Sorry to have absented myself for so long. Lately life has felt a bit like my project bag here – a big old tangle of things with lots coming unraveled at the same time! Life is sometimes a bit messy and I've not felt that I've had much of any interest to share with you here on the blog.
On the positive side I've been resting my elbow (which is much improved by the way – thanks for all of your good wishes), and working on a new pattern which I'm desperate to share with you but need to work on a little bit more before I do.
Recently we've had a tantalising taste of summer weather and I've so enjoyed being out in the garden with my knitting and my radio again. Everything is growing so well (I'm watching the first of the courgettes swelling daily and they're almost ready to pick). We've had some beautiful sunsets too, which have amused Toby while he's been bouncing on his trampoline – it's hard to get him to stop at bedtime now that the evenings are long and lovely.
Hattie Hen has gone broody (very unusual for a hybrid breed I'm told) so she's just sitting on her imaginary clutch of eggs. I keep moving her out of the nest box so that at least she is visible to the other two and in the late afternoon they often go and sit with her in the corner and keep her company. Hopefully she'll get bored of sitting soon but for now we're down to two eggs a day.
Not much else noteworthy has been happening on our patch. Hopefully I'll be back soon with some news of a new pattern, knitting projects and the usual unfocused mix of family life – the happier moments at least!
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PS: I'm trying an experiment and am currently replying to comments that are left directly here on the blog – not sure if I'll be able to keep up with it but will do my best 🙂
Thanks for dropping in to visit, see you soon x
little cotton rabbits 
Welcome back. Good Luck with keeping up with the comments, I am sure we will all understand if there are too many to keep up with. Here in Queensland, Australia the weather is still only beginning to get cold – around 11 degrees in the mornings. But I am knitting a toddler cardigan at the moment.
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Those little faces peeping out of your workbag are too cute!!! I know what you mean about the trampoline …. my autistic son (Alex) also LOVES his trampo! Have a fun summer…. xxx
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Glad you feeling better enough to post and that lovely that Toby is enjoying his bouncing. Please give Hattie a hug for being broody and am delighted the others give her their support hen wise. Looking forward to what ever pattern you share it’s a given that whatever it is I will buy………I hope the weather is kind and that you continue to be able to enjoy knitting and radio listening…………..Dx
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Thanks Carissa. It’s funny to think that in your part of the world you’re in winter – our wintertime seems such a long time ago now summer is here. Knitting is a good winter activity though – keeps your hands warm while you’re doing it and you have a cosy toddler at the end 🙂
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The trampoline is the best thing we’ve ever bought for Toby (though it doesn’t get much winter use). Glad you’ve got one too for your son and that he loves it. I went to a lecture once on sensory processing that went some way to explaining why bouncing is such a favourite activity for some autistic people – something to do with vestibular perception(which is now one of the officially recognised 7 senses that we have). Anyway, it’s such a great way for them to have fun, enjoy the outside and get a bit of exercise too! Hope you have a fun summer too and that we get lots of dry days so Alex can enjoy his bouncing x
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Thanks so much Deborah, will give Hattie an extra hug from you. Thanks for your good wishes, the weather is good today and I’m knitting in the garden this afternoon 🙂 xxx
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I love seeing your work in progress, Julie. The rabbit, Candy, that I won in your giveaway two years ago is so special to me. She sits on a shelf just above my desk as I write this. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying nice weather and that Toby is having lots of fun on his trampoline. I can just see his happy face when he’s on it. It’s good to hear from you, hope all is well and that you enjoy the summer.
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Lovely to hear from you Julie…always! 🙂
Your little bag of delights is a constant pleasure, so much prettiness!
Love your sunset photos and I’m glad Toby is enjoying the garden and his trampoline.
V x
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welcome back Julie, you are such a busy lady so do very well to keep up
Oh Julie do I see little Misses in your knitting bag, will keep looking everyday just incase I miss them for sale yet again lol.
So happy Toby doing well enjoying his trampoline and lol the growing in the garden nice time for him, just hope the weather improves, but I do think you have had better weather than us up here in Scotland.
hope your elbow is getting easier each day nothing else for it but rest sorry to say Julie.
Love reading your lovely blog and all the goings on with lovely family, thanks for taking the time to do this Julie we really do appreciate it.
happy knitting can’t wait to see what new pattern you working on now as they are all so great, many thanks have a good summer.
Love to all
Ellie xx
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Every day I click on your blog, and hold my breath, in hopes you have posted :0)
You are the Most Amazing pattern writer !!!! I have learned so much from knitting your patterns :0) I am knitting the monkeys now for a Christmas present and Love their fun faces !!!!!
Thank You for taking SO much time writing each pattern …. they are so easy to follow !!!
I can hardly wait to see what is next !!!!
Thank You for always making my day brighter :0)
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Great to hear from you again…. Looking forward to the new pattern release…..
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So happy to see your blog post Julie and to hear that your elbow is better. I can’t wait to see your next pattern. I am sure it will be as irresistible as all of your other creations. I have been knitting your animals for two years now since the happy day I discovered them on the internet and intend to keep on knitting them for many years to come. Your patterns are a joy to knit! Have a wonderful weekend, hopefully with some time for knitting with your radio and a lovely cuppa.
Kathleen xx
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It’s so nice to know that Candy has such a lovely home and that you’re enjoying her, thanks so much Jennifer. Yes, Toby is really enjoying his trampoline again – he’s just come off it for a custard cream break but will be back on it again before bed!
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Thanks V, I hope some finished prettiness will emerge from my bag soon – it’s getting a bit too full up with WIPs at the moment! xxx
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Hi Ellie and thanks for the welcome back. I do hope to have some finished animals soon (ish) – will send out emails to the mailing list when they’re ready (if you’re not on this and want to be, just let me know). I think we have had better weather than you recently but hopefully summer is on the way for you too x
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Thanks so much Barb – I’m blushing now! It’s lovely to know that you’ve learnt a little extra from knitting the patterns and that you’ve enjoyed them – that means a lot to me. I’m quite excited about the next pattern, will reveal all soon 🙂
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Thanks Lorraine x
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It’s really nice knowing that you enjoy the patterns Kathleen, thanks so much for your kind words about them. I hope you have a lovely weekend too, with plenty of knitting time x
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It’s great to hear from you again. Your work bag is beautiful, and so are your sky pictures. I hope you continue to mend, and Toby continues to enjoy his trampoline.
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Lovely to see your post – I’m another who always checks in the hope of a post, but never expect it as I know you have so much to juggle. Apart from your amazing creatures, you have a great talent at finding the beauty in everything around, and I am always inspired by your photos. Would love to see some pictures of your veg this year – I’m very behind with my home-grown veg, mostly due to weekends being filled with supervising 3 children’s homework, and have only just potted on seedlings.
It’s been a hot day here, and is beautiful outside now. My real bunnies have just come indoors from watching the sunset down here in Kent, and are now enjoying cuddles beside me. They were 4 last week (photos on website), and as such, expect extra privileges!!
Hope you can find some ‘me’ time in the precious last days before the summer holidays!
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Lovely to hear your news Julie. So glad your elbow is mending, wasn’t sure how it would without knitting! It is very good to hear Toby is getting outside and having fun. Wishing you and your family a happy summer. Best, Sandra x
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I so enjoy reading your entries, even if they are short and sweet. Glad you’re on the mend. I would love to dive into your project bag and see all the goodies you are working on. Look forward to your new pattern. Happy, safe summer to you and your family. Xo Linda
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I was just thinking today I had not read a post from you lately. Hope things get better for you soon. I love the bag of animals. I can only imagine the conversations they are having wondering if they get new clothes or a new playmate to join the group you have created already. I am reminded I need to get Mr Fox out and finish him.
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Have followed your blog for years and years and love reading it and seeing all your creationsI am very excited to see what your new pattern will be! Love seeing all those adorable little animals coming to life in your knitting bag. I am also from Queensland in Australia and even though we are a third of our way into winter, our maximum today will be 22 deg C, just wearing summer clothes but a great time of the year for knitting (although knitting in summer is fine with the air con on!) Hope you get many more beautiful days to sit and knit outside.
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Lovely to see a post from you, I’m sorry life has been a bit tricky, I hope things settle down for you soon if they haven’t already. That basket is a thing of beauty, filled with all sorts of interesting and pretty things. I shall look forward to seeing your new pattern. CJ xx
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sorry things haven’t been easy lately Julie, take care and enjoy the summer xxx
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On the chicken front, we’ve got a broody hen too at the moment. I put her in a small dog cage raised up on bricks so she can’t get comfortable. Leave her like that for three days and nights with plenty food and water and she snaps out of it – works every time for us!
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That project bag makes me smile….
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I am sorry to hear that times have been difficult, it is not fun is it. I hope that things might look up again soon. Glad to hear that your elbow is improving and that you have been able to knit! xx
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Thanks so much Ellen. The trampoline is definitely favourite at the moment for Toby – though I’m not sure if it is with the neighbours since his excited shrieks are quite loud!
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Your real bunnies sound lovely – will hopefully pop over and see them shortly. I’m sure your veg will catch up – it never ceases to amaze me how quickly things grow once the summer is here. I know what you mean about having time for it though – I only have 1 lot of homework to supervise and I struggle to get much done, so the fact that you’ve even got seedling to pot on is good going! Thanks so much for stopping by x
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Thanks Sandra, happily the elbow is doing well and allowing me to knit, though I’m being careful to take regular breaks and not over do it! x
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Thanks Linda. Underneath that top layer of my bag is tangled chaos so not very appealing and I do seem to have a large amount of projects on the go. You’d be very welcome to dive in and I’d enlist your help in untangling everything! x
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I do wonder sometimes what the animals get up to all jumbled up in the basket – I’ve not yet caught anyone swapping clothes but you never know :). Thanks for the good wishes Abby, it’s just such a busy time of year that it’s easy to get a bit swamped, but we’re fine! x
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Thanks so much Kaylene. I’m really excited to share this new pattern with everyone – hopefully in the next few days. Knitting is more of a cooler weather activity – I find it harder to knit when it’s really hot but like you say air conditioning helps – not that we have that here (not really needed in the British climate) but we do have a big fan! Your winters sound much more appealing than our cold, damp and dreary ones! x
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Thanks so much CJ, that’s so kind. Things are settling – though up and down with 2 hormonally charged teenagers in the house! I hope to pop by and catch up with your news soon – am really keen to see what’s been happening on your allotment. xxx
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Thanks so much Tess. I feel horribly out of touch with everyone and am looking forward to a quiet-ish week ahead with lots of time to visit blogs and drink tea, so will be popping by to find out what’s been happening with you soon x
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thanks so much for the tip Sheila. They’re such funny creatures to go sitting like that on absolutely nothing! x
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Thanks Kieran, and your comment makes me smile x
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Thanks so much Amy. I think as I get older I’m not so good at the ups and downs that life sometimes provides – I’d be very happy to be quiet, still and a bit bored! Knitting does help though 🙂 xxx
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It sounds as if you need a good long hug. You give so much pleasure. Your patterns are a joy and so well written. The family on the female side (two daughters and three grand daughters) are waiting for Christmas when they are hoping to receive a fox – yes the big girls too. They think they are fantastic. I used the intarsia method for the ears and am really happy with them.
Keep enjoying the sun sets and hopefully the sun will come out for you in your personal life too. Thinking of you. Diane x
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Welcome back. You’ve been missed. But I totally understand that sometimes blogging can’t be a priority or actually sometimes it’s hard to put fingers to the keypad because what to say. I’ve slowed dien a tad in posting and nearly always when this happens life becomes too demanding of me from various corners of my life. It is lovely to hear your written word but take care of you. We the readers will be here when you’re ready. Enjoy these warm days and knitting when you get the time. Sending Love x
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I always enjoy reading about what’s happening in your corner of the world. Your photos are beautiful. I enjoy hearing about your children & seeing your knitting projects. I wish you a wonderful day.
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Oh that gorgeous bag of lovely sweet creatures that you always create. I cannot wait to see what the new pattern will be. I wish our days were longer at the moment as it feels as though 5pm arrives and it is dark and cold, although I dont mind the colder weather. I hope you have a gorgeous week!
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I’ve also learned a lot about sensory input (particularly bouncing and swinging)! Alex loves all gross motor movement and it helps to calm him when he’s stressed which, in turn, helps to calm me! Hugs to Toby… xxx
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I’m sure everyone reading understands precisely where you are coming from when it comes to keeping up the blog. I feel like that too, but I’s great to read your words and see your gorgeous pictures again! Always share what you want and enjoy it, and I spotted your new pattern and it looks FAB 😀 jenny xx
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Hello Julie,
I once had a chicken which wouldn’t get of her nest. Then a breeder thought me a great trick:
Put one or two ice cubes in the nest. She will leave her nest and be her old self in no time.
It worked like a charm!
Good luck!
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Your work bag is always so tantalising. I was clearing out the loft last week and found a bag with leftovers from one of your rabbits that I made as a gift. I think there’s enough for another one…what a treat. Glad Toby loves bouncing. We bought a trampoline for our two this summer and it brings such joy…they adore it!
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How lovely to find a new post from you Julie. I love your life as a project bag analogy. My ‘life’ project bag has been dropped a few times lately and everything has spilled out only to be stuffed back in willy nilly. My actual project bag has been sadly neglected.
Here’s hoping your summer is full of glorious sunsets for you and Toby to enjoy x
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I think I feel a lot like your little broody hen! Or perhaps I should say moody. It is 100 degrees and only June. I find myself showering twice a day. In the morning, and before bed because I am so hot and sticky. And I have air conditioning! Crazy! My yard is a bit of a broody/moody hen as well. My flowers look at me like they are in August! Sorry flowers. Not August. June. And no end in sight…..
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Thanks so much for the hug Diane – hugs are always appreciated. So glad that you’ve enjoyed the fox patterns, I hope you enjoy giving your finished foxes to their eager recipients, it’s always nice giving a present of something you’ve made yourself and having it treasured x
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Thanks so much for your lovely understanding comment. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done, are there? I hope life gets a little less demanding for you too and that you have a little time to relax and enjoy the summer (if it lasts – heavy rain here today!) x
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Hi Brenda and thanks for dropping in x
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Thanks so much Sue. It’s easy to forget here when the sun doesn’t set until after 10pm that there in Australia you’re in the depths of winter. The days are swinging slowly back towards summer for you now though and in another month or so I’m sure we’ll be starting to notice how the evenings are shortening! Knitting always helps in the colder weather 🙂 Hope all is well with you x
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Thanks Jenny x
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Thanks Martina, I’ll remember that for the future. In the end I decided to leave her and she’s finished her broodiness now – just around 3 weeks in the end and it’s nice to see her back to being active again x
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Trampolines are a brilliant invention – it’s great to watch your children having such fun isn’t it? I hope you have enough yarn for a second Bunny, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you don’t run out with half an arm to go! J x
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It’s always lovely to hear from you Annie, I feel so out of touch with everyone at the moment and look forward to dropping by and catching up with your news (willy nilly stuffed bags and all!) Hope you’ve avoided the thunderstorms this week – though they may well be the cause of many a lovely sunset xxx
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Dear Rachel, I cannot imagine 100 degree heat – I’d be all wilty like your poor flowers. I hope it’s been a little cooler for you of late xxx
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Hi Julie, have just bought the cat deal, I love your patterns, I think I have most of them now. They are easy to follow and its interesting to see how they turn out when I use different colours to the ones you use. I knit for charity and my friend and I sell lots of knitted toys, your designs seem to sell faster than most.
Am glad to hear that you will be spending more time knitting, its a fantastic craft and lots more people are doing it to relax and get enjoyment from it.
Look forward to seeing more of your designs soon.
Terri x
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