Wow! Two packages this Week!

I received two packages this week from the two swaps I am in....Knitters Treat Swap and Secret Pal 10....and oh how they spoiled me! I received from my Secret Pal 10 a skein of STEP sock yarn( I love this yarn and I love the color!), some knitters ointment for my hands,(and I really need this!) a package of wool wash and knitters pins (can have enough of these). See the pictures below. Thank you SP10! Can't wait to for you to revel yourself!

Secret Pal 10

And my next wonderful package is from my Knitters Treat Pal! Thank you Kati! You were super with this. I received green tea (yum), a cable holder, the cutest stitch holders that look like mini donuts which are better on stitch holders than on my hips!, a handmade card, the prettiest shawl holder which was attached to my (Yippees) Jitterbug yarn! Yummy, yummy!

Knitters Treat Pal

Thank you so much to both of my secret pals! Yummy...yummy..yummy......

Spring Felted Bag Swap Questionnaire

I joined yet another swap....I think I am rather addicted to giving! This is the Spring Felted Bag Swap. I am learning to swap now. My daughter StephanieCake has done a lot of felting and she has been helping me. I have my first one on the needles and I hope to finish it soon! I carry a felted purple one she made me for Christmas. So here are my answers for the questionnaire.....

1.How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? I learned to crotchet about 35 years ago. My mother taught me and I self taught for knitting about 33 years ago.

2. What are your favorite yarns to knit\crochet felted bags with? I have just tried Patons yarn so far.

3. What are your favorite needles to knit\crochet with? I don’t crotchet much anymore, but for knitting I love wooden knitting needles. Crystal palace, Brittnay, and Denise needles are what I use mostly. Addis are also my fav metal needles.

4. What are the last 3 bags you knitted\crocheted (include URL for Yahoo! or flickr album or your blog if you have them!)? You can also link to patterns if you don't have pictures of your finished objects! I am knitting my first one now. My daughter has knitted many and she has given me some patterns.

5. Do you carry the bags that you make, give them as gifts, or both? I plan to do both. I carry one now that my daughter knit for me. I just love it.

6. What is your favorite felted bag that you have made for yourself? I have not found a pattern yet. Still looking. I want to try a bag with beads.

7. What are your favorite colors? Do you like bags in these colors or choose other colors? I love purple, blue or pink. I also like green.

8. Chocolate: White, Milk, Dark, or not so much? Dark most definitely!

9. Coffee, Tea, or Milk? Coffee (Milk with my chocolate.)

10. Do you prefer sweet or salty treats? What kinds? Both! For sweets, I love truffles or creams and salty things I love bagel chips or pita chips.

11. If you went into Bath and Body Works and could only come out with one item, what would it be and what would it smell like? Even though I think it is Yankee Candle, I love the smell of “Clean Cotton”. I also love the smell of Freesia or any clean flower smell.

12. Do you enjoy any other crafts or hobbies? Do you collect anything? I quilt. I collect fabric like I do yarn! I also collect teacups and snowmen.

13. Are there any bag patterns you have not yet knit, but hope to someday? I am still looking at all the wonderful patterns. They are all looking good to me. Though I have to say totes are my favorite.

14. What is currently OTN (on the needles) for you? Wow..... I have several socks, a shawl, a bag and a sweater OTN. I need to finish them and not start something new! Yeah like that is going to happen. I did just finish a scarf.

15. What is your most recent finished object before that? A lace scarf. Very simple but a lot of fun.

16. What's cutest: Puppies, Piggies or Pixies? Puppies of course.

17. Do you enjoy reading? Books, Magazines, or both? I love both. I love anything about history. And this includes history on knitting, quilting, tools for both or history of an area.

18. Do you have any children? (kid-kind or pet-kind apply!) I have a daughter, but she is married and I have one grandchild (the sweetest little guy!). I love cats, but alas my Fluffy died a number of years ago and my lifestyle right now does not allow for a pet.

19. What are some of your favorite yarns for other projects? I love sock yarn of any kind, but I do prefer natural fibers. I love the feel of silk and some cottons are great too. I do not like scratchy fibers; they make me itch.

20. And for the final question, one I see debated all over: Novelty Yarn: Love it! Hate it! or It depends! It depends on what it is for. I have a pattern for a little Santa and it uses novelty yarn for his beard and it is total okay.

21. Is your home smoke free? Yes…I have trouble breathing around smoke, and if it is in fibers, it bothers me too.

22. Is your home pet free? Yes

23. Are you allergic to pet hair, smoke, or both? Smoke

I GOT AN "A" I am so Proud of myself!

Last night I felt a big weight lifted from my shoulders. I completed a great deal at work and I took my final exam at school for this course and I made an "A". This professor has us correct the papers in class since it is usually a multiple choice. I was really worried because I hadn't studied as much as I wanted to but I surprised myself. Knew more that I realized. Now I have about three weeks of relax time and then back to school for the summer session. I am knocking my classes out one at a time. Hopefully I will graduate within the next year or so.

One more day (today) and then I take the Melissa Leapman class....yeah! Will post more about the class and pictures this weekend.

I am a much more relaxed lady now. I know I will be able to enjoy my weekend.

It's a good day in the Neighborhood!

It is Thursday and only one more day unitl the weekend...hooorayyyy! My class with Melissa Leapman is on Sat. and I can't wait. I have all my samples knit and I am ready. I will be able to relax and enjoy myself. I finish with part of my final tonight and the take home part by Monday. Then I get about 3 weeks of fun and then back to the grindstone. I enjoy going to class, but I am like a little kid with homework....I hate it! I don't have that many more classes to take so I will just hang in there until I can achieve my goal of my degree. Why I waited until I was in my 40's and 50's to start to school....well I do know.....it was called survival after the divorce.

Anyway...on another fun topic. I received a wonderful package from my SP10 pal.....I will post pictures later. It contained a wonderful skein of sock yarn, pins to hold pieces in place to put your garment together, yarn wash, and knitters ointment. I was so surprised. What a grand gift!

Thank you, Thank you to my SP10 partner.
Gotta run and study some more before tonight!

Knitters Coffee Swap Questionnare

Okay...here is my questionnare for my Knitter and Coffee swap!

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? I love whole bean and then grind my own, but if it is too hard to find, ground is okay.
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully Loaded....is there any other way?
3. Regular or flavored? Regular, sorta got tired of the flavors....need my hearty straight drink in the morning.
4. How do you drink your coffee? In a china mug....I love china cups ....okay whatever is clean....
5. Favorite coffee ever? Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend or Starbucks Breakfast blend...but I am game to try others.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I am fussy. I like a good coffee, not a weak one...brand names seem to deliver.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? I love any type of bread. Plain, pastry, or cookies....shortbread, biscuit, and any English biscuit.
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? don't think so....
9. Yarn/fiber you love? I love natural fibers. They can have some blended fibers in sock yarn, but I prefer the natural ones.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Squeaky acrylic yarn.
11. What's on your needles? Cystal palace, Brittney, Addi, Denise....I have them all...I recently tried the Knitpicks equivalent to Addis and I love them.
12. Favorite colors? Blue, purple, green, red, pink....okay a lot....but I don't care for brown or orange. They just don't do anything for me.
13. Allergies? None that I know of.
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I am not much of an issue person....I just really like to swap! I also love tote bags....little small or any kind of zippered bags. Bit of an obsession with me. I like gadgets too.

It's A Great Monday!

After having to work yesterday, I really had a hard time waking up. I thought...yuck...Monday!
Well...it turned out to be just fine so far! I heard from one of my swap partners, Miss Me, a gentleman I am corresponding with and knitters coffee swap with my new swap partner. I am going to shop, shop and shop this weekend to get packages in the mail. I am trying hard to finish some things I started yesterday at work, but I just can't seem to concentrate. Must be the sunshine....it makes me want to lay out in it and soak up as much as possible. I hope the day gets better and better. I am having dinner with my mom this evening before I head home. I was working on my Monkey socks and I made a mistake.....now I have to frog about 8 rows...oh well....I will have them done soon so I can post them.

Oh....almost forgot....Sat is my big knitting weekend with my daughter. We are taking Melissa Leapmans' class "knitting On the Edge"......yes I know this is a book by another author, but this is what her class is called....anyway.....daughter and I are so excited. I ordered two books for us to have her sign. Hopefully I can take pictures and post....

Knitters ....keep those needles clicking!

Sunshine...finally

The sun is shinning so brightly and it makes me so happy! I think our warmer weather is finally here. I realized a long time ago, I need sunlight to function. Unfortunately I work in a building that has no windows in my office area. Sometimes it is hard to concentrate....so it is so nice to have sunlight when I go home from work, now that we are on daylight savings time.

This is a complete change of subject, but I don't know how many have read much about the tragedy at Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to those students who died and those who had to endure those hours of uncertainty. I can honestly say I had an inkling how they felt. I was in Washington DC when 911 happened. The fear and worry you felt and the unknowing was a terrible feeling to have. Even now, when I hear of something unusual, you just wonder if it is happening all over. I, as I am sure, those students and their families have placed their trust in God and hope that with time all heals. Please keep Virginia Tech in your prayers.

I have to head to work today....boo....but it will help not stay late next week....so I will sacrifice.
I will stay with my mom who lives closer to my work. She and I will enjoy the evening and of course I have to take some knitting! I like to visit my mom and relax. She will treat me just like she did when I was younger. She will fix me breakfast and pack my lunch for work. I have the best mom!

Pitty Party Yesterday

I fell for the pitty monster yesterday. Tried so hard not to but it grabbed for me and caught me. I am totally swamped at work. Way too much to do and so little time. Needless to say my job falls into the political arena at times and this is extremely stressful. But I was able to see my daughter for a little while last night..we met for dinner and then she was off to her job where she has to stay overnight. It was on the way from my house so it was great being with her. I gave her a very early birthday present which she was so excited. I won on Ebay a swift and yarn winder and she was ecstatic. She had been using mine when she came down, which was fine, but as we all know....it so much better to have your own when the mood strikes.

Unfortunately I have to work this weekend, but I am going to stay with my mom so the commute is not so long and she is so good to me. She will treat me just like I was home again buy fixing me dinner and breakfast. She is so special. I just love being at her house. She treats all that arrive on her doorstep like they lived there. She works way too hard but she is the best mom ever! She is almost 82 and you wouldn't know it! She works rings around me. She still cuts her grass and keeps up with the house like she did when we were little. I just hope I have the energy she has when I reach her age!

Okay now I have put myself in a better mood. I will have to just plan and work through all this work at my job and complete my home duties and school stuff....oh my! Knitting on the train this evening will most definitely put me in a much grander mood!

Stash Pictures

Last week when I posted stash pictures and new buys I left out one of the pictures which documents most of the newest stash! I am so excited with these purchases. Some might become swap stash ...but I actually have patterns in mind. The colors did not turn out well. I still haven't figured out the resolution or tint or whatever you call it. I hate to admit this but I actually have some more stash that did not appear in the picture. One item I have on the needles and have almost completed. It is for my SP10. I love the colors...so I will post once I send it to her.

I have started a shawl for work. Work you say? Yes. I work in a very old building that we burn up in the winter and we freeze in the summer. The air conditioning just freezes us in my office area. I found a pattern that has pockets...I just love it. I will post a picture later this week.

Work is very stressful right now and I will probably have to put in overtime this weekend. I hope not, but it looks like I will so far......so knitting dreams are keeping me sane at the moment.

It's the Weekend for me - starting tonight!

In my job, I work 9 hour days so I can have every other Friday off. This is my Friday off and I am so glad! I am so looking forward to my pampering day and then Sunday with my family. It turned so cold here in Fredericksburg last night. You would think it was January and not April. I am so ready to shed the coat and just enjoy some spring weather. Not sure when that is going to happen since they are calling for snow flurries on Sunday. Just have to make the best of it.

I ordered some blue yarn from Knit Picks I hope is going to arrive today. I have wanted to knit a shawl with pockets and I finally found the pattern I want to use. So.....when I get it on the needles, I will post a picture.

I am working diligently to get my SP10's package together and in the mail on Friday.....I have some Easter goodies for her kids and of course her...and well...fortunately she only lives 50 miles away .....so it will be on time even mailing it on Friday...(I hope!)

Happy Easter to all!!!!

It's finally Wednesday!

This morning I woke to rain and the thoughts that I have just today and tomorrow, then my weekend starts. I am off on Friday and I have planned a "me day". Get my hair done and my monthly massage, hit my LYS and quilting shop and then spend the evening creating. Work has been tough this week and I am so ready for this weekend. And the best part is that it is Easter and I will be with all of my family....or at least some. They are calling for yucky weather though, but I am going to try to make the best of it. I am going to buy lots of chocolate Easter bunnies, marshmellow chicks, and chocolate East eggs to give to my grandson and my nieces and nephews and be the wonderful aunt and grandma that I hope I am....I just love to spoil the kids!

Happy Easter to all!
Keep those knitting needles clicking!

STASH Monster overcame me last weekend!

Last weekend my daughter and I did a little knitting shop hopping! As her mother, I showed absolutely no self control. I was like a little kid in a candy shop! Above are pictures of some of my stash and I have also posted some of my WIP and some finished dishrags. That evening after a wonderful dinner at a local Thai restuarant we came home and I order needles and a beautiful bead winder for some knitting with beads I am planning. This past week my living room looks as though Christmas came early. Not only did I buy but I ordered and I even ordered for my daughter. She got her birthday presents 6 months early....but she is not complaining! Ebay is a wonderful thing! It is now time for me to stop and get some of these projects done. I do have to fit work in though.....but then again I can knit on the train to work! Sleep will become a thing of the past. Or so I think....LOL

A Wonder Swap Package from my January Swap

All I can say right now is WOW! A number of weeks ago I swapped with a wonderful partner from Canada. We both missed the deadline for the TowndendSocksKnitAlong swap and the hostess was so kind and suggested we swap with each other. This has been such a wonderful swap and I now have a friend in Canada. My package took so long to get to her that I didn't post my package from her until she received hers. I was so excited with my package. She made it a Canadian theme. I got the cutest bag with knit terms embroidered on it, chocolates which only half is in the picture, the yummiest coffee, a book by the "Yarn Harlet", a Canadian ladies magazine, the most wonderful yarn made there, and the cutest beaded bag she knit. Oh...and patterns she printed from the internet. Because I get so excited with packages like a little kid....you will notice not all of the items are in the picture. I am reading the book, so it is in my bag for work which I read on the train and keep in the car and of course I ate some of the chocolate right away. The patterns are in my planning book to search for the perfect yarn! Thank you Katie!