Giveaway now open!

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To win this amazing haul of prizes, head over to our ETTEAM blog and follow instructions - good luck!

World Tour Giveaway News #2

Yesterday I brought you up to date with poor lost Treasure, and of Alchemy's trip to take her place at MyMothersGarden. She had a wonderful time helping out at a Garden Festival, where (amazingly!) one of the customers had already heard of the World Tour! Alchemy was given a lovely little trinket dish with bee motif to bring home for the giveaway. She also developed a passion for munching nasturtiums - potential new owner, take note please!



From Florida Alchemy moved on to North Carolina, to visit Bazketmakr. Here she learnt how to make this exquisite tiny horsehair basket. It works perfectly as a meerkat necklace (as you will see from the blog link) but could also be used by the prize winner as a cell phone charm.


Onwards again, to TeresasPrimTreasures where she made lots of new friends in snowy Virginia and gained a lovely sleeping bag (which I suspect would make a great cosy for a small appliance)


From Virginia to Michigan, were Alchemy visited with LeapingGazelle and discovered Detroit Coney dogs! (It's all about the stomach with meerkats!) Four gorgeous ArtCards were added to her stash of souvenirs - aren't they lovely?


The next leg of the tour took Alchemy out into the countryside, to a farm in Minnesota with GloriousHats. Alchemy had a host of adventures here including yet another treat for her stomach: home made maple syrup!



Alchemy is modeling her souvenir from GloriousHats, a sweet floral mini-fascinator. If you're not lucky enough to win the giveaway, this is a new line in GloriousHats' shop, modeled by another little meerkat who is now earning her keep as a milliner's model!

More prizes tomorrow, and details of how to enter!

World Tour Meerkat Giveaway News!

Wow! Alchemy brought such a lovely haul home with her from her tour that I am going show you the prizes over several blog posts, and remind you of the adventures along the way. Of course, Alchemy didn't start the tour until after poor Treasure went missing, so it's only fair to start with Treasure's part of the story. Sadly all her souvenirs got lost too, of course, but her hosts have kindly supplied some replacements, as you will see.



For a super-duper interactive version of Alchemy's map, made by the lovely Tracy of Tyarkoni CLICK HERE

Niftyknits Meerkat Treasure left Kent, UK back in November 2009 with a press send-off and video coverage! see VIDEO interview

Her first host was CuteDesigns, where she partied with the plushies and picked up a travelling companion, a cute amigurumi acorn. The prize package will include details of where to buy your own little amigurumi friend.



Now Treasure began her overseas adventure, and soon arrived in Israel where Arosha brought out the masculine side of this little meerkat, sunbathing on the beach and helping with metalsmithing. Arosha has replaced the lost brooch with a 10% discount voucher for either Arosha or Sleeks.



Treasure liked Israel, so stayed a while longer. Her next visit was with Inbaliya where she celebrated Shabat and had acupuncture to help her travel sickness (yes, really. The meerkat had acupuncture. Follow the link to see the photos) Inbal made a little sleeping bag for Treasure, but has replaced it for the giveaway with a 10% discount voucher.



Next Treasure went to visit SpringColors in Jerusalem for a Happy Hanukah! Treasure took away a fabulous beaded pendant which has been replaced in our giveaway by a $30 voucher for Springcolors.



After leaving Israel Treasure headed North to Estonia to visit 5erg.



After leaving Estonia, disaster struck! Treasure was on her way next to Turkey, to stay with Meltem who had plans for many adventures. Sadly, we had to declare a Meerkat Emergency, because Treasure didn't arrive.

The meerkats looked everywhere...



and after a while, decided that it was best for Alchemy to bravely take the place of Treasure. Alchemy set off for the USA, to MyMothersGarden, and we all expected Treasure to turn up in Turkey one day and continue with the tour. Sadly, poor Treasure is *still* lost, so please keep an eye out if you're over that way.

5erg has also sent replacement gifts: a felted lady and a pair of earrings.



Meltem very kindly sent a prize even though she'd been missed out of the tour: a beautiful sterling silver high heeled shoe necklace and *5* 10% discount cards.



As you can see, this did cause a little confusion. Alchemy's mum (pictured) thought the necklace was a homecoming gift from Alchemy to her! We've explained to her that the souvenirs you've seen so far are just a FEW of the prizes for our giveaway that Alchemy will take with her to her new home.

There are many more prizes to show you, and many more reminders of the adventure before we get to the giveaway itself...so I'll see you tomorrow, I hope!

Alchemy has come home!

Alchemy is home! What an adventure this second world tour has been!

For newcomers, this epic adventure started way back in November (unbelievably long I know, but remember their legs are quite tiny). Two little meerkats set off to visit the homes of just some of my friends from Etteam. So many hosts volunteered that I had to say no, otherwise we'd never have reached the end!

Poor Treasure got lost, somewhere between Estonia and Turkey (map here) And then Alchemy bravely stepped forward to take up the mission.

Etta got back AGES ago and went off to her new home with all her lovely souvenirs.

And now *trumpet fanfare*



it's Alchemy's turn!



For a super-duper interactive version of Alchemy's map, made by the lovely Tracy of Tyarkoni CLICK HERE

I will be announcing the giveaway in a few days, so keep a close eye on the Meerkat World Tour Facebook :-)

Local paper says Goodbye to Etta

Many thanks to Etteam for their support, and to Sandie of ZaftigDelights and KnitzyBlonde for the photo of Etta on her surfboard, taken from her blog post about Etta's Christmas in California.

My next blog post will hopefully catch us up to date with Alchemy's advetures, poor Alchemy has been a little neglected by me!

Bye bye Etta

One last hug from Mum, then off she goes into her travelling box to her new home, with all the other lovely goodies.

Congratulations to Quincifer of Purple Schmurple Jewellery

Etta relaxes in the garden before the Giveaway

In a few days time, Etta and all her world tour souvenirs will go to one lucky winner - will it be you? Click to enter here!

Meerkat World Tour Giveaway!

Finally, little Etta has arrived home from her epic adventure and we are ready for the GIVEAWAY!



Although Etta was very pleased to see her Mum again, after her adventures she's eager to set off travelling again, this time to a new permanent home!

One lucky winner, to be decided by random.org, will win not just Etta but every single one of her souvenirs, pictured and listed below!


Etta is peeping out from her Travel bag from KnitzyBlonde and modelling a pair of human earrings from ZaftigDelights


Etta loves a bedtime story, so here is a vintage Peter Rabbit book and apron from ByTheWayside


Etta will bring her surfboard and bikini from ZaftigDelights for when you visit the beach.


You always need greeting cards, so Etta will bring you these cards from LamaWorks


Etta helped make this beaded pincushion from ValentineFiberArts


Doesn't Etta look stunning in her Tutu from GocksFrocks?


Etta painted this adorable Watercolour, which comes with an easel from Mozo


Etta is wearing beautiful disc beads from LindenAvenueDesigns, but you could use them in *human* jewellery.
This lovely Toad bead from Beadstylin’ seems to be whispering secrets!


Etta is hiding behind 3 fabulous ACEOs (miniprints) from Lori411



Although Etta seemed to think these might be edible, they are in fact beautifully textured stoneware charms from Midnightcoiler


Doesn't Etta look quite the Texan in her Rhinestone cowboy hat from Lindesigns?



Etta models a sweet little Fabric brooch from CrazyDaisiesDesigns



With her Silver heart and Ya’ll and Hook ’em Horns signs from LindenLeafStudio Etta disguises herself as a Texan!

All these gorgeous souvenirs...and of course Etta herself (from NiftyKnits) can be yours! Enter our international giveaway which starts tomorrow, on Etteam's blog

Where has Etta been?

So many hosts, so many adventures!

Etta left her home with Niftyknits way back in November 2009, heading straight across the pond to MidnightCoiler. Or so we thought...she took a long time to arrive, and it turned out she'd taken the scenic route, being misdirected to Australia en route!

She arrived in rural Blounts Creek, Eastern NC late November and had a fun visit to the Aurora Fossil Museum.



Etta's next host was CrazyDaisiesDesigns. She had a great big family Thanksgiving in New Jersey and made a lifelong friend with little Tasha.



Next stop was GocksFrocks , who was kind enough to take Etta to New York to visit the one of a kind show!



By now it was nearly Christmas - and the lucky meerkat was on her way to California.
ZaftigDelights took Etta to the beach where she went surfing in her new bikini!



From California to Oregon - Etta had a painting course from Mozo and we discovered she was left handed.



Beadstylin welcomed Etta next in Kansas where she learnt about tornadoes and went on a date!



Next stop: Texas! Etta tried her hand at torching glass with LindenAvenueDesigns



Lindesigns and Lindenleafstudios were Etta's next hosts, she learnt to say "Y'all" and enjoyed a barbeque.



Back on the road to visit Lamaworks in Illinois, where she helped make some cards.




Etta arrived with By the Way in Indiana in February. Wearing her pretty new apron Etta assisted in cooking for 75 hungry people!



Back to New York next, to visit Valentinefiberarts and play in the snow.

Etta's final stop was in Maine, where the lucky meerkat had a professional photoshoot with Lori411 before heading home to Niftyknits.

In the next World Tour Update I will let you know details of the giveaway. Etta is looking for a new permanent home after her jet-setting adventures...and she isn't coming emptyhanded!

Is it? Can it be?

Long long ago (I almost want to write "in a galaxy far far away") ... two brave little meerkats set off on a world tour.

I wonder if this could be one of them come home again?

Mum Meerkat certainly looks keen to see what's in the box...

Pop back tomorrow ;-)

NiftyKnits Meerkat World Tour on Facebook

World Tour Meerkat Update!

The latest Etteam member to host a world tour meerkat is Lauren of LeapingGazelle.

Alchemy arrived in Michigan on a cold, rainy afternoon, but she didn’t seem tired and we were excited to show her around.
So we braved the pouring rain, took in a concert downtown and hit some highlights.



Of course a trip to the Motor City wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Ford Piquette plant where the first Model T rolled off the line in Detroit over 100 years ago. Then we headed to Hitsville USA, the first home of Motown Records where The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and so many others recorded their hits. We couldn’t take pictures inside but it was amazing to see the original Studio A looking just as it did in the 1960’s.



Everyone was hungry so we stopped for a Detroit famous Coney dog, loaded with chili and onions. Not for the faint of stomach but they’ve been serving them up hot for 90 years!



Back at home Alchemy was intrigued by my camera. I wanted to show her how to take a picture, but she was more interested in what was inside that big barrel!



Finally the sun came out! Outside, we discovered spring had arrived too. So Alchemy wanted to celebrate. Thanks for a great time little meerkat!

Niftyknits adds: Thank you Lauren for telling us about your adventure! Aren't the photos great? To see more of Lauren's work please stop by her store LeapingGazelle and of course keep up with the meerkats on their facebook page.