Little Cotton Rabbits

New Toys in the shop

Just a quickie to say that 10 new toys have just gone into the shop.

Please meet Dottie, Ming Ming, Bartie, Minty, Monty, Diggory, Hester, Tessie, Pablo and Blossom.

7 things...

I am so rubbish at taking up tags so I'll start by thanking and apologising to:
The Mighty Sally, Marie Chantal, Claire , Little Jenny Wren, Jane, Samantha  and anyone else who has tagged me recently or otherwise!

I ramble on so much here that it's difficult to think of things that you might not already know about me but here goes:

• Like Jenny, I was regularly mistaken for a boy when little, largely due to a misguided Mummy weilding haircutting scissors (thanks Mum!) here is the photographic evidence (it's a wonder I grew up to be so normal!!!):

• Staying on a hair note, I quite like the fact my hair is now going grey - I've not had it coloured now for 5 years (despite intense pressure from my friend Karen). I don't mind that my body is aging and am quite comfortable with all the sagging, wrinkling and greying going on.

• I find polka dots very pleasing in all shapes and forms (here's a recent attempt at knitting them)

• I didn't learn to drive until my 30's and failed my first test when I crashed into a roadsign! I still maintain that it was because I couldn't turn the steering wheel properly, being nearly 8 months pregnant at the time!

• I have a really good memory for anything that rhymes - poetry, song lyrics etc and can recite most of the Miffy and Dr Suess books from memory. A useful party trick (well children's parties are the only kind I get to go to these days!)

• I hate ironing (and most other forms of house torture work). I do however love cooking which is far more creative and satisfying than window washing or dusting.

• Despite vowing as a teenager never to grow old and boring and watch nature or gardening programs I find that I am really enjoying the coverage of the Chelsea flower show this week and my favourite tv programmes include Coast, stuff on the history channel and anything with David Attenborough (there you go M&D - I've become enlightened in my 40's!!)

• I'm throwing in an extra fact simply because I like this picture that I took recently and couldn't think of another way to use it. My favourite colours are red and blue, especially in combination.

I'm going to be rebellious and not tag anyone, it's taken me so long to take up the tag (Sally tagged me in January - I'm sorry it took me so long Sally!) and most people have done it by now anyway! Also my little man is off sick at the moment with Green Snot Virus so I have to go and play nurse now!

Lucky, lucky me!!

Picture the scene - me slobbing around in my jammies on a lazy Saturday morning, H pottering in the garden, the children watching telly / building lego towers (according to their own preferences!). Door bell rings. It's the postman (it's OK, the postie is used to seeing me in my jammies / towel and even one time with one boobie on display - well he did ring whilst I was breastfeeding!) Anyway, he hands me a package and it's all I can do to restrain myself from hugging him. Instead I slam the door, grab the camera and scoot upstairs to savour the moment alone. What you may ask has got me so excited, have I won a years supply of chocolate / wool, is it new shoes... well, you're not going to guess so I'll tell you  - IT'S A PACKAGE FROM MELLY AND ME here all the way from Australia in the record breaking time of 3 days door-to-door!!

I rip off the postal bag:

I open the beautiful handmade card and get a warm glow from reading the message. I delicately undo the wonderful red ric rac trim, and I gasp in delight at the array of goodies spread before me

Gorgeous, beautiful, fabulous bag with polka dots (love them) and my favourite colours, the cutest little bear in the world, wonderfully soft and pretty wool, beautiful cards with Rosie's quilt designs AND chocolate biscuits! Ahhhh, words fail me.

Thank you , thank you, thank you Melly and Rosie, it's all wonderful!

The adventures of Daffodil

The life of a knitted toy certainly seems to be an enviable one! First there are all of the rabbits out there being cuddled closely each night and sharing in some magical childhood adventures, then there was Alfie with his outdoor pursuits and now I've had the most delightful email from Daffodil who is obviously living the high life!

She's been enjoying the sights of Los Angeles, taking tea at the hotel Bel Air, having fun on the pier in Santa Monica and exploring Westwood Village. Really, it can't be bad can it? Maybe next time I send out one of the toys I should go along for the ride - anyone fancy covering postage and an air fare??!!

Thanks to the Lovely Ellen for the pictures.

Mosaic Monday

Lots of knitting going on here but not much is finished yet so here's an idea of some of the toys that I'm just about to send to Mahar Drygoods.

Madeleine

Thinking today of a little girl who is out there somewhere and her family who are suffering terribly. I've added a link on the bar to the left, please feel free to borrow the image if you want to use it on your own site. Keep your children close and cuddle them lots and hope that little Madeleine is found soon.

knitting, knitting and more knitting!

There's not much to write about at the moment apart from lots of knitting.  I'm finishing off the toys for Mahar Drygoods (hope to have some sneak peek pictures next week) and knitting up 2 lovelies for a swap with 2 lovelies in Australia. I'm very excited about this swap as Melly and Rosie make the most wonderful things - if you don't already know their work pop over and take a look. I'm also working on 10 toys for my little shop and hope to have them ready either late next week or early the next. And finally I've made an even bigger big bunny modelled here by the lovely Amy.

If I can prise him away from her I'll be making him a jumper and he may appear in the next batch of toys for sale.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Swinging in the rain

Well the rain appeared (afterall it was a Bank Holiday, so rain is expected!) but Toby was undeterred and continued bouncing and swinging regardless (minus trousers and nappy of course!)

He loves the garden and we have lots of sensory type things dotted about - things that twizzle, spin and generally catch his eye. He is highly stimulated by fast movement and so when the wind catches these and sets them in motion he dances on his toes delightedly whilst appreciatively making excited whooping noises.

Towards to end of the day the rain stopped and we had a fabulous sky at sunset. The garden smelt wonderful - all damp grass and spring blossomy and my little guy couldn't have been happier. Some days it feels that autism is a curse but then moments like this make me realise that Toby is unencumbered by material issues and that simple pleasures rule his world, and, if we can provide these for him, he may well grow up to live a happier and more fulfilled life than most.

A pause for thought

A short long while ago I was very flattered to be awarded a Thinking Blogger Award by the lovely Anne at Bunny Tales. I'm not sure that I quite deserve this acolade  - since having kids my ability to think has been severely compromised, but it is a very warming thought that what I write here is enjoyed by others. It has taken me a while ages to take up the baton on this one because there are so many inspirational blogs that I love to visit daily, most of which are listed on the sidebar to the right. How do you whittle a list of nearly 80 blogs down to 5 faves? It's been hard to do but in keeping with the tag here are my 5 nominations along with a little bit about why I love them. Consider yourself thinking bloggers ladies!

An Irishcraftworker's good life
Rebecca's blog was one of the first that I discovered and one that I've eagerly followed ever since. I admire her brave and bold lifestyle change, the wonderful warmth and friendliness of her writing and her willingness to share all aspects of her craft and family life. Through her writing I am able to experience life on a small holding - and dream of one day having my own (and discover lots of tips along the way). Rebecca inspires me to think more about my impact on the world and to try and live a simpler and more ecologically sound life.

Raspberry
Alice's beautiful creations in felt are gorgeous and I am very priveledged to have one hanging on my wall. Reading about her inspirations and methods is fascinating and I love the expressive, emotive quality of her work. I really enjoy her writing - a style that instantly invites you in and makes you feel a friend. Her site is a perfect place to visit if you need a special present as she also makes the cutest softies and gorgeous corsages. Alice inspires me to want to try new things and to look beyond the surface of things that are familiar.

Domesticali
Ali's blog never fails to please. I love her sense of humour and fun. She's a wonderful mum to her boys and her love of crafting, food, and parenting make her blog an essential daily read. She shares some fantastically mouthwatering recipies, makes some fab cakes and generally exhibits great taste. Ali inspires me to want to be a better cook and to make more time to do involve my children in simple, fun things and delight in their enthusiasm and childishness.

Quilt While You're Ahead
Monica takes such wonderful photos and so visiting her blog is always a delight to the eye. She's a dab hand with a needle and can turn her hand to just about anything sewn, embroidered, knitted or crocheted. She writes intelligently and humorously about her projects and her family life. Monica inspires me to want to sew and create in different ways. Her images encourage me to look at things in a different light and appreciate beauty in simple things.

Flibbertygibbet
Gail is passionate about knitting and crafting and always has great projects on the go. Despite going through a really painful break up and divorce she still voices a wonderfully wicked sense of humour. She's forthright and honest and that's a very refreshing thing. Gail inspires me to want to make more than knitted toys and also to focus on positive things - she shows me that even on dark days there's a light shining somewhere, you just have to be prepared to look for it.

Creativity in daily life is the common thread that runs through these 5 blogs and the majority of those on my faves list - I love to read about other people's inspirations and creative projects whether it's knitting, stitching, painting, or food related. I love that blogging gives access to an on-line community, a forum to share ideas, encourage and support each other and just celebrate the joy of creating stuff (and of course show off pictures of new shoes - sorry I am shameless - I've only just discovered the joys of Crocs - well, better late than never!)

Have a happy and creative weekend - whatever you're doing!

work in progress

No, it's not the result of a bomb going off in a toy shop. This tangle of heads and limbs is my work in progress basket. I have been really busy knitting over the last few weeks and haven't felt much like sewing up - hence the fact I have hardly any finished toys and this rather large pile of softie carnage! I think it's time to get out the stuffing and start finishing off a few.

There are 10 little ones earmarked for Mahar Drygoods and I am hoping to have some more ready for my little shop in around 2 weeks.

If you're on my advance mailing list I'll be emailing more details when they're ready. If you'd like to be added please drop me a line.

*(no softies were harmed in the making of this post)