Festive Giveaway: Win a Handmade Kindle Beanie

Over the last couple of years I have purchased a few gorgeous handmade items from AmandaAtAmersand on Etsy for giveaway prizes so when I was planning the festive giveaways this year I decided to buy one of her latest products, a Kindle Beanie. I have one myself and it's perfect for hands-free reading - I only need to move to swipe the page on my paperwhite. 

This giveaway is going to work a little differently as Amanda is going to post the Beanie direct to the winner rather than sending to me to then post onto the winner. And we're going to leave it as a surprise which design the winner will receive, will it be one of these two Beanies which she has just made.

Easter Giveaway: Win a bundle of treats including After the Rain by Lucy Dillon

Today there will be not 1 but 2 giveaways coming up on the blog, the first which of is for this bundle of goodies which includes a copy of After the Rain by Lucy Dillon and a few extras treats.

After the storm it's time for a fresh start . . .

First, the clouds... 
Tara Hunter is a therapist on a mission to restore Longhampton's community spirit after catastrophic flooding. But with her boyfriend AWOL, her family fragmented, and only a cat for company, Tara's own life is crumbling.

Then the storm... 
On top of everything, Tara's father - last seen as he walked out on her when she was ten years old - is suddenly back, with a surprising offer that could change everything.

And after the rain... 
Dr David Dalloway is Longhampton Wellness Centre's new star counsellor. He's charming, caring and has a knack for reading people's minds - which is the last thing Tara needs right now. Will having David and her dad around make for a bigger storm on the horizon? Or is this Tara's chance for a fresh start?

Festive Fun with... Amanda

One of the things I have loved since setting up the blog 10 years ago is the friends I have made in the book world, some I have met in person and other's like today's featured guest Amanda I have never met but still we talk regularly online and she always checks in on me if I'm not so active on social media to make sure I'm OK. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
Hi, I’m Amanda, a sometimes blogger at Ampersand Book Reviews, an always reader and a seller of bookish goods in my Etsy shop, Amanda at Ampersand. Inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee, I bought a sewing machine during lockdown with visions of running up a wardrobe of chic clothes. Two years later and not one item of clothing stitched. I’m still practicing, making face masks and elasticated bookmarks and loving doing just that. I take great pride in my sewing and get a huge buzz when someone likes what I make. It’s all about doing what you love. 

Having bought several facemasks and bookmarks from Amanda, (a couple of bookmarks are included in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway prizes) I can highly recommend them as I always get complimented when wearing the masks.  

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas? 
It’s that huge sigh of relief when, after all the shopping, worrying and panicking, presents are opened, dinner cooked and eaten and I can just flop and enjoy.

Do you have any favourite family Christmas traditions?
It has to be the latest addition, the Icelandic tradition, Jolabokaflod, the giving and receiving of books on Christmas Eve and then reading. I really have to force myself to take part!  

Blogiversary Giveaway: Win a handmade Fabric Bookmark

I have previously purchased both bookish face masks and bookmarks from AmandaAtAmpersand and always get compliments whenever I wear/use them so decided to order another bookmark from her to give away as part of the blogiversary celebrations (I might have also ordered a few other items for Christmas as well 😉). 

All of her items come beautifully packaged so I haven't opened the Pages Print bookmark for this giveaway so have included the photo that Amanda has sent me. I think you'll agree with me that it's absolutely gorgeous and will be a perfect addition to any book 😍. If you'd like to see what other designs she has, check out her Etsy store here. 

May Day Weekend Giveaway: Win a gorgeous handmade Fabric Bookmark

Today I have a bonus giveaway for you as I recently ordered some handmade fabric bookmarks from the talented AmandaAtAmpersand, check out her Etsy store here, which arrived yesterday. Amanda had previously made me a gorgeous book pattern face mask which I get complimented on every time I wear it so when I saw that she was now making elasticated bookmarks I had to buy some for myself and for giveaway prizes/presents.

The bookmarks came beautifully packaged so I haven't opened the one for the giveaway so have included the photos that Amanda sent me of both sides of the bookmark. I think you'll agree with me that it's stunning and will look fabulous on your book 😍