Tuesday, July 25, 2006

What a Bag!









So yesterday, I'm minding my own business tending to my laundry when I hear the doorbell ring. I run upstairs open the door and it is my wonderful Maillady holding my KSKS package, sweeeeet!!! I rip and I mean rip open the box and was just about to start ripping the paper off when my little guy, Justice, says "aren't you going to take some pictures first?" what a cutie, he already knows my blogging routine, lol.

So presenting, my KSKS goodies(be warned, heavy picture post). My pal is, Patti, from "Stitching in Lobster Land". Here's a mini tour of all the Super Duper goodies Patti sent: a wonderful fairy card with her reveal and info, 3 sets of the new Knit Picks DPN's in US 1, 2 and 3's, Sock it to me shoe size to sock length chart, a pretty pink tape measure(which I so needed), a pewter knitting pin(now on my jacket), a set of beautiful blue heart stitchmarkers from Mama Llama, 3 patterns-Country Girl Socks, Cirle of Friendship Socks, both from Heartstrings and 52 Toe Up from Spunky Eclectic all I've never seen before and can't wait to try. Last but not least we have a gorgeous skein of STR Lightweight in the color County Clare and a beautiful blue/green sock bag, which is also my very first Handcrafted bag of any kind. I can't wait to show it off at the LYS this Friday. Thank you so much Patti for the beautiful KSKS blue/green package, the color scheme you chose is perfect!!!!

So, I told ya all I received this yesterday, so what took me so long to post about this Kick Ass package. Well, after reading the card and pouring thru the goodies I went online and starting reading Patti's blog, what a gal. Her pup, Cowboy, had a party with her STR, reminds me off my pups when we left them alone one afternoon and I come home to 2 skeins of Knitpicks Alpaca cloud from one end of the living to the other(still haven't gotten them unknotted). After reading Patti's blog I was reading the 52 Toe up pattern and figured I'd give it a whirl using my Lorna's Laces sport weight. Balled up those babies and gave the figure 8 cast on a go, that went on from 3 in the afternoon till 10:30 pm, with a short intermission for supper. Yes, after all that I still couldn't get the figure 8 right, I kept ending up with a whole on the one side. I got online and went to knitty and gave the Magic Cast On a go and first try got it. Sorry Patti, had to use the bamboo's, the Knitpicks DPN's were just to slippery for me trying to do the make 1 stitch(boy do I suck at that, lol). I did give them a go with sucess on a sock I'm designing and they work great for me knitting cuff down. Definetely keepers, here's a pic of the progress on both socks. So much for adding more pics, will try again later when bloggers not as nasty.

Have a great day, Thanks again Patti!!!!!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

KSKS bag, a Questionnaire and more

Here are the answers to Shelby's questions she asked the people in her SP8 group. Here's my answers:
1) What is your favorite season of the year?
Spring is my favorite, a time for change and looking forward to all the new things ahead.
2) Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I haven't been on vacation for years(and I mean years) but if we had to pick it would be a lakeside cabin so we could boat and fish.
3) If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Maryland but during the Sheep and Wool Fest, hehe.
4) If you could pick any job, and be paid well, what would it be?
Mom
5) If you were going on vacation for 1 week, and had to take ONLY one project with you, what would it be?
A pair of lace socks to knit.
6) If you won a shopping spree to your favorite Yarn shop, what would you get??
Addis, bamboo dpns, tons of Lorna's laces, STR, some alpaca and some really great lace weight merino.

Also completed this past week were my 2-12 inch crochet squares and 4-6 inch crochet squares and they are in the mail, w00t!! I blocked my lace scarf(my design) today and it is just amazing, it turned out way better than I expected. It really came to life during the blocking process and I really don't like to block, mind you this is only the second lace project I've ever made. (sorry no pics, will be sending the pattern off in the next month, cross your fingers).

Now on the Swap front, presenting my KSKS bag and goodies I am sending to my pal:





Yes, those are little kitties knitting and sewing on the bag (talk about calling out to be a knitters bag or what), the inside lining has balls of wool. I made the bag twice the size of "Yarn Envy's Leetle Bag" pattern and included a little pocket on the inside. I hope my pal likes everything and I included some snackies as well plus some Knit Picks Dye your own with Kool Aid for funsies.

I am also preparing my SP8 pals final package. Only 1 1/2 more months left till the end of SP8 and the big reveal, w00t, w00t!!!

Well, that's all I have except it has been very hot here in Lethbridge and the little guys are constantly talking about how they can't wait till Halloween or Christmas. They really can't stand the heat this time of year.

Happy knitting!

Monday, July 10, 2006

SP8 Mail(Woot) and other news





Lookie what I received this afternoon from my SP8 pal.
What a Sweeeeeeeeeet Haul!!!
Here's the yummy details: First we have 2 great cards, one has 6 gorgeous stitchmarkers attached, handmade by my pal on it with the description of the different beads she used(2 are made with real garnets), the second card is a tour of what she enclosed in the package.
The other giftees are: 1)Regia Jacquard sock yarn which I'll be using this week to give the two socks on 2 circs or maybe the magic loop a whirl,Patons Coral in a two tone blue and it is so soft and the colors perfect, can't wait to get that on the needles, not sure what yet,Wendy Melody for a nice summery scarf
2)handles for a new bag, which just so happens I am working on a bag design and they will work beautifully(and bags are the new scarves, I feel so behind because I have never knit myself one)
3)Chocolate, some Magic Stars for the boys(they love them) and some Galaxy Bars for myself(Yummy chocolate)
4)Bathtime indulgence, Blueberry muffin bath bomb and a bar of lavendar and cedarwood soap and I'm telling you I didn't even have to open the package to get the yummy smells. Even my postlady commented it was a great smelling package.
5)Last but not least to end of the Fibery/giftee goodness is a bag full of Alpaca, "straight from Sweep", does my pal have Alpacas????

Thank you so much SP, the package is wonderful and the boys were especially pleased that they have a "Secret Pal" too, thank you for including them. You really made our day!!!!

Weekend and other news, I finally broke down and gave into my urge to shop on Friday, told Rob if I didn't buy something soon I'd freak. The boys and Rob sat patiently in the van for 15 minutes while I got my fix and talking to the owner of the LYS while shopping, she let me know she will be carrying more wools instead of acrylic. *Jumping for joy* I almost fell over when I heard that news, but after me not shopping for a while and other requests for more of a natural fibers from other gals she's going for it. Thank you yarn gods!!!!

Here's my purchase for the weekend:some mags, check out Knitters Summer edition it has Chrissy's(my SP7 pal) sweater pattern in it on page 84 "French Lilac", bamboo dpns, Regia white sock yarn, Filatura Di Crosa Zarina in a lilac and some Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in a pale green all for upcoming designs(mine, wooot). I've never knit with hemp so cross my fingers and hope for the best.



On the knitting front, my first sock design is 90% finished and I also whipped up an easy lace scarf pattern and yes it is easy and quick to boot. I've also got 5 other patterns worked out, just have to get into gear and get them knit up. I am really going to have to learn to make sweaters/tanks, I have so many ideas rolling around but don't know where to begin.

As for home news, just working hard on my patterns and trying to keep up with the housework(man do the little guys go through alot of towels on hot days, to much sprinkler time)it has been to hot here to do housework, today it actually cooled off.

On the KSKS swap, I've got my bag almost complete, just have to finish the sewing and make some stitch markers. I so hope she loves it, I picked up some Dragonfly sock yarn from Dani over at Sunshine yarns and have a great pattern to go with it.

Back to knitting and getting supper ready. Happy knitting!!!! And thanks again SP8, your gifts are the best!!!!