Hello again, it’s been too long. The mid summer months are mostly taken up with family time here and I’ve been busy keeping Toby occupied and helping Amy get organised and moved back in here with us after finishing her degree. Above are a few snapshots of my summer: enjoying the warm sun; peaceful sky watching; finding different garden visitors; watching dramatic storms and grateful to be inside, and delighting in the the lovely Hertfordshire countryside.
There has been also a little time for knitting shoe-horned in too, as you’ll see in the first picture above, and since finishing the dogs pattern back in May I’ve been having fun gradually developing this new ‘little Cotton Rabbits’ character, (hopefully you can tell it’s a Koala). The pattern is all written up but until Toby is settled in his new placement at college I’ll not have the chance to take all the pattern photos. It is coming along nicely though so I’ll keep you posted when it’s ready to share.
With Toby starting at college on Monday I’m a bit anxious and occupied with trying to make that go as smoothly as possible, but I’ll be popping back as soon as the dust settles with knitting news and a celebratory giveaway because today is my 15th anniversary of starting this blog!
See you again soon xx
little cotton rabbits 
Thank you very much for your shares, your photos always make me dream as well as your knitted friends. Knowing that you have a life as a mother / wife to live is a beautiful thing, demanding, you know but it makes you close to what we all live … women? multitasking …. good early autumn, good work and thanks again for your patterns that smell of magic! Excuse my English, if you want I’ll teach you Italian … 🙂
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Dear Julie, Congratulations on your anniversary. I am so glad with your patterns and your pictures and stories that give me so many happy moments. I hope there will be many more anniversaries to follow.
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Of course that is a little koala!!! how fun!!! looking forward to the pattern. hopefully college will be smooth transition….i know how difficult change can be in the best of times. happy anniversary!
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Thank you for so many years brightening our days with your cheerful and polished photos and your creative little critters. So many challenges and changes for each of us over the years but in sharing, we find the courage not only to carry on but also to pause to celebrate the seasons, the beauty of nature, and the love and growth within our families. Thank you for your brilliant blog shining it’s light into each of our days.
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photos are spectacular, and the koala is darling and absolutely recognizable as a koala. Best wishes as Toby makes this new transition.
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Happy Anniversary!! What a lovely summer it’s been. =) I hope Kit has been a visitor as well… What darling little koalas – I wish I could find time to knit a whole collection. Someday my life will settle down and I’ll miss the days when my kids were little…
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First I am in shock that Amy is finished her degree! You must be so proud. It is challenging when they leave as children & move back in as adults… hard to get your head around them evolving. Glad to hear of Toby heading off to college. Our Jack was in a Culinary Skill Development & Employment program at Humber College in collaboration with Christian Horizons. It was going amazing but all evaporated with COVID. I can’t wait to hear how it goes & what Toby’s program leads to. Yes… it is a Koala!! Can’t wait to purchase & give it a go! Happy 15th Anniversary! All of your challenges, releases, applause, love… all in the background of your already busy life. You have definitely enriched, inspired & entertained me throughout my time following you. Thank you! Congratulations! 🎉🥰🐰💖🌈
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Congratulations on the anniversary. Especially during these Covid months, you have brought much comfort and joy to all of us. Our prayers and best wishes for Toby’s transition to college and our hopes for peace in your heart.
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Congratulations on 15 years!! Amazing! Best to Toby as he takes this next leap, and to you as you help him. The Koala is as with all your characters, adorable. Photos so worthy of the several times I looked at them.
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Beautiful pics of summer. I hope Toby settles in well at his new school.
Will be wonderful having Amy back home. Nothing like good girl talk.
The new Koalas are adorable. Looking forward to making them.
Congratulations on fifteen years. I’ve so enjoyed all the beautiful things in your blog.
Love to you xxx
Sandy
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Thank you for more beautiful photos. You have a knack of seeing what could easily be missed. I loved having my daughters returning after they each finished their degrees and being involved in the next chapter and I’m sure you will enjoy this with Amy. I hope all goes well for Toby and that it is an easier move than you think it might be. Thinking of you all, Px
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Huge congratulation on 15 wonderful blog years and good luck to Toby for Monday and starting his new life at College, exciting times all round. It will all take a little getting used to, especially having Amy home full time. We loved it when our boys came home but it did take a bit of adjustment on all our parts. Absolutely love the koala pattern, such a sweet and gentle face. Thank you Julie for your patterns, blog and wonderful photos x sending love to you all, Jac x
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Happy 15!! Hope Toby has a wonderful time at college, how exciting. The pictures are just beautiful.
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Beautiful pics Julie and those little koalas are sooooo cute!!
Wishing Toby well, I hope it all goes smoothly for you both.
And a very happy 15th blogiversary. 🙂
V x
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Awwww I remember when Amy just started off at College, and now she’s finished with a degree! Time goes so quickly. And now it’s Toby’s turn to go off to college. Wishing you all the best always, Julie! Looking forward to winter and being able to do some little cotton rabbits dogs and the koala too perhaps. Thank you for sharing your joy of knitting with us — Heidi
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Congratulations on celebrating 15 years! Your patterns have brought me so much joy over the years as has your beautiful photography. Thanks so much for sharing your talents, joys, and challenges with the world. The koala is adorable. I’ll be watching for the pattern release.Best wishes for a successful transition for Toby. As a special education educator here in the United States, I know how challenging transitions can be for students and their families.
Beverly
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That koala is going to be very popular here in “Downunder”. (I recognised it for what it is intended to be before I read on.)
I hope Toby will settle in at college and find something he can enjoy as much as we enjoy your patterns. Best of luck Toby! I’ll be thinking of you.
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15 years! Congratulations and thank you for posting these pictures. Each time I look at your photography, it feels like a breath of fresh air. So peaceful, so thank you for sharing!
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Congratulations and thank you. Can’t wait for those koala.
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Lovely pictures, as always…. !
Me too, recognized the koala immediately, you nailed it again. Now that the first signs of autumn are starting to show, I’m going to pick up the needles again soon. I thaught myself how to knit with your patterns and YouTube . Little dresses and sweaters are excellent items to practice:)
First thing on the list is a girl cat for my granddaughter; hope my skills aren’t too rusty after a summer of patchwork and quilting instemde of knitting.
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These transitions are so hard for our children but I do hope Toby loves his college and settles as quickly as he is able. And I hope you’re looking after yourself. Hard to do but very necessary.
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Simply beautiful Julie loved the photos so much 😀
Amy finished degree wow and yes take all the time you need with Toby
Koala is so cute. This Aussie loves
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Congratulations and thank you for sharing it all.
I wish Amy and Toby well in their new phase and that you will be able to relax too.
The koalas have the cutest (totally recognisable)faces – can’t wait to see the rest!
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Congratulations on 15 blogging years, I love every post! Your koala is beautiful – I will definitely be buying this pattern to add to my Little Cotton Rabbits collection as my children and little grandchildren live in Australia. I wish your whole family well as each child transitions into the next phase of their life’s journey.
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Happy Anniversary Julie! It’s my all time favourite blog 🙂
Hope all went well today for Toby. Cannot wait to try a Koala. xx
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Wow – 15 years! It’ll be wonderful having Amy home. One’s children are even better company as young adults – full of enthusiasm, a different way of looking at things and a nice youthful energy. And great news that Toby is starting his next chapter – I am sure it may take a little time but he will settle in. And great photos too – I am looking forward to our Summer as winter was very wet and cold this year, and being in lockdown didn’t help either. But today is warm and sunny and, as we’re about to move to Level 2 today will (hopefully) be my last “around the block” walk before I can venture a little further 🙂
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Your photos are wonderful Thank you for sharing.
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Wishing you and Toby a gentle transition to college days. Thank you for the beautiful summer-in-Hertfordshire fotos.
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Hello Julie, so much happy news. 15th Anniversary, new college term and Amy home. How lovely she has come home. So many people get work near to university and never go back home. She is so good with Toby and it must take a little of the strain away from you. he must be thrilled to have his beloved sister home. When I saw the pictures, before I read the text I said out loud ‘Ooh Koalas’ so very obvious. I so love reading your blog.
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Oh my giddy aunt! Those koalas are so sweet! Congratulations on your 15th Anniversary. I so love reading your blog💙💙
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Love your photography… Beautiful images.
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