2011 :: Year End Review :: home

Gosh I'm having a ball with these Year End Reviews, I've been really, really enjoying the look back through all my photos. It's been a a terrific way to bring in the New Year and has left me feeling all warm and fuzzy and overloaded with gratitude.

I think that out of all my various photos and ramblings, this last collection is my favourite. Home. It's the essence of who I am I guess. Cos without the home, the other stuff just wouldn't happen. And as much as Attic24 has become known for the crochet, really that's just a part of my home life. A BIG part mind you, no denying that, but it's all the other little itty-bits of my home that I am most passionate about capturing, expressing and preserving. The cups of tea. The little feet. the snuggly socks. The furniture. The baking. The sunlight. The mess. The laundry. It's all so good and ordinary and precious and worthy of remembrance.

I hope you enjoy this celebration of all things Home..................

I was reading back through some archive posts a few weeks ago, and one particular bit of writing has stuck with me. It was from December 2008, so three years ago, and I was writing a little about what inspires me to blog. I hope it's OK to quote myself here? Well I'm going to do it anyways....this is what I wrote back then..

"I guess there are many reasons why people decide to blog, and once started, why they continue to blog. I know that there are a great many little itty-bitty reasons that compel me to take photographs day after day and sit here and write day after day. I won't waffle on at you today (lucky escape for you) about my reasons for keeping this little bit of colourful cyberspace up and running, but one thing I can say is that I like my blog. I like it a lot. I like thinking about it, I like the creativity it involves and I like reading it. Yes, I often do read back through my own archives, not in a oh-look-how-wonderful-my-own-blog-is kind of a way, but in a daydreamy retrospective kind of a way. Often I will find myself thinking about something or another and my mind will settle on a particular remembered image, or an outing, or a recipe, or a crochet project and I will attempt to search out the blog entry, to find the words and images that accompany the memory.
And for someone with a memory that is as shot to bits as mine, this blogging lark is MARvelOUs! So many things I had forgotten about! So many images, memories, thoughts :: things that would otherwise be quite lost if it wasn't for my documenting them. I find it really wonderful to know that I have created this pocket of memories, and to be able to dip and dive into them whenever the mood takes me"

Three years on and that still stands true. My blog is an invaluable memory-keeping tool, not only for me but for the Little People as well. They are showing an increasing interest in what I do (and why I do it), and my greatest wish is that one day in the future they will be interested enough to take a good look and experience their childhood years through my pictures and words.

Of course, there is the added dimension of sharing all this with the World At Large (ie YOU!), and that is something that I never gave much thought to when I started out. Right from the beginning I wrote my blog for Me, for my own personal pleasure and satisfaction. The fact that you seem to genuinely enjoy your visits to the Attic is a source of tremendous joy to me, you give me so much! You validate what I do somehow, give me confidence and reassurance, make me feel that I am making a success of my funny little life, even if that success is measured by unconventional means. And for all that I am extremely, VeRy ExtrEmely, humbly grateful.

♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥(((THANK YOU)))♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥♥X♥

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Ps 2010 home review here, and 2009 home review here, if you wish to revisit ♥

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Sarah]

Lucy,
I came across your blog about 6 weeks ago whilst looking for courses on crochet. I want to know how properly, as I am not sure I get it quite right from books! I have loved following your musings and have gone back to the start an read all the way through from your first blog now. You are quite inspiring and uplifting in so many ways. I shall now spend some time working through your tutorials and see how it goes. I am an accomplished knitter and really want to master crochet, so we will see how it goes. That is my new years challenge!
I find your recording of everyday events so lovely and wish I had done so with my family, my children are now ranging from nearly 21 to almost 10 now. we do have photos though, lots all crammed into the downstairs loo!!! Makes for eventful tinkle trips by visitors!!
Anyhow, thanks Lucy and happy new year to you and yours.

[Dawn]

Happy New Year! I've enjoyed your blog for several years (before you were expecting B), but have always slipped in and out without comment (if you track..yup, I'm your Roswell, Georgia USA stalker! ha!) But, as we start a new year and you've given us so many beautiful images to recall, I just have to tell you how very much I've enjoyed your photos, crocheting, lovely and cheerful home, and especially your gift of letting us come along as you and hubby give your children an exchanted childhood. A childhood that they will one day be able to see as their mother's journal...an amazing gift for you to pass on to them. But, in the mean time, thank you sooo much for sharing your life with the rest of us in blogland. You're an amazing mother, daughter and blog friend..we all just love you! Thanks so much for all you do! xxoo

[Rachel]

I LOVE anything by cath Kidson and was lucky enough to be given lots of stationery for Xmas....post-its, little notes, notebooks etc etc.
It's lovely to catch glimses of your stash in your warm and comforting piccies.
I've been so inspired by your blog that I've started my own in the last few days as a beginner crocheter. Thank you.
Let's Get Crafting have just tweeted the link to my blog which is jolly exciting too!
Happy New Year to you and everyone who loves crochet and craft.

[grace]

I love your blog and seeing such colourful happiness! You inspired me to start blogging and I too am loving the memories it creates and the way it focuses me to look at things and just has made me sooooo thankful for all I have ! x

[rebekka]

Hurrah! You have inspired me so much this year, as I'm crocheting my first granny square blanket largely because of inspiration I've gathered from you!!! Happy New Year!!

[Becky]

I have been reading your blog for ages now but I have never commented before. I just had to say that you totally sum up about how I feel about home perfectly. I live in Oman in the Middle East - have done for 6 years and we are in rented accommodation - I hate it, it's not my home and I can't do anything with it - everyone that visits our home says how cosy it feels - but I don't feel that way. I want my own house desperately to be able to create a real home for my family - it's who I am. The good news is that hopefully we will be moving on this summer to a country where we can have our own home - not England but the other side of the world - I can't wait xxxx

[eva]

This was such a charming collection of photos; you are such an inspiration on how to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, and what real happiness is. It should be required reading for everyone; if it were, there would be more happiness in the world. Thank you.

[Eva]

I love your blog !
I found your blog not that long ago when I was browsing the internet for crochet ideas. Now this site is one of my favorite.
Your home is so bright and beautiful, I just love your photos.
Thanks for sharing :)
Eva from Iceland

[melane @ m&m]

I feel about my own blot much as you express your feelings. Thank you for putting into words for me. Your blot makes me happy! I ordered yarn today, and thought of the colors on your posts as I was picking what buy. Thank you and don't stop!

[Belinda from Melbourne]

Lovely Lucy, I don't know if you realise just how much a ray of sunshine your blog is, and even when times are not so sunny, very human. What a wonderful way technology has actually allowed us all to connect with people all the way around the world just about the joys and experiences of living. May your blogging continue to give you joy and happiness, as we are so priviledge to share it with you.

[Steph @woolythyme]

three cheers for domesticity!!! lovely review!

[Jobien]

Hello Lucy, I got addicted on your blog, always great inspiration, love your colourfull world and made some of your tutoriols.
Hope to see more, thanks for sharing and a happy new year.

[Eren Armago]

Happy new year Lucy. Is it possible to send a tutorial of spot squares of July 2011? I learned and made so many things from your blog. Thanks..

Eren

[Sarah Wilkinson]

Ooh, I just love visiting your blog.It's always the first one I look at.It's the lovely 'real' home, full of colour & creativity, snuggliness, fun and you have a real joy in simple pleasures like tea, flowers and a beautiful sky!
I often wonder throughout my day what you & yours are upto, if a creative buzz has swept you into a flurry of hooky rainbows and what you're going to post about.
Don't ever give it up as you are an inspiration to ALOT of people!
Best wishes & a very Happy New Year, Sarah x

[Anne Lise]

Your blog is so inspiring, thank you so much for sharing! Happy new year, all the best to you and your family! Hugs from norway;-)

[Ellie]

It's a fantastic way to record life isn't it! My favourite folder of photos on our computer is from about 7 years ago when my eldest daughter who was then 4 started having a go at taking pictures. We just let her point and shoot at anything and everything. I'm so glad I didn't delete them because they were wonky or of nothing in particular because now I love looking back and seeing her view of a house we don't live in anymore. It's great to pick out odd little details I'd never have thought about photographing.
Ellie
x

[Angela Rueb]

Thank you, Lucy, for all your efforts....the blog (which I read EVERY SINGLE day), the wonderful crochet tutorials you are so kind to share.....it's all wonderful, and I appreciate you so very much. God's very best to you in 2012.
Angie

[Kari]

I just loved this post! Probably because home is the essence of who I am, as well. And while I love all your posts, it is the ones about home that I most look forward to and treasure. Thank you so much for helping us all to see the beauty in the ordinary.

[Alison]

Lucy, I have only just come across your blog and you have really made me think about being creative again, so I have taken up my crochet hook after several years of it lying in a cupboard and I am on with a colourful cushion. This is giving me great pleasure and I love to peep into your colourful world. You have a real talent and I thank you so much for taking the time to share. I love my own collections of photos and I know how without that record of life it is easy to forget the pleasure that was gained from a sunset, flower or one of my favourites - dry stone walls. So thanks again for doing what you do and for helping those less talented of us to learn from you! I will keep on following and enjoying the hooky goodness ;)

[Angela W.]

Hi there Lucy...
I recently found your blog as I was searching mindlessly through the interweb, in the doldrums of post christmas boredom. I was lacking in 'something' to keep me positive and and help me to look forward to the new year.
Your blog provided just that. It really makes me smile. Every day. Your photos are beautiful and the simplicity of your words and stories just make me want to settle down with a lovely cup of tea and read, peaceful in my own little world.
I now own a rather fetching pink ball of yarn and a 4mm crochet hook and have embarked upon my first chain and practice set of double crochet, triple crochet and granny stitches. Its not pretty, but I just love doing it.
I am also beginning to delight in the things within my life which can be draining at times. (mess, children...) I am embracing them and trying to accept things as they are a bit more.
To sum up. Reading your blog has become a lovely little part of my day. I cannot tell you the delight I feel knowing there is a whole world Ive yet to read, right back to 2008.
Thank you for reading, thank you for writing.

Its just a lovely thing.

Angela :)

[sue]

Lucy your blog is a very lovely cosy place to visit, full of warmth and love, and deliciousness of all my favourite kinds!
Happy blogging in 2012. ♥

[kathi]

I have been reading your blog for some time now. Thank you for sharing with us! Have a wonderful new year!!

[Shannon]

Lovely post - thank you for opening your home to us. I, too, enjoy looking back over my blog as a "daydreamy retrospective." Last year I found this great site called "Blurb" that makes blogs into hard bound books; I have opted to do one per year. My children love to look through them and they are cozier than a computer to hold on your lap while sipping cocoa. Just thought I'd share in case you are interested. :)

[Rural Tennessee, USA]

Beautiful photos, great crochet tutorials, wonderful home. Happy 2012.

From the Phony Farm in TN, USA

[Allison]

Lucy, thank YOU for sharing with us. Reading your blog is such a delight because it's full of cheer and color and love for your home and family. You have little ones to brighten your days and nice time with your husband. You seem so happy! And you spread that happiness to your readers. I'm sure you have read The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket. She is able to put into words so much of what I felt when I was a homemaker for 8.5 years at our little farm. Now I work in my husband's office, which though it is still a means of support for us, is a far cry from making a nice and nourishing nest for our comfort and happiness at home. It's nice too, it seems, that you have this creative outlet for who you are - Lucy - . I admire that you are able to maintain both home and family and yourself. I wish you all the best.