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Kids Knit – Kerry Kimber. Book Review

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Kids Knit is a fabulous new book by Kerry Kimber which is coming out in October.

Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd 
ISBN: 9781784945824 
Number of pages: 128 
Dimensions: 275 x 215 mm

Kids Knit: 20 Projects with Fun Techniques to Learn (Paperback) £12.99

Kerry Kimber (author)

Low Stock available on Amazon for £9.99

The Blurb

Knitting for All: Kids Knit is a stylish and aspirational book containing age and stage appropriate knitting techniques and patterns. The projects enable children to learn the basics of knitting and start creating simple items very quickly. Kids Knit has beautiful photography, knitting jokes and activities and attractive illustrations. The start of each level contains photographed step-by-step tutorials covering new skills to make learning straightforward.

My Review of Kids Knit

pages from the book kids knit.
Pages from the book

I can’t knit, well I can a bit now thanks to this book. Boo was interested in learning so I decided to learn with her. I do remember my Mum trying to teach me to knit when I was young, but she gave up on me, or I gave up because it was too difficult.

We bought a set of different sized knitting needles from Amazon. I bought beginners needles made from bamboo. It took a while but following the instructions in the book we were both casting on and learning how to knit.

It was very slow, in particular for Boo who has to do everything perfectly. But we were soon making progress. Boo’s next wish is to make this owl. I’ll let you know how she gets on with it.

Kids knit owl instructions

The book is very aspirational containing age appropriate knitting techniques and patterns. It’s perfect for beginners and they can start learning the basics and be amazed at what they are suddenly able to make from these basics. One they’re ready they can move on to colour changes and complex shapes and textures.

The book has beautiful photography and also includes attractive illustrations, knitting jokes and activities. There are step-by-step tutorials which make learning very straightforward.

While Did the Owl invite his friends over?….. He didn’t want to be owl by himself!

There are 20 projects in this book each in level up sections:

  • woven pouch
  • frog
  • fingerless mittens
  • monster hand puppet
  • tufty owlet
  • rose
  • bunting flags
  • stripy cup cuddle
  • bean bag
  • teddy
  • bag
  • cockerel egg cosy
  • cat ears
  • sleepy puppy
  • hedgehog
  • beanie
  • little fiels mouse
  • jewelled crown
  • ladybird
  • ornamental cacti

It really is a fabulous book and I believe even those that do not have a clue how to knit will soon be making amazing creations.

This post contains affiliate links which may earn me some money if you use them but won’t cost you anything more. Thank you for your support.

Word of the Week 38 – Autumnal

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Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is ‘Autumnal’ and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts toMix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Autumnal

Autumnal, image shows a background of brown and yellow leaves and the word Autumnal.

The last few days have been so warm it’s felt more like summer than Autumn, but you cannot ignore the fact that the leaves are changing colour and falling to the ground. And yesterday evening I found drawing my curtains before 9pm because it was really dark outside.

We all know that Autumn is on the way when the kids go back to school. Two of mine are back, but the problems continue for one. I’ll go into that more later. One of the ‘bubbles’ in my girls school has already been sent home because of a positive COVID case. I have to admit, when I wave them to school in the morning I hope so much that I’m not putting them at any risk. It’s such an unusual and strange experience. Life has to go on, and the two at school are happy. But this COVID virus hangs over us constantly.

Autumn is when the weather gets cooler, nature changes it’s colours and we start thinking about Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas. It’s hard at the moment to see how these kind of celebrations will take place. Will we be able to spend time with our families and friends?

It’s a strange time we live in, but the world is still turning. I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. Are you feeling Autumnal?

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

Word of the Week badge

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Travelling holidays in the UK

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We are not big fans of travelling but love the UK for holidays and were so sad that we couldn’t go away this year thanks to the COVID virus. Our holiday in Dorset was booked just after the lock down ended and we could have still gone, but it felt a little too scary so soon. Plus a lot of the facilities were still not open. We re-arranged our holiday for next year, so fingers crossed we’ll be able to go then.

This got me thinking on how we have a different kind of holiday. We avoid hotels because with three children we have to book two rooms. Plus it feels to impersonal sharing a building with others. We generally go for caravan holidays and admittedly we spend a lot of time in the caravan, especially if it comes with a lovely view.

What I would really love is a motorhome so we could travel wherever we wished. Buying one is out of our budget though, and we would have nowhere to store it while not on holiday so we’d definitely consider Freedhome Motorhome Hire. But where would we go. Here are a few places I’d like to visit.

Places I’d go Travelling to in a Motor Home

England

Dorset is one of my favourite places to visit. You have the stunning Jurassic coastline and so many lovely beaches. If you are lucky you can find somewhere really quiet. You can see some of the places we visited in Dorset a few years ago, including West Bay where they filmed most of Broadchurch. (TV Drama.)

jurassic coastline in Dorset, taken in Charmouth. Image shows cloudy sky, cliffs and the sea

Cornwall. A little further south you have gorgeous Cornwall, which has many places to stay in a motor home. You can go surfing at the wonderful Newquay, visit the Eden Project, or travel to the most south westernly point of the UK, Lands End.

Norfolk. Go East and visit a beatuful area with an incredible coastline and the fabulous Norfolk Broads. There are several places to stay in a motor home and plenty to see and do in Norfolk. Don’t forget to smell the Norfolk lavender.

The New Forest is in Hampshire and is a haven of wildlife, pleace and tranquility. It’s easy accessible but you’ll have to move out of the forest to stay overnight in nearby places like Brockenhurst.

Wales

I love Wales, but my husband was not so convinced until we took a trip through the amazing Elan Valley last year (seems like a lifetime ago.) It was so beautiful and peaceful. The roads can get pretty high but they are wide and safe enough for a motor home.

Pembrokeshire is just one part of Wales that is really worth a visit, it is has everything you need from beaches, nature and outdoor adventures. The coastline is stunning, and you can also visit the castle town of Tenby or family favourite holiday destination of Newport.

Snowdonia is another place in Wales I’d love to visit. Whether you feel like a little mountain climbing or just a beautiful view. Plus there are some amazing camp sites

Scotland

Head North to the beauty of Scotland and enjoy the open roads and fantastic motorhome routes. There are some fabulous places to visit like Loch Ness, where you may even see a monster, or maybe Inverness Castle is more your style. Or head to John O Groats right at the top of the UK. You many even be able to see the Northern lights from here.

The route from Glencoe to Fort William is one of Scotland’s essential road trips and a great places to go when you are touring Scotland in a motorhome.

Spend some time parked by Glencoe’s awe-inspiring mountains if you really want to feel some peace.

Where Would You Go on a Travelling Holiday?

I’ve touched on just a few places in the UK here, you could even go to the Peak District or the Lake district. When you have your home on wheels then the country is yours to explore. Let me know where you would visit, I’d love to know. (My cruise may be exchanged for a motor home holiday instead!)

Scotland

This is a collaborative post

When Did You Last Have Your Hearing Tested?

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I have my ears tested at the same time as my eye tests. At present my hearing is good, but it hasn’t always been that way. As a small child I had multiple ear nose and throat infections and these caused a lot of problems with my hearing. After a tonsillectomy when I was seven things began to improve.

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

Most people at some point have either a blockage or infection in their ear or ears which can cause hearing loss. I once had a middle ear infection which not only affected my hearing but also my balance. I felt dizzy unless I held my head to one side! Thank fully it was sorted out with a quick visit to my GP.

The most common cause for conductive hearing loss is ear wax which has built up in the ear canal. Ear wax is important for cleaning, guarding against bacteria and lubrication. It can sometimes build up to much though, or be pushed too far back into the ear by cleaning with cotton buds. You can get help from places like the Earwax Removal Clinic in London.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is loss that can happen by damage to the Cochlea in the ear. Damage can be caused in many ways, for example, loud noises, head trauma, putting objects in the ear, perforated ear drum and infection.

The first course of treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is corticosteroids which can work really well. If they don’t work then a hearing aid might be the answer. It is also possible to have a cochlea implant.

Sensorineural hearing loss is also common in older people and those with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis.

Congenital Hearing Loss

Some babies are born with hearing loss, this can be inherited or down to the baby catching an infection while in the womb. In the UK all newborn babies have hearing tests after birth. Only one of my children, Boo, failed her test. She was what is known as a meconium baby and born in respiratory distress. Thankfully she was treated quickly and everything was fine. It did affect her ears for a while though. We were lucky as it can cause permanent loss.

There are many ways to improve hearing, from aids, professional cleaning, and operations such as cochlea implants, or even an Auditory Brainstem implant.

Deafness in the community

If you are a fan of the soap Eastenders you will see that they have incorporated deafness into their storyline. Which is always a great way of raising awareness.

I have been learning British Sign Language because it’s something I’ve always wanted to know how to do. I don’t know anyone profoundly deaf, but it still feels like a useful thing to learn. I’m always interested in different types of communication.

Deaf people who lip read are having a hard time at the moment because of facemasks. Thankfully there are some available that allow the face to be seen, like this one I found on Etsy.

window face masks to help the hearing impaired

Some More Advice from the NHS.

The NHS site gives 5 specific points to help protect your ears.

  1. Avoid Loud Noises
  2. Take Care When Listening to Music
  3. Protect Your Ears During Loud Events and Activities
  4. Take Precautions at Work
  5. Get Your Hearing Tested.

My Post on Tips for wearing a Face Covering.

This is a collaborative Post

Avon for September and quick Competition.

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I’ve a competition running on my Avon Facebook page that doesn’t have many entries but the prize is really lovely. Go and take a look, it finishes soon! Here are the details:

Avon Competition

I’m running a competition on my Avon Facebook page where you could win a fabulous Avon Far Away Rebel and Diva for her perfume set. Competition ends September 21st 2020

picture shows a glamorous woman holding a bottle of Avon perfume while leaning out of a pink car, there is also a bottle of perfume , body lotion and purse spray next to her. Avon August.
Far Away Rebel and Diva currently only £12 for the set.

Check my Facebook page to see how you can win this 3 piece set of Perfume, body lotion and a purse spray in the new Far Away Rebel and Diva range. You can buy all three for just £12 in the Avon August shop, it’s worth £21!

My Avon Store

I’ve been an Avon Representative for over a year now. I’ve stopped delivering brochures, it was too much for me and with the COVID restrictions it became impossible. Avon Stopped publishing brochures for a while. You can find my personal Avon Store here.

This means I have moved all my custom online and it means that I can accept orders from anyone anywhere in the UK. So if you like Avon please take a look at my shop. You can order direct to your home and delivery is often free if you check for offers.

My Avon Picks for September

lisa armstrong collection

Introducing the Lisa Armstrong Collection

Exclusively for Avon

“After 20 years of experience as a make-up artist, I want to share my expertise to create a luxurious collection of professional make-up bag must-haves that are wearable, approachable and affordable.

With this experience, I’ve created a range that I couldn’t do my job without, so you can benefit from my know how whilst creating your own signature look.”

Save 30 % on Make Up

Some fabulous offers here, why not take a browse?

save 30% on make up products

Pillow Spray

One of my favourite products, I love my pillow spray

pillow spray

Anew Reset Plumping Shots

Who doesn’t want plumper, firmer looking skin?

Face Coverings and Hand Gel

I have many Face Coverings but I have to admit, Avon ones are my favourites. The Hand gel is good too, not only does it protect it moisturises. And the price is definitely right.

covering and hand gel

Bath and Body Essentials

Finally, I’d like to share some bath and body essentials which are featured in the £1 event. Yes, everything here is only £1, great time to stock up.

£1 event

Thanks and Don’t forget to enter my Avon Competition.

Thanks for reading, I hope you will pop along and enter my Facebook competition, it really is a lovely prize. And every order on my Facebook page makes me smile because it’s not easy earning money from home. So thank you for your support.

https://www.avon.uk.com/store/annesweet

My New Avon Venture