for the get well soon message ...

marble rose said...

What a fab giveaway! Count me in and in and in!
I'll also put a link on my blog - thanks for all your comments, it's so lovely you keep coming to see me!
fleur
xxx

Mrs. Cozy Home said...

Count me in too!! That is an *amazing* treasure trove!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Floss! this is such a generous giveaway!!! I will certainly mention it on my blog.
I love all things scottish, my grandfather was a scott.
Please, please put my name in the hat.
Your blog is always such an interesting read. I always come away learning something (often several things) new.
Many congratulations on 100th post, Hope you have many hundred more.
x
Sumea

Olga said...

Hi Floss!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog :)Do come back to it anytime if you like it. Thanks for prompting me about your giveaway, I am eagerly trying my luck as you see ;)Your blog is full of such wonderful objects it is a feast to the eye to visit really. I like the historical context of the giveaway as well ;) By the way I posted today about Venetian hand printed paper, maybe you'd be interested ;)
Cheers,
Olga

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a lovely way to celebrate your 100th post! I'd love to be entered into your giveaway - lovely goodies!

Jayne

Beck said...

Aren't you a sweetie!?? What a generous and fun giveaway. I adore all your treasures & hope whoever wins enjoys them too. Funnily enough I have Scottish forebears on my Dad's side (my surname is Walker) & French on my Mum's (Sherrard). I would love to visit Scotland one day & also return to France. Thanks for always popping by my blog, I

JuanitaTortilla said...

Oh... You know I'm a fan.

http://juanitatortilla.blogspot.com/2009/05/flosss-auld-alliance-giveaway.html

Sorry for being so late in the game! Better late than never :D

canngil said...

What wonderful goodies! My husband is part Scottish, and it would be fun to do a collage for him! He says that he has connections to Clan Frasier, and I remember my father-in-law going all the way to the little Scottish village where his family came from to do genealogical research at the kirk.

Sonia said...

I have been a follower for a while and I have put your giveaway up on my sidebar... pick me, pick me...=) I love everything you're offering especially that Fashion supplement.
Sonia

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Floss,
Thank you for finding the time to comment on my blog so often...I am so humbled!
You have put together a wonderful giveaway prize...I am a lover of everything French (we are coming over in July!)...I would love to be included in your draw,
Niki

Anonymous said...

Oooh hello, Lovely things, lovely blog.
Just found you though Melanie so please do enter me in to your give away.
Thank you!
Bev

This Vintage Life... said...

Oh, please enter me in your lovely giveaway. I hope I'm not too late!
Deb x

Greedy Nan said...

I may, or may not, know of young ones who would like violet flavoured lollipops but Nan will always be Greedy!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What a DELIGHTFUL blog you have! And what a treat to be living in France! I will be back often to read more of your posts!

Your giveaway is very generous! Hubby is French (his roots hail from La Rochelle), and I'm Scottish on my Dad's side (Clan Hay). =)

Lori said...

Please enter me in your contest.
Thanks,
Lori

Lace hearts said...

What a lovely giveaway - you've put that together so carefully. I'd love to enter please.

Anonymous said...

What a treasure of a collection you've put together for this giveaway, please enter me in the hat of chance!!

p.s. good luck for your entry on my blog!!!

Shabby Chick said...

Wow, LOADS of comments! Sorry it's taken me so long to join in but yes please I'd love to be in with a chance and I'm also a follower :)

Mel xxx

Jenn said...

I am so grateful Sumea mentioned you in her blog. And I love that you care so much about your family history. Please enter me in your giveaway.

julia said...

Thanks for popping by and please enter me in your giveaway. Now I'm off to read your previous posts!
Julia xx

Thecraftytrundler said...

Hi Floss!
Would love to join in on the giveaway!! Only just got back yesterday, and looking forward to catching up with you all!!
Will do a little post tonight.... will explain my lack of time today!!

Hugs : )

Sharon xx

Sarah said...

Oh yes, just found your blog - please count me in! I'm also now a follower of your blog if that's OK?
x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

I'm popping my name in the hat if that's ok? Also now following you. :)

ikkinlala said...

Congratulations on 100 posts!

Rachel said...

Hello Floss. I don't even know how I found your blog, but here I am! It's great - I think you're living my dream by moving to France! I'm a British girl living in Canada.
I've become a 'follower' and I will certainly mention your giveaway on my blog. Please come by and visit.
Rachel

Kaye said...

What lovely things you have in your give-a-way. I would be so excited to win them.

Tinyholder said...

Hello, I would love to enter your giveaway! Sign me up! :-)

Jackie said...

Congratulations on your 100 posts! I'd love to be included in your giveaway with all those lovely Scottish and French goodies. I've visited that crafty Treasure Trove shop in Edinburgh lots of times, it's always nice for a browse and to see what other people create :O)

Marie Reed said...

What a fabulous giveaway! I'm coveting that Petit Journal and the tartan handkerchief..well.. everything actually! I am a bit obsessed with violets so those lollipops sound just divine:)
I think that we would be tar and feathered for putting up wonky letter boxes:)

Babs said...

Hello,
I made my way via Melanies lovely blog and yes I'd love to win some of your "bits and bobs"

Thanks so much

Barbara

Elizabethd said...

Just back from Normandy...please enter me in your giveaway...what fun!

kkved said...

What a wonderful collection of pieces! Good luck to everyone!
Kathryn

Anonymous said...

Inspirational as always x

Heloise said...

Just found your blog, so hope it is not too cheeky to ask to be included for your giveaway, it is a fascinating collection of goodies.

I shall enjoy reading more of your blog.

Floss said...

OK, FOLKS, THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! I'M ABOUT TO MAKE THE DRAW... Best of luck to you all.