Celeste Blake Designs Gallon-size Reusable Bag Giveaway & Review

Reusable gallon-size bag from Celeste Blake Designs,
$13.95 (incl. shipping)

About 7 months ago, I ran out of quart-size and sandwich-size bag disposable plastic bags simultaneously. As I pulled the last one or two baggies out of the box, I resolved to stop buying disposable baggies and find reusable alternatives to replace them. Since then, I have tried and reviewed numerous reusable food bags, and I am proud to say that I have not purchased any more disposable plastic bags since then.

But. . . I am still using disposable gallon-size bags. Until recently, I didn’t know of a suitable reusable alternative.



But now I do! For the last couple of months, I have been test-driving one gallon-size reusable bag by Etsy shop Celeste Blake Designs (provided to me free to facilitate review). Previously, I had tried and loved Celeste Blake Designs' reusable sandwich bags and snack bags, and so I was thrilled when the owner asked me to review her newest creation: a gallon-size reusable bag.

Reusable bags by Celeste Blake Designs have the following features:
  • Zipper closure: easy to open and close, quiet, and clean (doesn’t catch crumbs). 
  • Food-safe, waterproof nylon liner. The nylon interior is always white.  The thick nylon liner (heavier than ripstop nylon) makes these bags ideal for long-term storage in the fridge or freezer as well as for storage of very wet items. 
  • No exposed seams. Exterior and interior layers are sewn separately to prevent wicking. 
  • Excellent prices: $13.95 for the cotton/nylon gallon-size bags and $14.20 for double-layer nylon gallon-size bags with 2 layers of nylon. Prices include cost of shipping to the US. Buy multiple items and save on shipping! 
  • Hand or machine washable (air dry).  
  • Available in 3 sizes: snack (5.75" x 4.5"), sandwich (7” x 7”), and gallon (11” x 12”). 
  • Gallon-size bags come in two styles: 1) all-cotton exterior with waterproof nylon liner -or- 2) two layers of waterproof nylon (colorful nylon exterior, white nylon interior -- see photo below).
  • 100% cotton exteriors come in a huge variety of fabulous designer prints (see photos in this post). Nylon exteriors come in a variety of solid colors (see photo below).



For the last couple of months, I’ve been using my gallon-size reusable bag to store my healthy whole grain "cookies" in the freezer. The bag has worked perfectly, keeping my cookies fresh and free of freezer burn. These bags are not 100% air-tight (you can push air out through the zipper when closed, so I would not store liquids such as soup in them), but they are pretty close. This bag is the solution I have been looking for to my gallon-size disposable bag habit. I will be purchasing several more in the coming months. Here is what I plan to use them for:


10 Uses for Gallon-Size Reusable Bags


Frozen healthy cookiesThe gallon-size bag almost holds my double recipe (since quite a few get eaten straight out of the oven). I also always keep a smaller bag full of healthy cookies in the freezer to grab when we leave the house, which I refill from the big bag as necessary.

Frozen bananas. I always have broken up over-ripe bananas in the freezer for smoothies and banana bread. My current disposable plastic bag is looking mighty gross, so this will be the very next thing I use a reusable bag for.

Deli meat in the fridge. My nitrate-free deli meat from Trader Joe’s comes in a “reseal-able” container, but it’s not reseal-able enough for me, so I always stick it inside a gallon-size disposable bag as well. I’ve noticed that these bags look gross and/or the closure breaks after about a month.

Frozen not-so-healthy chocolate chip cookies or brownies. I hate almost all store-bought baked desserts, and love having cookies and brownies on hand in the freezer for the occasional treat. Also, if I freeze part of the batch, I don’t feel obligated to eat it all before it goes stale.

Frozen black bean burger patties. Someday I’ll post this recipe. I always make a double recipe.

Bag of flour. I grind enough hard white wheat berries to last me one to two weeks.  I store the freshly ground flour in the freezer to preserve nutritional value (before buying a grinder, I kept store-bought whole wheat flour in the freezer inside a plastic bag). Currently I’m using a plastic Tupperware container to store my whole wheat flour, but I would rather put my freshly ground flour in a used white flour paper sack, and put that inside a reusable gallon-size bag, because that would take up considerably less space, especially as the flour gets used.  I have a very small freezer.

Wet bag. It is very handy to have a wet bag in your diaper bag and in your car. These bags can be used for a dirty cloth diaper, clothes wet from a potty training accident, swimming clothes, or clothes that got wet from an unexpected trip to a park (or friend’s home) with water activities.

Super cute toiletry bag. I’ve always used a disposable plastic bag as a toiletry bag. I would like to get a reusable gallon-size bag with a super cute fabric to use instead. It might be nice to have 2 or 3 for this purpose actually, since I usually need one just for the shampoo, conditioner and contact solution.

Sewing/ art/ craft supplies. You don’t really need a waterproof bag for sewing or art supplies, but it would be nice to have an extra thick bag to protect little hands from scissors or to contain the mess from a leaky marker.

Homemade play-doh. My kids eat play-doh, so it’s best if I keep the preservative-free homemade variety on hand in the fridge.



A few more ideas:
  • Frozen home-prepped ingredients such as cooked shredded, sliced or diced meats; shredded or sliced cheeses; herbs; bread crumbs; blanched veggies; fresh berries and other fruits. 
  • Frozen home-made prepared foods like baked goods, burritos or enchiladas. 
  • For messy food preparation (crushing nuts, crushing crackers or cookies for a pie crust, breaking up bread crumbs). 
  • Picnic: store reusable utensils, cloth napkins and other supplies, then use the bag to store your dirty used items until you get home. 

Of course you could use your reusable gallon-size bags for a million other things, just like folks do with the disposable variety. But I plan to mostly use my bags for items that require a thick waterproof layer. If you also want to use your gallon-size reusable bag for puzzle pieces or Legos, go right ahead! At this time, I mostly use drawstring cloth bags for these types of items, although I have to help my kids open those, so I sure wouldn’t mind having more zippered bags for storing those items as well!

What about raw meat? I have issues with raw meat, and I don’t think I’ll ever use reusable bags for meat. The only reusable containers I store raw meat in are my Pyrex containers which can be put through the dishwasher. Instead, I buy meat already packaged in smallish shrink-wrapped portions at Costco, preferably without any Styrofoam, so that I don’t need to repackage my frozen meat purchases. But feel free to try it if you aren’t such a raw meat-phobe as I am.

But I won’t be able to see what’s inside! If you do replace your disposable bags with reusable bags, I recommend that you buy a variety of prints. At first it was a little more difficult to use opaque reusable bags to store food in the fridge or freezer, since I couldn’t see the contents without opening the bag. But I soon learned to use the same bag for the same thing over and over again. Now, for example, my 2-year-old will open the fridge, and take out the blue and white reusable bag whenever she wants a little slice of parmesan cheese, because she has figured out that this is the bag I always keep my block of parmesan cheese in. My 4-year-old knows that the large bag with colorful pears on it in the freezer holds my healthy cookies. Actually, in the freezer, I think Celeste Blake Designs' colorful prints make finding what I want even easier than using transparent plastic bags. I find it much easier to grab my healthy cookies in the colorful pear print bag than to sift through my various disposable transparent bags for my frozen bananas.

Enter to win this reusable gallon-size bag!

Giveaway

To win a gallon-size reusable bag (pictured above) of your very own from Celeste Blake Designs, simply leave a comment below about what you plan to use your gallon-size reusable bag for. Include your email in your comment, unless I can figure it out from your commenting persona (Blogger profile/ blog/ etc.).

Extra entries (leave an additional comment for each extra entry):
  • Spread the word by email, Facebook, Twitter, carrier pigeon, etc. (you can use the buttons at base of the post). 
  • Make Celeste Blake Designs an Etsy favorite (you need an Etsy account to do this). 
  • Extra entry for current or new Eco-novice subscribers (this includes readers who subscribe by feed or email, "like" Eco-novice on Facebook, or regular readers by some other method). Tell me how you subscribe/ follow/ read Eco-novice in your comment. 

You can enter the contest FOUR times total. Leave a different comment for each entry. Contest open to residents of the US, Canada or Australia. Giveaway ends Thursday, June 30, 2011.

**June is Etsy Giveaway Month at Eco-novice** 
New giveaway each week! 
Don't forget to enter last week's Giveaway for a set of stainless steel straws 


What will you use your gallon-size reusable bag for?


This post is part of


Disclosure: I received one free gallon-size bag from Celeste Blake Designs to facilitate this review. Celeste Blake Designs is also currently advertising on my blog. I am trading my ad space for store credit so that I can buy more of these awesome bags. See my full disclosure policy here.

111 comments:

  1. Pick me, pick me, pick me!! Like you, I've made the switch to smaller sized bags but am still using (and reusing gallon sized ziplocks). I'd love to have some of these!!

    BTW, love the idea of using different print for different foods. Genius!

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  2. Also, fav'd her on Etsy.

    You should know that the two links to Celeste Blake Design did not work for me. Just took me to an error page. Thx!

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  3. Ahhh!!! Cookies in the freezer would be such a great use for a reusable bag. This post has made me hungry for an evening snack.

    I would probably actually use this bag to store my freezer compost. The bags I have been using are not durable, and they rip and then stick to the frozen compost, which is not good since the bags are not compostable. This bag looks like it would hold up well and not tear when I go out to empty out my frozen compost!

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  4. I have added Celeste Blake Design to my Etsy favorites :)

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  5. I am subscribed with Google Reader

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  6. I shared on FB

    Zoe Kyklos

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  7. I would use it as a wet bag for my cloth diapers when we leave the house.

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  8. That's a great idea-- I would totally love to use it for my toiletry bag.

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  9. I love Celeste Blake Designs!! I have a handful of her bags and I love them!! Great quality. Would love to win the gallon size bag. I would use it to store bread or muffins.

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  10. I am a subscriber to Eco-Novice!

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  11. Tweeted this giveaway!

    @FrugalLearning

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  12. I don't have any reusuable bags like this. I'd love to get one to try out!!

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  13. I'd love these bags to store our chips, and homemade goodies. I always end up putting open bags of chips in plastic bags to keep them fresher, longer. Of course, I wash & reuse the plastic bags, but I'd love to not have to use them at all!!!

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  14. I would use mine to store frozen fruit to go with homemade yogurt.

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  15. I totally need a bigger bag for wet bag for used cloth diaps. This would be perfect!

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  16. follower via google reader

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  17. spread the word via email

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  18. I think I'd have to get used to not being able to see what it is I"m looking for. I liked your idea about getting different prints and then after time coming to know what they hold. I'd love one for my cheese. Great review.

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  19. Celese Blake Designs is an etsy favorite

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  20. I'd use it as a wet bag for the car.

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  21. What a great size! I'd use it to store my snack mix in.

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  22. Hearted on Etsy! (as rjcharms)

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  23. Following on Fb and vi Google Reader

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  24. I would put baked cookies in it! These bags look so cute and portable!
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I am a new subscriber via Google Reader!
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I added their shop to my favs. Username tigg90
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I would use mine to store frozen fruit.

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  28. frozen berries!
    florentina.tase@gmail.com

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  29. I would use it for everything! But mostly carrots.

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

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  30. I'd probably use mine to hold chopped lettuce for salad. Thanks for the giveaway! :-)
    maria.the.uncommon at gmail dot com

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  31. Tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/Perfect5thGDAE/status/82060379554988033
    maria.the.uncommon at gmail dot com

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  32. I would use the bag to store my homemade bread in! Right now, I am using gallon sized disposable plastic bags (although I reuse them over and over for as long as I can)...but this would be just great! :)

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  33. I like you on facebook! :) Katy A.
    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  34. I hearted Celeste's etsy shop! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  35. tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/KatyLMA/status/82063058557603840

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  36. Baby carrots, celery -- my veggie snacks I love! :)

    and - wow! My name is Celeste too!

    celeste@mail4me.com

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  37. I follow eco-novice via Google Friend Connect

    celeste@mail4me.com

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  38. We make homemade pancakes and freeze them for our daughter to eat whenever she wants. That's what I would use the bag for! :)

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  39. not freezable necessary but I would use it for potato chips or cookies when theyve been opened and need to be sealed again

    trustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com

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  40. I use my dehydrator to make things like tofu jerky and crunchy garlic green bean snacks. I never have enough storage!

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  41. I just subscribed to eco-novice with Google Reader. First time on this site! I will definitely pass the word, too.

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  42. I started using sandwich wrap bags - genius! and sandwich bag sized reuseable bags and haven't switched to gallon size yet. I'd use them for lots of things. I grab a gallon bag when I'm traveling for sunblock and other items that have the potential to leak in my luggage. Also, for packages of cheese, grapes, anything larger than the quart or sandwich size.

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  43. I would use the reusable bag as a wetbag for cloth diapers or swimsuits. I don't have a nice size one for the diaperbag gallon size would be perfect.
    herent@comcast.net

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  44. I favorite the shop :) Mvegan5

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  45. I would use one of these bags for freezer storage of opened bags of nuts (instead of using a gallon Ziplock bag as I currently do) -- storing something dry, like nuts, means I wouldn't have to wash the bags and with such a cute storage bag I'd rather just keep it clean and not worry about wearing the bag out.

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  46. I would use mine for keeping all the supplies for my pump in one spot. I have them all over my car and I usually use grocery bags if I need to gather them up...a designated bag would be helpful!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. i would love it for our pretzels..but i'm sure if my son found it it would become a train storage to go bg
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

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  48. I would use it to hold my daughter's sippy cup when we go out. Her cups always leaking out a bit if they are turned upside down or on their side. When we go out, I always seem to get milk or juice on me, my diaper bag, everywhere. This would be great to keep that mess contained while she's not using it. I know the bag isn't completely water tight, but I think it would do a great job of catching those little droplets. I also like the idea of using it to put her sporks and pacci in; much better than wrapping them in a paper towel. :-)

    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  49. new email subscriber
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  50. hearted Celeste Blake Design's shop on Etsy as ColorBomb

    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  51. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/SnowflakeDay/statuses/82992028425785344

    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  52. I would store fresh baked goods!

    jo.tee35 AT gmail DOT com

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  53. I would use the bag to store freshly picked blueberries for freezing!

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  54. how awesome! we'd store our cookies too!
    feh79 at yahoo dot com

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  55. subscribed via google reader
    feh79 at yahoo dot com

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  56. I also grind my own flour from hard white and hard red wheat berries. This bag sounds perfect for storing the extras as you mention.

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  57. I'd use it for frozen berries - I plan to freeze a lot of them this summer.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

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  58. I'd use it for diapers, especially while traveling

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  59. regular reader when my wife tells me you have a new post

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  60. spread the word via email

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  61. I would use mine to store Medela pump parts in when I'm taking it to work.

    appetizerforacraftymind(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  62. I would love to use this for leftovers such as hamburgers and hotdogs.

    cmw_2289 at yahoo dot com

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  63. i would use it for sauces fir the fridge, you know the loose ketchups, mustards, mild sauce from TB etc!) email is public on my public blogger profile (click my name GKBCCB!)

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  64. I would use it to store fruits in when we go out of town

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  65. I would probably use it for my kids - let them use it as a toy bag that they can take with them for the car, restaurants, etc.

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  66. I'd love one of these for lunches in my backpack!! Such a great idea!

    bussis dot krista at gmail dot com

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  67. I tweeted this giveaway!

    bussis dot krista at gmail dot com

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  68. I hearted the etsy shop!

    bussis dot krista at gmail dot com

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  69. I plan to use it as a toiletry bag -
    cgies25 at hotmail

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  70. New follower of your blog via GFC!

    bussis dot krista at gmail dot com

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  71. As a lover of fruit, I would love to be able to freeze summer yumminess in one of these cute bags!!

    Early dot erica at gmail dot com

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  72. I favorited CelesteBlakeDesigns on Etsy!! (emearly)

    Early dot erica at gmail dot com

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  73. I tweeted about this giveaway! (embracingerica)

    Early dot erica at gmail dot com

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  74. I liked on FB!!

    Early dot erica at gmail dot com

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  75. I would use the gallon bags for storing my bulk cheese in the freezer and fridge! Thanks!

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  76. I subscribe to your RSS feed via Netvibes, thanks!

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  77. I would use mine as a makeup bag, can never seem to keep all my makeup together!

    tjmetz @ mchsi. com

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  78. Hearted on Etsy as sunsign6

    tjmetz@ mchsi. com

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  79. I would use mine for freezing frozen meats bought in large quantities.. it would freeze well without the risk of freezer-burn!
    chris-tea@hotmail.com

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  80. this would definitely get used for food. fruits, veggies, etc.

    rkriege1 at kent dot edu

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  81. Definitely for keeping veg fresh in the fridge.

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  82. I need a few of these actually... I'd use it for my art supplies. I paint at the beach, so having something I can take with me for my pain and brushes and that would not allow fluids to spill out would be great.

    armadavolya at hotmail dot com

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  83. I would use the gallon size bag for cheese. Thanks for the chance to win!

    giveaway.raes(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. I've added Celeste Blake Designs to my favorites on etsy (RavensRascals)

    giveaway.raes(at)gmail(dot)com

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  85. I like Eco-Novice on facebook (Rachel Earle Edwards Martorano)

    giveaway.raes(at)gmail(dot)com

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  86. I always store my liquid items in a gallon bag when I travel, and this would work great!

    mrs.marcus2 at yahoo dot com

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  87. I would like one of these. I cook a big batch of soaked waffles once a month (ish) and then freeze them in a gallon bag to pull out for breakfasts later. I reuse the same gallon bag, unless someone else (my mother occasionally) throws it away! But this is a much nicer option.

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  88. I'd use the bag to hold my take-away lunch!

    tarheelgalwv32 @ hotmail dot com

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  89. I tweeted about it!
    jeswain
    Yay I want a giant reusable zipper bag bag! How fun! Eco-novice: Going Green Gradually: Gallon-size Reusable Bag Giv... eco-novice.com/2011/06/celest…

    Oh, my email is: aliveagaintoday85 at gmail dot com

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  90. I would use it for Bagels or cookies.
    oregonrockmom@gmail.com

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  91. I LOVE THIS!! I am trying so hard to go green, or greener at least but ziploc bags are my kryptonite. Lol. I have the reusable smaller bags but I so need a big size. I use them in all my packing (for trips, lol) and to store food.

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  92. Tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/lewalk76/status/86577568412741632

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  93. Celeste's shop was already a fave of mine on Etsy.

    lewalk

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  94. id use this to store shreaded cheese

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

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  95. I'd use mine as a wet bag!

    annae07@aol.com

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  96. made it a fav on etsy

    AAPL username

    annae07@aol.com

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  97. I would use it for grapes!
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

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  98. I tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/JessicaADavis/status/86668842679533568

    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  99. I shared this on facebook!
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=165030136897290&id=100002400632299

    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  100. I Made Celeste Blake Designs an Etsy favorite
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete

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