Blogtober Review :: 2024

It's a little under three weeks since the end of Blogtober twenty twenty four, and I've been wanting to put this review post together ever since. I like the feeling of putting October to bed, of drawing a gentle line under what is always quite an intense month of creating content for thirty one days straight. The week before last I spent a whole afternoon creating some nine-square collages in my usual style, and also performing my Blogtober Big Count. I know it's a little bit crazy because it takes me aaaaaages to do the counting (there is no easy or quick way, it's a manual job of adding up numbers), but I'll share the results of all that brain power at the end of this post.

I tell you what though, it's been really nice looking back through all my photos and remembering what I did with October, it was a lovely month and my photos tell a colourful and happy story of time well spent.

There was certainly a lot of sky appreciation last month....

...and there were many, many days where the clouds and colours up there above the Earth made me literally stop in my tracks and stare in wonder.

Undoubtedly the most memorable day for the skies was on Day 11 when I shared the incredible experience of seeing the Aurora Borealis dancing above our rooftop the night before. Wow, what a treat that was, I don't think I'll ever forget it.

As you know, I walk a lot in my day-to-day life and much of my camera roll is filled with scenery, views and seasonal observations. October was a month that felt like there was still a welcome hint of lingering summertime at the start....

....but towards the end we had experienced our first frosts and the rapid onset of autumn. 

I absolutely LOVE to spend time walking and observing the seasonal rhythms that play out in the rural market town where I live. Being connected to the natural world is endlessly inspiring and it makes me really happy to capture the colours with my camera. It's something I do instinctively, and sharing it here on my blog adds an extra level of appreciation for the visuals of my outdoor life.

As well as my daily walks through the woodland, along the canal and round the town, it's always a pleasure to jump in the car (or hop on the train) and venture a little further afield. 

In October this year we walked twice at Bolton Abbey (Day 2 and Day 12).

On a sunny Saturday (Day 19) we walked over the fields to a nearby village with the Little People, a leisurely outing to enjoy a drink at the scenic holiday park that we often visit.

A bit further afield, on (Day 18) Little Lady and I enjoyed a spontaneous jaunt on the train to Saltaire. We visited Salts Mill and had a lovely afternoon browsing and soaking in the unique atmosphere of this historic place.

One of my favourite outings was to the west coast at Arnside (Day 13). We packed a picnic and planned a circular walk and it was such an enjoyable way to spend the day. Re-reading the blog post I wrote, I'm instantly transported back to that day and it's one of the many, many reasons I continue to love blogging - these posts are such wonderful memory preservers.

Without a doubt, my bestest and most favouritist trip of October was our few days spent in Amsterdam. Everything about it was a joy - the nostalgic ferry journey, the gorgeously warm sunny weather, the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful visuals of the city, the enjoyment of spending time with J - all of it was a pleasure.

I really LoVed looking back through all my photos from this trip and picking out nine to make the above collage (mmmmmm, that apple cake!), what a wonderful trip filled with happy memories. You can see more photos here : (Day 5) & (Day 6)

October also saw me travel to Dorset towards the end of the month, a trip that I make every three months or so. I was lucky to enjoy the most beautiful weather, it was unexpectedly warm and sunny and spending time by the coast was a real pleasure-fest. After three nights in Bridport (Day 26) : (Day 27)  & Day 28), I travelled on to Weymouth.....

....and treated myself to a couple of nights in the towery turret of The Royal hotel. My, my, what a heap of happy memories I made for myself living out my Princess Era, it was a very restorative few days of tranquillity and coastal feel-good. You can re-visit my Weymouth stay here : (Day 29) & (Day 30).

As you know, my visits to Dorset aren't always the easiest trips for me to take and behind the very scenic photos there is a little bit of emotional melancholy. But you know me, I am very adept at looking for the bright side of each day and finding the joyful glimmers that always seem to shine if you are practiced at looking for them.

Crochet in October was all about catching up with myself and getting things done. I worked hard to finish off the Flowerpress tutorial (Day 21) which ended up being a huuuuuuge beast of a thing and I'm really proud of it. My own Flowerpress blanket has found its forever home on Little Lady's bed and the Kitty is very contented with the whole set up as she spends a lot of time day-napping on it.

There was a lot of design work going on behind the scenes in October which is kind of frustrating because I couldn't share it with you at the time. I was busy working on the Canalboat CAL design, getting the stitch pattern finalised and working on the colour order for the stripes which is proving to be quite challenging. I'll be able to share my progress with you very soon, and of course I'm the usual mix of high excitement and nervousness.

I did manage a small, quiet little Ta-dah moment when my latest socks came off my needles and went onto my feet. I wore them straight away and was down in Dorset at the time, so it was fun to share them with you.

Other yarny excitements in October were in the form of these twenty glorious shades of Special DK. Stylecraft announced their brand new Made in Yorkshire yarn, and the very exciting news that went along with it. I wrote two blog posts and had loads of fun creating the content and sharing it all with you - I hope you didn't mind too much that these posts had to be included within the Blogtober schedule. You can find them here : (Day 17) & (Day 23).

Daily blogging seems to naturally divide itself into three themes, well I'm not sure how it is for other bloggers, but it's certainly the case for me. The way I see it, I have days where I'm out and about and documenting my longer walks, outings and short holidays. And then there are days where crochet or colourful creativity is the thing that I'm sharing. And last of all, there is the every day sort of mixed-bag blogging which makes up the majority of Blogtober, and these are by far my favourite sort of posts to create. They are a recount of my simple days spent doing ordinary things, with an emphasis on finding the beauty in each day. There is often quite a seasonal theme to these posts because I walk every day and really enjoy capturing the slow changes in nature as the seasons shift. And in amongst all the seasonal things, there is the gentle hum of domestic routine underpinned by colour and creativity.

My daily life is very rarely without yarn, and you can be sure that even when you don't see it, it's there! I crochet (and knit) pretty much every day, and you will often see the evidence in my photos. There are usually flowers too, well, the two seem to go hand in hand somehow, probably because I spend a LOT of time at this old wooden table. It doubles up as my crochet studio, office desk and dining table - actually that's a triple whammy, isn't it, so a very well used space in my house which you often see in my blogging. 

I enjoy chatting to you about food....

....and taking you with me to run errands and visit the market and the historic town where I live. Daily blogging has a repetitive rhythm to it which follows along with family life and it's not always exciting or particularly interesting....and yet....I absolutely love to tell the tale of these ordinary days because really that's what life is all about.

You get to share my daily frothy coffee....

....walk along the canal with me....

....and have an insight into my many little visual obsessions.

I am well aware that I live life in quite a quirky way, and my Creative Mind can become very obsessed with capturing the visual narrative of my days. I think I am like this all the time, but Blogtober does seem to ramp it up into overdrive! It's a lot of fun though, and I really can't imagine living life in any other way.

So, my homely October was a month of autumn colour, cosy afternoons, seasonal flowers, comfort food, gentle routine, candlelight and yarny creativity. Add in country walks, coastal trips and a fantastic European city break and I think we can safely say it was a wonderfully fulfilling, creatively inspiring thirty two days.

I think it's time for some numbers now....

Number of daily blogs completed : 32  (I went above and beyond)

Total number of photographs shared : 346 (that's a lot of visuals)

Total number of words written by me : 28,538 (yes, that's an awful lot of chat)

Total number of beautiful comments : 927 (thank you so much for chatting back to me)

What a beautiful month of colour, creativity, chatteryness and community spirit, thank you as always for your most excellent company, it's been wonderful on all fronts.

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♥ Blogtober 2023 review

♥ Blogtober 2021 review

♥ Blogtober 2020 review

 

 

Comments

[CJ]

Such a gorgeous post, and what an amazing collection of photos, just beautiful. I really love the pink sunrise on the canal, stunning. If I had more colourful/exciting Octobers, I would join in! Have a lovely weekend, CJ xx

[Kate]

And thank you!! Honestly, from the bottom of my heart. In my current hectic busy life I do so enjoy your blog, every single beautiful, gentle, thoughtful, colourful and visually restful post. I've not been a reader for very long but I'm absolutely hooked-ha ha! You live in one of my very favourite parts of the world where I spent many happy childhood holidays. I'm currently on row 11 of the woodland blanket so I've got a bit to go but it's my first crochet blanket from an actual pattern and I'm enjoying it immensely ❤️ Planning the moorland blanket already. Looking forward to next blogtober already! Kindest regards 😊

[Alison]

Love your pictures, I am the same with taking photos everywhere I go, I use them as a visual diary and love all the small details as well as the bigger scenes. I suspect if we walked along together we'd be taking all the same snaps.

[Sas]

I love all of your posts, love the pictures, the stories..
I hope you continue forever :)

[April]

I read every single post and loved each one. I too am a creative person obsessed with yarn and I get tons of inspiration from your posts. I also love making your blankets. Thank you for sharing your world!

[Ann]

Hello Lucy
You really do spoil all your Attic 24 followers. Not only did you give us a bonus Day 32 in your Blogtober but you’ve now surprised us with an October round-up. Thank you.
Up here in Perthshire it’s freezing 🥶. Where we are we haven’t had any snow but it’s been very very frosty. The sort of frost which lasts for days. Yesterday morning there were absolutely amazing frost designs on the conservatory windows. (Fortunately they were on the outside of the windows) I wish I could send you photos, you’d love them.
So stay warm, and cosy Lucy. X

[Kathleen Hall]

I love your blog. The way you create, see, and share the beauty in everyday life is inspiring and encourages me to attempt the same.

[Tineke]

I love how your mind works with visuals. And you share that with us <3

[Franziska]

Thank you, Lucy! I always love Blogtober, when we get spoiled with so many lovely posts from you! I love reading about your life and your appreciation of little things :)

[Deb]

What a lovely review of the month. I never remember to take pictures myself so rely on enjoying those of others, and yours never disappoint. But it is the community your blog and posts create that means the most to me, especially when it lifts my spirits in difficult times.

[Maryna]

Thank you for sharing your moments of life with us! I am always looking forward to your new blogs, they give creative ideas and lots of inspiration. Thank you again!

[Sarah]

Thank you for the review, I really enjoyed all your October + 1 blogs.

And I love all the photos, a visual feast.

[Severine]

Hi Lucy, I loved Blogtober, it's always a pleasure to read your posts, thank you so much for brightening our lives. I am currently working on a double size Moorland blanket and I have my eye on Springfrost and Meadow next, I can't wait to see the new CAL in January! Xxx

[Debbi Robertson]

Reading your post just now provides me with the perfect ending to my day, as I am about to slip under covers and close my eyes, all the while you are likely just rising to begin yours. I wish you and J a beautiful morning walk together. G'night, and good morning!

[Elaine]

Lovely autumn colors your pictures are wonderful.

[Norma]

Awwww...thank you too. Each word and photo was absorbed by me into my homesick brain. Although I've lived here longer than I lived in Scotland, I still feel very Scottish. My granny was a Yorkshire lass (Mexborough) so maybe that's why I enjoy your photos so much.
Off for a cup of tea. Best wishes from warm & sunny Melbourne xxx

[Ruthie]

Lovely to see your roundup of Blogtober. What beautiful pictures you take xxx

[Becki]

Wow Lucy, another amazing fully packed post, thank you, 🤩 they are so wonderful to read and it was lovely to re read all about Blogtober. Oh the glorious sunshine, and those colourful skies, very beautiful. Lots of lovely memories and photos to look back on. We had our first flurry of snow today and it was bitterly cold out too. Still we are in November I suppose! 😂 Thank you for letting us share in your slice of life up in beautiful Skipton and I’m really looking forward to your Canalboat CAL and your next post, take care Lucy and love and hugs to you xxx 🥰🤗

[Becki]

Wow Lucy, another amazing fully packed post, thank you, 🤩 they are so wonderful to read and it was lovely to re read all about Blogtober. Oh the glorious sunshine, and those colourful skies, very beautiful. Lots of lovely memories and photos to look back on. We had our first flurry of snow today and it was bitterly cold out too. Still we are in November I suppose! 😂 Thank you for letting us share in your slice of life up in beautiful Skipton and I’m really looking forward to your Canalboat CAL and your next post, take care Lucy and love and hugs to you xxx 🥰🤗

[Linda]

Hello again Lucy.
Blogtober was lovely. Seeing all pulled together is like reading it all again.
It’s still a bit mad here at the moment in Berkshire. Hubby is recovering, but slower than he would like. He manages the cooking, but I’m doing so much more in the manual things. Wheeling out the heavy rubbish bins this morning. Carrying in the shopping. Pruning the bushes. Things he can’t yet manage. But as always we do share.
This last weekend was the unexpected highlight of my year. Our youngest got married. A quick wedding to the man she has loved for nearly six years. She made all the arrangements herself and only told us when everything was booked. It was a lovely day and the sun shone. The rain stayed away and all guests had a loving peaceful day. The best man travelled from Switzerland. A day I shall remember for ever. And we have a new son in law too.
I haven’t started my Yuletide blanket yet. But finding it hard to finish a few things first. But I should in the next couple of days.
Sleep well Lucy.
I need to wind down first before I get back into routine.
Best Wishes from Linda x

[Michelle Gladwish]

Thank you for sharing this. I cannot tell you how the October blog posts cheered me. They really became the highlight of my day. A ‘me’ moment with a cup of Earl Grey tea x

[Jan Hochwald]

A lovely overview of Blogtober. How I enjoyed waking up here in Australia to your daily blogs and a bonus to find this one waiting for me this morning. As well as your lovely inspirational crocheting two things I gained from Blogtober were your sweet omelette Brekky which I made and loved….yummm…and you mentioned a book you were reading The Seven Sisters. As an avid reader I managed to borrow a copy of the first in the series and loved it. Now waiting on the next one to arrive. So thank you Lucy for adding to my life in these unexpected ways.

[Veronica Howard]

Awww 🥰 thank you for sharing your review so colourful and scenic. Happy days. I’m looking forward to seeing your new CAL and of course if it’s not too much hard work a possible spring MIY blanket, with all those luscious new colours.