tiny happy

making journal

recent posts

about

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

5th birthday giveaway

Friday 1

Friday 2

Friday 3

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.

Posted in

287 responses to “5th birthday giveaway”

  1. heini Avatar
    heini

    Thank you for the tiny happiness you always share in your beautiful blog. I’m not sure which movie I would recommend… haven’t seen so many lately.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Anna Allen Avatar
    Anna Allen

    one of my all time favorites is “philadelphia story” with katharine hepburn, cary grant and jimmy stewart. and old classic and i never tire of it. happy movie watching!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Jade Avatar
    Jade

    I really adore your blog. Your stories, your pictures: beautiful.
    Here are some of my favourite movies. They give you an instant feelgood feeling, perfect for a lazy winter afternoon!
    – Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain
    – Never Let Me Go
    – (500) Days Of Summer
    – Bright Star
    – Away We Go
    – Into The Wild
    – The Time Travellers Wife
    Let me know if you loved them! 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  4. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    I’ve been following your photo updates on Flickr so it’s lovely to discover your blog! I’d love to enter your giveaway, but choosing a favourite film is so hard. I really can’t decide between ‘Like Water For Chocolate’ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103994/) and ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ was my favourite film of two years ago. I also love anything by Hal Hartley and Pedro Almodovar. I’ve just realised that only Hal Hartley isn’t subtitled!

    Like

    Reply
  5. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Thank you so much for sharing work on your blog. Among other things I love watching the reversal of the seasons compared to the Northern Hemisphere. I have been enjoying watching PBS’s Masterpiece Theater online you can find it here:
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/

    Like

    Reply
  6. Cinnamon Avatar
    Cinnamon

    Five years is quite a milestone! I’ve enjoyed every post since I started reading, thank you. I don’t actually get to watch movies often unless it’s rated G for the kiddies, but the last good movie I saw was Inception. It had me spellbound from the opening credits to the very end.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Brie Avatar
    Brie

    I always recommend The American Astronaut, but with qualifications. If you don’t like David Lynch movies, you may not like The American Astronaut. It’s dark and strange and one of my favorite movies. It was also produced on a tiny budget but still manages to look great. It is a space-western and the ad-line for the movie is “Space is a lonely town.”

    Like

    Reply
  8. Colleen Avatar
    Colleen

    Five years?! Congratulations. i think i joined the party half way thru…it has been most enjoyable.
    Movies? Do you plan to watch or do you want to watch and make? I found myself trying to knit and watch Les Parapluies de Cherbourg…not to one to knit by…french operetta starring Catherine Deneuve – great music and beautiful to watch. my 5yo girlie enjoyed it (luckily she didn’t get all the french – “can you have a baby without being married?” she wondered – not a film for the kiddos i discovered!)
    Wings of Desire, already mentioned, is a favourite – but the poetic beauty (and subtitles) require attention.
    In America, 2003 d: Jim Sheridan is a good one.
    Into the West, 1992 d:Mike Newell is fun. It might be ok for older kiddos. I seem to recall a fair amt of “feck”s uttered but i don’t know what else – I wasn’t filtering for the younger set when i saw it, er 19 yrs ago!
    Thanks for your blog and your craft.
    Colleen

    Like

    Reply
  9. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    Happy 5th Anniversary! I’ve been enjoying your blog for 2 years now! I love seeing your photos and art.
    A good movie I’ve recently see was The Kids Are Alright. I thought it was really good!

    Like

    Reply
  10. alexis Avatar
    alexis

    Congratulations on your 5th birthday! I look forward to your posts and always find your projects inspiring. I recently watched The Fall; the story was ok, but the visuals were very beautiful and arresting. If you’re looking for more beautiful images, Julie Taymor’s Frida is a must. I also just watched Young Victoria and love love loved it; so well done and romantic. Lastly, if you want something a little darker I recommend the Coen Brothers’ Miller’s Crossing. It’s one of my all time favorites; moody, well written, and utterly engaging.
    Congrats again!

    Like

    Reply
  11. Mousy Brown Avatar
    Mousy Brown

    Happy 5 years! My favourite film ever is ‘The accidental tourist’ but ‘I capture the castle’ and ‘Amelie’ are close behind. What about ‘The King’s speech’ if you want more up to date? And ‘Julie and Julia’ for a bit of blogging! 😀
    ps ‘My neighbour Totoro’ is a big, big success here with the boys (and me too!)

    Like

    Reply
  12. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    Melissa,
    Thanks for all that you put out in the world. Your ideas are an inspiration and I truly adore your blog. My recommendation would be to read 84 Charing Cross Road (it’s very short) and then watch the movie.
    I would love to know what you think about both.
    Best regards,
    Courtney

    Like

    Reply
  13. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    I do find your blog such a peaceful source of inspiration. I enjoyed ‘The King’s Speech’ recently- the first time we’ve made it out to the cinema for years, but my all time favourite is The Piano

    Like

    Reply
  14. Marilyn Avatar
    Marilyn

    Happy Blog anniversary!
    Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my favorite.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Lindsay Jewell Avatar
    Lindsay Jewell

    Happy 5th birthday! That’s quite an accomplishment. As for films, I just saw The King’s Speech this week and loved it. I’ve also been wanting to watch Stranger than Fiction again – the only Will Ferrell movie I’ve ever liked (probably because he’s not trying to be funny). Oh, and Everything is Illuminated was a beautiful, beautiful film.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Congratulations to your five years! I really don’t watch many films, but “Big Fish” is an amazing story…..

    Like

    Reply
  17. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I love the movie, Big Fish. I could watch it over and over. Congratulations on five years. I enjoy checking out your blog whenever I get the chance.

    Like

    Reply
  18. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    congrats honey! i’m just so glad that i discovered your blog–i always enjoy it!
    hmmmmm….i’ve been a little busy for movies lately, but one i did watch recently was The King’s Speech. It. Was. So. Good. ❤
    And of course, Amelie and the Fantastic Mr. Fox are always on the top of my list.

    Like

    Reply
  19. mama-pan | mary frances Avatar
    mama-pan | mary frances

    hip hip hooray for you! I keep meaning to see the new Jane Eyre…

    Like

    Reply
  20. Santa Avatar
    Santa

    Congratulations on the anniversary! 🙂
    I would like to recommend several lovely films, “Happythankyoumoreplease” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1481572/ which is a romantic indie film about an unsuccessful writer in NY, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804497/ which tells a story about a depressed teenage boy who checks himself into psychiatric hospital, “Dear Frankie” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377752/ this film tells about a mother who responds to her little son’s letters to his father, she hires a stranger to pretend to be his dad for a few days, “Lars and the Real Girl” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/ tells about a very shy man who falls in love with a blow-up doll and the way his family deals with this situation, “Away We Go” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1176740/ tells about a couple who is expecting their first baby, they travel around America in order to find the best place where to raise the baby.

    Like

    Reply
  21. elizabeyta Avatar
    elizabeyta

    The newest Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly
    The newest Sense And Sensibility (Masterpiece Theater)
    Congratulations on the last five years!
    Blessings,
    elizabeyta

    Like

    Reply
  22. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Congrats!! its a wonderful 5 years… I recommend Babies, Cat on a hot Tin roof and Graduate… If you’ve watched them, there worth a rewatch!! 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  23. Lesli Avatar
    Lesli

    Isn’t it nice the way anniversaries tend to surprise you sometimes? It’s always a pleasure to check in on your site and see your lovely photos and crafts so here’s to years to come.
    As far as movies go, I never pass up a chance to recommend two of my favorite classic films: “Arsenic and Old Lace” where Cary Grant tries to stop his old aunts from slipping a little something extra into the teacups of lonely old men and “Bell Book and Candle” where Jimmy Stewart falls head over heals for a 1950s modern witch.

    Like

    Reply
  24. Janet Osmond Avatar
    Janet Osmond

    I got up at %am to email my 4 children to tell them of the loss of our labrador Honey. Asad time for me! Then to lightenup I checked out your site.It cheered me up. Thankyou for your continuing positive and inspiring blog. It was just what I needed.

    Like

    Reply
  25. Elisa Chiodarelli Avatar
    Elisa Chiodarelli

    Happy fifth year from Italy!
    a stop in your beautiful blog is a precious moment I dedicate to myself everyday.
    And, as for the film suggestion: have you ever seen ‘Possession’, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Aarno Eckhart? it’s taken from a novel by Antonia Susan Byatt.
    If you are in the mood for love, poetry and romantic stories…

    Like

    Reply
  26. Alicia Avatar
    Alicia

    Congratulations!! 5 years!!! I still remember when I found you through your shoulder bag tutorial…
    My favourite films from the last years…
    Ensemble, c’est tout http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_and_Gathering_(film)
    Pane e tulipani http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237539/
    Chocolat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolat_(2000_film)
    The cider house rules http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cider_House_Rules
    Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%A9lie
    Memoirs of a Geisha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memoirs_of_a_Geisha_(film)
    And I recently enjoyed Up! 😉 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film)
    Hope you like them also!

    Like

    Reply
  27. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    5 year birthdays are so fun! We seen some good stuff recently (older things): Odd Couple (original), Cranford, Little Dorritt, Big Country, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride & Prejudice (BBC long version!), Young Victoria!

    Like

    Reply
  28. annri Avatar
    annri

    Congratulations of five years of blogging! and thank you for doing so. I really enjoy Amelie over and over again and also recommend Babies.
    best ~ Annri

    Like

    Reply
  29. Jodie Avatar
    Jodie

    Congrats on 5 years! I’ve been reading you for over a year now! With two little ones myself, I really only watch animated movies! An oldie but a goodie… have you seen “How to make an American Quilt”?

    Like

    Reply
  30. Minji Avatar
    Minji

    BON ANNIVERSAIRE !
    Since I’ve discovered your blog several months ago,
    I come everyday to see if you have any new story.
    Even I sometimes have a difficulty for my english.
    I am happy to find you like me, who loves to see kid’s playing, to create dress, bags, kids’ clothes,…all small happiness,…Your daily life becomes an art.
    I hope your BONNE CONTINUATION, and I won’t forget knock on your blog’s door by leaving some comments.
    I don’t know if you know already the Swedish film ‘Fanny et Alexandre’ by Ingmar Bergman. It is a lovely film of a young boy, Alexander, his sister Fanny.
    Beautiful snow, houses, all small things interieurs, kids and familly. Poetry and Spirituel.
    Congratulation again and BONNE NUIT

    Like

    Reply
  31. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Sweet Melissa, thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us for 5 years now! It has been such a pleasure following your blog. I hope it continues for many years to come.
    Please do not enter me into the competition, as I have already received much “tiny happy” luck so far. But I still wanted to give you some of my movie recommendations. These are some of my favourite films. I own all of them on DVD and watch them more often than is probably normal:
    I am Love
    Howards End
    Wings of Desire
    The Royal Tenenbaums
    Lost in Translation
    Annie Hall
    Manhattan
    Hannah and her Sisters
    Casablanca
    The Scent of Green Papaya
    The Vertical Ray of the Sun
    The Portrait of a Lady
    The Lives of Others
    Harold and Maude
    Bright Star
    Days of Heaven
    The Secret of Roan Inish
    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
    Grey Gardens
    The White Ribbon
    In the Mood for Love
    (Can you tell I love movies?)
    Have a lovely weekend, and good luck everyone!

    Like

    Reply
  32. La Minette Anglaise Avatar
    La Minette Anglaise

    5 years is a very impressive achievement – well done! I just love reading your blog. You remind me that one can be creative in all sorts of wonderful and simple ways. Carry on the wonderful work!
    The last film I saw was The Kings Speech – gorgeous interiors and amazing costumes, wonderful performances (I love Helena Bonham Carter) and a very moving story. What more could you want from a film!

    Like

    Reply
  33. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Congratulations Melissa, thank you for a lovely blog, alway a pleasure to visit and such beautiful needlework.
    Films – I’m sure you will have watched a lot of my favourites Brief Encounter, Mrs. Miniver, the musicals of the 50’s (such as Kismet, Oklahoma etc) Rebecca, more modern ones such as Withnail and I, Mamma Mia, The Piano and Bright Star and a couple of my DH’s favourites (apart from anything starring John Wayne!) Sleepless in Seattle and You Got Mail plus of course, Toy Story for the little (and not so little) ones.
    Carol xx
    Carol xx

    Like

    Reply
  34. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi neus, thank you- i saw that in the summer at the cinema- it was wonderful!!

    Like

    Reply
  35. spotsoftime Avatar
    spotsoftime

    Congratulations, your blog is stunning! Favourite film of all time is definately ‘Room With A View’, stunning adaption with very young Helena Bonham Carter (and very young gorgeous Rupert Graves. Closely followed by ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply” with Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman – hankie needed for this one! Oldies but goodies!

    Like

    Reply
  36. nicole Avatar
    nicole

    happy 5th blogaroo birthday! your blog brings me such calmness & peace. it’s simply beautiful in every way.
    with regard to films, my faves (and i adore movies so the list is not a short one) include:
    old school movies- Amelie (of course), as well as The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lost in Translation, Stranger Than Fiction, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Squid & the Whale,The Diving Bell and the Butterfly & Pan’s Labyrinth. oh, and In Bruges (Colin Farrell) for more on the zany, darker side.
    newer movies- The Kids are All Right, The Kings Speech, Water for Elephants, Win Win, & Submarine should be fantastic although i haven’t seen this one yet. oxo

    Like

    Reply
  37. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Congratulations on 5 years. The last movie i saw was The kings Speech which I really enjoyed.That was before the earthquake and our local cinema is still out of action so haven’t seen anything since. a number of years ago i saw a swedish movie called As it is in Heaven.That’s my favourite I think.

    Like

    Reply
  38. Caroline Avatar
    Caroline

    Happy birthday! I love tuning in daily for a spot of inspiration and refreshment! I watched “The Queen” this evening, which was excellent, and last weekend I saw “Next” which was very good, though utterly different to the queen! X

    Like

    Reply
  39. Vicki K Avatar
    Vicki K

    Every item is so charming!! Thank you! If you didn’t see it already, I like the Lark Rise to Candleford series.

    Like

    Reply
  40. elflyn Avatar
    elflyn

    Congratulations on your Blogiversary. 5 years is definitely an achievement.
    I don’t get to see many films/movies these days but I am planning this Winter to re-watch Colin Firth do his thing in Pride and Prejudice.

    Like

    Reply
  41. karen Avatar
    karen

    Hi Melissa,
    Congratulations!
    If I want a good laugh I always enjoy “Four Weddings and a Funeral”.
    I enjoy reading your blog each day
    Cheers
    Karen
    Newcastle,NSW

    Like

    Reply
  42. Jacqui Dodds Avatar
    Jacqui Dodds

    Happy 5th Blog Birthday! One of the best films that I have seen this year is ‘The King’s Speech’ – very moving and uplifting.

    Like

    Reply
  43. Cussot Avatar
    Cussot

    Congratulations on your fifth anniversary! I’d recommend any of Jim Jarmusch’s movies, especially Dead Man, but I’ll second Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love. It’s gorgeous!

    Like

    Reply
  44. Lorraine Avatar
    Lorraine

    I have recently come across your blog & love it.
    Happy 5 yrs !!
    I saw Made in Dagenham last night & loved it .

    Like

    Reply
  45. Patricia Reiff Avatar
    Patricia Reiff

    Re-watched To kill a mocking bird. Great old movie

    Like

    Reply
  46. lekki Avatar
    lekki

    Congratulations Melissa, gosh! 5 years. I must have been following your blog for most of this time because Keira was a baby when I started reading. Amelie is a film I love. there’s some films I can watch again and again: Forrest Gump, Grease and groundhog Day (how apt!). In the 70s I watched Cabaret several times at the movies, I wonder if it I would enjoy it as much now as I did then? I must borrow the dvd and give it a whirl, thanks for stimulating this thought 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  47. Littleminx.wordpress.com Avatar
    Littleminx.wordpress.com

    Congratulations! Wow, 5 years, I love following your blog and all of your lovely and creative projects. I just recently found an copy of Truly Madly Deeply, a 1990’s film with Juliet Stevenson & Alan Rickman. True class acting, and makes me cry every time! Thanks for 5 years of sharing Melissa x

    Like

    Reply
  48. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Congrats! Your blog is one of my very favourite and I am so glad you continue to do what you do as it inspires me SO much I can’t even tell you. 🙂
    I don’t watch too many movies lately, but my favourite movie in the past six months was Winter’s Bone. So profoundly good. I also recently watched a documentary called Catfish that was really, really moving. Best not to look up the plot of that one ahead of time as it’s full of surprises.
    Megan

    Like

    Reply
  49. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Happy blogversary! Time flies eh – my youngest daughter is about to turn 4 (can’t believe she’s that old already!).
    As for films, I’ve recently seen The Social Network and Easy A. Both great films for different reasons but well worth your time.

    Like

    Reply
  50. tai Avatar
    tai

    Congrats on 5 years! I always love stopping by for a visit to your beautiful blog.I don’t seem to get to watching movines much these days but my favorites are still Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. But I am taking notes- lots of great recs here!

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to Ashley Smith Cancel reply