Turtles journey cowl by Heather Anderson

The turtles journey cowl is the story of the little turtles hatching.

And making there way to the sea.

Across the dangerous sands.

To swim free in the deep blue sea for the first time.

This is a lovely cowl to make, the changing stitches make it a very interesting knit. The pattern is straight forward when you follow the pattern carefully (unlike me). I used Wendy 100% superwash merino DK.  It's a lovely soft yarn to work with. I had this in my stash and still have plenty left so I want to make some fingerless gloves. Heather has not designed a pattern to match so I was thinking of using a basic pattern and incorporating the sand pattern to tie in. There is a hat with waves that is very cute that I would like to make if the yarn can stretch that far.

Nearly completed another knit so another post by the end of the week I hope.

I will be teaching a friend to knit on sunday. The yarn has arrived and looks fab so I'm getting excited to cast it on my needles.

Happy knitting

Bye for now

Tina x

A stitch in time by Susan Crawford

 I have finished my  Made so quickly, it was a real pleasure to make.

 I finally chose these mother of pearl flower buttons.  They really finish it off.

I quite like the casual no button look but I'm so pleased  I stuck to the plan. Retro heaven!
I'm wearing it on my latest YouTube video if you would like to see it live, you can find me under Simply in stitches.

So what's on your needles?

Happy knitting

Love Tina x

Eloise by Judy Finnigan book review

I was a little disappointed with this novel. The basic story is a good plot but I felt it was lacking in the writing to carry the reader on the journey. It's an OK light read and I would give it 3 stars but there are better books out there.

Button it or not?

 The question is should I follow the pattern or should I leave it open?

 I like the open look. Would it look too buttoned up on me?

I think it give a more relaxed look.

What do you think?

Happy knitting

Tina

First YouTube video

My first YouTube video is out . I had a great time recording it . It's really lovely to be sharing all my projects.  I hope it will be well received to encourage me to make a fool of myself again.

Happy stitching

Tina x

Shabby chic new look for old wicker chair

My hall chair was looking a little unwelcoming.

So I made some cushions with some of my stash fabric. I liked them but it was still missing something.

So I knitted a simple wave pattern blanket with some style craft yarn also from my stash. I think it looks a lot cozier and welcoming when I come home.

It feels good to use up my stash. The more I use the more I can buy isn't that how it works?

Happy summer crafting

Tina x

Happy ever after x-stitch

My x-stitch project is coming along very nicely.  It's a chart from Cross stitcher magazine byLucie Heaton. I must confess I made a mistake and it's turning out half the size it should have been. It's my first time using 28 count and there are hardly any instructions. It's only by seeing the size I found my error. Oh well I'm quite happy with the size as its going on the family wall so I didn't want it too big.

What size count do you prefer?

Happy stitching

Tina

Linwood Barclay Too close to home book review

This is a good thriller but not the 5 star I have come to expect from Linwood. The story is about a family who live next door to a family that are murdered. As always there are clever twistes and turns before the truth is revealed at the end. A good assortment of characters and interesting plot but for me only a 4 star this time . I do have high expectations with this author s books so it maybe why I was disappointed this time as it was still a page turner.

Who are you favourite author's ? I would love your recommendations.

Happy reading

Tina x

Edward's menagerie by Kerry Lord -alpaca

I gifted my mother Kerry Lords fantastic book Edward's menagerie with yarn.

 I knew she would make the elephant first ,which she did.

 

I didn't know she would treat me to the alpaca. Meet Seamus the alpaca, I just love him.
Thank you mum, I know it wasn't easy but you met the challenge and loved it.

I would recommend this book , my mum has loved trying a new form of crochet. The instructions are very clear and she has produced 2 gorgeous little animals.


I would love to know if anyone else has used this book and what you have made .

Happy stitching

Tina

What's on my needles, in my hoop and on the sewing machine

I wanted to do an update on my W.I.P's. I have a few things on the go now that I have finished the wedding sampler. It turned out beautifully but I gave it away without taking a picture. Lesson 1, photo first before wrapping. I would have liked a record of it. It took far longer to finish off than I expected, so many French knots. That's why I love those Dimensions kits they are so detailed they have great designers.


Opps still not finished  my Delphine skirt.

I had some trouble with the waistband but it's nearly finished and I already have fabric for the next.

Knitting next

I've started a small blanket for the chair in the hall. I have already made 2 cushion covers for it but I thought it was lacking something. Photo's to follow of the whole thing once I have finished.

 Made so quickly from A stitch in time by Susan Crawford

Well maybe not so quickly but I'm getting there.

The wedding sampler put me in the mood to make one for my own wedding. It was only 7 years ago so no rush. I fell in love with this design in Crossstitcher magazine by Lucie Heaton

It's a simple folksy style but on 28 count. This is a first for me but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is (famous last words). I have only just started on this but I'm hoping over the weekend to get some more done in natural light, easier on the eyes.

So that's all for now , I hope to be back with my finished projects soon.

I hope you are enjoying the summer and having some crafty fun outside.

Happy stitching

Tina

Dimensions wedding cross stitch

Ok so life sort of got in the way and my blog has been left sad and alone. But wait what's this stitching .......... could it be a blog post,  yay   at last.

My sister-in-law was getting married to her lovely man so I wanted to do something personal to give them. It had to be by Dimensions, they are such fantastic little projects. All my faves are by them.
So in true Simply style the wedding was May 30th and this is how far I am on 18th July. I'm nearly there honest, just the back stitching to do. 

Excuse me I have stitching to do.

Happy stitching

Tina

love at first stitch Delphine skirt Tilly Walnes

I have brought out Tillys book again.

I have had my eyes on this A line skirt for a long time.

It is just the purrfect shape for my pear shape figure.

I am hoping it works out so I can use it for  a lot of different variations. It could be my go to skirt .

This is my chosen fabric, More of an emerald green than the photo shows. It's got some weight to it but seams to drape nicely. I have no idea what fabric it is ,but I'm hoping it will do a great job. Good for spring with thick black tights and summer with bare legs or natural tights.
Cutting out done. Sewing will have to wait till Tuesday.

Happy sewing
Tina

The Paris wife book review

I really found this book lacking in emotion.  I was hoping for a sweeping love story set in Paris but although they travel  as a reader I found I was not taken along.The main story could have been great if it had been brought to life .
I would not recommend this book.
I hope whatever you are reading is bringing you joy. I would love to know what it is. Please leave a comment. Have you checked out good reads website?


Happy reading
Tina

foxy tote bag take 2

 I still had some of this fab foxy fabric left after my tiny bag I made last time. Please see previous post.

 So I made a bigger one freehand this time.So it turned out the right size and I made sure I could wear it over my shoulder for hands free shopping.

I used an emerald green cotton to line it. I love the rich colour in contrast to the printed black outer.
So I finally have a bag  to use for library visits and to keep folded in my bag for shopping. I love the feel of it as well as the look.

Happy stitching

Tina

Miette cardigan by Untangling knots Andi Satterlund

I was just getting ready for Sunday lunch at my mum's when I realized I had never blogged about this cardigan.

I love the fit of this. Andi's patterns usually use negative ease and I worry it will be too small but this is just right. I think it's because the pattern says to use 5mm needles for DK wieght yarn when you would usually use 4mm, it gives it more stretch.

I love this cranberry colour. The yarn is Sirdar Country style 40% nylon,30% wool, 30% acrylic. A very cost effective yarn that has a nice feel to it but is machine washable. 

It was knitted top down on the round and the pattern was not too complicated. I knitted full length sleeves but the pattern is for 3/4 length. Nice for spring but I wanted more all year wear. In the UK the cosier the better with our weather.

Happy knitting

Tina

Corinne Lapierre felt bookmark

 I was looking at  Pinterest  and I saw some lovely  felt bookmarks.

 So I had a rumage in my stash and pulled out some fab felt from Corinne Lapierre at create and craft TV.

 I cut out 2 hearts the same size ,using the corners of the felt so it will fit a book page.

 I then chose some spare thread from my x_stitch to use to decorate, with some buttons from my jar.

 Any design you like . I just attached the buttons and then added swirls freehand.Next blanket stitch around the top of the heart.

 Then put hearts together and blanket stitch together around the bottom.

 The page should fit nicely between the hearts.

Quick and fun to make. Great to keep kids entertained and great presents for grandma.This is all mine though I love it. I will be making some more bookmarks, it's such a relaxing useful way to spend an hour.

Happy stitching

Tina