Overdue Thank You!

Please bare with me while I once again play blogging catch up! I owe a huge overdue THANK YOU to my wonderful spoiler from Secret Pal 11... the one and only Dianne! Dianne has been an incredible spoiler and its so funny because we read each other's blogs way before SP11 even started! Its really awesome to get someone you already "know" in a swap and even more fun to a get a spoiler that knows you too!

My wickedly cool reveal package arrived last week... and looksie here at all the wonderful goodies Dianne sent. Everything was wrapped up in pretty pink tissue...

It didn't take very long for me to tear in to it all...

I got some awesome stuff! There is a beautiful skein of Shelly Dyes Sock Yarn (love, love, love the colorway!), some "N" post-it notes, a gorgeous hand blown glass Christmas ball that I absolutely adore (Dianne explained it is made by local glass artisans near her, where, get this, she's a curatorial assistant at the Museum of American Glass! What a cool job!!!), a Willow Tree trinket box (a friend started me on a collection of the Angels, this is my first box and it is the girl w/ doggy "Friendship" box - very cool & so appropriate!), The Yarn Harlot's latest book "Casts Off" which Dianne got signed for me when she was in NJ last month (totally awesome because I have her other 3 books signed but was unable to attend Stephanie's signing in Mass earlier this year to get the new one... Dianne, you're the best!) and last, but certainly not least, some gourmet Patriots dog cookies for my kids & Sophie (who's still here... we're not quite counting her as "Doggy #4" yet, but........)! I'm not sure where in NJ she managed to find Patriots cookiees.... ha ha!

If you're a regular, you know I can't ever take swap package pics without curious on lookers.... this one is Lola & Teutul.

Here's a close up of my signed book and the cookies...

The kids were very somewhat patient while waiting for their yummies... Zeus gave his best "C'mon Ma... I know those are for me!" look.

A couple more curious noses popped in for

a closer look while I was trying to snap a pic.

Sophie finally got up to come see what all the fuss was about. Look at Lola's eyes in this one... can you say C-O-O-K-I-E?!?!

I don't have any good pics of them with their cookies because they scoofed them down so fast, except for Miss Sophie...

Thank you Dianne... everything is absolutely wonderful! You have truly spoiled me (and my babies!) rotten!!!!!!!

I have been SPOILED

I'm back to some normalness (ok, ok... so what's that?) after a long weekend and will be playing catch up on blog posts for a couple of days. I spent a beautiful Saturday with Joanne & blogless Kathy on the Wool Arts Tour and will have lots of pictures later, but today I wanted to give props and big thank yous to a couple of my swap spoilees.

First up is the terrific 2nd package I received from my Secret Pal 11 spoilee. Her packages come wrapped & packaged up so beautifully! Look at the beautiful fall leaves she "wrapped" my package in (they are now adorning shelves in my kitchen)... and the pretty fall bags everything was packaged in....such beautiful & thoughtful presentation! Oh and do you see the 2 noses taking a peek?? Inside I found a really cute birthday card and lots of goodies. There's a skein of Opal Rain Forest sock yarn in the very fallish Butterfly colorway. I've been wanting to scoop up one of these hard to find rainforest skeins, so this was a great treat! Speaking of treats, she sent me some yummy rock candy pops, limited edition pop rocks flavors and chocolate covered cranberries! I also got a "Just Apples" cookbook - so perfect for this time of year! And... drum roll... I saved the best for last, a set of Grafton Fibers "Darn Pretty Needles" DPNs! OMG, check these out... can you say gor-geous??!! They are hand crafted in Vermont and just so beautifully made (click on the picture which should enlarge for a better view)! I can't wait to use them! Thank you secret pal - these are absolutely stunning!

The spoiling kept coming as the next day I received a wonderful box from my Knit 1, Tea 2 Swap spoiler, Jeanne! Just look at all the goodies she crammed in to the box! Teas... lots of deliciousness that I can't wait to try, including Acai Green Tea from Republic of Tea, Chai Spice Red Bush Tea (I had wanted to try some reds and I do love chai, so this sounds really interesting), Pure Assam breakfast tea from jolly 'ole England and Yogai Chai Green Tea (ok, so I didn't even know that Chai came in varieties such as green & red... yummy!). Tea accessories... some cool tea filters that are sized for a 4 cup tea pot (and possibly making me change my mind about wanting a cute little tea pot) and a Tea Bea, the cutest little tea infuser I've ever seen! Chocolate... yummy Lindt truffles and a Scharffen Berger milk chocolate bar (the truffles are just about gone, but I haven't chowed down the bar just yet). There is also a cute doggy notepad and some wonderful all natural treats for my kids, which they absolutely loved (and Mommy now needs to find a local retailer who carries). Once again, I saved the best for last... part of the swap requirements were to knit your pal a tea related item. However, Jeanne decided instead of knitting something, she would commission her friend to make me a custom doggy shaped shawl pin. LOOK! How cool is this??!! Even more so because I've got about 4 shawls in the midst of casting on and I was eyeing some shawl pins over the weekend on the Wool Arts Tour, but didn't find anything I really loved (or wanted to drop $30 - 50 on at the time). So this was an extra special treat - thank you Jeanne, I absolutely love it all! Now to find those Treat-Umms for the dogs... lol! Oh yea, and Tofutsies yarn in a most beautious colorway which I can't wait to finally try this stuff!!!!!!

Thank you so much to both of my pals... its so nice to get swap packages that actually reflect my personality and likes ... and its extra special to get swap pals who go the distance to find out what you like!

I will bring you more updates later this week... Wool Arts Tour, birthday goodies and more!

Goodyness in my mailbox!

We all love that good mail in the box, right? Finding a handwritten note from a friend or new pictures from family afar... and swap packages from all those so easily to get addicted to joining knitting related swaps! Well, I was a little spoiled the past 2 days with my mail...

It started with my first package from my Secret Pal 11 spoilee, who so obviously is reading my blog and learning about me! She rocks... look at what I got, all wrapped up in pretty colored tissue...

She sent me books and candy (Matt said "hey cool, a swap that didn't include yarn!" I said, "oh honey, just you wait!")! I got Romantic Hand Knits and Funny Dogs, a super cool dog photo book that I've already been purusing! My spoilee also sent me 2 of my most favorite candies (Haribo gummy bears and gummy berries), as well as chocolate covered tootsie rolls. Chocolate covered - I didn't even know there was such a thing! YUM-O! Thank you secret pal!!!

Yesterday I got my latest order from The Loopy Ewe - the order that made me an official Loopy Groupie! Yippee! I never thought I'd be so excited to be called a groupie before. My "welcome to the club" goodies were the big Loopy zippered tote, Loopy kisses and - get this - 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn (see honey, there's some extra yarn... free yarn!)! Sheri & her staff sure do know how to treat their customers right! On top of that, I hit the level for a $25 credit to my account and used it to snag a skein of Yarn Nerd handpainted in yesterday's sneak-up. (btw, it was raining rained cats & dogs yesterday and I was trying to get some light by holding the bag up to the window... didn't work so well...)

Then today, I got a lovely surprise in the form of a Yarn Bouquet from the Manch Vegas girls with Zen Yarn Garden handpainted 70% superwash / 30% seacell sock yarn in the gorgeous colorway Tea Cups! (excuse the poor quality photo, I picked up the package on my way to work and used my cell phone to snap it) I can not wait to use this yarn and call me sappy, but even down to the colorway name, it made me smile (you see, my Nana's birthday would have been Aug. 18th and some of my fondest memories are of her & her tea, which was a constant as long as I can remember... and this just makes me think of her and smile!) The girls really made me smile when they surprised my Mom and now, this for me too. Thank you so much girls! Your thoughtfulness and caring gestures are truly appreciated and mean so much!

Knitting news... I've been busy knitting away on some items for the upcoming 2nd Annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Jenn's (check out her Etsy shop for some great tote bags and baby items). My goal this year is lots of smaller things... things people will easily grab for gifts & stocking stuffers, and things I can package as ready to give gifts. This week I've been working on lots of cozies... quick & fun to knit things!

I've also been working on random WIP's (yes, yes.... I have many due to my raging cases of startitis and leave-it-and-forget-it-itis over the past couple months). One of which is my Cabin Fever Tank, which I'm still working the endless miles of ribbing.

Speaking of startitis, I wound up some yarn the other night for these two projects... the Loopy Ewe anniversary socks and some silk mittens (kit which I picked up at the TKGA show in July)....

Well, that's it for Wednedsay.... Hump Day.... Knitting Day! See anyone at Joanne's tonight?

SP11 contest answers

I have the pleasure of being part of Heatherly's group for Secret Pal 11 and she has given us these questions to answer, so here it goes......

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
Beautiful handmade stitchmarkers - great jewelry for your knitting always makes me smile, even when I'm having a friggin' knitting kind of day! I'm also really loving those new ponytail holder looking thingy-ma-bobs that are out for DPNs now - I can toss my socks in my bag without worrying about stitches falling off!

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?
Why yes, of course! Usually I bring something small, lately its been my current socks in progress. Sometimes I'll bring a hat or fingerles gloves or something else that's easily portable to work on while on the plane, in the airport, in a car, etc.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Charlotte, NC - we go every year for a week in May and try to get back here and there later in the year when we can. Love it down there - great area, great people, great food, lots to see & do... and oh yea, NASCAR too! We're going next week for the Patriots pre-season game! GO PATS!

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
One Skein Wonders - love it and its many patterns perfect for quick gifts! I met the editor last month and can't wait for the 2nd installment to come out this fall! I'm also currently enjoying Mary Beth Temple's "The Secret Language of Knitters" (I met her the same day at TKGA).

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
I really should listen to more podcasts, but I just don't have the time. The only one I make it a point to always listen to is Sleepy Eyes Knitting podcast, which has been on a bit of a hiatus but I bet Gina will be bringing us a new installment very soon!

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

Being the super joiner that I am lately, I've signed up for Secret Pal 11 swap... here's my Q&A.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love most all natural, soft fibers, including merino wool & alpaca. I also love hand dyed & hand spun yarn. I’m not so fond of sticky acrylics…. but I’m not totally anti-acrylic either (it has its place, right?). I do not have any need for fun fur or eyelash yarns… may they rest in peace.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have some handmade needle holders – 1 for circulars and 1 for straight & DPN. I have of my fancier needles in a wood box thing on the table in my knitting corner, though I'd love to get one of those rubber needle vases at some point (they have them at Patternworks).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My Mom tried to teach me many years ago as a child, when I did some very basic stitches and made a blanket for my doll. It wasn’t "cool" then though, so I didn’t stick with it… and now could kick myself in the arse for that! I got back interested probably about 4 years ago, but I’ve really started seriously knitting in the past 2 years or so. I guess I would consider myself an intermediate knitter

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, there is a button for it on my sidebar under the “participation ribbons.”

5. What's your favorite scent?
I love fresh, clean scents including french vanilla, sea/ocean, green tea, fresh cut grass, lavender, etc. When it comes to candles, I also like “homey” scents like banana bread, apple pie, basil, ginger/lime, etc. I do NOT like anything floral (makes me sneeze).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES!!!! I love swedish fish, Haribo gummy bears, chocolate (milk or white), Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate covered gummy bears (yum-o!), chocolate covered pretzels (sense a theme here?), most gummy things, etc. I also love Tortuga Rumcakes.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am a beginning drop-spindle spinner (all tips & tricks of spindle spinning are appreciated). I have done almost all types of crafts throughout my life (my childhood was a very crafty one - macramé, ceramics, beading, counted cross stitch, latch hook, plastic canvas, etc), but am mainly a knitter and learning to spin now. I am about to dabble in some bead work however to make stitch markers and notions.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I can play MP3s. I like most all music except for traditional country & rap. Some of my favorites are John Mellencamp, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, Sister Hazel, Christina Aguliera, Kid Rock, AC/DC, Collective Soul, Billy Joel and Chris Daughtry. I also like some classic rock and still love my 80's rock too (Extreme, Skid Row, Slaughter, Ugly Kid Joe, Warrant, etc.)!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I tend to lean towards lots of purples, blues, pinks and reds, as well as a lot of fall color mixes (love foliage colors in New England). Nothing I really can’t stand except maybe neons and hideous shades of any color.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend of 12 years and our 3 “children,” 4-legged furbabies Zeus, Lola & Teutul. You will see and hear about them often on my blog.... my dogs are very spoiled, after all they are my children! We often have a furry houseguest as well, as I volunteer with a dog rescue and foster from time to time.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Are you kidding? I'm a New England girl, born and raised! I wear a scarf and gloves/mittens daily in the winter. I'd probably wear hats more often if I had more that I loved and didn’t flatten or static zap my hair. I’m not much of a poncho person (I’m only 5’2” and they tend to make me look more squat than anything), but am liking wraps and shawls more these days.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Of course we all love the quick & easy projects, right (instant gratification!)? I enjoy making anything that I know will be appreciated and worn by the recipient. I like to do socks and mitts on DPN… and have a new love for bags. I enjoy anything that brings a new skill or challenge to my knitting repertoire (example: I recently took a Double Knitting class which was a blast).

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am not a monogamous knitter, and therefore always have several projects OTN. Currently OTN: a pair of anklet socks, a lace headband, a Double Knitting head/ski band, a tank top, a cat bed, a Booga bag, a shaped scarf/wrap, a dishcloth and a few scarves… and probably some more things that are hiding in one of several project bags!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes indeed! They can be so much more special that what money can buy.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular anytime I can – I hate sewing seams! If I’m working with circulars, I love Addi Turbos and Knit Picks. For DPN, I love bamboo. For straights, I have a mix of bamboo, acrylic and metal… depends on the yarn, but I tend to lean towards the woods. I recently got a pair of Fiddlesticks Needles and absolutely adore them!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Um… do I really have to say??? I would have to guess 4 years old. The first scarf I started when I got back in to knitting… it’s a basket weave pattern in a dustry rose acrylic yarn on some old fashioned metal needles … I think its time to cut the thing loose...

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and Halloween. I like St Patrick’s Day too, as I am a wee bit Irish!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn, UFO and needles??? I collect Willow Angels and Snow Babies. I’ve recently found myself picking up various knitting / fiber related collectibles as well. I also have a pretty big collection of dog related items (everything from welcome mats to "What Part of Woof Don't You Understand?" signs to throw pillows to art prints to kitchen towels to figurines)… oh, and knitting books, esp love signed ones!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I’d love to try some Tofutsies yarn and the Vickie Howell yarn line… For needles, I’m always looking to add some luxury ones to my collection and would love to get a set of Lantern Moon Sox Stix… I do have several books on my Amazon wish list… I subscribe to Simply Knitting (the UK magazine – it was a splurge but I LOVE it!), Creative Knitting and Knit Simple.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I’m always up for learning new techniques & tricks! I recently took a Double Knitting class which is something I’d wanted to learn for a long time… I’d like to learn to knit 2 socks at once and the magic loop.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I’ve never taken actual measurements of my foot, but I wear a size 8 ½ - 9 shoe (US women’s sizes), which tends to make me a Medium for most things.

23. When is your birthday?
October 7th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on the waiting list. As of today (Aug 6th)…
~ You signed up on July 22, 2007
~ You are #19564 on the list.
~ 11396 people are ahead of you in line.
~ 3852 people are behind you in line.
~ 33% of the list has been invited so far