A Few Knits

It took an age, but a while ago I finally finished the cardigan for Isobel - "My honey" by DROPS Design. I used Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply and 3.25 needles (so small.....). Isobel chose the pattern from a selection I made on Ravelry and then we chose the yarn colour in Sharp Works. It is a much prettier and brighter purple than is showing here. Luckily the we had a fantastic Summer so the cardigan hasn't been 'required' yet, but it a good length so hopefully she will have some good wear out of it. She is delighted with it so worth the slog! I am not sure if I would do a DROP Design again as the instructions were not always super clear. Thanks to Helen and my mother-in-law for clarifying things when I was stumped!

As a contrast to the above I was after quick knits - large needles and hats! I had planned to knit a cable hat taken from a pattern in Mollie Makes and came across Quince&Co's Osprey in Stone on a visit to Loop. Made for my brother I loved knitting with this yarn and hopefully there is a little left to make Elis one:

And finally, I have always wanted to make Isobel a colourful beret. We spotted a beautiful 3 tone one in the latest mini Boden catalogue and after a quick search on Ravelry I found Carrie Bostick Hoge's pattern for 'Lottie Beret' and used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran. So sweet for toddler and young girls.

France: Chateau de Villandry

During our stay in France we visited the gardens at Chateau de Villandry. It was a beautifully warm day and the different 'rooms' in the garden were spellbounding. The children loved running around - in and out of the formal garden with all of the hedges and then into the maze.

There was also a playground where we could have our picnic lunch. I just loved the stencil effect on these chairs:

Adjacent to the playground was the 'Hot' Garden:

And a few more snaps as we worked our way out of the Garden: 

The Vegetable Garden:

And I loved these artichokes en mass:

France: Chateau du Bouchet

For our last week of the Summer holidays, we spent it here, in the stunning Chateau du Bouchet.  We travelled in convey with my brother and his family and met up with relies from Oz as part of my Dad's birthday celebration. Fourteen of us in all but it felt incredibly spacious (we had about a third of the Chateau) and the children just loved the swings and slide by the backdoor - set among acres of land, an orchard full of plums, raspberries, apples, pears set by the outdoor swimming pool. There was also a barn full of bikes, tractors for little ones (huge hit), Wendy house and other delights. 

The Entrance

I loved the ornate detail - whether it be the formidable gate we drove through, to door handles, shutters (inside and out). Flinging the shutters open in the morning to this view created a sense of calm!

Looking into the 'playroom'

One of the views from the sitting room 

This radio in our bedroom intrigued me - listing all the main European radio stations. And I was very drawn to this chair carving. 

I rather over did it on the photos - so this will need to be a post in parts. But before I go, here are some snaps of the Isobel and Elis enjoying themselves. They adored having their cousins, Max and Sadie around. 

Pirates ahoy!

I'm in heaven.....

Children's dinner - outside every night!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt....

Having been a firm favourite storybook of Isobel's, when I saw "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" as a childrens' Prom we had to go! Tickets vanished on the first day of booking, but a kind colleague organised 'member' tickets and we had excellent seats. Isobel was very excited and had changed into 4 different outfits before 7.15 this morning in her deliberation about what to wear.....We had a look at the Prince Albert memorial first - the gleaming gold appealed, before having an ice-cream (followed by a stand off from Elis as Daddy had, in seconds, demolished his ice-cream....so Mummy had to part with hers!) Despite a flake waiting to be eaten, Isobel was keen to get going.

It was a fantastic experience and to see Michael Rosen again (last time as a child in Perth), telling the story enhanced by an excellent selection of orchestral pieces together with illustrations by Tony Ross - drawn as the story unfolded and projected onto various large screens.

Bit blurry, but Isobel was taking it all in. Even Elis got into the idea of clapping at the end of pieces.

Isobel summed it up as lovely in the car on the way home and could we listen to it again. Thanks to technology, we could in an instant on my phone.....kids these days!

Trip to Harlech

Earlier this month we took a trip to Wales to see Richard's family in Harlech, North Wales where we had a glorious time and the kids had a ball. Isobel was often pretty busy helping out in her Aunt's shop and did a pretty impressive job of setting up first thing in the morning. We were taken for lunch by Richard's parents at the Castle Restaurant in Portmeirion which was a great treat and the children actually behaved! The views from there were stunning.

We then went into Portmeirion itself with all it's colourful buildings, little hide-a-ways - Isobel thought it was quite magical.

A dropped flower following a wedding ceremony was put to use:

And we stared enviously at the hotel's pool....

It was a gorgeous day. On other days we had a BBQ on the beach, visited a farm (see Elis entranced with the bunny below) and together with  hanging out with both Nain and Taid, volunteering in the shop and having fun with their other Aunty - both children slept in every day! Fresh air = heaven in my mind!

Birthday Weekend

It feels as if I have only just had (that) birthday but earlier this month here we were again. Miss I was incrediably excited and couldn't wait to start ripping open the parcels and cards and rapidly became quite impatient with me. I received some gorgeous things and a delicious cheescake from Gails.....lasted us for days.

I received some lovely gifts including some gorgeous books. I am determined to get back into Granny Squares and hope this book will inspire/teach me. I hadn't come across the gorgeous Belle and Boo Craft book and could spend ages looking at all the beautiful things to make.

This idea with buttons looks so simple but so effective and a great way to use up that overflowing button tin:



I would love to make this beanbag for a child's bedroom:

or perhaps a little Boo....

And I was delighted to receive a copy of the eagerly awaited Little Treasures by Pia Bijkerk:



For the day, we took the children on a mystery trip, and when they awoke from their car snooze we were at the Christmas Tree Farm in Kent. Quick picnic and then into the farm we went. Isobel was very nervous around the animals....but she soon settled down and Elis was in heaven.

When I originlly wrote this, it was  Isobel's last day at nursery - felt quite an emotional benchmark in her life as it is been such a major part of her world. Luckily some friends are going onto school with her and others we will definitely be staying in touch with. She was thrilled to take a cake into nursery - one for her and being the bonkers woman I am a box of cupcakes made at 6.30am that morning.....

So for another year....