Purple Passion Voodoo

As mentioned yesterday, I received my Spring Coffee Swap package from the wonderful Criquette - check it out!

These lovely wrapped packages...

Turned in to all this...

It is always cool to have someone you know spoil you (but don't get me wrong, making new friends is cool too) and Katie definitely shows how well she knows me... she put together this vibrant "Purple Passion" themed package after all! Inside the box I found goodies, goodies and... more goodies!

There were yummy treats ~ Voodoo Blend coffee (love the name - can't wait to try!), a Starbucks mocha dark chocolate bar and Starbucks caffee mocha truffles. mmmm

There were even yum-yums for my kids from one of their most favorite places, Three Dog Bakery ~ Lick 'n Crunch cookies and their most favorite Beagle Bagles! Teutul and Zeus were quite excited that the nice lady thought of them... as were my girls, but they were inside drooling through the door during the photo shoot.

There were cute accessories ~ coffee theme napkins, the cutest "My Name is No-No, Bad Dog... What's Yours?" post-it notes and 2 unique mix CDs that Katie made for the drive to work (so cool!)....

There was yarn.... not one, not two, but three skiens.... Dream in Color Classy (oooh... how I heart this squishy, yummy yarn), Cotton Classic and Four Seasons Cotton.

There was the handmade part of the swap... Kate had stalked me on Ravelry looked into my Ravelry queue and saw that I had Calorimetry listed... then, on & off her needles - in a most gorgeous handpainted yarn - it went! I absolutely adore it, however if you read my post yesterday, you know that I'm sad to report that it is too big (I'll spare you from my ranting about a pattern revision again). humpf I will experiment with it and see if I can use it for a neckscarf or maybe fold it somehow (right now it fits my entire head - I can even button it under my chin and do my best grandma impression). Any suggestions?

Isn't it gorgeous? And as I said, Katie knows me well... check out the awesome button (I had trouble getting the camera to focus but its a shiny silver with a rhinestone in the middle and oh so awesome!)...

Thank you Katie aka Criquette! The package was truly awesome and I adore the "purple passion" theme!

When I was photoing last night, I noticed some more purple passion...

Now hold on to your ooohhs and aaahhhs and pretty tulips.... remember how I told you that I DO. NOT. WEED.? Here's the un-zoomed in proof...

Sheep and Yarn and Alpaca and SNOW?

I spent Mother's Day at the NH Sheep & Wool fesitval with Joanne and a couple of blogless girls, Cheryl & Marlene. What an excellent day for fiber frolicing - the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold!

While none of us were looking for spinning related items, we did happen upon some beautiful wheels, including this beauty (click for a 2nd view)...

Look at that wood work... and the matching chair too boot! The pictures hardly do it justice.

Of course there was a lot of other stuff to buy... including yarn! I had gone with the attitude that if it wasn't something I really loved or unusual, I wasn't going to buy it... I'm at the point where my credit card company could see a $1000 yarn store purchase in Hong Kong and never question if the charge was legit or not in my stash where I don't need to just buy yarn for the sake of buying yarn. So I ended up walking away with just 3 skeins...

From left to right, that is a 3.5 ounce skein of hand painted alapca from Sallie's Fen Alpacas... a skein of Seacoast Handpainted Llama/Wool in the colorway Colorado and... a skein of Seacoast Handpainted Mohair/Wool in the colorway Pink Patch. Both of the Seacoast yarns were marked down to a steal and the alpaca was just one of those that I couldn't leave behind! I'm not totally sure what they are destined for just yet... possibly mitts for me, maybe a baby something with the pink patch... maybe a Calorimetry, although I just received my Spring Coffee Swap package and my awesome pal Criquette made one for me .... its gorgeous, but after a quick try on in the office bathroom, sadly its too large... BUT, that got me to searching on Ravelry for input on the sizing (seems its too wide for most everyone - you'd think by now they'd have publised a revision!) and it looks like less stitches, less repeats and maybe even smaller needles are the way to go...

My only other purchases for the day were a delicious buffalo cheese steak and some apple crisp... and this sweater pattern...

Both Joanne & I were ooohing and ahhing over the sample and then realized the vendor was wearing another version. Its gorgeous... and the only sewing in the entire thing are the buttons!

Now I'll leave you with a montage of cutesy animal photos because you know there were plenty...

This is the sheep impression of my Lola & Sophie...

There were lots of cute sheep...

There were sleeping sheep... and smiling sheep...

There were fluffy alpaca...

And alpaca with cute hair cuts...

Curious alpaca...

and the cutest little angora goats!

There was even this...

Yes, you non-New Englanders... that is left over snow!!!!!!!!

Oh and as for the coffee swap package, I picked it up on my way to work and did bring it inside for fear of meltable goodies inside (I was right!) and snapped a quick camera phone pick before tearing in to the beautifully wrapped goodies... I'll post more about the package & real pics tomorrow!

Spring Flingin ~ Week 6

Well, would you look at that... I just noticed that I won the Week 3-4 prize for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap, which was one of Mary's awesome rice pack! Woo hoo! I just might even let my honey use one (he's only had 1 practice race day so far and he's already been whining complaining about a sore neck), since I just got a cute doggy set from Mary... hmmm, I'll have to think more about that. Its a little ironic that I won Mary's prize, as guess who I had the pleasure of spoiling in this swap?!?! If you guessed Mary, you're right! Visit her blog to see just how much fun I had spoiling her! I had a great time putting together her package, especially given the circumstances with pets in her life lately (I think I was meant to spoil her in this swap for that very reason alone)... and I just had to make sure to pack the handpainted mug extra, extra well given that she had a mug-mishap with her last coffee swap package...

Okay, I've containted my excitement (no, I'm not jumping up and down in my office screaming "I won, I won..." but I might've squealed a little and got some strange looks) and now on to this week's topic...

We'll go free form this week - Post about your WIPs, post about your package, post about the weather where you are - just be sure to include that the post is for the Spring Fling Weekly Topic somewhere inside it when you tell us it's there! I'd love to hear how folks are enjoying the goodies they received, if they have, or how much fun you had shopping for your pal!

Since I posted about some WIP's yesterday and I just mentioned the package I sent to Mary above, why don't I show you what arrived in my mailbox today? Its the latest book from Vickie Howell, cutely titled Knit Aid... and its autographed! Yup, I preordered mine thru Vickie direct and it came signed "Happy Knitting on the go! xo, Vickie" I haven't had a chance to really poke through it yet, but I can tell you its the perfect size to toss in your knitting bag and it is spiral bound, making for easy usage. In flipping thru quickly, I see lots of great illustrations. Find yourself out knitting somewhere thinking "man, how exactly do I do that duplicate stitch?" ... this would be the book to have in your bag!

As for the weather, its been a much nicer start to the week than our cold and rainy weekend. High 70's and sunny yesterday & today... rain coming in for Friday, but they say our weekend will be nice... it better be, as I'm heading off to the NH Sheep & Wool with Joanne, blogless Cheryl and blogless Marlene!

Spring Flingin ~ Week 5

For everyone who's still looking for a handmade or extra item for your pal's package, please hop on over to my Etsy shop, which I updated on Saturday with several new sets of markers, including a coffee lover's set!

Now on to this week's Spring Fling Coffee Swap topic:

You know with Spring the famous saying goes "April Showers, bring May flowers", please tell us what you like to do when those April Showers are pouring down on you. Do you like to curl up with your knitting, take in a movie or crawl back in bed?

Well, April showers and melting snow from March usually combine to bring a wet basement for us, which is not fun. So in between trying to keep things from getting wet and cursing like a drunken sailor pumping out water, I like to settle in on the couch with some guilty pleasure tv (think the celeb-reality shows on VHI and E) or cooking/craft shows (Food Network, DIY...), a nice cup of coffee, my knitting, some magazines and the dogs. Chocolate and peanut butter stuffed pretzels (especially from Trader Joe's) help...

Spring Flingin ~ Week 4

This week's Spring Coffee Swap topic of the week is...

Let's pretend for a minute we all live in the home of our dreams, have land, and don't have to work so time is unlimited! It's Spring planting season! What would you grow? A little veggie garden? A bed of bright spring blooms? Or is your thumb so far from green that the only thing you'd be planting is your tushy into a nice chair on the porch to get some knitting or crocheting done in the nice breeze?

So.... I have my dream ranch house! That must mean I have *people* to weed for me, right? Because I do. not. weed. So as long as we're clear on that now... let's plant the tomatoes (there's nothing like garden fresh tomatoes in the summer!), cucumbers and some lovely herbs. Yum-o! Then of course there must be some beautiful blooms... gerber daisies are a must (my fave), some climbing roses for around the fence, beautiful sunflowers, day lilies, some wild flowers and oh, of course some lavender.

Since we're living in a fantasy world, that means while *someone else* is weeding and tending to the gardens, I'll be on my farmer's porch knitting away with the dogs by my feet and a picture of sweet tea!

Spring Flinging ~ Week 3

This week's topic for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap is...

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

Well, to be honest, I don't really recall but I'm guessing I was around 16 or so when I was bitten by the addiction and started taking part in a New England ritual... daily visits to Dunkin Donuts! Yes its true, you really can not go more than a couple blocks miles without finding a Dunkins in New England!
Some of my earliest "coffee memories" were going out for a drive in the evenings with my brother, stopping for a medium coffee at Dunkins and cruising around. Good times... chatting, hanging with my older brother. I do miss that time and closeness with him....
So anyway, my name is Nichole and I'm an addict since the tender age of 16-ish! I'm now an average of 2 cups a day, sometimes more... depends on the work stress! My love of the bean is all about the caffeine, taste and smell... and in the winter, the warmth & comfort... in the summer, the iced cold & refreshment! I've even crossed the line to lattes in the past couple years! As Rachael Ray would say, YUM-O!

Spring Flingin ~ Week 2

This week's Spring Fling coffee swap topic is...

Since some of us is beginning to see glimpse of Spring, while others are still getting snow have you change what projects are working on? Have you put away the hats, scarfs and mittens, and brought out the cute tank top sweater projects and lacy wraps? Have you change yarn to something more lighter and cooler, not so heavy and bulky?

Well, I'm finishing up Clapotis now and then will probably starting working on my Cabin Fever tank again (its been a WIP for quite some time now). I also have to get my ISE pal's scarf done. I tend to work on "whatever" all year long, but since I take my knitting with me to Matt's racing most Sundays, I opt for a lighter weight yarn to work on then (especially socks or other small projects).

Spring Flingin ~ Week 1

More like friggin Spring, as we saw snowflakes again today... which has turned to a cold, icky rain. But alas, I'll think spring as we discuss the Week 1 Spring Fling Coffee Swap topic...

This week's topic is:
Browse around some of the other blogs of participants, and find one person who enjoys a similar roast coffee to you - share something interesting about them that you find on THEIR blog, and tell us what you've been working on knitting or crochet-wise this week!

Well, I found out that Rosemary is a girl after my own heart with her love of a light, fresh roast and flavored coffees! We also share a dislike for chocolate raspberry flavored creamers... how funny! I learned that she's a Queens girl who recently was forced to tip some guy in a red suit met Elmo at Radio City. I also learned she's a fellow Vickie Howell fan. Speaking of Vickie, I won a contest she was affiliated with for an issue of the new Make It Mine magazine! And not only did I win, but Vickie spelled my name right on her blog too! Woo hoo!

This week I've been working on Clappy for the KAL and Bella's bunny....

High Strung & Overpowering?

Part because I'm kind of bored today and part in honor of the upcoming sign ups for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap...

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

And another one just for fun...

You Are a Lemon

You have a very distinct personality. And if you're not being sweet, you're a little hard to take. You're a bit overpowering, especially in one on one situations. And while you are very dominant, sometimes your power is needed and appreciated. You can liven up a dull situation, and you definitely bring a fresh outlook. You are a bit of an acquired taste, and you tend to grow on people over time. People feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending time with you.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Questionnaire

What better thing to do on a rainy day than post my Spring Fling Coffee Swap Questionnaire...

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?

Either is perfectly fine!

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?

Leaded is a must (what's the point in drinking unleaded anyway?)! I prefer light to medium roasts.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?

Something from my LCS (local coffee shop)... The Village Bean or the 'ole standby, Dunkin Donuts.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?

Both.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?

Yes, yes and yes! I adore flavored coffees and enjoy almost anything with the exception of raspberry flavors. A few of my favorites from Village Bean are Rainforest Nut, Hawaiian Hazelnut and Sinful Delight.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?

Extra large mug!

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!

A nice weekend morning, lounging on the couch with a big mug of coffee and my knitting (having my dogs and my honey nearby would be a bonus) .... or just about anywhere, chatting with good friends over a great cup of coffee (which often happens on Wednesday nights at A Knitter's Garden!).

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?

Probably banana nut bread or soft peanut butter cookies. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts could satisfy the need for sweet & salty at once. (I actually brought M&M cookies to last week's knitting guild!)

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?

Knit.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

Soft wools, Alpaca, luxury blends (cashmere, silk)... I love malabrigo, most superwash sock yarns, handdyed yarns, etc.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

2 pairs of socks, 2 shawls, Yarn Harlot's One Row scarf, Clapotis, Booga Bag, and various other items that have been WIP's for some time now. I'm about to cast on a pair of felted slippers...

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?

I tend to always lean towards shades of purple, jewel tones, reds and natural colors. I'm pretty open to color, except for neons or the drastically ugly...

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?

I use a lot of bamboo straights & DPNs ... for circulars its almost always Addis. There are no needles that I truly detest, like yarns, everything has its purpose.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?

I love notions of all sorts and would welcome anything, especially unique and handmade stuff! I'd say the only thing I truly do NOT need are scissors, wraps per inch tool and needle sizers (the things with all the holes to check what size your unmarked needles are - I must have 5 or 6 already!).

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?

Probably the worsted weight wool like malabrigo and the bamboo blend. My sock yarn stash is pretty hefty at the moment (not that my overall stash isn't....), so I'd go for the always useable soft wool and the colors to die for bamboo blend!

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?

Hell no... scroll back in my posts about a week and note the record snow falls we are having!

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?

Gerber Daisies! I also love tulips, especially all the wonderful colors they come in.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?

Fresh air, warmer (but not hot!) temps, blooming flowers (even if some make me sneeze), the Robin's eggs hatching ...

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?

Sounds like a great day to grab Joanne and head off on one of our fiber adventures! Or... a day out and about with my honey... brunch, some shopping, maybe take the dogs to the dog park...

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?

Nah... enjoy the nice day while we have it. Then spend the cooler, rainy day (like today!) inside with the dogs, my knitting, a cup of coffee and some guilty pleasure TV.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?

Dog related stuff ... bags (my knitting bag stash is growing as quickly as my yarn stash these days!) ... Willow Tree Angels ... knitting related ornaments.

2. Are you allergic to anything?

No cigarette smoke please ... and no rose/heavy floral scents.

3.Do you have pets?

Yes, 4 dogs who you will read about lots on my blog ~ Zeus, Lola, Teutul and Sophie.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?

I guess I qualify as an old pro now... The last 2 swaps I did were the Defeat The Winter Doldrums Dishcloth swap and the Dogs on Thursday Valentine's swap (see bottom of my blog sidebar for past participation).

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.

Chan Knits ~ she's my long lost, wonder twin!

A Place To Bark ~ Bernie is an absolutely amazing woman with a heart of gold, and we share a passion for Dog Rescue!

Shut Up I'm Counting ~ Need a laugh? Pick me up? Go here.