December already!

December 2, 2016 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)44 Comments

Christmas mailer

If like me you are feeling that December has come around far too quickly this year then you have my sympathy. It's such a crazy busy month stuffed full of plans, preparations and dashing about. I hope that your month goes well and that you get everything done that needs doing with some relaxation time sprinkled liberally in there too.

Weeks have gone by here and I keep meaning to sit down and write a post but something always seems to get in the way. Still, here I am at last and I'm writing today because I've at last finished a small batch of seasonal animals. I've just pressed send on an email to my mailing list so if you've asked to be included in that then you should be receiving it shortly. If you've asked to receive emails and you don't get a copy then it means that your server has blocked my email and you'll not receive future emails from me so will need to subscribe via my 'sign up form' over on the right there if you want to receive future updates.

Five of the animals are up now on my shop blog where as usual they are being sold via random number picker. I'll be closing off comments on monday evening and aiming to get them all posted off by Wednesday 7th December.

On blog

I hope to be blogging a bit more frequently in future – it's one of the things I have on my vague list of New Year's resolutions and all being well I'll pop back again next week with some of the other projects I've been knitting. 'Til then thanks so much for dropping in, keep well and warm and see you soon x

autumn knits and woodsy walks

November 9, 2016 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)43 Comments

Time seems to be whizzing past faster than ever at the moment and I can't be the only one who feels a sense of panic every time there's an advert break on TV, full of Christmas urgency as they are. But I'm not feeling remotely Christmassy yet so I'm thinking I'll just stick my head in the sand and listen to the radio instead. In my mind it's still early autumn, a notion helped by the fact that many of the trees here are still in green leaf but it is a little wishful thinking I suppose. Last posting dates for Christmas really aren't that far away so I'm doing my best to finish off a batch of animals. I am getting there but progress is slower than planned. This is Albie and he's all ready to travel but his brothers and sisters are still in need of tails and buttons. I hope to have them ready in the next few days and will be sending out emails to my mailing list shortly with details of when they'll be available to buy.

Albie

Bunny heads

Group

As mentioned lots of the trees here are hanging on to their green, although there's a definite shift in the colour spectrum and some are already resplendent in autumn bright colours. It was recently half term break here and wood walks are always a good way to keep Toby busy (happily he's back to enjoying them again). Being close to ancient broadleaf woods with a network of well trodden pathways is something that I am extremely grateful for and they never disappoint whatever the season but autumn is really the time when they are at their best.

There is something so very peaceful about walking quietly in a wood and it always does me the power of good not least because it's a truly sensory experience…Your nose is delighted by an earthy blend of growth and decay. In the heart of the wood you can stand completely still and loose yourself in the gentle sounds; the sigh of the breeze moving the leaves; the chatter of small birds; the drilling of a woodpecker somewhere off to the right; the sudden, startled scamper of a squirrel as it looks up from burying acorns and realises you are there. With a kindly wind direction you may even be able to creep up on a muntjac, underfoot moss masking the sound of your approach until you are close enough to see individual hairs on his coat as he browses his way through the undergrowth on tippytoe pointed hooves.

Sadly I cannot capture the sounds or smells here for you but I can share some of the beauty that the woods near us provide…

Oak

Path

Bootsy

Funghi2

Fungus2

Crabapples

Crabapp

Trunks

Canopy

Marsh

Ponies2

Ancient

Cottages

Sheeps

Danemead wood, Ermine Street and Broxbourne Common, late October 2016

crafts & knitting

new homes

October 28, 2016 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)52 Comments

This post has been languishing as a draft for over a week but it's been school half term break here so I've not had time to sit down and finish it. At this moment though Toby is having a little quiet time, sitting happily watching Balamory (his current favourite show) and stimming with his lego, so I'm hoping to get this done and posted before he decides he wants a bath or a snack or a different Balamory dvd on.

He would have quite happily sat and watched his Balamory dvd collection on a loop all this last week and I swear I'm still hearing the theme tune in my sleep. I've tried to get him out as much as possible though, so there's been wood walks and trips out too. Of course while Toby has wanted to watch dvds I've had a little knitting time but I'll show you more of what I've been making next week. For now I just wanted to pop in and post some pictures of the final two prizes from my 10th anniversary giveaway, as they've now arrived in their new homes.

Noisette2

Noisette

Polly2

Polly

I've so enjoyed making these and hearing that their new owners are pleased with them.

Well, that's it from me until next week, when peace and order will once more return here and I'll have time to write up our half term adventures, until then have a great weekend and a happy Halloween x

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Thanks to all for the kind compliments, the little suitcase and tea cups are made by Maileg. I bought mine from Bijou, I think that this particular style might be sold out but there are lots of other pretty designs.