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

friday giveaway

Giveaway

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Hello! Hope you are well today. I thought I might have a little giveaway here because I haven't had one in a while, and it's fun. Also, I turn another year older tomorrow and I always like to give stuff away on my birthday. I have made up two packages to send (to anywhere in the world) and each has a digital print of a collage I made back in the wintertime, a couple of fat quarters from this fabric collection, and a set of watercolour postcards. 

For past giveaways, I've suggested leaving a comment telling us about your latest favourite record or film, and I still go back to those posts to find new things to listen to and watch! So if you wouldn't mind doing the same this time, that would be fabulous. What are you enjoying listening to/watching/making? 

Thanks for visiting my blog and being generally awesome, lovely readers.

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266 responses to “friday giveaway”

  1. Megan W Avatar
    Megan W

    Happy Birthday. I love seeing what everyone is enjoying, so thank you for touching off some new discoveries. My favorite movie of the moment is The Guard. For music, my all time favorite album is Chopin: Nocturnes. This double disc set by Ivan Moravec is some of the best music ever recorded. I listen, mostly, to alternative and popular music, but I always find myself returning that album. I’m currently making (attempting really) a reversible pinafore for the daughter of a friend, and crocheting a baby blanket for another.

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  2. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    cheers karen, thanks for helping us cheer! i love that music too- you might also like the age of adz sufjan album? 🙂

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  3. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi maggie, thanks for your great comment! i too love audiobooks and palins documentaries about travelling. all the best to you!

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  4. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks for your lovely comment! your book looks rad…

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  5. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi ania- thank you! i am also a big jeanette winterson fan… i must re-read that one soon. 🙂

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  6. Brooke Beattie Avatar
    Brooke Beattie

    Happy Birthday! I am new to the world of blogs and loving it. You have become one of my regulars after following a link on Cirque du bebe. Currently revisiting old favourites and enjoyed cleaning madly to Pitch Black’s album Electronomicon.

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  7. Never-odd.blogspot.com Avatar
    Never-odd.blogspot.com

    Happy birthday to you! I’m listening to some very cool music by the New Zealand group Beyond Ensemble. My favourite movie (probably) of all time is Harold and Maude. It has a great Cat Stevens soundtrack.

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  8. Marta Avatar
    Marta

    This is the week of Frank Sinatra. His music is everywhere – in the car, in movie sountrack and even now when I am writing my scientific article. It seems that I should live about 60 years ago.
    Best wishes and happy birthday! Thank you for your work!

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  9. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    I’m not writing this to go in the give away, but I like this lady’s guitar. She’s from Canberra, oz, and the album Continuum has some good tracks. Thought you might like, as I do. Her name is Milena Cifali.
    http://www.myspace.com/milenacifali

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  10. Lotty Avatar
    Lotty

    Happy birthday
    I’m reading the Ender series by Orson Scott Card at the moment, not normally a scifi fan, but this is great. And there’s a great film available online at the moment called 180 movie.
    Those fabrics are stunning by the way

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  11. Emma (silverpebble) Avatar
    Emma (silverpebble)

    Happy Birthday Melissa.
    We are all enjoying Vampire Weekend’s tunes at the moment. They’re so upbeat and this video as an absolute favourite:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XC2mqcMMGQ
    The little ones start dancing immediately. In contrast I also love listening to Arvo Part’s ‘Spiegel im Spiegel’. It’s meditative and incredibly relaxing.
    Thanks so much for the chance of winning. I have eyed that beautiful fabric of yours for some time. Oh, and happy weekend!

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  12. allison Avatar
    allison

    Happy birthday, Melissa! I hope it’s splendid. Lately I’ve been loving the Felice Brothers and Laura Marling. Listening to their music makes my day feel better. I also like to listen to The Moth podcast. I’ve been reaing Design*Sponge at Home for inspiration because my husband and I just bought our first home. I also love to have the TV on when I’m knitting. Lately I’ve been keeping up with The Parenthood and Modern Family.

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  13. cheese & chutney Avatar
    cheese & chutney

    Happy birthday, hope you have a lovely day! How sweet to offer gifts on your own special day. We had an amazing musical retreat last weekend and after lots of singing we watched Young at Heart & As it is in heaven … both sweet, sad and funny. Love reading your blog, thank-you.

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  14. cheese & chutney Avatar
    cheese & chutney

    Happy birthday, hope you have a lovely day! How sweet to offer gifts on your own special day. We had an amazing musical retreat last weekend and after lots of singing we watched Young at Heart & As it is in heaven … both sweet, sad and funny. Love reading your blog, thank-you.

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  15. Sylvie Avatar
    Sylvie

    Happy Birthday to you, and thank you for the generous giveaway! I like to listen to Roz Bell and one movie I watch at least a couple of times every year is Definitely, Maybe.

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  16. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    Ooo.. lovely dovely giveaway.
    I’ve been watching ‘Tangled’ (an Australian TV series) on DVD. Just started watching season 2. It is very good… but not very cheery.
    Not long back I watched another Aussie TV series called ‘Rake’ – very good aswell – really awesome cast with lots of great guests such as Rachel Griffiths, Sam Niel, Hugo Weaving. Enjoyed this a lot.
    Haven’t really been listening to anything new of late … sorry. Going through an oldies reliving my youth phase. You’d have heard it all before.

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  17. elflyn Avatar
    elflyn

    Happy Birthday!
    I am currently into watching Nigel Slater’s Suppers. I really enjoy his laid back presenting style, much more relaxing than many of the other cooking shows.

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  18. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    We’ve been listening to Mulatu Astake. We can’t get enough. And I haven’t really been watching anything.

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  19. Lilah Shepherd Avatar
    Lilah Shepherd

    Hello,
    MUSIC(artist/album):
    Blind Pilot – We Are The Tide
    Peter Wolf Crier –
    James Blake –
    Wilco – Whole Love
    Laura Viers – July Flame
    Bowerbirds
    RTB2
    Battles
    Maps and Atlases
    David Bazan
    MOVIES:
    Restless
    The Guard
    Midnight in Paris
    Never Let Me Go
    Tokyo Movie
    I just found your stuff on etsy, i love your work, my favorites are your flowers especially the flower with a black background fabric.

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  20. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Happy Birthday!
    Lately I have been listening to Adele and Neon Trees.
    Right now I am working on mod podging some fabric onto vintage suitcases.

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  21. Rain Avatar
    Rain

    Happy Birthday!
    I’ve been watching the tv series Breaking Bad which is so good!

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  22. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    I’m sure I’m not the only one watching Downton Abbey Series II, as well as Project Runway!
    I’m listening to the always talented Hey Rosetta!, and crafting up a series of cabled Christmas balls for a art show in the coming weeks. Trying to stay warm and cozy in this cold Canadian October…

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  23. Viki Avatar
    Viki

    Happy Birthday Melissa! I am making a dinosaur for my son which is heaps of fun. I even pulled the sewing machine out into the lounge so I could watch the rugby semi at the same time! Love your materials by the way.

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  24. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    oh- thank you! i loved the film as it is in heaven, too. wonderful stuff.

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  25. Jamara Avatar
    Jamara

    Happy Birthday Melissa ! Hope you have a fabulous day.
    Our house is full of Librans 3/4 of our children are Librans so much fun and laghter 🙂
    I am really loving Johnny Cash to listen to right now.
    Watching have just finished Mad Men on DVD, Downton Abbey next!

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  26. Adri Avatar
    Adri

    Hi! I have been listening to Angus and Julia Stone a lot lately. Have you watched Bright Star? I’ve seen it countless times and I’m sure you would enjoy the beautiful story and cinematography.
    Happy birthday!

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  27. libby Avatar
    libby

    Happy bday, my dear…
    I loved Malick’s, “The Tree of Life” and another recent movie,”Win/Win”. Listening to the Black Keys and Eddie Vedder’s newest album of ukele songs. Making a hooked rug, just begun, so knowing me,it will be a few years before its done. Its the journey, not the destination, right?

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  28. stephanie caldwell Avatar
    stephanie caldwell

    happy birthday!! my daughters birthday is tomorrow. 🙂
    i’m really enjoying listening to mumford & sons and matrimony. i also like listening to folk music playlists on 8tracks.com.
    i haven’t been watching many movies. we’ve been kinda into board games around here lately.

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  29. stephanie caldwell Avatar
    stephanie caldwell

    downton abbey is so good!

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  30. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    hi Melissa
    I am a new reader to your blog, I happened upon you by chance – a recent, unexpected stay in hospital saw a kind nurse deliver me a copy of the August Your Home and Garden. I made a mental note to google you and find your blog. I am so glad I did – just full of yummy, lovely things.
    When time permits (I have a just turned two year old and a 9 month old) I enjoy watching Louis Theroux on the BBC Knowledge channel and entourage for some light relief on comedy central! I am reading a lovely novel by Nicky Pellegrino called the Italian Wedding and currently on high rotation on my ipod is the amazing Jeff Buckley.
    Thanks, Kate
    PS Haooy Birthday

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  31. joanie Avatar
    joanie

    My goodness, a birthday giveaway. Happy birthday!
    I haven’t much time for films these days, I only got around to seeing Bright Star a couple of weeks ago and it sat waiting for at least two months. But music yes, and this week I’ve been revisiting Carlos Santana’s Supernatural album – fantastic! It makes my heart smile.
    Enjoy your birthday, make it last at least a week instead of just a day 🙂

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  32. mirabel Avatar
    mirabel

    Happy birthday lovely lady!
    Here are my music recommendations for you. I hope you listen to them and they fill your heart with happy warm gleeful feelings!
    – The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams (lots of great people singing unreleased Williams lyrics to their own sweet tunes)
    – A.A Bondy
    – Kurt Vile
    – and the new Gillian Welch

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  33. Amy Seven-Stitches Avatar
    Amy Seven-Stitches

    I’m digging out my older albums and listening to Natalie Merchant – Tiger Lilly.
    Happy Birthday.

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  34. cat Avatar
    cat

    Happy Birthday – haven’t checked in here for a while – great timing!! Hope you had a great day. I have a soft spot for Downton Abbey and Nothing Trivial at the moment 🙂 And of course the RWC!

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  35. rachelle Avatar
    rachelle

    TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE COMMENTS! I think you will be so busy reading them all you won’t have time for movies. I love “Fried Green Tomatos” and “American Quilt”. Old movies about wonderful women and their stories. I can’t wait to read what others suggest as I’m after a bit of inspiration myself. x

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  36. Nigel and jo Coles Avatar
    Nigel and jo Coles

    I just saw an NZ movie called Love Birds http://www.lovebirds movie.com
    Was a fun movie that I’d totally recommend.
    Happy Birthday!

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  37. Sieni Avatar
    Sieni

    i am watching “crownies” and scott and bailey on abc iview, reading the leopard by jo nesbo and trying desperately to make my daughter a pair of shorts but i keep getting foiled at the cutting out phase! happy birthday to you…

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  38. julie Avatar
    julie

    Bon anniversaire Melissa!
    I had a good laugh at the film Bridesmaids recently, a film about growing up and female friendship. And I am a big fan of Indian writer Aravind Adiga, have read all three novels by him and really recommend them.

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  39. Tinks the minx* Avatar
    Tinks the minx*

    Hari Huritau :-).
    Hmm… I doubt I can provide any new sight or sound inspiration… Im a bit out of the loop these days! But, I always love Ani Difranco- she is worth her weight in gold! And as for movies… Um…. I have been revisiting my teenage years with my 17 year old sister, watching Empire Records, and The Commitments (my two faves growing up!).
    Xx*

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  40. Christina Avatar
    Christina

    Happy Happy! Have you had a listen to Dudley Benson’s latest work Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne? Wonderful NZ music. Jenny Bornholdt’s recent Hill of Wool book of poetry is beautiful. Enjoy!

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  41. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    kia ora! thats amazing you mention that because yes- i do love dudley bensons music and i just saw him live in concert a few nights ago! (my birthday gift). he was pretty spellbinding. im also a bornholdt fan so we must have a similar bookshelf! thanks for your comment. 
    – melissa

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  42. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    I like watching Blue Juice as I am from UK originally but live in NZ now. It is set in Cornwall, which is one of my favourite parts of England. Am making snugglers from Lotta Jansdotter’s baby book, using Anna Maria Horner Folksy Flannels which I love, as am having another baby in a few weeks. Music – my favourite are The Killers.

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  43. Jacqui Taylor Avatar
    Jacqui Taylor

    Happy birthday to you! I’d reach for Nigella’s Lawson’s recipe for blonde brownies and make a batch or three whilst listening to Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album. I’d also recommend sitting down with a copy of The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell and finding some nice autumnal colours to knit or sew.
    Enjoy your day.

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  44. Aja Avatar
    Aja

    I have been listening to Sarah Jarosz a ton as well! So good.

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  45. Denise / Chez Danisse Avatar
    Denise / Chez Danisse

    Happy (belated) Birthday! My listening to/watching/making… Flying in planes has changed my listening and watching lately. On Virgin Airlines I found myself enjoying old Elton John songs (sentimental childhood memories). On Air France I finally saw Sofia Coppola’s Virgin Suicides, then watched Lost in Translation, again. I also enjoyed the entertaining Darjeeling Limited, again. Making? I replaced all of the buttons on my blue cardigan. I like it so much better now. Not truly “making”, but perhaps a version of making, re-making.

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  46. Denise / Chez Danisse Avatar
    Denise / Chez Danisse

    .

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  47. Marta Avatar
    Marta

    Best birthday wishes! I’ve been listening a lot to new Feist’s album, reading “Malina” by Ingeborg Bachmann- one of the most beautiful books about love I’ve ever read, a masterpiece I think. As for films, one of my recent favorites is “Martha Marcy May Marlene”, I’ve seen it at Warsaw Film Festival, but I really recommend seeing it when it enters distribution, it’s truly exquisite.

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  48. Afke Avatar
    Afke

    saying hello from holland.
    making my own blog at the moment.
    http://www.afkes.blogspot.com

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  49. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    oh- thank you for introducing me to her! very lovely indeed.

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  50. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you, marta- i will look for that book!

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