Thanks for the kind comments about the latest batch of knitted animals and about my little sitty-knitty corner on the last but one post. A couple of people asked what I use my collection of coloured pencils for. To be honest, not so much these days – they had most of their use nearly 20 years ago when I was at college and then when I worked (briefly) as an illustrator / graphic designer. I used to paint in gouache and then work over the surface in the caran d'ache watercolour pencils. Things like this…

(If you wanted to see more of my paintings there are a few more on flickr.)

These days the pencils mostly come out for shrinkle making with Amy, though I do sketch out ideas for clothing for the knitted animals from time to time. I did a few paintings for the children's rooms when they were little, but the last time I painted properly was when Amy first started school and I made this Little Red Riding Hood costume for a fancy dress competition.

These days it's mostly knitting rather than painting that fills my free time – it's easier to pick up and put down and so fits in much better with having the children around. But thanks for asking about the pencils and giving me the chance to drag out my paintings again and remember how cute Amy was at five!

I have a host of knitted animals in my 'in progress basket' at the moment.

They're all waiting for little bits and pieces; a dress or jumper, a few french knots here, a button or a tail there.

The little bear at the back is shortly going to be a raffle prize over at Saving Rare Breeds. He's made from organic rare breed yarn (Manx Loghtan) and has an organic wool aran jumper. If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning him or if you'd like to see the lovely selection of other raffle prizes that they have please follow this link. They do so much good work for dying breeds and they'd really appreciate your support.

This is where I've been spending most of the last week, with my bottom parked in that wicker chair, my little radio turned to chill and my fingers working hard.

I like to have my collection of needles near by, ready to dip into when the need to start a new project strikes, but for now I'm trying to focus on the animals in the basket and not get distracted from finishing them off soon!