tiny happy

making journal

Giveaway 1

Giveaway 3

Giveaway 2

This online journal is ten years old! I find it hard to believe.

Yet in some ways it feels like I've been writing about my projects here forever. 

Thank you for dropping by and reading. Thank you for your emails and comments over the years. It's been a lot of fun. I don't know what the future holds for 'tiny happy' – whether I'll keep on writing here or not. I'll just keep going until I get tired of it.

So to celebrate this blog milestone (a decade..!!) I wanted to have a giveaway, because that's always fun.

I have three parcels to send to you, dear readers, to thank you for being part of my blog family. I'll draw three separate winners – they can be from anywhere in the world – and we can work out which is the best parcel for which winner.

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a) knitting parcel – this includes a bento bag I've made from hand-printed linen (it's the perfect size for socks-in-progress), a skein of beautiful hand-dyed merino yarn (handspun and dyed by my Mum) and two balls of one of my favourite local yarns, Silver Lining merino DK (knits up like this)

b) sewing parcel – this has a length of beautiful vintage cotton fabric, some hand-dyed embroidery threads and a sampler needlebook

c) making for children parcel – a new signed copy of my book and half a metre of 'planting seeds' fabric I designed (it's nice for lining bonnets, baby shoes, etc and you can find the patterns for these in the book)

If you're not really a making-things type of person, I also have some nature badges and postcard sets I can send should your name be drawn.

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To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below telling me what you're currently working on – whether it's something you're making or cooking or a book you're reading.

XX Melissa XX

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219 responses to “a decade of blogging, with presents”

  1. Marta Etxebarria Avatar

    oh! congratulations Melissa! Zorionak! (in basque language)
    I follow you since flickr times and now I realize how far it already is, ten years!
    I am in Berlin for 3 weeks and as @vanessarenaterouse (instagram) sent me one of her paintings some weeks ago, I’d love to buy some yarn here and knit her a scarf during these weeks. You could check her instagram account, I think you will like it a lot.
    So i wish you the best for the next ten years and I also wish this blog to remain as it is, I really love its natural energy.
    Enjoy winter, warm regards,
    Marta Etxebarria

    Like

  2. Carly Avatar
    Carly

    Congrats on 10 years! Each of these gifts is equally beautiful and special. I’m currently knitting up a scarf for my baby for when she’s a toddler and sewing her some bibs and bloomers too 🙂

    Like

  3. Ana Salomé Avatar
    Ana Salomé

    Such a great giveaway Melissa 😊 Happy blog-anniversary! I’m currently knitting a cardigan for my goddaughter for her birthday next month…and socks for me!

    Like

  4. Anne Avatar
    Anne

    I have been following your sweet blog for years now – the other side of the world always the seasons the other way; I have been knitting a baby cardigan and seeing pants for my boys.

    Like

  5. Jane Dobson Avatar
    Jane Dobson

    I’m making an evening purse from a piece of vintage kimono silk – stalled just now as I realised the purse frame I’m using has loops for a strap, so I need to look for or maybe lucet a cord… congratulations on your milestone, I can’t believe how time flies, week by week.

    Like

  6. Jillian Walst Avatar
    Jillian Walst

    I always seem to have several things on the go at once – time available dictates what I pick up to do and when.
    So, there is the little pair of trousers for a grandson, crochet joined sheepskin rug for each grandchild for this Christmas, a crochet baby blanket, just because I love to do them and sheepskin slippers because they are so cosy in winter. So much more I’d love to try too…..that’s why it is fun to read your blog.

    Like

  7. ssokarito@ gmail .com Avatar
    ssokarito@ gmail .com

    Congratulations Melissa on this decade Thank You for warming my heart and many others for many years! I am currently stitching 3 wool felt owls (Sue Spargo style). Today i attempted a little needlefelted mouse for a walnut shell bed, our 2 year old grandaughter was most interested. Bless her. Love from the wild West Coast.

    Like

  8. Shara Avatar

    Wow! 10 years is such an achievement Melissa! Congratulations…. I think I started reading your blog when you first arrived back in NZ.
    3 very beautiful gifts.
    Currently, I’m almost finished a red cardigan for biggest boy, and I’m glad I started the biggest size first as I plan to make three more the same for the other boys. Hopefully they’ll seem “quick” compared to this one!
    Xx Shara

    Like

  9. Candyce Avatar
    Candyce

    I think I have followed your blog from early on. I love the gentle creativeness of it.
    I love making cards. I said I would never get a die machine but did and just love using dies now.
    Thinking of you!

    Like

  10. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Congratulations on a decade of blogging! And thanks for the giveaway, so many lovely things! I’m currently reading the Miss Read books, planning to can some zucchini relish and sewing wool leggings from fabric bought on my trip to New Zealand! Have a great day!

    Like

  11. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    I’m busy creating bags with all the bits of fabric I have. Like shoes, hats and scarves you can never have to many bags, a bag for everything. I so enjoy what you do and so often inspired please keep writing xx

    Like

  12. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Lovely blog by a lovely lady. Thanks for all your inspiring crafting!

    Like

  13. Ingrid Avatar
    Ingrid

    Wow 10 years, Congratulations! I am currently working on getting my sewing room back together. Ha! I have 4 girls that are always in some kind of sewing project. Hoping to get some sewing time in for myself soon. Us girls did recently buy fabric for us all to have matching dresses….which was my 16 year old idea, can you believe it!?! Keep up the good work..always an inspiration! !

    Like

  14. Sarah @HappyHobbit1 Avatar
    Sarah @HappyHobbit1

    Congratulations on reaching a decade! And thank you for sharing your projects with the world on this blog – I have enjoyed following for years.
    I’m always making things…at the moment I’m part way through knitting a scarf version of the Guernsey Wrap using some hand-dyed yarn my friend Hannah made (CircusTonic Handmade), and also trying/struggling to knit the first few rows of my first pair of socks..
    How special that you are giving away some yarn your Mum made! I would love to win that prize, or the one with your special fabric and sweet & simple project book.

    Like

  15. Joyce Avatar
    Joyce

    Congrats! What am I not working on?- ha. A myriad of knitting and crochet projects and several cross stitch/paper/needlepoint/embroidery (I’ll stop) projects are lurking in the background……..just not enough time in the day! Love your blog and your handiwork!

    Like

  16. Zena Avatar

    Oh do keep blogging. This is such a lovely quiet and peaceful place in a very busy social media world. I’m knitting a shawl. It’s varigated in redish mexican colours. It cheers me immensley when I’m knitting. I do hope to get back in to sewing in the Spring when my health is better.

    Like

  17. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    Wow, 10 years … Time flies, eh. Congratulations! I’m knitting a pair I’d socks for my sister’s birthday in September.

    Like

  18. Claire Vardy-White Avatar
    Claire Vardy-White

    Love your blog and photos, I am trying to make bento bags! My knitting projects are Big Star Shawl and an Icelandic cardigan along with millions of socks 😬

    Like

  19. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    I’m currently knitting a Vanora sweater, pattern from Brooklyn Tweed. I love knitting! I also cross stitch and do a bit of quilting at times. Thanks for the giveaway. Love your work.

    Like

  20. Caitlin Avatar

    Wow, thank you!
    I am always making something but lately it has been knitting. Currently learning to knit socks!
    Looking forward to another 10 years of reading your blog- I hope!
    🙂

    Like

  21. Jen Meister Avatar

    Congrats on 10 years! I am currently working on a quilt to be sent tO Orlando as part of the #quiltsforpulse initiative 🙂

    Like

  22. Ellen L. Avatar
    Ellen L.

    Happy ten years!!!!!
    I am sewing a tote right now, but keep getting distracted by the summer gardening chores 🙂

    Like

  23. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Making a baby blanket for my dear neighbours who are having their first baby. Using leftover bits of wool from my own babies various knits over the years. Love reading your blog. It is gentle and peaceful. xx

    Like

  24. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Dear Melissa,
    I just started my first maternity leave this week, the baby should arrive in the coming days : ) I am making paper ornaments, looking at simple sewing patterns for rompers, and knitting tiny socks and hats.. so relaxing and exciting at the same time! It is always a pleasure to follow your inspiring blog and creations, and see beautiful pictures of NZ where I lived and travel for several months a few years ago. Congratulations for the 10 years!

    Like

  25. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Congratulations for a whole decade! Right now I’ve been sewing som soft and cozy trousers for my grandson, and I always have a couple of woolen socks on the go.

    Like

  26. Trina-Lea Avatar
    Trina-Lea

    Such an auspicious milestone…congratulations Melissa! Your beautiful blog is always a special place to stop by for a wee dose of tranquility and inspiration. Projects that I have on the go at this moment are a knitted cardigan for one wee granddaughter, and the beginnings of sewing an Oliver + S pattern for another. In my mind there are pots of preserves from my new book The Modern Preserver bubbling away on the stove. But this heat wave we are experiencing in the PNW has those plans on standby. Thank you for all of your sharing over these past 10 years…may there be many more to come…

    Like

  27. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Yah, 10 years! I’m in the middle of a million projects and in the middle of reading the Divergent series. Your pictures are always so cohesive and lovely.

    Like

  28. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    Congratulations! Yours was one of the first I discovered in the wonderful world of blogs, and still one of my favourites.
    I am currently making a couple of Merchant & Mills ‘Camber’ dresses in linen (for you dressmakers out there, this is a wonderfully simple but classy pattern). I do lots of crafts but am trying very hard to be focused on a couple of things rather than start too many projects at once!
    Best wishes.

    Like

  29. Melissa Avatar

    Congratulations! I have your book and it’s such a lovely one. I am taking a baby sweater knitting class so that I can learn to knit a sweater for myself! The pattern is Old Growth cardigan by Tin Can Knits. I am listening to The return of the dancing master by Henning Mankell.

    Like

  30. Ginny Avatar

    A decade is quite an achievement. I am working on some little knitted frogs at the moment, although off on holiday soon, so think I must find a bigger project for some car/beach knitting.

    Like

  31. Lina Avatar
    Lina

    Congratulations! I would like to say thank you for taking the time to blog, your space is always beautiful, inspiring and positive. Hope you will keep it for many years to come, cheers!

    Like

  32. Wilmasue Avatar
    Wilmasue

    I’m making crockpot ratatouille with salsa. And knitting a sweater. I so admire your handwork.

    Like

  33. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    I have a brown sugar pound cake in the oven and two knit rompers cut out and waiting to be sewn up downstairs. I love reading your blog. Congrats on 10 years!!

    Like

  34. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Happy anniversary! I’m working on some wool socks for winter right now…at my current rate of knitting, they should hopefully be done by then!

    Like

  35. Sierra Avatar

    Congrats on your decade of blogging! I enjoy reading it so much!
    Currently I’m knitting the Azaela tank by Quince and Co, a baby blanket for a friend and reading Knitlandia by Clara Parkes.

    Like

  36. lillith Avatar

    hurrah for ten years of blogging!! i’m working on loads of things as always but top of my list are a new Roberts jumpsuit (great sewing pattern by Marilla Walker) and a fair-isle sweater for my dog for a photoshoot (don’t ask!)…

    Like

  37. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Congratulations!! Happy Blogiversary! 🌞

    Like

  38. Hayley Avatar
    Hayley

    I’m making a baby romper for my niece who’s on her way to us in November. I’m using vintage fabric and trims from my Grandmas old stash!

    Like

  39. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    Happy birthday, I’ve currently got 2 pairs of socks on the needles and a list of want to makes growing in my head. Not enough hours in the day unfortunately to get everything made.

    Like

  40. Mariana Avatar

    Congratulations! Your blog is a great ressource for inspiration and is part of my calm minutes almost every day. Your work is beautiful.
    I’m currently working on three things at least: a fall cardigan for my daughter aswell as a waldorf inspired doll for her 1st birthday. My soon-to-be 3 yr old son will hopefully have his violet pullover finished by wintertime! the sleeves are still waiting to be done!

    Like

  41. Meg Cameron Avatar

    Congratulations! 10 years is a wonderful achievement.
    I’m constantly making lots of things (can’t help it! I have a compulsion to make everything!). At the moment I am sewing project bags for knitters, knitting a little cardigan for a baby girl, knitting 3 shawls for me, learning to crochet, learning to spin and I’ve been carving stamps so I can make some pretty fabric.
    Needless to say, it’s pretty hard to find any clear surfaces in my home!

    Like

  42. Martine Avatar

    Currently knitting a red stripy version of the Still Light Tunic by Veera Vailimaki (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/still-light-tunic), sewing a yellow linen version of Folkwear’s Turkish Coat (http://www.folkwear.com/caravan.html) and reading The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Ché Guevara.
    I love visiting here to see your beautiful delicate embroideries, your life always seems so calm and simple, just looking in from afar somehow relaxes me.

    Like

  43. Carla Silva Avatar
    Carla Silva

    Hi, Melissa!
    You’re such an inspiration! I am from Portugal and thanks to you I signed up for embroidery lessons and loved it. I also will start studying dressmaking (very excited about that) and now I am working on transforming some relatives’ unwanted garments so that I can wear them and make them my own. (Also attempting to make my own deodorant, tooth past and soaps – failures don’t break me, haha). I am reading about Portuguese History.
    Congratulations Melissa, and please do not stop writing 🙂

    Like

  44. Tonia Avatar
    Tonia

    Congratulations on ten years!! This has been my happy place on the internet for a long time so thank you for all that you do here. ❤ I’m currently working on several water bottle holders to help with outdoor adventuring. I’m using old blue jeans with cute fabric embellishments. I’be made some before but they are very well worn and my kids have outgrown the straps as they are all much taller now. And I’m always working on lots of books…currently reading the Inspector Gamache series. I love it!

    Like

  45. Begoña Avatar
    Begoña

    Muchas felicidades!adoro tu blog y tu trabajo! siempre me das inspiración!yo continúo trabajando en una colcha a ganchillo!proyecto largo.un abrazo!

    Like

  46. HELEN BARRON Avatar
    HELEN BARRON

    I enjoy reading about a fellow NZ crafter

    Like

  47. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    O WoW congratulations! Your blog has inspired me over the years. I’ve enjoyed it very much!

    Like

  48. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    Wow! Sometimes it seems hard to believe there have even been blogs that long! I guess I’m getting old…
    I’ve been knitting winter hats lately. I’m on a quest to find the perfect one for me and I love having some (rejects) to donate.

    Like

  49. Penny Crompton Avatar

    Congratulations on your 10 years, please don’t stop. I seem to work on several things at once, easy knitted slippers for my dh, a cloth doll and a snazzy cloth hare, a journal page and a hand embroidered 9 patch that is taking for ever to finish but I don’t mind as I can take it any where with me.Just finished reading Alistair McCall Smith, The forgotten affairs of youth.

    Like

  50. Sarah R Avatar
    Sarah R

    I’m not sure if I’ve been reading the whole ten years, but it’s a long time, and I always experience a little surge of joy to see that you’ve written something new – I hope that you keep writing for a very long time. I’m currently working on a bright multi-coloured scarf made from hand dyed North Ronalsay yarn from my beloved Orkney, and stored in the lovely cornflower bag that I bought from you quite a few years ago. Happy anniversary!

    Like

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