Housey-housey

Hello!
A very housey-housey post today as I seem to be going through something of an obsession with little houses at the moment. It is nothing new, I have loved housey imagery for a long, long time, and can't see it ever diminishing much. I just adore the heap of emotion that comes flooding in when my whirly-gig brain processes an image of a row of cute little houses.

Thinking about it now, I do seem to have many of these little passions, things that for me seem to have such a lot of feeling attached to them. Too numerous to mention, but I expect you could hazard a guess as most of these passions of mine tend to feature in my daily blogging.  It's the stuff of domestic family life, the stuff that makes me feel glad to be me, the stuff that gives me this emotional heart-skippy and happy jumpity feeling.
Pictures of little houses fall firmly into the heart-skippy category :: they make me feel safe and cosy and homely and glad for my own home life. I think that sort of explains it.

These first two images are "New Home" greeting cards that I found in my card stash a few days ago. I had quite forgotten I had bought them, I think they came from Marks and Spencers.  Of course I wouldn't dream of sending them to anyone, they will eventually become part of my big Inspiration Wall which one day I intend to create and share with you. For now, they are propped up near my sewing machine in the Attic, looking all cute and sweet, making me smile.

Its been quite a week for me, this one. After I made the stitched postcard for the Houseyversary giveaway (yes, it IS that day, but naughty me I am making you w.a.i.t), I realised that the time was right to be doing more with my skills. Making more. Sharing more. Achieving more. That I could talk about it and write about it and think about it and plan it, but really I should be getting on and actually doing it.
It was your comments and response to my little houses that have tipped the balance for me, and I cannot begin to think how to thank you. Each and every comment that came in on last Fridays post has made me so happy.
I had been pondering an Etsy shop for a while now, but had not quite had the confidence to do it. And now, thanks to you all, I think the time is right for me to give it a go. Katy, you in particular have helped make this happen for me, and I am sooperly-dooperly grateful for that.

So this week has seen me beetle about ordering supplies and materials and taking the first little baby steps towards setting-up-shop. Such fun!! As you probably know if you popped up to the Attic yesterday, I have been stitching a banner to head up my little shop :: I finished it last night, and am SO HAPPY to be sharing it with you! I think it's one of the best things I've ever made, and there is so much happiness and love and hope in every stitch.
The above image is how it was yesterday morning when I'd finished doing all the cutting and piecing and machine stitching, but before I started any of the hand embroidery. It's kind of like a lady without her makeup and jewellery on. She is there and dressed, but not yet ready for the party.

I really love how the hand embroidery brings the whole thing to life. When I'm designing a piece of work, I pretty much know from the outset how the hand embroidery is going to work. I cut little flower pots just so that I can hand stitch miniature flowers to fill them. I cut little windows which cry out for hand finished window frames.

You can click on these images to pop them up in a larger window if you like, to see the stitches. I love that you can do that, I always do it when I blog-read, I like to get right into the images and see every little last detail.

I drew the picture of the hill exactly as I see it out of my Attic Window. I had great fun stitching it whilst actually sitting in my window seat looking at the real thing (even though the real thing was/is white with snow)

And this is the finished banner. It had to measure just right to fit the rectangle needed for Etsy, so it's very long and thin, measuring 59cm x 8cm. And quite simply I love it.

But do you know what the nicest thing is about all of this? That my family also love it too. That they are proud of what I am trying to do and appreciate that I am attempting to begin working again. The Little People have been very curious to see me sit and stitch, and I have explained to them what I am doing. Little man even said to me this morning that he was very glad that I would be "starting a business", although he didn't elaborate on why exactly.

So my banner is made and hanging above my shop ready and waiting, and all I need to do now is work like the clappers and produce some colourful stitchy goodness to put on the virtual shelves. I hope that this will be in about a weeks time, depending on how clappery I can work.

Right then, finally lets stop talking Shop and start talking Gifts, shall we?
I have to be honest here and say I was/am astounded by the number of comments that have come in for this giveaway. Really, I have been bowled over by it all. It has been an absolute delight to read all your housey tales, has given me so very very much pleasure. And I think the overwhelming feeling that has come from this is how really the fabric of a place does not matter so long as there is love and happiness and warmth within the walls. That HOME matters so very much more than HOUSE. I truly wish I could make something for you all as a thankyou, but today there is just one winner.

There were 147 comments when I looked this morning.
And sorry, but I couldn't face writing out one hundred and forty seven slips of paper to put into a hat.
So instead I used the marvelous computery jiggery-pokery that is the Random Number Generator to select the number....

....and it's number 76.

Number 76, the 76th comment on my houseyversary post belongs to Tracy of Cupcakes at Home. Well done Tracy, I hope it will go some way towards brightening up your days. I'll be sending you an email to get your address, cos don't think I can put "almost as far north as you can be" on the envelope.

Incidentally, Little Lady (age 4) drew me this picture of a house and garden yesterday, specifically for my "compy-tition". That is me in the picture, wearing high heels, doing a little jig and looking quite funky.

Have a great weekend you all, see you next week
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

Comments

[Leona]

And also I can general insurance business model say to ourselves each and every of your selections. I said," Let's take a look at those pieces side by side. So just the people who do your IT know that these benefits are there.

[Damion]

Not just that, they then can vic gross insurance huron sd ask you - or will require you to use your card for a minimum of six months. The word of God made flesh.

[Claire]

Ahaaa! I new that there must be a posting about your beautiful blog banner, if only I searched hard enough. It makes me wonder what the blog was like before The View was stitched and crafted - I can't imagine anything else greeting me at the top of your blog, it's very comforting you know to see it, puts a smile on my face, and I can so imagine the delight on your face when you finished it. I bet it was a real ta-daahhhhh moment!

And now that I know you have a shop, I will be taking a look at that too.

You know it's funny - I was directed to your blog by a lady I got chatting to at a craft stall in Cirencester. We got talking about crochet, and she said I just simply had to look you up. All I had to go on was Lucy in the Attic, but I knew I was in the right place! And I've been visiting you ever since.

Thank you for all that you do, and I hope you're having a happy Thursday,
xx

[Air Jordans]

Glad to enter your blog. Sharing your blog wonderful content is a pleasure thing. Because I love to see everyone's blog.

[Erica K]

You're banner is so wonderful! I absolutely LOVE it!

[Estelle]

Just popping by again to say that I LOVE your little houses :)
Estelle x

[greedy nan]

Glad that you are going to go out there and have your own etsy and will be eagerly looking to see what occurs.
I took a look and will be going back to the Sewing Serenity blog. What a nice lady she seems.
Happy new year [if it's not too late]. I still don't feel as though my new year has arrived which is not good. I hope it's just delayed and does eventually get here.

[Tigerprint]

Hi
A colleague recommended your blog. I work for Tigerprint who design greeting cards for Marks & Spencer. We have a blog and I will be putting a post up about your site on wednesday hope thats ok and really like your blog especially your photographs!

[Jo]

You're getting me all jiggery again about your shop here! Must get going on an own one!
Congratulations, Tracy! Three horrays!
Jo
x

[inesn]

good luck on your new "business" :))

[cherrie]

I can see that little lady is taking after her Mamma. Avery beautiful picture with all the elements for a happy home! Your banner is so you - so happy and clever. Congratulations on your starting a business. Cherrie

[cathleen]

Lucy, your homey banner is so YOU! Who won't want to come and visit you....you would be so much fun to sit and have a cup of tea with. You seem so full of positive and exuberant energy that I would imagine you would make me totally laugh with pleasure at hearing you discuss all things 'home'. I can picture you just glowing with a twinkle in your eye when you talk about the things you love. I am so pleased about your Etsy shop that I went and added you to my favorite shops already. I wish you great success and happiness with it. I adore how your children are excited for you too. That is the sweetest thing. Take care, dear one, and have a lovely warm weekend in your delightful Attic.

[luanne]

lucy, your new banner is so charming!

and how exciting that you're opening an etsy... you have many future shoppers out here, anxious to own one of your lovely creations.

all the best, luanne

[Judy]

Congrats Tracey and please love those houses!
I can't wait to see your Etsy shop!!!! I love the houses!
http://judy-judysfabricaddiction.blogspot.com/

[susan]

oh! I am so happy you are starting an etsy shop :) Your blog is always the bright spot of my day and I can hardly wait to see what you are going to be offering. Good luck with *everything*!

[Helen Lambert]

Hi Lucy..what a lovely post...I love your wonderful out-look on life and your positive comments about how happy you are..you seem very comfortable in your skin...what is your secret...I also love your banner..I have been toying with an ETSY but I only have two bags to put in it at the moment an I wouldnt know where to start with banners and so on...wil have to wait till the holidays...I have too many A level performances and christmas concerts to worry about...love your post..you are an inspiration...

[miss sew n sew]

That's great news well done on opening an etsy shop how exciting! I love the banner you've made there is something so cute about little houses. Can't wait for the grand opening!
Sarahx

[Rachael Rabbit]

I LOVE your banner too - it is gorgeous - I love all the little details!! I hope you have framed it now.

[tracy]

ohhh - me again...
in my excitement i forgot to say ....
love the banner and cannot wait to visit your shop - quick get it open before Christmas!
t x

[tracy]

eeekkkkk.... how excited am i?
thank you so much - i will not write too much here as i have sent you an email that is full of waffle!
can your sweet girl add me to her picture as i am doing a little jig too ...... but wearing wellies :)
hugs
t x

[Sara]

Love the banner - its brilliant

Feeling inspired myself by it

Thanks for that

Sara
XX

[Katy]

oh, I am pleased Tracey won, because she's lovely. But.... although I have my very own housey picture I am still a teeny bit grumpy I didn't win (but I'll get over it!)

I'm so pleased to have nudged you towards your own shop, I'm sure it'll do brilliantly, and I LOVE the banner soooo much.

[Jen Gough]

Good Luck with your your Etsy shop! I know it will be a special place. Thanks for posting your your banner in detail I have been dreaming in my head of creating something similar with cloth and stitches and now you have inspired me to get it started.

Thanks!
Jen

[vanessa]

Aaaahhhh well!!! Such is life! I didn't win................... But I have enjoyed joining in, and seeing how much support you've had Lucy................ And I think it's been very instrumental in you taking the etsy plunge hasn't it? Which is FANTASTIC!
I must say, I love your banner (think that's the second time I've said that!), and I just know that there's a lot of people out there, waiting with baited breath , to see your etsy shop! It's soooooo exciting Lucy!

[carole]

Missed you this week! your banner is fabulous - so beautiful, so clever!
carole x