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Friday, 24 January 2014

GROW YOUR BLOG 2014

I am one of 500 bloggers participating in GROW YOUR BLOG 2014 being organised by VICKIE over at 2 Bags Full. I am posting my post tonight as I will be travelling tomorrow - 25th January - the day when you can blog hop all over the world and make lots of new blogggy friends!!!!
 
 
Soooo... let me introduce myself!!! I am Kerrie - mother of 5 adult children (Adam, Nathan, Naomi, Rheis & Isaac), grandmother to 11 grandies ranging in age from 5 months to 16 yrs.
I am a daughter to a wonderful mum (Josie) and eldest sister in a family of 3 girls!
 I have been married for 33 years to Greg; we live on a 50 acre property just out of Griffith, NSW Australia, in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (of which we are very appreciative when so much of our country is in the grips of severe drought!!)
 
 
 
I have been a sewer and crafter since the age of 9 when I started to knit a bright orange something for myself, and having a sewing class each week at primary school. I have travelled through many craft and sewing 'phases' since - cross stitch, long stitch, patchwork, candlewicking, ribbon embroidery, wool embroidery, quilting, fabric and glue craft (the tissue box covers and the photo frames!!), children's clothes, my own clothes, knitting, crochet, felting, paper making, dyeing, decoupage and the list goes on. I can honestly say that there is only two of the above that I don't do now and they are paper making & the fabric/glue craft.
We have a large vegie garden (not always full or successful); like to raise our own meat, and recycle when possible - we also enjoy having a meal out, and we do buy all of the above when we cannot supply our own!! It is fair to say I am happy and content with where I am at in my life right now - but I am always open for new experiences and ideas.
 
So welcome to my blog about my crafting and day to day living; please check out any of my previous posts and pages. Sometimes I post several times a week and sometimes not - depends on how busy life gets!!
 
GIVE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
As a thank you for your visit I have a give away and it is open to all readers of this post - anywhere in the world!! I would love for you to comment on this post and be in the running to win one of the prizes. Just leave a comment and tell me where you live and which prize you would like to win. it is as easy as that!!
 
The GIVE AWAY will be drawn on February 15th 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
PRIZE ONE: a pattern for a lovely cushion "Buttons" from the Rivendale Collection by sally Goodwin, 5 DMC threads and a packet of hand embroidery/crewel needles.
 

PRIZE TWO: a selection of seeds for your vegie garden and a pair of gardening gloves.
 
 
And remember to follow one of the links at the beginning of this post to see all the other bloggers who are participating in GROW YOUR BLOG 2014 - tomorrow 25th January 2014.
 
 
 
 
 

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68 comments:

  1. Anonymous24 January 2014 at 21:59

    Hi Kerrie if I was lucky enough to win,I would choose no 1 the cushion and thankyou for having such a wonderful giveaway.xx

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  2. Simone Harding24 January 2014 at 22:17

    Hi Kerrie. I live in Forbes. You are an amazing lady. If I won I would pick prize one.

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  3. Lisa V25 January 2014 at 00:06

    WOW 50 acres, that would be lovely to have all that room, we are aspiring towards a property on just 1 acre and that will be big for us. I live in Western Australia.
    I would love to put my name down for giveaway #1 please as I am starting out again in quilting/patchwork and need to accumulate some stash. I am a cross stitcher who is dabbling in quilting/patchwork and applique.

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  4. Cheryll25 January 2014 at 09:11

    Well it's been NiCe learning a little more about you Kerrie! Yes I'm visiting from NSW too... and if lucky I'd choose No1 please... :)

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  5. barbara woods25 January 2014 at 09:44

    I too have been crafting a long time, one would be great, t hanks

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  6. Nanette25 January 2014 at 11:05

    Hi Kerrie, I missed out on the Grow your Blog, I only saw it here yesterday, it would've been great to be in it as I'm (finally) getting my blog going again, all the extra visitors would have been great. Not sure then if I qualify to be in the prize draw, but if I do, I'd love prize #2 thanks. Oh and I'm in Murwillumbah...but you knew that :)

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  7. debbie25 January 2014 at 11:31

    Hi Kerrie, thanks for telling a bit more about you. I always enjoy reading your blog. I live in SE QLD and I love stitching pretty much anything. xx debbie

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  8. Dasha25 January 2014 at 13:25

    Kerrie, I have tried to email you several times because I need your full name and address to send you your give-away prize. Just click on my profile and then on the email button.
    Have fun with the Grow Your Blog party. I have joined that too.

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    Replies
    1. creations.126 January 2014 at 17:00

      Will send off an email this evening Dasha - have just arrived home after a few days away!

      Delete
  9. Peg - Happy In Quilting25 January 2014 at 18:23

    Peg here, way out west, well sort of...LOL....love your blog...

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  10. Emily C25 January 2014 at 23:39

    wow. 50 acres. Almost want to ask if I heard that right. =)
    Would love to win prize one.

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  11. M.K.25 January 2014 at 23:42

    Hello from North Carolina, USA :) It was lovely to read about your world and ALL the wonderful handwork you've done over the years. Keep stitching :)

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  12. Donna Heber26 January 2014 at 00:06

    Hi Kerrie,

    I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. I see you are a sewer. Something I wish I had learned how to do. I'm more into papercrafts. Thank you for the chance to win some seeds and garden gloves. I am an avid gardener. I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

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  13. Wendy26 January 2014 at 01:03

    hello, nice to meet you! Wow, you do do a lot of crafts, I'm going to have a quick nosey round your blog! I live in England and I'd love the win the first prize.

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  14. Kay26 January 2014 at 01:57

    How lovely to meet you on the blog party. I enjoy cross stitching, quilting, baking and reading. I live in England and would happily have prize one. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful gifts.

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  15. Unknown26 January 2014 at 02:20

    I would love to learn more about ribbon embroidery. Recently I have started making ribbon flowers, checked out a few books from the library but I just can't seem to wrap my mind around it. I am hoping to get a raised garden bed in this summer, I always have potted herbs but I would love to have some fresh tomatoes and other fabulous veggies to cook with. It was so nice to meet you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  16. https://tastytextiles.blogspot.com/26 January 2014 at 03:09

    Hello from England, hoping we'll enjoy being friends ��

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  17. lynet26 January 2014 at 05:15

    Hello princess, your blog is beautiful! I like!! nice to meet you!....Happy grow your blog!

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  18. Karen H26 January 2014 at 05:36

    I'm having so much fun discovering blogs such as yours. I am a huge fan of DMC floss so if I were to win the give-away I would select the first prize package!
    Karen H
    http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/

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  19. Ann C.26 January 2014 at 06:25

    Hi, I found you through Grow Your Blog and became a follower. I also love to cross stitch. You can find my blog at www.ColourfulCrossStitches.blogspot.ca

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  20. Bernadett 26 January 2014 at 07:18

    Hello ,

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

    Greetings.
    Bernadett

    I would like prize nr.1.I am from Serbia.

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  21. Cathy 26 January 2014 at 07:23

    You have a lovely blog and I'm now a follower! You sound like a very crafty person just like me!
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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  22. CatieAn26 January 2014 at 07:46

    It is a pleasure to meet you and visit your blog. We have a lot in common in the children and grandchildren and lengthy marriage department. Hope you are having a good time at the party!

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  23. Cache-Mire26 January 2014 at 08:35

    So nice to meet you...way on the other side of the world! Your blog is great and I will be following!
    Hugs, Terri

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  24. Anonymous26 January 2014 at 08:58

    Hi Kerrie,

    Visiting with the Grow Your Blog event and we're really impressed with your blog. Good Luck with the event and if we should win, prize #1 (buttons) would be our choice.

    Kathy and Deb

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  25. Elizabeth Edwards26 January 2014 at 09:02

    i have always wanted a garden. grew up in a family that had one as a kid. i miss it. so fun i bet. happy weekend. ( :
    hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party.

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  26. Thistle Cove Farm26 January 2014 at 09:34

    Hello, Vicki asked me to be a helper; I'm Sandra from Thistle Cove Farm. Welcome to the GYBP; we're excited you're able to participate this year. It's a wonderful giveaway.

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  27. Marit Johanne26 January 2014 at 09:42

    Nice to visit you! Please enter my name in your give away. I would love prize 1. You are welcome to join my give away too. Greetings from Marit Johanne in Norway

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  28. Cath26 January 2014 at 12:12

    Hello Kerrie. Firstly let me say, I wish my lavender looked like the one in your header...LOL! I hope you get many more visitors to your blog and I am clicking the button to become your 42nd follower. Fabulous giveaway prizes but I am a stitcher so the first prize would suit me more.
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  29. macmillanmarie26 January 2014 at 13:04

    Nice to meet you here. Have fun hopping!

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  30. Tanya 26 January 2014 at 13:45

    Hi, Kerry - I would SO love to visit Australia one day...in the meantime, I have to visit you lovely bloggers I find there, and swoon via the internet!!! Sounds like you dabble in a bit of everything, much like I do. Much as I would love the gardening seeds, sadly not much grows here in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas!!! I would have to say that No. 1 would be better suited to our area - in any event, count me as a new follower - Happy Blog Jumping! Tanya

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  31. Jan26 January 2014 at 15:26

    What lovely prizes, Kerrie. And so nice to see a pic of you - I hope I get to meet the "real you" somewhere along the road!

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  32. Jan26 January 2014 at 15:28

    PS: Kerrie, I forgot to say I live in Ballarat, Vic - very close to the lake and gorgeous Botanical Gardens; it's a lovely place to be.

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  33. DebraKay Neiman26 January 2014 at 18:28

    Lovely prizes, especially the stitch kit. New Follower. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  34. allthingzsewn27 January 2014 at 02:07

    The flowers on y our banner are beautiful. Did you grow these and what are they? Your farm is beautiful from what I could see in some past posts. I look forward to seeing more. I am following. bye for now. T

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  35. allthingzsewn27 January 2014 at 02:09

    Oh, I for got If I should win, I would like the lovely pillow pattern. T

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  36. Judy Cooper Textile Artist27 January 2014 at 03:31

    Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada! We are having a very rainy day with high winds. The purple flower photo on the top of your blog is just beautiful.

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  37. Dirty Martini Queen27 January 2014 at 03:35

    Hi Kerrie from a new follower and I love your story about how you started crafting. Just too cute!
    Donna

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  38. EvalinaMaria27 January 2014 at 05:40

    Hello from Yukon and another stitcher! I hope you're enjoying this party as much as I do. The seed packages are so appropriate for this blog, love the idea of growing.
    Evalina, This and that...

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  39. hula-la27 January 2014 at 08:55

    What a great photo header you have here! Hope you are enjoying the blog hop. It's the perfect event for this wintry day here in New York. I would love to make good use of your gardening prize! Enjoy the blog party! Aloha

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  40. Unknown27 January 2014 at 10:01

    I am truly looking forward to following your life and creations! xoxo Jen

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  41. Tisha Dolton27 January 2014 at 11:09

    Glad you & your Mother had a great trip! Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.

    aprilsongstress

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  42. Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches27 January 2014 at 11:17

    Hello It's lovely to meet you and see all the interesting things that you do.

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  43. lynn cockrell27 January 2014 at 12:07

    Sending greetings to you, Kerrie, from Aiken, South Carolina (U.S.) to the Land Down Under! You are a lady after my heart, considering that you, like myself, have dabbled into so many wonderful crafts and hobbies. My hunger to learn new and interesting things never ceases and I hope that it never shall!

    I have been married for 45 years to my sweetheart, Glenn. We have 2 wonderful daughters and 5 grandchildren, whom we adore. The grands range in ages from 5 to 16 yrs. We are blessed that our girls and their families are all living within about 15 minutes drive from our home.

    I am going to check out your lovely blog for a few more minutes and then move onto a few more on the list before tonight's episode of one of my favorite shows, Downtown Abbey, starts in about an hour (9:00PM) our time!

    Perhaps you can find a moment to check out my humble little blogspot to see what goes on over there. Have a beautiful and blessed week!

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  44. Jennifer's Vintage Paperie27 January 2014 at 12:56

    I enjoyed reading your blog posts. I love to garden too and I grow lots of veggies in the summer. Nice to meet you.

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  45. Linda aka Crafty Gardener28 January 2014 at 00:27

    Hi Kerrie, nice to meet you. 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 for the seeds. I can't wait for gardening season to begin. I can be reached at my site or at craftygardener at xplornet dot com Hope you have time to visit my site and enter my give away. It has been nice browsing through your blog.

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  46. Sarah and Dan28 January 2014 at 12:43

    I like your varied interests! Thanks for sharing.

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  47. judith28 January 2014 at 13:03

    Hi Kerri, you are very blessed to be where you are, and so much land around you. I live in So California and I like #1. Love your flowers in the top of your blog. Happy blogging

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  48. Suze28 January 2014 at 14:23

    Hi Kerrie - I hail from eastern Oklahoma. When I first moved here in 1974, I thought the state was totally flat and dry. Some areas around here are rolling (not mountains for sure) and this area is known as "Green Country" because the vegetation is green in spring, summer, and most of the fall. It does get hot in the summer and we are fortunate to be able to water our lawns, flowers, and trees. You certainly have tried your hand at many crafts. I enjoy knitting, a tad of embroidery, and quilting. I used to sew most of my clothes and many of my daughter's and even some of my son's when they were young. I do not have a garden, so if I'm lucky enough to win your giveaway, I would choose the cushion packet. Thanks for choosing to grow your blog.

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  49. Jocelyn29 January 2014 at 09:51

    So nice to meet you. You have a lovely blog. I would choose the pattern and floss. Thanks!

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  50. Cheryl29 January 2014 at 20:27

    Lovely blog Kerrie and lovely giveaway - would be happy with either prize

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  51. nicolesender29 January 2014 at 20:37

    Enjoyed visiting your blog. The lavender photo is quite pretty. I'd love the #1 prize.

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  52. jan30 January 2014 at 14:57

    Hi Kerrie,
    Visiting from the GYB party. You have a very nice blog . I am a new follower.
    xo jan@http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/

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  53. Roses, Lace and Brocante30 January 2014 at 20:46

    Hello Kerrie
    It's lovely to meet you at Vicki's party!
    Reading everyone's posts it's really amazing how similar we all are - basically we love our families and enjoy being creative - we're the same the world over!
    I live next door to you - just across the ditch! It's good to know where you are you're not affected by the bush fires.
    I heard on the news where some kiwi firefighters have gone over to help out - it's good we still have strong ANZAC ties.

    I'm now following you Kerrie.
    I would love you to come over and meet me and enter my Giveaway - a vintage fabric and lace collage.
    Have fun and enjoy the party!
    Hugs
    Shane


    Hugs
    Shane

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  54. Cindy31 January 2014 at 15:26

    Hello Kerrie,
    It is wonderful to meet so many bloggers from Victoria's party. I don't sew, it is too dedious for me, I need big projects that begin and end without the use of a magnifying glass.

    I would love for you to come over to my blog and have a visit at my gardens. I'd like to be entered into your giveaway. See you soon,
    Cindy

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  55. Patty Antle2 February 2014 at 02:54

    So nice to see your lovely blog and meet you. I would love to have a chance at the cushion - I love to make things too! Enjoy your travels!

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  56. Sanderella3 February 2014 at 03:59

    Visiting from the Grow Your Blog Party!! Wow, the first picture I saw were those stunning flowers, such a beautiful color. What an interesting and very busy person you are! Loved the names of your children too! Yes, we in Southern California, actually all of California are experiencing a severe drought. However, according to my 85 yr. young mom....this morning she tells me we are going to be getting some rain today sometime! Very good! I visited so many blogs last weekend, busy through the week, but visiting many more today, and I am so happy to have visited your beautiful and uplifting blog! A new follower for you! Visit me sometime! Hugs, Sandy www.sanderellascrochet.wordpress.com.....and I love to embroider. Right now, I am working on little pillows in crochet, and embroidering with the yarn on them. I made one for my little rescue kitty 'Rose'. Sandy

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  57. Christine M3 February 2014 at 06:46

    Hello Kerrie. It's so nice to put a face to the name and to get to know you a little. I live in Diamond Creek. If I was lucky enough to win, I would choose number 1. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

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  58. Gill3 February 2014 at 08:13

    Hi Kerrie
    Good to meet you!
    I'm visiting from a very wet England!
    Although I'm a sewer I'm also a keen gardener so I'd love to be entered for the seeds!

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  59. Tina4 February 2014 at 18:44

    Hi Kerrie, I am visiting from Germany with the GYBparty. Nice to meet you. I like your blog and am a new follower ;-) your header pic makes me want having summer immediately. I love lavender and there is nothing more soothing and relaxing than going out into the garden in the evening, get a twig of lavender and pour some hot steaming water into a cup with it... Your life seems quite interesting with all the stuff going on.
    It is hard for me to decide what I would like to win... the stitching looks tempting, but I have already so many works in progress, with two stitching kits not touched yet, and I have a little veggie garden so would be pleased to get some Aussie variety to grow this year.

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  60. BluMoon6 February 2014 at 02:03

    Hi Kerrie, I really enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know a bit about you, I hope you will visit me when you get a minute.
    Jackie

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  61. retdairyqueen8 February 2014 at 09:46

    Well I chose the right time to drop by Have been enjoying my visit and good on you for the drought posts
    I live on a very small farm in Fish Creek Victoria A retired dairy farmer
    If I was lucky enough to be the winner I would chose the pattern

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  62. Unknown10 February 2014 at 15:14

    Hi Kerrie. It's nice to meet you. I'm visiting from Vicki's GyB party. So nice to look through your blog. I hope you are enjoying the party as much as I am. I am a new follower. If you get a minute visit my blog and leave a commnt to be entered for a piece of jewelry.

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  63. Lija Broka11 February 2014 at 06:09

    So many hobbies ... sounds very familiar! I wish I had space for everything that I do. Well done on keeping the hobbies up and growing your own veg (I am still attempting at rescuing my orchids ... after repotting last year they got infected through peat - never buying from that shop again!). I am from Gateshead in the North East of England (we are famous for the Sage Gateshead). I'd love to be entered for the prize 1 (being a cross stitcher predominantly and failing at the whole keep the plants alive thing).

    Enjoy the party.

    Lija
    http://stitchingincrossesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/

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  64. overboardcreations12 February 2014 at 21:26

    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 really wanting to get to know my new blogging world so I am Reading my 491 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 and bloglovin

    Thanks for the opportunity to join your giveaway.

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  65. Gillie13 February 2014 at 07:17

    Visiting from GYB, would love to win the seeds, we are covered with DEEP snow right now!

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  66. Marti14 February 2014 at 13:12

    Also visiting from GYB. I'm from TX, USA. Looks like I'm just in the nick of time to enter your giveaway. If I won, I'd love to have the embroidery pattern. I'm enjoying your blog immensely.

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  67. Birgit15 February 2014 at 03:37

    Hi Kerrie,

    I really like that you first showed a photo of yourself -- it's always lovely to see a face to a name!

    You are generous to offer even two prizes. As I am not sure if it's allowed to send seeds from Australia to Germany (better be safe than sorry), I would be very happy with the first price. In fact, I plan to take up cross-stitching, so this would be perfect. :)

    Lots of greetings from Germany,
    Birgit

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I would love to hear your comments!!

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