SP 11 Package #2!

I've been such a bad blogger lately. Just not that much good stuff to talk about - no one wants to hear about work work work and no knitting. But today - Good Things!! My second Secret Pal package arrived today. Made my day and then some after 12 hrs at the office. Actually prompted me to pull out my laptop which I had vowed not to do when I left the office. Without any futher delay ---- here's the goodies:



Loads of fun stuff --- yarn goodness, fat quarters of quilt fabric - that I can't wait to turn into some fun knitting accessories, great clay button, peppermint soap and chapstick (how'd you know that I turned the house upside down yesterday looking for chapstick - winter has struck in WNY), scrapbooking paper borders, mints (always a fave with me - went right into my work bag for a pick-me up tomorrow), a cute sheep note card and the book - Friday Night Knitting Club. I've been wanting to read this book for since this summer when it appeared on a few blogs. I've had it on my Amazon wish list - I can't wait to get started.

Close-ups....


3 Skeins of Debbie Bliss Maya handspun wool - This is fabulous - I think I want to make some fingerless mitts and a matching unoriginal hat!


Miss Babs sock yarn! I can't wait to try this. I have some of Miss Babs Silk/Merino blend that's been waiting for the right project (i.e. hording in my stash). The colors are a little off in this pic - it's more burgandy/wine with little hints of orange - the colorway is Falling Leaves. So seasonal - I love it!


Thank you so much pal!! It is all wonderful and so very very me. It's funny how well you've pegged my tastes.

Small knitty update - from a few days ago:

Finished Unoriginal Hat #1:


I really love it - easy/quick pattern. I did it on a US 10 (that's what I had handy and couldn't wait) from Tahki Baby. Next time need to go up a needle size or two ... its a bit small - will fit me fine with some minor blocking.

Seed stitch scarf - easy holiday knitting:

SP 11 Package!

Holy Cow - a three post day. It has been a bit crazy, but I just couldn't wait to post about the package I received from my Secret Pal 11 swap pal today. She is absolutely fabulous - not just because of the lovely gifts. I've really enjoyed conversing with her via email. That is my favorite part of the swaps. My upstream and downstream pals have been really fun to get to know.

So without much further ado - here is my SP package #1 yummy goodness...

Beautifully packaged - I was so excited that I almost didn't know where to begin.



Book wrapped in fabric - double whammy!


"tool" box - with pull open drawers - how cool is this?!? I've got to find more of these.


The 3 P's = Post-it, Peppermints & Paper-


Last, but not least - Yarnny Goodness - 2 skeins of Trendsetter Segue (ribbon yarn)


She really took the time to pick-out things that are complete me! Wow, I have so many ideas streaming through my mind with all the goodies that she sent. Purse lining or a tool kit with the fabric, and oh so many knitting projects from the Romantic Knits book. I skimmed through it and found numerous projects that I want to try - I'm going to add some to my Ravelry queue tonight. I also saw that one of the patterns calls for ribbon yard (holiday shawl) and they talk about how the yarn came from Buffalo, NY. Which is so cool because that's where my husband's family is from. I may try the gigi scarf with the ribbon yarn, but we'll see - I don't want to pick too quickly. I'm a goof - it is so lovely that i want to pick just the right thing. Peppermints - old fashioned ones to boot - I can't wait to eat them. I'm going to have to hide them before my Dad comes to visit - otherwise I won't get them all to myself.

Thank you very very much secret pal!

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.

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...

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire!

I'm so excited! This is my first swap and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to see who my match is and start crafting my package....



Here's my questionnaire:



1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love just about any fiber, but especially those that have a soft texture. I am currently in love with anything that has cashmere or alpaca in it. The only fibers I really don’t like are those that are 100% acrylic.



2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a really cool folding needle case that holds straights and circulars that my husband got at my LYS for me for Christmas.



3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I’ve been knitting for about 2 years steadily. I learned when I was younger from my mom – but didn’t really get back into it until a few years ago. I would consider myself to be intermediate.



4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No.



5. What's your favorite scent?
Anything that is citrus or clean fruit smell – not very fond of forals.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not particularly – except for peppermints.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I love quilting (this I've been doing steadily since I was in my teens) and paper crafts (cards, handmade tags, etc.). I don’t spin and at this time don’t plan to pick that up. I have enough stuff with my current hobbies :O).

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD).
I have pretty eclectic tastes – everything from classical, to pop/rock (Maroon 5, Train, Nora Jones, Evanescence, etc.), etc. Yes, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Greens, teals, browns, reds, purples, creams, pinks, etc. Am not particularly fond of blue or bright neon like colors

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m married with no children yet. We have an English Springer Spaniel and a Saint Bernard (part time- we baby-sit frequently for a friend). I love dogs!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All of the above! I live in Western/Upstate NY - so it gets pretty cold here during the winter. I wear scarves and mittens more than hats - but love all. I've never had a poncho, but have a yearning for one. I've been thinking about what kind I would want to knit - I'm pretty petite (barely 5') so it would be nice to customize one to fit.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I really love to do baby items because the are quick and oh so cute. I also am enjoying doing sweaters and socks because of the challenge and learning experience.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am finishing up a Debbie Bliss raglan sleeve baby cardigan. Plus OTN: a lace shrug, second in a pair of ankle socks, and an afghan that is comprised of a variety of different squares practicing different stitch patterns (almost done – I only tend to work on this one when I travel since it is so portable).

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Love handmade gifts! I like to create them myself so it is always fun to see what other people are creating. Plus – it is nice to receive or give handmade gifts to others that do the same – since we can oftentimes better appreciate the amount of work involved.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like both straight and circular – depending on the particular project. I like bamboo and my current obsession is the addi turbo’s. I really want to try the lantern moon needles next - particularly the sock needles. I think I might like the shorter 5" DPNs better than my current 7". I'm also thinking about trying the magic loop class at the local LYS.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
6Mos.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas & Halloween

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, fabric, quilt books & patterns, knitting books, mystery & romance novels, cookbooks – anything to support my habits. I don’t really collect any sort of knick-knacks.

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 recently subscribed to Interweave Knits. I’d like to get copies of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books – I don’t have any yet, some more sock books with different techniques, quick knit project books (I have two One Skein type books - that are interesting).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to learn how to do socks on circulars and from the toe up. Plus, I’d also like to try intarsia.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? [UPDATED - with additional measurements]
Yes, learning. I wear a size 6 US shoe. 8.75” long
around the ball of your foot (8"), around the arch of your foot (8.25"), around the smallest part of your ankle (8"), length from toe to back of heel (8.75"), length from the floor to where you want the sock to stop on your leg (7")


23. When is your birthday?
May 24th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Not yet. I can’t wait though! There are about 3100 ahead of me and 12,200 behind me – can you believe it?