2014-01-01

The very last day

Hello - is it me you're looking for? Long time no see - and the year has almost gotten to its end! I am so happy to be here again, I've missed you all! And without any long (and boring) explanations about my absence except that life just happens sometimes (as you all know) let's take a look what I've been up to in 2013! I am combining my year and the HandmadebyMia-year here - it's all about me  me behind everything after all! Here we go:

JANUARY


January was cold and dark - the days were gray and snow kept pouring down, and it was followed by fierce cold weather. So some color therapy was in order... Pink made a strong appearance! As usual (read: every year) it was a bit difficult to get back to usual daily routines after long and wonderful holidays but somehow I made it into...

FEBRUARY

 
 

February gave us even more snow, but the days started to get longer. I made some new felted wool figurines, and many different birdies. I also started to de-stash my oldest fabrics, and the Moomins were first ones to go. Very little did I know... The Moomins turned out to be the (rare, it was a slow year) hit of the year! People just love them, and my stash...Old one gone, new in great progress!

MARCH

 
 

March was a great and not-so-great month - it was sunny and springly but I turned forty. Uh-huh, harder than I expected even I was completely spoiled. March was also a month of the heffalumps, they kept popping in everywhere... bags, pillow and pouches!

APRIL

 

April brought some happy things beside more sunshine! First I re-found the real letter writing after I made a few happy birdie-pencases, and I still write&receive real handmade (that is something else, let me tell you) letters monthly. I was happy to hear how many of you were inspired to start writing again after quite a few years. Clara the traveling owl visited us too, her latest journeys can be read here.

MAY

 

May brought the sunshine and green to us, and I simply couldn't get enough of it. Feet were bare and first stitches were knit outside - what a lovely month! Ice hockey and Eurovision song contest came and went - oh well, one can't win every year, right?

JUNE

 
 

The great weather continued in June, and happy summery pillows were made in the outside garden-studio. I was officially declared as the loony of our block when I was knitting wool bags outside when the weather hit +36C - oh well, no surprises there! Midsummer was fantastic too, even the days were getting cooler. Strawberries were a great, great inspiration, and we even won a few battles this year, hooray!

JULY

 

July was a sunny, summery month, and we spent a lot of time outdoors. We did a lot berry-picking, and the freezer is still half full with beautiful redcurrants, strawberries and blueberries. I made tons of plans and new designs for my shop, and had some big plans for opening an another, too, but the time wasn't right yet - the autumn to come turned out to be something completely else than planned. But the designs are still there, and so are the dreams!

AUGUST

 


August had some great birthdays, my mother-in-law turned 90 and my nephew turned 5 - both celebrated their special days with a lot of sunshine, laughter and happiness. One received a hand knitted shawl and the other got a bouncy castle - any guesses which went to...

SEPTEMBER

 

September was definitely autumn-y. Leaves were colorful, and it rained and rained. It didn't matter that much as we had the greatest gift of all: I had a little niece! She is a little princess, and my dear nephew is a proud BIG brother. I feel so blessed.

OCTOBER


October started with great expectations to get so much done for Christmas and in time for once. Oh my, life happened and... It all got so hectic around here, we were not all well, and I decided prioritize family first. Days were lacking hours and October was over in a blink of an eye. Thankfully.

NOVEMBER

 
 

November... Someone turned 50, one little princess was baptized, a lot of house-decorating, baking, gift-wrapping, hosting and over all socializing took place - hectic, hectic, hectic. We all were not well either and that made it all extra tough. Enough of moaning, but I must say I can't agree with an old cliché saying that I wouldn't change a day. I most certainly would.

DECEMBER

  

Oh dear December... A new house to decorate for the first time, new traditions to create, new memories to make... It was a bit nostalgic yet exciting. By the windows from my Moomin-calendar were opened, the better it all got: holidays were just around the corner. My shop was somewhat neglected, but I wrote down quite a few new ideas; if only I could find the time to execute them! I decided to have the last two weeks of December holidays, and that must have been the best decision done whole year; sleeping does wonderful things for the ladies in their forties after all... This all said the Holidays were merry and brighter than I dared to hope - we're going to be alright, after all!

***

That's it - that's my year in a (giant) nutshell. Not an easy one, but still a good in many ways. I am happy to say it good-bye, though, and welcome 2014! And oh my, IT IS 1st of January already - writing this all down has taken somewhat longer than expected. Here's to all of you who made it this far! I have missed blogging, and to my new year's solution I hereby declare I'll get back to track starting now! Because you're all so great, friends, and I thank you for being there for me in sickness and health so to speak. You're all precious!

Here's to New Year 2014, may it be the best ever!

Yours,
Mia

16 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Happy new year my friend, I know it is already in Finland and we're very close to it here, we're just about to raise our glasses!
It's been a tough one for you but 2014 will be better, onwards and upwards.
Lovely to see those little baby toes! :)
So lovely to have you back in blogland again!
Happy 2014,
V xxx

Mia said...

Happy New Year, dear Vivienne,

It's good to be back! I wish both of u the best ever for the year to come, may yours be bunny-filled!

See you here soon again!

Yours,
Mia

Beth of The Linen Cat said...

Hello Mia! So lovely to have you back and I'm so sorry to read about all the illness and I agree, it is sometimes nice to say 'goodbye' to a year that hasn't all been roses and welcome a new and hopefully healthier and happier one!

Wishing you a very, very happy 2014.

Bethxx

Mia said...

Hello dear Beth,

Thank you for your lovely comment! I know it hasn't been the easiest year for you either - so let's say GOODBYE for good to 2013 and raise our glasses to a new one!

2014 - here we come!

Lovely New Year's Day all of you, we'll see here soon again!

Yours,
Mia

Jane said...

It's so wonderful to have you back dear Mia. I loved your recap of 2013 and I'm so glad that you are all feeling better...what a tough time you have had. Welcome 2014 and here's to good health and happy blogging days. Cheers, Jane xx

Helen Philipps said...

So lovely to see you back here, Mia, after what sounds like a very difficult year....but still with lots of good things too. How lovely to have a new baby niece! Your pictures are gorgeous, and I hope you will have lots more time to create your lovely makes in 2014. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Helen xox

Megumi said...

Mia,
Happy New Year! It was fun to see all the pictures. The squirrel bag looks so awesome:)
I love the cute little feet. So sweet.
I wish you the best star of the new year.
Megumi

Anne said...

Happy New Year, dear Mia!! Wonderful to see so many 2013 creations. It was a bittersweet year. Hoping for more sweetness in 2014.
Will see you here again soon,
onnellista uutta vuotta,

Anne and all
PC22

Mia said...

Hello Jane,

Happy New year! It's been fun to see many recaps of the 2013 in the blogworld, all different yet equally wonderful, full of so many happy moments!

I am waving good-bye to 2013, and welcoming 2014, may it happy one! We'll see here often!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hello dear Helen,

The 2013 had some wonderful moments, but there were some times that were not so fantastic, and I am so happily welcoming 2014! I wish you've had good holidays with your loved ones, and you're full of energy to create beautiful things in 2014!

Happy January 1st!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hello dear Megumi,

Happy New Year! I though you might spot the familiar-looking squirrel-bag :) I'm happy you liked t!

It's time (and just in time!) to meet&greet the new year! I wish all the best for you&yours, we'll keep in touch!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hello dear Anne,

And the Happiest New Year to all of you! The past year had it's ups and downs, and I am looking forward to 2014! Let's make it best possible, and enjoy it with all possible changes it brings... I'm sure it'll all turn out great!

A big hug from your friend,
Mia

Lucia Sasaki said...

Dear Mia!
How good to read news (and oldies) from you!
By the way, Happy New Year to you and your cherished ones.
Yes, I missed you and your posts a lot, fortunately you are well and healthy.
Humm... becoming fort were a bit traumatic event for me, it happened 3 years ago. I hope it weren't so unhappy to you.
Well, God bless you very abundantly Mia, I hope you can make many beautiful cats, foxs, birdies,etc. they are so lovely, it is always a happy event see them.
A great year for all of us!!
Cheers!

Lucia

Mia said...

Hello dear Lucia,

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I am so happy to be back, and I wish to get back to more regular posting - I have quite a few of those happy animals to show!

I wish you the most wonderful Happy New Year, and we'll see here soon again!

Yours,
Mia

Cynthia said...

I hope 2014 is a better year for you.... last year was really hard for me as well, and I have high hopes for this new year!
Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely designs.....

Mia said...

Dear Cindy,

Happy New Year! I wish it'll be a wonderful for all of us!

It's rainy&gray here still, but we're heading to spring...Here's to it!

See you here soon again!

Yours,
Mia

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