New Favorite Things

I participated in a SWAP over at Ravelry, the Favorite Things Swap 2. Yesterday, the mail lady brought a box to the door for a signature and look what I had from British Columbia, Canada!

For one thing - COFFEE! I could smell coffee as soon as I opened the box! The aroma of a delicious blend just filled my kitchen and I couldn't wait to check it out ;D



Sooo many goodies ~ Gail, who was my secret pal, might just have well have been looking over my shoulder as she shopped for these things! There is a cheerful dishcloth, ADORABLE stitch markers, wonderful Opal sock yarn (I love Opal yet seldom treat myself to any, so this is special!), yummy bath goodies, chocolate, more chocolate and then that amazing coffee! Each item was individually wrapped with a cute little note attached to it.

Gail writes: "The Esquires Coffee House company was founded right here in Surrey. Our knitting group used to meet at one of their locations, but alas, we grew too big in numbers for their not-so-big shop! After some sleuthing, and discovering that you enjoy French Press coffee. I asked them to grind to suit...Purdy’s (the chocolate) is also a proud, long standing tradition, founded in our neighbouring city of Vancouver"

As soon as I snapped these photos, I brewed myself a cup of the coffee and sat down with both it and some chocolate. Gail doesn't have a blog for you to visit, but I know you will agree with me that she is one fantastic secret swap Pal!!! Thank you Gail ;D

Presents and Pheasants

Catchy with the title, aren't I? LOL....

First of all, I have to show off my October Fiber For Ewe goodies, shown here on the right...

So much good stuff and in lovely fall colors. You wouldn't believe how dense and plush the orangey yarn is! There was nothing in the package to tell me what it is, so I have written to ask my pal. I also wonder if she spun it herself. Whatever the case may be, its wonderful and I am thinking of either making mittens or else the Foliage hat from Knitty Fall 2007.

There is an apron there, also. I'm not sure how my Pal is doing this, but she hit on another thing that speaks to me. I don't remember my mom wearing an apron when she cooked, but I do remember her with a towel either wrapped or tucked around her waist. So I am really tickled by this little gift. There is lotion and candy and a little note pad as well as the apron and yarn and spinning fiber. What a sweet Pal I have!

Now to the Pheasant part of this post. Sitting at the computer checking emails the other morning, I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. It was barely daylight, but this is what I saw through my window:


I call this photo "Pheasant Through Glass" - LOL!


There were three roosters and one hen. We used to have a lot of Ring-Neck Pheasants here in Michigan, but not so much anymore. Here is another picture of them scurring away - they must have seen me moving around. This photo is kind of dark, but I think you can make them out.

Anyway, that was another real treat for me, to see those pheasants. They used to be so plentiful. I remember my dad and granddad hunting them, usually after the corn came off the fields in fall. Later on I had a boyfriend who hunted for them, and I trudged along (usually in some snow) Now, I am just happy to see them, reminders from my past (the pheasants, not the boyfriend!)

Trying hard....

Not to start another new project! LOL....

Here is my September gift from my unknown spoiler in the Falling For Ewe Yarn Swap:



The lace scarf pattern is one I had on my "wish list" - from the Knitspot, called Rivolo (my first official Knitspot pattern - I have since added two others, LOL!) and the colors in the Peace Fleece Merino yarn are beautiful and a perfect compliment to one of my wool blazers, so it would be perfect to have to wear as we move into cooler weather here in Michigan. But - groan - I have so many other patterns on the needles. Sigh....I just don't know what to do ;D

A Beautiful Swan

I have shown you pictures over the past few months of fiber I have received for my participation in the Fiber Swap Club over at Ravelry (by the way, I think they are currently taking sign-ups for the next go-around of this fun swap ~ go check it out!) This past week, I received my final package, this one from Cyndi at Mullers Lane Farm in Illinois.

Cyndi and I are kindred souls and have enjoyed some nice online visits about things in life that are important and sacred to us. When this fiber arrived and I opened it up...it was of those "ohhhhhh" moments, when fiber or yarn is so lovely that it just takes your breath away. This is so perfectly "me"! Cyndi calls it "Ugly Duckling" and she wrote that "the Ugly Duckling batts always spin into Swans for me". Well, let me tell you I can hardly wait to begin spinning these!!! On the other hand, the are nice just to look at the way they are ;) Oh...I haven't shared any pictures yet, have I? Well, here we go:

Isn't she lovely sitting amongst some of my potted plants in the shade garden? My camera skills aren't sufficient enough to capture the real richness of it all, but I will try with another closer look and include some of the soap

The fiber blend includes Merino, CVM, Camel Down and glitz. It is warm and rich and earthy and perfect for fall. I keep thinking mittens for my fiber projects right now - LOL - but it will depend on the yardage I get when spun. The soap is Cotton Blossom and there was also one called Pepper Zest that we are already using. I don't know if Cyndi is selling this fiber or not, but if she is you might want to hurry to her website and try to buy some before I claim more! She does offer soap for sale at her site.

Thank you my new friend! I will think of you all the while I am spinning. Over at the Falling For Ewe Autumn Yarn Swap at Ravelry, Amy asked us our favorite things about fall. Well, right now, this fiber is it! Okay, I just have to leave you with one last look, from a different perspective and then I will be quiet ~ Enjoy!

No More Hum Drum Mittens 3

Yes, another questionnaire - LOL! From the third round of one of my all time favorite swaps, No More Hum Drum Mittens 3. Here goes:

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
Since I was 12, about 37 years now ;) I learned when my Granny decided she would like to learn (she also learned to play guitar that year!) and she took me along. We took lessons that were offered at the local school – I was the youngest and she was the oldest in the class! So I always joke that I learned to knit with my grandma, and it is a very special memory for me especially now that her health and memory are failing.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Intermediate
What are your favorite colors? Any you dislike?
I don’t think I have a favorite, I like them all at various times and places!
Do you like Latvian type patterns? If so, what are your favorite patterns?
I do like admiring Latvian patterns, but I don’t have a favorite one and have never knit one.
Do you desire mittens for yourself, your "special someone else" or your child?
For me please ;)
What is the measurement from your wrist to the tip of your longest finger?
8 inches and I like a fairly long cuff
What is the circumference of your hand at it's widest point?
Around my palm is nearly 8 inches ~ maybe 7 3/4?
What other things do you enjoy knitting?
Socks and lace
What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
Circulars – I rarely use straights. I like bamboo, love my Addi turbos, too. But my very favorite needles are my Denise interchangeables. I have wanted to try the Knit Picks new bamboo ones.
What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
Still thinking about starting and completing a sweater - but that was my goal in the last mitten swap, too ;) I know that I could knit one, I have the skills. But I get bored so easily that I don’t usually take on larger projects. I will one day though.
What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
The Noro Sock Yarn
What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? Cook?
Yes, I spin. Raise my own sheep for the wool ;) I also am an avid gardener.
Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Fiber! I’m not sure which “stash” is bigger, fiber or yarn!
What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to
Yes….LOL, I mean I just love goodies.Lately, I am on a salty kick though. My very favorite goodies, though, is coffee. I am a coffee junkie. No allergies.
Do you have any kids? Pets?
I have three grown children and my husband and I recently became legal guardians of our foster son – a fifteen year old boy. So we are not empty nesters! Our pets are all of the outdoors variety…approximately thirty sheep; a half dozen chickens and two very special barn cats. No indoors pets though.
What is your favorite part of Winter?
I just plain love winter! I love that there are no bugs and I can use wool (my favorite fiber) to its best advantage.
What is your least favorite part of Winter?
Well, I don’t like driving on bad roads and this year I am worried about the rise in heating costs.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask me ;)

More Swaps, Packages Received and Sent....

First up, from the very fun Starbucks and Yarn Swap, this great gift from Nic:



Isn't it perfect? A gift card for more Starbucks (this will come in handy the next time I get lost in a big city and seek refuge in the closest Starbucks!); a small, sweet felt bag; some divine little bites of chocolate; delicious yarn (need to find out the details on this) and ingenious little Starbucks stitch markers!!! How clever is that?!? Thank you so much, Nic!

And then, arriving just as the feel of the air outdoors begins to signal fall, this beautiful yarn and pattern from Natalie for the Hand Dyed Yarn Swap, hosted by Celena:



Isn't it pretty? Included in the package is the photo that inspired Natalie in her choice of yarn colors and they are perfect...thank you, Natalie! And Celena for hosting.

I think I got all of my current swap commitements met (some a few days tardy, but with good intent) I am going to slow down on swaps a bit for now, but I did join in the next round of one of my favorites, No More Hum-Drum Mittens 3 because I had so much fun in the last round. I will have my questionnaire for that one posted by the morning!

Fun Fiber Swapping

I am part of a really neat fiber swap over at Ravelry. The basic idea is that we all love the notion of being part of one of those fiber of the month clubs where you pay a membership fee then get a new fiber every month...only not everyone can afford this, so we are doing it as a swap - LOL! I am in "Group 3" with three other fun ladies. This month, August, I was to receive fiber from Lynne in Massachusetts. Lynne is sure a talented person when it comes to color, be sure to check out her etsy shop. Anyway, the lovely fiber pictured on the right here is what came in the mail for me this week! Isn't it beautiful? It is rich and deep and vibrant. Lynne had asked and I had expressed an interest in trying a Dorset-Columbia cross wool she had, so that is what this is. I am thinking of using it for my favorite of projects, socks. Shouldn't it work well for that?!? Lynne also included a little kit to make your own knitting needles. Now this just shows what a thoughtful swap pal Lynne is, because I am assuming she realized from reading my posts how many things I do with my grandchildren and with my hands and that I would enjoy making something like this. Thank you, Lynne!


This fiber is the one I received for my July fiber installment. I couldn't wait and had to "test spin" some of this, and let me tell you, it is a dream!!! It came from Lesley, and is hand combed alpaca and bamboo fiber. It is heavenly ~ I wish you could feel this! As soon as I finish with the "for pay" spinning I am doing, I am going to finish this up and then start on a pair of entrelec mittens (my own pattern) for myself with this fiber.

I have a package ready to send on its way to Lynne and need to get to the post office with it, but I wanted to get these pictures posted to thank both of these generous and talented fiber women. By the way, Cyndi is the other member of our group - she and I have much in common.