Winter Wonderland......

......is the theme of our latest challenge which starts today over at A Gem of a Challenge

The host is Wendy and we have  guest designer Coops who has made a gorgeous card

Please pop over and take a look at the rest of the DT's stunning cards

New Digis

Here are the latest digi releases over at Pink Gem Designs

Have a lovely weekend!

New to Crochet

 I have been doing a bit of knitting lately now the cold dark nights are upon us.

I have been able to knit for a long time  ....since I learnt in infant school really.

The bug has been on and off with me over the years....I did most of it when my kiddies were little.

I have always wanted to learn to crochet though....had one or two attempts over the years but given up lol

I just couldn't  hold it right for one thing as well as keeping track of the stitches.

Well thank goodness for Youtube!

I have been watching crochet tutorials for about three weeks now (mostly during the night in my insomniac moments) and having a bit of a practice on an evening along side the knitting

.....and this week I made my first crochet beanie for my little grandaughter Mia.

I really enjoyed it as crochet grows faster than knitting....not quite sure I am holding the yarn right though but I get by lol

Still need lots of practice  but I am really pleased with my acheivment so far :)

New Digi Release

I just love drawing Christmas digi stamps and I have released a few new ones this week :)

....but first of all I just want to mention 'A Gem of a Challenge' which starts a new challenge today

The theme is 'Purple & Turquoise' and has been set by Annette :)

We have Jane as Guest Designer so pop over and take a look at hers and the rest of the teams beautiful creations!

....now onto the new digis

All come as 4 files in both blackline & colour JPG & PNG

Owl Be There

No card to show just now as I can't seem to get motivated with paper and card at the moment

I have got this hat to share which I knit for my little grandson Jack though

Challenge 105 & New Digis

Brrr it's getting colder now....first frost this morning where we live!

A new challenge starts today over at 'A Gem of  a Challenge' hosted by the lovely Debbie and she has chosen Gems, Gems, Gems,

A lovely selection of DT cards by the team and guest designer Gretha so pop over and take a look :)

Here are a couple of new digi products over at Pink Gem Designs 

Bella with Candy

Remember Max and Milly my first little stamp characters.

They are available in this Nativity digi set so you can build your own scene :)

Knitted Ear Warmer

Just wanted to show you this knitted ear warmer I made for my teenage grandaughter

......but first I would like to mention it's another  'A Gem of A Challenge' day today.

The challenge is hosted by Christine which is 'Christmas is Coming'

Caroline is our lovely guest designer and Kevin and Helen make their debuts as DT members

All beautiful cards made by the team so pop over and take a look!

I have been doing a bit of knitting recently on an evening to help me wind down....also it keeps my mind off knibbling as I am on a diet lol.

I used to knit a lot when the kids were little but haven't done too much over the years as the demand dried up. Had grandchildren but I don't think it was too fashionable to put babies in hand knit stuff....well that was the impression I got lol

Anyway it seems to be coming back in fashion and I have been having a go at seamless knitting that our friends in the US seem to love so much!

This is the latest item I made which is an ear warmer for my teenage grandaughter Chloe

Pattern

With chunky wool and 6.5mm needles cast on/bind on 76 stitches. Join round and place marker

Knit 4 rows knit 2 pearl 2

Knit 6 rows (every row knit in circular knitting makes stocking stitch)

Pearl 1 Row

Knit 1 Row

Pearl 1 Row

Knit 6 rows

Knit 4 rows in knit2 pearl 2 

turn inside out and cast off/bind off  the same way you just knit for a neater finish

Lots of free flower patterns here so take your pick

My tension/gauge  gave me 4 stitches to the inch but you can make it smaller larger using different size needles

I made this to fit my head 21.5 inches...you take off 2 inches as the hat has to stretch to fit the head so that gave me 19.5 inches which you times by the amount of stitches per inch in your tension swatch.

That gave me 78 stitches but I  took away 2 so the knit 2 pearl 2 rib would work out so that gave me 76 stitches

To make a tension swatch cast on 20 stitches and knit for an inch or two.

With a flat ruler count  the stitches over four inches and divide by four......you then get the amount of stitches you are knitting per inch.

..............so  you can use any size needle and yarn to make your ear warmer!

New Christmas Digis......

Just added....you can find them here