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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. tinyhappy Avatar

    you make me laugh, miss smith. i knew about all those things except the kidneys.

    Like

  2. Nathalie Avatar
    Nathalie

    Happy birthday to you, Melissa!
    I loved my 30s but embraced the 40s this summer, so this is fine too.
    In my days as a working mum I try to include creativity when possible as a counterweight to the high technical and fast moving surrounding. At the moment I´m coping with the garden harvest and making quince gelly and applesauce – yummy.

    Like

  3. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you camilla, thats beautiful! much love to you, melissa x

    Like

  4. Julie Avatar

    Happy birthday Melissa … I turned 43 this week. Still reeling from that. And I like to craft. And read craft blogs. Which often takes up the time I have put aside for crafting …

    Like

  5. Holly C. Avatar

    Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Melissa!
    I’m 42, I live in Pennsylvania, USA, and I really enjoy your lovely, calming, beautiful blog. 🙂

    Like

  6. Vanessa Avatar

    What a gorgeous giveaway !! Right now I am working on a cross stitch piece for my daughter and her husband to be. I am reading the book Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay – I picked it up from the library, what a fantastic book. I started it yesterday and am half way through already – amazing for me as it takes me a month to read a book. Not this one! Please enter me in!

    Like

  7. Laura Avatar

    As usual I have several projects on the go. The one I’m most happy with is some embroidery on felt that’s going to be a Christmas decoration. One of those projects that turns out maybe even better then imagined! Also, I’m turning 30 next year, glad to hear it’s not scary!

    Like

  8. Ellie Avatar
    Ellie

    Happy birthday! Yours was the first blog I ever found, before I really knew such a thing existed. You inspired me to start some sewing of my own – a whole new hobby. Imagine my joy when my 12 year old daughter asked for her own sewing machine for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. So exciting… I feel like I’m passing on a fun and resourceful skill and and I hope that one day she’ll do the same. May your 30s be full of warmth and fun!

    Like

  9. Marilyn Avatar
    Marilyn

    Happy Birthday! Thank you!
    I am a grandmother of 2 and love my grandchildren. I hope they will grow up to appreciate the handmade things in life!

    Like

  10. Frauke Avatar

    Hallo Melissa!
    Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Deinem Geburtstag!
    30years is an wonderfull age!
    Good Luck!
    I love your blog, because you inspired me often.
    Last year you showed us crocheted stones.
    This summer it was for a few weeks very hot in germany.
    I remembered your stone an began to crochet. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraukemcmurphy/4978755497/in/set-72157624640459891/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraukemcmurphy/4978755497/in/set-72157624640459891/
    I’d so much fun! Thanks for your post!
    Frauke from germany

    Like

  11. abbehope Avatar

    Happy birthday 🙂 I’m at work this cold fall\early winter day in Norway, and can’t wait to get home to my knitting! When winter comes I just want to stay in and knit in front of the fireplace!

    Like

  12. essie Avatar

    happy birthday! it’s so lovely of you to do a giveaway to celebrate.
    i’m essie, and i’m an embroiderer too – i love your style and it would be great to win! x

    Like

  13. Karen at sew and sow life Avatar

    Sending you wishes for the happiest of birthdays! I am 54, and I think life just gets better and better. Richer, fuller, deeper!
    Yesterday I made a birthday gift for a friend, and I must say, finding your blog has inspired me to dip back into embroidery. (There’s a “sneak peek” look at it over at my blog.) I used vintage buttons to get me started.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely work with us here at tiny happy.

    Like

  14. JenMeister Avatar

    Happy Birthday! My honours thesis is due in 10 days so I’ve taken a break from crafting but still get my fix through all the lovely blogs x

    Like

  15. roxanne reynolds Avatar
    roxanne reynolds

    happiest of happy birthdays! i’m quite fond of the number 15 – my birthday is on may 15 and it’s one of my lucky numbers!

    Like

  16. Andrea Avatar

    Happy Birthday! What gorgeous flowers in that top photo. Right now I’m reading Shirley Jackson, edited by Joyce Carol Oates…love her slightly creepy stories.

    Like

  17. Carla H. Avatar

    Oh, I was so thrilled to see you replied my comment. It was one of the first comments i ever left on blogs…and the first reply!
    You are absolutely right, Belgium is great! I lived some years in Africa so I know how sweet home is. But being abroad for some time opens up your life so much and the nature in NZ is stunning and the people seem so one of a kind… So one bright day I want to come and see your country for myself.
    Do you have a far away place you would like to go and visit one day e.g. before you turn 40 :-)?
    take care,
    Carla
    To: carlahuysmans@hotmail.com

    Like

  18. Nicole Avatar

    Have a sweet birthday dear Melissa! May your 30s bring you even more tiny happy moments (and some big happy moments too!)
    You can probably guess what I’m working on now… lots of knitting for the coming cold here in Canada. I’m also reading and greatly enjoying Ovid’s Metamorphoses. I’ve read a lot of literary novels in my 40 years, but no classical literature. It’s been wonderful going on adventures with the gods of Roman mythology. I think Homer’s Odyssey is next.
    (Because I’ve already had the good fortune of winning one of your beautiful feather lockets, I would ask that you not put me in your draw.)

    Like

  19. Ambika Avatar

    I am currently working on my first ever “softie for Mirabel”
    http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2010/09/fourth-annual-softies-for-mirabel.html (check out the link)
    I also had Lachlan park stay with us recently in Cornwall whilst he was on his travels. He is the nephew of a very close friend of ours in Melbourne and we were really happy to show him round. He mentioned your blog which we have been following for a couple of years now, and how when he was in Nelson he used to spend time with you. It just reminded me how small the world is.

    Like

  20. erika Avatar

    Hi Congratulations!! I just wanted to tell you I really enjoy reading your blog and that I just finished a new screenprinted set to make a fabric Rabbit 🙂

    Like

  21. Christine C. Avatar

    Happy Birthday! What a fun little birthday giveaway. It is just now getting to be fall here on the east coast of the US and I am craving apple cider donuts and cuddling up with warm, knitted blankets!

    Like

  22. Mary Avatar

    Happy Happy Birthday! I turned 30 this year too and so far so good 🙂
    I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and your creativity inspires me. I recently bought a new sewing machine (my old one was OLD!) and I’m currently learning the ins and outs of the new one. A project I will be doing this weekend is a superhero cape for a friends son.
    Enjoy your weekend!

    Like

  23. Kirsty Avatar
    Kirsty

    Happy Birthday! The 30’s are the best so far far for me. Hope they are for you too.
    I stumbled across your blog around 4 months ago. I don’t remember what I was looking for but, believe it or not, I had never read a blog and didn’t even know much about them. I found your tutorial for making a bag and thought it looked like something I could do. Well, here it all started. I am addicted!!!I have sewn almost every day since then. Gifts, clothes for my children, all sorts of things for my house. I have had my sewing machine for 13 years and used it sporadicaly but now it is rarely left alone. I am constantly suprised at the generosity of people willing to share their ideas and knowledge and I am thrilled to be able to make gifts for my friends and family – gifts that actually turn out well thanks to the time taken by people like you to explain how to do things. So….. Thankyou 🙂

    Like

  24. jill Avatar
    jill

    I am a mom of three boys who wishes she had more time for sewing, crafting, and hip-hop music. 🙂

    Like

  25. Laura Avatar

    A very happy birthday to you!
    I’m reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. I’ve been carrying it around with me for months and can’t help feeling that I should be finished it by now, but I’m enjoying making my way through it slowly…

    Like

  26. teakekkonen@yahoo.it Avatar

    Happy birthday!
    I had three under four year olds when I turned 30, and it was a lovely day because it was shared with dear friends, good food and swimming in the mediterranean! Hope you have a lovely year!

    Like

  27. ~Heather Avatar

    Happy, happy birthday!
    When I turned 30 I had been married for 3 months (still am to a lovely fellow) and officially a stepmum to 2 sweet lads (who are now taller than me – eek. I believe that’s the year we went out to a fancy birthday dinner and I first came across beaujolais nouveau (a delicious discovery). All of which made me feel quite grown up indeed!

    Like

  28. Magdalena Avatar
    Magdalena

    Happy Birthday! I celebrated mine 10 days ago, 35th. I remember my 30th birthday was very special too; I felt better then ever! It indeed felt like growing up. Thank you for opening your life to all of us to take a peak at your work table! I am right now spending a lot of time knitting, winter is nearing so it is mostly wrist warmers and mittens and scarfs.

    Like

  29. Anne-Bibi Avatar
    Anne-Bibi

    Alors joyeux anniversaire et continue de nous faire rêver avec ton univers si délicat et joyeux en même temps !

    Like

  30. Jodi Avatar

    Have a lovely birthday! Thank you for sharing your beautiful crafts and photography with the world.
    Raspberries are my favorite things to eat. I love the combination of textures.

    Like

  31. nathalie Avatar
    nathalie

    happy happy melissa!
    something about me you might not know, i am currently learning russian. 🙂

    Like

  32. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    Happy Birthday! I’m turning 30 in a few weeks, and I feel the same way, that it’s a properly grown up age. I think I will love being 30, hope you will too!

    Like

  33. Marci Simonini Avatar

    Happy Birthday!
    I just got my sewing machine back from the shop yesterday and I have to finish my daughter’s ballet character skirt for tomorrow morning. Plus, sew the halloween costumes, finish knitting the Christmas sweaters, hand sew enough stock for my upcoming craft sales and hopefully finally sew on the binding of my quilt.
    Sure would be nice to receive your giveaway in the mail! Thanks.

    Like

  34. Melissa Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa!
    My name is also Melissa and i am older than you!
    I am also a frequent customer to your shop.
    I love the things you make!
    Hope you have a rockin birthday. xxoo

    Like

  35. christina H Avatar
    christina H

    It just gets better after 30! Enjoy…and much thanks for the giveaway.

    Like

  36. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    Happy Birthday! I just celebrated mine on Tuesday!
    I wanted to share a great book that I’m reading called The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. He also wrote another book called The Shadow of the Wind which is just as spectacular.
    http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Game-Carlos-Ruiz-Zafon/dp/0767931114/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287148566&sr=8-1

    Like

  37. Claire Garland Avatar

    What a lot of comments – here’s another – Happy Birthday! – or Happy Bird-day if you fancy knitting something special for yourself this weekend? Free pattern on my website…www.dotpebbles.blogspot.com
    Have a great one! Love Claire

    Like

  38. Sylvia Avatar

    wishing you a great day today and every day! i’ll be turning 30 in a few months.. it is a funny feeling.
    a book i just read: apartment therapy’s big book of cool small spaces – very inspiring!
    i collect chestnuts, i’m addicted to buying mugs, i love owls.

    Like

  39. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    Happy Birthday!!
    It only gets better after 30!
    Today I’m just working on getting over this change of season cold…

    Like

  40. Michele Avatar

    Today I’m cleaning my house. It’s neglected since I started blogging earlier this year, and needs love something fierce. Happy 30th Birthday, it sounds like everything’s going smoothly so far.

    Like

  41. Pauline Avatar

    Happy Birthday!!!
    Im knitting a scarf out of dark purple pure silk yarn. Its taking ages, but its beautiful 🙂

    Like

  42. Sarah Avatar

    Hi, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog for the last year or so. I suppose my fun fact is that autumn is my favorite season because I get to eat pumpkin everything! I just made pumpkin-applesauce muffins yesterday and then pumpkin french toast the day before that… it’s great.

    Like

  43. dee Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I so enjoy your blog and read it everyday. Something about me: I am teaching myself to machine embroider and haven’t written a blogpost for 8 months!eek!

    Like

  44. Jennie S. Avatar

    Happy Birthday, Melissa!
    Trust me, being 30 is completely lovely and a blast!
    As for me, I am 34 and a mama to 3 children (they’re in the 4-8-12 years range now. so easy to remember! hee!)
    I am currently reading LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green, EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL (14 Dark Tales) by Stephen King, and THE BEACH by Alex Garland. Yes, three at a time.
    And I am in love with autumn (my favorite) and can’t wait to pick out pumpkins w/my family this weekend!
    Take care and have a LOVELY birthday!

    Like

  45. tiffany Avatar
    tiffany

    happy 30th birthday!
    as for me, i write tons of letters, but i always forget to mail them out, so sometimes i stumble upon one or two, and i re-read them and reminisce.

    Like

  46. janet speier Avatar
    janet speier

    happy birthday
    thank you so much for all of the beautiful work
    thank you for the inspiration
    have a great day
    janet speier

    Like

  47. Daniela B. Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa!! 🙂 I am working right now in a public library and I am surronded by children that read and choose their books to bring home for the weekend 🙂

    Like

  48. Jessica Avatar

    Happy birthday to you!!
    Right now I’m working on mittens. We just moved to chilly Chicago and I think mittens are going to be needed very soon! 🙂

    Like

  49. Anna Avatar

    Happy Birthday! Your blog is a breath of fresh air for me- your creativity, your surroundings, your fabrics… your pictures are enjoyed from all the way over here in Canada. 🙂 I’m just finishing my first attempt at knitting a sock- hoping to stick with it to finish the second!

    Like

  50. mel Avatar
    mel

    I am enjoying springtime flowers! Happy birthday

    Like

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