tiny happy

making journal

Convent 1
Saturday 2
Saturday 3

Hello and happy long weekend, if you're reading from NZ. Hope this finds you well and keeping warm in early winter (or summer…)

The last few days have been fairly quiet ones here, and the sky has been grey as grey. I've finished a bit of embroidery – a garden-inspired project bag for a customer and will post it off to the other side of the world shortly.

Last night I watched the film Yarn, which is currently on NZ Netflix. Have you seen it? It's about crochet and knitting artists from various countries, and has a voiceover by writer Barbara Kingsolver. The film explores the role of yarn and thread in a Danish circus, knit graffiti in Iceland and Cuba, environmental protest art and even crocheted play equipment for public spaces.

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I bought the latest Laine magazine, which is a knitting publication from Finland. I ordered it through Holland Road here in Wellington, and it was a big treat to find it in the letterbox when I got home from work on Friday.

I would make every single pattern in there, but there is one project that I especially long to knit – it's a top called 'Birkin' and has a botanical fair isle pattern circling the yoke. I think it is so beautiful! But I am a seriously slow knitter and I'm not sure i could achieve it (it's knitted in 4 ply Brooklyn Tweed yarn). It's currently number one on my making-dream-list. Do you have a list of top dream-makes, too, and if so, what's on it?

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This week has brought with it such terrible news from the UK, the USA and elsewhere in the world, and my heart goes out to everyone affected.

Honestly, it makes me think that perhaps this blog is too trivial and insensitive to bother with. To write about knitting and gardening, and weather and moods. I hope you too can find some comfort in the small things, the quiet moments of joy in your life right now.

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34 responses to “making dreams”

  1. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Please keep writing Melissa, we need every safe beautiful creative space possible sending messages of light and hope out into the Universe. Tiny Happy is a beacon. Be encouraged that this space is heard, valued, welcomed and needed.

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  2. tinyhappy Avatar

    Hi Sarah,
    Thank you for your very kind comment, I so appreciate it. XX

    Like

  3. Lisa Saxton Avatar
    Lisa Saxton

    Your posts are lovely and exactly what is needed in these uncertain times. You and other bloggers do a wonderful job of bringing the joy of simple things into our lives. There are so many things going on to bring us down and it’s important that we have an escape from them. Thank you ❤️

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  4. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Please do keep writing. I read your blog regularly from my home in Michigan (US) and so enjoy it. Your words and photos are so lovely and bring both inspiration and solace.

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  5. Susan Hemann Avatar

    love your blog from Ohio

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  6. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    These are the joys of life! We need creativity and beauty and green, growing things to keep us hopeful. Thank you for sharing, always.

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  7. steph@woolythyme Avatar

    it’s the small things and quiet things that keep many of us sane in this increasingly crazy world. Love your space here.

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  8. Lina Avatar
    Lina

    Melissa this blog is what the world needs. Sensitive, beautiful and simple things. Have a nice weekend! 🌱💫

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  9. Daffodil Angel Avatar
    Daffodil Angel

    Hi Melissa, I agree with all of the comments. We need to keep reading about gentle things and gorgeous crafting.. Best wishes from Tasmania.

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  10. Mary-Anne Avatar
    Mary-Anne

    Do start the sweater – it doesn’t matter how slow you are (I’m slow too), even if it takes a year or three years, eventually it will get done and be just as good as if you had knit it in six weeks. 🙂

    Like

  11. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    Thank you Melissa. Your blog has a gentle contemplativeness (is that a word?) to it that is comforting. The world keeps breaking too often now and it’s important to have our gentle activities and thoughtful discussions in the face of sadness, hate and crass haranguing.

    Like

  12. sally Avatar
    sally

    Birkin is so gorgeous! You could save it for best. I am also a very slow knitter – sometimes by the time I have finished a piece, the intended wearer has grown too much for the piece to fit. But I do so love having a complicated knit on the go.
    I love your blog Melissa. It is so well made and gentle. Yes, there is madness and grief the world over, this is a strange and unsettling time. I also read all sorts of news sites and podcasts and I come here to your lovely blog to find an oasis of calm. That is not trivial at all. It is wonderful and important ad it pleases me so much that you are out there hand-crafting beautiful things. Please be assured your blog has a place in this world and it is so valued.

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  13. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Hi Melissa, I too look forward to reading your blog.Your photos especially keep me in touch with NZ. Please keep up the great work, cheers, Karen, Newcastle NSW

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  14. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    I agree with the comments above. As Sally so beautifully said your blog is an “oasis of calm’. One that I come to for direction to create my own “oasis of calm” . So please continue. We need you in this crazy and at times, sad world. Reminding us of what’s good for our souls.
    I also find solace at Carmella Rayone’s blog, you could be sisters! You are both of the same mindset.
    You’ve inspired me to attempt a small fair isle project now. Yes I too am a slow but steady knitter. But having a go stretches us and the joy of succeeding, well its great! Plus a great example to children and grandchildren not to give up.

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  15. Caren Wilton Avatar

    I think if anything that creativity, gentleness and attention to the small things are even more needed in times when terrible things are happening. Please keep being you and doing what you do, it’s lovely xx

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  16. Lyndle Avatar
    Lyndle

    I agree with everyone above. I love the calm of the small beautiful things you write about. Thank you for your blog. Could you use the fairisle pattern on a hat, to try it out?

    Like

  17. Sylvia Gil-Stearns Avatar

    Please do not think your blog is trivial. It’s a beautiful, creative and calm space that is like oxygen in these very troubled times.

    Like

  18. Helen Albans Avatar
    Helen Albans

    Echoing the comments of all your readers above.
    Helen, in the UK

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  19. Lucille Avatar

    Can only echo the above thoughts. We must not change our focus. This source of comfort is needed more than ever.

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  20. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    I think we need such things more than ever in these times- your blog is always calming and inspiring!

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  21. KarenLR Avatar

    quiet persistence.
    these little places on the internet are what will save our sanity.
    please know that your place here is valued and appreciated.
    xo
    Karen in Vermont

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  22. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Hi if you look on the blog Posy gets cosy You will see what the pattern you like looks like starting to be knitted.

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  23. Meg Avatar

    Lovely Melissa… I think there is always a place for that which is small, simple, sweet, beautiful, heartfelt and thoughtful. It’s in those ways of being that I think hope resides, that solace can be found. I hope you’ll write on and continue to share your beautiful stitchings and crafts and words. I love to read them and they always make me smile. Meg:)

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  24. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks lisa! ill check it out now 🙂

    Like

  25. Jo Hannah Avatar
    Jo Hannah

    Hi Melissa … I have been reading and enjoying your blog since the birth of my first child who is 10 on Thursday!! I have happy memories of sitting feeding my new baby while reading your blog. You gave me encouragement and comfort while embarking of my new – sometimes scary! – life of motherhood. When I was faced with new challenges of emigrating to NZ I again turned to your blog for encouragement and comfort. Now in troubled times when I am up late reading news and worrying about what the future holds for my children, I again do the same.
    Thank you
    Jox

    Like

  26. Melanie Avatar
    Melanie

    It is only the so called simple things that keep us sane. I always appreciate your words and images posted on your blog: balm for the weary, a pick me up, something to bring a smile. Thank you for being who you are and sharing your joy with the rest of us.
    Take care. xo Melanie

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  27. Mary Gordon Avatar
    Mary Gordon

    Such empathetic words – I suggest your post is “beautiful” rather than “trivial” and moments of simple beauty that we can connect to and be inspired by spark joy when it is most needed. … “it is still a beautiful world
    …strive to be happy”
    thanks!

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  28. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, dear mary!
    x

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  29. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you melanie,
    XX

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  30. tinyhappy Avatar

    what an honour that youve been reading my blog for so long. thank you for this lovely message, jo!
    – melissa XX

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  31. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you for this lovely message meg,
    m XX

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    Make a statement with this super stylish Insulated Duffle Bag – sturdy, stylish and reliable backpack for everyone!

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