Luscious Fibers, Food and Family

a secret pal revealed

Look what came!! A final and amazing package from my secret pal, Shelby. Shelby was a great pal and a pleasure getting to know, even if only a little bit on my part.  Now that I know who she is, I can get to know more about her and guess what, she's close by!

As you can see there are lots of wonderful goodies. If you click on the above photo you can see my notes (just rollover the picture). The Manos colorway is beautiful! We both learned last month that this yarn and color was a favorite for both of us. Shelby made me a CD of a Dave Matthews concert that she attended and a friend recorded...props to her for finding DMB music that I didn't already own! The black bar is rose soap from The Alchemic Dragon and it smells lovely. The two skeins of drinkable "vineyard" lace weight yarn are my first lace yarn!! They are skeins of Shadow from Knit Picks - gorgeous! Shelby also made me some great stitch markers and I think she made the card. Take a look...

Secret Pal 8 was a great time! Now I just need to finish my gift for my partner this weekend and mail off her surprise, and we'll be all set.

For today I'm headed to Annapolis with Grant and his mom. We may also do some outlet shopping. I plan to be knitting in the back seat or under a tree.  Oh, I also stopped by the Knit Happens sale last night and picked up a few things :)  I'll share that another time.

sunday brunch and some knitting

So this morning we made this for breakfast – YUM!  We had Cara Cara red naval oranges, wheat toast with strawberry jam and egg scramble with mushrooms, green pepper, cheese and veggie Canadian bacon. It was quite tasty and there is nothing better than a late brunch made at home, while in your pajamas, listening to the “Sunday Morning” playlist.  It was a nice start to the day.

In other weekend news, I found some time to knit – yeah! I finished my Kim’s Hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I love this hat pattern. It’s knit in the round and it calls for one of my favorite yarns, Manos. This color is O (aka rose.) This one is for my One Skein Pal. Hopefully she doesn't visit my blog.

Check out another view on my flickr.

I also worked on a little surprise for my secret pal, who may very well see this post before she gets it (we were all given hints this week), but that’s ok.  I’m not saying what it is…

a big thank you!

Look what I received this weekend!

My secret pal sent me a fabulous surprise with lots of goodies...beautiful skeins of wool (perfect for felting), a pattern for some really cute purses, yummy tea in all my favorite blends, and a lovely bracelet that she made herself that is just so cool.  The picture below is not great, but it's made with read seed bead and square flowered beads...I love it!

I think my pal and I have a lot in common so her surprises are always a treat. Thanks so much SP! More to come in my weekend round-up!

Secret Pal 8 Responses

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Generally I like natural fibers. I guess I avoid Red Heart, but there is some Lion Brand that seems nice.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Hmm…my circular needles are in a draw and my straight needles are in an old jar.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I’ve been knitting for about 3 years. I would consider myself an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes and it’s probably time to update it.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Fresh, clean, natural scents and florals.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? YUP

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do a number of things...paint, rubber stamp, a little sewing...I'll try anything that has me using the creative side of my brain.  I don’t spin, but I love watching others do it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I LOVE MUSIC!  All kinds...my least favorites are rap and country, but even then I like bluegrass.  My most favorites are folk or "alternative adult" at least that's what my digital music station says.  I love dance music, dance remixes, 80's revived.  Yes, I can play mp3s. Musicians I like...Dave Matthews, Patti Griffin, Sarah McLachlan, They Might Be Giants, and many others.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I love deep, natural colors...olive, sage, purple, red...fall colors. But I also like when unexpected shades are mixed in with those colors...so the darker colors mixed with a hit of pink, lavender, or light blue.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm single, but in a relationship. No kids, but two fabulous cats. Oliver and Kuba

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?  Yes, to scarves, hats and mittens. I have a poncho that I love, but will probably not knit any more.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Don’t have a favorite.

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks and a washcloth

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, love them.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? No preference.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, but a person can dream.

17. How did you learn to knit? I won knitting lessons at my church auction and was taught by someone who is a very good friend now.

18. How old is your oldest UFO? About 2.5 years. It’s a bag that I just didn’t love, but will finish eventually.

19. What is your favorite holiday? I don’t think I have one, but Thanksgiving is pretty special.

20. Is there anything that you collect? Not really.

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

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I need to learn to turn the heal on my sock.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, newly. I wear a size 8.5-9 shoe.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 12/17