July :: an update

Hello my lovelies, thank you so much for popping into the Attic to see me, it's always good to be here and to have your company. As you are probably well aware, I've been finding it incredibly difficult to find time to blog of late (yes I know, you know, we all know, sorry to keep saying it). I've been swinging through some extremely hectic days during the month of July, and even though we are now a week into the summer holidays and I've had J at home all week, I still feel that barely a smidge of each day truly belongs to me. Some days this fact presses down on my weary shoulders so hard that I begin to feel completely squished into the carpet. Other days I don't feel the weight quite so heavily.

I do miss my blogging time a great deal. I miss not having time to write my Calendar posts any more, miss not being able to follow the seasons quite like I used to, don't get to show you the view as much or chat about the weather. But more than anything I miss that I don't have time these days to record Everyday Life. The small stuff. The little bits.

But do you know what??

I am so fed up with feeling resentful. It's exhausting. So I'm going to try very hard not to keep feeling sad about the fact that I can no longer write my blog in the way that I used to. I shall just do updates when I can, and be thankful. Thankful for the fact that despite the lack of blogging time, I can still take photographs, can still think about things inside my head, can still find colour and beauty in the Little Moments of each and every day, can still appreciate that life is essentially good.

And then when I do manage to find time to sit and write a little, well then, I can whoop it up and be truly blooming thankful! Wooooohhoooooo!! I managed it!!! Today I am making it happen!!!! Go me, go me!!!!!

So here I am, making time to blog, and what do I have to show you?? Life, that's what. My life, the little itty-bits of my life that have occurred during the month of July, as told by a rather random collection of domestic photographs.

Above picture sums it up nicely. A Beautiful jug of blue Californian Bluebells. My old sky blue crocs still being worn, now into their third summer. A bag of brightly coloured baby toys. A floor cushion (I spend a lot of time sitting on the floor these days) and a red bucket catching the rain drops as they drip-drip through the leak in our bay window roof. That's kind of how it is. The beautiful and the mundane. The old the new. The comfy bits and the worn out bits.The dreadful weather.

Ahhhh these flowers, how they captivated me when I was walking towards the salad veg in the supermarket. I just had to have them. They weren't expensive (£3 for all these). The colour makes my soul shimmie with happiness.

Ahhhh that baby, do you see him? That Little Baby Boy of mine? See him sitting up on the sofa all by himself? He is the Root Cause of my lack of me-time, there's no denying it. He is a proper full-time job and then some.

But he is totally gorgeous of course, and I completely forgive him for taking so much of Me. Almost seven months now, he is sitting and playing, babbling and giggling, blowing bubbles and making mischief.

And he is eating. He is eating for England in fact. I took the above picture one lunch time a few weeks ago when I was outside in the back yard peeling veggies to make a chicken hotpot for him. For a while I was at a loss as to what exactly to do with him whilst I got on with the job in hand, but then I figured it out. I could try spreading out a little quilt on the table top and lay him down right next to me while I peeled and chopped. He was very happy with this arrangement. I had clothes hanging on the line to dry, flapping in the breeze above his head. Life on the Home Front, problems are solved, things get done. Domestic Success.

Can't lay Little B on the table at the moment though cos the table is covered in flowers. The flowers need to be planted into their pots, but finding time to do it is proving tricky. Soon. It'll happen soon.

And what of my other two Little People?? They are still doing pretty much the same sort of things that they've always done, and I am still delighting in these things. Little Lady is showing some talent with her colour mixing don't you think, taking after her Mummy perhaps?

And Little Man is still up early and crafting before breakfast, taking over the table with his busy little creative activities.

This is the current page he is working on in his Doodle book, and joy-of-joys he is actually allowing me to share it with him (I had to put enormous pressure on him, he caved in eventually poor boy). I've been really enjoying doing this with him though, it's been great fun. 

So almost at the end of my update I think, my tea has gone cold and I'm about ready to go crash my head onto my rosy pillows. Can I just say a huge THANK YOU to you all for continuing to support me here in Blogland and more recently over on Ravelry. It's been wonderful reading all your comments about my Granny Stripe blanket, you are very generous with your words.

Tomorrow we are going off on a little holiday in Connievan, and the blankie is already ready and waiting to be taken along for the ride. We're heading over to York for a week, so I'm ever so excited about this particular trip. We've booked a campsite in a small village a few miles down the road from where we used to live, so this trip is all about catching up with old friends and visiting old haunts. Oh, and getting to hang out with Connievan for a whole seven nights. Good stuff.

I thought before I go, that you might like to take a little peek at what is currently on my hook. It's a second blanket for Connievan (the lucky girl), to match with the Granny Stripe. As we have two seating areas in the van, I thought it'd be good to have two blankets. I'm still using the Stylecraft, but have added in a few new (darker) colours (more info coming soon).

So it's Granny Squares this time :: my own design which I am extraordinarily pleased with........................................................................................................................

 

....what do you think??

I'm calling this the Sweet Flower Granny Square.

The flowers and leaves are worked in place of the first round, it's all very clever but quite easy and veeeeeery addictive. And yes, I will be sharing the pattern. Of course. How could I not?

Have a wonderful week one and all, I'll see you into next month.

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Comments

[Debt Management]

Hope your trip will be fine and its great time for you. I know that is a great season for the trips like that. Have a great time.

[Pat]

Lucy
It's all your fault - no hoovering, cleaning, washing, ironing, boring things done any more!!! I only started crocheting three weeks ago - then I found your blog - love it, love it, love it. Love your patterns, love the colours. Have always wanted to make a granny blanket - now I'm off, thanks to you - there's no stopping me now! ( Love all things camping too - we camp at Charmouth every year)- am desperate for a caravan to pretty up!
Love your happy blog. Just do it when you feel like it and have time and one day maybe do a book (with lots of your pics}, you really should. You bring joy. Hugs, Pat

[Christine]

Can't wait to see the pattern for the little flower square, just what I need. Thanks

[Sigrún]

Looking forward you sharing the pattern :-)

[Siegi]

I'm back! From England and Scottland, and you know what? It was wunderfull, and when I come back, what do I see? 2! Yes 2 new postes from You.
Of course you' re forgiven for not posting every day, WE DO LOVE YOU! Just keep on , sometimes, and we'll be happy!
And you new granny squarre is looooovely! I adore it!

[Andrea]

Hi Lucy. Soy de Argentina. Te sigo hace mucho. Me encantan tus trabajos y sos mi inspiración. Hace unos días me animé y abrí un blog. Te mando el link http://simpleandreacrochet.blogspot.com/ por si querés pasar a verlo. Perdoname que no te escriba en inglés pero no sé. Un abrazo grande.

[chookgirl]

Hi Lucy, Petah here. Love your blog and refer to different parts of it often. Flicking through your archives is like going through my favourite old magazines! BUT Don't feel bad for even one minute ever about not getting time to blog. It's just so normal. It's tough keeping hubby and kiddies happy - and Mummy needs time for herself too. I found when my 2 children were really little I got some time out for lovely crafting things, but then they got to primary school age and suddenly my time alone just vanished. Yeah, I don't get that either. Now they're nearly off to high school and it's all settling down again. I'm writing, photographing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, cooking. And I love it all. Now my little ones are getting hooked with me! And all of that family time is waaaaayyy moore important than blogging. Like you, I love my hubby and my children - and that's the best :-)

[Ann Kelsey]

Hi Lucy, I commented on the wrong post so forgive me if you read it twice!. I was thrilled to meet you last Thursday at the K.N. I LOVED it, all the cheerfull chatter and soooo friendly people it was wonderful. Look forward to next time I can make it. Love to you and your gorgeous children..and the baby, well what a lovely looking little bundle of love aahhh.Ann xx

[jane]

soooooo missing your posts!! hope you are ok (just busy), and all of attic 24, too!! jkj

[Dennis Marquez]

Hey Lucy! I could not find a contact box or something so I will write a comment here.

My name is Dennis and I'm from the Netherlands. I'm currently working as a theater performer on a cruiseship and because I have a lot of time on board, I started chrocheting (is that even a word?) again! I've been very busy with this craft the last 3 months, and this week I found your blog. Wow! I've been checking your blog a lot of times a day for inspiration! I was never a fan of granny squares, mainly because I just associated them with granny's ;-) But seeing all the colors you use and the combinations, I'm sold! The first project I made from your blog is the bag! I kept seeing this back coming up in pictures of yours and did not know the pattern was right there on the left. I bought the wool on wednesday and yesterday night I finished the bag, except for the straps and flowers. I made it a little bit bigger because I felt my wool was a bit thinner than yours. I wish I had spend some time looking for nice colours but my money is running out because of this yarn hobby, and had to pick a cheap wool, which is still 100% wool and feels really nice! I'll show you some pictures when it's finished. All in all, I just wanted to let you know how happy your blog made me, and that you have a new fan, cruising around northern europe (sweden, norway, denmark and germany, great places for wool, but expensive!) Thanks again! Have a nice day!!!

[Teje Karjalainen]

I love your block and all the colours in your great works !
Teje

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

You are the best. I am so honored and humbled.... The Queen has done it. Finally, almost one year to the date since I started on this journey with you all. I MADE YOUR BLOGROLL...... I'm going to pass out right here, right now. I'm smiling from ear to ear. I think I'm going to go wake up TheScootMan scream, he knows that's been my little secret goal.

So, it's 11pm here and I should be getting to bed, but now....don't think that's going to happen, I'm way too fired up. Guess I can go finish the last row on the Half-Baked Grannie now. Hope to get it up a posted soon. Can't wait to see your progress on your next Grannie. It's going to be FAB, just like always.

If I could jump through this screen I'd be giving you a big hug,

T.G.B.

I will probably be back to see the peeker again and again. It's one of my favorite pictures of yours. Too funny and I bet not many caught it.

[giusy]

Oh Lucy I love you and this post! :) Right, as mom we have so little time for ourselves... but those little pips make we sooo happy, indead. Enjoy. Love, Giusy

[Alchamillamolly]

Hi Lucy I think that Art in the Pen is on this weekend at Skipton Mart

[Alea]

I wanted to share a link to a post where I share what you have taught me! Thank you! http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2010/08/weekly-dose-of-crafts-is-back.html

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

It's always worth a second look over here. How, lordy, how did I miss Little B peeking in back of the flowers on the couch. Nice one!... You got me. Am I the only one who spotted him? Probably, not. Just late.

[AnnieElf]

Dear Lucy, You may be blogging less but your posts, when they appear are so RICH. Hope your holiday has been a good one with more pictures to share with us later.

[Christine]

Thanks for these lovely colourful patterns. Can't wait for the Sweet Flower Granny Square pattern. Will keep checking in to see if it is posted. Christine

[kathi crosby]

that wall. that mossy cement, gray, green wall behind that table of flowers is just divine, the perfect background for everything- life, pics, lunch... I want to sit there and have tea

[Alea]

I've just recently discovered your wonderful blog and already you have taught me so much! After failing at the granny square several times I tried your Summer Garden Granny Square and succeeded, I figured why stop there and also was able to complete the Neat Ripple swatch and the a Hexagon! So THANK YOU! :D I look forward to exploring your blog some more!

[Nicoletta]

♥ beautiful photos ♥

[India Black]

Dear Lucy,
I couldn't believe my luck when I found your blog! The most wonderful, colorful, sincere, heartfelt (I could go on) blog I've evern read. So, naturally, I had to go back to your first blog and start reading from there. I spent ALL yesterday doing just that and was totally blown away! Your crochet projects are fabulous, and even tho I'm a knitter (quilter, dressmaker) I was so inspired by your work that I am going out to a wool store today to get some wool to start a granny square project too. I really enjoyed all your holiday pictures and really felt I was on holiday to those wonderful places with you.

You have such a great rapport with your older children which I admire (I recently retired from being a Nanny) and I'm sure you're enjoying your new little guy. You have a beautiful home which you continue to inject your personality into, and it must be awesome to have an attic (with such a great view) in which to be so creative. So, thank you for all your wonderful words and beautiful pictures. I do read lots of blogs pertaining to knitting and sewing but this was the first time I was so inspired I felt I had to leave a comment. Keep up all your good work! I'll be reading!

Bye for now,
India

(from Nova Scotia, Canada)

[Crissie]

Hello from Phoenix, AZ...
I feel so happy to have found your blog. I'm totally new to crocheting and was looking for a tutorial on hexagon grannies, and there you were in my Google search. Well, I am putting the hexagon idea on hold so I can try my hand at that awesome granny stripe blanket. Thank you so much for sharing how to do it with us.
I have been captivated by your wonderful posts and all the fabulous photos. I'm so inspired by your beautiful crocheted projects.
Have a lovely holiday :o)

[Vanessa]

Hi Lucy, hope the hols are going well for you! The photo of the bluebells is gorgeous and little B too! Your granny stripe blanket is a masterpiece. It's the greatest feeling to do the last stitch and for it to finally be a completed blanket. I'm sure Connievan will be very pleased to receive it! Have a fab rest of August! Love Vanessa xxx

[madre]

check out Neulova Narttu -for a brightly coloured hexagon blankie - wow - they so make an impact. Luv the blog - enjoy your time with the family - and Connnievan, happines makes for good reading and sharing