Hello friends! I had a great time off but I’m so glad to be back in the saddle because I’m not one for taking lots of time away from work… the longer I stay away the harder it is to return and get back into the groove. Truth is, I love blogging and this whole crazy web world and though I thought staying away would inspire me in crazy new ways it sort of didn’t because I missed my favorite blogs, connecting through emails, and writing in general. Have I turned into a total computer geek? A hermit? What’s next? Taking in stray cats, wearing my pj’s all day, living on take out food?

Many of my friends encouraged me to take a break, step away from the computer, avoid blog reading for a few weeks and I listened… but I do not feel as super inspired as they claimed. I do have tons of ideas for the blog this year so in that sense stepping away was productive. I think we all need one another more than we care to admit. Isn’t that why blogs sprung up in the first place, as places to share our thoughts with others and for gaining insight, entertainment, and/or friendship in return? Stepping away from blogs and spending time only with family and friends was certainly nice as I was able to connect with some that I’ve not seen in awhile but overall, after two weeks, I felt the same way towards the end of my vacation that I recall feeling back in 2005 when I decided to start this blog: kinda alone with my ideas, like no one in my immediate circle “got me”. Not much has changed is what I learned recently. Most of my dear friends still do not know what a blog, blehg, blag, “a what?”, is and most aren’t too interested in learning as being a blogger and freelance writer certainly isn’t nearly as amazing as being a {insert real job title here} as most of them are.

With that being said, I’d like to kick off the new year on a positive note by saying thank you for reading my blog and for supporting my work throughout 2008. Every blogger posts this kind of thing, thanking their readers and getting all mushy about it so I’m no different I guess. And while I love my family, it’s great to have an online posse who does know what a blog is, is equally obsessed with Facebook, and who is quite familiar with blogs like Dooce and why they make me laugh so hard that whatever I’m eating usually ends up on my computer screen.

To thank you even more, and to bid adieu to 2008, I’ve decided to round up my favorite posts from this past year in a post that will follow this one. There’s lots of reading, so stay tuned!

P.S. A special thanks to Australian interiors magazine Real Living for the decor8 love in their January/February 2009 issue. What a way to kick off the new year! I don’t know what their readership is but Aussies must be a loyal group smitten by this mag because I cannot begin to tell you how my traffic spiked. Good grief. Watching the traffic flow in from Australia and New Zealand, there is no doubt it’s coming from this single press mention, so thank you Real Living.

(images from Real Living magazine. A special thanks to Catherine Bain for scanning this article for me!)

Tags: blog posts, blogging, decor8, favorite posts of 2008, favorites, posts

19 Responses to “Hello 2009!”

1 Elzi commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Hi Holly!

I really missed my daily dose of decor8-inspiration – glad you are back! And I knew you was going to miss the blogosphere!

Best wishes for the new year!

Elzi (from the Netherlands)
2 Shanon commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

I hear ya, Holly. It’s so nice to come to places like this, especially after being reminded that not too many people we know “in real life” understand what we do, what we like, or what is here.
It’s more than nice to know that I’m not alone. That people like the same things I do. And that this magic found online is legit.

Shanons last blog post: The Arrival
3 Laura commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Welcome back, Holly! And thank you so much for admitting that it is sometimes hard to get your friends in “real life” to understand why blogging is important/a valid career choice. I’ve been reading your blog for about 3 years now and loving every minute of it, but only recently started blogging myself. Thank you a thousand times for the validation!

Lauras last blog post: Etsy Finds Friday: Fresh Start for a New Year
4 modish commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Um, “Taking in stray cats, wearing my pj’s all day, living on take out food”…these are all things I am already guilty of. What does that mean for me? :)
-jena
ps: glad to hear you missed blogland as much as I did on your break- what nerds we are!
5 decor8 commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Jena — he he :) Like I said… I think that is what is next for me! I was in my PJs today until noon. Monday night I ordered out pad thai, and if I was not allergic I’d take in every stray cat I could fit in my house because I love animals. But still.
6 Kara commented:
January 7th, 2009 at 11:39 pm

Hello Holly,

I am one of the Aussie Real Living readers, but have enjoyed your blog for sometime now before the article.
It’s always a joy to visit. Thanks for all the pretties.
Cheers,

Kara.x

Karas last blog post: Thursday Lovelies – TEA
7 Desiree Fawn commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 12:40 am

Wheee!! Happy 2009, Holly!
I can’t wait for another fabulous year full of your excellent design wisdom ^_^
My daughter is due January 23rd & since I’ll be home even more I’m glad I have lovely blogs like yours to satisfy my internet cravings :)

Desiree Fawns last blog post: have I mentioned lately.
8 decor8 commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 1:45 am

Desiree – A new baby on the way? How nice, you must be super excited. Is this your first?
9 decor8 commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 1:45 am

Thank you Kara :)
10 Catherine Bain commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 5:08 am

Wow Holly…I was part of that “traffic spike”…it was the article in Real Living which led me to Decor8….and I’m so glad that our paths have joined up.
11 Amisha commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

I don’t have anyone in my circle who cares about design or arts or crafts. Funny, I thought I was the only one in such a situation. I am making an effort to participate in more art and craft forums or at least finding some forums. That is why I started blogging.

Amishas last blog post: Van Gogh’s Starry Night
12 Brandie commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Welcome back! I missed your posts while you were away.
13 Rita Vindedzis commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Hi Holly and welcome back to blog land. Thank you so much for your great blog. It is what inspired me to start one and begin this great journey. All the best for 2009!!

Rita Vindedziss last blog post: Style at Home Magazine-February Issue.
14 Amanda commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

I was just so happy to see you and all my favourite blogs in that article.
Real Living has a big readership here so expect the spike to keep going up, Holly. :)
Welcome back!

Amandas last blog post: SUMMER DAYS
15 Nancy Comelab commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Holly,

Here’s another one of your Aussie fans – wanting to thank you for all the fabulous inspiration you bring. If you are interested in a real copy of Real Living Mag, let me know. I’ll be more than happy to send you some Aussie-liciousnes!

Cheers!
Nancy
16 magikquilter commented:
January 8th, 2009 at 11:48 pm

hello Holly good to see you back. I find it hard with people my age to explain the blog and even younger people say it is a time waster. It is actually a time waster in a good way for me as i have severe pain and took up quilting to distract me in 2000….it has been great but nothing like the way blogging distracts me….I can go an hour or more beyond when my medication is due….and really lose myself when I need to. Funny the head of the pain clinic at the teaching hospital in Sydney asked me to write an article on creativity and my handiwork as a tool for pain distraction…I am going to pitch the blog concept as well…will need some good data though…and that is more distraction..the research involved. Not to mention the whole keeping the brain active thing….vital in middle age

magikquilters last blog post: Kaffe Lovers
17 Nicola commented:
January 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Hello Holly and happy new year,

I just wanted to let you know – to let all of you design bloggers know – how important it is to share ideas and inspiration with others. I was used to working in a big drawing office, bouncing ideas around and enjoying intelligent company. Although I adore the privelidge of staying at home with my children in the holidays (they are school age now) its importantr to keep in touch with like minded people and let those ideas spiral away….

I came to your site via the lovely Yvestown. Thank you for taking the time to post, I don’t know how you do it! x
18 Abbey Goes Design Scouting commented:
January 10th, 2009 at 2:41 am

I totally know what you mean about friends just “not gettting you” — its the number one reason I love blogger friends… they just get me… xo great post abbey

Abbey Goes Design Scoutings last blog post: Sweet Thank You
19 Lexy commented:
January 11th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

I buy Real Living mag every month. Was great to see you in it!! I’m going to make myself sit down and take a break to actually read some of these magazines I’ve bought over the past few months. I just haven’t had time to get to them yet! I need to learn to take more breaks this year, for sure.

Lexys last blog post: New artwork pics

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