Happy Blog 1st Birthday Giveaway

Happy Blog-day to me,

Happy Blog-day to me, 

Happy Blog-day emerald cottaaaaage

Happy Blog-day to me :)

Yes, its a whole year since I started my blog, wow! I can't believe I've actually managed to keep going this long :) Thankyou to everyone who's been reading and/or commenting for a while, and welcome to my new readers too. Its definitely the bloggy love that keeps me coming back to post more. The community of like-minded bloggers is not something I had considered, so blogging fellowship has been a really lovely happy surprise :) I wondered if I would have much to say, if I would get bored, or if anyone would bother to read my waffle. Well, I'm definitely not bored yet, and it would appear that you lot are happy to still be reading, so I count that as a success :)

Stay tuned to the end of this post for the details of a celebratory Giveaway :) Yes! Another one! This time you can win this crochet book, along with some yarn and a hook to make some hooky flowers :)

Hurray :)

I didn't do any kind of end-of-year or 100-post roundup, so I think my 1st year blogiversary seems like an opportune time to reflect back on what's happened, craft-wise, in the emerald cottage over the last 12 months. Take a deep breath and let's dive head first into a year of craft .....

There have been scarves and cowls ....

.... and cowls and scarves ....

.... and cosy mitts ....

Lots of dinky little bags ....

.... and happy bunting ....

Cuddly baby blankets ....

.... and cushions and cosies for home ....

Some crochet creatures ....

.... and Christmassy craft ....

Lots of crochet mini-makes ....

.... and loooooads of non-crochet makes too ....

My goodness! Did I really manage all that lot in a year ??!? You know, it's funny. I am my own harshest critic. I read other blogs, adore other people's creations and sigh with frustration - how much everyone makes! How lovely it all is! How much time I must waste! I ought to get more done! Well, maybe I am not wasting time and maybe I am getting plenty done :) It's been lovely to look back at photos of all these fun projects, and to think about where I made them (at home, on holidays, in the park, on the school run) and who they were for (my Little People, friends, family). To remember the workshops I attended (felting, fused glass, candlemaking) and the friends who came along for the ride! How lucky am I to be able to do all these fun things and then to share them with you.

So in the spirit of this sharing, let's get down to the business of the GiVeAwAy :) I know the last giveaway was quite recent (and I may or may not have got round to posting prizes yet - ho-hum ....) but it doesn't bother me and hopefully doesn't bother you either :) 

Anyway, I recently bought myself a new crochet book (and I do love a good crochet book) "Cute and Easy Crochet with Flowers" by Nicki Trench. It's so lovely, packed full of patterns for flowers to crochet, and imaginative ideas of how to use them. I have 2 extra copies to give away, and so there are two prizes, each comprising a book, some yarn and a hook. Here's that photo again ....

The rules are simple - to enter just leave a comment below, and please include your contact details - purely so I can contact you in the event that you win, I'm not going to start spamming you or anything. The giveaway closes at midnight UK-time on Easter Sunday, that's Sunday 5th April, after which time 2 winners names will be chosen at random (probably with the assistance of a small person). I should point out this is not a sponsored post or anything fancy like that, I just liked the book (ok I confess it was on offer on amazon) and I wanted a lovely prize for my lovely readers.

So what are you waiting for ?! Get commenting, and best of luck!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps The actual blog-i-versary was actuallly on Saturday but I've had millions of annoying technical problemettes (the details of which I will not bore you with) but suffice it to say I feel like I have written, rewritten and proof-read this post about 365 (do you see what I did there) times so apologies if it is full of mistakes, I just can't see it properly anymore!