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. kate (littlehouse) Avatar

    oh! Helen from pinterest:) I’d love to read her work. It looks so beautiful too.

    Like

  2. Julie Alvarez Avatar

    It looks so interesting! And the cover is super beautiful, congratulations Melissa!

    Like

  3. coco Avatar

    it would be nice to have a copy and it will be my good tea companion.

    Like

  4. KarenLR Avatar

    What a sweet and lovely book. Thank you so much for the chance to find it in my mailbox.

    Like

  5. Poppy Avatar
    Poppy

    A tantalizing glimpse! Yes, please enter me, I’d love to have a copy. Thank you for your warming blog. 🙂

    Like

  6. mariaritasacchi@virgilio.it Avatar
    mariaritasacchi@virgilio.it

    ciao Melissa, sono una lettrice del tuo bellissimo blog, sono italiana e ho 66 anni. Il mio desiderio sarebbe di poter un giorno venire in N,Z, ho cominciato a studiare l’inglese e chissà …….ciao dall’Italia MARIARITA

    Like

  7. keishua Avatar

    I would love a copy.It looks lovely.

    Like

  8. Mousy Brown Avatar

    Love the excerpt above and would like to read more, count me in please!

    Like

  9. CindyW Avatar

    I love poems and study women’s literature and would love to have this book. It looks beautiful!

    Like

  10. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Lovely words! I don’t think I’ve read a poem about sewing before, but is sounds very familiar.

    Like

  11. mama-pan | mary frances Avatar

    my gosh, that is beautiful. congratulations to your friend (and to you for the cover art!)

    Like

  12. Katherine Avatar
    Katherine

    Makes me want to pick up some sewing right this instant!

    Like

  13. Makenzie D. Avatar
    Makenzie D.

    Yay! This looks like a very exciting book to own!

    Like

  14. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    How lovely. 🙂

    Like

  15. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I would like this book also. I would also like this book. I also would like this book. I would like this also book. I would like also this book. Look how the meaning keeps shifting with the placement of that one word.

    Like

  16. Trisha Avatar

    I want one too!! I love the thought that there is never nothing, even if it is a hole.

    Like

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

    I would love to read some poetry in English!Great cover!Congrats!AriadnefromGreece!

    Like

  18. tina Avatar

    love the title of the book, and of course the cover 🙂

    Like

  19. Monica Walters Avatar
    Monica Walters

    Very precious. Crossing my fingers here…

    Like

  20. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    The book sounds beautiful.

    Like

  21. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Her poetry seems wonderful! I’d love a copy of her book!

    Like

  22. Lotus Hattersley Avatar
    Lotus Hattersley

    what a lovely poem. Makes a great break from marking accompanied by a fresh pot of chamomile tea (thank you!)
    xx

    Like

  23. Kylie Avatar

    oh, i am so happy to have come across this! Mrs Lehnndorf taught me when i was 4th form! i would love a copy of her book 🙂

    Like

  24. Kylie Avatar

    and by come across, i mean i have read your blog for a while but had i not come across tiny happy those many months ago, i may not have come across this book. 🙂

    Like

  25. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Oh how lovely! This is my favourite kind of poetry, captivating words strung together highlighting the beautiful and ordinary. I would absolutely love a chance to read more!

    Like

  26. Sarah Avatar

    Oh my goodness, I would treasure such a book. The excerpts you have shared are just lovely.

    Like

  27. Sonya Avatar

    love the cover!

    Like

  28. elizabeth Avatar

    I would love to win this treasury – I love poetry, and the excerpt you chose truly intrigued me. Thank you for a chance to win.

    Like

  29. nancy Avatar

    I would love a chance to win. Poetry has always been special to me and I love reading new voices.

    Like

  30. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    Just lovely! Perfect for the holiday season!

    Like

  31. Hannah Avatar

    Would love to hold and read this book!

    Like

  32. cathleen Avatar

    Oh, this sounds lovely. I find great comfort in poems, stories, and essays about all things home. Thanks Melissa.

    Like

  33. Melissa Avatar

    Yes thank you. I would love to read some lovely poetry as we are snowed in for the time being!

    Like

  34. Merruli Avatar

    Your fabric on the cover looks good and the according to the poem you chose from the book the content is quite as nice.

    Like

  35. Meredith Avatar

    I’d love a copy! Thank you so much!

    Like

  36. Ingela Avatar
    Ingela

    🙂 Like—

    Like

  37. Chloe Pinel Avatar
    Chloe Pinel

    Looks like such a warm and cosy book for this rainy afternoon

    Like

  38. Addie Avatar
    Addie

    I am charmed by the taste of Helen’s poetry you have given me here and I would be so excited to read more. Thank you for the giveaway.

    Like

  39. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    I too would love to go in the draw, please..

    Like

  40. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    Great giveaway. I love poetry and am trying to foster the same in my girls.

    Like

  41. umm bilal Avatar

    such beautiful words and as always your stunning thread work and inspiring insights to a serene and blessed life in what seems a fresh and natural environment. I have been a lurker to your talents for a long time but your offer has prompted me to go public 🙂 Thanking you both very much for sharing your creativity.

    Like

  42. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Sounds lovely, just right for sitting under a shady tree this summer, thank you for the giveaway….

    Like

  43. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    The cover and excerpt you share here are beautiful and thoughtful.

    Like

  44. jasmin Avatar
    jasmin

    what a beautiful look, im really curious for the inside!

    Like

  45. Meliors Avatar

    I’m a big fan of Helen and her poetry and I would love to win this book!

    Like

  46. Maura Brattested Avatar
    Maura Brattested

    please and thank you ❤

    Like

  47. Penelope Avatar

    Fabulous to see so many hankering after a copy of Helen’s poems. Me too.

    Like

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