thank you

Really, thank you. I don't think I've mentioned lately how much I love this little world of mine here. Not just writing my blog, but reading the comments and emails, reading other blogs, getting inspiration and encouragement. It really has improved my life in a big way. I never dreamed I would get so much from starting up this blog, and while sometimes trying to write on here *most days* (I've always felt that if i leave it too long i will completely lose momentum) has caused me a bit of panic (can you tell those days when there's not much to write about?!), I acknowledge that it's a silly self-imposed rule.

And thank you so much for your support of my etsy shop. I still feel a vague sense of disbelief every time something sells on there. I debated with myself about opening up an online store for ages before I actually did it. Quite apart from being wracked with self-doubt about my work, I was worried that selling things would change the feel/nature of my blog, and I wanted to make sure I was still blogging for the joy of it, and not just for promoting what was for sale.

I forgot to add the embroidered pansy shoes (sz 6-12 mths) above to my shop update yesterday. And it's been ages since I gave away anything on here- so I was wondering if anyone would like them? I also have an extra set of poppy notecards.

I thought a de-lurk might be fun, so if you leave a comment on this post and let me know something about yourself- how you found my blog, where you live, or something like that, I'll put your name in a basket and draw two out on thursday. The winners can let me know if they'd like the shoes, or a more boy-ish pair, or the notecards.

I'd love to hear from you, whether you leave a comment often, or never have before, so don't be scared, lurkers.

Comments

[kristen]

I found you through a search of handbag patterns and found your amazing and easy shoulder bag pattern. I'm in the U.S. so don't worry about sending me anything. I just wanted to de-lurk.

[Lisa Baxter]

I LOVE the things you make! It inspires me to get back on the horse, (er stool?) and sew more. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon your site but I now check it regularly to see your picutres and ideas, as well as to check in on the Southern end of the world (I am in the US) . My Grandmother is from Australia and I have always wanted to go.

Good luck on your ventures and keep sewing!

[Jenny]

I can't remember exactly how I found you. I was wandering about through blog land and stumbled across you. You do beautiful work! I have 2 littles ones and just adore your shoes. I live in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada and we are already in need of slippers and cozy things as fall is pretty much here!

[Glenn]

I don't remember how I found your blog either, but I do enjoy it very much. I just had a bitty girl, and would adore some of those adorable booties! I live in Virginia, homeschool my 4 littles, and love to make stuff. Thanks for inspiring me.

[madmommy]

And I don't remember how I got here either, except that I was so excited to show my hubby how you make such beautiful shoes using tea towels, thrifted finds, etc. I'm still in awe of your artistry, and I love to read your blog.

[jen]

found your blog through LOVELY BLOGS

love the booties

I live in the lovely Hawkes Bay

[Lisa Thiessen]

I do love what you do. I found you through your bag tutorial, we were building very different bags at the same time. Thanks for your continued urge to share - it helps and inspires all of us out here with creative souls.

[esther croak]

I don't remember how I found you, but i have been reading for ages. i love the things you make, i love the things you do with your kids, and i love that you are inspired by the season exact opposite of the one i am in:) i live in fort collins, colorado, in the US. i am sewing more and more repurposed children's clothes with thrifted linens and i love your ideas so much! i have three kids, teach grade 4 and try to find time to sew. i have a chance to show my work in a fashion show at a sustainable living fair here in my town in september. if only you lived close by, i would certainly get your work up there too:)

[stacy]

--not sure how I found, you but I'm embarrassed to admit it was looooong ago. I'm a terrible, lazy, lazy commenter! I'm in the US, so please don't enter me in the contest. Just wanted to admit to being a frequent visitor.... Be well. :)

[Karol]

Hi, I live in Minnesota and found you through a link from Rookie Moms in the article about making little kids pants from adult t-shirts (which I loved doing). I am a grandma of two tiny happy granddaughters. Your shoes are beautiful and I know they'd look great on my little Sophia. I love to sew so really enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the great work.

[mel]

I found your blog while googling for handbag tutorials! i love how you repurpose clothes and make lovely, "new" things from them. You inspire me to do the same. :)

[kirsten]

melissa - thank YOU for your sweet blog. i love hearing about what you've been up to on the other side of the world. i have some tinyhappy-inspired cord pants for my son planned for the fall! :)

[Amy]

Hee hee, caught lurking. I am a BIG fan of your embroidered shoes, I believe I first them on the flickr embroidery group which I happen to moderate. Such great inspiration, plus just plain beautiful, love your work :)

[Sally]

I found you via whipup and I absolutely adore your baby shoes! It's such a beautiful use of all that gorgeous embroidery that seems to be just discarded. I live in Australia and I too love making things out of materials that need a new home.

[Gina]

i found u via the nappy network.org (someone on the forum was raving about your site). and i have just started knitting, wanted to make a wrap around knitted dress and happened on one of your patterns, around about the same time. i'm getting there painfully slowly, but its a lovely pattern (well, your finished product is, not so sure about mine)...

[Lore]

I found your blog through a friend of mine, who also introduced me to google-reader--making the plethora of blogs I enjoy a lot more enjoyable! Since then, I've kept up with your blog much more frequently.

[Alicia Ryan]

I found your blog by following a bunch of links I think. I kept coming back and reading about your life and creations out of recycled goods, as I do many blogs, before I bookmark them. Very inspiring, I can be found hanging out at op (thrift) shops much more often! I live in Geelong, Australia.

[Joanne]

Hi Melissa
I reckon I must be one of your chief 'lurkers' I cant wait to open your site everyday for inspiration (!). I am full time mum of two gorgeous little boys and I am a closet crafty girl! I am English but met a lovely kiwi and have been living in Auckland for last 10 years. I bought one of your lovely bags from babylicious and since then I have been transfixed. You have helped me finish little projects I started .....Just wanted to say, Cheers.

[Sharon in Ireland/NZ]

Nothing like a competition to eek out the lurkers! A friend of mine in Ireland recommended your blog when I told her I was moving to NZ for the year. I bought a bag from you earlier this year and I'm using it daily. The bootees you make are divine, I'd love to win a pair!

[Meg]

Hi, I found your blog months ago from other links from bloggers who sew bags. Your shoulder bag pattern was Perfect for what I wanted to make. It is in a shop now but I will photo it and put a pic on my new blog for you to see sometime. Thank you, thank you. I started reading you regularly because you are so charming. I actually started my own blog to communicate with bloggers just like you! You're on my favorite sites list. Regards, Meg Jewell, Dolly Dilettante

[melissa]

sharon: i agree- sneaky of me, wasn't it?

everyone: thank you for your sweet comments!
i should have mentioned that i'll send the shoes/cards anywhere in the world.

[okie okasan]

I found your lovely blog through your Etsy shop. I was browsing Etsy for baby items and saw the adorable shoes and just went ga-ga. Thanks for the sweet e-mail in response to my first ever comment on a blog. What a warm welcome to this new form of socialization!

[heidi]

okay you know i adore those shoes!!! and i love this friendship we have managed from a world away!

[anna]

i've only been reading your blog for a couple of weeks - so can i be excused for this being my first comment? he he... here's something funny - when i was reading your archives i discovered that you live/grew up in the same town as my best friend's hubby, and you're the SAME AGE! how funny would it be if you knew each other... oh, and i *love* sufjan stevens, especially casimir pulaski day... !!!
i love looking at all the stuff you make - i'm a scrapbooker, but it's inspiring me to do more other stuff while my inspiration is on holiday with preggers #2. *love* those notecards - i want one of those gocco things...

:D
~anna

[the secret knitter]

I think I might have found you through Ruth's Place, but I don't remember for certain.

It seems to be a common refrain among craft bloggers that they never expected the sense of community that develops around their sites. I've found it to be true too. What a wonderful thing to find.

I love your photos and the gentle air here. As the other commenters attest, I'm not the only one you inspire.