tiny happy

making journal

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This is my friend Helen Lehndorf's collection of poetry, which is fresh of the printing press this week. Helen's poetry chronicles everyday life in an original, detailed and bold manner and draws the reader in close. She shines light on how it is to live in provincial NZ, the natural world, to be a mother, be in love. They are beautiful poems.

Helen loves to make things with textiles and many of the poems mention fabric, threads and stitches. Here is an excerpt from my favourite:

Mending pile

A hole is not a thing but the absence

of a thing. You broke this with all your wearing,

and I sewed and sewed until the holes

were nipped shut, the mend invisible

to all but the most discerning eye.

Hope is a darned hole.

You might recognise the cover image- the beautiful book design work was done by Sarah Laing and the embroidery is my 'winter branches' design. 

The Comforter is published by Seraph Press in Wellington, and you can order copies through their website here

I have an extra copy to give away here on the blog. Would you like one of your own? If so, just leave a comment and I will draw a winner (from anywhere in the world) on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!

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109 responses to “the comforter + a giveaway for you”

  1. Hannah Avatar

    I would love a copy, it looks like a wonderful book,

    Like

  2. sloane Avatar

    A chance to win a beautiful new book of poetry? Count me in! 🙂

    Like

  3. Jenna C. Avatar
    Jenna C.

    How beautiful, the words and cover. I would love to read more poetry inspired by New Zealand.

    Like

  4. Angela Avatar

    Sounds lovely 🙂

    Like

  5. Emily Avatar

    It sounds lovely. Yes please!

    Like

  6. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    I would love to be reminded of what it is like to live in provincial NZ … been away too long …

    Like

  7. Christina J. Avatar

    It looks like a lovely book of poems!

    Like

  8. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    hope is a book of poetry called the comforter

    Like

  9. Mary-Anne Avatar
    Mary-Anne

    I would love a copy! Yay for provincial mothers!

    Like

  10. Melissa Montee Avatar

    It looks and sounds beautiful! What a lovely give away!

    Like

  11. Tessa Avatar
    Tessa

    oh yes please. lovely..

    Like

  12. Michele Avatar
    Michele

    I love the thought, “Hope is a darned hole.” I would be thrilled to get this beautiful book.

    Like

  13. Marty Avatar

    Sounds beautiful! BTW-you were featured on Facebook today in an Etsy post. Nice!

    Like

  14. samantha Avatar

    another one that thinks it sounds wonderful. My son is just getting into poetry and I would love to find some favorites to share with him. I immediately recognized your stitches in my reader.

    Like

  15. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    What a lovely book – just loved that little poem Mending Pile. Yes please enter me as would love to win a copy – keep up the great work with your blog as your posts are so inspiring every single day, Kind wishes, Julie 🙂

    Like

  16. Delwyn Avatar
    Delwyn

    I wonder if provincial New Zealand is much different to provincial Australia…

    Like

  17. Sharyn Avatar
    Sharyn

    I would also be delighted to add this treasure to my book shelf…thankyou for your daily inspiration you give. You often remind me to be very thankful for the simple things in life. xo

    Like

  18. melissa Avatar

    looks like a wonderful book!
    thank you for the chance to win!

    Like

  19. will Avatar
    will

    oh how i miss provincial nzed!

    Like

  20. Christina Avatar

    Oh, how incredibly delicate and beautiful. A wonderful choice of excerpt. The publishers motto is apt, ‘words that matter.’
    Wishing Helen every success with her book. I’ve just sent the link to my sister who is doing a Phd on Australian poetry and hinted that if she hadn’t yet gotten me a Christmas present…
    🙂

    Like

  21. Jo Avatar

    What a beautiful package – poetry and craft together. I’d love to win.

    Like

  22. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    Yes! is the answer. I’d love a copy.

    Like

  23. Simone Avatar

    I would love a copy – I think it would make the perfect gift for a friend on mine actually. She would appreciate much more than me.

    Like

  24. tinyhappy Avatar

    will it misses you too. see you all very soon! 

    Like

  25. Philippa Avatar
    Philippa

    I am always amazed at the fact that you not only sew and take photos but you have children…… I find it difficult with my 3 kiddies!! I would love to go in the draw…. thanks very much… P.S. I have a lovely pair of booties that my baby walks around in made with love by you. Thanks, I love them..

    Like

  26. melissa Avatar
    melissa

    lovely! thanks for the introduction to this book.

    Like

  27. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    The book looks lovely!

    Like

  28. Kelly Avatar

    Oh my goodness, this is beautiful. I would love this.

    Like

  29. Nicole Avatar

    What a beautiful collection of poems made even more beautiful with your lovely work.

    Like

  30. sarita Avatar
    sarita

    How wonderfull…:) thank you for the opportunity to win this treasure..xx

    Like

  31. Cozy Memories Avatar

    what a beautiful book, with the prettiest cover !
    please add my name to the giveaway
    thank you so much for your generosity
    xoxo

    Like

  32. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    How lovely of you – I would love to win this!

    Like

  33. Hayden Avatar
    Hayden

    Such a beautiful bit of poem leaves me wanting more, so here’s my name in the hat!

    Like

  34. Sian Avatar
    Sian

    Yes please..a nzer who would love this.

    Like

  35. Lou Avatar
    Lou

    This looks fantastic! I would love a copy! Fingers crossed 🙂

    Like

  36. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I’d love some poetry in my life right now – good to take a little time out and think floaty thoughts with a book like that.

    Like

  37. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Yes please I would love a copy – I love the part about hope! Emma x

    Like

  38. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    love the excerpt of poetry,beautiful cover..I would be thrilled to have a copy…thanks for the chance!

    Like

  39. carla Avatar
    carla

    I would love to go in the draw. How magical it would be to discover what your friend has collected behind this beautiful cover!
    have a good day,
    Carla

    Like

  40. Alice Avatar

    Lovely poem. I like the beauty in something mended too.
    “the mend invisible to all but the most discerning eye^
    We all have mends like that in us, don’t we:)

    Like

  41. Tammy Bruce Avatar
    Tammy Bruce

    I tend to forget I really do enjoy poetry, and I liked that one you copied out. Love the cover too!

    Like

  42. louana Avatar

    what a lovely cover! xx happy weekend

    Like

  43. Heather Woollove Avatar

    Oh, how wonderful! Poetry and textiles together? Perfect.

    Like

  44. naina mahto Avatar
    naina mahto

    hi – i was just checking out poetry for reading at my sisters wedding – maybe there is something in this beautiful book of poems – also i LOVE fatoumata – she was my total highlight at womad in the uk last year, she was amazing her singing and dancing was so energetic and mesmerising – we went to talk to her after the gig and she gave me a kiss – she is Gorgeous!
    count me in for the poetry comp

    Like

  45. Rose es please, I'd love to win a giveaway and the book is gorgeous! Avatar
    Rose es please, I’d love to win a giveaway and the book is gorgeous!

    Y

    Like

  46. Miriam Avatar

    I love this poem, I love the way good poetry plays with words and trims them down to the barest thing in order to create images. I would love to spend my summer reading this. My fingers are crossed!! Thank you

    Like

  47. Belinda Avatar
    Belinda

    Oh what beautiful words, beautiful images, beautiful-ness.
    Thank-you for posting this Melissa. x

    Like

  48. Marine Avatar
    Marine

    An offer that can’t be refused! This book looks like a gem. Hope it is coming my way 🙂 Have a happy weekend!

    Like

  49. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Me please! And I’ll share it with my friend Angelina. She often reads poetry to me on our weekly phone calls (we live in different cities). I’m going to forward her a link to this post. She will LOVE that poem!

    Like

  50. Carol Avatar

    What a beautiful cover and lovely poem. I would be so happy to win such a beautiful gift.
    I’ve got my very first “Giveaway” on my (quite)new blog, hope you’ll visit and enter.
    Carol xx

    Like

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