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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

5th birthday giveaway

Friday 1

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Good afternoon. It turns out that I've been blogging for five years this week! I wanted to say thank you to you, sweet readers, for following along and being interested in my work. I've loved writing in this space each day over the past five years. It's been a lot of fun so far. 

As a celebration, I wanted to offer up a little giveaway. I'll send you this embroidered drawstring case, useful for keeping your small projects in order or for keeping anything in, really. I'll also send a mixed set of printed cards and a piece of my 'heidi' fabric (and others, if they've arrived in time.) 

Thanks again for your support and friendship here at tiny happy. It's much appreciated!

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post- you can write anything you like but it would be interesting to hear your film recommendations. (I'm hoping to get lots of film-watching in this winter, and maybe you are too?) Last year's blog birthday comment section produced some great music recommendations- you can check them out here if you like.

I'll post to anywhere in the world, and leave this open till Monday morning.

Enjoy your weekend.

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287 responses to “5th birthday giveaway”

  1. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    congratulations! I’d recommend ‘August Rush’. I’d never heard of it then saw it on sky once during the day. it was really good especially if you love music 🙂

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  2. Ginny Avatar
    Ginny

    Congratulations Melissa, what a very sweet connection this has been for me, as when I think of you in your beautiful peaceful haven, I think of my dear departed parents in their haven way up in the Baton River Valley at the base of the Mt Arthur Range. Reading your blog is a breath of peaceful, moist, manuka and black beech honeydew filled air. Watch Queen of the Sun if you haven’t already.

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  3. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Happy Blog Birthday! I really enjoy reading your blog. When I stumbled across it about 6 months ago I couldn’t get enough and went back and read all the old posts.
    Some of my favorite movies: Assassin in Love, Calendar Girls, Bottle Shock, Juno, Garden State (great soundtrack too), Sunshine Cleaning, Delicatessen, Good Bye Lenin, The King’s Speech. Masterpiece has had some really good programs recently: Collision, Downton Abbey, Sherlock. Recently, I revived *batteries not included for my nephews and they can’t get enough of it.
    It seems like I can never find the time for movies, but now I’m wondering if I watch too many because I can’t seem to pare down my list!

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  4. suse Avatar
    suse

    Happy blogiversary.
    One of my favourite films is ‘A Common Thread’ – a French film about embroidery. It was called ‘Brodeuses’ in French I think. Well worth tracking down on dvd if you can. It’s quiet, gentle and very beautiful to watch.

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  5. allison Avatar
    allison

    five years! what an amazing accomplishment. i recently re-watched “sleepless in seattle” and absolutely loved it. plus, meg ryan’s kitchen in that movie makes me swoon.

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  6. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    Hi
    I love your blog although I am not very crafty myself (so I have purchased the odd thing!)
    Tonight we are going to watch “Exit through the Gift Shop” which I have had recommended.
    My favourite classic is “The Philadelphia Story”.
    “The Lives of others” is excellent – set in East Germany during the cold war.
    2 that stand out as appealing to my partner and I as excellent entertainment are “up in the Air’ and ‘Catch me if you can”. Both US films, a little bit hollywood but very entertaining.

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  7. liz Avatar
    liz

    happy blog-birthday! your little stitching and water colors are always so inspiring. plus the rest of your blog makes me really miss nz.
    i recently watched daybreakers [ethan hawke], which is sort of a reimagining of a future world with vampires, and while not excellent, well worth watching. also, not a movie, but the kill point [john leguizamo] is quite good and rather violent

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  8. Lene / Manisha Avatar
    Lene / Manisha

    Happy anniversary and greeting from a dane in Germany- Here it is Spring!

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  9. jenni Avatar
    jenni

    Congratulations on 5 yrs of blogging. I love your peaceful creative space…an inspiring movie is Gifted Hands (an old movie) and a slow girlie movie is Persuasion a Jane Austen classic…with interesting costumes…

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  10. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Congratulations on 5 years.
    I haven’t seen a new release in YEARS so sorry that these will all be “oldies”. For something international and dramatic see if you can get your hands on I Just Didn’t Do It and/or Gloomy Sunday. My favourite films are: The Sound of Music; Office Space; and 500 Days of Summer. I just saw Gandhi and Chariots of Fire, recently – worth watching if you haven’t seen them, yet.

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  11. athomegirl Avatar
    athomegirl

    Hi, I love your blog and take a peek every day, it’s very inspirational. Thankyou.
    The film I have enjoyed recently was The Young Victoria. The costumes were beautiful.

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  12. angela Avatar
    angela

    Thank YOU Mel for being such an inspiration!! ‘The hedgehog’ is a must see if you haven’t already? Look forward to another year of Tiny Happy goodness xox

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  13. sian Avatar
    sian

    i love your blog.
    i think you should watch ‘whip it’, ‘fantastic mr fox’ ‘where the wild things are’ ‘julie and julia’ and ‘harold and maude’ oh oh, and ‘kitchen stories’ (swedish i think).xxx

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  14. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    happy 5 year anniversary! your blog is a gift to the world, a soft and sweet (and inspiring) place to land.
    a movie that gets played over and over on my ipad, is “the fox and the child” . it’s part nature documentary, part fairy tale and completely gorgeous. narrated by kate winslet and directed by luc jacquet, 2007.
    thank you for offering such a lovely giveaway, i would be thrilled to win.

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  15. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Hi Melissa, congrats on the anniversary! Thanks for an amazing, inspirational blog 🙂
    If you’re into a little bit of action, and lots thinking, check out The Book of Eli, or Inception, two great movies I recently saw.
    Otherwise, a brilliant and rather original piece which is suited to the whole family would be Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. Funny and ingenious!
    Keep Well

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  16. Rosa in the Antipodes Avatar
    Rosa in the Antipodes

    Happy anniversary! This goods bag is fantastic! Lucky us, Readers! Since I had kids I haven’t seen much on a big screen, but I’m keen to have a look on a few French movies from the latest Wellington French Film Festival, like The Age of Reason and Little White Lies.

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  17. Heart Felt Avatar
    Heart Felt

    Five years! Wow…congratulations Melissa. My favorite movie is Orlando with Tilda Swinton and Billy Zane. I haven’t seen it for a while…so I hope it hasn’t dated. J.x

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  18. Elena Avatar
    Elena

    Thanks for blogging, love to follow your adorable blog.

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  19. Carla Huysmans Avatar
    Carla Huysmans

    Dear Melissa,
    Congrats with your 5 yrs blogging. I’m still pondering whether or not to start one.
    Try a Belgian film, we make good films over here:
    Turquoise, anywhere the wind blows, Ben X, films by brothers Dardenne…
    HAve a cozy winter,
    Carla

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  20. kelly Avatar
    kelly

    wishing you a very happy anniversary week! 5 years here and giving so generously with your inspiring work and words…thank you! have you ever seen brodeuses http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387892/ (a common thread)? i think you’d like it. french and very beautiful! and of course amelie is always worth another watch!! x

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  21. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    congrads, I so look forward to sitting down after the school run and before the house duties start , with my cup of yerba mat”e and log onto you and follow the wonderful work you do. Over the last few years since I found you ,you have inspired me to pick up my needle work and my daughter to start painting, which through her illness as been wonderful, so keep up the great work you are an inspriration to us all. Dee

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  22. Angela Hennessy Avatar
    Angela Hennessy

    Well done, your work is beautiful. You’d love the Korean film, ‘Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring’ a beautiful story, in a beautiful setting x x

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  23. Suzy Avatar
    Suzy

    5 years is such a long time already! It reminds me that time flies so fast and I should update mine…
    Congratulations to you Melissa, you keep presenting us all the time with the most beautiful prints and embroideries, you are a true inspiration!
    About films…difficult to say, no movietheater near us. But I’m looking at a beautiful series on DVD at the moment. ‘Le Cose Che Restano’ A chronicle about a family in Rome. It’s Italian but we watch it with subtitles:-) Good luck!

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  24. Marine Avatar
    Marine

    Congratulations on the blog anniversary!
    I don;t get time to go to the movies but do watch them on DVD. Two of my favourite movies are ‘The Proposal’ and ‘No Reservations’. Just plain girlie stuff!
    Have a great weekend!

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  25. Thouraya Avatar
    Thouraya

    What can I say but Amelie!

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  26. Elsa Avatar
    Elsa

    Happy blog anniversary Melissa. The word authenticity may have something to have with it:-)).
    I recently discovered the BBC adaptation of North and South from Elizabeth Gaskell in youtube and the DVD is now on my wish list. More interesting aspects than I expected.
    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

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  27. nathalie Avatar
    nathalie

    Oh Melissa- you must see ‘Das Leben der Anderen’, it’s a german moie and really good.
    xx

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  28. louana Avatar
    louana

    Happy blog anniversary! Wow five years I really don’t know how you do it melissa you are amazing.

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  29. jessica Avatar
    jessica

    I have just come across your blog now! How lucky. I have to go for something that I’ve watched many time, The Royal Tenenbaums. Such a goody. Enjoy getting movies watched! you’ll have to make a list1

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  30. aupres de mon arbre Avatar
    aupres de mon arbre

    Happy blog birthday Melissa !
    and thank you for giving us sun when it’s gray, light when it’s dark, mildness when it’s cold, inspiration when I am dry…
    You should probably love a french small and sweet film talkink about very shy people who have huge difficulties to say they love. And how they can meet a lover.
    It’s “Les émotifs anonymes” (anonymous emotional).

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  31. abby Avatar
    abby

    This is an old film and it is only available on VHS, and I have to admit I haven’t seen it yet (ha, how is this for a recommendation!) but it has been recommended to me enough times by dear friends lately, that it came to mind. It’s called “From the Heart of the World.”
    ooh update… I just went and did a little research… and here it is! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-521537373096312859# I will be watching soon, now that I don’t have to dredge up a VHS player 🙂
    I love your work Melissa, as well as your real and easy way of sharing. Your blog has been a favorite of mine since I first discovered it (I think 3 or so years ago!).

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  32. Christin Ekholm Avatar
    Christin Ekholm

    Congrats!
    I always love to read and look at your work. Give me inspiration and joy, and its so peaceful to look at your embroideries ♥
    Two films that I love:
    Brodeuses
    by Eleonore Faucher
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y-ihgJkvrA
    and
    Miss Potter
    The story of Beatrix Potter
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMDMD7q101I
    I think that you will love this films too 🙂
    A giwe away with your beautiful work…ohh,the person who wins this is a lucky person 🙂 * exciting*
    All my best
    Christin

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  33. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Happy 5 year anniversary Melissa, I absolutely love reading your blog 🙂 My favourite movie and one I can watch again and again is the french film “Amelie”. A recent one I really enjoyed was the facebook movie “the Social Network”. Happy movie watching!

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  34. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    Congratulations on 5 years of blogging. I love reading your blog, your work is fantastic.

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  35. charli Avatar
    charli

    Loving your inspirational photos and crafts and that scenery!!!! Not a big film watcher, but got out “As it is in Heaven” recently and LOVED it. It’s a foreign film, but totally delightful and moving and beautiful also. I also love the band Swell Season and the movie “Once” that this band has made and show cases their music. Simple and sweet movie, but with amazingly passionate music. LOVE IT.

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  36. Mar Ruiz Avatar
    Mar Ruiz

    Happy blog birthday!!!
    I really love your blog, in fact it´s my favourite one.
    It always gives me a especial feeling.
    I hardly go to the cinema lately, but I would like to recomend you argentinian movies like “El hijo de la novia” or “Bombon el perro”… I think you´ll enjoy
    Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
    Greetings.
    Mar

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  37. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Happy 5 years! I am totally in love with your blog and enjoy all your beautiful creations and I love your etsy shop as well. A great movie to watch with the kids is The Fantastic Mr. Fox. We just borrowed it from the library and watched it several times.

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  38. Annika Avatar
    Annika

    Happy Birthday, Tiny Happy! Looking forward to the next 5! I recently watched Stranger Than Fiction. I found it really heartwarming, plus I have a secret crush on Will Ferrell!

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  39. Nigel and jo Coles Avatar
    Nigel and jo Coles

    What about some oldies but goodies – Pulp Fiction, Breakfast Club, Labyrinth, Never Ending Story, Stand By Me. I haven’t seen any new movies so will leave it at that. Happy 5th anniversary!

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  40. Annika Avatar
    Annika

    Happy Birthday, Tiny Happy! Looking forward to the next 5! I recently watched Stranger Than Fiction. I found it really heartwarming, plus I have a secret crush on Will Ferrell.

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  41. Lil Avatar
    Lil

    Happy bloggaversary !
    One of my favourite heartwarming movies is “Little Miss Sunshine”. If you haven’t seen it, give it a go, it’s vitamins for the soul 🙂

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  42. Snows Avatar
    Snows

    Thanks Melissa! My recommendation is a Danish film: “Hævnen – In a Better World”(2010). Between Denmark and Africa – I hope you see this one! It’s really good film!
    Neus from http://www.tinynicethings.blogspot.com
    Congratulations!

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  43. Rhiannon Avatar
    Rhiannon

    I’ve seen so many movies, but can’t think of the good ones right now, but agree with the others who said you should watch Never Let Me Go. I watched it the other day, very good movie. Along the same lines, which you’ve probably already seen is My Sisters Keeper. Sad, but nice story. Also Sunshine Cleaning, I think that’s what it’s called anyway.

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  44. jezadenane Avatar
    jezadenane

    Joyeux anniversaire!
    Je vous recommande “the pillow book” de Peter Greenaway

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  45. ak in sweden Avatar
    ak in sweden

    Hi Melissa,
    Grattis on your blog’s 5th birthday! I discovered it two years back, I think, and it has become one of my favourites. One film I saw not so long ago: the King’s speech – amazing acting by Colin Firth, incredibly thrilling story. Winter is starting for you, here in Stockholm spring is just about showing its colours…

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  46. Merruli Avatar
    Merruli

    I hope there are many years to come of this blog loveliness. Your blog is always a good place for some inspiration!
    I sure hope to win, the package is such a treat!

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  47. Annika Avatar
    Annika

    Happy Birthday, Tiny Happy! Looking forward to the next 5! I recently watched Stranger Than Fiction. I found it really heartwarming, plus I have a secret crush on Will Ferrell!

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  48. Louise Avatar
    Louise

    I have discovered your blog while on maternity leave here in the UK with my first baby. It’s inspired me to make a number of things for my little boy and I enjoy reading your posts each day.
    My film recommendation would be one of my all time favourites – an Italian film called ‘The Consequences of Love’. Beautifully shot,well scripted and acted, great soundtrack and my husband and I are still discussing the ending years later!

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  49. maribel Avatar
    maribel

    I’ve been so italianistic from last year that I only can recommend italian films. You must see I am love, or I sono l’amore. But If you want to laugh, and laugh and laugh, even when you remember it, must watch Basilicata coast to coast. Congratulations!

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  50. elisa.b Avatar
    elisa.b

    Congrats on 5 years! I would love to win, I find your pieces inspiring and comforting (if that makes sense). 🙂

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