Little Cotton Rabbits

garden stuff

We had such a nice weekend living the simple life - just playing in the garden and enjoying the warm sun, the fresh air and the frantic tooings and froings of our resident pair of blackbirds (I think they were a bit put out that we'd invaded their space). I've felt so cooped up over the winter so it really lifts the spirits now it's warm enough to be able to live outside again. We're lucky to have the perfect garden for Toby - it's completely enclosed so he can't escape and it has a trampoline and climbing frame - which is really all he needs for a perfect day. Everything is coming into bloom and both looks and smells so pretty.

I have a bit of a monochromatic colour scheme going on - the majority of our flowering plants are white

We even ate in the garden which gave my the perfect opportunity to try out my new spotty tablecloth and play tea parties with Amy.

All in all a lovely, lazy spring weekend! Hope you had a good one too.

my search is over...

At last I have found the ultimate knitting needles. Having started on chunky red plastic ones around 30 years ago, graduated to metal, experimented with bamboo, flirted with brittany birch and lusted after art viva spotty ended pins, I have found my soul mate in a set of swallows (again from the lovely Loop)

Made from casein (milk protein) these needles are disconcertingly flexible but once I worked a few rows I was hooked. They won't snap like bamboo (or at least haven't done yet - despite Toby's attempts) and are warmer and much more comfortable than my old, cold, battered aluminium ones. They also come in the prettiest of colours and so I feel justified in showing them off! Hmmm, maybe I do need just one pair of vivas...?

By the way don't you love how knitting is so wonderfully portable and so whilst I may not have a beautiful workroom I'm lucky to say that on a sunny, spring day like today this is my workspace!

The boy likes bubbles!

I had to share these pictures of Toby sporting a bubble afro in the bath. He has a real thing for bubbles - likes to eat them too and drink gallons of bathwater and always has a major fat nappy about half an hour after his bath! Often autistic kids are compelled to eat strange things - I'll spare you some of the more disgusting items he's consumed but some of his previous snacks have consisted of dirt, leaves, erasers, twigs, soap, crayons and a pair of Barbie shoes! It's one of the reasons I keep him constantly in my sight and why I often have little teeth marks on my fingers from hooking out offending items as quickly as possible! Still, with a face that cute you just have to forgive him!

I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough...

I apologise if you're getting a bit fed up of pictures of yarn but (no slur intended on my wonderful husband) this does it for me!!

Colour grown organic cotton by Blue Sky in 'bone', 'sand', 'nut' and 'pebbles' (bought from the gorgeous Loop). It's incredibly soft and lovely and is patiently waiting to be turned into a set of big bunnies.

By the way, I now have a new email address so if you'd like to contact me please use julie@lcr.myzen.co.uk
I will continue to check the old email account but it may take longer for me to reply. Thanks, have a great weekend everyone!

A postcard from an old friend

I always love hearing from people who have one of my toys - it's so nice to get feedback, so you can imagine how big my grin was when I received this:

It's a postcard from little Alfie Bunny who left here in a padded envelope a few weeks ago. I'm always a little sad when the final bit of tape goes on a parcel and one of my little creatures begins their journey to a new home. But Alfie has definitely landed on his feet and clearly could not have gone to a better home. He also sent me this photo and a note saying that although he didn't catch a fish he didn't mind too much as he prefered carrots for his supper anyway.

What bunny could ask for more - holidays, encouragement to try outdoor pursuits and being well catered for in the culinary department (a much better life than his previous one of sitting in a box under the stairs with his siblings). Parting may well be such sweet sorrow but I take lots of comfort from knowing that Alfie is out there, living life to the full and enjoying every moment with the wonderful Michaela (who by the way makes awesome cakes and has just started her blog - so pop over and say hello!)

Happy to be back with lots to be thankful for!

Ahhhh, it's nice to back behind the keyboard again! Not that the last couple of weeks haven't been fun, but my soul has been longing for a little peace and quiet and some gentle-paced knitting & blogging time. We've been out and about lots thanks to the lovely weather - more summery than spring-like and the kids have had a pretty active time visiting friends, playing in the garden and going to various parks. We also spent most of last week at my Mum & Dad's where they had great fun.

Now that Toby is back at school (and Amy goes back on Wednesday) I'm reacquainting myself with my pointy sticks and beloved Cath Kidston knitting bag. I'm working on some toys for the wonderful Mahar Drygoods and once these are done I'm hoping to get some done for my little shop.

Thanks to everyone who has emailed or left comments here over the last 2 weeks - I'm still working my way through an email backlog (not helped by the fact my ancient mac no longer supports hotmail but a new computer is hopefully on it's way so here's hoping you'll bear with me).

Thanks too to Anne at Bunny Tales who wrote some wonderfully complimentary words about my blog. I'll be taking up her tag in the next few days.

The last of the thanks, but by no means the least, goes out to the lovely Alice at Raspberry who sent a beautifully packaged, gorgeous corsage and wonderful handmade card - thanks so much Alice, I will be treasuring both - they are a fab treat to arrive home to.

Happy Easter

No time to write much, have little people to keep occupied!

Happy Easter to you and yours from Daffodil and me x

cakes and sunshine

Won't be getting much time for blogging over the next 1 week, 5 days, 16 hours and 32 minutes (do you get the impression I'm already looking forward to the kids being back at school?). Yesterday was great as it was warm and sunny and we were in the garden for most of the day, picnic lunch, building sandcastles in the sandpit, lots of trampoline bouncing and just enjoying the warmth outside (feels like it's been a long winter!). I even managed to finish these knitted cakes - sewing on the beads whilst sitting in the sunshine! (they're now winging their way to Lilimay - a new shop in Brighton)

Today is not so nice - drizzly rain this morning resulted in a shopping trip just to get out of the house and it's too windy and cold to sit outside (although Toby is still bouncing as I write!). Still, we have some fun planned for later in the week and we're looking forward to catching up with old friends. Fingers crossed for more knitting in the sun! Will post again when I can!