tiny happy

making journal

Give 1

Give 2

Give 3

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.

Posted in

344 responses to “a birthday giveaway”

  1. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, fiona! i hope youre feeling better soon. and happy 30th to you, too! x

    Like

  2. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    Happy Birthday! I love to read your blog because our seasons are opposite and when you are rejoicing in Spring we are just starting the months of rain. I get to see the sunshine in your part of the world and look forward to it coming back here. And, to be honest, I feel a bit smug when the roles are reversed! 😉
    Right now I am reading The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe. It’s sweet and sad and inspiring.
    Enjoy your 30’s!

    Like

  3. Katie Cadman Avatar
    Katie Cadman

    Happy Birthday. I also loved turning 30. I had just had my first little baby and bought our little house.
    I can’t stay up late anymore and can only handle one glass of wine but my life is rich, full of laughter and new insights.I am currently listening to my husband rumble with our children in the backyard, playing pirates in the windy weather.

    Like

  4. Sera Avatar

    Happy Birthday Melissa! I hope your weather is as stunning as ours 🙂
    I’ve been teaching children today, so had to spend time inside, but I had a beautiful walk home through Albert Park. Wisteria is out, and that makes me very happy! Walking in the evening and smelling Jasmine and Wisteria is just one of my favourite things. I can’t wait for my exams to be over so I can get out more, and do all my reading and crafting projects that have been accumulating in the cupboard – my embroidery box has been sitting, mostly unused, in my bedside cabinet for too long. Have a beautiful spring evening xx
    P.S. James LOVES his scarf. Thank you so much.

    Like

  5. Kristi Avatar

    happy 30th birthday. hope it was wonderful.
    i am a mama of two boys living in melbourne. i am reading raising boys by steve biddulph, and i just purchased the cutest vintage skirt off esty. i sewing up a big wool white stuffed cloud to hang on the wall in our playroom.

    Like

  6. The KitchenMaid Avatar

    Happy birthday Melissa! Thank you for making my sister’s birthday so wonderful last month (she won’t thank me for telling you that she is a long, long way from 30!). Actually, it’s a while since I was 30 too… but best not to dwell on that. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and a year full of exciting adventures. I’m sitting on the floor in my new house, with the baby in bed, the wind whistling around the eaves and my Beloved coming in with spicy Thai takeaways. Life is good!

    Like

  7. Lyn Atkins Avatar
    Lyn Atkins

    Happy Birthday Mellissa, I think my 30’s were some of my best years, only to be usurped by my 40’s… turning 50 though took a little getting used to but having moved from being Mum to being Nana for the first time I have been totally inspired to start creating again.. love your blog, find your comments and crafts very calming and inspirational and am amazed how much you achieve being a young Mum, keep up the good work and enjoy every day

    Like

  8. Marian M-S Avatar
    Marian M-S

    Happy Birthday Melissa! Thank you for this inspirational blog…I cherish it even more now that I am abroad and away from all my projects 🙂 I read your blog and can’t wait to get back to do some sewing and knitting myself!
    In the meantime I am reading instead, I just finished The Help and The Fall of the Pagoda, and now I am working on The Book of Change (the last two are semi-autobiographical about growing up in China and Hong Kong–where I am with the family at the moment)
    Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

    Like

  9. Tessa Avatar
    Tessa

    Hi.
    Happy Birthday to you.
    I’m soon to be 30 and I’m working on perfecting my blanket stitch.
    Tessa

    Like

  10. angela Avatar

    Happy Birthday Mel! My big is 3o next year and I quite agree about the ‘grown up’ bit, I remember mum turning 30 and thinking…wow my mums old! hehe

    Like

  11. cat Avatar

    Happy Birthday! I hope your enjoy your celebrations, I was hugely pregnant when I turned 30 and can vividly remember it as my last child-free party. Enjoy 🙂

    Like

  12. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Happy Birthday … for yesterday! I hope I’m not too late!
    I’m Beth, am in my early 20’s. Tonight I read “Zen sorts” to my 6 year old, a great book! My favourite thing to eat is apple pie with fresh cream and icecream.
    I hope you have a fun weekend!!

    Like

  13. Tan Avatar
    Tan

    HI Melissa, Happy birthday to you, I hope you have a really fun weekend. I loved being 30. I had a baby the day before my 30th birthday so instead of a big party I got a lovely baby and a nice long bath in hospital!

    Like

  14. Mystica Avatar

    A very happy birthday to you and thank you for being so generous and sharing. Also, thanks for the offer to send overseas. Always appreciated.

    Like

  15. ginny Avatar
    ginny

    Happy Birthday Melissa! I’m a mummy to my 2 year old boy and we love to make pikelets together 😀
    Have a great day!

    Like

  16. Apryl Avatar

    Happy Birthday.. I hope it wasn’t too dramatic a jump from 29 to 30. :o)
    right now I’m working on a little doll to give away to a friend that has always been nice and helpful.. and very inspiring to me…I have also be doing a lot of little things.. like baking flapjack and loosing myself in books and music.. there is a mountain of things that need doing before we go away next week but right now I need to be me and be creative and not let anything get to me…to find a bit of happiness in the every day after so many tears shed in recent weeks (my grandmother-in-law passed on and she meant the world to us all and its been very difficult… and I don’t know why I’m babbling here I just… am..you know? )

    Like

  17. sue {tuscanycastlegirl} Avatar

    Happy Birthday Dear….
    What to tell you about me?
    I live in Wisconsin….have three children…and yesterday I finally sewed a cushion for the piano bench!
    Have a fab. weekend ~
    Suzanne

    Like

  18. umatji Avatar

    oh well, I just made a lemon cake and I want another slice. But more importantly, I love using my overlocker -just learned and want to use it all day every day!
    Happy Birthday to you – hope you got spoiled – I will eat cake in your honour!

    Like

  19. guildmaker Avatar

    happy a-happies, melissa. today i started teaching small folk how to make beautiful things. sunshine, hoops, needles, burlap and handspun. perhaps someday they’ll make things as beautiful as you do!

    Like

  20. jezahel Avatar
    jezahel

    Happy Birthday! Visiting your blog is always a pleasure for me, a moment of peace and poetry… These days, i’m making garlands with crochet hook for a christmas market. I’m french and my favourite writer is Yoko Ogawa.

    Like

  21. Kate/Massachusetts Avatar
    Kate/Massachusetts

    Happy birthday! I would love to be 30 again! lol Would you believe, I spent my whole 30’s decade changing baby diapers! I had my first son at 30, next at 33, and last at 36. I loved the baby years particularly.

    Like

  22. Hil Avatar
    Hil

    Happy birthday and 30 is fabulous…imnot sure about 40 though!
    I’m working on a bag, costumes,a pillow, robot shirts, too much!
    And I’d like to eat a bear claw right now.
    Hil

    Like

  23. sewperstitious Avatar
    sewperstitious

    Hi, happy birthday! I am currently working on a shoulder bag for the Sew Mama Sew Bag Swap.

    Like

  24. jennifer Avatar

    hope you had a wonderful day!!! i always read about your giveaways after you’ve already given them away 🙂 finally am joining on the chance to win 🙂

    Like

  25. colleen Avatar
    colleen

    Oh 30! That was a fine time! Enjoy!
    Every decade has its charms.
    I just finished The News Where You Are by Catherine O’Flynn – appropriate read exploring ageing and our evolving sense of self.
    Trying to get hot pink fingerless glove number 2 on the needles for my girl because, well, she has 2 hands.
    Looking at today and tomorrow for applesauce making.If i cd only get the jars and pick some apples…
    love checking in with you
    Have a Happy Day and be sure to eat cake!

    Like

  26. Kate Fern Avatar

    I can’t believe you’re only 30!! You’ve already done so much with your wonderful art/craft and blog, not to mention your family, I didn’t have my first child til I was 33 and only started blogging last year.
    Have a wonderful birthday!!

    Like

  27. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Oh my, you are a young thing. My own kids are almost 30! Don’t worry, one day you will enjoy having adult children. 🙂

    Like

  28. H Avatar
    H

    Happy Birthday! Love your blog. I’m currently sewing a rucksack for my son.

    Like

  29. Lucía Moreno Avatar
    Lucía Moreno

    Happy birthday Melissa,
    I’m Lucia. I am 38. I have two children, both adopted and both with special needs. My grandparents sent my mother and her two sisters to learn their trade with an embroiderer. I may be one of the few women in my generation to have a hope chest filled with beautiful hand-embroidered sheets. I have recently started to embroider myself, after years of rejecting what I was taught as a child. I’m excited with my work but, having seen the real thing from the experts, I know I have a long way to go.
    I love your blog, by the way.
    HUgs
    Lucía (in Spain)

    Like

  30. seahoreknits Avatar
    seahoreknits

    Happy happy birthday, Melissa! I remember my 30th as being a very happy birthday and I hope yours was wonderful too!
    About me: I live on the beach on a tiny island off the southern coast of the U.S. I really enjoy seeing all the beautiful photos you share with us of the places you and your family. It all seems very exotic and lovely to me – and, of course, I love all the needlework you create. You, your blog, your style are all a great inspiration.

    Like

  31. Bluebird7777777 Avatar

    happy birthday to you~♪ from japan.
    thanks for your showing lovely staffs. i really feel calm.

    Like

  32. Nomi Avatar

    gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! that’s happy birthday in dutch. i’m from holland but have recently moved to the uk, where i had my baby girl 6 months ago. st the moment i’m nursing her, hence the pityful lack of capitals! my days are filled with baby joy, making and designing baby things (a padding for her high chair, dresses, a cardigan) doing up our house (well, we try!) and worrying about which nursery, as i’m due back at work… or will i give up my job and enjoy every minute? who knows… anyway, that’s a snapshot of my life, you have a great day and an even better year! liefs

    Like

  33. lulubeans Avatar

    happy birthday! it hope it is a spectacular one!
    something about me: right now i’m reading toni morrison’s paradise which is almost overdue from the library because (something else about me) i fall asleep not long after my kids do every night.

    Like

  34. Lovely World Avatar

    Hi Melissa,
    We share a birthday week! Mine is the 19th. All the best to you! Thanks for the chance in your give-away. I never win these – but so what. It is fun anyway. X Maribeth

    Like

  35. Jen G... Avatar
    Jen G…

    Happy Birthday! I celebrate this month as well but I am feeling way old this birthday. I have a couple books on wish list that you may find interesting…Knitting at Home & Scandinavian Stitches. Thanks!

    Like

  36. Anja Avatar

    Happy birthday, Melissa!
    I was a lot more nervous turning 31 this year than 30 last year… I had a vision in my mind what I would like to do and where I would like to be after beeing 30 but not all of our dreams do come true… there is still time…
    Right now I’m listening my hubby reading book to our girls, there is still a ‘house’ under our dinning table and a big Lego village in the middle of the room… and me… I’ll go to bed early :o)
    Best wishes!!!

    Like

  37. Eunhwa Avatar

    Happy birthday Melissa! I am glad your 30th went well. I am currently reading ‘Happiness Sold Separately.’ It’s a wonderful read without being sappy. Have a great year of 30!

    Like

  38. Francesca Avatar

    Happy birthday, Melissa! You’re so young, and have accomplished and done so many things already – happy partying and celebrating!

    Like

  39. tinyhappy Avatar

    happy birthday to you too, maribeth! x

    Like

  40. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks, umatji!

    Like

  41. tinyhappy Avatar

    im sorry for your loss, apryl. i hope you feel better soon! x

    Like

  42. Paula L. Avatar
    Paula L.

    Happy birthday Melissa! I’m Paula and live in Lisbon, Portugal. Currently I’m reading The Girl who Stole Books, by Markus Zusak and I’m enjoying it very much.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

    Like

  43. Karin Avatar

    Happiest of birthday wishes to you, Melissa. 30 is a wonderful age! I remember being 30 and wondering what my life would be like at 50. Now I’m 52 and thinking that it’s pretty darn good! I just became a gramdmother for the first time- of course it’s good! Enjoy each and every moment of 30. And 31, 32, 33……….
    I make sure to stop by and visit every day. It’s a tiny happiness I give to myself. 🙂

    Like

  44. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    Happy Birthday! Something about myself. Well… I’ve just returned home from too much travel, I’m craving roasted cauliflower, reading The Razor’s Edge, and about to knit with some new Noro yarn I purchased in Brooklyn.

    Like

  45. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Happy Birthday Melissa – hope you had a wonderful day. Thank you for all the inspiration you provide, love Emma x

    Like

  46. Elena Avatar

    Happy birthday. Some knitting here and there. Between plannings of our youngest sons name giving and daugthers birthday party. All the best, Elena

    Like

  47. www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn_wQ8DSe02Gw2CW9Vp66YSDwTmymetXJo Avatar

    Melissa(Bee in Greek!) Happy birthday!
    It has been 14 years long ever since I turned 30 and it was a happy time of my life as I had recently become a mother.
    At the time I am reading blogs trying to get inspired to start my own and doing some cross stitch! I like the simplicity of your blog and your work.Please include me in your giveaway drawing.
    Ariadne from Greece

    Like

  48. k. whalen Avatar

    happy birthday!!!! hip hip hurray! my favorite thing to eat is cheese… its my guilty pleasure… yummm id kill for some mac and cheese right now!!

    Like

  49. Sally Avatar

    HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    An older friend told me when I turned thirty that I had reached my saturn return… that was some time ago now and I still haven’t figured out what she meant. If you work it out let me know!
    Mmmm… something about myself… I grew my first artichoke and picked it yesterday ready to cook it up today. There you go – that is something! (you didn’t say it had to be interesting!)

    Like

  50. melissa Avatar

    happy birthday to you!!
    something about me? let’s see… i have two cats and two guinea pigs and we’re currently in the process of adopting a dog, i’m super excited!!

    Like

Leave a reply to fleur Cancel reply