Smile Please

We have been out and about again and found another decorated rock, which I just had to share with you.

It certainly put a smile on our faces.  These decorated rooks seem to be popping up all over the place and they seem to be loved by all.  Not far from us they recently held a 'B line', where people came from far and wide to add their rocks, painted with bugs of all shapes and sizes, to a long, long line.  The stones are left there for anyone to pick up and either keep or to take away to 'hide' somewhere else.

On the reverse of this stone were instructions to post a photograph of our find on the Facebook page for 'Love on the rocks UK (Hiding Rocks ~ Making Smiles)'.

There was also a note that it had been painted by the lovely Maggie on 2 April 2022 - thank you Maggie.  We shall be re-hiding the rock in a day or two

.

Dionne

Quick and Simple Easter Cards

Happy Easter everyone.

Easter cards are not commonly sent in the UK but they are becoming more popular.   I only send them to one or two people and, if I am honest, I do not remember to send them every year!  This year I was full of good intentions and I had a design in mind, bought all of the bits I would need and then promptly forgot to make them - worse than that, I completely forgot until too late what I had in mind to make.

At the beginning of the week I panicked and started rampaging through my craft stash to see what I could make. I came up with a very quick and easy design.  Some card blanks, an egg shaped die by X Cut, a sheet of peel-off's, some ribbon and a page from last year's calendar.

I cut the egg shape out of the card blank and placed the ribbon and picture behind it.  Once the were secured I cut another card blank in to two cover the inside of the card.  I added the peel-off images - I have not used peel-off's for years and had forgotten how much fun they can be. Finally, I stamped a Happy Easter sentiment inside the card.

I could not decide exactly where to put the ribbon and tried is all over the place.

My inspiration for making Easter cards is my dear friend Lisette (aka Mrs Beez), who never forgets and is well organised.  Here is the stunning card she sent to me this year, isn't it gorgeous?

I hope you are enjoying the holiday.

Dionne

He Has Been at it Again!

My husband has been at it again!

You may remember that back in December I posted a rock he had found on top of a pillar box close the where we live?  The other day I asked if, whilst he was out, he could post a pile of birthday cards which needed to catch the next pick-up.  He returned with this gorgeous rock, which he found in the same place as the other one he had found.  He was delighted with his find and rushed home to show me.

I know that I did not paint this one but is is so lovely I wanted to share it with you.  I did have a go once but I chickened out of painting and used transfers instead.

On the reverse of the stone were instructions to post a photograph of our find on the Facebook page for 'Love on the rocks UK (Hiding Rocks ~ Making Smiles)'.

There was also a note that it had been painted by Maggie on Valentine's Day - thank you Maggie.

Dionne

 

Pink, Lilac and Grey Round Neck Cardigan

I think this may be my last cardigan or jumper for a while .... well until I finish the one I am currently making.  

Do you remember me saying the other day that the favourite cardigan of my youngest niece is the navy one with sparkles?  Well apparently this cardigan has knocked it off the top spot and firmly taken it's place ... apparently she will not even take it off to go to bed.  Who can blame her, I also think these are really pretty colours and they work together so well?  The yarn is King Cole Cherish Double Knit yarns, made up in a Stylecraft pattern - number 4909.  I could not decide what colour to make the buttons and I thought, why not all of the colours so the buttons are a mix of different colours.

I had some of the yarn left over so I made him a bobble hat to go with his jumper.  The pattern is another one of my anonymous Ebay purchases.

Stay dry and keep warm.

Dionne

Sailor Collar

A pinch and a punch it's the first of the month Mrs Beez and it's time to make a start on those Christmas cards .... are you ready?  Everyone else, I am sorry about that!  Every year Mrs Beez and I say we are going to make a start on our Christmas cards in February and every year we leave it until December!  You are very welcome to join us making an early start this year, I would love to see your creations.  (Just leave the link to your blog in the comments section.)

But today it is all about knitting.  I have always stayed well away from cable stitch in any pattern.  I have tried it and failed.  Recently my nephew asked me to make his son a particular pattern which contained a lot of cable stitch.  I did not want to say no - but I have been putting it off.

There comes a time when we have to face up to the things which we are running away from - or something like that!  As a trial run I thought I would try a pattern with just a little cable stitch.  It is a Sirdar pattern  - number 4179, which I made in King Cole Cherish speckly Double Knit.

This cardigan has a has a V shaped design along the bottom edge.

The cable stitch pattern runs either side of the buttons - these buttons maybe cute but boy do they get caught up in the yarn!  (I think I may be in trouble with my niece.)

What do you think Carol, did I do it correctly?  Thank you for encouraging me to give it another go.

The cardigan has a sweet sailor collar, which also has that V shaped edging.

I suppose I have no excuse now for not tackling that other cable stitch pattern for my nephew.

Dionne

Red Jumper for a Little Girl

I hope you are well today?  We are almost done with January already, time flies when you are kept busy.

I have a stunning scarlet coloured jumper to share with you.  I made it almost a year ago in order to keep my young niece warm.  Apologies for the photograph, the flash must have bounced back off the yarn - I think we established some time ago that I am a rubbish photographer.

The pattern is Stylecraft 4910, made in fabulous King Cole Cherish Double Knit.

Take care.

Dionne

Lilac and Lemon Speckled Cardigan

How are you today?  I hope you are well and full of get up and go.

I have another cardigan made in King Cole Cherish Double Knit to show you today.  The yarn has a lilac, lime and blue fleck on a white background, 

You cannot see the yarn very clearly in this photograph, so I also took one in close-up.

The pattern is Stylecraft 4909.

Have a good day.

Dionne