Hello! I'm back from visiting my family in the South of England, and seeing publishers. Such a busy week, busy busy busy and very full-on with activities, but very, very nice to be doing all the things I did, and to be amongst my family, lovely infact.
My visit happened to coincide with my Nephew George's third Birthday.
Aren't they sweeeet at that young age?
We all got stuck-in to preparing for his Birthday party. My mum, dad, myself and my sister, all working away making and decorating the cake and various other bits-and-pieces. It's all a bit of a blur now.
George's big sister, Millie, wore her party dress, made by my mum. I love this picture above, I look at it and see Millie's mind working away at high speed, probably thinking about her next move, there's never a dull moment around Millie.
At the grand old age of three, George is very interested in keeping up with his big sister. They've started to play together a lot more, or maybe it was Millie playing with George's birthday presents, and George being allowed to join in.
Millie and George playing together does take a bit of pressure off auntie Vanessa to play in "Millie Land". You have to have an official ticket to get into Millie Land. And in Millie Land you have to do exactly what Millie tells you. At one point in my visit, when I was not in Millie's Land, I remember saying to Millie that I wasn't used to being told what to do by a six year old. Millie did look a little surprised, and then apologised, bless her. You can actually do straight talking with my Niece. But you do have to be constantly on your toes, ready to handle her next move, or should I say, missile. I do adore her, I just had to mention this incase you were wondering.
So shall we go on to a different subject? That first photo of this blog post, what is it?
It is this! A knitted pincushion watch!
I made this for Hen, from blog HenHouse, as part of the swap we've been doing. I didn't photograph all the other goodies in the parcel, (of which there were a lot), just this watch, because I knitted it, so I thought it might be of some interest to you.
My parcel was the last of our swap parcels. I've had to withdraw from our swap, not because I don't enjoy it, not at all, I love it, but because the time it takes to put all the gifts together is time I just don't have, I've found, which is a real shame. Hen has been very understanding about it.
Hen was thrilled to bits with this pincushion, it's lovely to get a thrilled reaction to a gift you've made isn't it?
I fell in love with this watch too! I'm going to have to make one for myself, one that isn't a pincushion, and not as bulky, so it can be worn more like a bracelet. Don't you think that would be quite fun? The pattern for this pincushion is from Jean Greenhowe's Bazaar Knits. You can see her website here.
Hugo has just returned from work, and lit the wood burning stove. I'm anticipating an evening infront of the fire, knitting and watching the goggle box, lovely to be back, and in my old routine. Cheerio till Monday! Love Vanessa xxx
How beautiful is that pin cushion, what a fabulous little pastel beauty. I know what it's like to be in 6 year old land i.e. hard work at times, bless them. Glad you had a fab time with your family xox
Posted by: Penelop | October 15, 2010 at 06:56 PM
Ohhhhhh I adore that pincushion. You need to make more Vanessa ;-)
Your family pictures are just delightful, thank you for sharing them x
Posted by: donna flower | October 15, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Lovely to have you back Vanessa!!
I'm glad you enjoyed your break
Gill xx
Posted by: Gill | October 15, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Lovely to have you back Vanessa. Good to hear that you enjoyed your time away. There is nothing like a 6 year old telling you what's what is there? Hope you did what you were told! Children are so funny sometimes. Did you meet up with Hen - as you were 'down south' I know it's a big place and all, but it would be fun if you did! It will be a shame to stop your swaps - many a beautiful object was exchanged. However, anyone could see the huge amount of care and work you put into each others gifts so I'm not surprised that time is an issue!
Love the little pin cushion - I'm always losing mine so would be great to have one to hand (so to speak). The little labels are fab too. Must say a word about Jean Greenhowe - I love her! My mum used to collect her articles in one of her magazines when I was little and I used to look so longingly at the pictures - never got anything though, I think I was a bit too old. She had both sewn and knitted toys in her repertoire. I borrowed old books from the library that had the most adorable little stitched toys in it and had a lovely time making them up for my daughter. They were so cute.
Your penchant for beautiful things obviously runs in the family - your mum made a beautiful dress for Milly didn't she. Lucky Milly - all these things for her to learn if she wants too!
Posted by: Siobhan | October 15, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Good to have you back Vanessa!
Love the watch, at least with it time doesn't go so fast!!
Have a great weeknend. :)
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | October 15, 2010 at 08:04 PM
I have a g'daughter just like Millie and I have to say whoa-up I'm the grown-up! Love the knitted watch/pin cushion.
Posted by: penny | October 15, 2010 at 09:23 PM
Lovely to see you back. Sounds like a good visit and a good time with the little ones. The pictures are great - they make me want to pinch cheeks and pat heads and silly things like that! I love the picture of Millie and George looking at the cake - you can just see that thay can hardly contain themselves.
And the watch - I mean, really! How cute is that. You really are an inspiration when I find my projects starting to get a little hum-drum and dull. How can I not smile?
perhaps, if you listen closely, you can hear the rhythmic tick of the watch - knit-purl, knit-purl, knit-purl, knit-purl.
Posted by: Liz W | October 15, 2010 at 09:23 PM
Hello! Welcome back! That pincushion is fabulous. I adore the idea of a knitted watch bracelet - so lovely! Have a great weekend Vanessa.
Posted by: Emma | October 15, 2010 at 09:59 PM
I'm sure I've said it before, but I love your posts Vanessa. I love the things you create, and enjoy seeing your perspective on children. Good to have you back : )
Posted by: Cath W | October 15, 2010 at 10:08 PM
It's a long time since I last heard anyone calling it the goggle box. Made me smile!
Posted by: Lucille | October 15, 2010 at 10:08 PM
What a beautiful party and even more beautiful family! How nice to be able to enjoy the time together. The pincushion watch is perfect for a sewing woman. Did you make it up or have a pattern?
Posted by: Laura | October 15, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Oh Wow Vanessa ,
That watch pincushion is fab, i just love love love it. It would make a brilliant pressie for our " secret Santa " at my knitting group. I will have to try and find the recipe/pattern!!! lol!
You did have a brilliant holiday, with lots of fun too. You deserve it. Have a fab weekend and glad to have you back.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxxx
Posted by: Carole | October 16, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Hi Vanessa, it's nice to have you back, glad you enjoyed your time with your gorgeous family. Have a nice weekend.
Posted by: Jacqueline | October 16, 2010 at 12:12 PM
I love the watch pin cushion - really, really cute! And, yes, it would definitely make a brilliant bracelet - I'd love to see one of those. It would certainly make me smile!
Gorgeous x
Posted by: Gorgeous Things | October 16, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Lovely to see you are back! The little knitted watch/pincushion is so sweet - I love the colours.I'm glad you enjoyed time with your family - your photos of the children are beautiful.
Helen x
Posted by: Helen | October 16, 2010 at 04:33 PM
lovely post. lovely watch. i had a big sister like milly. in fact, i still do! welcome home!
Posted by: mlleparadis | October 16, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Hello Vanessa!!!!
Lovely to see you back! And wow, what a very cool watch... it's so cool, I think you should definitely make one as an accessory!
Millie reminds me of Karen's nieces! I suppose most wee girls are like that... I used to find them particularly exhausting, but now they're growing up and not so interested in adults!!!!!!! (A good and sad thing!!)
Have a lovely week, lots of love from Alice and raymond XXXXX
Posted by: Alice @ Crochet with Raymond | October 17, 2010 at 05:57 AM
I love that watch..... and your label! :-)
Milli's party dress is lovely, tell your mum she did a beautiful job. Now we know where you got your talent :-)
Posted by: Jenni at Baame Kniits | October 17, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I have children about that age too and my oldest is very like that! Although my son, who is two, does not put up with any of her nonsense.
Loved the tractor cake! And the pincushion. Hadn't heard of Jean before, but will defo look into her site.
Posted by: Dawn | October 17, 2010 at 03:57 PM
Good to have you back!
And ohohoh, I'd love to have a pincushion watch like that! But i think I'd use it as a bracelet too.
Did you see the little knitted mouse I found at a boot sale and put on my blog? It's so cute!
Posted by: Veronika / Lalomino | October 17, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Gosh the pincushion watch is so sweet!
I think big sister is typical of bigger siblings at that age ;) I know my lot are all the same.
Posted by: Amanda Keeys | October 18, 2010 at 10:22 AM
lovely to have you back Vanessa, and glad you had a good time, down sarf.
What a great tractor cake, I bet the little man was thrilled with that. And I can add, after living with a six year old, that in fact, they are all like that, and definitely need a bit of straight talking from time to time (especially as they seem to up the ante a bit for aunts/uncles/grandparents, presumably because they are wise to the fact that the extended family will tolerate a bit more sixyearold bossiness for a bit longer than their parents!).
That knitted pincushion watch is just divine, no wonder Hen was thrilled. Lighting the fire and settling down for the evening with Hugo sounds so comfy and cosy - I can't say that I'm enjoying the cold turn the weather is taking, but the opportunity to sit fireside and vegetate in front of some rather good television has been a small compensation!
Posted by: julie | October 18, 2010 at 01:19 PM
What a fab time you had!
Love the watch pincushion. I've been wanting to make myself a wrist pincushion but I'd thought of flowers, just not sure of the design yet. A watch is a great idea. I need a wrist pincushion for when sitting in the armchair in front of the telly, too easy to loose the pins.
Jewel says thank you for the lovely comment... you're too kind!
Posted by: Lynne | October 19, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Loooove the watch pincushion. Would you, could you share the pattern with all of us? :-)
Posted by: Judi A. | October 20, 2010 at 03:05 AM
That is the cutest pincushion watch ever! What an adorable idea. love it.
Posted by: kat | November 01, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Hi Vanessa,I love your blog! I was wondering if you could tell me where you had your labels a little something by vanessa many thanks for your help.Happy new year.julie.
Posted by: julie | January 02, 2011 at 09:20 PM