2016 Free Boms

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Hooray! It's time to Grow Your blog

Our lovely friend Vicki at 2 Bags Full has given us all the opportunity to visit new blogs and make new friends.  And for me the friendships I have formed have been the most surprising and wonderful aspect of blogging.  
I feel like I am part of a secret magical world that others don't understand. This little bit of blog world, peopled by artists and craftspeople and those with a love of textiles and fibres and stitching and knitting and all creative pursuits, really is special.  
It is safe and supportive and nurturing.  It is kind and generous and giving in so many ways.  
Some bloggers share just a small fragment of their 'real lives', others keep completely quiet and all we see is what they make and do.  Some bloggers share the trials and tribulations of life and others offer a virtual but loving embrace to help another through the darkest times.  
Everyone celebrates the happy times, rejoices in the triumphs and achievements of other bloggers and if they choose hold virtual hands in friendship across the world.  I feel very blessed to share blog world with all of you.


And as for what happens when bloggers get together...well maybe it should remain a secret...but suffice to say we do have fun.

My little blog started almost two and a half years ago and basically it is a record of the quilty, stitchy and crafty things I make.  There are so many wonderful creative bloggers out there who, so very generously, share their talents and projects with us and so each day I like to feature a link to a free project shared in blogworld...just like this one.
And boy do I love this one.
This is why I am learning to crochet this year.  I want to ...no...need to make these.  Here's the LINK to the pattern at truly beautiful The Stitch Pattern. Many many thanks to Shari for sharing this beautiful pattern with us all.


Little Henry went home today (gee this house feels empty) so I had a peaceful evening sitting and sewing and watching a couple of episodes of Inspector Frost.
I spent the evening sewing some hexie flowers onto their background squares.

It's also great to spread the news about things others may enjoy, so that's just what I do here.  Please let me know if you are involved in something you would like mentioned HERE.

 A special hello to Cornelia at Mummy and Me Stitching and pats and kitty kisses to her kitten, Susie.  Cornelia is new to Melbourne, so please pop over and say hello especially if you are a Melbournian. You can also meet her at fabulous Sewn and Quilted, where she is one of the workers.

And finally I'm having a little giveaway to celebrate Grow Your Blog day.  Last year I went to a brilliant bloggers day in Ballarat called Crafty Hijinks.  
It was organised by Jodie from Ric-Rac and Gillian from Silly Gilly.  

I was lucky enough to win the most brilliant basket of Ric-Rac goodies in the Raffle and I thought I'd share a little of my good fortune today. 
So if you would like to win four of these amazing Ric-Rac patterns just leave me a comment on this post.  You will have until Jan 30th to enter and I'll announce the winner on January 31st.  I'm happy to post anywhere in the world.
Of course I didn't read Vicki's instructions properly because I am a scatterbrain. She asked us to all announce our giveaway winners on the same day 
February 15th 
so that is exactly what I will do.  This gives everyone a bit longer to enter which is great.  So entries will close on St Valentines Day, February 14th.  Good Luck. 
Once again enormous thanks to Vicki for organising today's fun. 
Thank you very much for visiting me.  If you are a new visitor hope you will call back again and if you are a regular reader - thank you so much for being part of my bloggy world.
Love


100 comments:

  1. I am a regular and I come back every day to see what you've been up to!

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  2. What a great post! I love following your blog, I can hardly believe it's only been 2 and a half years.

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  3. I've never heard of Ric Rac patterns. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway!

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  4. Great post Mel. Just think, if it wasn't for blogging, you and I would never have met. We certainly do get up to lots of fun (I won't say mischief!), don't we!

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  5. I do love stopping by your blog to see what you're up to... and to see which tutorial you've discovered and are sharing with us. One day, I will time a trip to Melbourne to come to one of the sewing get-togethers.

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  6. lovely post Mel... so you.... hope you get lots of new visitors... please dont add me in your giveaway being a regular visitor!
    Hugz

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  7. Great post. I read your blog all the time. Love the free stuff :-) Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  8. Hi Melody, thank you for the lovely Hello :) I have just popped a new post up that includes photos of little Suzie so you can see what she looks like :). I would never say no to being entered into the giveaway also, I love Jodie's patterns! Have a great weekend.

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  9. I have made some treasured new friends through blogging too. Such a lovely post you wrote about your blogging friends. Your hexies are beautiful too. xx debbie

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  10. Visiting from FNSI. Lovely hexie flowers. Fussy cut looks great!

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  11. You definitely should learn how to crochet! I have recently learned how to and it is surely fun! --- Happy growing your blog! Am growing mine too hopefully.

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  12. Love coming to your site to see what has been happening and the free that you link to.

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  13. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us, Melody. I'm a follower from Saskatchewan Canada

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  14. Hi Melody, how lovely to find your blog. Can I ask you, what are those most beautiful fabrics you are using for the hexagons you're sewing. They are absolutely stunning.

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  15. Mel, you have expressed exactly how I feel about crafters and blog land. I have met so many beautiful paople in the craft world and blogging has created a larger world for me. Unfortunately I only get to travel with my quilt groups and don't have the courage to drive further than the Peninsula but at least cyberspace expands the places I visit. I thoroughly enjoy your bright and cheery blog and thank you for bringing much joy to us all. I loved the gathering at the Novotel last year and hope to catch up with you and the Mel Rosie gals again this year sometime. Angel hugs my lovely.

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  16. Great post. Love your hexies, such lovely fabric.
    I would love to be entered in your giveaway please.

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  17. This is a lovely post, Melody, and you are right about all the amazing people you meet.
    Good luck with your crocheting. Great hexie flowers, too.

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  18. A great post as usual, Lovely to see some faces I recognise, I agree, Crafty Hijinks was a highlight of my year, thanks to you and Christine. Count me in for the Ric-Rac giveaway, I have blogged about it too.

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  19. Love those potholders too! Might have to stitch up a couple, love the vintage look of them. Ive been following you via bloglovin. I enjoy all the little freebies you share :)

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  20. I love Jodi's patterns and would feel very fortunate should Mr R. Generator chose me! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  21. I love visiting your blog Mel. You are absolutely right about what a special community we have.

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  22. Hi Mel, a great post as usual, you know I visit every day, looking forward to seeing you soon.
    Hugs R.

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  23. Just love your blog Me, you are amazing..xx

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  24. We are very fortunate to be part of such a wonderful blogging community. I love your hexies the fabric and fussy cutting are gorgeous . Thanks for all the time and effort you put in to your blog and free links.

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  25. I enjoy popping in and seeing what you are up to, and following your links. I would love the chance of being in your giveaway, thank you for the chance.

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  26. Iamj aregular reader of your Blog
    Shez tells me we will be meeting in March Looking forward to that

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  27. Lovely post Mel,love visiting your blog my friend.I too feel blessed to have beautiful friends in blog land.
    Xx

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  28. I wish I could come to one of your blogger meetings. It looks like you have a great time and make lovely friends.

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  29. I am a regular visitor but I enjoyed getting to know you better. :)

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  30. Always enjoy reading your posts. It was a pleasure to meet some of your blogging friends today.
    Your free links are great thanks Mel.
    Maybe one day I will see you at a bloggers meet ?

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  31. Love your hexie flowers. I don't know Ric Rac patterns so will have to go and have a look.

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  32. I have hexi-itus too, it's infectious isn't it!
    Your so right about the kind crafting folks you are able to meet from all round the world online.
    Im coming back to share the vibes again lol
    Lyn

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  33. Hi Melody, I'm Beth one of Vicki's GYB party volunteers. Your quilting is gorgeous girlfriend... I am quite jealous!:D Oh, and welcome to the world of crochet! :D I hope you have lots of fun at the blog party and wish you much success at "Growing Your Blog"! (I look forward to future posts and will be back as one of your new followers :D)
    Hugs and have a great weekend,
    Beth P

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  34. I already love your blog and drop by to see your new sewing sometimes. I especially like your link in each post to another special project. Thank you for sharing a fun giveaway.

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  35. Hi, I'm Linda from craftygardener.ca and I found your site from the Grow Your Blog event.
    I'd love to be entered into your give away. Stop by my site and enter my give away too. It has been nice browsing through your blog.

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  36. Hi Melody
    I've been following you for a while - I love the cherry coaster, maybe I'll have to learn to crochet too!
    Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  37. Nice to meet you Melody. I love your blog graphics. They grabbed me from the start. Looks like you have a fun group and do many fabulous things. I hope to find that kind of support where I live someday since I just retired not too long ago. Thanks for the free stuff link!

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  38. Hello and wow !! I love your blog header and background.....I sew and crocheyt but cannot quilt yet it is on my list of things to do thank you for sharing that pattern it is a sweetie!
    ......popping by as part of the 'grow your blog day' Its such a lovely way to find super new blogs to read...I am joining along with you too
    bestest weekend wishes
    Daisy j

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  39. The friendly relationships I have formed and the wonderful things I learn and the encouragement I receive are my favorite parts of blogging. I have enjoyed seeing the beautiful sewing projects that so many bloggers make.

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  40. Dear Melody,

    Thanks for visiting me today - it's such a pleasure to meet you!
    Your blog is delightful (and how sweet of you to host a giveaway!)

    I look forward to getting to know you and hope that you will share your creative talents at one or more of our weekly parties at

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  41. Hello from another 'grow your blog' participant. Are you enjoying this party as much as I do? I would love to be entered in your giveaway :)
    Evalina, This and that...

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  42. Hi ... found you at the GYB party .... and glad I did!
    Your blog is delightful .... and what a generous giveaway!
    diane @ thoughts and shots

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  43. Hello ,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to take part in your giveaway.Lovely presents.:)
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.
    Bernadett

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  44. I love the cheery appearance of your blog! Hope you have fun along the way with Grow Your Blog. Cheers!

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  45. Thanks for participating in the party and for the lovely giveaway! Pick me!!!!

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  46. Your hexies are wonderful! You and the links you find are such an inspiration! I would love to win some new patterns!

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  47. Enjoy visiting your blog and getting to know you better :)

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  48. Hi Mel, I often visit but rarely comment :-( but just have to say what a lovely post this was...you really have captured the 'essence' of what blogging is all about.

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  49. Oh, it's fun to see so many smiling faces and see some of your beautiful creations! Happy blogging!

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  50. Great to meet you! You have so many things on the go and so much creative energy!

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  51. Better late than never Mel... so please add me into your lucky dip.
    I found out a few more details about my amazing friend called MEL. Thanks for sharing :)

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  52. I think you have summed up the whole gist of blogging and what wonderful benefits and friendships that can be made.
    so lovely to see your confetti hexies finding their backgrounds.
    (ps no need to include me in your giveaway, just couldn't cope with more distractions lol)

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  53. I found your blog on "Quilting Bloggers" and enjoy reading it very much. Thanks for the chance to win some fabulous Ric Rac patterns!

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  54. what a lovely post Mel i had missed this some how,i loved how you described the blogging world of friendship,and i am blessed that you are one of my best friends,because of blogging,enjoy your lunch with John today and love that pic Mel,take care my lovely friend.xx

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  55. long time follower that would love to win

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  56. I too feel blogging is a special place that other who are not part of just "don't get it"........I have made many wonderful friends thru the years..............

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  57. I enjoyed my visit to your blog. I love the hexies!

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  58. Sooo glad you started blogging Mel .... and came up here to stitchy group for a while ... and to just have crossed paths with you and played at bloggy meets and quilt shows with you along the way ... hope to be bloggy pals for a long time to come (and please don't include me in the draw, ta)...

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  59. Hi Melody, a great post with lots to read. Blogging is such fun, it keeps you on track, lets you try new ideas and make great friends. I'm so glad I joined in the fun.

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  60. I couldn't agree more Mel. Blogging has changed my life also. Can't imagine life without it now and all the wonderful people I've met through it

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  61. I loved your comment along the lines that non-bloggers don't understand the connections made through blogging. A person becomes a dear friend and you've never met her. Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to following your blog!

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  62. I also agree Melody , blogging has changed my life for the better and getting to know you a bit through your beautiful blog has been a blessing , I love your work and enjoy reading your kind words . Hugs Sheila

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  63. blogging is so much fun and I love reading other's blogs. I always enjoy seeing what kind of free things you find. There are so many generous bloggers that share such great things.
    I look forward to seeing many fun and surprising things on your blog. Have a another great year.

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  64. Your blog is delightful and I can feel your infectious, happy spirit coming right through to my computer screen. I also love the fun retro LOOK of it with your darling sidebars and all the color. Glad i stopped by from Vicki's blog party!

    Maggie
    www.themagrag.com

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  65. It is always a joy to visit your sweet blog, Meloday. Your kind links to fun projects and great blogs are a fun must for me to do everyday. Blessings to you.

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  66. Melody you are adorable!! Yes, blogging has been the perfect fit for me while in empty nest transition. I LOVE IT and all the people I meet even more!!~! I so enjoyed your blog. Stop by if ya get a chance: myplvl.blogspot.com (I'm a newbie...but I'm fun!..LOL!) Oh and I'm a new GFC follower...ta ta V

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  67. Melody,
    Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway, and for all you do to bring us the daily freebies. Don't forget to show pics of your sewing room after the redo!

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  68. Melody your blog is such a happy one to visit each day . Thank you for all the wonderful things you share with us.

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  69. Love your hexies! I just recently tried out my first hexies, patching our comforter with them!!! My son is laughing at me saying to patch all the holes will end up covering the comforter. Such is life. Crochet is something I keep hoping to learn but so far haven't. Exploring this world of blogs of still pretty new to me. I found them from facebook and seem to be off on a big explore! Thank you for sharing - still so much to learn.

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  70. Visiting from GYB and am signing up to follow your blog. Love seeing all your projects and yes to the blogosphere.

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  71. It's always good to have a bit of a share around of lovely patterns. How good of you Mel. I just love Ric Rac patterns. The few I have made are just adorable. And you would be able to see what they turn out like if I won the patterns......

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  72. I do so agree about how great it is to make bloggy friends although, as yet, I've never met any for real. thank you for all the free links you provide.

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  73. Melody...
    Thanks for taking oart in the GYB event. I may not have found you any other way!! I'm so going to be following you! You have lots of wonderful information here & it's inspiring. Thank You for the chance to win those YUMMY Ric-Rac patterns. I'm coming back for sure!!

    In Kind Regards,
    Tricia

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  74. I love reading your blog and seeing what you have been up to! Friends are one of the best things about quilting :)

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  75. Ooooh! I got such a surprise to see my picture with you and Christine on this post - thank you for including me among your special bloggy friends - you two are just as special to me :-)
    Those ric rac patterns look gorgeous, especially the one I can see with the teapot...don't think I've got a chance with 76 comments already, but you know what they say - gotta be in it to win it!

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  76. Yu all look like you had a wonderful time! please enter me in the giveaway.

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  77. Hi Melody,

    How nice to swap howdies with you. :) It seems you and your blogger friends had a really good time. Who are you? The one with the red hair? I guess so -- the only person who is in more than one photo. ;)

    Thanks for the chance to win those Ric-Rac goodies!

    Lots of greetings from Germany,
    Birgit

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  78. HI Melody, I've got a little behind in my blog reading and just want to say this is a beautiful post about the wonderful world of blogging and crafting. hugs.

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  79. Thanks for the blog. It is always fun dropping by to se your work and what you and friends are up to.

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  80. Hello Melody - I was another of Vicki's helpers, and now am working my way through the Giant List at a leisurely pace. So glad I came here today! I agree entirely about the magical aspect of blogging relationships...so much good will and kindness and fun. I'm about to become your newest follower, and can already tell I will enjoy many hours of exploring here :)

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  81. Love you and love your blog Mel. One day I shall meet you and my other Aussie friends in person and give you the biggest hugs!

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  82. Cute stuff- thanks for sharing! And yes, I too am inspired by the quilt tutorial you posted!

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  83. Hi Melody. I have enjoyed looking around your blog and will be back to visit. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  84. Great blog, I like your fussy cut hexies.

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  85. I have enjoyed your blog for awhile now and love it. Those hexies are wonderful.

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  86. Hello, Melody. So nice to meet you through Vicki's GYB. Isn't it fun! I LOVE your hexies - so beautiful, so beautifully fussy cut. What size are they? I invite you to link to Hexie Weekend so other hexie lovers can see your eye candy. I'm a new follower so I'll be back!

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  87. And you're my last visit for Vicki's GYB party...Happy Birthday YOU! Hope it's wonderful and love your colorful blog...happy, happy, happy.

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  88. Oh, I do love your work - such a variety - so appealing to see. I have enjoyed reading your lovely blog. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy hopping!

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  89. Just found your blog via the grow your blog hop. Love it, will definately be following. :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  90. I am joining your blog today, it is great, and I love your giveaway. My email is jackie.vernon@sbcglobal.net Thanks, Jackie

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  91. Visiting from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Nice to meet you. I've been making my way through the blogs on the hop - almost done!! You have great 'stuff' (favorite word) on your blog. Thanks for sharing.

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  92. Visiting you from the Grow Your Blog party. So many wonderful blogs to visit. I love your cute graphics, and will be following you and via email. I'm a new blogger, but I agree, I'm finding that the women in blogland are wonderful.

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  93. Visiting from the GYBP...I have enjoyed going through your blog...lots of inspiration on these pages and like you I have found so many great and wonderful blogging friends...

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  94. I like all things creative n thrifty and I found you from the GYB party.
    I don’t have a lot of blog time in for I just started blogging when I joined the blog party it was my New Year resolution. 600 entries and I am Reading my 481 blog and more to go. Whew a lot of good read and great giveaways too. I know the importance of having blogging followers so I dropped everything and doing the web work. My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/ and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com I believe inspiration comes from all facets of life even knowing the great people out there with wisdom and knowledge the do's and don'ts and even the wonders of life from a personal point of view. And loving the crafting networks. following you on the goggle connect.

    Thanks for the opportunity to join your giveaway.

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  95. Hi Melody, Found you via GYB, Pleased to meet you and discover your interesting blog. best wishes

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  96. Hi Melody, nice to meet you and find your lovely blog. I´m making my way through the GYB list. will be back. best wishes.

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  97. Enjoyed visiting your blog! Lots if interesting things to read.

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