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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

    ha- that is great! i have the opposite problem. 😉

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  2. tinyhappy Avatar

    ha- you sure are busy! good luck and have fun 🙂

    Like

  3. Angela Parker Avatar
    Angela Parker

    Not because there’s a giveaway, but because I had to leave a comment, my first, to say happy 30th! I will be 30 at the end of this year, and also remember my parents turning 30 and it seemed so old. How times have changed, now it’s like a coming of age.
    I met you once, bought some baby slippers from you at the Nelson markets (I’ve got about four pairs now of yours and one singlet).
    I have been making things too for and with my three little ones over the last four years. I have just started a blog, will send you a link once it’s up and running.
    Many happy returns, may you enjoy your birthday with your family.
    Angela. (Wellington)

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  4. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks angela- nice to meet you again! – melissa

    Like

  5. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Happy Birthday to you! Your blog is one of my absolute favourites, it warms my soul and it always leaves me inspired and content. Thank you for that. Me right now: sitting beside my two year old while she happily slurps noodles for lunch. 🙂

    Like

  6. Kristie J. Avatar
    Kristie J.

    Happy Birthday! I’m an elementary art teacher in Kansas and right now I’m embroidering tiny felt hats for Christmas gnomes to be gifts this year. Your blog brings me back to earth and the beauty of nature.
    Thank you.

    Like

  7. tinyhappy Avatar

    merci, anne-bibi!

    Like

  8. Kat Avatar

    Gosh 207 comments!
    First happy birthday darling Melissa!
    And my secret to share is….I’m so enjoying
    listening to The Honey Trees album right now
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway and I love the flowers in the top picture
    Love kat x

    Like

  9. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi ambika- thank you for your comment and how amazing that you know lachlan too! it certainly is a small world. 🙂

    Like

  10. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    Happy 30th Birthday Melissa. I’m off to my sister’s 60th birthday today. She is very “grown up” but still feeling 30 inside. Thankfully aging does not mean “feeling” OLD!!.
    YES!!! I am taking her a handcrafted gift.
    I always look to you and your blog for inspiration and you never disappoint!!! I love how you show us the simple and pure beauty in the everyday things 🙂
    Hope you have had a wonderful birthday with your family and friends.

    Like

  11. Katherine Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I turned 34 on Tuesday… 🙂 Also, I’m having a candy corn barrette giveaway, but sweet orange candy doesn’t seem to go with your style!

    Like

  12. Amanda Avatar

    Happy Birthday!
    right now i’m reading The Secret River by Kate Grenville – would love to win a little prize pack from you!

    Like

  13. elizabeth Avatar

    A lovely happy birthday! 30 seems so long ago. Enjoy! You have been such an insipration, all your beautiful embrodiery. Right now I am reading Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma to my children. I am knitting sweaters for my girls and husband for Christms. One is done (yea) Two have just sleeves remaining. And the last one needs to be ripped out and started again. I am also working on a quilt which Stiched in Color’s on line quilt along. And my favorite food at the moment is homemade mushroom ravioli This is probably more than you wanted to know.
    Hapy Birthday! Blessings, Elizabeth

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  14. Aria Avatar

    Hi Melissa
    Can’t wait till the BBQ tommorow -Happy late birthday!
    From,
    Aria

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  15. Carol Avatar

    Happy birthday!! I think your blog is really inspiring and pretty!

    Like

  16. Pascaline Avatar

    Happy birthday from Lyon, France. Thank you for sharing everyday such treasures.

    Like

  17. Silvia Avatar

    Happy birthday!!!
    And thank you for this giveaway!
    Something about me? Uhm, well, I’m Silvia from Italy.
    Today I realized a very nice bag for me, cooked a traditional italian soup, made 18 vases (yes, 18!) of quince jam. A very good busy day! 🙂
    Now I’m in bed and I’ going to read a Tracy Chevalier novel.

    Like

  18. natalie Avatar
    natalie

    Happy Birthday. I just turned 30 last month and it has been fantastic so far! I am knitting a baby vest for my cousin’s baby boy.

    Like

  19. Christina Avatar
    Christina

    Dear Melissa, alles Gute zum Geburtstag!!!
    I’m not turning 30 yet, but it’s my 27th birthday next Friday 🙂
    Have a wonderful year,
    all the best from Germany,
    Christina

    Like

  20. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Oh! I forgot to say something about myself! I’m 30 too, and I’m into embroidery (starting to add beads here and there). Also working on a Fallish Crazy Quilt–I’ve always wanted to make a quilt! It’s coming together, bit by bit. Browns and oranges and yellow–the dull colours of a British Columbian autumn.

    Like

  21. Megan Kelly Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I have a boy called Arlo, too. He is just four months old. We live on the West Coast – gorgeous day here today! Why am I inside on the computer…

    Like

  22. bora Avatar

    Oh, my… Im 30 too and wish you all the very best for the great times that will come!!!
    Well, about myself… I’m crawling through some rough days now and try to make me happy whenever I can, reading, eating good things, get enough sleep… well I guess it’s time to go to bed now!
    Be blessed!
    Bora

    Like

  23. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks bora, hope you are feeling better soon! x

    Like

  24. Margrethe Avatar
    Margrethe

    Gratulerer!
    Something about me… I have a scar on my lip that is shaped like the number four! And I tresure your blog and look forward to every update. Have a lovely celebration

    Like

  25. geraldine Avatar
    geraldine

    Happy Birthday dear Melissa! I’m Geraldine from London, descended from a long line of makers and crafters, and I’m happy to say my nieces in Sydney are carrying on the family tradition! As a veteran of 45, my 30th was great – husband and I treated ourselves to a holiday in the Gambia, W. Africa. My day job is a Music teacher in a High school, but I freelance as an orchestral violinist as well.
    Love your blog – it’s always full of fresh ideas! I don’t know how you find the time, with bringing up your family (how cute are your little ones!)
    Many happy returns!

    Like

  26. Cathy McMurray Avatar

    Many lovely wishes to you on your birthday. I have loved the thirties! In a year, I got to brace myself for the 40s- egads!

    Like

  27. Lisa (sideoats + scribbles) Avatar

    Happy happy 30! Hope you have a great day!
    Something about me – there is a 2 day old bowl of oatmeal sitting next to my monitor right now. I work from home, and I got so busy yesterday I forgot to eat it! It doesn’t look very good…hee hee. 🙂

    Like

  28. Kat Avatar

    Happy Birthday! my 30s were much, much better than my 20s, I wish the same for you too!

    Like

  29. Littleminx.wordpress.com Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa – a beautiful post, as always. Glad you had a lovely day. I turned 40 this year, that next step to “grown up” (though I still don’t feel it). I seem to be doing a lot of thinking over the past and what has motivated me and got me where I am. So, am re-reading Emma by Jane Austen as I was forced to study it at Uni as an 18 year old and disliked it very much – now I’m older Im wondering if I will view it differently (so far so good) x

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  30. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Happy Birthday Melissa – enjoy your 30’s! I will have a 30 year old child in a couple of years – now THAT is scary. Right now I am reading about peak oil which is a bit gloomy, sewing a dress for summer, knitting a cropped cardigan, nurturing my spring veggie garden and making soap today for Xmas presents. I love your blog 🙂

    Like

  31. di Avatar

    Happy Birthday. I am snuggling in bed and reading with my girls before we all go to sleep. Good Night.

    Like

  32. Lindsay Jewell Avatar

    Happy birthday! I ❤ your blog. it makes me want to embroider all the time.
    Right now I’m working on granny squares. I’m pretty new to the crochet world, but I’m loving it! 🙂

    Like

  33. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Happy birthday Melissa!
    I hope 30 turns out to be your best year yet.
    Something about me? I’m studying to become a music therapist!

    Like

  34. Virgínia Avatar

    Happy birthday! 30 is much better than 20, trust me! you will love it 🙂
    At the moment I’m finishing a new doll, and I’m loving every moment of it.
    I’s always nice to drop by, your pictures are so relaxing 🙂

    Like

  35. Karen at sew and sow life Avatar

    weird.i posted a comment this morning. but i don’t see it. oh well.
    just saying, i’m 54 and i can tell you life gets better, fuller, richer with the passage of time.
    i hadn’t done embroidery in ages, and yesterday i worked on a piece i’m very happy with. all because YOU inspired me!
    so…..HAPPY BIRTHDAY tiny happy!

    Like

  36. allison Avatar

    happy birthday, melissa! thank you for sharing you lovely creations here. i love stopping by to see what you’ve been up to.
    about me: i spent this friday evening painting my nails, sipping tea, and watching a little bit of reality tv. now i’m off to grab a beer with some co-workers.

    Like

  37. Karen at sew and sow life Avatar

    never mind. i found my previous post. (wish i could delete this one?)

    Like

  38. tinyhappy Avatar

    no worries! after a while, the comments go on to a new page- dont worry about it!
    thanks for your nice comments. 🙂

    Like

  39. T. Avatar

    Happy Birthday!
    It’s October and I feel like reading some mystery stories. But I can’t stomach most adult thrillers, so I’ve settled for re-reading some of my favorite Nancy Drews.
    Great giveaway! 🙂

    Like

  40. Sue C Avatar
    Sue C

    Happy Happy birthday from Canada!
    I wish I was turning 30… in a few months it will be 40 for me. It seems unreal.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend

    Like

  41. Liesl Avatar

    Happy Birthday! Hope the thirties treat you well! 🙂
    I’ve just started reading “Ruffles on My Longjohns” by Isabel Edwards. It’s a good read so far. But I’m a bit of a sucker for books about roughing it in the wilds.

    Like

  42. heather Avatar

    Oh how lovely! And a very happy birthday to you! I just had my 29th a few weeks ago. Something about me….well, I’m staying up tonight to finish a large painting of an old timey girl holding a fox. Trying not to wake my little one who is snoozing in the next room…

    Like

  43. Anna Avatar

    happy birthday Melissa! I only recently discovered tiny happy and have enjoyed reading and being inspired by your beautiful creations. I am going to take advantage of the somewhat wintry spring weather (typical melbourne) and cook an eggplant parmigiana today – one of my favourites! I hope you enjoyed your birthday
    Anna

    Like

  44. Cait Avatar
    Cait

    Congratulations and many best wishes for your birthday. I’m loving being in my 30’s. What a lovely giveaway- I would be delighted to win! Something about me is that I am excited to have written my first few crochet patterns for come nesting/ russian dolls(…oh the sense of achievement) and my husband is planting me a little birch grove in the garden, as I type. Cx

    Like

  45. Lyndy Avatar

    Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…
    I have just taken time out from finishing my mini quilt advent calendar and have a cup of tea and a slice of chocolate cake as I catch up on some blog reading. Bliss!

    Like

  46. gretchen/juneatnoon Avatar

    Happy birthday! I can tell you, after half a year or so of doing it myself, that 30 isn’t so bad. 🙂 Oh, and I’m currently working on felt hand puppets for my kids for Christmas, some crochet-covered stones, and lavender sachets for my sister’s baby shower, among other things. 😉

    Like

  47. elizabeth in California Avatar
    elizabeth in California

    Happy Birthday Melissa. I noticed the spraxis (harlequin flower) in the vase! One of my favorite S. African bulbs…I just planted some for it is Autumn in California.
    Melissa…my favorite book is called The Zoo Keeper’s Wife…it is a true story written by Diane Ackerman about Antonina and Jan Zabinski, the directors of the Warsaw Zoo during WWII. Antonina’s devotion to and observation of human, animal and plant life inspire me and remind me of you. Antonina was a homemaker extradinaire and a heroine. Here is a link to a book review. Much love and gratitude to you ! Elizabethhttp://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/02/books/bk-seaman2

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  48. fiona Avatar

    happy birthday. 🙂
    a few trials this year and my turning 30 a few months ago made me think ‘is this really how growing up feels like?’. i hope for a better time next year.
    many wonderful returns to you dear m!

    Like

  49. susanintexas Avatar
    susanintexas

    wow. my birthday too, i’m a bit older though. i’m working on organizing my office and trying to catch up on a swap that i’ve been working on for six whole months–very very late!

    Like

  50. Nicole Avatar

    Happy birthday! I’m working on a wool felt birthday crown for my little boys first birthday and planning the menu for his little party. 🙂

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