One Year

Hello, thanks so much for calling in to the Attic today, I'm really glad to have your company because today we are celebrating!

Yes indeed, dancing about in the usual ditsy, excitable fashion (well thats me doing the dancing, not you, although feel free by all means to join in), making a mess in the kitchen with the brightest icing I could manage, smarties and stripy candles too. Singing Happy Birthday to the furniture, lighting and blowing out candles, drinking coffee and generally being really rather happy. That's been the extent of my morning, and for all that it amounts to (ie kitchen mess, some photos, some beauuuuutiful buns and not a lot else), I feel fulfilled and contented, cos it's been a Great Morning. Doesn't take a lot, as you well know by now, to keep a smile on my face and a jolly spring in my step.

Today, I'm celebrating the fact that Attic24 has been sitting in it's little patch of cyberspace for One Year. I believe it's officially called my Blogiversary? Uh-huh, one whole year ago I sat down at the computer and decided that was the day I would become a Blogger.

The above photo was the first one to be uploaded to accompany my very first little sea green words last March. My first tentative, rather shy steps into Blogland. Back then I had no idea, NO idea what to expect from writing a blog. I knew that I desperately wanted to do it, wanted to be a part of this giving, sharing, creative, friendly community that I had discovered.

But back then I had no real way of knowing what would happen, how I would come to be so excited by the world of blogging, how Big it would become. Because to me it is Big indeed. The emotions that blogging generates are big, and the part it plays in my daily life has become big also. At times it has been almost overwhelming and I have found myself in tears over the sheer emotion of it all. But it is all good. All of it. Every single, tiny scrap of bloggy related goodness fills me with happiness.

So what can we say about this past year at Attic24? Has anything changed? The above photo was taken this morning, and I think this just about sums it up really :: nope, not a lot has changed around these parts in the past year. Still quite a lot of the same stuff going on this March as there was last March. The same cornishware bowl with primulas. The same table cluttered with stuff. Crochet things happening, mess in the background. The main difference is that I take looooonger to write these days, I am so wordy now compared to then! 

I guess you could say I gradually found my writing voice, and I found that I like the sound of it as it comes tumbling out of that whirlygig tangled place that holds my thoughts. I enjoy being able to articulate the thoughts, feelings, activities, observations, delights, frustrations, discoveries and creatvity that form and shape my little world. I like sharing it. And that my friends is what it comes down to :: the sharing. I just love love love to share out these things, delight in it, dance around in it, it thrills me to be able to put all this stuff-of-daily-life "out there", to preserve it, record it and share it.

I never expected to feel so excited about blogging, about writing and sharing photographs. But to me it is really exciting. Every day, with every post I write, I feel a huge buzz of creative excitement. Sure, it's addictive, and yes it takes up quite a decent part of my free time to post as often as I do, and at the length that I do. But it has become essential to my well being. I find that if I don't post, I get a kind of "clogged up" feeling. I find that ideas and thoughts and stuff begins to get jammed with no way of being let out, and that makes me feel very disorientated. Writing this blog has given me an outlet, a way to take all the itsy bits of visual, mental and creative stimulation that streams into my chaotic brain and share it out so that I don't feel like I'm going to go PoP! Does that make sense? Its quite hard to put into words, but hey, I'm giving it a damn good go, and hope you get what I'm on about.

So, I've been pondering on what I can do to celebrate this little milestone here in the Attic. Cake? Of course, you can't have a celebration without cake. Gifts perhaps? Yes  I can do gifts too. But before we go and get all gifty and cakey, lets have a look at some pretty pictures shall we?

I'm aware that Attic24 has become known as the place where people come to "brighten their day", that my obsession with colour has become well known. So in honour of that fact, I've spent a little time this past week putting together some mosaics for you.

An Attic24-year-in-pictures......

:: there have been flowers, oh so many flowers ::

:: there has been baking, lots of baking ::

:: there's been the view from the Attic, in all weathers ::

:: there have been many cups of tea and coffee shared ::

:: celebrations too, the high days and the holidays ::

:: there have been outings, visits and jollies to share ::

:: there have been shopping trips and pretty purchases ::

:: and  crochet, yes there's been a great deal of hooky goodness ::

:: and there's been bog-standard, everyday domestic home life too ::

It might interest you to know that over the course of the last year, I've taken 3,485 photographs and a good many of those have been shared here on the blog.

There have been 242 posts written.

And you my friends have also been busy, leaving me a delightful, astonishing, wonderful, fantabulous 5,416 comments.

For the latter, I am truly, utterly thankful. For the friendship, encouragement, enthusiasm, humour and generosity in every word that you write to me, I am Thankful.

So....shall we proceed to the gift-giving now then???

Above photo is of my hallway this morning, right near the front door. That's my latest textile picture hanging there look. Looks quite jolly? Pretty even? Want a closer look?

There you are. I made this picture during yesterday, and  in truth, it did not happen easily. I am out of practice with making textile work, and I so wanted this picture to be perfect, for you to like it, love it even. I'm glad to say that in the end, yes it did come together pretty much exactly as I had imagined it in my mind and I am quite delighted with it actually.

Tiny pieces of fabric cut and stitched by hand and machine, with care and love. As a gift of thanks from me to you.

I have also been hooking some flowers to make more of these posie-brooches. Excepting eh-hem I have to confess I haven't quite finished making them yet.

But I figured you could overlook that little fact, because you are generous like that I know. So........if you would like your name to be popped into the hat for a chance to win this Blogiversary giveaway, all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post. You don't need to say anything specific, just a few words cos I do so love hearing from you.

There is only one picture to give away I'm afraid, but I'll try and make as many posie-brooches as I can manage. I'll leave this open for a week, so you have until next Friday 20th March.....oh lordy, the fun never ends does it, I am bursting at the seams with all this feel-good happening around here!!

Now then, all that remains for me to say is, as ever, THANK YOU for being so damn nice and for taking time out of your day to pay me a visit. You are the Best.

Oh yes the cakey stuff, I almost forgot...would you like a bun?? Go on, help yourself, I'll go put the kettle on...........

See you next week, enjoy your weekend (I'm off to sea, again, I shall surely explode with excitement!!)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[TB]

The collage of attic views is my favorite. I adore your blog. :)

[hasina]

you are sweat and your picture very good

[Alessandra]

Lucy, I just wanted to let you know that I haven't received my pin... :o(
I hope it didn't get lost on the way here.
Please let me know.
Alessandra

[hill upon hill]

Your blog is beautiful, truly colourful as Jenny Wren said.

[Judith]

Happy Blogiversary-my first visit but the loveliness here means it wont be my last.

[Maria Amélia]

Wow! How many comments you have!! Congratulations for your blog birthday. I alwais visit you. I love the colors you use, the flowers you have (mainly the narcisus) I have narcisus too. they are white. When they grow I'll take pictures. I loved your retrospective. Very nice. Good pictures. bye. brazilian kisses for you.

[Umm Hibaat]

Yours is one of my favourite blogs! I go all warm and fuzzy when I see that there's a new post and I really do come here to brighten my day. Thank you Lucy!

[bethel of bethania]

G'day Lucy - Happy Blogiversary. This is my first visit I come to your via Sew Stylish who recommended your Teeny Tiny Flowers & I loved that post so much I decided to have a look at your full blog & here I am & here I'll be coming back often. I so enjoyed your photos & your style of blogging ... keep up the great work & the wonderful creativity - I'll be back to go through some of your older post shortly ... Take care ... OOroo ... Bethel of Bethania

[Vintage Heart]

I am fairly new to your blog. My daughter got me hooked and I am now frantic to read your blog everyday and I hope my comment is not too late to win one of your heart felt gifts. What an honor that would be.

[Bunny]

I couldn't remember if I had commented before, but Happy Blogiversary! Here's to another year and many more!

[K. Anne]

Congrats on the anniversary!

[Alessandra]

Happy Blogversary Lucy!
You truly bring us happiness through your blog, thank you!

[audrey]

Hi Lucy,
I hope I am not too late...happy blogiversary! Congratulations on reaching the first year mark!! I really love reading your daily excerpts on life, crochet, food, family and friends. Attic 24 always brings some colour to my day (even when mine might be grey and a bit dull). Keep up the wonderful blog!!XXX

[Jenny]

Happy blogiversary (a bit belated)! I haven't been following your blog for the whole year, but I'm glad I found it when I did. Your beautiful posts brighten my days.

[louise]

Love sharing your little heaven
up there in the attic
Just wish i'd found you 12 months ago

[Aveen]

Happy blogiversary! Unfortunately I only discovered you very recently (but I will catch up on all your old posts). I will be a regular reader from now on :)

[Claire]

Happy Blogiversary!
Now is the perfect time to thank you for such a wonderful blog. I have subscribed to your feed and eagerly look forward to each and every wonderful, colourful and cheerful post. You really brighten up my day. I am hugely envious of your cosy rainbow home accessories and if only I could crochet too my house would be full of your floral blankets :0)
With many happy blogiversary wishes, Claire x (www.clairehurd.co.uk)

[Helen Mansur]

I'm so happy to have found your website. I adore all the beautiful pieces that you have created. I learned how to crochet so I could start my own ripple blanket. You are truly inspirational!! Many good wishes to you,
Helen

[Kat]

I only recently found your blog (I made a wonderfully bright garland of crochet flowers using your flower tutorial).
Once done with the flowers I decided to check out the rest of your blog. I'm now addicted! Your bright photos and lighthearted words are a joy to see each day, and brighten up the dull mornings at work.
Congratulations on one year blogging, I look forward to many more! :o)
Kat.

[Donna]

Hi Lucy

Love your blog, Happy Blogiversary. Didn't discover blogging until a few weeks ago. This is my first comment ... EVER!!

Love all your colours & photos. I have finally got to grips with my own camera after loving your photos so much.

[Potiron]

OOOps!! how could I miss this post???

hope it's not too late!!!

I'd love to win a little something made by you!!! to color the house!!!

Happy bloganiversary!!!!!

have a sunny first day of Spring!!! (yeah!!!)

[K. Anne]

I always enjoy the bright spot of color visiting your blog brings to my day. Thanks.

[Teresa Wardlaw]

ooh... nearly missed your blogiversary..... and I have so enjoyed your posts. you have inspired me to start my own blog soon and I have also taken up my hook again... My Grandmother taught me to crochet and some of my sweetest possessions are two tablecloths with crochet lace edging. I too was a SAHM - the best job in the world..

[Megan]

Happy Blogiversary, Lucy! I'm so glad you joined the blog world -- yours is one of my favorites. I had faved your flickr stream because of your lovely home photos and really enjoy the "expanded coverage" on the blog :)

[Ruth]

Lucy - thank you so much for bringing a little bit more sunshine into my life every day. I love, love, love popping by the attic every day. I've never had the hook and yarn out so much! Big love, Ruth x