It is one year ago today since I started this blog! To celebrate this fact, and to say thank you to all of you who have read and commented on my ramblings, I have got together some MIXTAPE-THEMED GOODIES to share with you! Most excitingly, I have one skein of Old Maiden Aunt superwash merino 4ply in the colourway 'Seen the Ocean' (do check out the link: her photography is much better than mine), part of her 'I made you this mixtape' collection that I enthused about here. This is a beautiful, saturated blue, which I found so irresistible that I simply had to get another skein for myself! It would be perfect for a special pair of socks, or a shawlette such as Ishbel or Milkweed, or the undulating lace of Anne Hanson's Rivolo scarf. In fact, I think this yarn would make just about any pattern look ravishing.
When I mentioned that I planned to include the yarn in a giveaway, Lilith very generously threw in lots of little extras - yarnie keyrings, badges, Love Hearts, and an adorable pocket notebook printed with cassette tapes. Thank you so much, Lilith!
The final item in this MIXTAPE-THEMED GIVEAWAY is, inevitably, a mixtape, or rather cd. This will be housed in a sewn cd cover of my own design (the photo above is of a prototype, which may undergo tweaking).
For the chance to win all of this MIXTAPE-THEMED BOUNTY, simply leave a comment on this post telling me about a song you'd like to put on a mixtape, and why (to make the recipient think you are cool or cultured? Because it reminds you of a particular event? Because you just can't stop listening to it at the moment?). Please don't be shy about commenting, whether you've only just come across this blog or have been lurking for a while, whether you live in the U.K. or in Outer Mongolia, whether you are new to knitting or an experienced needle-wielder - all are eligible, all are welcome.
You have until NOON (GMT) ON MONDAY 1 MARCH to enter.
Shall I start things off? I would include the song 'Let's Get Lost' by Chet Baker, because of its effortless cool, its jazzy romance, and the warm, mahogany timbre of Chet's voice. Your turn!
Night Reconnaisance by the Dresden Dolls, because it's a song that I can't help but dance to, and the Dolls are not enough known or loved in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteOh dear this is so hard to only pick one!!
ReplyDeleteToday at this very time I'd go for Fyfe Dangerfield's Barricades. I discovered the Guillemots a few years ago and completely fell in love with them. Dangerfield made a solo album this year and this song is just beautiful. I've never felt such strong emotions listening to music. Makes me cry every time. Love love love!
Awesome giveaway, Giulia!! If I were making a mixtape right now, I'd start it off with "Rock & Roll" by the Velvet Underground - I always like to start off mixtapes with a punch! I might also throw on "Dry the Rain" by the Beta Band, since it reminds me of High Fidelity, which is of course the ultimate mixtape movie.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your anniversary!
hmmm: everyone i make mix cds for has received wrecking ball -- gillian welch. the ease and sway of gillian's voice, the fiddle and the relaxed pacing, all of it comes together to make me feel like everything will be okay.
ReplyDeleteI love any an all versions of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". My husband made me a mix of more than 15 and he recently told me he has more to add to it. There is something so hopeful about that sound and I love listening to it recorded by different artists, with different twists. In fact, off to pop it in now! Thanks for the giveaway. Happy Anniv!
ReplyDeleteRock the Casbah by The Clash.. It makes me so, so happy I squeal with delight when it randomly comes on the radio!
ReplyDeleteFeeling U, Feeling Me - Alicia Keys. because it instills a beautiful feeling that i like to lay in.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually pretty hard to choose, most mix tapes I've made have always been for others. It would probably include Night Swimming by REM, It's a son that always makes me think of teenage summers swimming in rivers and going on expeditions with my sister. It's also the first song on the mix that I was always listening to when I started dating my boyfriend. Thanks for doing the giveaway.
ReplyDeletehum... I would start the mixtape with Cherry Blossom Girl from Air, because I think we all need a bit of that spring weather AND it would be great to go to Japan to see the cherry blossom :)
ReplyDeleteHolly Throsby's version of "Not The Girl You Think You Are". She takes an already vulnerable song and makes it heart-breaking in a totally joyful way.
ReplyDelete"Don't Fall in Love With A Lonely Girl" by Freedy Johnston, because no one I know has heard of him, and I think that's sad. I'm 20, but most of the music I listen to is the kind usually favored by aging hippies, which I consider a mark of quality. But I don't think there's anything about the music that make it inherently unappealing to younger people. I just love it. Anyway, that's my song and thanks for having this giveaway! I really enjoy your blog. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, lovely lovely LOVELY giveaway! Wow! The song I've got running through my head on repeat is Boom by Anjulie. I heard it on a TV show once and had to look it up on youtube. It makes me feel very sensual and empowered, even if the song is about losing control.
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Great giveaway :) i would have All i want is you by Barry Louis Polisar i can't stop singing it because of that advert where they run into the sea!
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Nina Simone, My Baby Just Cares for Me. It's on the only mix tape my boyfriend ever gave me and it makes me smile every time.
ReplyDelete(Hi btw! - thought I should say hello as I've not commented on your blog before)
I would for sure choose the song "Hay Loft" by Mother Mother. Catchy and fantastic. Happy Blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteAwesome and generous giveaway! Amongst countless other great songs, I'd put "While your lips are still red" by Nightwish on a mixed tape. While being incredibly sad, it also has a great passionate quality. I love the dramatic voice of Marco Hietala and quite agree with the line "...a passionate hour's never a wasted one...". Although we never exactly know what way a relationship will go, certain moments remain forever in our heart and soul.
ReplyDeleteHi! Found my way over here from the OMA Rav group and have really enjoyed the song recommendations. Itunes here I come! Ace idea for a blog giveaway. The song I'd put on a mixtape today is Jump the Ride by Joan as Policewoman. Gorgeous vocals, beautiful arrangement, haven't a clue what the lyrics mean but it evokes this amazing atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! I would have to say "Love cats" by The Cure, for sheer "get up and dance at the school disco" fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat anniversary
ReplyDeleteMy song woudl be Eternal Flame by the Bangles, it was the UK number 1 the day my daughter was born and still makes me remember what the early days of being a new mum were like
Wow, what a fantastic giveaway! My mixtape song would be tUnE-yArDs' song 'Fiya'- it's got a great tune, lyrics of unrequited love, and a beatboxing ukulele player. What's not to love? It reminds me of being young and insecure, and it grabs me by the heart every time I hear it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/tuneyards
Happy blogiversary!
I think right now it'd have to be 'Hound Dog', the original Big Mama Thornton version - she had such a powerful voice, and anyone I've ever played it for has loved it. Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about Dar Williams' "Southern California Wants to Be Western New York" at the moment. It's just so affectionate and wry, and I find it really comforting when I get homesick---even though I've never even been to western New York state or southern California!
ReplyDeleteThat is one amazing give away.
Seeing as I'm both a romantic sap, and in a long distance relationship, I'd have to pick either "Destiny" from Zero 7 or "Sparks" from Röyksopp. Both are songs special to my SO and I in the sense that we listened to them a lot when we were first together, and both performed by bands we like.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogversary!
If I made a mixtape "right this even minute," as my son would say, it would have to include Heaven by Robyn Hitchcock. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy and I sing it loudly and passionately in the car. :)
ReplyDeletehappy anniversary!
ReplyDeletemy mixtape would probably have "save tonight" by eagle eye cherry. it reminds me of my last day in paris, sitting on the steps of the sacre coeur, drinking red wine, and listening to a band play that very song. it makes me miss paris something terrible!
If I were making a mixtape right this minute one of my songs would be "Fett's Vet" by MC Chris. It is a 'nerdcore' rap song about Star Wars. I get it stuck in my head all of the time, particularly the line, "I"m a devious degenerate defender of the devil - shut down all the trash compactors on the detention level!"
ReplyDeletest etienne - only love can break your heart
ReplyDeleteit's the only track I never skip on my ipod. It makes me feel like a)I'm 19 b) it's hot and sunny and c) a pint of ice cold cider!
ps - happy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteEvery single mixtape I made had Olivers Army by Elvis Costello on it ... there was just something about the angst and passion in his voice that made it the best song EVER, and it was just MY song! If I was making a mixtape now, there would be so many songs that have to go on it ... Oh Lately It's So Quiet by OK GO - soft, romantic, spinetinglingly wonderful ... Hey Ya by Outkast - fabulously retro cool and funky ... and of course Andre 3000s bare chest and six pack on drums - yum! ... See The Sun by The Kooks - just something about that song that always makes me think of one of my friends. Actually there are so many songs that I would *have* to put on a mixtape that in fact the whole tape would be made of must-haves.
ReplyDeleteThe Best by Tina Turner just because it makes me want to dance! But you don't have to consider this an entry because I'm sure there's got to be some small print about knowing the competition runner..and also I wouldn't be a very worthy recipient of the prize as I haven't picked up my knitting needles in an age and have plenty of yarn that needs using first. So just consider this a hello and I love the rabbit embroidery!
ReplyDeleteB x
p.s the word verification that just came up was 'punme' - thought you'd appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteWow , happy blogversary! What a lovely idea. Mixtape tunes I would choose :- Paul Wellers' "You do something to me!" Oh , and Oasis' "She's Electric", and Duran Duran's Ordinary World , Abbas' Waterloo , Paulo Nutinis' New Shoes ........ off in a wee dwam now, lol. Have fun. Mx
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteI would include "Always Something There to Remind Me", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Dionne Warwick . It sounds quite upbeat but is actually quite sad. You can move on but you can't erase the memories!
Rainy Night in Soho by the Pogues.
ReplyDeleteI love the lyrics, especially this line:
"We watched our friends grow up together
And we saw them as they fell
Some of them fell into Heaven
Some of them fell into Hell"
Happy blogiversary, Giulia, I really enjoy reading your blog and hope for many happy returns:-)
ReplyDeleteMy contribution to your anniversary mixtape would be While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which George Harrison wrote for the White Album (yes, I'm that generation).
Happy Blogiversary!!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to include in a mixed tape the new song by Lady Antebellum - Need You Now. I heard it in the car the other day and can't get it out of my head!