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

[Emma]

Happy Anniversay! I pop into the Attic everyday to check what you have been up to. Here's to the next year!!

[Marianne]

Happy Blogiversary. This post is absolutely beautiful. I love all the photo montages. I can't wait to see if I win a little posie brooch!

[Jeanette Whitson]

Hi Lucy! I just want to thank you for your blog. Ever since I found your little Attic 24 space I enjoy a few minutes of actual relaxation and inspiration while sipping some coffee and reading. Thank you SO MUCH!

Jeanette

[bigbucketgirl]

wow. gorgeous blog, gorgeous photos, gorgeous hooky wonders.

congratulations on the blog and you!

[Jill]

You bring color to my life!

[foxgloves73]

HAPPY BLOG B'DAY !!!

Love to come over at Attic 24 ...I'm always delighted at your bright & colourful world...and your bubbly personality make it all come together so nicely...
So long life to your blog !!!

[Messy Karen]

your colorful blog has been just the sunshine i have needed to get through another cold winter. thank you and i wish you a very happy blog birthday.

[Wendy]

Ooooo!!! Coffee, Cake and Celebrations oooh and not forgeting Crochet!!! I have been away for a few days and missed the party for your First Anniversary looks like you had a lovely time! And thank you for sharing your fabulous textile art - is there no end to your talent?! Your an inspiration keep up the good work and heres to another wonderful year.
Love and hugs
Wendy xxx

[Bea]

Happy belated blog birthday!! I'd have a bun any time.. :)

[Elizabeth]

I've just found your blog via a link from www.posy.typepad.com. Happy anniversary, and I look forward to reading all your posts from the past year and, hopefully, many more in the future too.

[Bev Kuenast]

Lucy, Happy Blogiversary from Texas! I have been reading and enjoying your blog for 3-4 months. I love your sense of color and taste, and I know when I come to the attic, I'll always find a bright, cheery peek into your day. Thank you for putting your world out there for us all to enjoy.

[Lisa]

What a lot of comments! Happy blog anniversary! That's picture is really cute...

[loveaphid]

Happy 1 year and going strong! I love the color and fun you bring to your blog. I hope to find my voice one of these days. In the mean time I just keep posting whatever pops up.
LOVE THE BLOG.

[Stina]

Hi there... I stumbled upon your blog yesterday trying to find inspiration with hexagons... and I just.... OHHHHH...my so much inspiration I found on your blog...and your pictures...so much eyecandy...Love every bit of it.. all I can say ...I will stay tuned and stay inspirered!! Thanks for the lovely tutorials...might even get started this time...lol..:o)

[Kathlene]

Iam so very lucky to have found you. It has only been a few weeks, but......my you have brightened my days. Congrats and many more flowers in your life. Kathlene

[Maureen]

Hai Lucy,

Congratulations with your first year of blogging.
I discovered your blog just a few days ago, but on the right time, now you have the greatest give away I've ever seen....so beautifull.
I would love to give it a place in our colorfull home, so I keep my fingers crossed ;o)

Love,
Maureen

[moss stitch]

many happy returns, lucy! happy blogiversary
your blog never fails to make me smile
mossxx

[judy hartman]

Lucy,
I just visited your blog for the first time and it really did 'brighten my day'. You are very talented!!!

[suesue]

congratulations! that's an amazing lot of blogging and pictures you've shared with us all but thanks most of all for the love that obviously shines through-we're all the better for it!!

[Sally]

Of your thousands of photos and hundreds of posts, I have enjoyed them all. Your blog always brightens my day. Thank you!

[Kat]

Happy Blogversary!!! I only discovered this last month, but when you were talking in this post about people who come "to brighten their day"- that's me!!! Thanks for making such a wonderfully happy and inspirational blog :)

[Vicky]

dear Lucy, thank you so much for your regular bursts of colour that you share so readily. I feel inspired to get a bit more domesticated, to get the knitting out, to paint more, to try try try to get the hang of crochet, and to make my home a nice place to be in. please put my name in the hat for your fabulous gift, thank you..

vicky

[Elspeth Thompson]

Happy Anniversary, Lucy.
Here's to the next year - feel sure it is going to be an exciting one for you...
Thanks for all your colour and cheer and generosity of spirit.
xxx Elspeth

[emma]

Hi Luce

Happy Anniversary. Hope the skipping in Blackpool was done in your lovely lime green coat! Ghastly looking place isnt it but the sea breeze is very cheerful wherever it is!

I have the crochet flower book. The woman was very clever who came up with all the designs but I agree it is quite complicated. I think it is very good value and inspirational though.

Mosaic - I will try to do a post about it. It is quite involved. Hopefully people will be at different stages on wed at my course so I can do some photos to accompany my words.

I will also list some internet suppliers.

The post will be just for you - everyone else will think I have gone mad talking and blogging what tile nippers do and look like!

ANyway, count me in for your gorgeous textile wonderous thing.

Love Emma xxxxxxx

[Twinklebaby]

Many, many congrats. I am one of the many who come to have my day brightened and it has been a joy. Thank you so much.