Endings and beginnings
I am going to take some time away from Loobylu for a while. I am not sure how long for but I am in dire need of some space away from my blog. I have too much on my plate and it’s all beginning to wear a bit thin. I need to slow down and kick back and enjoy my kids while they are this small, because I can’t believe how fast it’s going. I need to stop talking about myself! I need to work on my books (procrastination is my constant companion)!
I am sure to be lurking around flickr from time to time, and I will still be checking all my favourite blogs (of which I now subscribe to 196 of them… hmm… perhaps I need to address that too! ) and leaving copious comments…
Thank you for stopping by to read my ramblings over the years. I have truly appreciated everything that keeping a blog has brought to me – friends, work, inspiration, comfort, laughs, confidence and support. Even just writing that now makes me realise that I will probably miss this more than I can imagine so I am sure I will start up again some time – but for now it’s a good-bye to Loobylu. It’s time to make a cup of tea and read a book and tickle little tummies.
long time reader here – since 2001 – who has had similar paths in life as you.
best wishes and many thanks for sharing your beautiful blog (and life) with us.
Thank you for your lovely blog, I am sad to see you go after only just finding you. I do hope that you’ll be back when the time is right.
Best wishes to you — I too am a fairly recent reader and miss your posts already.
Dear Claire, I just want to say thank you very much for all the inspirations and stories you’ve shared with us over the years. I discovered your blog back in 2004, followed your links to the knitting and crafting world out there, and now I’m totally obsessed with them. Good luck with everything!
Judging from your post box you must live in Whitehorse so come and see us at Vermont South library sometime – bring the girls to tiny tots and story time!
Take care and have a fantastic time with your family
Oh, Claire! I’ll miss you and Kiddley very much, but wish you and your family all the best. I know what you mean about the time passing so quickly, savor and enjoy and create, and I hope you’ll come back when you feel ready and refreshed.
Take care!
Take care and enjoy your family, Claire! We’ll still be here if you ever decide to come back! š
I’ll miss you. Thanks for all the great posts over the years! I’m really looking forward to seeing your books. š
Good for you Claire. Enjoy!
We’ll miss you!
this has been (and will be again?!!) my favourite blog for a while – so it’s sad to see you stop, but good that you’ve come to a resolution. Good luck, have fun!
You will be missed!
Your blog is one of the first I ever started reading and I’ve enjoyed every one of your posts! I totally understand your need for a break and time to catch up with life. Enjoy your time off!
Love, Rania.
dear claire, i have found your sunny, generous blog a great source of inspiration. hope you have a wonderful time playing with your gorgeous girls and Mr P, all the best! jade
Enjoy your time away and your time with the wee ones. They really are only little for such a short time, it would be so sad to miss it. All the best, hope things go well for you and your family. I have enjoyed your blog immensely.
Best wishes! I will miss reading about you and your lovely family.
Hi Claire, I’ve not been visiting recently, but did log on to see the “My Child The Problem Solver” blog and it made me laugh and think of my students. Your site was a great help when i moved to Thailand; allowed me to keep in touch with Melbourne from a personal level. Thought about you a bit lately, ironically, cause I’m seeing someone called Claire. All the best mate. Mids PS Say hi to your folks
Oh, I’m sad! Good luck, though, with all your projects and best wishes for your family.
You’re the reason I’m hooked on blogs (the first one I started to visit on a regular basis)!! Thank you for all the inspiration. Blogs & flickr are great for getting the creative juices flowing but there’s nothing like real life. Enjoy your girls – wishing you and your family all the best. xox
Sorry to see you take a break Claire.
Hope all goes well and that you’re not too long away.
Much love, Andrew
Glad to see you making this hard thought decision. Congratulations!!!
Tickling always beats blogging
good on you for making the tough decision – you’ll be very much missed, but we look forward to when you can come back and write about your adventures with your babies!
Wow, so many people will miss you! I found your blog a couple of years ago and have so enjoyed your thoughtful posts and wonderful illustrations. Have fun with your lovely children, that time of childhood passes like a blink.Best Wishes…
I just totally understand.Good for you for doing what you need to.
Enjoy these precious times š
Will miss you.
Loobylu will sure be missed…
Happy to hear that it means you’ll be spending more quality time with the little ones though …
All the best!
Good for you! Enjoy your time and have fun! I’ll look forward to any future postings for sure!
I totally understand this, and agree. Hope to still keep in contact though!Melissa
Enjoy your time away. Your girls will love it, you will love it, I bet hubs will love it too :). Take care!
Best wishes Claire. Your site has been a fave of mine for many years. I hope you return when things aren’t as hectic!
I was just a little bit ‘blue’ when I read that Loobylu/Kiddley is taking a break – please ignore this selfishness – it’s just that your sites were the very first ones I read in blogland; I remember thinking “Wow, people are writing/thinking/making ‘simple’ stuff but I am facinated! Enjoy that cuppa and relax. Come back when you want to – all the best, Bron
Enjoy your time with your girls. You’ll be missed. As all have already said, Best wishes to you.
I’ll miss your wonderful blogging voice Claire, but as mum to kids the same ages, I completely understand searching for the balance. I hope you find yours š
You know we’ll miss you & be thinking of you, Amelia & Lily. But you deserve some time for yourself that’s not blog-fodder. Thanks for being such a good writer & blogger & letting us share your life!
PS If it weren’t for Loobylu I wouldn’t still be congratulated for having the best wedding invites ever.
you are an incredible talent and have provided me with years of entertainment and wonder! thank you for that. best wishes to you and your family!
This is going to sound somber but it’s said with much happiness for you:
Claire I have been reading loobylu since before you and Phil got married, and I feel that I know you so well through the stories you’ve shared with the Internet. More than once Loobylu has been the inspiration for me to keep (or re-start) blogging.
Enjoy your time off blogging, even it it’s forever! There is no point spending time feeling guilty about not writing anything but finding no enjoyment in doing it.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. You’ll be missed.
You introduced me to the wonderful world of craft blogs and now I am well and truly addicted.
Good on you for making an decision that will bring so much enjoyment for you and your family.
Thank you and good luck!
I recently read a quote related to parenting and how fast children grow.”The days are long, but the years are short.” When you think about that it is sadly very true. Take time and enjoy your little ones. You will be missed
We will miss you! Take care and keep in touch.
Thank you for years of work time procrastination and inspiration material. I’ve enjoyed reading over the years and I appreciate you sharing it all with so many people.
best wishes claire. i hope the time away brings much joy and relief.
I’ve enjoyed your blog over the years, I’ll miss all your adventures! I also understand the need for a break!
Ditto. x
I have been lurking around your blog for months and months and never commented. I think now is the time to come out into the open – I am genuinely sorry I hadn’t gotten around to doing it before now! Regardless, I wanted to thank you for all the joy and laughter you clearly put into your life, your work and your blog. It’s been a delight to read. Congrats on making the hard call to balance your life a little better. Enjoy Amelia and Lily and Big-P and you just keep being lovely you! (and fingers crossed we see you again soon!)
Shall miss your blog, but TOTALLY understand where you are coming from. There are only so many hours in a day, and many more important things to do that turning on that darned computer!
All the best, Claire.
little tummies trump blogs every time! enjoy your time away…hope that you can return some day. i know, i know, i’m selfish. ::grin::
Oh, I am so sad to read this. I had a chuckle to myself when I read that you feel like you need to stop talking about yourself, though… I often feel the same. But it’s always been an absolute pleasure to read about you, Claire. Kudos to you for making the decision, and please do keep in touch. xoxo
I am so bummed having only recently *discovered* you. Enjoy your time with your babes, I’m sure you’ll all have a blast. You’ve got two very lucky little girls š
All the best for the next chapter as it unfolds…
I didn’t even know what blogging was until someone introduced me to yours a couple of years back-since have been hooked and enjoyed reading your posts
Best wishes, you’ve made the right decision!!! (Even though we’ll all miss ya!)
Thank you for your past blogging and work with Kiddley. I really enjoyed reading both everyday. I understand the decision you had to make. It is hard work keeping a blog/project going and living your life. Good luck and kiss your kidsMichelle
with two little boys in Perth
Thank you so much for everything that you have shared over the years. I really want to give you credit for helping to show a lot of women your lovely path to maintaining a balance between personal (and professional) growth, childrearing and a good degree of sanity.
You’re smart to take the time you need. If anything, that too is part of the lessons your readers have received from reading your blog.
Stay loyal to what makes you Claire.
Will miss your blog. You have been a great inspiration to me for crafting and mothering, thank you. Good luck with your new adventures.
Just when I was getting into a great habit reading your musing on your blogg. You are absolutely doing the right thing, you don’t want to look back and wonder where the time went when you were distracted with other things like bloggs….
All the best to you. I will miss reading you but you have to do what is best for you and your family. Enjoy those tickles!
brave decision! our loss, for sure. i guess I’m going to reacquaint myself with your archives! Blessings to you.
I’ll miss you too, but have a nice break and I hope to see you back one day not too far away!
Good luck with your books and everything else š
Look forward to seeing what you’ll have the time to dream up now that you’ve decided to re-prioritze. : )
Thank you for all of the beautiful and wonderful things you’ve shared with all of us.
Enjoy the time, you are so right … but I’ll miss your blogs. A highlight in my feeds, it won’t be the same.all best wishes!
Onya, Claire! I’ll be thinking of you – take care.
thank-you for being such an inspiration, enjoy the tea and books and tickles xxx
enjoy the time, yep it is really precious š
I’ve been following your blog for a number of years now – way even before you got married! It’s been lovely seeing how your illustration style has developed and following your life, and I (and everyone else I’m sure) understand that it’s time for you to take a break from this. Have fun with your two girls! š
Wishing you the very best, thanks for making me smile over the years.
You’ll be missed Claire. What’s the internet without you? I’m not going to say good-byes because I’m going to look forward until the time you come back. Enjoy your life & family!
take care, claire! enjoy your kidlets and bookstuff. we’ll all miss ya š
Hello, my name is Claudia and I live in Cologne, Germany. I’ve been reading your blog now for quite a long time and I want to thank you for the inspiration you gave me! So: Thank you very much AND congratulation to the new life with more time for little tummies!! I wish you all the best,Claudia
I havnt read much of your blog as I am a newbie, however in the time I have I have loved it, and while you are away I can read your archive!Have fun Tickling and hugs to you and your beans.
Thank-you for the joy you have shared. Have a wonderful life!
Good choice, Claire. The blog will still be here when you have the time again. Trust me, you will get some time to yourself a little further down the track.
Make that a whole pot of tea, not just a cup. We are clearly all going to miss you, but applaud your ability to take action to refocus your energies.
Good luck with your lovely girls.
I have enjoyed your blog, but I am heaps excited about reading/looking at your books!
Hi Claire
I’m sure lots of other people have said this already ,,, I’ve been reading Loobylu practically from the beginning (when you had a Diaryland account!). I will miss your posts but have fun, and remember to let everyone know when that book is published! Cheers, Caroline
Yours was the first blog i ever ever read and has been a real inspiration I started my own. We will miss you but do what you have to do and Enjoy!!!!! xxx
Yours was one of the first blogs I ever stumbled across on the web. It’s been a regular stop for me for years now. Mostly I lurk, but I’ve always enjoyed what you’ve shared and have been inspired by your art. Take care. I’ll be hoping you recharge and return soon.
I think it’s a great idea that you’re doing what you need to do instead of spreading yourself so thin. I’ve enjoyed reading your words and seeing your art for a long time and I know you’ve had your hands full with a very young family. I couldn’t get very much done at all until my kids hit school age, I don’t know how you did it.
How about instead of goodbye we say see you later. When there is more time.
Enjoy your babies! XOX
delurking after being a year-long reader… Just wanted to say that it’s been really fun reading your blog, I live on the other side of the world and I love hearing about warm Christmas’s and summer fun in January. Through your blog I’ve learned about all of the other wonderful, artistic and crafty mommas out there. I’ve been so inspired by all of you. Kiddley is great, and Month of Sofites! I hope you have wonderful fun with your sweet girls and make many happy memories!
Sorry to hear it! We will surely miss you! Hope you will enjoy yourselves, and find lots of time for tummy tickling!
Thank you for everything over the years! Yours is one of the first blogs to get me hooked, and thanks to you I have a very long list of them that I check every day. I’ll miss your writing and being inspired by you, but wish you well–until your return!
I’ll miss reading about your everyday life but absolutely understand. I often wonder how people with children keep up with it all. I find myself so distracted from my one and three year old when I try to keep up with reading a couple of blogs let alone trying to write one. I hope you enjoy your time more and won’t feel so stretched to the limits soon.
You will be so very missed! But we understand… I’ve always been amazed by how you’ve kept up blogging so well what with two little tiny ones around. Take a break! You deserve it!
Claire, I’ll miss you, but I can understand a little. You put so much effort into your posts, and drawings, and thoughts, and it all flows together so well, that’s why we all flock here. Not like my blog where I slap up a picture, and call it a day. Take as much time as you need, I’ll check in occasionally to see if you’re back. If you feel like you’re missing us, slap up a picture and call it a day. We’ll be appreciative. š
Claire, thank you for blogging all this time. I’ve greatly enjoyed reading your blog over the past year+. Enjoy the extra family time! I hope you will still post on occassion and update everyone with new art!
Oh, how sad!I just found your blog and enjoyed reading about your young family and seeing your art.
It’s inspiring to see a women doing so much- I was going to say doing it all, but let’s face it, maybe we can do it all, but not at the same time.
So, best wishes to you. If you ever feel like visiting Canada in the winter when it’s minus 35 my children can share their snowsuits, scarves and toques with your children.
I will miss you here at Loobylu~but I totally understand where you are coming from~I grapple with the same “lack of time” myself. I only have the one, so I can only imagine it all times 2. But you are right; it does go by so fast. Good luck with your books~I wish you all well and hope you’ll be back sometime. I’m sure you will and with many good stories to tell. And now I have a confession to make–I didn’t spend a whole heck of a lot of time at Kiddley and Now I’m so grateful that I have oodles of archives to look over in your absence. That feels like a real treat and will help take the sting out of your leaving.Be well!
XXXOOOO
I will miss your blog – best of luck in all your endeavors, including parenting!
enjoy your family and explore your creativity! you will be missed.
How sad to see you go ! i have been reading your blog for years now. But being a mum myself agrees & applauds your decision. Your daughters are so very lucky š The best of wishes are sent your family’s way.
you take care of you! we’ll miss you and we will be here if you one day choose to come back. big hugs!
You’ll be greatly missed (your blog is one of the reasons I started), but I obviously commend you on making this decision! Hope we’ll “see” you again at some point!
I’ve been reading your journal for a long time now, but have never left a comment. Now that you’re “on hiatus,” I want to be sure that you know how much I have enjoyed the words about your family & your crafts. Your dolls are an inspiration to me & have made me know that doll-making will be one of the things at the top of my when-I-retire list. I also loved having a small window into the-other-side-of-the-world. I’ll miss being able to peek thru that window, but, you’re right: they grow up fast so take time to play with them now. My youngest graduates from high school in a few months. Thanks for everything–Linda of Colorado
I’ll miss reading your blog.
hi claire
so sad to see you go, but, i can relate 100% with you. your time with your children is precious! can’t wait to see you come back in the future.
jen
it’s true- time does fly and there will be a perfect time to return.
take care.
Thanks for sharing so much of your life with us, enjoy the time with your precious ones.
So young and yet so wise…
I’ll be waiting here, happy to pick the threads back up again when you feel ready.
Hugs!
You will be missed – but your babies definitely need you more than we do š Enjoy all the tickles and giggles – every single one.
Oh gosh – I’m so sad. I’ve loved your blog and Kiddley – they were fabulous. You are such a talented person. But of course I totally understand. The Kidlings must always come first. Happy days to you.
it’s understandable…we all need a break from time to time and your kids are very important and deserve your attention more than a blog. but I don’t know that I’ll be able to take you off of my list of blogs to check regularly. you have brought much inspiration to my life, so i do hope you’ll return in some way š
I will miss you and look forward to your return!!! Have lots of good days with your beautiful girls.
Good girl! I’ve lurked here a long time now, and I’m so very happy for you. Thank you for your blog – congrats and enjoy!
Aw, I’m so sorry to hear this. I will miss Loobylu and Kiddley so much, but seeing as I have only one little one and one on the way in a few short months and things already seem to collapse into utter chaos, I completely understand the insanity that your life must be. Something has to give at some point and better it be blogging than parenting. Best of luck and enjoy every minute you get to spend with those precious girls of yours. You’ll be missed by many.
Claire, as a regular lurker and sometime commenter I will miss reading your blog, but totally understand your need to take some time off.
I think it will take a while for us to break the habit of coming here to read your little stories and see your little illustrations.
Can’t wait till you have a book published and I can say I read your blog from the early years.
Enjoy the little ones and cherish every moment, they grow so fast. š
is it bad I am not sad? I mean-I love your blogs-but I love knowing you are just making choices that work for you and your family and doing it to be happy-that’s makes me happy. you know? so, you know where to find all of us! big time hugs-
your blog will be so missed!you wrote so candidly about juggling creativity and āĆĆ²lifeāĆĆ“ and it resonated with so many of us. iāĆĆ“ve been a regular lurker myself and your blog has inspired me in so many ways.
i wish you and your family all the happiness in the world!
congratulation on a new start!
I am sad for selfish reasons, but I certainly understand. But I’m sad. But I understand.
But . . . I’m sad.
š
From a longtime lurker, occasional commenter & fellow Moomintroll fan…your writing, gorgeous illustrations & toys will be missed in my daily reads š Your girls are incredibly lucky to have you as a Mum, enjoy them š
Best wishes and love to you and your family – enjoy it all! ♥
Completely understandable, but we’ll miss you still, Claire. Enjoy your break & do check in once in awhile!take care, Andrea
Some priorities just take priority!Wishing you well.
It was thanks to reading your blog way back last year that I took the plunge at started my own at Secret Hill. Thankyou.
i think it’s wonderful that you are addressing what you need. you give so much and being a mama is so sacred and all consuming! best of everything to you and your beautiful family and artful life!
Thank you, you have often been my adult voice in the day; for I am a stay at home mom of two young boys. Thank you and have fun.
Hi Claire,I have enjoyed your blog so much over the years. It is so lovely to look at and such a pleasure to read. I will miss it so much – I have been lurking here regularly since about 2001. Like you I have two littlies and I’m amazed you found the time to keep Loobylu going for so long. I would love to see your books in print one day. Take care,
Enjoy your time away. Refill, renew, refresh.
I feel inexplicably depressed at the moment reading this. I’ve never really left more than a handful of comments and I’ve been a sporadic reader — but yours is the one blog I still visit after years. I don’t even know how many years — I remember sitting in my parent’s dining room on their computer, logging on to your blog, in a house they sold years ago. I’ve always stopped by when I was in need of some cheering up and your illustrations and quips would do just the trick.
Now I visit your blog when I want to remember Australia a bit. My trip there this summer with my fiance was one of the best times of my life. I love Oz! I love Aussies! I love anything that reminds me of this fact!
Good luck on your books, and have fun with your daughters. I hope you update at least *once* in a while so I’ll have something to see every now and then!
Bon voyage, Claire!I shall miss you. But do be sure to come back and continue to delight us, the maddening mob, one day not too far from now.
Your business card which led to your online folio which led to this blog was the Willy Wonka golden ticket that lured me into this strange little bloggy universe, so it will always have a special place to me!
Best wishes for your work and the tummy tickles.
xx
♥ stay well!
I won’t say goodbye as that is so final …. see ya later mate!!
Thanks for the inspiration and the joy of seeing your illustrations, and the wonderful links you offered all the time. I always found your blog to be profoundly comforting, and I cannot nail it as to why exactly. It just did! I’ve read you for years and will miss reading your thoughts and capers. Congratulations on your momentous decision to step back for a bit. All the best to you and yours. Love,
Loobylu was the first blog that I found – many years ago. I came across your blog when I googled “patchwork central park” and found a link to Loobylu. For quite some time I read Loobylu, intrigued by the daily life of a young mother who lived in New York and shopped for patchwork at a shop near Central Park. Some details seemed strangely familiar to me … people really are the same the world over I thought.I think it was the mention of the Ikea store in Richmond that made me realise you lived in the same country and the same city as myself. Up until then I had somehow vaguely thought that all bloggers resided in the USA.
Thank you for introducing me to blogs and for sharing your life, your family and your interests.
You will be missed.
Good luck.
Thank you for all the inspiration and good times you’ve given me over the years. I’ll miss Loobylu – but I hope you and the rest of the family will have a very good time! All the best from Copenhagen –
Au revoir Loobylu, you have been a source of delight and inspiration to me for over five years and will still continue to be. I only wish I knew you in real life. Enjoy your girls and I eagerly await your blog’s return and also the day I can buy one of your books and say “Ah,I remember Claire Neilson when she illustrated stories for The Frey” (sadly another great website on hiatus). Waving goodbye from the UK š
Claire, words won’t even be able to express how much I am going to miss your site (you). You were one of the first, if not the first, artists on the web who showed me what was possible with photoshop and illustration. Your kind words and willingness to help another (I still have the email) is what makes you beautiful.
I found Dooce through your site! I’ll miss you tons and can’t wait for your return.
Thanks for everything,
Erika
I’m so happy for you! It can be so time consuming to keep a blog.. I don’t even have children, yet sometimes need to take looong breaks from my blog.Of course I’ll miss you (and probably still check in daily, out of habit), but I’m not sad because I can picture you playing with your girls, doing family things, making wonderful crafts, trying out new recipes, and getting your books onto paper and then out into the world!! How exciting!
Good luck to you and a huge thank you for all the inspiration and joy you’ve given over the years.
Love this sweet illustration. It says it all!
Take care,
Amy
I totally know what you mean and i wish you all the best, but i will miss reading your blog. Go tickle some littlies!
Good for you. I’ll miss you while you’re gone, but so proud of you for putting yourself first. You, the kids, the husband deserve it.Invest in a new crock pot too, while you’re at it.
Simplicity now!
Beautiful picture and beautiful sentiments – brought a tear to my eye! I have such similar thoughts myself…and working full time this year makes me miss and treasure my children in a way I haven’t before… you’ll be missed, but I’m sure you will be inspiring others wherever you are… x
Never posted a comment, but have been reading your blog for a good few years… You’ll be sorely missed! thanks for creating such an honest account of your life and creative process!
Much love to you Claire! I hope that the world will see your return eventually. For now enjoy the time with you family!
You will be sadly missed but not forgotten. (Yours is one of the only blogs I read.)
Best wishes to you!
Jessie
Yours was one of the earliest blogs I found 3-1/2 years ago. Although I’ve rarely delurked to comment, I have greatly enjoyed reading. Blessings to you and your family…enjoy your time away!
Hurrah for you and your family!
Thanks for sharing those precious moments over all the years, for revealing your humanity, for being inspiring, and congratulations of making this most selfish and unselfish decision. It must have been difficult.
All the best out in the world Claire. I’ll certainly miss you.
PS :- I found Hudson because of you, and will have a small solo there in November. I’m so excited! Thanks so much š
i’ll miss you so much!! come back soon.
Oh-no! Am suffering the effects of loobylulessness already! Like alot of your other readers Loobylu introduced me to the blogiverse too. But Claire, thanks for sharing your sweet illustrations, inspirational crafty-ness and your intelligent writing with us for so long. Best wishes. xx
hi claire-i think you’re making the right decision, though i will miss your posts, adventures and creativity (yours was the 1st blog i started to read!). Frankly, i always wondered how you pulled everything off so wonederfully! will miss kiddley too, have to admit i was just starting to haunt it frequently, now that my daughter is a little older.
best wishes to you -hope you’ll email everyone when you come back?
Mari
I just started reading your blog a few months ago and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. I’ll definitely miss you–but at least there are lots of archives! I hope your vacation (blog-cation?) is lovely.
Oh! So sad! Don’t be too long before you send us a postcard…but what a wise decision to spend the time with your family.Cheerio, Alex
Dear Claire – thanks for having produced such a high-quality, inspiring blog for this long. All the very best, hope to ‘see’ you on line in the future.Rachael
You’ll be greatly missed, but I completely understand. Good for you and your priorities! Enjoy your sweet babies! š
i KNEW something was up when you hadnt blogged for almost a month!
I’ve been vising your blog daily for over a year now, so i will miss hearing about your inspiring, creative, busy life, but hope that you’ll be back on the air soon.
I understand your motivation, and commend the hard decision you’ve just made – you’re children will thank you.
Hey Claire, have a great well-deserved break.
I agree, tickling little tummies is far more important then blogging.I’ll miss you though.
: )
Hi! I’ll miss your lovely blog, but also understand about making priorities. I have a little one as well and they do grow quick. Hope you have a nice break! Enjoy!
You will be missed but I completely understand your decision, well done to make such a hard one…I am a procrastinator in this field. xx
Thankyou Claire, I have been so encouraged and inspired by your blog, and wanted you to know that it has expanded my horizons. I will be having withdrawals! THANKYOU xx
I had wondered, with such a recent long break, what you might do. I will miss your writing, illustrations and the family snippets you shared with us – for that, many thanks. Go well, be safe, and good luck. I look forward to seeing your work in the future.
I will miss you, but I agree with you. Good for you getting life in proper order. xo
Good for you Claire. Not an easy decision to make but made for all the right reasons. Will look forward to the next incarnation of Looby Lu. Thanks for all the inspiration over the years.
You are a great writer. Up there with Dooce and Birdie J. Maybe you could just blog less. Clearly with 138 comments so far, we would hate to see you go quiet (even if it is to allow you to focus on family). Best.
I just wanted to say thank you, Claire. Your blog has been a such a joy and inspiration. I have been going through a difficult time over the last few months, and, for a while, reading your blog was the highlight of my day. You write beautifully about your world and it was wonderful to be able to spend time with you, your family and your projects. I would go away, every time, feeling a little bit happier and I can’t thank you enough for that. I will miss loobylu, but think it is great that you are taking time to spend with your family and on your other work. And I will be first in line to buy a copy of your picture book! Thanks again, Claire, and very best wishes for the future.
Oh Claire! I’m torn between being so happy for you deciding to relish these days with your children – and selfishly dropping tears on the keyboard. Thankyou for all the funny/touching/colourful posts you’ve shared over the years. Now, back to the archives. Jo
That is a beautiful illustration, Claire. Definitely captures a moment in time when your children are so little and precious–they are looking up to you. Enjoy the special time you have with your girls. My girls are 2 years old and 7 months old, and I have read your blog for years. Take care.
Good for you! I will miss writing – you introduced me to the wonderful world of blogs, (although procrastination,also my constant companion, has stopped me starting my own for all these years!). Thanks for all the laughs, tears and inspiration!
ohhhh, Claire, IĀ¬Ā„m going to miss you a lot… but I really understand you.best wishes, I hope to know about you soon,
Laura
COMPLETELY understand…totally. My kids are 9 and 7 and I STILL don’t have time to do my stuff. Enjoy the lightness of having ‘one less thing’ (or two)to do. I heard about Loobylu on ABC radio and this introduced me to craft etc blogging, a new world for me. Thank you so much.
I just hope you’re not gone for TOO long.:(
Hello from Atlantic Canada Claire, thank you for letting us peak into your world. I have enjoyed caring about you and your family from afar; relating my parenting experiences with my 4 year old now my twins. One of our designers at work pointed me to your site as he likes your design sense One of the above commenters, Lisa, I bet must read xctian dot com too, because recently the quote of long days short years came from a really nice entry on a dad’s letter to his baby girl… Take care, and if you EVER find yourself on this beautiful tiny island (PEI) on this side of the planet, you have a place to say and a stroller to borrow š
We’ll miss you. You won’t believe how much more time you’ll have though and you can always come back to blogging when life permits. Yes, keep those kids at the top of your list!
I had a business once that I had to put on the backburner because it was growing too fast and taking away from my precious time with my son. Over the last few years, I’ve had many friends and family members look at me as though I were crazy for doing it, but I’ve never regretted the decision. And, it looks like that little business will have a revival of sorts in the coming year – nothing lost.
I’ll watch for you on Flickr. Go smooch your little cutie kids and pour a second cup of tea!
Can u believe it I’ve just found you, thanks to Molly Chicken, but I will enjoy looking through your achives. I have 2 wee girls and just about get time to craft and read blogs let alone do one (although I would love to). Happy kids make happy Mums and vice versa! X X X
You’ll certainly be missed. When I started reading blogs (2 years ago), your’s inspired me to start my own.
Babies are much more fun than blogging any day!
Enjoy!
Claire,I’m a dedicated lurker of yours and I’m going to miss you. But I’ve got a li’l one too and I get it. I can’t wait to read your book!
Sharon
NOOOoooo! I’m so sorry to see you go but it sounds like you’re doing the right thing. Enjoy your time with your kids and know that you’ll be sorely missed on my bloglines!
Best of luck. I am moving to Melbourne, so I will think of you when I start crafting again.
what a sad day! I’ve been visiting your blog long before the birth of Amelia but I think this is the first time I’ve ever commented.. thank you for being a wonderful inspiration and I wish you all the best!
nat
You will be missed! But I would rather miss you, than you miss your kids! š
May I suggest moving somewhere without power, it has cleared a lot of my previously schedualed work time! Lol! My kids are loving it! I lov it too. Sadly I think I am cleaning up more messes, but at least I get to help make them! Lol!
Enjoy!!!
It has been wonderful reading your blog. Thank you for sharing all that you have. Good luck and good wishes to you.
A big thank you, Claire. You have created a wonderful blog to read online and obviously are a sweet person through and through.
You take care of yourself, your dear family, and all the rest you care to, knowing that many people have been enriched by knowing you.
Cheers and enjoy!!!
Much Love, Shelley Noble
thank you claire you have inspired me. the balance is so trickey isn’t it? good luck with all your adventures, we will look out for your books.
Thank you for sharing your life. I too will miss your posts and your illustrations, but I definitely understand. Good memories come from good times. Congrats on your decision and have fun with those little ones.
I will so miss reading your blog. Enjoy yourself and come back soon : )
Enjoy those little tummies! And thank you for all of the wonderful inspiration, Claire. š
Good on you, Claire. You’ve always been inspiring, and no less so by this decision. I just want to thank you for the tremendous inspiration you’ve poured into the world through your blogs. It was through your blog that I learned about “Living The Good Life” and since reading it, i’ve made a lot of changes and so you see? You’ve changed the world. Many times over, I’m sure.Good luck to you. All the best to all of you…
I’ll miss reading you… Best wishes!
Claire,Loobylu was the very first blog I ever read (before I even knew what a blog was!). Thank you so much for sharing your life with all of us. It has been an absolute privilege & delight & has opened up an entirely new, fascinating world. I have never posted a comment on any site before, but I just had to say THANK YOU and may your life be joyous.
Dear ClaireThankyou so much for all of the fantastic craft ideas, references to wonderful books
and of course laughs. As i say to my little boy ‘its time to recharge your batteries’!
much love
Helene
Hi Claire
Miss your posts already! Have a great break!
Thanks so much for putting me onto the Artist’s Way, it has really saved my life!
cheers
Amanda
Hi, Loobylu:
You’d probably never hear from me again, but i can say i understand the reasons (at least as you told) why you’re leaving your blog. I’ll do the same soon, blogs are a very important part of me but i need life outside a website.
Or something like that!
Greetings!
Oh wow–I keep checking your blog just in case you’ve changed your mind! I’ve read you for years and like others have said, you were one of the first blogs I read (back when I called them e-zines–how dorky is that!) I’ll miss you and hope you enjoy your time with your girls. Come back soon! (Waaaaaaa!)
You’ve left a hole in the Blogosphere. Good wishes to you and your family