I finished these little trousers for my friends new baby boy. The pattern is Blu

and a very easy knit. I really didn't get on with the seaming though and opted to sew the up regular fashion using mattress stitch. I wasn't very good at the embroidery either...

We have poorly babies at the moment. Emilia and Madeleine are recovering from a bout of Norovirus but Sullivan has been hit hard. I keep thinking he is better and then he is sick again.


I hope we are all better by Friday because Mum, Barry and Maisie are coming to stay for Easter :)

Make sure you visit Barry's blog - he hasn't posted since last August and writes such lovely things.

Happy Easter!

Oink.

It was half term last week and we spent most of it looking after Madeleine and Sullivan who both ended up very poorly with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. They were both given the antiviral medication which has done a fantastic job of getting them well again. Poor Emilia spent most of the holiday being sent to friends houses to play...I bet she'd like Madeleine to be poorly again! She was very worried about her and kept asking if she'd have to go to hospital, it took a lot of reassurance to put her mind at rest.

Both girls were in their dance schools production this time round, Emilia had three dances - Ballet, Cowgirls dancing The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane, Tap - Penguins from Happy Feet and Modern - Catch a wave by The Beach Boys. Maddie had 2 dances - Ballet - We're off to see the Wizard and Tap - Penguins again. They were wonderful, I'm so proud of our girls having the confidence and stamina to perform on a professional stage in front of a full house. Well Done Girls! xxx

Jez is working hard, very busy with work and the gig club. He's training loads and is just about back to the weight and build he was at university.

Me? I'm okay. Not quite myself at the moment but on the advice of my Dr I have cut back the amount of hours I do at the Children's Centre. It's all voluntary so I can't be signed off and I feel like I am letting a lot of people down but maybe I should start pleasing myself a bit more and doing less to please others? Maybe, but I don't like it!

We went back to Hampshire this weekend. It was my brother Edward's 30th and my father-in-law's 65th. Crazy busy weekend, but fun. It was great to surprise Edd and to see Dad, Maisie, Laurie and Michelle too. Laurie was going to come back with us for a while but changed his mind :( I've made him promise to come down soon. We also got to meet my sister in law's new man, and a lovely man he is too. I think she has found someone who'll look after her.

We went round to see my dear friend Sharon for lunch on saturday. I wish her daughter would stop growing up, it's making me feel old! Such a lovely family, wish we saw more of each other.

The girls were back to school today, Maddie's class are already talking about the Christmas play - I'm so excited!

I'll leave you with a photo of Sullivan and I, taken at Mum and Barry's Wedding 18/04/08.

More photos soon, and hopefully a short video or two! Have a great week - I'm off to bed ready for a busy day tomorrow.

Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club Regatta, Fibrefest and P/hop...

Yesterday Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club held their first regatta. Despite strong winds and a very lumpy sea everyone had a great time. The course was shortened due to the sea conditions so the races were about 1 mile in length compared to the norm of around 1.5 - 2 miles. The rowers had to work very hard to fight against the waves, and they definitely won the battle!

The Ilfracombe Men's A didn't do too well but the Men's B won their first ever race! It was Ilfracombes' first ever race win in a regatta and much celebration followed! Well done boys! The mixed team came a close fifth after Weymouth, the team really worked hard to try and edge past. It was practically a photo finish!
Daddy didn't win :o(


I loved this seagull, he (or she) posed quite happily for me before fighting against the wind to soar in the thermals. Not his thermals, it was quite warm yesterday!

Here you can see all the boats lining up for the first race. These crews are the Ladies B teams, Weymouth - the 2 green boats - came first and third, Paignton - yellow and blue - came second.

Overall, Weymouth were the outright winners. They have extremely strong crews who work with good coxswains to ensure the whole crew pull together well.

Emilia had a great day, she spent almost all day in the food tent helping to sell the cakes. She was brilliant with the money, adding it up, giving correct change and always being polite, confident and happy. It has done wonders for her confidence. In fact our Millie was back, the one who was so happy and confident before she started junior school last year. Let's just say that I will be watching the school closely this year and if her confidence even takes the slightest dive I will want to know why!

All in all it was a wonderful day. The Ilfracombe crews, committee and friends worked so hard to make the day as brilliant as it was. I hope that they are all proud of themselves - I know I am!

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Last weekend Mum, Barry and Maisie came to stay. It just happened to be the same weekend as Fibrefest at ColdHarbour Mill. Oh what a wonderful day I had. I was totally overwhelmed and overawed by the talent, beauty, squooshiness and total loveliness of the day. I bought a fair bit, some jute to make shopping bags with for £1 a skein, Araucania Patagonia Cotton to make Liesl (which I have started), some blue and red merino tops to spin into something for Sullivan and a few knitpro harmony tips. Barry disappeared when we got into the main tent and then reappeared with an Ashford Niddy Noddy for me. What a great stepdad! xxx

Mum let me 'shoplift' her wonderful fibre that she had brought down with her I've got so much lovely stuff that needs spinning but not until after wednesday when the girls go back to school :o(

This chimney is at Coldharbour Mill, it gave me reverse vertigo to look up to it!

One of the lovely outdoor stands, Sullivan adored all the animals and was answering the sheep back when they baa-ed at him!

I'm sure he wanted to get in with the sheep....

I've just realised that I haven't any photos of my newly enhanced fibre and yarn stash, maybe tomorrow.

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This a square I've knitted for a P/Hop blanket to be auctioned for Medecins Sans Frontiers. Mum has been helping knit and sew up these blankets and needed just a few more squares to finish the last one. I'm not sure what the yarn is, but I didn't have quite enough for it and the final 3 rows are knit in Fleece Artist merino sock yarn. I'll be adding a P/Hop donation thingy to my blog, please help if you can as it is such a wonderful cause.

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Tomorrow is my 5 year blogiversary. Amazing. How should I celebrate I wonder? Cake.....

Tomten

This is the gorgeous jacket from Knitting Without Tears and The Opinionated Knitter, both by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I haven't enjoyed making something so much for ages. The chatty nature of her pattern directions make you feel that you a knitting alongside your best friend with a good cup of tea and warm chatter to keep you smiling.

The yarn is Katia Mexico which I was sent in a swap sometime last year and the icord edging is King Cole Merino. I did spin some green yarn for the edging but I learnt a lesson doing this. Don't bring your wheel downstairs to watch television whilst spinning, don't spin in a hurry and always let your singles settle overnight on the bobbin before plying. I made rope rather than yarn...

Maddie got a bit fed up with posing so the photo's aren't that great.

Mum, Barry and Maisie are down this weekend. Today Mum, Barry and Millie have gone to Fibrefest, Jez is competing in the Clovelly Gig Boat Regatta and I'm at home with Sullivan, Maddie and Maisie.

Maddie and Maisie are currently making felt beads and cardboard sandals from a lovely book called Green Crafts for Children that Mum brought down for the girls. I'll show the results later as they are enjoying being in a crafty, happy mess at the moment.

Tomorrow Mum, Sullivan and I are going to Fibrefest, I am so excited. I'm looking forward to meeting my friend Sarah whom I used to knit with a couple of years ago in Boston Tea Party and I can't wait to squidge lots of yummy fibre.

I'll blog again tomorrow to show you all my purchases!

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We travelled up to Cambridgeshire to spend the holidays with Mum and Barry. On the way up and the way home we stayed at our friends in Bicester which was great, their children are of a similar age to ours and get on very well. It also helped to break up the 5-6 hour journey from Mum’s to ours .

Can anyone tell me why this paragraph is underlined and in blue? I did all the text on word and copied it over.
It was lovely to see my beautiful sister Maisie, she is such a darling and so good with the girls. Sullivan was very happy to snuggle down to sleep with her. She’s magic with babies .

Mum and Barry more than looked after us, their new home is beautiful. Mum is desperate to redecorate but is waiting until they have bought it in the hope that will keep the price down a bit! One room she mustn’t decorate however is the downstairs loo. It is resplendent in black floral wall paper and earthenware floor tiles. I think it may have a turquoise ceiling too…

We were all very spoilt at Christmas as you can see from this picture! They weren’t all for us though!

I did some spinning at Mum’s. It’s wonderful, frustrating and amazing all at the same time! I can’t wait to do more.


I have been knitting. I’ve finished Solace in Rowan Colourscape chunky, a hat for Jez in King Cole something or other and just about finished a fairisle hat and jacket set in Dream in Color Classy for Sullivan. Just need to do some swiss darning and sew on the buttons. Photos to follow.

I’ve just started a Rowan Denim tank top for Sullivan. It’s Target from Louisa Harding’s Book ‘Miss Bea’s Seaside’. I love denim yarn, it’s the way it changes from hard string to soft, worn cotton fabric after being washed. I have a jumper that Mum made for me about 16 years ago and is just gets better and better. I must take a photo of it – perhaps someone would know which pattern book it came from?


Sullivan is walking! He’s been taking a few steps since Christmas and is now spending half the time crawling and the other half walking. He’s getting very steady on his feet now but I’m not getting him any proper shoes yet, he doesn’t walk outside and he’d probably only take them off any way!

Emilia got herself into a bit of a state about going back to school after Christmas. She was so worried that she ended up being sick. I rang the school and told them she wouldn’t be there as she was petrified about school, that she isn’t the same little girl that left the infants school and that she isn’t even enjoying reading any more. The deputy head rang me that evening and said that she had spoken to all of Emilia’s teachers who say she is happy in class and were very concerned that she was unhappy. In fact her class teacher was ‘distraught’ that she was unhappy. Since that phone call Emilia seems a lot happier at school, coming out with a smile on her face instead of a scowl and we seem to have a lots less arguments over homework too! Her teacher seems to be showing her caring side too which I know Emilia needs. She needs her cuddles! I like her teacher now, she seems to have found her feet and the whole class is happier.

Maddie is doing well, she loves school and has made lots of friends. She is very tired by Thursday afternoon though and could do with a three day weekend. Couldn’t we all!

I’m off to do a little bit of knitting whilst Sullivan sleeps. Happy New Year everyone!

Boo..............................!

Well, what a month June was. I made up my just after I wrote my last post to cheer myself and stop being so bloody miserable and bleagh. It wasn't fair on my family, my husband or myself. This was a decision that I had to make myself and I wouldn't have been able to make it 2 months ago as I just wasn't in the place to do it. Being positive is hardwork, but it becomes easier each day. Post Natal Depression (Post partum depression) is a horrid illness, as is depression in any shape or form. The road to recovery isn't just medication, you need support and lots of it. I am so lucky that I have my wonderful husband, gorgeous children, fantastic Mum, wonderful Barry, a brilliant health visitor (although she hasn't been in touch for about a month, I'd better phone her soon) and all the great girls I have met through going to Victoria House Childrens Centre breastfeeding group. I am still taking my tablets, 40mg of Citalopram and I am in no hurry to stop. I'm not going to fall into the trap of thinking that I am better, stop taking my tablets abruptly and then spiral down again! Thanks for all your kind and positive comments, they really do make a difference. I know I have let down a couple of people from the online knitting community and I promise to make it up to them. It's a horrid feeling.

Mum and Barry came down recently, we had a wonderful weekend - it goes so quickly. Have a look at her blog for some wonderful photo's of the weekend ;) http://www.picperfics.blogspot.com/

I'm going to do an update for each of my angels so that I don't miss anything out!

Emilia

She is off to junior school in September and is getting very excited about it. As all parents say - I can't believe how fast she has grown up! - It was watch day at her dance school this saturday and we sat through a very enjoyable 1 and 3/4 hours of ballet, tap and modern. She is definitely going to be something artistic when she is older.

She has spent a day in hospital as she banged her head during a swimming lesson and gave herself concussion, she was okay but the Dr wanted to keep her in for a while as the headache and sickness lasted longer than 24 hours. I've lost the little camera so I don't have a photo of her for you today :(

Oh - look at Mum's blog for a video of her doing a cheerleading routine in her school summer fair :)

Madeleine

Maddie has been her usual jumping, hopping, skipping, bouncing self. She is off to Infant school in September and can't wait. She has really enjoyed the four visits she has been on and keeps wanting to wear her school uniform.

She was delicious when we watched her doing ballet this weekend, she has very 'good' toes!

Sullivan

He's now almost 8 months old, he is sitting up but thankfully he is not on the move yet! I breastfed him exclusively until he was 6 months old. He's now on 3 meals a day plus puddings and breastfeeds. He is so active during the day I think he needs all the food he can get. He loves finger foods and things such as lentil soup and cheesy mashed potato. His favourite is pasta stars with a creamy tomato sauce.

He was poorly last week and has had a course of antibiotics for a perforated ear drum. He's absolutely fine now though, back to being our little happy chap who wakes us up in the morning by blowing raspberries!


I finished this jumper for him last night., It is Jake from Rowan Babies by Kim Hargreaves. Knit in patons Washed Haze Aran, size 6-12 months. I love it, perfect for this wet summer we are 'enjoying'!

I have finished Elspeth - yet to take a photo and put it on ravelry. It's the first thing for me that I have loved. I think I am going to make 'A cardigan for Arwen' next, just have to find the perfect yarn....suggestions?

Well, Maddie is off to preschool in a minute and needs to take lunch with her that I haven't made yet and then I will be trying to find space to move in the house. We are doing the kitchen and most of the kitchen is now in the dining room and most of the dining room is now in the front room! Arrgghh!

So much to tell you!

I've have got so much to catch up on, but this is the main thing that has happened over the last few weeks!

Congratulations Mum and Barry, a wonderful couple who created a beautiful for all their family and friends to enjoy. They are currently enjoying their honeymoon in Italy :) Thank you xx

I've just signed up for the Race For Life, on sunday 15th June at 11am. I'd really appreciate it if you could sponsor me. My MIL has beaten bowel cancer in the last year so running the race means a lot to me this time. I'm planning on running with Sullivan in his jogger buggy - he'll be keeping me upright! There's a link in my sidebar as well as one here -

Thank you!

oh, Kozmic...are you all moved in yet? I want to send you your parcel :)