Tuesday, December 10, 2013

2013 Mousehouse Christmas Giveaway

Well I have finished putting together a little gathering of treats to say thank you once again for reading 'mousehouse'. This year has probably been my quietest blog year since I started writing mousehouse back at the end of 2009. It was a full on year selling our house and moving house mid year, as well as Jack being a fully fledged busy, loud toddler now who with my other two kiddies makes for a very busy life! Hopefully next year I will have more time to craft/sew/create and share... hhmmm it seems to be the older the kids get the busier life gets so hopefully it's not just wishful thinking! I have really enjoyed using my mousehouse facebook page to share ideas in a quick and easy way but I still want to use my blog to share ideas as well, it just takes a bit longer to write a blog post nowadays!
I have two big plans for next year on 'mousehouse'- one feature will be 'My pinterest home'. I use pinterest mainly for home ideas and I absolutely love all the clever tips and ideas that people on pinterest pin and share.  So next year I am wanting to start actually doing some of the ideas I've pinned, and then sharing them on here and my facebook page- so they will mostly be ideas in regards to organising, clever storage ideas, fun ideas for kids rooms and spaces, and where to find cool and affordable things for your house.   I also want to share lots of ideas for things you can make for your home to make it more functional and organised but also look great.
My other passion on mousehouse other than homes and interiors is young children and learning ideas so I want to have another feature next year 'Play and Learn' and share lots more ideas to help your pre-schoolers learn their ABC's and other activities along those lines such as fine motor skills, counting and a love of books, stories and reading. My middle child starts school end of March so the things that I will be doing with her I will be sharing on here or my facebook page, as well as other fun things I make or come across for young children. I have done a bit of relief teaching in the last few years mostly in New Entrant classes so I have seen first hand how the children that come to school with some alphabet knowledge and writing skills just fly once they start school. I'm not advocating getting out flash cards or stressing that your child knows all of the alphabet before their first day at school however there are so many easy and fun ways to help your child gain some knowledge before school and also instill the beginning of a love of learning.
I also have another project for 2014....something I have been working on for a couple of years now...it's a book for all of you with children or grandchildren, those of you who work with children, or those of you hoping to have children one day. It's going to be a big book full of ideas for play, learning and other fun things and I am nearly at the stage where I can start approaching publishers.  I have been working with a very clever graphic designer friend to make up some proof chapters and montages, so wish me luck!  If you like the ideas that I share on mousehouse then you are going to LOVE this book. And the really special thing about this book is that it will be a book that your own children will pore over and love as much as you hopefully will! There is nothing better than seeing kids engrossed in a book and that is one of my biggest goals with this project.  I am really nervous sharing this but I think it is about time I do so that in 2014 I actually do the hardest job which is approaching publishers...so if you know anyone in the book publishing industry in NZ I would love to hear from you.  It's really hard putting myself out there like this to be honest in regards to my book idea but I have really got to get this project off the ground next year or I never will!  There is also going to be the opportunity to be part of my book project as although I have already taken thousands of photo's already I am wanting lots more so if you are handy with a camera and have some great photo's of your children and would love to be involved than please keep an eye out for me asking for photo's in the new year :)

So anyway after all of that here are the details of my giveaway...

Each year when I start making/gathering things for my Christmas giveaway I like to choose things that reflect what I share on my blog and my Facebook page. So this year I think I've covered it pretty well ....here's what you could win....
* Vintage Christmas illustration paper napkins- I love anything with a vintage look and I love sharing ideas for parties and gatherings at home. I bought these from Perch Home.
*Kikki-K to do note pad- I am a crazy list maker and I always have a to-do list a mile long so this notepad sums up this aspect of me.  I used to love sharing my 'organised home' posts as well on my blog and hope to re start something similar to that on mousehouse next year via 'my pinterest home' feature.
*Christmas tree cookie cutter- I have a pretty big collection of cookie cutters and I love using them for cutting out sandwiches, baking, and for crafts like playdough or using them as stencils.

*Ikea honeycomb Christmas decoration- I've never been to an Ikea store but would love to-  a friend in Hong Kong did a shop for me at her local Ikea and these decorations were on my list-  aren't they gorgeous!

*a lined mousehouse drawstring bag- I love sewing and wish I had time to do more- these little drawstring bags are one of my favourite things to make. Handy to store special christmas decorations or anything else you need to keep safe!
*elastics game from Jump Elastics- I love making and buying stuff for kids, especially things that get them outside playing classic childhood games. Michelle from Jump Elastics kindly offered to donate one of her gorgeous 'jumpelastics' to my giveaway so if you win not only do you get some treats but your kids will hopefully be occupied happily outside while you enjoy them!  The jump elastics also comes with a cute little book with lots of ideas of games to play if you've forgotten some of the 'chants' from your school yard days :) These would make a great present for Christmas too if you don't win the giveaway, and Michelle's packaging is beautiful as well. Check out the Jump Elastics Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/jumpelastics
The giveaway is open to all so international entries welcome, entries will close Saturday 14th December at midday NZ time.  You can enter by leaving a comment under this blog post or over on my facebook page under the post about this giveaway.

For your comment I would love to know what you enjoy reading about or seeing on my blog or facebook page.  I hope that doesn't come across as me trying to get a lot of compliments but I am truly interested in what you like to see/read... and maybe some of your comments would help me when it comes to approaching publishers...

Here's how to get yourself some extra entries- just do any of the following and let me know in a separate comment for each either here or on Facebook...

*if you are on Facebook like and share the post about this giveaway on your own facebook page
*share this giveaway on your blog if you have one
*like mousehouse on Facebook
*follow my boards on pinterest

Good luck and thank you again for reading 'mousehouse' for another year, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 :)

Megan x

PS: I have re read through this post a few times now since I wrote it on Sunday and have decided to leave it as it is even though it does seem pretty full on with my grand plans for next year!! but please know that although I have plans for 2014 I am no super mum or amazing multi tasker- I just have an absolute passion for making things and sharing ideas with other like-minded people so this blog is not a reflection on my whole life, just a part of it I really enjoy :) All of you mums out there are doing an incredible job and I hope my blog inspires you rather than makes you feel you are doing 'less' than others...that is something I really don't want and is not what my blog is about, I may make a lot of cute stuff but my hubby would probably rather I cooked dinner a few more nights instead!! So to all you mums out there have a great Christmas and I hope you get some time to put your feet up and pat yourself on the back for doing an amazing job day in day out!!

48 comments:

Miriam said...

good on you Megan for putting words and actions to your hopes and dreams. I personally really like your aesthetic so any of your organisational and crafty ideas are really well received from here. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
Miriam x

Leonie said...

Wow Megan, these plans sounds awesome! Love the kiddy ones, cant wait to see the house ones! You know I'm a big fan and pretty much adore most things you share - craft, kids, home - it all really inspires me :) What a lovely giveaway too :) Always such gorgeous goodies. I hear you about the kids getting bigger and busier! At least we can dream and aspire! Hope you have a great Christmas season and 2014 brings all you hope and more, L xx

Leonie said...

Oh and I follow you on Pinterest :)

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see your plans come to fruition in 2014! I love to read about your crafty projects. The playhouse, the dolls house and the little sewing suitcases spring to mind. All gorgeous, with amazing play potential!

Unknown said...

You're book sounds awesome, I love anything with some good kiddy ideas!

Penny Power said...

Gorgeous blog post. I love all the plans you have for 2014 and look forward to watching them come to life. Very exciting news about the book too. Love your blog, it's content and the variety of posts you do. Merry Christmas x

Penny Power said...

Liked and Commented on Facebook x

Penny Power said...

Shared on the Little Housewife Facebook page too x

Penny Power said...

And I follow you on Pinterest x

Chris C said...

2014 sounds like a fun year, good on you for doing a book, i will be keeping an eye out for it as I love all your projects, especially ones for preschoolers as i have a 2 yo at home.

Chris C said...

I follow you on facebook

Chris C said...

And i follow on pinterest (sounding like a stalker now lol)

Louise said...

Your blog is one of my favourites :) I also follow you on facebook

Hannah T said...

Megan - I've really enjoyed your blog over the last couple of years, getting inspiration and seeing what other crafty/homemaker/children-related stuff you are up to. You originally inspired me to give crochet a shot and after many youtube tutorials I've got some of the basics and have made some fun stuff for my son. Thanks for igniting that spark! I "like" you on FB, follow you on Pinterest and have you listed in bloglovin - goodness, that's a lot of mousehouse love going on there. I appreciated your passion, but that you also acknowledge it's just part of your life. No showiness, just lots of awesomeness. Merry Christmas - I hope your holidays are filled with fun, family and joy. Looking forward to seeing some of your ideas next year :) Hannah

Sarah @ mila+cuatro said...

I love reading about what crafty things you do with your kids.

nz green buttons said...

I love all your posts Megan! I especially love seeing what you've been crafting! I can't wait to see how your plans for 2014 develop!

nz green buttons said...

I like mousehouse on FB :)

nz green buttons said...

I follow your pinterest boards too

Notchka said...

With all my heart I wish you much LUCK!! Have you read the Extra Curricular issue on publishing? I might have to send you a copy. I think its good to have dreams and schemes - I know you balance it with family and other day to day things. Its hard to make yourself vulnerable and put yourself out there, but its so inspiring - go you!

Notchka said...

I follow you on your Facebook page

Notchka said...

I also follow your pinterest boards - I love the craft room board in particular!

Da Gaksta said...

I like how you use colour and pattern.

smilie said...

I love the way you use and see colour

smilie said...

I'm watching pinterest like a hawke.

smilie said...

I shared it on fb

smilie said...

I follow Fb and the blog

Juliet @ Tartankiwi said...

Exciting times Megan, I really look forward to your book, I have no doubt that it will be filled with lots of beautifully presented great ideas! Good luck with it!

Its hard to pinpoint what I enjoy the most about your blog. I definitely enjoy seeing your crafting, but I also really enjoy your ideas for children.

Juliet @ Tartankiwi said...

Oh and I like Mousehouse on FB :-)

meg said...

My boys are both halfway through primary school now so the ABC stuff isn't really at our stage anymore. I do love the crafty and home things though (organising is good).

meg said...

Yes I follow you on Pintrest too and bloglovin!

Unknown said...

What a fun giveaway! Thank you so much for the chance to win! I love anything and everything homemade and especially enjoy party posting. Always looking for creative touches for birthdays and gatherings. Thanks for the chance to win!

All the best,

Jamie
jamieandandre at charter dot net

Unknown said...

Following along on Pinterest as champagnewisdom :)

Gill said...

Wow! Your 2014 is going to be fabulous! Keep going!

remaliah said...

I just love the ideas you share, particularly crafty ideas for kids. I still have a dolls house waiting up in a cupboard ready to start renovating when our girls are a little older! I've often come back to your chemical free cleaning/baby recipes...I just love your blog, your creativity and wonderful ideas in general! And I'm DEFINITELY keen to get your book when it's published, so I hope that whole process goes like clockwork for you!! I'd also be happy to share photos with you, so I'll keep an eye out for your requests in the new year ;) Thank you so much for sharing your great ideas and for such a generous giveaway!

Kerrie said...

I love all your colourful sewing projects and anything children related.

Kerrie said...

I love seeing all your colourful sewing projects and anything to do with kids. Merry Christmas

Kerrie said...

I love seeing all your sewing projects and anything kiddie related. Merry Christmas

Penelope P. said...

Hi, I'm not allowed on Facebook, two older children have begged me not to!!so am really looking forward to next years posts. With you having young children I am amazed you are able to do as much as you do! I love all your crafty ideas and think you are very good at explaining them! Penny L

Tiff said...

I love reading and seeing your creative lifestyle. What originally brought me here were some vibrant photos that caught my eye one day while I was googling some craft(can't remember what). And since I found you that day, I have come back to enjoy more and more. I love house pics and creative decorating ideas(especially real life rooms, not magazine photo shoots) with real families with kids. Can't wait to see what 2014 has in store.

On a side note, I am totally psyched about those elastics!!! Back in the day we called them chinese jumpropes and I spent many many hours in 4th and 5th grades playing that. And just on Sunday a friend and I were talking about them and remembering them from our childhood(those hers was in Maine and mine in California), we both wished that we could find one for our kids to learn the game! I'm off to buy her one for Christmas!! Thank you!!!!

Tiff

Tiff said...

Already follow you on Pinterest! Don't have a Facebook.

Tiff
foldedgingham.blogspot.com

Lucky Dip said...

I love it all, the decorating and the craft especially! You seem to know exactly what I will like haha!

Stacia said...

I love everything on your blog but I did really enjoy the organized home posts when you did them.
Also following on FB

Stacia said...

And Pinterest now too!

Charlotte said...

Thanks for your generous giveaway and all the best for 2014.

I like to follow you because of your ideas that are stylish and modern, yet totally achievable for a working mother with two boys.

good luck with all your endeavours and merry Christmas!

remaliah said...

I like Mousehouse on FB!

remaliah said...

I also follow you on Pinterest ;)

remaliah said...

...and shared the giveaway on FB

peekaboo said...

How did I miss this post?! Your ideas for next year sound sooooo exciting and your vision of what you want to do is so clear!
I love the book idea, something I have always thought about but never actually done anything about, so go you! Bring on 2014!

Related Posts with Thumbnails