SP Goodies and other stuff

It's been a while. I made it through that major snow fall we had last week. I actually took off from work last Monday. This little joker( He's my little baby Jack) kept me company all day.He loves being the center of attention. This is him trying to get my attention while I was knitting.

I started and finished this dress,

but didn't post it until now, because I had to find the right buttons for the dress. Mr. D's cousin is having a baby, and the shower is next weekend. I figured I'd throw something together for her. Of course I had to make an apple hat to match the dress. I still have to make the shoes, which by the way will be Mary Janes. I'll post them after I make them.

I received a lovely package in the mail the other day,

but this is actually my first time on my computer in days. All I can say is that my secret pal is amazing. I still don't know who she is, because she has one more package to send me, but I CAN'T WAIT to find out who she is. I swear she's my fairy godmother.

The first thing I opened was this lovely Misti Alpaca yarn. I love Misti Alpaca, but I've never worked with 4 ply before. I can't wait to work this up.




This lovely ball of yarn is 100% bamboo. My mine is churning as to what lovely design I can work this in to.


I think this Marble yarn is beautiful. I'm thinking I might make a shrug out of this.


I didn't even know that Cascade had 100% Alpaca. This lace yarn is gorgeous and I love power blue. I'll be saving this baby for a pretty shawl.



When I work with cables, I only like to work with wooden cable hooks or double pointed needles. The metal ones are slippery, and I'm not crazy about the plastic ones. I don't know how she knew, but I needles a new set of wooden cable needles as I've misplaced 2 out of the set I already did have. She sent me bamboo ones. I LOVE them!!!!


The next thing I opened was 8 ounces of Alpaca Roving. I can't wait to spin this baby up. It feels so good.

Last but not least, was Pink Grapefruit body spray from Bath and Body Works. Awesome!!!!! I love citrus scents.


Secret Pal, I wish I knew who you were already. You are the best. Thank you so so much. I love everything!!!!

I should be back in a few days, as I have more to post about. I'm just too tired to type anymore tonight. This time change is kicking my butt.

Cool Packages and Awesome Awards!!

They say that big things come in small packages, and boy are they right!!! I received an awesome package filled with lovely goodies from my Secret Pal the other day. I think that she is the best. She sent me this lovely lavender sachet. By the way, how did you know that I liked lavender?

I also got a holder for my circular needles, which I was in desperate need of. Thank you so much.

She sent me this needles sizer. I have been eyeing one of these for a while. I have the regular Susan Bates one, but this is awesome. I can wear it as a necklace and start a new trend. You know these are the latest thing in jewelry, or for sizing my needles. I be using it for both.

I saved the best for last. No one has ever knit for me before. I was in awe looking at your work. Even Mr. D was impressed. First was this scarf made of %0% Alpaca and 50% Peruvian Wool.

Second was this 100% Cashmere beaded hooded cowl.

Secret Pal, you do BEAUTIFUL work. You are an amazing knitter. Thank you so so much. I will cherish everything, and wear it well. I can't wait to find out who you are.


I also want to thank Tanya of Sew Sassy for bestowing on me this lovely award.


I am suppose to nominate 7 other people for this award, so, here it goes.

Amanda
Robin
Lisa
Marissa
Jennifer
Robin
Susan
Stacey

Sheila, you know I'd nominate you, but you were already nominated and I'm not double dipping.


In other news, I'm still in sleeve-ville on burnish tunic, but things are moving along. I started socks for Mr. D at lunch today. I cut out a simple pair of knit pants to sew. I feel like I'm moving at a snail's pace. But I figure somewhere along the line I'll speed up at some point.

Note* This post was written on 1/27, but I was only able to upload the pictures this morning. Since I wrote this I sewed the knit pants together. I now only have to put the elastic in and hem them. I also cut out a pair of lounge pants using the same butterick pattern 4604.

SP13 Question #2

Part A: Are you doing any holiday knitting?

Yes.

Part B: Have you finished?

I've finished most of my pieces, but I still have 3 pieces left. One of the pieces I finished was already delivered and was greatly received. Here's a picture of my boss with her much loved Bobble Tam.

I'm still working on my mom's shawl collar pullover. The actual sweater is done. I've been working on the collar this weekend. I plan to finish it today.
Anyway, I'd love to talk more but, I gotta go knit.

SP13 Question #1

I'm a little late on this one. The first question for Secret Pal 13 is to write what I'm thankful for.

A little while back I had to do the Happiness Meme. One of my answers basically answers this question and I'll add a little more to it.

I am thankful for My husband and 2 dogs. They are my rock. My husband pushes me to do things and to always be outgoing. He listens when I need an ear, and gives me his shoulder when I need to lean on it. Byron(my older dog) has been around now for 16 years. He loves me unconditionally, and scolds me even when I don't need it. Jack(younger dog) just loves me.

I'm also thankful that I still have my mother and father around. No matter how much they nag me, I never get tired of hearing from them. I am thankful for my old friends and my new ones as well which include all of my knitting and crocheting buddies. You are always there supporting me every step of the way, and you push me even when I don't think I can do something.

Lastly, I am thankful for everything that I have, don't have, or I'm about to have. These are trying times that we live in, and there are so many people that are doing without, or who have lost love ones for very stupid and foolish reasons. It makes one feel very humble.

During this holiday season, I think we should all remember and keep in mind someone less fortunate than ourselves. I know I'm going too.

SP13 Questionaire

Wow!!!! 3 Posts in one week. I'm on a role.

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

I'm a natural kind of girl. Alpaca, Silk, Cashmere, Organic Wool (allergic to treated wools), Cotton, Bamboo. I pretty much will work with everything. Acrylic yarns are okay but I usually use them in blankets or items that I want to machine wash.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a case for my crochet hooks, but nothing for my circular needles, so right now they're in their original ziplocks in a draw.

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 8 or 9 years now. I consider myself between intermediate and advanced because I haven't learned everything yet. I learned at a yarn shop in New Jersey.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes (Link)

5. What's your favorite scent? Citrus, Grapefruit, Anything that clean smelling. I'm not too much into the florals unless they are essential oils like lavender

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? swedish fish, green spearmint leaves

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

Card making, sewing, crochet. Yes I do spin.

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

Jazz, Classic House Music, R & B, Pop, Some Rock. Yes I can play MP3s.

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

Baby Blue, Blook Red, Wine, Black. I like anything that looks good on me which seems to be warm colors right now.

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

I am a newly wed. I got married almost 6 months ago. We have 2 dogs.

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

Yes to all of that.

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

I like knitting garments/clothes, pretty much anything that I can wear. Accessories follow a close second.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A pair of socks, a hat, a sweater, and I'm crocheting a blanket

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, Yes Yes

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

Circulars I can see my projects better. Aluminum first, bamboo second

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

Yes to both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I think I still have a sweater I started the second year I was knitting stashed away in one of my containers.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

I have 2 favorite holidays. My first has always been Christmas, but now I have to add Memorial Day because I got married Memorial Day weekend and my birthday is on the Traditional Memorial Day.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Crystal Animals. Knitting magazines and books

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

Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. I subscribe to Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits. I would love a pair of wooden cable needles.

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

Yes, anything I haven't learned yet. I haven't learned to spin cotton yet. I have the book Spin to Knit, but I'd like another book on spinning

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

Yes. I wear a size 9 1/2.

23. When is your birthday?

May 30th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes, Andrea670