Package From Germany

Stephanie, Tausend Dank!

I came home yesterday to the most beautiful site. It was a goodie box from my Mystery Theme Swap partner Stephanie who lives in Germany. The box had been sent out over a month ago and we were worried it went missing. So I was super happy to see it sitting there waiting for me. So the theme Steph chose for me is dragonflies. YAY!!!!

I got three packages of the most delicious looking sweets. Steph told me they are typical German Christmas cookies. Yum, I can't wait to taste them. I got a cute little box that I can keep odds and ends in like clips, stitch markers, etc. I got a small sample of some very nice Fall colored wool. I also got some dragonfly soap. It smells wonderful. It is wrapped in beautiful handmade paper and tied with a raffia ribbon. There are some fun tags that have been stamped with a dragonfly. I received the cutest hand towel (I know some people call them dish cloths) with a dragonfly image that Steph knit out of the softest chocolate brown yarn. I tried and for the life of me could not get a good picture of this. It just showed a very dark square. Steph I need to get that pattern from you!! Jeff was looking at it and he said, "Oh cool it has a dragonfly on it....how did she do that!?" LOL! OK I have been saving the best for last. Deep breath......I got a pattern to make some dragonfly socks with some wonderful yarn that Steph dyed herself. It reminds me of a tropical fruity drink. It is awesome!!

My Very First.......

Vera Bradley Purchase

The fabric/color on this bag is one of the ones that is being retired. It is called Medallion. So if you are thinking that you might have to own one of these you need to race your butt on over to my girl Vera's website. While I usually go for large bags for my knitting, this bag should be able to hold a project and a few odds and ends quite nicely. I don't think this will be my last Vera purchase.

The bags I got are the Villager (the large bag) and a Small cosmetic case.

Jeepers Creepers

Jeepers, creepers....

whered ya get them peepers

Jeepers, creepers...

whered ya get those eyes

Vitreous Humor landed in my mailbox today! I have been waiting ever so patiently for this yarny goodness to grace me with it's presence. My friend Sam just asked me Wednesday night if she could see it and I sadly had to tell her it wasn't here yet. Well, today was my lucky day. I could do nothing but meditate with it on my head and bask in it's fabulous creepiness. If you think this stuff looks great in pictures you aint seen nothing!! It is amazing....and oh so soft!! I was going to knit a hat with it but I don't know. I think it is destined for greater things. So for now I will just wear it on my head and meditate with it.

Vitreous Humor came from Insubordiknit Yarn Shop.

This is also the fabulous shop where I got my Monster Hat.

Sheep, Skulls and Swag.....

.....Oh My!!

I know it's not my birthday but it sure felt like it when I ripped open the package from Jen and Wendy of Piddleloop. Two sisters who create the most amazing bags. If you have never heard of this dynamic duo you need to get your butt over to their Etsy shop asap. I also recommend getting on their mailing list so you are up to date on when they will be listing new bags. Trust me.....they sell like hotcakes!!!

WOW!! Your still here? Great. One of the many things I love about Piddleloop is that they attach stitchmarkers from other Etsy stores on their bags' zippers. It's a nice touch. I see you eyeing up my swag. What did I get? I can't tell you....otherwise I'd have to kill you. Sorry. I've always wanted to say that. I know your drooling over how awesome the outside of the bags are but the fun doesn't end there. The inside of the bag usually has a contrasting color.

Wanna see?

PSYCH!!

GO GET YOUR OWN BAGS!!!

JIVE TURKEY

Thanksgiving Head Gear

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?

~Erma Bombeck

Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz

My Coffee Swap Three partner Becky spoiled me rotten!

When I opened the box there were several nicely wrapped presents waiting to be ripped open. If one didn't know they might have thought it was my birthday.

THE BEFORE PICTURE

THE AFTER PICTURE

Let me begin by saying the smell that drifted up from my packages was most delicious!! I received two very soft yarns both in the color blue. I think I am going to knit up a hat and scarf for myself. I got a Stitch 'N Bitch page a day calendar which I almost bought for myself two weeks ago but decided to wait. YAHOOO!! A recipe for Becky's favorite snowy day soup....yummmmmm. A recipe for Cinnamon Schmear Scones....yummmmmmmmmmm. I got some Wild Berry Plum Decaf green tea (which I LOVE!!!). Two packages of Sipping Chocolate and a small whisk that goes with them. I got a MUCH NEEDED coffee scoop. I got a package of Vanilla Almond coffee and three different flavors from Steep & Brew. They are Toasted Nut, Hazelnut, and Becky's favorite.......Icing on the Cake. Becky thank you so much. I love everything you picked out for me. I can't wait to try the Icing on the Cake coffee.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

WWWWD?

WHAT WOULD WONDER WOMAN DO?

I am an expert at being clueless in my "real life" but when the universe sends me signs I pick up on it immediately. What has the universe been sending me lately?

Wonder Woman

I have seen her in the knitting world

I have seen her randomly on line.

I have seen her in the art world

Just when I thought I was going crazy I got this in my inbox yesterday from The daily OM.

WWWWD? Good question.

Norovember Progress

While I did not forget about Norovember........I certainly did forget how fast time flies. I started working on my Einstein Coat last night (11/19) and am determined to cross the finish line. Even if it is just by a hair. Why did I wait until the last minute? Well that darn project that shall not be named (a certain Turtleneck/Shrug) took all my free time.

So hold on it's going to be a wild ride!

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

-Albert Einstein

My Progress so far.....

A Little Bite of Heaven

“When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile.”

- Anne Byrn

I arrived home today to find a package from Cheeky Monkey Fibers with the yarn pictured above inside. What's the name of the colorway? Well, I'm glad you asked........

CUPCAKE

"This super soft & silky yarn features beige, vanilla, and multi-colored sprinkles."

Fiber content is 75% wool/25% nylon.

460 yards of lip smacking goodness.

I saw this shirt at Johnny Cupcakes and have decided that I must wear this when I knit with my cupcake yarn. Yes I am strange like that.

DEXTER

Ask me what my favorite television show is ........

Now, look what I found at See Jayne Knit Yarns on Etsy.

I am the proud owner of two skeins of DEXTER.

The color as you can see is a beautiful blood red.

Dexter (the yarn) is named for the main character of an HBO show by the same name, and his fascination with blood.

I can't wait to knit with this while watching my favorite show.

Finished - Finito - Terminado

Say it anyway you want......

I AM FINISHED!!!!

As you can see from the last picture I have one last end to weave in and then we can fold it nicely and put it on a shelf somewhere. Will I ever wear it? Hmmmm.....I am not sure. I think it looked super cute on the model in the knitting book. Isn't that always the way? I think I look like a stuffed sausage. Ah well. I came damn close to ribbing myself right into an early grave......but....I STUCK WITH IT.

Now we drink.

Heavily.

A Scary Good Knit

Last night as I ribbed round and round I watched the movie "1408" with John Cusack and Samuel Jackson. Holy suspense Batman!! There is not a lot of blood and gore with this movie. It is all just one crazy mind game. This movie is based on a story by my man Stephen King.

You know it's a good movie when......several times I caught myself just sitting there staring at the TV with my mouth hanging open. I would sit and think, "When did I stop knitting?" At one point I lost my stitch marker. I couldn't tell you when it fell off or how many rows I went around before realizing it. Usually I do not lose track of what I am knitting when watching TV. Especially when doing my mindless ribbing on the Turtleneck/Shrug.

This is what I look like after ribbing for 2 hours straight!!

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Last I posted it was Wednesday. It is now Monday. What the heck!? I feel like I got strapped into a ride that left the platform on Wednesday...SWOOSH...we arrived back to find out it is now Monday! YOWZA!!! Life has been crazy.

People we do have some progress on the knitting front. I have been knitting like a fiend on my Turtleneck/Shrug. In fact I have sworn to have it done by next Monday. Yes I just said that for all the world to read. Next Monday....the end.

As you can see we now have what resembles two sleeves. I need to start shaping the top of sleeve two and then we somehow attach and knit a turtleneck. I am determined to complete sleeve two tonight. Must keep going.

One Book, One Denver

What is One Book, One Denver?

"This is the fourth year of One Book, One Denver, a citywide book club sparking discussion among community members around compelling issues of the day. Denver citizens, young and old, are encouraged to join others in the shared experience of simultaneously reading the same book and participating in related events through mid-November."





This is the third year I am participating in the citywide book club. This years pick is not one I would normally gravitate towards. The title of the book is, "Articles of War" by Nick Arvin. I did read some reviews of it on Amazon.com and it sounds pretty interesting. So I am going to jump on the bandwagon and purchase it. I'll keep you posted as to what I think of it.

The Passing of the Torch

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

~George Eliot

It is safe to say that I come from a family of knitters. My grandmother (Nanny) knit, my mother knits, and I knit. A few weeks ago a box arrived for me from my mother. I had been waiting for it to come. My Nanny's eyesight is failing her so she is no longer able to do some of the things she used to love. Knitting being one of those things. My mom thought I would want to have some of her knitting supplies. I remember when I had started knitting, my Nanny called me on the phone because my mother had told her I had taken up the family hobby. She sounded excited that I had taken such a liking to it. She told me that she had always enjoyed knitting and that her best advice was to stay away from socks because.....and I quote "they are a real pain in the ass!" I totally agree. I opened the box and smiled at all the fun things inside. I wondered how many stitches had danced over the needles through out the years? How many projects had been frogged? On and on the questions flew. Some double pointed needles even had the paint worn off the ends. I assumed those were the worker bees of the group!!

The box is sitting in my knitting room along with my own supplies. I am going to have to think of a way to creatively display the items. When I do I will post more pics.

Below are pictures of the box and some of the fun things inside.