Thanks Again, Shawnee!

Many thanks to Shawnee who has spoiled me rotten in the No Sheep For You Swap! Look what I got in package two: 2 skeins of Pakucho 100% organic cotton in lovely green tones, a tube of Udderly Smooth cream, notepad and candies. Shawnee hit the nail on the head with this yarn selection for me. I'm wild about the color. The last time I knitted with organic cotton I made this sweater/hat set for A. I have no other organic cotton in my stash, so I'll be picking up this Pakucho soon!

Now, more on the candies. I've eaten Pop Rocks before, probably back in the 70's and I've had Tootsie Rolls since who knows when, but where was I when Nerds showed up on the market? I eagerly opened the candy's clever packaging - grape packaged on one side and strawberry on the other. You slide a little piece of cardboard back and forth to close the box or dispense the candies. How fun is that! Let me tell you, these little crunchy candies are packed full of flavor! I love them. And here I thought my husband was the only nerd I loved!

Thanks again Shawnee for a lovely package and for introducing me to Nerds.

SP10 Has Done It Again!

Start with a lovely handmade card, add bamboo yarn, cotton yarn, painted egg leaflet, lavendar sachet, measuring tape, pins, Mitchell's Fat Wool Soap, topped with chocolate (some for the girls and some just for me) and you've put together the perfect parcel.

So, my SP10 remembered I wanted to try some bamboo yarn and spoiled me with some. She thought of me when in an antique shop and spoiled me with a painted egg leaflet from there. Somehow she knew I was in need of something to keep the moths away and spoiled me with the lavendar sachet. You did make the card right? I like it best of all the items in the package. I have it displayed prominently in my kitchen to remind me to get knitting!

I have been so well spoiled. So fortunate am I to have been paired with you for this exchange. You've put together packages as if you've known me forever, really!

Thank you, Crafty Drama Queen.

Another Parcel From SP10!

I received another brilliant package from my SP10. The latest issue of Simply Knitting, needle case, lady bug buttons (oh, so cute), knitting needles and a skien of lovely Hip Knits silk yarn in 'eat your greens' shade. You've gotta love it for that name alone. Trust me, though, it feels great. The yarn is hand dyed 100% silk, 180 metres to 100g, recommended needle size - 5mm/US8. It's available at www.hipknits.co.uk. They say that one skein is perfect for a hat, scarf or small bag. That suits me just fine. SP10 even thought to send a scarf pattern my way - I'll get that via e-mail.

Your parcel arrived just in time to bring a smile to my face on a difficult day.
Thanks so much!

SP10 Parcel Continued

Along with the great yarn are some yummy candies local for my SP10, a bar of chocolate orange soap and a postcard from her recent trip to Scotland. Is she aware that I save every postcard I receive and of my fondness for maps? In my life before motherhood, I worked as a cartographer.

SP10 Parcel Continued

SP10 even thought to send gifts for my girls. They were so excited to share in the opening of the package. Of course we read the book right away and we tryed on all the fancy hair accessaries. It was so thoughtful of you to think of them and to individually wrap and label their gifts!

By the way, this idea of several posts in a row is my feeble attempt to get around the fact that when I try to write a post and include multiple images it always ends up looking awful.

SP10 Questionairre

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

My favorite yarns to knit with are soft cottons, merino wools or cotton/wool blends. I’d like to experiment with yarns of unusual fiber content like bamboo. I do not like eye-lash or bulky, fluffy yarn.

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

My circular needles are in a zippered case, my dpns are in a manila envelope and my straight needles will hopefully find a new home in a felted case that I intend to make (see my Nov 1, 2006 post)

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

I have been knitting for about 35 years. I first learned English knitting from my mother and later my aunt taught me the Continental style of knitting. I consider my skill level to be intermediate.

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

No, but if you need ideas, I could give you some via an e-mail message.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I like lemon and lavender.

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

Yes, I have a sweet tooth. My favorite candies these days are malted milk balls and Belgium Chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Though I haven’t made one for a long time, I like to make Ukrainian Eggs. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, The Indigo Girls, John Prine and Cowboy Junkies are some of my favorites. I like being introduced to new artists, so go ahead and send some if you’d like - my computer can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favortie color is green. Hey, I like purples and orange too. I really can’t stand teal.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am happily married to a great guy and have 2 amazing daughters. We have a dog, he is a big Akita who is 14 years old.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do like to wear hats and mittens and an occasional warm scarf. Ponchos? No.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I really enjoy knitting socks - the turning of the heel seems like magic to me.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Last night I just binded off my red scarf project. I will have it all ready for the 2008 collection.
I’m knitting my first toe-up sock.
I’m knitting a hat for my husband that doesn’t fit his head yet – after 2 attempts!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Oh, yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer to knit on bamboo needles, straight or circular are fine.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A child’s sweater in need of repair – I knitted it 20 years ago and 5 years ago it resurfaced in need of repair.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas very much. But as for a favorite, I’d have to say Groundhog Day. I like that you don’t see Ground Hog Day displays in the stores. On that day, I like to bake spicy ground hog cookies and watch the movie, Ground Hog Day. Some day I’d like to have a GroundHog Day Party – would you like to come?

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect cookie cutters – some old, some new, some metal, some plastic and all fun!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Someday I hope to add Cat Bordhi’s Second Treasury of Magical Knitting to my collection. I'd like set of wooden or bamboo size US 1.5 double pointed needles. I subscribe to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’d like to pick up an old project from a class I took awhile back to relearn fairisle and a steek. The instructor had us make wrist warmers to learn these techniques and the concepts never really sunk in for me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I knit socks. My shoe size is US 8.5 with medium width.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

03/17

Many Thanks, Secret Pal

Thank you, SP9, for another parcel. You really know how to spoil a person. As if the parcel you sent earlier this month was not enough!

Now I receive a lovely book about your home town, colorful page markers and more chocolate. I'll enjoy learning more about Estonia and I already know that I will use the page markers in the Vogue Knitting book you gave me and in my cookbooks. We all know where the chocolate will go! Again, many thanks, you've been a great Secret Pal.