Sunday, February 17, 2013

hooray!


despite the cold weather i'm starting to really like february, as this month (today, in fact!) marks one year of me being self employed full time, which actually feels quite surreal to say!

when i left my 'day job' last year, it happened quite out of the blue really, i didn't mark the occasion in any way (i didn't even blog about it!) i think i always had it in the back of my mind that it would be temporary, and i would have to return to 'work' at some point to support myself again, i can't quite believe how far i have come!
since leaving uni in 2008 i have been using my spare time to work on my portfolio and develop my skills, with the hope that one day i could become a full time illustrator.
i'd always been intending to further my freelance illustration career, and it's something i am still working on, but to be honest, that has been pushed to the sidelines over the last 12 months and my etsy shop has well and truly taken over.
i am always so surprised and delighted when i make a sale in my little shop or when someone leaves me a nice comment about my work. to think i'm creeping ever closer to the 1000 sale mark in my store is just mad. sometimes i can't get my head round the fact that there's someone on the other side of the world using one of my pug purses, or wearing a kitty tattoo or covering their phone in my little drawings. it's wonderful! isn't the internet amazing?!

i had been thinking about treating myself to something special as a way of celebrating my first year, but me being me, talked myself out of it as i usually feel so guilty spending money on myself, i always feel like i should be either saving it, spending it on bills or putting it all back into my little business
... however!
just as i accepted the fact the occasion would pass with little celebration, i was contacted (totally out of the blue!) by moneysupermarket.com to take part in a little blogger challenge! i was given £20 to spend on anything i wanted that would make myself or other people feel good, as part of their 'what's in your pocket' challenge ... talk about good timing!


i saw this ring on etsy and knew instantly that it had to be mine! i'd like to thank msm for giving me the excuse to buy something so pretty! it's rose gold, delicately dainty and the best thing about it? it plays on the idea of tying string around your finger to remember something important - very fitting for the occasion ♡
sometimes it's easy to take things for granted, but i know every time i look at this ring on my finger i will be reminded of just how lucky i am to be able to do what i love for a living.
isn't this turning into a soppy post?! ...

since my beautiful ring was an absolute bargain, i thought it would be nice to share the love, and spend the remaining few pennies on some little treats for you! after all, you're the ones who've helped me get where i am today, and for this i want to thank you :)


the prize:
a very cute fortune kitty notepad, some spotty washi tape, and sweeties (c/o msm!)
also! some temporary kitty tattoos, a pug greetings card, some illustration postcards, brand new kitty bunting and a plushie hanging heart all made by meeee :) as pictured above!

ways to enter:
◆ leave a comment on this blog post
tweet about it!

terms:
◆ you must be a follower, either of my blog or my twitter
◆ genuine followers only please
◆ please leave some contact info in your comment below
◆ tweets must include me @harrietgray and link back to this blog post to be counted
◆ you can tweet as many times as you like, each tweet will count as one entry
◆ Accounts used soley to enter giveaways will not be counted
◆ open to anyone, anywhere on planet earth ... hooray!

i will pick a winner on 1st march, so you have until then to enter :)

*** update ***
giveaway is now closed :) thank you to everyone who entered ♥

100 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being freelance for a year! That is awesome! It's no suprise that your shop is doing so well as your work is great :)

    Hope I win hehe ;)

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  2. Congratulations on your achievements! It's great to see how far you can go when you are motivated, and this is a gorgeous giveaway :)

    Georgina
    x
    Email: shortsweetblog@hotmail.com
    Twitter: @Short_SweetBlog (I've tweeted about the giveaway too)
    Blog: http://shortand-sweet.blogspot.co.uk/

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  3. This is a great wee giveaway! I especially love the kitty bunting I mistook for underwear.

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  4. Aww it's too cute . I'm entering :)
    I'm leaving some info ,
    email : noorsiddique@live.co.uk
    Twitter @NoorsLense
    Noor @ Noor's Place

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yea , the tweet link : https://twitter.com/NoorsLense/status/303118501994954752

      Delete
  5. Congratulations Harriet! Well done on your first year - and indeed such a lovely way to celebrate, that ring is so gorgeous!

    I absolutely love following all of your work and seeing your Etsy shop grow - such a nice collection of goodies for everyone who comes across it!

    x

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  6. Congratulations on your first year! Amazing work.
    I hope you have an even better 2nd year :)
    x

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  7. Tremendous! I must enter this as I'm your biggest number one fan.
    I'm following on GFC and Twitter.
    You know my name and email - tashahinde@aol.com
    I'm gonna tweet sooooo many times. <3

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  8. A beautiful post. Congratulations! Your new ring is so sweet.

    So excited about this giveaway - look at that bundle!? Eee!x

    t. @ok_tea
    e. katheryngillett at hotmail.com

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  9. Congrats on one year! :)

    I'd LOVE this stuff!
    t. @alicetgibbs
    e. alicegibbs56(at)gmail(dot)com

    ^_^

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  10. Yay! Congratulations Harriet :) that's brilliant! So glad your etsy shop is doing so well, and lovely giveaway!
    Twitter: @AnnaGwenllian
    xxx
    ps nice ring

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  11. Congratulations on your first year, and the amazing success you'd had with your Etsy shop - you totally deserve it. :] Your giveaway is super cute, i'd love to enter - gonna tweet too. :] xx

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  13. Your illustrations are so beautiful. I always saw the kitty transfers on Tumblr and never knew where they were from! Mystery solved! :)

    Karys x
    0karys@gmail.com

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  14. This is such an amazing giveaway, I would love to enter!! So much amazing goodies :D

    Congratulations for being freelance for a year btw, exciting!

    http://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com
    jess@rafflesbizarre.co.uk

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  15. Congratulations Harriet! I love your shop and the things you make so count me in !

    http://sadgirlsonly.blogspot.com/
    or my twitter: @teenkill

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  16. Sorry, wrong one, my twitter that im tweeting the entries from is @OKSTUPID (I which is actually an L)

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  17. What a super year and congrats on the Etsy shop success! I admire your brave choice to go full-time with the illustration work. The giveaway looks great and I did wonder what sweets you were going to choose - my faves!!

    Fingers crossed :)

    Claire x

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  18. congratulations on your first Year! i never enter comps but love your stuff too much not to!
    twitter - @kpphotographi

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  19. You are so talented!! Congratulations on your first year of freelancing. I'm sure with your talent you will go places! Following you on twitter! @babalisme

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    Replies
    1. Also gfc follower : babalisme

      Email : babalisme(at)yahoo(dot)com

      Delete
  20. Well done - sounds like you are living the dream! Love the ring too, it's really cute!

    www.eversojuliet.com
    thisisjuliet @ gmail.com x

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  21. I'm not entering the giveaway (I live in Uganda with no mail box) but just wanted to say how beautiful your illustrations are!

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  22. Congrats Harriet!!!! I adore your work!!!!!
    Beautiful giveaway!!!!!!!
    www.mariaelinamendez.com

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  23. Ahh, that kitty bunting is literally the cutest thing ever! My bedroom is calling for it :)
    You are a very talented lady!

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    Replies
    1. Also following on twitter @hannahscuffham :)

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  24. Congratulations! I'm amazed that you took the plunge and went freelance, it seems so terrifying but so satisfying. The ring is absolutely lovely, I've got a little wishlist of etsy rings and this will probably end up on that list. Fingers crossed for winning (I want that bunting!)

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  25. Reaching year one is exciting, congratulations! I have just finished my MA so I'm now attempting! I have my eye on one of your pug pouches - ace!

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  26. ooh, great giveaway, i want it all! :)

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  27. ive just tweeted about this post too! :)

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  28. Congrats!!!!
    I am in love with that bunting!!
    Of course I'm a follower

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  29. Congrats on your first year - you're an inspiration :) I'm currently just entering my third month as self employed so I really really hope that I can make it to a year too x
    @litemporium

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  30. wow, congrats on the year :) fab giveaway!

    kelseyllennon(at)gmail.com

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  31. Snaps on your year, and what a lovely way to celebrate! That bunting is incredible so fingers crossed!
    Rachel
    Rachel_V_Campbell@hotmail. com

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  32. Congrats!! Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! I adore all of those bits!! (especially the pug greetings cards (hence my blog title - punkypugs) :)
    I follow you on GFC and Twitter (@sophie_bowman)
    sophielouise-91@live.co.uk
    xxxx

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  33. This is brilliant to hear, congratulations!
    Great giveaway - I've tweeted and follow :)

    sophjohnno@hotmail.co.uk
    @sophjohnno

    xx

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  34. Such a cute giveaway and reason behind it! :)
    Will definitely invest in a pug iPhone case at some point!
    @floraldanielle
    floraldanielle@hotmail.com
    x

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  35. congratulations! How magnificent that are able to make a living from what you love. Your work is beautiful and I see great things in your future.
    p.s., love the ring!

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  36. It is SO awesome that you can do what you love for a living. Congratulations. AND to top it off you're a lovely person, so you deserve it ;)
    Tweeted and you know I'm a fan/follower. Will Tweet some more and share on FB too! xo

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  37. Wow! Thank You Cat Tee Mission for introducing me to this wonderful blog!
    Im only halfway through exploring all of your lovely words and creations and am hooked and inspired.
    Bring on pay day!
    Congratulations - the world needs more people like you in it! :)
    Antonia
    antonianunn (at) gmail. com
    x

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  38. Tweet it! Mention you at twitter too, I can't seem to paste the link here, I hope you get the mention.

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  39. Congratulations Harriet! I'm well chuffed for you. Great to hear that all your hard work has paid off. Love my Heidi Bear illustration & little kitty travelcard pouch. Again, congrats. You deserve it! Miriam of Frauleinerika.co.uk

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  40. Congratulations! Love your Etsy shop. And sweet giveaway.
    Will tweet all about it too (mouseblossom_nl on Twitter).

    Yvonne (www.mouseblossom.nl).

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  41. Oh my goodness this is the best giveaway ever! Kitty bunting! Congratulations on being self employed too, I am very happy that you are doing what you love. xx

    pollyfenoble at gmail dot com

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  42. Oh wow, congratulations! That is amazing, and my dream one day too! All your hard work has definitely paid off, and thanks so much for doing a giveaway too! :) xxx
    katie_moody@hotmail.co.uk
    @moodycat

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  43. Yay! Congratulations on one year self employed! What an amazing achievement. You definitely deserved a treat and that ring is lovely. Rose gold was an excellent choice.

    @jollygoodstudio Xx

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  44. YAY! congrats on the year pal! Lovely post and lovely prizes - that kitty bunting is totes amazeballs - are you going to do a puppy one too? Because if you are that one fo'sho has my name written all over it!

    xx

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  45. Congratulations on your freelance anniversary! A fantastic achievement. You're such a talented lady. I got my first prints of yours the other day and one is already in pride of place above my dressing table. The kitty bunting in the giveaway is gorgeous!
    Again congratulations, Gemma xx

    @Sew_Devine
    gldevine(at)googlemail(dot)com

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  46. i am a follower!

    meg.casson@hotmail.com

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  47. i tweeted about the giveaway here
    <3

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  48. That is the coolest! Congrats!! I love your work, it's super sweet. New follower to the blog - I am not the best at keeping up with all the blogs I follow, but I look forward to your posts popping up on my blogger dashboard so I can see what's new!
    This is an awesome giveaway, it would make my month if I won! :)
    -Stina
    renee.gans(at)gmail.com
    www.honeywild.net

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  49. Wow I am so happy for you and your one year anniversary. Your work always brings a smile to my face whenever I see it. I have been following your blog too.

    kellyzarb@gmail.com

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  50. Congratulations :)
    I am entering :)
    GFC : aree1997
    Twitter : @areebasiddique
    areebasiddique97@hotmail.com

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  51. Tweeted : https://twitter.com/areebasiddique/status/303745092236242944

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  52. Congratulations on your success! Its so great to hear other people's 'quit your day job' stories and they always inspire and encourage me, I did the same thing in October last year (quit my day job) and can now concentrate on my daughter, my blog and my sewing full time -I never thought it would happen and I feel so lucky every day.
    I love your illustrations and wear your tattoos with pride:) All the best for the coming year!
    Debs x
    www.duckandduffel.co.uk

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  53. Congratulations on your 1 year, its really inspiring to read and follow people who build up a business in something they love and make it their day job. Me being a student still and hoping to do this too some point in the future find it really encouraging to read stores like these. Good luck
    Jess x

    @jessprocter1
    www.jessicaprocter.co.uk

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  54. Congratulations Harriet!
    As I told you before, you're one of my favourite illustrators and I'm so happy to see all your successes!
    You are so talented and your wonderful work deserves to be seen!
    Bravo!
    (this ring is fantastic!)

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  55. Congrats!!! I bet its exciting that you've completed your first year and done so well making a name for yourself :) I wish you many happy years to come, with a lot more cute animal drawings in the making :)
    Sacha x

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  56. Congratulations, what an inspiring story! May you and your business continue to grow and prosper. I love your illustrations!
    -Rachel

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  57. Congratulations on your first year! :)

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  58. I just found your blog! Your illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for the great giveaway, and I'm looking forward to following you from now on!

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  59. Meow!

    Hooray and congratulations. A beautifully soppy post, you gorgeous pencil wizard you.

    Happy franniversary!!

    x x x

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  60. tweeted! here.

    meg.casson@hotmail.com

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  61. Oh my gosh, everything is so cute!! I'm a follower on twitter, and have tweeted about your giveaway.

    My email is: cmwilmowski@hotmail.com

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  62. I tweeted about it again :)

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  63. ah i would love to win this! so much kitty love! particularly like the temp tattoos! :)
    i'm @cardboardcities on twitter (just tweeted about this, the link is: https://twitter.com/cardboardcities/status/304650209273720834)
    & my email is laura.cardboardcities@gmail.com

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  64. LOOOVE the pug! I have also tweeted this from @missmagpie_says :-)

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  65. Such an amazing giveaway Harriet! So happy you've had an amazing year, you're such an inspiration and your work always makes me smile!

    Tweeted as well! :)

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  66. This the cutest little set ever! Thanks for this. 1 year, that's amazing. Congrats :)
    rhiannon.j@hotmail.co.uk

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  67. Congratulations on your sucess and becoming freelance! I remember when I first saw your work on Ella's blog! Your illustrations are beautiful and so delicatey drawn. You should be so proud of yourself!

    Bexx

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    Replies
    1. PS I follow on GFC and tweeted. Thanks for the giveaway!!

      Delete
  68. Great giveaway! GFC follower: kim adsit , email: buzzyngabe@yahoo.com, Twitter follower @buzzyngabe & Tweeting :)

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  69. Amazing giveaway! Hope I win :) kerriannhulme @me.com
    Congrats on your first year! I've tweeted about this too xx

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  70. such an amazing giveaway and your so so talented and congratulations on your first year, it must have taken some guts to go into being self employed!

    http://amymika.blogspot.co.uk
    amy.mika@aol.co.uk

    x

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  71. Lovely stuff you have here. I hope to purchase some in the future. Congrats on your success!

    email: kathleen.volker@gmail.com
    twitter: @1essismore

    My tweet:
    https://twitter.com/1essismore/status/304977218864570368

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  72. zomg i love pugs!!! your stuff is adorable and I am glad I found you!

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  73. Awesome giveaway! I can't not enter this, I would never forgive myself! I shall tweet too :)

    wrappedupinrainbows@gmail.com
    @laura_boutique

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  74. Amazing giveaway! I'd love to win, thank you so much!

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  75. contact: cristahebel @ yahoo.com

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  76. I tweeted again @clairey_dreamer

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  77. So I thought I'd add a little bit of male balance to the competition once I'd finally got to the bottom of all these comments! Congrats on the one year mark and here's to many more.

    http://www.alphawham.com
    @alphawham

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  78. It's really nice to see that you've bought yourself a ring, what a wonderful way to remind yourself of all of your efforts over the past year. I would be honoured to own something crafted by yourself as you are a huge inspiration to me!

    my email: omgphilippa (@) gmail.com

    xxx

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  79. Aww! I love that ring too! Rose gold is soo pretty, I had a locekt for my 21st with Welsh gold on it (Clogau gold) which is similar in colour! Congrats on being self employed for the first year! Well done on doing so well with your Etsy store too.

    Kim Jenkins
    The Sketchbook Artist
    @SketchbookArt

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  80. and once more for good luck i guess!
    tweet here

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  81. I'm really not sure why I've not followed you earlier, I have seen your wonderful illustrations featured on Ella Master's blog and am in awe of them! Congratulations on a year of fabulous blogging! I'm now also following you in twitter and will most certainly pay your delightful etsy shop a visit :) keep up the amazing work, I look forward to reading your future posts x

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  82. I tweeted again! @clairey_dreamer
    Fingers crossed!

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  83. That bunting is so amazing I could cry! Congratulations on 1 year freelance. I went freelance nearly 2 years ago and still can't quite get my head around it... It seems like something grown up's do. Hope you have an even more successful second year, your work is ace, so you deserve it!

    http://timefortwee.blogspot.co.uk/

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  84. awww this is amazing! congratulations on your 1 year successful freelance, you deserve it! I'm building up courage to do the same soon!

    Ekaterina Maksabedian
    www.lepetitmonsieur.tumblr.com
    maksabedian@gmail.com

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  85. I tweeted about it from @maksabedian ! <3

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  86. oh wowwowow. I hope this entry is squeezed in, in time. Gorgeous giveaway lovely :) following you on here and twitter <3

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  87. i tweeted once more here: https://twitter.com/maksabedian/status/307413000086773760 woopie! :D

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  88. Sooooooo many adorable things! WITH CATS ON. I had to enter :) so kind of you to treat us with your MSM £20! I didn't even think of doing that with mine! My email is beinglittle@hotmail.co.uk and I'm going to tweet about it too :) x

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  89. Gorgeoussss! :D My blog is: http://thelittlejennywren.blogspot.co.uk if you need to contact xx

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