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It's my 30th birthday today, and I've had a really nice time with friends and family. And also, I've had lots of treats and kindness shown. Thank you, everyone. I was a bit nervous about turning 30 because it seems properly grown-up, (and also, I happen to remember my parents turning 30), but I think it's going to be okay after all, if today is anything to go by.

And so, just like I did last year, I'd like to offer a little giveaway here to thank you, too, dear blog-friends. I realised today that I've spent the last half of my twenties blogging here- and it's been great. I treasure you, tiny-happy-readers.

I've made up a parcel with an embroidered locket inside (a bit like this one) and also a small embroidery kit, including a wooden hoop, embroidered needlebook with pins and needles and some thread.

If you'd like to go in the draw to win the parcel, (I'll send it anywhere in the world), just leave a comment on this post, telling me something about yourself. Maybe the book you're reading at the moment, or your favourite thing to eat. Or what you're working on at the moment. Something like that.

Have a great weekend! It's going to be party time here.

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344 responses to “a birthday giveaway”

  1. Rosie Avatar

    Happy birthday! I turned 3-6 this year and it wasn’t as scary as I thought. I rather like my 30’s. I quite my job and started my own craft business and all is going (relatively) well. 30 is the new 40, or so they say. Enjoy!

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  2. Christina Avatar
    Christina

    Happy Birthday Melissa – you’ve achieved wonderful things for an only thirty year old – written by someone staring down the barrel of the big 4-0!!
    Me, I’m getting ready to move on November 1st with my husband and two gorgeous girls, to Antwerp. So am experiencing lots of emotions at the moment! But also finding time to read – just finished a book translated from Swedish – called “Let the Right One In”.
    Enjoy all the celebration of you!

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  3. tsktsk Avatar

    i’m reading tiny happy.
    and this book.
    http://johnboyne.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/noah-barleywater-runs-away/
    reading before I read it with my son.
    Happy birthday lovely lady, I know I’ve already wished you a happy day on FB, but you can’t have too many birthday wishes. enjoy your day.

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  4. Sarah Laing Avatar

    Happy birthday, Melissa! I see that you’re already listening to and reading some good stuff. I loved that Nicole Krauss book. She’s got a new one – must get my hands on it. And I am loving the new Arcade Fire album. It’s so poignant and nostalgic.

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  5. Sarah Couling Avatar

    Still been ready your blog daily. Happy Birthday!! I’ve actually just moved and haven’t been able to work on anything as i have just gotten over food poisoning and found out I’m pregnant. So I’ve been resting all the time. really ready to feel better now and get on and make my Christmas gifts. Hope you have a lovely day. your a very sweet lady and i love reading your blog! xxx

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  6. JeanaMarie Avatar

    Have a very happy birthday, welcome to the 30’s! My little girls and I are reading Little House in the Big Woods together. A chapter a day.

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  7. Tracy Avatar

    Hi Melissa, I recently discovered your blog and absolutely adore it. I look forward to your posts filled with pretty flowers and the lovely delicate items you are creating. Your creations have also ignited a love for vintage fabrics particularly with big and small floral prints.
    At the moment I am most reading my pathophysiology text book in hopes of passing my exam on Tuesday and I am also currently working on a little sundress for my 1 year old niece. (I found a pillow case with a pretty little purple flower print on it for the fabric)
    I am so glad that your birthday has not being as frightening as you anticipated and I hope you continue to grow wiser and more inspired by the world around you and your garden. Your thoughts and posts are a breath of fresh air every day 🙂

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  8. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    OK Melissa, firstly Happy birthday – life only ever gets better (or at least that’s what we need to believe).
    I’m writing to thank you , you make my wife smile and inspired her to get sewing, make things for our girls, and be the beautiful ‘creature’ she is (as in amazing, warm, loving, clever, supportive etc.) In a curious book by Douglas Hofstadter (A mathematician) he explains his reconciliation about losing his wife – in that he realised she is a part of everyones life that she has touched – and naturally those they have touched and so on. Your blog touches many it’s a wonderful gift.
    About me – i am Reading Your Face Tomorrow 1. Fever and Spear by Javier Marias (my wife bought it for me). I admire the hell out of creative people and love every day with my family.
    thank you for the tiny joys you bring to our house

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  9. Mar Ruiz Avatar
    Mar Ruiz

    I wish you a happy birthday and a wonderful time from now on.
    Being 30 years old is quite nice, you’ll see…
    Thank you for sharing your blog, I really love it!!!
    I am a spanish lady married with a dutch man. We live in Spain and we mostly enjoy living a quiet life.
    Lately I have rediscovered that i enjoy crocheting, something I learned as a little girl. I’ve read recently that “crochet is yoga for the hands”, I do yoga everyday, so now I also crochet.
    Muchas Felicidades!!!

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  10. Rosa in The Antipodes Avatar
    Rosa in The Antipodes

    Happy Birthday, Melissa! I know exactly what you’re talking about…I just turned 40 and it was weird! It was like my parents age, not mine! Anyway it wasn’t as painful as I was expecting to be. =) Life is good! Have a lovely sunny day!

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  11. Séverine Avatar

    Oh Melissa, you are so young! Well I am ‘just’ 35 but I always considered 80’s kids as much younger 🙂
    So this is my 1st comment here, but I had to wish you a Very Happy Birthday except on your 30th!
    And to tell you something about myself, I love indian food and especially to bake my own nan breads!
    Enjoy the day (or maybe it is the night right now where you are?)

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  12. bridget Avatar

    melissa happy birthday you tiny young thing!
    on an unrelated birthday note, i remember you were enjoying sarah laing’s graphic blog & i wondered if you’d read the graphic novels ‘maus’ or persepolis’? they are both in the nelson library.
    http://www.amazon.com/Persepolis-Story-Childhood-Marjane-Satrapi/dp/037571457X
    or http://www.amazon.com/Maus-Survivors-Father-History-Troubles/dp/0679748407
    i totally recommend both to you.
    happy party weekend!

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  13. Jacqui Dodds Avatar

    Hi Melissa
    Happy Birthday!
    I have just read ‘No and me’ by Delphine de Vegan a really good read – my daughter who turned 17 last week has enjoyed it as well.
    Jacqui x

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  14. fleur Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I am at home knitting and being sick and tired… reading your blog as I always do, and enjoying your delicate embroidery! I haven’t turned the other decade yet, and the 30s aren’t the glorioust especially if you have small kids 😉 but the sweetest, at least for homade cakes and tiny little things like the one of yours!

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  15. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Happy Birthday Melissa, remember… the older you get, the older old is 🙂
    I love your blog, You are so very talented. Thanks for the tutorials. I am currently working on some patchwork balls for my wee girl Lily!
    Thanks for the endless inspiration!

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  16. Constance Avatar
    Constance

    happy birthday for the 65th time, but I think on birthday you cant get enough of that, can you?
    My sister started cheating on me lately for turning 30 much earlier than her, but I don
    t mind, I love birthdays for the party and, of course, the presents, its my day no matter what number is on the cake. But maybe it will feel different, when the big 30 ist coming up…
    Now, most of the time I`m working on my diploma, I´m trying to design dishes to go for the good soups and teas and cakes of bio cafes here in berlin, a lot of origami included. It´s real fun, but when I need a break, I enjoy myself making buttons with flowershaped yoyos and some embroidery…
    Have a nice week and a good year!
    Constance

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  17. louana Avatar

    Happy happy birthday dear friend! I’m glad to hear that you had a great day, I can’t believe that I turned 31 this year, to be honest it isn’t that bad (well I like to keep telling myself that).
    I’m trying to find some inspiration at the moment, too much cleaning and not enough crafting – I think I need to reverse the balance. xxx happy weekend to you.

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  18. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Happy Birthday. I’m 33 & it’s good. I like been grown up. But with little children around there is always a good excuse to be childish too! After borrowing ’embroidered treasures’ by Claire Garland from the library I am working on a little mermaid (but can’t find my hoop!) If you haven’t seen it you might like it. There is a really cute sailor boy that I think will be next. Enjoy you weekend.

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  19. Jennie Avatar

    Happy Happy Birthday to you Melissa!
    I must say, that turning 30 (7 years ago) was quite a milestone. For me it was such a relief to be out of those ’20’s’ and I really started to relax into myself. If you know what i mean!
    *I have been busy making 6 maori dolls – sewing up the heads whilst at Miss 4’s swimming lesson today!xx

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  20. Barbara Avatar

    Happy Birthday!
    I’ve recently turned 40! But I feel more as if I’ve turned 30… Something else about myself: I’m currently taking a one term course on natural science and enjoying every second of it! It’s part of my teaching qualifications and it’s been the most exciting term ever!

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  21. Fiona Avatar
    Fiona

    Hi Melissa! I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now but never had the “courage” to comment – so its lovely that my first comment to you is to wish you a Happy Birthday! I hope you have a special day with many more Happy Birthdays to come! I’m currently reading Witi Ihimaera’s “Sky Dancer”. I’ve read it before but love the Maori legends/stories about all the birds! Best wishes.

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  22. Alicia Avatar
    Alicia

    Happy birthday, Melissa!!!
    After 30’s times flies even more!
    I am reading a book about Japan and dreaming to coming back (^__^)
    Have a nice weekend!

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  23. Little Miss S. Avatar

    Congratulations – and have a happy happy birthday. I’m sitting with my tea and radio on and wishing it was my birthday too, today now 🙂

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  24. Ida Avatar

    Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful giveaway!
    I live in Denmark and I can’t believe how short the days have become lately!

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  25. julie Avatar

    Happy birthday Melissa! I’m sure you’ll be fine in your thirties;)
    I have that Homemade book too and love it.
    Right now I want to make a simple dress from one of the Stylish Dress Books with a piece of Nani Iro fabric I recently bought. I am always postponing it because I’m afraid to botch up that gorgeous fabric. I’ll get there eventually!

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  26. Daria Avatar

    happy birthay Melissa!!
    I don’t remember the day I turned 30… and that was only 2 years ago… May I worry?

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  27. Kanchan Karai Avatar

    Happy Birthday, Melissa. Have a wonderful day and whole year ahead.

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  28. Heidi Avatar

    Happy Birthday 🙂
    I will be 35 in December. Turning 30 was much scarier for me, and for the same reason you mention. It meant that I was officially a “grown-up”, and therefore subject to all of the expectations and obligations that came with the title. It was awful.
    Life is too short to worry about how many days have passed since you took your first breath here on Earth. Enjoy your birthday and CELEBRATE being 30 and fabulous!
    We are far more cool than our parents were at that age anyway 😉
    hugs!

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  29. Arabella Avatar
    Arabella

    Hello and happy belated birthday Melissa. I am an archivist and work at Canterbury cathedral, but sometimes I find I need to forget about looking at history and the past and remember to take in what is happening in the present and with every changing season. Thank you for providing such an inspiring blog and reminding me to look for joy and creativity in everything around me.

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  30. Janet Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa, 30 seems so long ago now. I love reading your blog, I have also been inspired to do a little embroidery with my granddaughter we made some of those lovely brooches. i must admit my passion is knitting socks.

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  31. Kitty Vane Avatar

    Happy birthday! May your day be filled with wonderful things. 🙂
    30 is a good age to be, not too old, not too young, but just right!
    And here’s a random fact about me: the topmost joints of my fingers are double jointed, so my fingertips can bend backwards.

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  32. Christina Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I’ll be 30 next year. Right now I am reading Bill Bryson’s ‘At Home’ and my sister is on her way for a glass of wine and to watch ‘Annie Hall’.
    🙂

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  33. tinyhappy Avatar

    kia ora richard- and thank you for your amazing comment!

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  34. deb Avatar

    Happy Birthday! turning 30 is great… I remember (vaguely!) feeling like a real grown-up!! I also thought I’d had all my children but had one in my 30s and one in my 40s!!

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  35. Saskia Avatar

    Happy birthday to you! Oh my 30! It’s a very good year!
    I am turning 36 in a few weeks time… ouch!
    At this moment I am busy knitting as fall is kicking in and winter is just around the corner I am in need of a sweater and hats and scarfs etc… 🙂

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  36. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you bridget- i know persepolis but the not the other one- thank you for the recommendation! ill look for it tomorrow. 🙂

    Like

  37. lekki Avatar
    lekki

    Many happy returns of the day Melissa. I’m a wife to 1, mum of 4 girls and teacher of about 30 awesome 3 and 4 year olds. I’m, reading “the Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini (it’s very good, I recommend it). I’m working on making fabric Christmas decorations for an internet swap I’m involved in. I’m also knitting dishcloths for my friends and family. My 3rd daughter is visiting from Tauranga, she’ll be 22 tomorroa and I’m looking forward to a family dinner here tomorrow evening. I check your blog every day and thoroughly enjoy reading about what you’ve been making and doing in your life. Keep up the good work 🙂

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  38. lekki Avatar
    lekki

    erk, tomorroa! (tommorrow) grins

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  39. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, carla- i hope you can come and live here one day but belgium is a lovely place too. 🙂

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  40. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, nicky! i hope youre doing well. x

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  41. Arabella Avatar
    Arabella

    Sorry I got my dates confused! Have a great day (not belated!)

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  42. Ann B Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa!!!
    It is long while since I was 30 but I do remember it well. I love your blog and all the things that you share with us.
    I have given up full time work this year to be a full time crafter and I am just loving it.

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  43. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi n.e.h- thank you for your comment! i lived in south korea for a while and fell in love with pojagi when i first saw them- have fun!

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  44. Katy (France) Avatar
    Katy (France)

    Happy Birthday – Joyeux anniversaire
    I’m working on several projects (as usual..) one of which is an embroidered version of a birthday card my daughter received last year…butterflies and purple, very pretty. Oh and getting started on my christmas stuff..lots of presents to prepare 🙂
    If you want to read something lovely, I recommend Marie Claire Idees (I know it’s not a book..but it’s so deliciously crafty), a french magazine, always full of yummy ideas for each season ♥

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  45. Moni Stuke Avatar

    Happy Birthday!
    I had my best birthday party for my 40.
    Now I am 44, no matter!
    Have a nice day, Melissa!

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  46. Joan Browning Avatar

    Happy birthday Melissa.. 30 is such a nice age..enjoy being your most beautiful self at 30. I have lived twice + your age and the trick is to passionately love whatever age you are. It never comes back. Live the moment! I am fully retired and it is wonderful. I am reading Signs In The Blood, a mystery by Vicki Lane of the Apalachian Mountains, and I met her through blogging. What a magic world we live in and what wonders await in your next 30 years!

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  47. delaney @ heartbreakpie Avatar

    What beautiful gifts you’re giving away! I love birthdays. And don’t worry, 30 is the new 21. Have fun!

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  48. tinyhappy Avatar

    oh- happy birthday to you! enjoy the paella. 🙂

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  49. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you joan, for your inspiring comment – ill try to do that. 🙂

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  50. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks so much, margie- enjoy painting your new studio- sounds exciting! xx

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