Saturday 23 October 2010

Passing Year

Yesterday marked the first turning year of my blog. And strange as it may seem, I spent most parts of the day thinking and contemplating on all the things I have been blessed with through the experience. Come to think of it, creating this blog was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Somehow it has helped me see myself from a wider perspective and each newly discovered angle is more than just a vision. Like a kaleidoscope of life, each one unique and colorful for my own viewing.

~ Forest of Playground ~

However, I think the best priviledge I have now is the friendships I've gained throughout the year. Never in my life have I met such a vast variety of people who are able to connect in a single line of mutual interests, all linked in one chemistry that seems to bond them together in spirit. So thank you, my dear friends, for your friendships, and I hope we could all keep playing together in this magical forest of blogland.

And just like any grateful blogger, I think it's time for me to have my first giveaway, don't you think so? Well, all you have to do is leave me one of your witty comments on this post and visit my shop to choose any item (Yes! Any item!) that you would like to have. I will have the giveaway starting from today and throughout the next week, where one winner will be randomly picked on the 30th October.

I'm also having a Blog Anniversary Sale over at my shop starting 12 pm today (GMT +7 hours), all items discounted just for you!! Just click this link to view the sale. So enjoy...

Lots of love,
Amalia oxox

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32 comments:

  1. Great drawing.I love that frog. It's like it's gonna take the nut from the squirrel at any moment :D
    You´re right it's a really good experience to connect with people around the globe by drawing.
    Can we choose anything? my favourite is Refuge (Under My Tree) and the one of this post, you're not selling this one yet but I think it's one of the best.
    see you :)

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  2. Oh yes, I know what you mean. Blogging switched on something in my life that had been missing for some time. I have made the most beautiful friends and connections and am inspired to create words and art every day.

    If I win, I would love the ACEO set Women of the sun.

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  3. I'm so happy for you, Amalia! happy blog birthday! HURRRAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!! and this drawings is so so so lovely! Hummm... I think you can guess which is my favorite drawing on your shop: the little rhyzome :) the drawing that you made for me.
    Hugs, Amba

    PS_ and for sure you remember our conversations about connections?
    hahaha! :D
    PS_ Bilbao is being a great adventure! I wish you the best, Sister Tree, you deserve it, you're amazing! now you will start a new year, isn't it exciting?

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  4. I am so delighted to have met you Amalia; your artwork is beautiful and evocative of dreams and wonderful imaginary places!
    May you have many many more blog birthdays to come!

    XXOO~~♥
    Anne

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  5. ~amalia...you are a blessing to each of us...not only with the magestic pieces you paint but with the words you share...such a heart you have...there is no one else quite like you!

    "Like a kaleidoscope of life, each one unique and colorful for my own viewing."

    those words couldn't be more true...l♥ve the thought of us been seen through a kaleidoscope and even more we all look different through the eyes of another!!

    i wish you many more celebrations to come...it has been an amazing journey thus far and one can only imagine how you will continue to blossom...how sweet you are to allow us to celebrate with you...

    Refuge (Under My Tree)...has been one of my favorites...long live this magical forest of friends...truly a beautiful gift...much l♥ve and light upon you always~

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  6. ooooooh, happy blogiversery! I feel exactly the same way and we must have started blogging at about the same time, and yay we get a present for your birthday, I like that kind of celebration! So hard to decide, so many favorites, but I believe that I would choose "Resurrection" because it reminds me of my daughter. Hugs, Amalia! :)

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  7. Wow did I stop by at the right time! I just had to head over to say hello and I have been missing you and your lovely thoughts and art so much! I am still in the midst of moving, but hoping to finish moving stuff into the new house this weekend. I would be thrilled to receive any piece of your art, but the dancing child from your geisha series really fascinates me - I love all of that series so it is really hard to choose!

    Miss you my friend and looking forward to actually purchasing some of your art as soon as I get settled here.

    Hugs and tired smiles

    JuliaChristie

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  8. Wonderful pictures, wonderful blog, and a lovely giveaway offer. Congratulations on your blogiversary.

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  9. What an adorable drawing! I bet you could create such delightful holiday cards for mailing! I just ordered Dusk at Dawn and can hardly wait for it to arrive. If I had my choice for the giveaway if I was so blessed to receive it, I definitely choose Resurrection to accompany my Geisha! Thank you so much for the opportunity!

    Best blessings!

    Linda

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  10. Hey Amalia, Happy Bloggiversary!!! I know what you mean Blogging is the best thing I could have done!! I've made so many friendships with so many people that are willing to share advice and help one another, it's made so much of a difference to my art and my life!!!

    If I could win your giveaway it would have to be Set of 3 - Women of the Sun (taken from Geisha series)I just love Geisha's in general, and yours are so beautiful and dramatic!! :0)

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  11. Hi from Finland!
    The very first snow for this year has come, fall is turning to winter. Your art really made me feeling warm:)
    May you have many blog years to come!
    I really liked the set of 3-Animals in Realm

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  12. Happy Blog Anniversary Amalia. I am so glad to have found your beautiful blog - always rich in color and prose, too!
    I love this new piece - Forest of Playground....think it's my new fave...If I won, I would choose the Rerum Natura...it reminds me of my little girls, one blonde the other red...just beautiful.xxoo

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  13. Happy blogblogbloganniversary!!! Yes! Blogging gives us the most unexpected gifts! I love this drawing. It is so rich. It is a fitting image for you anniversary because this girl seems to be surrounded by gifts, just make sure there are no poisonous snakes squirming this way. At the first sight of them, get the axe and chop off their heads!

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  14. HI my wanted friend.. that wonderful surprise I had when I saw yourr new illustration.. simply charming.. I love that dressed girl of rabbit and the small creatures that accompany her.
    xoxoxoxox
    yasmin

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  15. Happy blog anniversary! It sure is nice to share art on the internet and make friends in such a way!
    Gosh, this drawing is so adorable, she seems so happy and content with her sweet little friends!
    Hm, I really can't choose just one of your drawings.. they're all so beautiful! Each one is as beautiful as the next, I would be happy with any really :)

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  16. Hi Amalia.
    CONGRATULATIONS on your First Anniversary. It went by fast didn't it? You are SO right ~ blogging has been a positive experience that has blessed me with some wonderful friendships.
    I hope you have many more years of enjoyable blog experiences.
    I love all of your art ~ but your owl giclee "Son of the Moon" is one of my favorites. It would make a lovely addition to my gallery wall.
    Fingers crossed.
    Congratulations, Amalia!
    ♥ audrey

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  17. HAPPY 1ST BLOGGAVERSARY, my dear Amalia!I checked and saw that I've begun following your blog in February! So... I didn't miss much!:-) I want to thank YOU for being such a good friend - virtual, indeed, but in some senses closer than many of my "real" friends. This is one of the blogland's magics - we meet not only interesting people, talented in their way and field, but also close souls, which we found among them in the process of exchanging thoughts and feelings... Thank you for this wonderful blog and I'm sure there're many anniversaries to come with more followers and new friends - people who admire your art to draw and write, and love you!
    I like your new drawing - she (YOU) looks so delighted and happy in her little world with so many friends around her, all together, although different in their nature! In order to be a part of this world she has this costume, doesn't she?:)))
    What about the drawing I'd choose, if I get the chance, I suppose you guess - "The Sleeping Marionette", of course, to remind me of you!:O)xxx

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  18. Well now, I'm so close to tears of joy, reading all of your beautiful comments!! I've must have done something good in the past to have friends like you... ♥♥♥

    Ana, haha! Yes, that frog is a menace! Yes, it's amazing how distant we are and yet we are able to 'see' each other everyday if we wanted to!

    Lisa, you're so right! Somehow blogging fills in all those sad little spots that have been vacant for so long. :))

    Aah, Amba my little rhizome! Of course I remember... especially the 'incident' that connected us in the first place! Hahaha...life is so unpredictable, isn't it? I hope you're having fun in Bilbao!!

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  19. Gracious Anne, oh it's my pleasure to have met you too... I have Ces to thank for that! Hahaha! oxx

    Faerwillow, you are such a beautiful soul! Thank you for the friendship, of course. You have been very kind and encouraging to me and it's just serendipity making magic, am I right? :))

    Karen, thank you! Yes, isn't it funny how some of us started blogging at right about the same time? That makes you, me and Monsieur Finnie, but I'm sure there are many others!

    Julia deary, I've missed you too! Thank you for being such a lovely friend, and I hope we could stay friends for a looooong time! Now, take good care of yourself, I can't wait to see your new home! oxx

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  20. Hello Kate! Nice to see you here...and thank you for your kind words. :)

    Linda, my lovely new friend. I think you're just the right example of how this magical 'connection' works. Thank you, for being a friend. oxx

    Hi Nic! Oh I know what you mean... I think the circle of friends we get to have here are like a huge supporting group...ready to cheer, hug, kiss, soothe with their words, but most of all to support and encourage. Thank you, sweet! :))

    Hello Jenni from Finland! Thank you! That's so sweet of you. :)

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  21. Hahaha! You're right about that snake, Ces! Blogging may be wonderful, but I'm sure there are a few snakes about lurking under the bushes. I hope I never get to meet any! Thank you, dearest, you have been so kind for being such a good friend... oxox

    Yasmin, thanks so much! You are much too kind... :)

    Vanilla, hahaha, yes she does look happy and content, doesn't she? Well, exactly the way I feel right about now... Thanks! :)

    Audrey sweet, I couldn't agree more! Seems like only yesterday I posted my first drawing and thinking, oh no one is going to want to see this!! Haha! Thank you for being a lovely friend...

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  22. Rossichka, you are a tiny drop of dew, indeed! I can't thank you enough for all those encouraging words you have given me. I'm truly blessed to have you as a friend. I agree, it's more than amazing how all these different souls could connect as if nothing else mattered. Distance, gender, age, race, beliefs, occupation... all seem to be tiny details. To be honest, I've found to have been able to just connect with some people just by reading their posts or looking at their art. Most of all though, their comments. Hugs!!! oxx

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  23. One lovely year, your choosing to have a blog has been a gift to me. Thank you. I have loved getting to know you, having you in my life. Sharing through our blogs truly is a treasure box, each comment a gem, a treasure, inspiration and friendship.
    I looked at your shop, twas not an easy choice, not at all! In the end...
    Reminiscence is my choice.

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  24. Happy anniversary! I completely agree with you about the joys of blogging. There are so many wonderful people online, and it's so much fun to share with everyone. You have many beautiful pieces, but I guess if I have to choose a favorite, it's A Rose Among the Thorns. Keep up the great work!

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  25. Happy anniversary Amalia!! We are so lucky to have you in the blogging world--yours is one of my very favorites to visit :) That is so kind of you to give us the chance to win one of your beautiful prints! "Reminiscence" has always really spoken to me :) ~Lauren

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  26. O h dear where am I well happyblogaversery to you, to you, you paint like an artist and you are onee tooooo!

    Well wowser! I really really like this one - it's seriously good :) Yes the texture of the colour penncils? gets it all scintillating , gives it seratedness (bet you never heard that one) DEF: has the beauty of suerat's pointilist style- but better)

    Oh the textures add harmony?

    see you I am on blogerholdidays and am sitting on a beach in Bermuda typing on a borrowed laptop - boy that cocunut oil makes the keyyyyyboards slippery!

    see you soon from Ozbermuda

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  27. This blog is now my FAVORITE of all time. Your art is amazing!

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  28. awesome :) Congrats for turning a year for your blog and great blessings for the achievements you have done!

    My favourites: Little Rhizome.
    Love the serene and peaceful look on her!

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  29. Happy Birthday to the most beautiful one year old EVER! I feel blessed to be considered your friend and to have you as mine. Through your beautiful images and words, you have given me more valuable gifts than ever could be bought from a store window, no matter now nicely it was wrapped up. Yes, yes, YES, I want to play in your magical forest. The adorable furry wolf suit is taken, I see. Luckily, I carry my raccoon suit with me wherever I go. Shall we frolic?

    So many beautiful images in your shop, it is difficult to choose. But if I were to pick, I'd say Little Rhizome, because she looks so blissful in her dreams. That's where I like to be, too.

    xoxo

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  30. Amanda: worthy of love.

    The meaning in your name is true in every sense when you've made so many friends.. near and far.

    Truthfully, you've touched many hearts including mine with God's precious gift that is.. your artistic talent- not just visually but through beautiful words and mind full of wonders. All of us need that, once in a while- to escape to a magical forest we've created together in this virtual space.

    God bless you, dear Amalia.

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  31. This is just wonderful-- seems very old-fashioned-- like from a picture book of long, long ago. Happy Blogiversary!

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  32. I do SO love the character of your animals, Amalia... they are each wise, independent and unique creatures. Clearly, they would say something worth contemplating... if we could only understand them. Congratulations on your anniversary! And, if I am the lucky winner, I would choose: Sir Rabbit Worthington! Hugs to you, Amalia... and I am honored to be one of your blog buddies!

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Tell me your lovely daydreams, they always make me smile! ♥