Monday, April 23, 2007
That KTE Spoiler is very tricky!
A new postcard in the mail today! Yay! I love suprises. I have the nicest KTE partner!
OK... well.... I honestly haven't met a color I didn't like. My undergrad degree is in fine arts and I often got myself yelled at in the Art Foundation classes because I had a wee bit of trouble limiting my color palette.
BUT, I tend toward brights and muted retro-y colors. I ♥ bubblegum pink in the worst kind of way. Mix it up with turquoise, brown, or orange (and maybe all of the above) and I'm in heaven.
Lavender + celery green... Robin's egg + chocolate brown... Coral + baby pink.... Pumpkin + Tiffany blue + mauve... Butter yellow + lime green + tan... you get the picture. :o) Any color combo a Pucci print comes in is a-ok with me!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
KTE - Wheeee!
Ok, so enough rants for the week.
This inspired me to send a little something to my KTE pal who is in New Zealand. She's a quilter and a sock knitter so I knit a wee little sock last nite to put in a card to her today. I was thinking of making a little quilt block too. We'll see if I can get my act together!
Labels: swaps
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I knit, therefore I am.
So life has been nuts lately and I haven't had a chance to post much about my charmed knitting life.
First, the pirate baby sweater went to El and his lady. I think they were suitably pleased. I'm looking forward to the birth of the baby and I'm happy that I made something for him/her that turned out well.
I haven't had much time to work on any of my miriade of unfinished projects. On an unfortunate note, I realized that 2 skeins of Panda Cotton isn't quite enough to make the Monkey socks. And YarnMarket is currently out of the colorway. Poop. Its my fault for not doing the math. Mom said that she thinks Knitter's Cottage in F'burg has it so hopefully I can score some more when I'm down there in a couple of weeks.
Speaking of which, I think I already mentioned it but maybe I didn't... we are signed up to take a Melissa Leapman class - Knitting on the Edge. I think that is also the title of a Nicky Epstein book so I was really confused when Mom aksed me to take the class with her. Anyway, I'm almost done with my swatches and I'm looking forward to it!
I sent another package to my SP...
I made her Red Sox stitch markers (she's a huge fan) and a "Happy Opening Day" card. Also included the Malabrigo I scored for her on the weekend yarn store tour a few weeks ago. I think she liked it. :o) I love to come up with cool things for people so I think I hit a homerun (no pun intended!) with this one.
My SP also sent me a box of treats....
First, the pirate baby sweater went to El and his lady. I think they were suitably pleased. I'm looking forward to the birth of the baby and I'm happy that I made something for him/her that turned out well.
I haven't had much time to work on any of my miriade of unfinished projects. On an unfortunate note, I realized that 2 skeins of Panda Cotton isn't quite enough to make the Monkey socks. And YarnMarket is currently out of the colorway. Poop. Its my fault for not doing the math. Mom said that she thinks Knitter's Cottage in F'burg has it so hopefully I can score some more when I'm down there in a couple of weeks.
Speaking of which, I think I already mentioned it but maybe I didn't... we are signed up to take a Melissa Leapman class - Knitting on the Edge. I think that is also the title of a Nicky Epstein book so I was really confused when Mom aksed me to take the class with her. Anyway, I'm almost done with my swatches and I'm looking forward to it!
I sent another package to my SP...
I made her Red Sox stitch markers (she's a huge fan) and a "Happy Opening Day" card. Also included the Malabrigo I scored for her on the weekend yarn store tour a few weeks ago. I think she liked it. :o) I love to come up with cool things for people so I think I hit a homerun (no pun intended!) with this one.
My SP also sent me a box of treats....
Lion Brand felting wool is some good stuff! :o)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
SP 10 Treats
Not sure if its kosher to post pictures of what I sent my secret pal.... especially since all of our blogs are available for perusing. However, there are something like 600 blogs so something tells me the chance of her looking at mine and seeing what I sent her are slim to none!
So I posted some goodness to her today. I hope she likes it all!!! I have a bunch of other stuff planned - she seems like a really interesting person so I'm having fun thinking of fun stuff for her.
So I posted some goodness to her today. I hope she likes it all!!! I have a bunch of other stuff planned - she seems like a really interesting person so I'm having fun thinking of fun stuff for her.
Well, off to PP. I'm taking the hoodie to work on.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Secret Pal 10
I got my SP 10 partner... SO EXCITED for this one!!!!! My hostess (there are like 10 of them I think) is really on top of things, I wasn't expecting to hear from her so soon. Names are supposed to be out by this Friday... and they have 600+ participants. Holy Moly!!!
For my partner.... I created a link over there to the questionnaire ===>
Look at the top/right side beside the picture of little moi. I also have another questionnaire posted because I'm participating in another exchange. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! :o)
For my partner.... I created a link over there to the questionnaire ===>
Look at the top/right side beside the picture of little moi. I also have another questionnaire posted because I'm participating in another exchange. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! :o)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Knitters Treat Exchange - The Questionnaire
Whee! I love swaps and exchanges!
1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I seriously heart plain old superwash merino. Cashmere blends, of course, are also very nice. I love hand painted yarns because it is fun to see how the colors knit up.
2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
I recently found that I really don’t like to knit acrylic, after knitting a baby sweater – it splits and looks crappy. 100% cotton has given me grief too. But to be honest, I love any kind of yarn that is pretty and would give just about anything a chance!
3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Squeeze and fondle the cashmere and angora blends. Or else run to the first bright color that catches my eye. Then touch everything else. THEN remember why I went there in the first place.
4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
I love to sew (total fabric whore!) and make jewelry (I’m a classically trained silversmith). I make mixed media art quilts and mixed media silver jewelry. I also love collage, assemblage and photography.
5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Somerset Studio, Art Jewelry, ReadyMade, Bust
6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden
1.) Other craft / Knitting
2.) Food / Home(Only buy these when something really catches my eye)
3.) Fashion / Celeb / Garden (I don’t really read or buy these)
7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
I’ll try just about anything! My current WIP’s include: a knitted hoodie for my son, a baby sweater, a couple of pairs of socks, some free form stuff to use in an assemblage and a pair of hand warmers for a friend.
I also like to knit stuff to be felted – purses, etc. I’m not a big crocheter but I made a few amigurumi around the holidays and would love to find some interesting patterns for more of those.
8. Are you allergic to anything?
Nuts. (walnuts, hazelnuts (filberts) & pecans especially)
9. What do you like to smell of?
Citrus scents (grapefruit, bergamot, tangerine) and English lavender.
10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Napping and reading… and, although I know it sounds clichéd… knitting. When I’m super stressed out I knit a few rows on my least demanding work in progress.
11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
Oh gosh. That would be a very difficult choice – I’m certain I could find something wonderful in all those places. Probably the old fashioned bakery.
12. What do you come out with?
Brownies, fudge and cupcakes with thick buttercream frosting (or anything chocolate-y and nut-free for that matter!). Yum!
13. Where do you go next?
The Italian café, or course. What goes better with brownies and cupcakes than espresso??? Altho… a cuppa Earl Grey from the tea room might be nice too…
14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I have no idea what to put here. I love surprises and I love swaps (it’s all about the joy of getting mail!!). This is only my 2nd knitting related swap but I’ve participated in a lot of other craft/mail/art swaps. I’m eternally grateful to swap partners who put a lot of thought into what they send – handmade items, regional treats, a little piece of themselves, etc. Several of my swap partners have become friends. :o)
Knitters Treat Exchange
Yay! A new swap op! (hardeeharhar) My mom sent me the link to the Knitters Treat Exchange - a one time secret pal swap. Based on the swaps I've seen thus far, knitters are far better swappers than some of the other exchanges I've been involved in so I'm excited about this one.
Its the small things in life that make the difference. A thoughtful piece of mail from a stranger can really make your day.
Its the small things in life that make the difference. A thoughtful piece of mail from a stranger can really make your day.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Secret Pal 10... including the questionnaire
So my mom told me about the Secret Pal swap. I love swapping but haven't done any swaps in awhile. I got totally burned on a few swaps last year and rather disappointed on a few others. But the Secret Pal swap seems to be really well organized and sort of "upscale" so I'm excited about participating.
One of the requirements is to answer the questionnaire. I love talking about myself at length so swap questionnaires are always a bonus. Muahahaha!!! (seriously, I'm not that shallow, I'm just snarky)
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Currently in 2 skinny galvanized buckets. They work… but I would LOVE a handmade needle case that I can travel with. Winkwink.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned how to knit in college. It was a combination of figuring it out on my own and my mom showing me. I failed miserably in those early attempts but seriously came back to knitting last year. My mom is proud. I would consider myself intermediate in most knitting skills… I’m getting better every day!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes! Amazon is my mecca. I love books like I love air. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/12EDJH5EE3L93/
5. What's your favorite scent? Lavender, hands down! I am of the strong belief that one cannot have too many English lavender sachets. However, I’m not a big perfume, cosmetics, lotion, soap person because I have sensitive skin and a million nitpicky allergies.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Unfortunately for my waistline, yes. Milk chocolate all the way! Plain old Hershey bars or Lindt milk chocolate truffles make me very happy. I will also sell my soul for Vermont Maple Sugar candy. And I’ll commit crimes for See’s blueberry or pineapple filled chocolates (well anything from See’s for that matter!) Other candies are nice too – I love anything in the “blue” (blueberry? blue raspberry? bloo???) flavor variety (hahaha!). Swedish fish and gummy bears are nice too. IMPORANT: Sadly I’m allergic to most tree nuts… some are ok and others are deadly… But really, I don’t expect anyone to have to go to the trouble of analyzing ingredients on my behalf.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I love to sew – I’m a complete fabric whore! I’ve been making things since I was little – my mom is a very talented crafter and seamstress. Outside of knitting I’m primarily a mixed media artist so I love found objects, paper, trinkets, buttons, fibers… anything interesting! I learned drop spindle spinning in college (I have a fine arts degree) and would love to do it again as well as learn to spin on a wheel.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My musical tastes are somewhat varied and complicated! I have a few things listed on my blog profile & my MySpace page. I can play MP3’s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love retro-y colors. Pink + brown + orange + aqua + lime green…. but I really can’t say there are any colors I don’t like.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband of 11 years and a darling 9 year old son. Sadly my kitty died a year ago and we aren’t ready for any new pets just yet.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yep! I look stupid in hats but I wear ‘em anyway! Hehehe!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I’ll try anything once! I like socks. I also love knitting with the intent to felt.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A hat my husband has requested (nay, demanded!), a baby sweater for my brother-in-law’s impending bundle of joy, 2 pairs of socks for myself.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!!!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above? I use both straight and circulars as necessary. I prefer wood and bamboo needles most and plastic the least but I wouldn’t turn away a good lookin’ needle no matter what it was made of. I recently bought a set of Addi Turbo circulars… I don’t hate them but I’m not sure if I like them yet either.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?I don’t but my mom has a winder. I’ve trained the hubby to help me wind yarn the old fashioned way.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hah! Are you kidding me??? I bet I have unfinished craft projects from when I was a child! But my oldest knitting UFO is probably a scarf I started for my husband when we were dating… so 12 years old?
18. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday! Hahaha! I don’t really have a favorite. I like ‘em all, especially if there are presents and/or good things to eat.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
I’m a packrat… so the question is: what do I NOT collect…. But I love vintage sewing notions, old buttons and squirrels (figurines and tchotchkes and such, not actual live rodent).
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There is nothing I have a burning desire for. I sort of live for the moment and covet beautiful things as I see them. I have a few knitting and spinning books on my Amazon wish list.
I do love Brittany needles (I only have a couple of pairs)… or any wooden needles with the pretty little carved ends. I don’t have any magazine subs but I really like Spin-Off for the interesting info about wool and fibers and techniques, even though I don’t really actively spin at the moment (I know! I’m such a nerd). Otherwise, I only buy knitting magazines when something catches my eye.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not sure. I’m really interested in lace patterns and I’ve tried a few but I’ve gotten frustrated with dropping yarn overs and keeping track of the stitches. Are there pretty lace patterns for the ADD afflicted??
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! Love knitting socks! I wear a women’s size 9 shoe – my feet are sort of normal/average…. 9 ½ in length – 8 ½ - 9 in circumference
23. When is your birthday?
September 23. I’m a Libra.
One of the requirements is to answer the questionnaire. I love talking about myself at length so swap questionnaires are always a bonus. Muahahaha!!! (seriously, I'm not that shallow, I'm just snarky)
The Questionnaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love plain old sport weight merino because I adore felting… especially when its in cool shades or colorways. I’ve also been known to fall hard for some super soft alpaca. Noro makes some gorgeous yarns and Debbie Bliss does too. I’m not really a fiber snob – I’ll take a classy acrylic any day, I’m just not fond of cheap, scratchy, old synthetic yarn (unless its for the utter irony of it). I don’t especially like knitting with eyelash or really novel novelty yarns – they look really cool but they tend to frustrate me.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love plain old sport weight merino because I adore felting… especially when its in cool shades or colorways. I’ve also been known to fall hard for some super soft alpaca. Noro makes some gorgeous yarns and Debbie Bliss does too. I’m not really a fiber snob – I’ll take a classy acrylic any day, I’m just not fond of cheap, scratchy, old synthetic yarn (unless its for the utter irony of it). I don’t especially like knitting with eyelash or really novel novelty yarns – they look really cool but they tend to frustrate me.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Currently in 2 skinny galvanized buckets. They work… but I would LOVE a handmade needle case that I can travel with. Winkwink.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned how to knit in college. It was a combination of figuring it out on my own and my mom showing me. I failed miserably in those early attempts but seriously came back to knitting last year. My mom is proud. I would consider myself intermediate in most knitting skills… I’m getting better every day!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes! Amazon is my mecca. I love books like I love air. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/12EDJH5EE3L93/
5. What's your favorite scent? Lavender, hands down! I am of the strong belief that one cannot have too many English lavender sachets. However, I’m not a big perfume, cosmetics, lotion, soap person because I have sensitive skin and a million nitpicky allergies.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Unfortunately for my waistline, yes. Milk chocolate all the way! Plain old Hershey bars or Lindt milk chocolate truffles make me very happy. I will also sell my soul for Vermont Maple Sugar candy. And I’ll commit crimes for See’s blueberry or pineapple filled chocolates (well anything from See’s for that matter!) Other candies are nice too – I love anything in the “blue” (blueberry? blue raspberry? bloo???) flavor variety (hahaha!). Swedish fish and gummy bears are nice too. IMPORANT: Sadly I’m allergic to most tree nuts… some are ok and others are deadly… But really, I don’t expect anyone to have to go to the trouble of analyzing ingredients on my behalf.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I love to sew – I’m a complete fabric whore! I’ve been making things since I was little – my mom is a very talented crafter and seamstress. Outside of knitting I’m primarily a mixed media artist so I love found objects, paper, trinkets, buttons, fibers… anything interesting! I learned drop spindle spinning in college (I have a fine arts degree) and would love to do it again as well as learn to spin on a wheel.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My musical tastes are somewhat varied and complicated! I have a few things listed on my blog profile & my MySpace page. I can play MP3’s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love retro-y colors. Pink + brown + orange + aqua + lime green…. but I really can’t say there are any colors I don’t like.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband of 11 years and a darling 9 year old son. Sadly my kitty died a year ago and we aren’t ready for any new pets just yet.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yep! I look stupid in hats but I wear ‘em anyway! Hehehe!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I’ll try anything once! I like socks. I also love knitting with the intent to felt.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A hat my husband has requested (nay, demanded!), a baby sweater for my brother-in-law’s impending bundle of joy, 2 pairs of socks for myself.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!!!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above? I use both straight and circulars as necessary. I prefer wood and bamboo needles most and plastic the least but I wouldn’t turn away a good lookin’ needle no matter what it was made of. I recently bought a set of Addi Turbo circulars… I don’t hate them but I’m not sure if I like them yet either.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?I don’t but my mom has a winder. I’ve trained the hubby to help me wind yarn the old fashioned way.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hah! Are you kidding me??? I bet I have unfinished craft projects from when I was a child! But my oldest knitting UFO is probably a scarf I started for my husband when we were dating… so 12 years old?
18. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday! Hahaha! I don’t really have a favorite. I like ‘em all, especially if there are presents and/or good things to eat.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
I’m a packrat… so the question is: what do I NOT collect…. But I love vintage sewing notions, old buttons and squirrels (figurines and tchotchkes and such, not actual live rodent).
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There is nothing I have a burning desire for. I sort of live for the moment and covet beautiful things as I see them. I have a few knitting and spinning books on my Amazon wish list.
I do love Brittany needles (I only have a couple of pairs)… or any wooden needles with the pretty little carved ends. I don’t have any magazine subs but I really like Spin-Off for the interesting info about wool and fibers and techniques, even though I don’t really actively spin at the moment (I know! I’m such a nerd). Otherwise, I only buy knitting magazines when something catches my eye.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not sure. I’m really interested in lace patterns and I’ve tried a few but I’ve gotten frustrated with dropping yarn overs and keeping track of the stitches. Are there pretty lace patterns for the ADD afflicted??
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! Love knitting socks! I wear a women’s size 9 shoe – my feet are sort of normal/average…. 9 ½ in length – 8 ½ - 9 in circumference
23. When is your birthday?
September 23. I’m a Libra.
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