Saturday 19 January 2013

GROW YOUR BLOG PARTY & GIVEAWAY!



Vicki 
our very treasured blogging friend
of
is throwing a 'Grow Your Blog' party
and I've joined in!
THANK YOU
Vicki for organising and hosting
this wonderful event for us!

WELCOME
and lovely to meet you
especially if you are visiting my blog
for the first time and as part
of GYB party!


Where I call home!

My name is Shane and I live in
New Zealand in the
beautiful South Pacific region.

My blogging adventure started
almost three years ago with
this post here
and I was thrilled to bits when
14 lovely people left me a comment
and gave me the confidence to carry on.

(I confess my first comment came from my son)!!!
...but the second came from
Tracey of
French Larkspur
I was on the road to great adventure!!!

I've been so lucky to make some
wonderful new friends along the way
who have widened my horizons
beyond anything I could have imagined.


I love all things French!
At the top of my list are my
french granddaughters
whom I visit almost every year,
I wish I could visit more often....
And yes - I'm a Francophile!


I hope you'll have time to wander
around my blog.

Books, music and the arts 
are my passion.



Walking is another pastime and I took
this photo on an amble in the
countryside when I was in France
last year.
In the distance is the village
where my family live!


A Christmas stocking I embroidered for one of my granddaughters last year.



Rose's very yummy Carrot Cup Cakes!


I belong to a small embroidery group,
as you can see the delicious cakes we enjoy
are an added bonus!!



This year I want to learn something new
 so.... I'm about to delve into the world of
patchwork and quilting
and these are the fabrics I've collected so far!

I'm hoping via Vicki's blog party
I will meet some experienced quilters
who will join my blog and give
me advice and encouragement
along the way!!!

I really enjoy creating
collages, tags and books
out of old fabrics and lace I collect,
some at brocantes when I'm in France .



I enjoy being at home
making things for the house
pottering about in the kitchen
and developing my ever-
evolving garden.




  GIVEAWAY  

Please enter my giveaway by leaving
me a comment on this post.
There are no fixed rules
so you don't have to be a follower to enter
(although naturally I would  love you to
become one via Google Friend Connect
so I can grow my blog)
however
JUST LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND YOU'RE IN!!!
Please make sure I can contact you
by leaving your email address below your comment!

The draw will take place on
Friday 1st February
New Zealand time!
Bonne chance mes amies!


Country Living is a beautiful
magazine put out once a year by
New Zealand House & Garden.
It's jam packed full of
inspiring country interiors
and gardens
as well as yummy recipes.
I just know you'll love it!!!

(in the parcel I will also tuck in

a few other bits of KIWIANA -
google that to see what I mean!!)



THANK YOU
so much for popping in to see me!
I would love you to become
a part of my blog.




THANK YOU 
again dear Vicki
for so generously giving of your
precious time to organise
this wonderful party
to help us all to
GROW OUR BLOGS!

Please click here to return to Vicki's
list of bloggers who have joined
THE PARTY OF THE YEAR!!!.

Take care dear friends
and please be kind to one other
hugs

Shane 

Sit down here with me for a cuppa and a lovely chat!


119 comments:

  1. I always feel at peace when I visit you..your posts are very calming.
    Jane x

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  2. Hello Shane
    I have enjoyed seeing photos of you and family, and such gorgeous roses.
    I'm pretty sure I know what Kiwiana is and the Country Living magazine cover is appealing.
    Judith

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  3. I always love following what you do Shane, I am sure all of our blogs will grow when people see what a creative bunch of bloggers are out there
    and new friends to be made❤

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  4. It was nice to learn a little more about you. I haven't been following you for very long but enjoy all your posts. : )

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  5. Hi Shane, You will enjoy quilting, I have been quilting for over 10 years and enjoy making quilts for family members. Your rose garden looks beautiful. Please add my name to your giveaway. Take care and enjoy the weekend. Jen

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  6. I hadn't heard about this linky party until today - when a number of blogs I follow are posting. How fun! I'd love to join your giveaway. The Country Living magazine looks wonderful.

    I googled Kiwiana "a range of wacky and weird objects that helps define what it is to be a New Zealander...." HA!

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  7. Beautiful post. So happy to meet you.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  8. Hi Shane - loved the pics. My son and family live in NZ South Island and I so love visiting for six weeks each year. I am a great fan of the mag and everything Kiwiana. It is snowing here in London and I so miss your healthy sunshine. I have loved discovering your blog as we both have a love of France too.

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  9. You have put a lot of thought into this beautiful posting. Very special and I'd love to join your giveaway. Thankyou Shane.

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  10. New Zealand is at the top of my bucket list - in fact my brother and his wife have just returned from a visit there!
    Thank you for a lovely giveaway!

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  11. Very lovely blog!! Thanks for joining the party...otherwise I would have never found you :):)

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  12. I loveyour garden, so jealous I am a new follower here

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  13. I found you through 2 Bags full, though I was too late to get in on the party. I too love all things French! I love fabrics and lace. Come on over and visit with me sometime.

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  14. How wonderful to hear from you by Vicki's help. My sons have been to New Zealand several times and they always hope to take me there. I'm francophile,too, I love the language. Your blog is really interesting. I'll come and visit again.
    Magdalena

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  15. You have a lovely blog, thank you for sharing. I am a new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!

    Evalina, This and that...

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  16. Hi Shane

    You are so lucky to be living in beautiful New Zealand. I fell in love with it when we visited.

    Your garden is beautiful and also your lace books.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  17. Nice to find your blog thru Vicki's party. I'm in it too. I make fabric lace books, so we have much in commoon. I'm giving one away on my blog, so be sure to go over and enter. See you soon!

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  18. good afternoon, I am visiting from the blog party-I love your pages-I will be following you for the inspiration.
    I live in rural Missouri USA, am retired, and love all things fiber-so I quilt, weave, rug hook and more-my blog is about all my projects, photos of our wildlife visitors, recipes and more thanks for the chance at your giveaway-now I need to google that word too-lol Kathy

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  19. Hi Shane, what a lovely blog and I do love your fabric and lace journals! You are going to love quilting and remember the one who ends up with the most fabric, wins! :D I am your newest follower and I look forward to coming back for many, many more visits.
    I'm off to see more blogs from Viki's party but I'll be back!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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  20. I'm already a follower-also a Francophile, lover of brocantes of all kinds. It was a joy to read this post and see your beautiful(as always) photos! I'm too late this time around, but if the "Grow Your Blog Party " is around next year I must join :)Thank you for a lovely giveaway!

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  21. What a great start of the year to meet you. Very positive in thoughts. I hope you can be my bloggie friend and so I can bring your inspirations back home in Sweden §;-)

    How I love to join your giveaway and so generous of you.

    Have a blessed w/end.

    Greetings from a freezing Stockholm,
    /CC girl

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  22. What a lovely blog! I am having a great time at the Blog Party. I am now a follower. Hope you'll visit me and follow back. And I would soooo love to receive some KIWIANA from your part of the world! BLOG ON!

    Aloha from New York! (ok, it's not Hawaii, but the roots are still there)

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  23. You live in a beautiful place, and it is a joy to visit your blog. I have never been to your part of the world, but it looks so lovely. It is nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party.

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  24. I commented earlier and was having some trouble with my computer then had to leave. I love some of your projects, garden and just the general feel of the blog here. I will become a follower now.

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  25. Oh what fun your blog is, I am just learning to create with fabric and your blog will be a fun one to follow. Maybe I can pick up some hints, because I sure love all things French. Di@Cottage-wishes
    didifinds@gmail.com PS I would love to win your bits.

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  26. i hope to find your neck of the woods one day - God willing. please stop by my blog when you get a moment. have a great evening. all the best to you in 2013. ( :

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  27. You have a lovely blog. I'm looking forward to reading more about your endeavors.
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  28. Fun to see pictures of you and your roses are beautiful - wish I could smell them!!

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  29. Isn't this blog party fun! You were the first to leave me a comment via the party which shows the time difference in New Zealand. I look forward to leisurely scrolling through your blog.

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  30. Oh Shane it was lovely to read your comment!
    You are such an inspiration to me also and that would be especially even more if I were lucky enough to be the owner of that beautiful magazine. God knows after what we have been through it would give me the imputus to create in our garden once recovery takes effect.
    Your roses look so very beautiful there and it would be so neat to share a cuppa on that verandah with you!
    Sending love and hugs,
    Suzy

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  31. What a lovely blog you have!I liked your pics!I'll become your follower!Kisses from Italy,
    Ale

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  32. Hi, Shane! Thanks for coming to visit me! You live in such an incredibly beautiful country, so you are very lucky! I would love to visit, but I don't think my weary legs could make the long flights. So I'll have to make do and see your photos, how's that? You have a lovely blog and I signed up to be a follower! I would love my name tossed in the garden hat for the drawing too.

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  33. Shane,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I too love all things French, but don't get to go as often as you! I've just become your most recent follower. Best,
    Susan

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  34. It's so nice to meet you, Shane. I always get so excited to meet new bloggers, especially someone from another country! I look forward to following you!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  35. Bonjour Shane,
    I've made it over to your blog all the way from Normandy, thank you so much for coming to see me, too.
    Love, love, love your header image, just stunning.
    If you're ever in Normandy do come and see us, we love to show off our little corner of France.
    Maggie.

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  36. hi shane! i will follow anyones who heart is in france! i have dear friends there and would live there in a second! oh well, i bet you miss your grandkids, we live in hana, maui and are so blessed our little ones are here in hana! i will be back, i love your blog! aloha, angi in hana

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  37. Oh Shane you just exude warmth and hospitality so I think anyone new to your blog will fall in love with you and your blog right away. I know I did. Can I tell you how much I am drooling over your garden and that selaginella spilling over the edge. It's not really hardy enough here to survive our winters but it does so well in pots. I am sure it must be hard to be so far from your grandchildren but if they are to be far at least it is in France so you can visit:)

    hugs
    Carole

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  38. Hello Shane, Your garden is lovely, and so is the Paris book you made. Thanks for following me; I'm also following you. So glad for Vicki's party - I have found lots of great blogs! I spent a few days in New Zealand in 2003 or 2004and found it to be a very beautiful place!
    Blessings, Beth

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  39. I would love to sit down in that shady nook Shane for tea and a chat .... we would have much in common France and Food and Fotography. Things we both love!

    "All Things French"

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  40. So nice to meet you via Vicki's GYB party; it's been a joy, visiting around blogland, meeting new folks and seeing old friends. Here, it's snowy, cold and winter so looking at your lani is a treat.

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  41. Great post! Beautiful garden and I love your lovely giveaway...
    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  42. Hi Shane. Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your interest in drawing workshops. We will talk more. : ) You have a lovely blog and such sweet little French granddaughters. I embroidery too but just as a hobby. I only get to it occasionally. I will be back again.
    ~Elizabeth

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  43. Thank you for stopping by my blog! Your space is so beautiful and I am looking forward to following along with you on your journey!!!

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  44. Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming my latest follower. Yours looks very interesting and I 'll look forward to visiting you.

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  45. I, too, have French connections with family members who lived there for awhile. Love the south of France and would love to go back there again. New Zealand is also on my list to visit... my son lived there for two years and fell in love with the beautiful country and people. I 'd love to receive your little reminders of New Zealand! Thank you for following me, Shane. I've added your beautiful blog to my reader!

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  46. Thank you for the invite for a 'cuppa' as my Irish Nana would say! So glad I found your blog.... thank you Vicki! Looking forward to following you and enjoying your eye candy!
    Sweet blessings, Chrishttp://redwoodmountainmusings.blogspot.com/

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  47. Thank you for visiting my blog from the GYB party. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous and very calming.

    See you soon,
    http://airolgmd.blogspot.com/

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  48. Lovely giveaway Shane, I would be honored to enter! Adore seeing your lovely Roses, you should win a first place prize! xOxO Pam

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  49. Hi Shane,

    So nice to meet you and thanks so much for popping in for a visit and for entering my giveaway. I'm following you now. ♥

    I love your creations. I've been collecting fabrics, lace, ribbon, buttons forever it seems...so many of us are truly kindred spirits.

    I would LOVE to be entered for your giveaway. Oh what a treat that magazine would be.

    Have a wonderful day and drop by anytime and I'll do the same.

    Hugs,
    Steph ♥

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  50. Hello,

    Nice to meet you in this party.:)

    There is a giveaway on my blog,too.

    http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
    betikarauski@gmail.com

    All the best.:)
    Bernadett

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  51. You have a lovely garden,I did have to go look the word up.I am your newest follower.

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  52. Hello, thanks for stopping by my blog! I enjoyed looking around your wonderful creative blog! Looking forward to many more visits!
    Diana

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  53. What beautiful pictures!! And thanks for visiting my blog! I will be a frequent visitor to yours! I am a long time quilter...mostly art quilts...and love anything art related...I am eager to see all your projects!!

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  54. Hi Shane...

    Visiting from the GYB Party...and having so much fun!

    You have a lovely blog - I enjoy seeing your crafts and especially your roses!

    I'm a Follower!! Hope you'll come by for a visit!

    Jan ♥

    ps...if I should win, you can contact me through my Blog!!

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  55. I've found you via Bella's Rose Cottage. Your blog looks lovely and you seem to have similar interests to me. Look forward to exploring it later. My e-mail is on my blog if you need it.

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  56. Hi Shane!

    Your blog is really nice and very creative, those laces and patch work are awesome!

    You r garden look so warm and inviting!

    Meenakshi Malhotra

    I blog at: http://beyondwoman.blogspot.in

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  57. Dearest Shane,
    Happy New Zealand Settlers Day!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  58. I am following you now too! Nice to meet you. I am going to Paris in May for the first time.

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  59. Lovely post- Your stocking is beautiful! I have always heard New Zealand is a beautiful place to live-your photos prove that!

    Have fun with your quilting ;)

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  60. What a beautiful group of photos...and a beautiful sounding life you have! I love your book arts. Yum! If you go to Quilting Gallery...you'll find the nicest, most generous group of quilters who will be more than willing to help you with your new passion.

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  61. Hello Dear Shane, Love your blog. Love Grandkids, we have number 10 due in July. Love quilting, gardening, food. I will be following you to see what you will be up to next. And Thank You for visiting my blog. Take Care.

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  62. Sorry Shane I forgot to leave my email
    grandmawillcox (at) zoominternet (dot) net

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  63. Hi Thanks for stopping by my blog I 'm so pleased we found each other and you are a creative soul too. What wonderful Granddaughters you have, I will return and I'm very slow getting through this large list of Vicki's but considering all the work she put into it I will continue.
    Who knows what new treasured friends I will make.
    Hugs and I'm on my way, Marilou xoxo

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  64. Gorgeous blog Shane - I'm here through GYB - and you have just left me a lovely message too! Your garden is gorgeous and photos divine! And I LOVE the magazine!! Fiona x

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  65. Hi Shane,
    I enjoyed my visit. I see you are very creative and have made some lovely things.
    I am your newest follower.

    Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.

    Carolyn

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  66. Oh my goodness, Shane - what a wonderful blog you have. I have enjoyed your beautiful pictures - your garden is breathtaking! Please enter me in your giveaway! I am your newest follower too!
    xo

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  67. Hi Shane, nice to meet you.
    Your garden is beautiful and I love the fabrics you have collected for your quilt

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  68. Oh I love all things french too! You have a lovely blog...and I think I will give that chicken and olives recipe a try! Visiting form the party....Cheers from Singapore!

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  69. Hello Shane, One of my dear children name is Shane. I love that name. Your blog is truly gorgeous and your photos are super wonderful. I love your color choice of fabrics Shades of Pink. Lovely. I started My first quilt many years ago with a landscape of the ocean and Mts. of Alaska. I will add your lovely blog to my reading list. Your gift is lovely and thoughtful. Now to go and look up Kiwiana. Hugs Judy

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  70. Liebe Shane,
    schöne Bilder hast du wieder ins Netz gestellt. Bei Euch ist jetzt Sommer, alles blüht so herrlich, erfreu dich daran. Die Bilder der Rosen lassen ihren herrlichen Duft erahnen. Auch ich habe ein Faible für Frankreich,liegt vielleicht auch an meinen französischen Wurzeln mütterlichersseits und ich muß nur 5 Stunden fahren und bin in Paris, wenn ich nur mehr Zeit hätte. Freue mich auf ein neues Bloggerjahr mit dir!

    Alles Liebe schickt dir über den Ozean die Babsi

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  71. So nice to find your blog! I will certainly follow...beautiful place you live in!Come check my blog too!

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  72. Lovely to meet you!
    And you are going to enjoy learning to quilt!
    Love Leanne

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  73. Dear Shane,
    thanks for leaving a lovely comment.
    Oh yes, that would be lovely, having a cup of coffee or tea sitting with you by the Seine, enjoying the sunset behind la Tour Eiffel. What a superb imagination. After that we go to Opera Garnier watching La Boheme or La Traviata, great voices, great music, great atmosphere....just a little daydream, which makes our world a little bit brighter.

    Have a wonderful day, warmly Babsi

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  74. Well Bonjour dear Shane ~ How lovely to "see" you :)

    I could easily get lost in fantasy travel thinking about your yearly visits to France ... that far off view of the village is perfection as are your roses!

    SO happy that we met here in blogland...it is lovely and talented people like yourself that help make it such a special place!

    ooo and thank you also for the chance to be the lucky winner of that fab magazine too!

    l'envoi bonne désire toujours votre chemin

    oxo

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  75. I hope to come back and dig through old posts of yours...you have a lovely blog! I have a cousin in France and have been saving up to SOMEDAY visit her and the beautiful French countryside. Would love to be entered in your giveaway for the magazine and the KIWIANA ( i DID google it!!)

    maggie
    www.themagrag.com

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  76. Hi Shane, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. You have a lovely garden and I see that your little French granddaughters are your pride and joy.

    My gardens are all under a lot of snow and frozen ground at the moment. It's especially cold this year.

    Have a wonderful weekend.
    JB

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  77. Hello, I see that you've stopped at my little place and left a very lovely comment. Thank you for stopping. I'll be back to visit, but I am saying goodmorning to those who have stopped, and then I have chores around the house to do. But I wanted to let you know that I read your comment, and watnted to return the visit.

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  78. Hello Shane and thank you for your sweet comment and sharing those lovely photos!
    I’m your newest follower too :)
    Hugs,
    Mila :)



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  79. Nice to meet you Shane and visit your beautiful blog. I'm your newest follower.

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  80. Shane,

    What a beautiful blog! You have collected a lovely group of fabrics for your foray into the quilting world. I can't wait to see more and have no subscribed to your blog.

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  81. You have a lovely blog. My hubby and I love to sail and New Zealand is on our bucket list!. I am a quilter and really like the first fabrics you are showing for your first endeavor.

    It is nice to meet you through Vicki's GYB. If you have a chance stop by and visit me at nonniescedarchest.com

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  82. Hi Shane, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Love your embroidery, what a talented lady you are.

    If you love France you might like this blog
    http://thesilverbunny.blogspot.co.uk/

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  83. Hi Shane, what a very pretty blog you have; I spotted you on the Silver Bunny and liked the sound of the Blog party. Have joined your blog - I am Australian with 2 French-speaking grandsons in Canada! I love French culture also.

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  84. Hi Shane,
    Thanks for stopping by Knitalatte so I could find you and your lovely blog. I'm nuts over your roses, so beautiful. I look forward to coming back soon. Isn't Vicki the greatest for hosting this wonderful event!
    So much fun...

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  85. Shane,
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog during this grow your blog party. I wish you much luck in your new adventure of quilting, I am sure you will do just fine and find loads of encouragement here in boggy world. Granddaughters are gifts indeed!
    Michele

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  86. What a beautiful post...I so enjoyed reading it and seeing all your lovely photos...I would LOVE to see more of your garden, it is so beautiful!! The fabric is in one word "yummy"....can't wait to see your creations with it!! You live n a lovely place and look forward to visiting you blog often...I have become your newest follower...thank you for visiting me at the GYOB party....and for your nice comments...have a nice day!!!

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  87. Hi, Shane!
    Thanks for visiting The Modest Peacock! I LOVE your photos and I'm so green with envy that you live in New Zealand! I've always wanted to visit there, but it's a very long way from Atlanta! Maybe when my Cute Gremlins are grown... :)
    I'm returning the follow and looking forward to reading more of your posts!
    Love,
    Jenny

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  88. Hi,
    So nice to meet you via the GYB party. Your blog is beautiful! I'm a new follower.

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  89. Hello, Shane, thank you for visiting my blog and joining in. I am your latest follower too. Count me in for the draw ! A bunch of kisses from France. A bientôt !

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  90. Hello Shane, this your blog is such a lovely place!! I'm so glad I came here and I will be following your blog from now on. I love France as well, and while living in Germany I often went there. I even found my friend from Paris again via Facebook, after we had lost contact sometime in the 80s. Social media can be really good...We hope to go to France this summer if possible, my daughter is learning French in school and can't wait to go and see Paris. I hope it'll work out.
    I love your give away - I'm interested in home and garden magazines from other countries. And a bit of kiwiana - oh yes!

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  91. Shane - what a beautiful blog you have. I'm finding you via Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party and am certainly glad I did. I also follow SuzyQu's Threadworks and Lululiz in Lalaland (she has a home in the UK and France). I, too, love all things French and have gotten a few from Liz (she's in the Blog party). Anyway, the book you are giving away would be a delight to this resident of the USA.

    Marrianna
    Email: marrianna65@gmail.com
    www.reddancerstudio.com

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  92. Good morning Shane! J'adore France aussi! Oneday I hope to visit a countryside farm with maybe lavender fields and make friends who teach me the French art of cooking..sigh..It is absolutely wonderful meeting you through Vicki's generosity, we have so many things in common. Your blog is beautiful and I look forward to visiting often. Your grandchildren must adore your stay with them. You have given me a great idea for a giveaway for someone who may not be able to use the gift card..a copy of something about this beautiful state of Ohio!Your giveaway is perfect. Love that idea, thank you! Your garden is spectacular! Have a wonderful , peaceful week. huggs,
    Dianna

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  93. Hi Shane,

    Thanks for stopping by on the GYB party! Your blog is beautiful! those carrot cucpcakes look yummy too!! I am a new follower! Have a wonderful weekend! Linda

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  94. Hi Shane, how nice to see a picture of you! :) I was just visiting The Polka Dot Barn and see that you had been there, too. I tell you, blogging really does make this world very small. Too bad I just can't run round the corner and join you for a cupcake and craft time. Good luck with quilting. I'm sure you will be brilliant at it. I never learned to sew very well. Your fabrics are very pretty. And that magazine looks fantastic! Wishing you a wonderful day! Tammy

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  95. P.S. It's gonna take me weeks to get through all the participants in Vicki's party. :) But I really do want to support new bloggers -- I know what it was like when I first started out. Hugs, Tammy

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  96. Hi, thanks for popping over to my log and directing me over to you. Love your Christmas stocking, beautiful design. Looking forward to coming back to visit you again soon

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  97. I've just popped by via "Grow Your Blog Party"...your front porch looks like a wonderful place to have a cuppa and a chat.

    blessings,
    Cynthia♥

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  98. Shane, your blog is just delightful! I love the photos and French design! So creative!

    Looking forward to following:-)

    Hugs,
    Terri

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  99. I really love your blog. You are certainly very talented. If you are going to start quilting, you are off to a great start! I love the fabrics you've collected. I am an avid quilter and it can be quite addictive! I am a new follower! -Derrith S.

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  100. Such beautiful work on your blog. I can't wait to explore more of it.
    VictorianGypsy@gmail.com

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  101. Hi Shane :) I'm always happy to find a beautiful new blog and yours certainly is one! Lovely photos, although I have to admit I'm just a tad bit jealous of those Kiwi sunset you showed in an earlier post...it is below freezing with an icy sleet tonight here in the eastern part of the U.S. so you can imagine how good those photos look to me :)

    I'd love to enter your giveaway--thanks for the chance!

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  102. Shane, your blog is beautiful and so interesting. And, a giveaway! Such fun. Please stop by if you haven't already and sign up for my giveaway. (I'm tardy because my motherboard died and went to the grave!) But, I have a replacement now! Hugs from Alaska. Karen

    www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com

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  103. You had me at Francophile ! I spent 15 years with Air France, working & travelling the world - and despite my Scottish heritage & South African upbringing, I too LOVE all things France :-)
    Lovely to meet you and I look forward to following your adventures,
    xx

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  104. Hi Shane, Greetings from Oz. Thank you for visiting my blog and I am happy to pay a return visit. You have a gorgeous blog and I can see that I am going to enjoy following your blog. Please enter me in your giveaway.

    hugs, Kaye
    kayedep@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Hello there and so very nice to meet you. Also thank you for such a sweet comment on my blog too. Your garden is so beautiful! And you've chosen some lovely fabrics for your new patchwork & quilting, they look exactly like colors and prints I would have chosen :)

    Love you blog and I want to come back and read a lot more too!!

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  106. Thanks for visiting my blog, becoming a follower, and especially for leading me back to your inspiring blog. There's such a peaceful feeling here. You have such diverse interests, and now you're going to try quilting? You must have unlimited energy, but from what I see, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, and you'll be a great success. Those fabrics are a luscious way to start.

    The magazine you're giving away looks like it would be great fun to read. Thanks for offering it, and I'm so glad we've met :)

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  107. Dear Shane,
    That was a lovely post. Thanks for stopping by Rustique Gallery and introducing yourself to me! It is wonderful to meet people around the world this way. I love your pictures and the sweet embroidery. I look forward to more and to see where your quilting takes you. Your granddaughters are adorable and isn't it nice that they live in France. I've never been out of North/central America, but I make darn sure to see all I can here. I LOVE to travel. Blogging is a nice way to do it vicariously! I'll be "seeing" you!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  108. Dear Shane,
    Forgot to leave my email for you. sherryloom@gmail.com. <3
    Sherry

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  109. Hi Shane,
    Thanks for stopping by Elderberry Street for a visit. I'm so glad you did. Your blog is lovely. I wish I could go for a walk with you in France! What a treasure that must be! Along with those Grandbabies of course. I'll be following from now on.
    Have a lovely day,
    Karen

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  110. You have a lovely blog, I'm looking forward to looking around and getting to know you and seeing more of your lovely pictures!

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  111. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! You have very lovely photos! The village where your family lives is France is gorgeous!
    I've never seen a NZ Country Living mag. How fun!
    have a wonderful week!
    sandy

    ReplyDelete
  112. Hi Shane! What a beautiful garden you have!! I've enjoyed your photos and learning about your family. I also have two grandchildren and two new step-grandchildren who live in Quebec, Canada and only speak French. Although I'm anglophone, I understand French and I'm trying very hard to converse more in French so I can speak to my grandchildren.
    I also do needlework and I hope you'll take the time to drop by my blog and have a look when you get the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Your blog is very pretty. I like material and do basic sewing. Patchwork and quilting are on my list of things to learn, so I will be following your exploits.

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  114. Dear Shane, so nice to meet you, thank you for your sweet comment at my blog! I see you love lots of the things I love. And what a great pleasure to see work of some my favorite bloggers: Suzy, Dorthe, Lilla and Rhonda. I'm much inspired by their work, and now I see I have a new favorite to add to my list ;) I love all the lace work and hope to be able to sew something as beautiful as you all do. So count me in, I'll be visiting you often! And bonus: I'm French, living in the Netherlands, so I LOVE all the Frenchiness here. Plus those gorgeous tea roses...
    I do hope your library has the Frankie Pratt book, it's such a wonderful book.

    Hugs and wonderful day to you,
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  115. Hi Shane,

    I think I've missed out on entering your give-away, but you have won my give-away! Please send me your postal address to xstitchlibrarian at gmail.com and I'll be sending you something very soon...
    Kerrie

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  116. Hello, Shane; how wonderful to have a visitor from NZ, the land of sheep! Enter me in your giveaway as I have entered you in mine; I look forward to seeing more of NZ and France. :-)

    Michelle at Boulderneigh

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  117. Hello Shane,
    It was delightful to meet you. Thank you for stopping by for the GRB party!
    -Holly

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  118. Hello Shane,

    I visited New Zealand two years ago and it was the best vacation of my life. I visited my friend in KeriKeri who took me all over the northern island.

    I also hope to do some quilting this year. I will check back to see how you are getting on.

    ReplyDelete

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