A Journey…and a GIVEAWAY!!!-A Handmade Childhood

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Journey…and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Starting a blog was not easy for me. It was new…it was a bit scary…it involved learning a few new things on the computer…and mostly it meant sharing myself, my creations, and the life of my family in a way anyone could see. Vulnerable!! That’s what I expected, weighed back and forth, and mulled over when I was making the decision to blog. What I didn’t expect was the friends that I would make, the incredible community of mothers, crafters, and artists that I would discover and feel part of, and the clarity with which it would help me see my children and our lives together.

You see I post about our joys, our creations, and our adventures. I blog about reality…but the positives or our reality. Photographing and blogging about those positives has helped me see them more clearly and more often. Which is invaluable to the happiness, fulfillment, and mental sanity of this mother!

I am nearing 100 posts. Which seems huge to me…and seems to deserve celebration!

So…there’s going to be a giveaway…a Matchy Matchy giveaway to be exact. It will be a little bundle of a few vintage lovelies, and a handmade wooden Matching Game.

My 100th post will be Thanksgiving Day…which is wonderful, as I am very thankful for this blog in so many ways. So, in that spirit of thanksgiving…to enter the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post and tell me a simple joy in your life that you are thankful for. It is the season of reflection and gratitude after all! Comments will be closed Friday at 12am EST, I’ll let the kiddos choose a winner at random, (random is their style after all!!!) and I’ll announce the winner on Saturday!

Thank you friends for making this blogging journey so joyful!!!

*I will mail the package out first thing so you can count on it by Christmas if you plan on giving the game as a Christmas gift!*

Comments (28)

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The Happy Wife · 801 weeks ago

My simple joy is my child's laugh.

1 reply · active 801 weeks ago

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Shivayamama 85p · 801 weeks ago

A simple joy is waking up next to my children. They always come into our bed around 6 am and fall back to sleep. I love waking up to kisses, requests for pancakes, or the simple quiet reflection that little ones can sometimes have.

Congratulations on your 100th post, that is very special indeed

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Lisa · 801 weeks ago

A simple joy to me is receiving unexpected big bear hugs from my boys!

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Suzanne · 801 weeks ago

congratulations! count us in. i loved those the first time you posted that matching game.

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ashley · 801 weeks ago

A simple joy for me, is hearing my little ones giggiling wildly at eachother, my toddler saying " let's play in the garden mommy" the look in my little one's eyes as I hug ans snuggle them, motherhood and all it's simple and beautiful moments are where I find my joy!
p.s I found the same thing to be true with my experiences with blogging. It helps me to focus on the good in each day, and have a special way of recording my memories. I love the friendships, support, kindness, inspiration and encouraging words I find in fellow bloggers!

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Valarie · 801 weeks ago

Congratulations on your upcoming 100th post. That's so exciting. My simple joy is listening to my son turn the pages of his book under the covers with a flashlight. He's suppose to be asleep but every night we do this dance with the book and flashlight. :) Have a very happy Thanksgiving.

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quirkygranolagirl · 801 weeks ago

I just woke up from a nap with my little guy. That is a delightful simple joy indeed :)
Reading your blog and getting inspired by your crafts is another of my simple joys. Thank you for the giveaway.

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Brooke · 801 weeks ago

A simple joy (or really joys) in life, are the beautiful smiles and oh so slobbery kisses from my babies. Seeing them each day, truly brings so much joy in my life and makes each sleepless minute of the night bearable. Your blog inspires me! Way to go on 100 posts. :)

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minerleague4 1p · 801 weeks ago

A simple joy--my twin 15-month-old girls just finished a huge bowl of lentil and sausage soup for lunch. They turn their noses up at many, many things these days, but lentil soup (knock on wood) is a new found favorite.

Love your blog and LOVE the matching game. You (and your blog) rock!

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Lisa · 801 weeks ago

Congratulations - just recently found your blog and truly enjoy it. Love the matching game. Joy for me is an unexpected kiss on the lips from my little ones.

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Matt · 801 weeks ago

Too bad I'm married to the author. I don't think I qualify to enter the drawing. And I really wanted one of those games. Oh well. I guess I'll just have to put up with all the other wonderful things she does and makes.

I love the blog very much, and check it everyday. I am excited for post #100.

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bernadette · 801 weeks ago

congrats and i do check out your blog on a daily basis... and enjoy your style. i have heard of these wooden match games and this is the first time i have seen them. i could play with my grand children so if i happen to win you will know that the game will be played around my dining room table. happy thanksgiving :)

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brittany · 801 weeks ago

well I, for one, am so happy you started on your journey! I love coming here and seeing all the good stuff. I know exactly what you mean--how it helps you look for the good and notice it and focus on it. It's a kind of art; finding the beauty no matter where it is. I love it.

xx
B

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enikő · 800 weeks ago

A simple joy is waking up every morning and realizing all the possiblities that I have to make my little ones happy.
Your blog is also a simple joy for me, so positive and inspiring. I feel happy that I've found it a few days ago.

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Addie · 800 weeks ago

Are you kidding me...I wanted to make these for my children for Christmas, but as my dh had been out of work for 8 months we decided to not spend a dime this Christmas and make everything from what we already have. (Lots of sewing going on!) My "simple" joy is not so simple...but I'm definitely joyful that I'm married to a fantastic man that is willing to take whatever job offered in order to provide for his family! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!

1 reply · active 800 weeks ago

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sara · 800 weeks ago

Oh, my goodness... everything in life is a simple joy to me. And discovering this lovely matchy game this morning was a good one. Waking up with a few cats.. my daughter bringing in another one... life is good!

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katie corcoran · 800 weeks ago

Believe it or not, just a new day is a simple joy in my life. I've had a rough couple of years and so every smile I see, any laughter coming from my friends and family is a gift. I really don't need much more than that honestly. I've loved reading your posts, Hannah. Sorry I missed the majority of them (new FB connection!) but it makes me wish that my kids were still small! However, I have two new little girls in my life (morgan, 5 and brianna 2) and I would love to see their little hands and growing minds play with your beautiful matching game! Best wishes for the happiest holidays to you and yours. Katie

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kelly tillotson · 800 weeks ago

by some chance if I get picked, please pick someone else since you won my "summer giveaway" and I never sent it...once I got things unpacked and settled in my craft room I saw the little package of all summer themed kitchen-stuff and thought hmm...its sept and im a jerk...this doesnt work! SOOO since Im a rotten friend, I'm just going to have to make something cute and randomly send it to you as a suprize! I really love your blog, it makes me wish we could hang out!! A simple joy for me is getting to see my two boys faces..of course I love looking at them because they are so sweeet, but also because I see so much of their dad in them...and I dont get to see Tom very often just a couple hours a day (if Im lucky and he doesnt pass out right after dinner!)
I hope you and the fam have a happy thanksgiving!!!!!

1 reply · active 800 weeks ago

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Leslie L · 800 weeks ago

My sister (Stephanie O.) introduced me to your blog a while back...Love the matching game!! My simple joy for the day- pressed open seams that line up perfectly. In other words, a job well done, no matter how big or small.

1 reply · active 800 weeks ago

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Stephanie · 800 weeks ago

I love your blog! It always gives me a fresh perspective and reminds to get out of my daily ruts and focus on the wonders all around. I loveyour projects! Now if you can just help me find the time . . .

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Andria · 800 weeks ago

A simple joy for me is spending everyday with my babes! Love your blog. I have been reading it for a bit now. Love the fall table toppers.

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Leanne · 800 weeks ago

This game is just beautiful, and so is your blog. It makes me smile! I have many simple joys, but my favourite is coming home to my family and and the sense of peace that brings, even after a terrible day. Thanks so much for the giveaway and congrats on 100 posts!

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Mariana · 800 weeks ago

I just felt so identified with your comment on blogs, I thought it was way too much exposure, but I have found a community where I can reflect, from whom I've leraned so many things, whose lives I've shared and enjoyed, and my boys now say that it is very common to hear me say, My blogs friends say or do it this way! It's been a new and unexpected joy in my life!

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Ansley · 800 weeks ago

i'm truly grateful for my little miracle child.....Oscar!

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