FFBE Weekly Contest #5

Final question as part of the Fall Felted Bag Exchange:

How was your experience in the exchange? Did you enjoy the folks you met? Did you just love the bag you received? Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!

I really enjoyed the exchange. It was a nice opportunity to explore new bag patterns and ideas - it was very interesting to see what people liked and were making. I think the weekly questions were fun and prompted some interesting exchanges - I hope that these are continued in the next swap. I enjoyed "meeting" some of the fellow swappers. My swap partners were a bit quiet - but I think that sometimes goes hand in hand with a "secret" swap. One of the other swaps I'm in is not secret you know who your partners are and we seem to converse more since we aren't trying to "hide" who we are. It is fun to meet other people that share similar interests. That being said - I loved my package! The bag is fabulous - as you can see from the pictures in my post about my package. Kaili is incredibly talented and I'm still in awe over the bag I received. I would definitely participate again - though I probably won't do it so close to the holidays next time around. I'm scrambling a bit to get all my X-Mas presents in order - because as usual I attempt to take on as much as possible because I'm superwoman, right (or at least I think so in August - then wonder what the heck I got myself into by Oct/Nov. LOL)?

Yippee!! My FFBE Package arrived from Estonia!

I'm so excited my swap package from Kaili in Estonia for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. It is absolutely incredible. I cannot adequately describe how wonderfully talented and Kaili is. I'm posting below a variety of pictures with descriptions of all the great items she sent. They are all from her home country.

But first the bag - WOW. It is amazing - I have no idea how she was able to do all of it - but I'm certainly going to try and see if I can recreate some of her techniques in my next bag. It is so wonderful -- it looks like it is needle felted, hand dyed, embrodiered with embellishments and nicely lined with a pocket.

See!




Look at all these goodies (as you can see little one - couldn't help but be involved- it all smelled wonderful coming out of the package)


The fabulous smells were eminating from the organic soap (juniper, pine and lavendar) and the candle (orange), chocolates (tiramisu, white chocolate with strawberry, dk choc with cherry and chocolate with egg liquer filling ---- yummy) and Karamell hard candies. I can't wait to try them all. I'm hiding and saving the candies till my cold is gone so I can fully enjoy them! The handmade card and note were truly lovely. Kaili has a terrific artistic sense.


Books and a bag pattern - Kaili sent along a book about Estonia and tourism guide set (one with the sheep on the front) - I can't wait to learn more - they have English translations. The smaller book in the front is a promotional book for tanning, felting and dying with plants. It looks really interesting - there is an English translation in the being that the book is to raise interest among people interested in handcrafts. Plus, a berroco pattern for the Flora felted bag. I love the structure and floral embellishments - definitely going into my Ravelry queue!



Last, but certainly not lease - the Yarnny goodness! 3 skeins of wool - all crafted in Estonia. The varigated green is soo spongy and soft. I think I see some interesting felted items in their future! The bag pattern that Kaili sent would look really great in the greens...


Thank you, thank you, thank you - Kaili! It was a truly wonderful package. I don't know how you parted with the bag - it is really stunning and the pictures don't do it justice. Happy Fall!

Contest #4 FFBE

It's a crisp, cool, sunny Sunday in October - the sky is clear, there's a bit of a breeze, and the leaves have already started to change. How would you spend your day to best celebrate and enjoy the season? Are you at home curled up with tea and a book and a window open to enjoy the breeze? Do you head out on a long drive and hike through the mountains to see the trees? Go find pumpkins and colored corn to decorate? Tell us about your special day!

My favorite kind of fall weekend day -- is to go to one of the local farms with my husband and pick-out pumpkins and gourds for the house. We have a blast arguing over which pumpkins will be the best for carving and picking out apples, gourds, corns, etc. for the house. It a bit of nip in the air and sun shinning. Then, we will go home and have a pumpkin carving contest!

FFBE Weekly Contest #3

How often do you change the purse or bag you're carrying? Do you change based on seasons? Outfits? Something else? What's your favorite bag in the world (and it doesn't have to be a knit/felted one!)?

I typically will only change my purse and bag (I carry a purse + a bag for work with my lunch, misc papers and my knitting of course) when the seasons change. I can't be bothered to move all my junk from one bag to the next to match my clothes. I sometimes will switch to a specific bag if we are going somewhere where I need something specific. Ex - vacation - need a bag that is easy to carry water and camera with out killing my sholders.

My favorite bag is probably my white leather coach purse. I got it on sale at a Coach outlet and I absolutely love it. It has pockets that are just the right size in the right places and just enough room for the essentials, so I don't end up dragging too much stuff around. I like it so much in fact that I got a tan one that is almost identical for Fall. They are great bags - really well made and timeless.

In knitting news - I have a few picture progress updates:

Bacardi:
Slow and steady is the game on this one. Love the yarn though RYC Cashsoft - brings soft to a whole new level.

Monkey Socks:

Turned the heel and switched to 2 circs. Really love the technique and will continue to work on the foot - so that I can do the toe in Saturday's class.

Secret of the Stole:

Sloppy pinning job - but you get the idea. I have about 10 rows left then I'm done with Hint#1. It's a great project - definitely think I'll be doing beads again. It's really easy with a crochet hook.

I also mailed off my second SP 11 and my FFBE packages to my Pals - hope they like them. I'll post some pics after I know that they received them.

FFBE Weekly Question #2

Fall Felted Bag Exchange - Weekly Question: The colors of fall tend to be oranges, yellows, crimsons, and other 'leafy' colors - what is your favorite "Color of Autumn" and where do you see it?

My favorite color is probably crimson. I love all shades of red -- it's going to sound really silly, but the first place that I "see" it is when I change my nail color for Fall. I have my nails done French (pink/white) for spring and summer then switch to painted (usually crimson or blackberry) for fall & winter. Wow - don't I sound like a prissy girly girl - which really isn't me. I just like keeping my nails short and neat and this is the easiest way.

Seriously though - the colors of Autumn for me are all summarized in the changing of the leaves - dark red maples, greens turning to yellows, oranges and browns. The turning of pumpkins, gourds and apples. Fall colors are so rich and beautiful and in NYS - you really see the rich color play every where you go.

In knitting news, my monkey socks are cruising -- I have the lace repeats and rib complete on the top of the first sock. Saturday's class will start the heel. I'm going to wait so I can perhaps learn a better way to knit the flap and pick up stitches for a nice sturdy heel. I'll try and post some pictures tomorrow.

I am about half-way on a Slytherin (Harry Potter) hat for my nephew to be for Christmas. I'm going to do a matching pair of mittens and a 2nd set of hat/mittens in Ravenclaw movie colors for his brother. Plus - I started my Mom's Bacardi (No Sheep for You) sweater at the knit night tonight at the LYS. We had to do a bit of math to figure out what size to do with my yarn substitutions and the pattern alteration that I wanted to make (lengthen) - but I think we're on track and I got 2 rows done (hey - there are 244 stitches in a row!). Well I'm off to bed - I have an early dentist appointment before work tomorrow. I'll try to post some progress photos when I get home from work tomorrow evening.

Night all!

Magic Monkeys

I started my three week long magic loop sock class today at the LYS. It was great fun and I learned alot. The pattern used in the class is up to each participant - so I decided to do a pair of Monkey Socks since I've really wanted to tackle a pattern sock and use my Dream in Color Smooshy yarn. Love Love Love the Yarn! I got the rib and the first lace repeat done on sock #1. It does seem a bit faster to me than DPNs, but that could all be in my head. It doesn't feel like I do as much fiddling to move the needles into the correct position.



The teacher is great and next week since I seemed to take to the magic loop method really well - she's going to show me how to use 2 circs with my Cat Bordhi book. Yeah!

Plus - the teacher helped me to figure out how best to assemble my FFBE bag. I was a bit confuzled by the finishing instructions and she agreed that the way the pattern is written didn't make a ton of sense. So we can up with a new plan. I seamed the pocket to the front today and I just need to lengthen the strap another 8" then I can seam the rest of the bag. We decided that even though I made the strap to the stated size - it just seems that with felting it would be way to short. So we are on our way to being completed. Hopefully, I can felt it tomorrow and line it by next weekend.

FO, Stash Enhancement & SP 11 Contest #2

A few random things for today. I finished my mittens today and Tuesday I finished all the pieces for my FFBE bag! Yeah - feels like its been forever since I finished something:






























To add to my joy - the postman delivered two packages today----

My recent Loopy Ewe Sneak Up Order:

Fleece Artist Merino in Mermaid - Yummy & 2 Wendy Knit's Sock Patterns















The other package contained the yarn I'm going to use to make the Bacardi Cardigan from No Sheep For You for my Mum for Christmas. I decided not to use the cotton in the original b/c I wanted something softer and more drapey -- I'm using RYC Cashsoft DK (love how it feels and it makes a really beautiful fabric).




SP 11 Contest -
Shelby our lovely Sp 11 hostess is hosting Contest #2 for SP11. We are to post pictures of our stash - a little crazy right now - as I'm working on the 2nd package for my SP11 pal and my FFBE package, but here it goes..... If you are on ravelry you can check-out the details of my stash on the site - my username is "kamcole". It's pretty up-to-date its only missing the cashsoft for the fore mentioned sweater and the cashsoft I'm using for the never ending blanket.

Fall Felted Bag - Topic of the Week #1

As of this weekend, the season has officially changed on the calendar - but what makes Autumn feel like Autumn to you, and why?

Autumn is definitely my favorite season. It feels like Fall when I see the leaves change and the weather starts to turn chilly in the mornings and evenings. Living in NYS - makes Fall so much fun. It is the start of sweater and jeans weather (if you are a knitter gotta love it).... homemade comfort food (stews, soups, chicken & biscuits, applesauce, etc.)… picking pumpkins and apples. It also means it's time to pull out the quilts that I am hand quilting -- no longer to hot to have a heavy blanket on my lap.

Good knitting news - mittens are progressing

Wild Weekend

Wow - I haven't blogged in a bit. Life has been absolutely insane. I don't usually talk too much about our personal life -but this weekend hit an all time crazy and I just have to vent somewhere. My DH had to have an infected cyst removed from his eye on Friday (gross I know) - and he was a bit more uncomfortable than he thought he would (not what the rest of us thought - but testosterone, you know) be on Friday & Saturday. So I left work early on Friday (which was difficult with the large project we have going on - but family is always more important) - and spent Saturday trying to help DH to feel better.

Then Sunday, I ran a few errands then met up with a group of local knitters that I've "met" through Ravelry. It was great fun - it was so nice to meet people my age, at a similar life point and with the same types of interests. Most of my friends aren't really into crafts (knitting, quiliting or otherwise) - not for lack of trying. So without my Mom living close by - it has been a bit of a hole in my life. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better. Plus - I finally got the time to do a bit of knitting. I just need to finish the rest of the strap for my FFBE bag and then assembly -cross your fingers for finishing this weekend.

So I come home on Sunday - so excited about the knitting group and looking forward to a quiet afternoon with my DH watching football. Instead we spent one of the scariest afternoons of my life. I had literally just walked in the front door and went down the hall to our bedroom to drop off a bag of purchases - when I turned around to see our dogs walking down the hall to me. This was completely normal they are shadows - you usually don't find one without the other or near one of us. When the St. Bernard shook his head and I saw blood flying around the hall. He had split his nose open at an artery and the blood was just squirting all over (not to gross anyone out). I have never seen anything like it. I was petrified. My husband and I reacted very quickly and drove to the animal emergency hospital. They were wonderful and able to provide quick relief. He has had skin problems for since birth (he’s five) and we’ve always fought a battle to keep his nose healthy. It cracks, peels and often has an open sore in the middle, but it has never bled before. My husband spent most of the morning at our primary Vet today and we’ve come up with an action plan. However, if you are animal love and own pets – you know how hard this can be. He has to go to see a specialist an hour or so away in a few weeks to have a biopsy and some tests run to make sure he doesn’t have cancer or some type of infection. Our dogs are like our children – so we are worried, but in the meantime we will hope for the best and take good care of him.

Sorry for the depressing posts lately – it just has been a rough couple weeks with crazy health things. However, I know that these issues are temporary and so minor compared to other people’s experiences.

BUT – on a good note – I mailed my HSKS3 package on Sunday before the chaos. I can’t wait for Jennifer to receive it and I hope she enjoys the goodies that I sent. I’ll post some pictures once I have confirmed that it arrived. I hope to finish the FFBE bag by this weekend. We’ll play it by ear as I’m going to Physical Therapy 2x’s a week for my arm, but the handeze gloves seem to be offering some relief and a way to keep knitting at least a bit.

Progress Update

I haven't been blogging much lately since our lives have been a little nutty. We have a large project launching this week at work and I'm the project lead. This means that my life is going to be extremely busy for the next few months. But I'm excited because it is a project that I'm really interested in. Despite the work craziness and the usual business of the volleyball season (DH coaches & I help with any computer/administrative/socializing/parent stuff), I have been able to get to a bit of craftiness. I've been hard at work on my felted bag for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. The front, bottom and back are completed. I'm about 1/4 of the way into the front pocket. Then just the strap and on to assembly. Sorry no pics - wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Once it's done and off in the mail -- I'll post some package pictures.



The fluffy cuff mittens are coming along. The cuff is finished and I started the main color of the body. I have to say though. I REALLY hate working with the GGH Esprit. Love the feel and look of it -- it's soo fluffy it's a pain in the but. I frogged it back once because I realized I forgot to do it in garter stitch (which in the round is knit/purl alternating rows ---- not knit, knit) .... then I picked up two extra stitches somewhere along the way....Riiiiiiiiipppp. Darn it all... I'm almost afraid to start the cuff on the second -- I wanted to alternate each section and knit two at once since I'm less likely to have second mitten syndrome that way, but UGGGHH dreading the Blue Fluff. I'll take a picture once I get a bit farther into the body -- not much to look at right now. Not much different that the first progress picture.


I signed up for a new class at the LYS. I decided to take the magic loop sock class that is being offered for Fall. I was going to teach myself socks with 2 circulars - but I figured since this is being offered and there is no guarantee that they'll do it again - I"ll try it out and the transition to two circulars from this point might be much easier. Or maybe I'll just like ML ... we'll see. It starts 9/29 and runs for three weeks. I've picked out my yarn -- I'm going to use my DIC smooshy that I got from the Loopy Ewe. We can do any pattern that we want -- so I think I might do Monkey Socks. I want to try something interesting and help will be available if I need it... :O).


























Pretty isn't it.... Can't wait to try it out --- especially after working with the scratchy felting wool for the last few weeks. I have to say while I like how Lamb's pride felts - I don't really like working with it as much as manos or cascade.

Well the bad news for the evening is that I'm having a great deal of trouble with my left arm. I think I pinched a nerve in my neck again. I've been having quite a bit of pain knitting and typing on the computer. Not that it stops me (which is probably not a good thing). I purchased a Handeze craft glove for my left hand (on now). It seems to help a little bit, but still stiff and painful. Tomorrow, I'm off to the chiropractor/physical therapist to see if they can help again. Plus, to top it all off -- my DH has to have surgery on his eye to remove a cyst on Friday. Very minor, but troubling all the same.

Well enough of the depressing news. I think I'm going to be able to send my owl post off to my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap parter - Craftlily by next Monday. Yeah! I'm really pleased with how everything is turning out. Should be able to finalize it all on Sunday during football. Saturday I'm taking a class at the Pfaff dealership -- the Indygo Junction Metropolitan bag. Hopefully, my Amy Butler fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop will be here in time (scheduled to arrive on Wed). Wish me luck through the craziness this week!

End of Summer Weekend

We had a lovely weekend as summer starts to wind down to a close (although you wouldn't know it by Friday's record 98 degrees). Friday was a volleyball home game - they won their first of the season! Saturday I was able to do a bit of work around the house and have coffee with a good friend before we headed off to my BIL's winery. Yes, I am one of the lucky few to have a full fledged winery in the family :O)!!. Good wine is only one of the perks. This weekend was their Septemberfest. They held a silent and live auction for the Steadfast Foundation (Children's foundation for cancer patients). If you are in the western NY region you probably know that this foundation was started by Ryan Miller the Buffalo Sabres goalie (hockey). As a family member, we get the perk of hanging out with him and his father while he signs autographs and talks about the foundation with the crowd. The auction was a ton of fun and raised a nice amount of money for a good cause. They auctioned some great sport memorabilia and cool gigantic custom wine bottles (they are equivalent to a case of wine if you are wondering).

So we were able to spend our Saturday evening with friends watching the auction (wishing I the money to spend on some of the sports memorabilia) and then listening to live music as we sipped Sangria Slushies.

Since we headed home early on Sunday I was able to get a bunch of knitting, sewing and jewelry stuff done. Pictures are below.... I finished the knitting on my nephew's santa helper hat (just needs a pompom/bell and the ends woven in), started my Mom's birthday mittens, finished the front of my FFBE bag (no picture - can't ruin the surprise), made 5 "travel tool kits", 4 zipper pulls and 6 stitch markers (no pics as some of these are surprises).

Santa Hat

Mitten(s) - from Stitch & Bitch - Fluffy Cuff Mittens - soooo soft

"Travel Tool Kits" - this is a pretty neat pattern - I already have 2 that I made a bit ago - one to keep my knitting notions in and the other for quilt notions to take to classes or keep in my project bags. They are pretty handy. Would you like one? I'm thinking of hosting a contest soon - and thought I might include it as part of a prize, but I'm not sure if other people would like or not??

I made one for a co-worker to thank her for teaching me how to make some simple zipper pulls for my bags and with her basic tutorial and some internet assistance - I made my first set of stitch markers. Very cool! I ordered some basic supplies this weekend (beads, tools, head pins and rings) to make more that I can use for gifts or perhaps sell if I get good enough. Quite addicting (not that I need anymore hobbies) - but I don't have any interest in actually making jewelry - just notions.

Happy Knittiversary to Peggy!

Go wish Peggy a happy Knittiversary to be entered in her contest and tell her why/when you become a Knitter (instead of a knitter).

Made some progress on the swaps today. I picked out some felting yarn for the FFBE bag and some Hogwarts yarn for a little goodie to go in my swap package (I think I'm also going to make hats and mitten from Charmed Knits for my nephews-to-be). Plus - I received my HSKS 3 sock yarn and stitch markers in the mail today. Tomorrow, I'm going to start putting the packages together and taking some photos that I can post after my partners receive them in the mail. Yeah!!

SWAP Assignments!

Yeah! The swap assignments for HSKS 3 went out today. This swap isn't "secret" so I can't wait to check-out my swappees blogs and get to know both of them a little better. My partner - Jennifer (that I'm sending to - I've never really get the up/down stream verbiage) is in Ravenclaw, so I contacted her to find out which colors she prefers (book vs. movie). Can't wait to start putting the package together. Stephanie who's also in Ravenclaw drew my name. Looks like this is going to be a fun one!

It was a great snail mail day for my swaps too. I got my flat rate US Postal Service boxes in the mail. I'm going to start sorting out the goodies I've picked up so far out this weekend. It's soooo much fun! I am doing a theme for my SP11 pal - three boxes over the three month period each with items that go together so to speak. Love to show you pics - but it will have to wait until the secret is revealed. I also got three packages with goodies for my FFBE & SP11 partners -- some books and yarn goodness. Very exciting - wish I could tell you what it is.

Plus - I just noticed that some of Wendy's Sock patterns went up for sale at the Loopy Ewe! I had to stop in the middle of this post to go and order some along with some Dream in Color!! Ooh I can't wait. They are going like hotcakes. Check out my yarn....http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/yarns/dream-in-color/dc-petal-shower/

All of this so made up for a really long day at work with a sinus/allergy induced migraine, complete with an ear ache and swollen eye. Joy of Joys...

Felted Bags!!

I finished the felted Booga Bag for my husband's volleyball team last night. I made just under the wire as the team selection is tomorrow. Still a little damp and smells like wet wool, but it's done! I'll try and post a picture tonight.

In the spirit of my completed bag - I joined yet another swap! These are becoming addicting. It is the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. It looks like a great deal of fun and a way to meet even more crazy Knitters. So here's my questionnaire(I've also linked to this post on the side bar for easier reference)....

1. How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?
   I have been knitting actively for about 2 yrs. I originally learned the basics from my Mom & my Aunt. When I picked it back up again – I began taking classes at our LYS.
2. What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
   My first was a purse – Booga Bag (unless you count that sweater that was accidentally felted). I wanted to progress past scarves and the sample bags in the LYS looked really fun.
3. What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?
   I love color –pale, dark – doesn’t really matter. Jewel and earth tones are probably my favorite. My only big dislikes are neon or extraordinarily bright colors.
4. What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)
   Handles – somewhere in the middle – I prefer to have my hands free, but I’m pretty petite (5’0) so I don’t like them too long because the bag bangs against my legs.
   I like embellishments, but nothing too over the top. I like classic patterns that I can use for awhile.
   Ideas: Noni: Prism, Sassy, Skinny & Tube Baguette, Felted Carpet, In the Sculpture Garden bags, Love the Eunny Floral Felted Bag , Nicky Epstein - Jacobean Floral Felted Bag, Jaynes AP Bag
5. What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?
   I love bags so it changes constantly. I have a Vera Bradley Turquoise & Brown bag today (steal – brand new with the Tags for $20 at a garage sale!) and I alternate with a leather coach bag. I carry my knitting separate to work – in a tote I made or a lantern moon bag that I have. If I’m going out and about – I’ll just put my knitting (usually socks or a hat) in my purse.
6. What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
   Love socks, sweaters, hats, baby things – just about anything as I try to expand my skills.
7. What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
   As I’ve progressed, I really enjoy circs. Bamboo or Addi Turbos are my favorite.
8. What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
   That’s a hard one – I have a long list of “want to do’s”. I think the one I really want to try next is two socks on circular needles rather than DPNs. As far as bags are concerned, I’ve done the basics (many of the Black Sheep patterns, button hole bag, etc.) – I’d like to try something more involved – like the links noted in #4.
9. What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
   I’d really like to try Bamboo or a blend with it.
10. What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
    I like to quilt and read – some papercrafts (cards and the like).
11. Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
    Yarn, fabric and books – I don’t have room for anything else. My DH already thinks my stash runneth over.
12. What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
    I like hard candies (citrus and mint type things). I don’t like really sweet or sugary candies.
13. Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)
    No, human ones as of yet. Furry - Yes, I have a beautiful English springer spaniel and a sometimes Saint Bernard (we frequently dog-sit for a friend).
14. What kind of project best personifies you and why?
    Wow, that’s a tough one. I really like baby projects because I think it is fun to share something special with a friend as they bring a new little one into their life. Plus – b/c they are small I can often indulge in high quality soft fibers, that might be too pricey for a large project. I also like relatively quick knits because I like to see the progress. If a project doesn’t seem like it is progressing – I’m liable to jump in and then let if linger unfinished for years.
15. What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!
    Autumn is my favoriet seaons. I love the changing of the leaves. We live in Western NY and I grew up in Upstate NY – so the changing of the seasons is really lovely. Plus - I love sweaters and jeans!!
16. Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.
    Take care of my parents and my brothers (houses, cars, debt, etc).
    Start a family foundation in our grandparent’s names (DH & Mine)
    Get pregnant or adopt, stay home with my family and open a Quilt/Yarn Shop just for fun (what a lovely day dream)