Happiness is......

.....a new package from you secret pal!
Yes, I am happy.  Wanna see why?
Now, to sorta give you a little bit about this, I have little sheep push pins (small row of 4 sheep traveling sideways).  They are adorable.  Love the sheep.  I have this delightful, yummy, soft, sensual, sensational Malabrigo in Tuareg (can we say oooooooooooh?!).  There is a little sheep note book (very cute, and quite handy).  And now we get to the spooky part.  Why spooky?  Well, this weekend I was in NY (no, didn't get to go to Rhinebeck, even though I was only 100 miles away!!!!!!) and I was in this Japanese bookstore.  My neice and nephew and I were poring over the gummies.  We debated, strawberry, kiwi or peach????  Well, peach lost (I wanted peach, out voted by teenagers).  Well now I have a bag of peach all to myself!!!!!
Also, last week at Stitches East I fondled the Interweave Holiday issue.  Decided no, I am not getting it yet.  This weekend went to Purl (great yarn shop, friendly staff) and again fondled the mag, decided to pick up yummy red silk/angora/wool instead (gloves for moi).  Glad I didn't get it, 'cause now I have it!!!!  Thanks so much pal!  Feeling quite spoiled, but concerned about the mind reading thing.  

well....

Off to the post office tomorrow morning to mail my pals first package.  Not going to post pics, in case she sees this, but I 
think she will like it.  
She likes socks, and there will be a sock pattern and yarn included.  I tried to find stitch markers,
but no luck yet.  I may have to try my hand at making some.  I have included a book from her wishlist.  I hope the list is up to date.
on the knitting front, I am 3/4 done with cozy.  I will be so glad to be done.  Can't wait to block it.
on the personal front, job issues I won't discuss.
on the physical front, it is so freakin' hot I can't stand it!  Where is fall!!!!?????

I got goodies!!!!

Got my first package from my wonderful sp 11 partner.  There is tea, cookies and a cute little mug from her trip to Hawaii.  Yes, this tea is going with me to Wisconsin :-).  Can't wait to try it.  
There is beautiful yarn in my favorite colors (silk and wool, yummmmmm).  A tin of baby altoids (yummy).  Bath salts.  I was longing for a relaxing bath *sigh*, what timing!And chocolate, two chocolate bars!!!!  They are going to be savored, ahhhhhhhhhh.  Thanks so much for the package.  I love it!

why i love/hate cozy

I love the color
I love the yarn, soft and silky
I love the pattern
I hate the pattern
I hate the fact that at least once every two pattern group repeats I end up with either 14 stitches when I am supposed to have 12, or 11 stitches when I am supposed to have 13
Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
And now I can't find that blasted usb cable for the camera *grumble, grumble*

Games? I looooove games!!!

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?  Well, I would have to say stitch markers, especially after working with cables and lace patterns.  It makes life sooooo much easier.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If
so, how much and what type of project?  I do take a project with me, and it's whatever I happen to be working on.  Don't care about the size or the type.  

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?  Hmmmmmm, that's a toughie.  I loved the Outer Banks, but what's not to love about sitting on the beach in the fog at sunrise.  I also loved Mesa Verde.  But the Cali coast is probably my real fav.  I love the drama of the coast, the sound and sight of the surf, and the peace of all of it.  And San Francisco is not bad either.


4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?  In the past I have really used those Elle knitting books that came out in the 80's (I think they are all out of print now).  I made several projects in those, and I return to them often for inspiration.  I don't think I have a current favorite.  

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?  I think my favorite knitting podcast is Cast-on.  

So psyched!

Heard from my sp11 pal yesterday.  I'm excited all over again.  I have new friends (Lynda, Justine, Shelby, Katie and Sabine) and now I am getting what I hope will be two new ones.   I can't wait to find out who I am going to spoil.  I also love the fact that Shelby is my hostess again.  I had such a great time last time.  

sp 11 questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?  Not overly fond of acrylics, hate fur, not overly fond of eyelash either.  Like simple straight forward stuff (mohair, angora, 100% wool, silk, cotton and the like).



2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?  Right now I am using a looseleaf binder with page pockets for my circulars, a roll up needle holder for the straights, and a canister for my dpns.


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 off and on for about 20 years of so, but I still consider myself an intermediate beginner.

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



5. What's your favorite scent?  Love gardenias.  I also like jasmine.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?  Yes I have a sweet tooth.  I like caramels, gummy stuff (like bears and fish), almost everything.  Just a reminder, chocolate is not a candy, it's a food group and I am a firm beliver in consuming as much as possible of that particular group :-)


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?  I don't spin, but would love to learn.  I do a little beading sometimes.


8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like classical, rock, jazz, r&b, lots of indie (like ani difranco), cajun is a new favorite, I have pretty open tastes.  I like very little country.


9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?  I love blues, reds, jewel tones mostly.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have a cat named Ashleigh.


11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Love hats, scarves and mittens.  Ponchos are not on my list of favorite things.  Shrugs are good though.


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?  I like knitting sweaters and mittens.



13. What are you knitting right now?  I am currently knitting Cozy (starting it for the 3rd time, but this time is the charm) and a pair of socks.



14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?  Love handmade gifts.



15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?  Prefer bamboo to aluminum, aluminum over plastic.  Like circs over straights, because i have a tendency to lose needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope, would love either.



17. How old is your oldest UFO? 3 years, still working on that sweater.



18. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?  Tea pots.  Love tea and the pots you brew them in (or cups you brew them in too).



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 lust after Lantern Moon anything.  The needles are beautiful and feel so wonderful in your hands.  
I fondle Alchemy yarns on a regular basis.  
I have subscriptions to Interweave Knits and Adorn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?  Intarsia.  I have a few patterns I would love to try.  Spinning.  Would really like to learn to do that.  Lace.  I get really confused with all the counting, but I love the end product (have finished only one project).


22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am a sort of sock knitter.  I like to knit big easy fast socks, although I fantasize about finishing my multicolor bluey-red stripey socks *sigh*
Foot measurements are 10 inches long and 7 inches around.



23. When is your birthday?  April 21st

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? i'm on the list.