knitting away the worry!

October 17, 2007 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)27 Comments

Whenever I’m worried about something I find sinking my needles into a large ball of wool to be the best way of keeping my mind off the worrying thing. So this last week, what with Mum in hospital, there has been a lot of knitting going on!!

I’m finishing off some toys for Mahar Drygoods, a batch for my own shop and a the rose jumper is for a big bunny that I’m hoping to auction off to raise money for a special little girl who needs some specialised treatment in America – more of that by the end of the week.

what a week!

October 12, 2007 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)46 Comments

I won't be sad to see the back of this week, which has been a much wilder rollercoaster ride than usual. We've had the highs of little people's birthdays and the lows of terrible accidents. Just quickly to mention my Mum has now had an operation to fit a 'halo' (I always knew she was an angel!) which is a metal frame anchored to her skull and going all the way down to the small of her back to prevent her from moving her head at all. Hopefully with this in place she should be able to start sitting up from early next week and start the long, slow and painful process of recovery.

This week has left me feeling a bit weary but my spirits have been lifted by all of the wonderful supportive comments that you've left both here
and on private emails – it means a lot to know that there are people
out there sending good thoughts to my poor wonderful Mum. Thanks too for all of the
birthday wishes for both of the children. Toby had fun with some helium
balloons yesterday (his favourite pressie) and of course he enjoyed
cake!

The week is ending on a high note though. Now that the postal strike has finished I've had some lovely mail.

I've been enjoying all of the treats and delights that arrived in this package from Kat at Secrets of a Butterfly. She sent such a pretty bone china cup saucer and plate (I added the tea and muffin!) and some much appreciated cath kidston goodies but my favourites are the beautiful and intricate cards which she makes.

Then this wonderful and thoughtful surprise arrived yesterday with a very beautifully worded and apt note all the way from Kim in Australia. It's such a perfect handcrafted bag for keeping my 'work in progress' bunnies in and I know they'll dream happier thoughts of what exciting lives await them while they nestle together in here…

Lastly in the post today came a brand new, just launched magazine – Let's Knit which I couldn't wait to open because not only is it stuffed full of patterns, features and yarn reviews but I'm in it too!! If you squint at this picture you can just make out my smiling face (I'm too shy to show it bigger!) and 2 of my toys.

It's a really nice article about me and my work and it's great timing as I'll take a copy to show Mum when I visit over the weekend.

So, I'm going into the weekend with a smile on my face, thanks so much for your friendship and support in a difficult week xxx

crafts & knitting

Pigs ear scarf

October 5, 2007 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)17 Comments

I’m a great one for impulsive yarn buying – I see something I like and have to get it without having any idea of how I’m going to use it (don’t tell H!). Sometime last year I spied some gorgeously soft Debbie Bliss Cashmeriono Astrakhan in a beautiful smokey duck eggy kind of colour and I just knew I had to have some. You’d think I’d stand there, check the yardage and ponder over how many balls but no, I grabbed 2 and they were mine!

So when I finally get out my needles (a year or so later) and start knitting up a simple scarf all seems fine – until I run out of wool and end up with a scarf that is way too short to be worn how I like (folded in half with the ends pushed through the loop). So some serious thinking was needed to save this scarf from being consigned to the bottom of the wardrobe and then a inspiration struck in the form of a button!

With a little bit of gathering and the attaching of a big antique mother of pearl jobbie I’m now happy to wear it (and it goes perfectly with my gorgeous Kirstencan corsage). And the morale of the story – plan your project before you buy your yarn (yeah, like that’s going to happen!). Happy weekend all!