A.musing.mama! 4.7 (COMIC winner)

Isn't that the truth?

Today's COMIC giveaway winner is Nichole M!  This sketch is dedicated to her 13month precocious progeny who loves getting into all sorts of messes while she attempts to clean.

Yes, a carton of ice cream all over his head.

Yes, the toys all over the floor.

(Not depicted... taking the stereo speakers for a 'walk' with the cords as their leashes! ha!)

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I think we all relate well to the 'futility' of housework with little ones underfoot, don't we?

A BIG thanks to all the hilarious entries for this giveaway, you guys - and your fun families - gave me some great chuckles!

Have a fun weekend friends,

Mel ;o)

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You can catch up on previous COMICS here!

 

your personalized COMIC giveaway:

Alright, alright friends... here it finally is!

I've been plotting and planning this curious comic giveaway for a while now... but the weeks have been a blur of bleary eyes, snuffles and sleeplessness (seriously cramping my creative mo-jo).

But I shall wait no longer.

So here's the scoop:  since all of us with kids likely have an endless list of hilarity worth sharing, I thought it would be fun to illustrate one of your amusing moments.

It will then be posted on the blog.

After which, the original sketch will be mailed to your doorstep.

We may even throw in a few originals from the younger artist in the nest too ;o)

How to enter the contest:

1. E-mail me a 'true-from-life' moment of hilarity from your home.

needleandnestdesign@live.com

done!

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The winner of the contest will have their silly moment sketched and published for next weekend's COMIC post. (Nov. 15).

I will then contact you for your mailing address and send you the original.

Looking forward to laughing with you,

Mel ;o)

warming winter GIVEAWAY!

Hey there friends and new visitors!

Today, two other blogger buddies and myself are combining our creative efforts to treat one of you winners to some winter warmth!

A pair of my wrist warmer's here are up for grabs:

You'll also score a sweet toque from Nicole over at Gypsy in Jasper, and a yummy tea sampler set from Stacy at Linen + Leaves!

To enter.. just hop over to Nicole's hosted giveaway and play along!

Warm hugs and fuzzy thoughts your way,

Mel ;o)

Winner is...

woop to the wooooop!

Congrats sweet mama, I'm eager to send these nested goodies your way (and what ever other treasure you pick from the SHOP)!

Thanks to everyone for taking part in this giveaway,

the rest of y'all win a free hug!

creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

Giveaway day!

 Happpppy birthday to me.. means a giveaway for youuu (yep, a yearly tradition)!

This is always the time of year I keep an eye out for nests, and robin's eggs that may have fallen from their tree perches... daughter Azriel looks so young holding one from last year.

And, since I have nests on the brain, that will be the theme of my gift-aways.

 Handmade bird's nest pendant: three turquoise beads nestled into a slice of tree branch, hung from a silver chain.

Bird's nest brooch: speckled eggs in a brown wire nest with green fibre/textile leaves glued to the back.

Plus a $20 gift card towards any items listed in the SHOP!

Total value of giveaway: $55!

Just a little way of saying thanks for being here, in our nest.

Thank you for sharing in our story here, and letting me share my creative projects, ramblings, etc. with you.

The best part about feeling so blessed on your birthday is to share the joy.. so any and all are welcome to enter this giveaway!

(I may even throw in a few extra treats for you followers).

To enter:

Simple answer the *skill testing* question:

If I was 11 twenty-two years ago, and 22 eleven years ago... how old am I today?! Hehe.

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*For those of you who can't comment below due to computer issues (I know there's a number of you out there) feel free to e-mail a "hello" to me and I'll put your name in the draw too!

needleandnestdesign(@)live.com*

I'll let you know which lovely reader won it all by next TUES 28th!

Off to work today... and to eat more chocolate cake!

Mel ;o)

share the love (a giveaway of sorts)...

 Artists appreciate art.

Crafters appreciate crafts.

So nothing thrills this artist/crafter's heart as much as giving/receiving handmade-with-love creations!

Like these delicious 'rainforest green' knitted wrist warmers sent from my dear friend Lynn.

(Hi Lynnie.. hiiiiiiii!)

We both eagerly agreed to do a craft exchange and wondered why we hadn't done this sooner (we used to be house mates.. but then I got married, and she up and moved way out West with her man.. Hi Steve, hiiiiii!).

Anywho, she - being the sweetie-pants that she is - also included these funtastic turquoise glazed hand pottered buttons she made (she introduced me to pottery).

Aren't they just cute as a... yes.

She even threw in a crochet turquoise dishcloth too.

I also sent her a bunch of my hand crafted lil' goodies. Fun fun.

...

That same day I got a sweet letter from my blogger bud - Nicole.

While this delightful bunting behind me (from pages of this book ) was part of a BIG Christmas parcel from my Australian e-mail pen/pal (Hi Gayna.. hiiiiii!).

Fun mail is awesome.

I love it, don't you?

So I figured it's about time I share the love again... but only if you pay it forward too! ;o)

So here's the scoop:

First 5 comments here get a pretty lil' surprise handmade from me..  it may be a piece of jewellery, or art, or other crafty goodness I create for you.

It will flit flutter and fly over to your mailbox sometime in the following few months!

(Note: if you comment, leave an e-mail that I can reach you at for mailing info... if you leave your blog address my 'filter' will hold you message until I check it.. so don't worry if it doesn't appear right away.. I'll know you were here!).

But there's a catch - if you want to win a lil' love, you gotta give a lil' too.

Send something sweet to 5 more friends/folks in your life too.

Even if you aren't crafty... a nice tea, a mix CD, chocolate!

Deal?

Ok, go!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

handmade holidays: GIVEAWAY! [Closed].

 Well friends, it's that time again.

I'm feeling crafty... feeling cheerful... feeling festive.

Annnnnnnd I want to share it with you!

You dear readers are a sweet spot in our nest.

I'm blessed to have you perch here as often as you do.

Whether you're a devoted 'follower' who patiently endures my daily postings,

or an occasional 'check-in' and catch up type of reader... I'm honoured to have you stop by.

So here's a wee thank you:

 This hand pottered ornament features a gorgeous indigo crackled glaze on one side, and a sketched oak leaf imprint on the other.

(If you chose to turn it in to a necklace pendant I would cheer you on!).

The winner also gets to choose ONE painted feather ornament in the colour of their fancy (ivory or brown feather with accent colour option).

Those delicate large doily earrings will be included in the prize too (like snowflakes for your neckline).

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This is just a small token of my big appreciation for your presence here.

Whether you're a new reader - or an old one.

Whether you comment often - or never make a peep.

I'd love to send you this Christmas warming gift!

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How to enter the GIVEAWAY:

1. Simply leave a comment and SHARE a favourite Christmas memory.

Bonus:

2. While I don't like 'bribing' people to be forced followers of my blog ..IF you are a follower, please mention which forum you use (google reader/bloglovin'/facebook)... you may just win some extra goodies in your care package! ;o)

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Giveaway ends next Friday, November 30th, when the WINNER will be announced! 

Thanks for being here friends,

Mel ;o) 

Unplugging (+ giveaway WINNER!)

This bird is flying the coop.

Well... I'm technically unplugging from the Internet for the next week!

I've got a few colourful posts lined up for you while I'm off radar... so you're still welcome to pop by the nest here (I just won't be responding as usual to messages).

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In other news, a giveaway WINNER!

Thanks to all of you sweet souls that said such kind.encouraging.humbling comments... I'm honored to be a place that inspires or entertains you...

...I wish you could all win these goodies for how lovely you are to me!

But who's name did I randomly pull from the cookie jar you ask?
Laura!
(who coincidentally happened to interview me on her blog recently!)

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Farewell for now tweet.hearts, see you again on July 1st!

Closing the laptop, opening to the summer,

Mel ;o)

hey, hey it's GIVEAWAY day! [closed]

 Yes friends, I've finally gotten around to hosting another giveaway from the nest here!

I'm excited to share the following handmade treasures with one lucky reader (though I wish I could send a 'love-gift' to each and every one of you!). 

The fact that you - yes you - are reading this blog for the first time, or the hundredth time, is a delight for me.

So, I want to share this giveaway as a thank-you for being here.

Thanks for reading.

For your comments.

Your warmth.

Your support.

I know this blog is a real random 'surprise pack' of all the pondering and projects bouncing around my brain.

So, maybe you come here for d.i.y inspirations, or to see what I've been creating, upcycling, and sewing... or maybe you visit just to marvel at the utter adorableness of these kids (I know that's what keeps me coming back!).

For whatever reason, I'm glad you're here.

Thank you.

On with the giveaway!

 One-of-a-kind, doily.pressed, honey.glazed pottered neck.clay with an antique bronze chain.

 One antique lace&leather neck.lace.... and a felted embroidered brooch.

Plus, a $20.00 gift card to use in the Needle and Nest online SHOP here.

If that tickles your fancy, enter this giveaway!

How to enter:

Since this is a 'thank you' I'm not about to bribe you to follow.link.like.tweet me... 

I just want to hear from you!

It's that simple, leave a comment below saying 'hello' (or any other sweet words to share).

Even if this is the first and only time you comment, I'd just love to know you're here.

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*WINNER will be drawn a week from today.... next Friday 22nd!*

Good luck all you lovelies,

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

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P.S...  Just in case you do want to find me in the worldwide web-sphere you can follow here:

 Bloglovin'

Pinterest

Facebook

thanks!

the winner of today's giveaway...!

Well friends, the giveaway contest here at our nest is now finished... so today we get to announce the winner!

Thanks to all the friends and 'new' friends who left kind comments encouraging my artist heart.

If you're a 'local' you can see a majority of these paintings up at Black Honey Cafe for the next month (showing until Nov.20th).

So without further ado: after officially writing all the entries' names on paper and tossing them in my green colander bowl... I plucked this sweetie from the mix:

 

"Hi Mel,
I would pick 'Patchwork Valley'. It looks very peaceful - just what I'm looking for today!
Beth" 

Oh I do enjoy when a sweet soul wins all my goodies.. and this fine woman Elisabeth Sheffield is one fine soul, congrats Beth!

(Now you just have to contact me with the details of which hoop you would like to own, and which print you want sent to you).

Thanks to all who participated.

Have a wonderful day!

Mel :o)

Introductions: giveaway!

Hello friends!  Now that you've been patient enough to endure my "Introductions" posts this week about 'who I am' and 'why I blog'... I figured it was about time for a fun lil' giveaway from this nest!  Maybe these handmade goodies will catch your fancy for you or someone else for Christmas? :o)

The winner of this giveaway gets their choice of either the 'vintage mushroom' stitchwork hoop (size: 8") - OR - the 'little kite, big sky' patchwork hoop (size: 7").

They will win a 'birds of a feather' necklace, and a pair of 'delicate doily' earrings.

And.... they get to choose which of my paintings they would like in a signed 8x10 lazer colour print!

Sound like fun?

Here's how to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (either in Google Reader, or Bloglovin')

2. Leave a comment about which painting your 'pick a pic' would be!

That's it. That's all.

The giveaway contest will close next Wed.Oct.12.2011 - when the winner will be announced!

Good luck,

Mel :o)

...whiskers on kittens - [a survey]

Firstly, this is Tinderpuff - my 'personal attendant' who tends to stick closer than my own shadow most days.  I love her big owl eyes.... and soft, fat belly.

Second, I'd like to do a mini-series of posts here over the next week.  Posts about why I blog, who I am, what I create... etc.  Consider it the official introduction to my blog I never did.

Now that I've hit 200 posts in half a year (crazy, I know!)... I thought I should actually step back and re-asses this mess I call my nest.

I'm going to end it with a giveaway too!

So here's where you get to have your input - if there's any specific topics you want me to address, or certain questions you've wanted to ask me... now's the time.

I'll aim to incorporate my responses into the following series of posts.

We'll be covering a few of my 'favourite things', which just happen to be whiskers on kittens. 

So that saves you asking that question!

Thanks for stopping in friends,

Mel :o)

the giveaway winner is...

Today is the big day!  One lucky reader gets to take home some of my handmade creations.  Thanks to all of you who joined up with my blog, and to those of you who took the time to post some profound and priceless comments about what you would do if it was your 'last day'. I had a lot of fun doing this birthday blog giveaway contest. So without further ado...

 Yippee for Jolene!  My husband Ben was the name drawer from a bowl of all your names... so you can thank him for picking you.  :o)  Now all you have to do is e-mail me: needleandnestdesign@live.com or facebook me your mailing address... and which combination of prizes and painting print you want.  Woot.

I would love to mail you some sushi too based on your comment... better yet, I would love to share said sushi with you... MMmmMMMMmmmmm!

There you are friends, thanks for joining in on the fun, and stay tuned tomorrow for another edition of slide show sundays.

Nite nite,

Mel

'birthday blog' giveaway special!

No cats or toddlers were humiliated in the making of this cheesy picture.

 Happy birthday to meeeee.... means a giveaway for youuuu, cuz who doesn't like gifts?!  So yes, it's my big day, and I am thanking God for 31 years on this earth so far.  I thought a good way to celebrate would be to share my creations with one of you kind readers.  That is.. if the world hasn't ended due to the crazy 'prediction' mentioned from my last post.  Happy long weekend as well - it sure looks like a beauty!

Me at age 5(?)..... to me as a Maid of Honour...

Speaking of beauty... wasn't I a cutie?  I don't know what happened... between then and now.. there was a whole lot of acne... that's all i remember. ;o)

Anyways! Lets get to the good part already. Here's my giveaway special:

One lucky winner will get their choice of:

a) Either a red or yellow lil' hoot (#1)

or

b) Your choice of any two combinations of the other creations.

[i.e one pendant #2 - with one doily brooch #3 

or one baby tee #4 - with one clay wrist cuff #5

or mix and match another way!] 

But wait.. that's not all (cue cheesy infomercial voice).

You also get to have a print (read laser colour copy) of any one of my paintings that you choose.. and heck, I'll even autograph it for you... just cause I like you. 

Interested?

All you have to do is...

a) Become a 'follower' of this blog [look up at the top bar of this post... next to the Blogger icon and white search box there is the "follow" option.  It won't hurt, I promise.  I won't sell your identity to the underworld either.

b) In light of the 'end of the world' theme of this date... leave a comment sharing a few things you would do IF it was your last day on earth.

That's it. That's all.

A winner will be picked and announced a week from today.

Happy my birthday. end of the world. long weekend everyone!

Creatively yours,

Mel :o)