Saturday, January 24, 2015

Grow Your Blog And **Giveaway**

**Don't forget to read all the way to the end to find out how to enter my giveaway**

2 Bags Full

I do love discovering new blogs. There are so many creative and lovely people out there who take time to share their passions and their gifts with the world through their blogs. I have a select few that are my trusted favourites, I have been inspired when I have seen talented people share their beautiful handiwork, whether that be knit, crochet, sewing, or stitching. It's inspired me into creating more, stretching my skills or perhaps even learning a new one. 

I have been inspired to live intentionally, embrace seasonal happenings and celebrate them in our own way in my own home. I have drooled over the talent of bloggers who's passion is interior decor, how simple they make it look, so simple that I have been encouraged to do the same within my own home.

When I noticed this beautiful badge pictured above on a lovely creative blog that I enjoy reading, I thought it was a great idea not only to get my own blog out there but also to discover new-to-me blogs. Most of us like a party, a celebration, so I was keen to join in the blog party fun with Vicki at 2 Bags Full.

So for those who are visiting Under An English Sky for the first time, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Shirley, I live with my husband, two teenage daughters, two cats and a hamster in Chesterfield England. We have home-schooled for 10 years and still going strong. We are a South African family, originally from Cape Town, who have left our homeland and set up a new life in England. We are completely in love with this land and can't wait to take our citizenship at the end of this year and be counted as British on paper {we are already British at heart :)}




On this blog you will read lots of different things, some homeschooling adventures, although these posts are less frequent than they once were. You will read allot about knitting, crochet, sewing and cross stitch. I love my home and our Christian faith is key in our lives, so you will find lots posts sharing little ways we celebrate and mark the seasons, natural, British and liturgical in our home. You will also see posts of a hearth and home flavour - you know- decorating, in the kitchen, gardening, that sort of thing.



In keeping with the celebrations of this lovely blog party, I would love to give away a homespun creation. I have an Etsy shop (currently on vacation mode whilst I stock the shelves) where I sell (amongst other things) good old cheerful bunting - a must for just about any British celebration! I always, ALWAYS have it strung up around my house and when summer comes along it gets strung up outside too :)



** The Giveaway **



 I have a string of scalloped bunting to give away.  This string is around 3.5 m long with 7 scalloped flags. I have used the cutest autumn-print Flower Fairy cotton, alternated with lace trimmed solid-colored tan flags. There is a loop at either end of the bunting so that you can easily slip it over a hook to hang, alternatively the string is long enough on either end of the flags to tie around a tree or shrub if hanging outside.


This giveaway is open to all readers whether you are a follower or not. This is not boarder restricted so I am happy to post anywhere in the world.

 This contest will finish at midnight on the 14 February and the winner announced on Sunday the 15 February. Please use the Rafflecopter entry form to enter - a valid email is essential so that I can contact the winner. Your email address is completely confidential and shall not be used for any other purpose than to get a postal address from the winner.

Thank you so much for visiting Under An English Sky, please do feel free to browse past posts to get an idea of what I blog about. 

Blessings to you all...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 comments:

  1. I discovered your blog through By Sun and Candlelight. I am delighted to have found you - thank you for sharing your lovely life! :)

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    1. Hello Kelly and welcome! I love meeting new people so thank you for leaving a comment {and such a lovely kind one at that :) } so that I could say hello.

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  2. Its always lovely to read your blog and as you know I will be visiting Cape Town shortly and we will celebrate our wedding anniversary on Valentines Day on Table Mountain where we married. Your blog is inspirational and once I have read your posts they always make me think 'to stop and smell the flowers'. They are so heart-warming xx

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    1. Hi Michelle, thank you for your lovely comment - I'm glad that visiting my blog makes you feel that way :).

      What a lovely way to celebrate your wedding anniversary, Feb is the best month in Cape Town as the wind seems to drop around that time. I hope you guys have an absolutely awesome time - come back with a tan ;)

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  3. Good luck with growing your blog, a beautiful giveaway.

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  4. Popping in via Vickie's GYBP - and I will be back - have enjoyed your post - it is lovely to meet you and read all about your passions. Have a wonderful week - Kerrie B at channelbankcreations.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Hello and welcome Kerrie! Thanks for leaving a comment, I'm off to visit your bloggy home :)

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  5. I am visiting through the blog party. You have a lovely blog and I am following so that I can visit again. I am in section 19 of the blog party list.

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  6. I'm not sure my comment went through...I am visiting your lovely blog through the grow your blog party. It sounds like you have a charmed life. I am also interested in living more mindfully and I am in section 19 of the list at the blog party. I am following your blog and looking forward to visiting you again soon.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world ☺

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  8. Hi Shirley ... I have really enjoyed your blog and I am sending thanks on Vicki Boster's behalf for joining the Grow Your Blog Party !

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  9. Hi! So nice to meet you. I'm popping in through the GYB party. What a wonderful, interesting blog and a lovely home. I look forward to following your adventures.
    Warm regards

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    1. Thanks for your comment Kim and welcome to Under An English Sky :) I look forward to visiting your blog

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  10. Hello Shirley. It is 3 in the afternoon here in California. I am still hopping around to explore the various blogs at the party. Yours is lovely. I hope to one day (-ah, dreaming), visit England. I am also a homeschool mom and a Christian. Feel free to stop by my blog some time: http://bluejeansandteacups.blogspot.com/
    God bless!

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  11. Hello Shirley! I enjoy reading your blog and following your mindful life. Thank you so much for blogging!

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  12. I love your blog, your heart and love for home and family. Thank you for being such a kindred spirit and I am glad to call you friend.

    ~Bevy

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    1. Aaah, Bevy, so are so sweet. Yes, I feel that we are kindred spirit's too and am blessed to be able to call you friend too. Hugs.

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  13. Your blog is very homey and inviting. Nice to meet you!

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  14. Hello! I'm delighted to have found your blog and will follow along! Please do pop over to my blog if you have time. I think we have a similar approach to life! J9 x

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    1. Thanks for visiting Janine, I shall pop over and visit you soon!

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  15. I always enjoy seeing your lovely pics and reading about what you're up to and what you're making :-) And I do sooo love that pretty bunting - I agree, it should be compulsory in every home, don't you think? ;-)
    Have a happy day, fellow ex-Capie!
    xx

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    1. Absolutely Gilly! No home should be without bunting :)

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  16. You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

    So that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands!

    What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen I'd love for you to follow and subscribe to.

    Happy crafting!
    SuZeQ

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  17. Hi Shirley, So nice to meet you via the GYB party. Your blog is lovely. I look forward to following your bllog.

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  18. Hi Shirley, I'm visiting today from the GYB party and I love your blog! I am now following you via google friend connect. I look forward to becoming new blog friends. I hope that you will stop by my blog Julie's Lifestyle as we have similar interests! I also have a giveaway too. Thanks so much.
    Julie at Julie's Lifestyle

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  19. Lovely to meet you!
    I love the name of your blog!!!

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  20. Thank you for inviting us over for a visit with you and to see some of your creations. Must say those jars of jam look good!!

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  21. I've been a follower for a few months and also taking part in the GYB party. I hope it is successful for you. I love to read about your family.

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  22. HI Shirley, lovely post. Visiting from GYB, I wish I could do more yarn crafts. I do like to sew and garden, we seem to have those in common. Thanks for sharing in the hop.

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  23. Loved seeing your beautiful flowers and projects. Visiting from GYB hop. I need some jam to serve with the popovers I'll post next week, LOL!

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  24. You're right, Shirley! There are so many lovely, creative people "out there" and it's fun to see what you and they are doing! I'm a knitter and a volunteer - my husband and I are from the U.S., but served last year in Australia; now we're in Germany for a few months!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate each and every one left for me.