Mitenska

A few realisations: firstly, that I've been writing this blog for just over a year now. Secondly: it really isn't that hard to make a photo collage and insert it into a post. Now I know.

So I went back through my year (and a bit) and pulled some (lots) of photos. Nice memories, things I'd completely forgotten about, several not-so-great posts. But that's what it's all about I suppose: making a start, getting over the initial 'What do I write about?' business, finding your own unique style and just... writing.

I remember setting out, perhaps trying to emulate some of my favourite blogs and realising that just wasn't me. So I thought, 'Sod it' and just started anyway. It was a form of journalling (excuse the American term) with photos, of recording what I'd been up to but also sharing my thoughts on whatever happened to be on my mind at any given time.

Nobody was reading my blog. Nobody commented. I kept going because I liked doing it. I didn't want to share it with people I knew because it felt too personal, yet I was happy to post to the entire worldwide web. Odd. Gradually people started to read and comment and it was great. And I still class myself as a complete amateur, probably will for a long time yet.

But the fact is, I love blogging and I love my blog. I also love how it's brought me into contact with some truly nice people (and their little corners of the internet), it's made me think and feel inspired and it's got me writing. I used to keep a diary but sometimes I'd leave huge gaps in between entries. This is better. And it has photos.

Not to mention the fact that it gives me the opportunity to track Joe's progress and my feelings on being a mum. His own little picture blog is really to keep friends and family up-to-date but there's nothing in there by way of prose. Just a few jokey captions to go with the images.

So I mentioned in earlier posts I was trying to focus on fewer things which I enjoyed the most and do them well. I've chosen Mitenska and drawing. The rest: knitting, sewing, printmaking - they're all still on the radar (and I have a few commissions in the pipeline) but the simple fact is, between caring for a 16-month-old and running the house, there isn't a whole lot of time (or energy) left to devote to so many pursuits. Other things: family, reading, walking, cooking, the garden are still as important too. So time really is precious and needs to be spent wisely.

I intend to keep writing and taking photographs and would even like to share some sketches throughout 2014.

Thanks to everyone who has read the blog, and to those who have commented and encouraged me during this first year. I'm looking forward to the next year and my notebook's getting full already...

Sarah x