giveaways

February 20th, 2009

Rosie Flo’s colouring books











Funnily enough, in my favourite little studio next door – the one I see out the window of my little room, were once produced the Rosie Flo colouring books (which are more than just colouring in books because you draw faces, arms and legs and backgrounds too).

I found this out the other day when helping a neighbour with a book he’s publishing – and the first thing I saw upon arriving was a display stand of lovely colourful Rosie Flo books. It would transpire you see, said neighbour is involved in the running of the Rosie Flo publishing empire. Yay for that.

So of course I left with an armful of books, some of which are now in little packages ready for their journeys around the world, but I’ve saved one or two for the blog, so if you’d like one please just leave a comment and I’ll draw a winner or two in about a week.

There’s an AMAZING japanese book too which you can buy easily enough from Amazon – it’s marvellous – it includes illustrations done by famous Japanese artists and drawing and colouring in space for you too.

More Rosie Flo goodness at Amazon.

51 Comments »

May 28th, 2008

Putumayo World Music

When Putumayo got in touch asking if I’d have a listen to some of their music and write about it on my blog I more than happily agreed. Putumayo is a very cool record label specialising in World Music. They also do kids music – and I knew Astrid would love that!



I’m a bit music deprived sometimes – since I lost my entire CD collection and then had my iPod stolen I’ve sort of learned to live without it. So it’s been lovely indeed to have some tunes to work away to these past few weeks.

I knew my favourite would be Women of Africa, and I’m also mad about the Paris CD – well all of them actually – world music is just so interesting to listen to. There’s a distinct possibility that Music from the Tealands – and from Cairo to Casablanca will end up in my shopping basket very soon.

It’s going to make for excellent afternoons at our new place in London, reading the Guardian, sipping apple tea, the doors and windows flung open, the curtains gently rippling and twirling – feeling as though we’re in a secret art cafe with our interesting music fluttering outside on the summer breeze.

I just can’t shake one of the kids songs out of my head, so all this past week I’ve been singing “don’t ever step on a snake… it would be a big mistake…”

The best thing about the Putumayo site is you can listen to little snippets of the music online. And the other nice thing about them, apart from their diverse array of music is that they support non-profits and have been for the last fifteen years.

Now that’s music worth supporting. You can find out more about them here.

Oh yes. Now I couldn’t keep all this goodness all to myself, so I’m going to randomly give a couple away. Just leave a comment below if you’d like one!

28 Comments »

May 19th, 2008

I really should be working

Um yes. Last week was the last week of work. But this week is the new last week and here I am. Now at my sewing table while the office is being painted, using my old iMac from 2003. This iMac used to live with me in my old house over the road from where we’re moving to in less than two weeks.



We’ve had some beautiful sights in the garden mornings of late. Friday saw me dashing out to capture the night’s rain on the trees. The best photo is over at 44, so you’ll just have to look there to get the treasure.

Speaking of treasure, I was a very lucky lady to receive a little bundle of CDs in the post a few weeks back. I’ve been listening to them on my iMac and I gotta say I’m loving it – music from all over the world – from Africa to New Orleans, Paris to Cuba, Tango to Kids. Excellent fun! So keep your eyes open for my next post because I’ll be giving some away – a leaving NZ present if you like. I might even post them from the airport.

Right. Back to work. Music post coming soon.

11 Comments »

October 31st, 2007

Little Orchard prize draw winners

The prize draw has been drawn and the winners are:

The $30 gift voucher goes to Leta. A mixed set of 2007 cards each go to Marlene, Amy and Lianne.



There was mention of a special bonus prize – it being the most voted item. The most voted item was the Lavender floral water – but I think that was because you aren’t all familiar with the Neroli – which is Orange Blossom and it so so divine! So I have made that the bonus prize and added in a special category for Paula for being the most excited about wanting to win.

So, well done Paula, you win a set of cards and the Neroli floral water.

3 Comments »

September 27th, 2007

And now for another giveaway

Yep – you asked for it – so here it is; another giveaway. I’m giving away four sets of six mixed cards and one $30 voucher (which will actually buy you quite a bit!) from the shop. All you need to do this time is to head on over to Little Orchard and register. No need to buy anything.



And, as this is a draw with a bit of a difference – if there’s something you really want to win – tell me either in the comments here or email me – and if it gets enough votes I’ll include that in the prize draw too – on top of what’s already in the prize pool. Can’t get fairer than that now can I? Contest is open until October 30th – I’ll notify the winners by email and publish them here.

Have fun!

And thanks so much to all of you who have been over and had a look – and a special Big thank you to those of you who’ve registered and bought something – you’re in the draw too :)

15 Comments »

July 18th, 2007

And the winners are…

The cards and prints go to Maria in London and Veronica in Las Vegas (next to the beautiful desert). I have flown over that desert many many times and it is an incredible landscape.

These are the last remaining full sets of these cards from my 2004 run – making way for the new edition being printed next month.



And a surprise prize goes out to Nicky, also in London, for a blog contest nobody knew they were even entering when I asked for some help on a typeface decision. Little Orchard shop is slowly slowly coming to fruition. Things are all being put in place behind the scenes.

Nicky wins a Liberty print zip purse / pencil case / make up case – complete with hand stitched lining and a light sprinkling of home-made charm on the zip sewing skills.



Thanks everyone for entering – it was fun – and not to worry if you didn’t win this time – there will be plenty more little contests around here.

Oh, and Astrid and I did pay a visit to our local lovely yarn studio – so please do have a look – it’s over in Lovely Shops.

4 Comments »