When we introduced Jenna Rose’s winning design on the cloth shopping bags at the Spring 2008 OOAK Show, we were astounded by how popular the reusable totes were amongst our show visitors. With 60% of our stock gone by the first day, the bags actually (completely!) sold out by the second day of the show!

Back in June, we’ve once again recruited our exhibitors to submit a design to the 2008 Christmas OOAK Reusable Shopping Bag Design Contest. With three times the entries (compared to Spring 2008), the competition was fierce, and after careful deliberation, we are proud to announce Schoolyard Studio as the grand prize winner! Read on to find out more about Hilary and Katy, and the inspirations behind their winning design!

Image: courtesy of Schoolyard Studio (Look for Schoolyard at Booth J-5 at the upcoming Christmas Show in Toronto!)

Schoolyard’s Mission: We design and produce classic gifts with playful, original prints and a small environmental footprint.

Schoolyard’s Bio: Schoolyard is collaboration between designers Katy Chan and Hilary Dennis. Our shared love of colour, texture and pattern led us to develop a line of textiles and paper for people who are as eco and design conscious as we are. Recycled, reclaimed and organic materials are the starting point for everything we make. We are constantly on the lookout for the most environmentally effective ways to make our paper and fabric goods and bring them to you! The Schoolyard line is designed and produced locally out of our Toronto screen-printing studio.

ABOUT THE DESIGN: Evergreens
“Evergreens” is a mix of crisp graphic shapes, and hand drawn elements, to create a playful pattern- a signature of Schoolyard prints.

The “Evergreens” reusable shopping bags are now available on sale. Click here for more info.