Winners and an Update in Words Only

Happy Monday,

Thank you everyone for participating in the giveaway!  I picked the winners this morning and have notified them by Ravelry message.  Congratulations to Clobelle, PurlingPenny, Renee W, and Kepanie!!  This was great fun, we will have to do it again!

I thought I'd do a few updates today, and since I don't have any photos to share right now, this will all be in words only.  Sorry about that.  First up, I finished my Whippoorwill shawl.  I still need to block it, but the knitting is done.  I've been putting it off because I'm a little intimated about getting the edging to lay correctly.  I've enlisted Mom to help me with that.  I am really very happy with it from what I can tell pre-blocking though.  I also crocheted a beautiful wrap over the weekend using Knit Picks Aloft.  I was so pleased with both the stitch pattern and the yarn.  I think the two were the perfect combination.  After having this turn out so well I wanted to crochet more lace, so I started another shawl using Patons Lace in a pretty pink/brown combo.  It's coming along well although I have to think about the patterning a little more than I did with the Aloft wrap.  I've also started a Stripe Study shawl for my Mom today.  I'm using a light purple and a dark blue that Mom picked out.  I have to say they look great together.  I'll try to snap a picture tomorrow.  We were having lovely weather today, hot and sunny, but then an unexpected summer thunderstorm popped up and it's been pouring rain and quite dark out - not ideal picture taking weather.

I also started my Beret for Emma Woodhouse that's part of the kit and knit-along from the Knitting with Jane Ravelry Group.  I chose to do mine in Highbury, which is this gorgeous deep rich blue.  I thought it would look nice with my blonde hair.  I've done a repeat and a half so far of the lace and I'm thrilled with it.  The yarn is so bouncy and a treat to knit.  I bought the other two colours as well, Hartfield - a beautiful medium pink, and The Seaside - a stunning yellow.  I'm not sure what projects I'm going to make with them yet, but I'm already looking forward to working with the yarn.  These colours were specifically dyed for the Knitting with Jane kits but the base yarn is Annie Sock and you can order that from the Annie & Co. Shop in some other very luscious colours.  I have the Robin's Egg in the Shalom sock, and it's so pretty, I know it would be amazing in this base as well.  Everything this company does is top notch, I have been so pleased with all the things I've ordered from them.

In more Jane Austen-type news, we are doing a read-along and optional knit-along over on the Itty-Bitty Knits Group.  We are reading Emma right now and having a good time discussing the book and the movies as well as our projects.  The knit-along pattern is the Happily Ever After Mitts.  I'm not taking part in the knit-along this time because I've got a lot of other things on the go right now, but I've knit these mitts before and they are a great pattern, I highly recommend it.  I'm thinking about trying to read through some of Jane Austen's books over the summer, so you'll be sure to hear more about it and see some Jane-type projects pop up.  I've got my eye on a few from both issues of Jane Austen Knits magazine....

In family news, we celebrated my sister's birthday over the weekend.  Happy Birthday sis!!  It was fun to get a chance to visit with her and my brother-in-law since we have all been busy lately and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like.  Also, Bingley is doing very well fitting in and has been getting along with the other animals.  He had a run-in with Cassie and ended up beating her up a bit.  However, I do have to say that she had it coming since she ate all his food, twice in one afternoon.  Now that that's over with, they seem to be getting along pretty well.  I think he's still trying to figure out his place in the family, but everything is getting better each day.  I'm so happy to report that because he has won over my heart and I hope to have him with us forever.

Two more things to share and then I will end this rather long post.  One is I've joined the Itty-Bitty Knits Ravelympics team and I'm so excited about participating!  I haven't picked out my projects yet but I've been thinking about doing the Color Affection Shawl and then committing to knitting a hexipuff a day for my Bee Keeper's Quilt (which I have yet to start, maybe this week).  How does that sound?  Any other suggestions or ideas??  The second thing is I've also joined the Itty-Bitty's Tour de Fleece group and I'm planning on sewing for 30 minutes each day of the tour.  I've been wanting to get myself back to sewing and I thought this would give me the perfect motivation and focus that I need.  Now all I have to do is clean out my studio in the basement so I can keep my machine all set up....I must mention that I'm not big on cleaning or putting things away, which is how the room got to be the disaster that it is right now.  I'm really going to make an effort to keep it clean once I get it that way this time though, if it's possible, I think the mess has scared me into being a put-away-er.

Anyways, that's all for today, rather long-winded but thanks for sticking with me.  I should be back tomorrow with a hexagon update.  In the meantime I'm off to work a few stripes on Mom's shawl,
xoxo

Two RAKs

Hello,

Last week and then again today I got RAK'd (Random Acts of Kindness) by two wonderful ladies in the Itty-Bitty Knits Group on Ravelry.  This is such a great group and everyone is so kind, generous, sweet, and fun.  They've become dear friends to me over the last couple of years and I feel so blessed to know each one.  I wanted to share these two packages with you all today.

This is the package I got last week from Jessica (knitgineering).  She sent me two pretty postcards of Chicago, some packages of tea and a gorgeous skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the colour "The White Witch's Lure".  I have wanted to try this yarn for so long!!  I'm so excited to cast on a pair of socks with it soon.  I also thought it was so neat that the colour is named after the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.  These books have been a longtime favourite of mine and this colour does remind me of Turkish Delight.

The second package came in today's mail.  This one is from Lea (remmy) and she sent me these adorable hedgehog dryer balls and a package of David's Tea called Paradise Found that looks delicious.  I had been feeling sad that I didn't have the time to join the Hedgehog/Hippo's Itty-Bitty Swap and Lea must have known because now I have my own little hedgies.  These little guys are going to make doing the laundry much more fun. 

Wow, I am incredibly Blessed!!  I am so grateful for such amazing friends and to be a part of this lovely group.  Thank you with all my heart Lea and Jessica for thinking of me and sending me these wonderful treats!!

Have a great night everyone,

xoxo

Itty-Bitty Easter 2012 Swap Package

Hello,

Today I have another swap package to share with you, this time it's the one I received yesterday from Jessica (JaneBG1923), who, if you remember, I was her swap partner for the Advent Swap as well.  I've been so blessed to have gotten another lovely package from her!  This one is for the Itty-Bitty Easter 2012 Swap.  Here are some close-ups:

And here's a description of everything - I've taken this from my Ravelry project page like I did for my post yesterday to make sure I didn't forget anything!


-Jessica knit me the cutest reversible duck/bunny - it is a bunny in the picture above but now it has decided to be a duck this evening because we’ve had so many migrating birds and ducks here the last couple of days. 

-a knitted Easter bunny wash cloth - it is so soft! 
-Jessica also knitting a pair of adorable pink bunny booties for my future baby!! I told my sister that these were perfect because I can’t seem to knit a pair of booties that are the same size, so now my baby will have a pair that matches! lol they are so beautifully knit! 
-a cupcake tote bag 
-a purple Della Q tangled string project bag - I’ve already got a sock-in-progress in it :) 
-Lantern Moon flower stitch markers 
-mini nail files 
-a pair of fun kite socks and a pair of bright stripey socks - oh how I like my socks! Both knitted and non-knitted :) 
-a gorgeous pair of pink breast cancer mittens that have a super soft fleece lining inside - these are awesome Jessica! I will get so much use out of them, I’m a mitten girl :) 
-cupcake note cards 
-Shabby Chic note cards 
-a purple pen from her school 
-a big book of Easter stickers - Jessica knows how much I like stationary and stickers ;) 
-a beach-themed to-do list with a pencil and magnet 
-a wash cloth that expands when you put it in water! 
-the most gorgeous Florida mug with flamingos on it! Jessica this is awesome because I collect cute mugs and you know how much I like Florida :D I’m going to have my morning coffee in it tomorrow!! 
-the Spud and Chloe pattern for the Polly Pullover - I have to make this, it is so cute!! 
-a ball of Sirdar Snuggly Smiley Stripes - this is such fun colours! 
-a ball of On Your Toes sock yarn - I’m going to make a Baby Surprise Jacket with this for my future baby to put in my hope chest :) 
-Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool dk -I’ve never tried this yarn before! It is so soft and squishy :) 
-2 skeins of Koigu Premium Merino sock yarn for me to make myself a pair of bright pink socks!!!! I’m saving this yarn for May when things slow down and I can enjoy knitting these, this yarn is fabulous! 
-a gift card for the Bulk Barn since I don’t eat treats but she wanted to include something yummy. I’m always shopping at the Bulk Barn! I buy a lot of my baking supplies there as well as tea for myself :) I’m thinking I’m going to get some tea with this since I’ve been on a bit of a tea kick lately :) This was so thoughtful of you Jessica, thank you. 
-a pop-up Easter card that is just so cute, as well as a Mary Engelbreit card since I’m a huge fan of hers! 
-2 beautiful seashells that Jessica picked up on the beach for me!! I always collect shells on vacation, so these are perfect-my own little piece of the gulf :) And, yes they really do smell like the ocean!!! 
-Jessica also gifted me the Spilly Jane pattern for Flamingo Mittens!! I can hardly wait to make these!! Thank you Jessica, these are perfect :)

It’s just so neat that I’ve been Jessica’s swap partner for your first two swaps, I feel so blessed!! And it’s amazing how she was able to include things from Florida, the beach, and the ocean, which are all such favourites of mine :) Thank you so much Jessica, you did such an amazing job and I’m thrilled with it all!! I’m going to be on a swap package high all week ;) 
Yippee!! I’m so excited for Easter now!!

Isn't it all amazing?  Thank you again Jessica, you are totally awesome!!  You completely suited this package just for me.  I'm so happy and excited with everything and can't wait to knit the BSJ, Flamingo Mittens and the Polly Pullover!!  Now I have lots to look forward to once work is done.  May is going to be a month full of lots of fun projects!  For the time being I am going to dream about them....

xoxo

Frogs and Fairies Swap Package

Hello all,

Wow, I'm so behind with blogging about my What's at the Bottom of Your Garden Swap package from the wonderful Mel (womaninashoe), from the Itty-Bitty Group.  I have to sincerely apologize Mel for not getting this up sooner.  Here are the pictures first, and I've added to the bottom a detailed explanation of everything from my Ravelry project page.  This was one amazing swap package and it was so fun that it came all the way from my dear friend in Australia!

 "The amazing Mel (womaninashoe) sent me such a fantastic package for this swap, she is truly amazing!

This box was stuffed full of all the most wonderful things!! So much fairy and froggy goodness all throughout!

There was: 
-my gorgeous Matilda the Wattle fairy with her friend Gisborne the bunny (she is beyond beautiful and the modifications you did Mel are amazing!) 
-Another Flower Headband that Mel knit for me in pretty pink and it’s so soft. (funny thing about this one, one day when Mom and I were visiting my Grandma at the hospital I was trying to tell my Mom how I needed to buy Susan’s newest pattern for a headband/ear band because I sure could have used one since it was so windy in the parking lot. But I never got to tell her because she lost her keys and by the time we found them I had forgotten. I remembered later, but I never did get around to buying the pattern, so thank you so much Mel, this will come in handy tons!) 
-a pink project bag with a cute black and white lining that has a clear pocket inside, and it came with a little pink/purple-ish bell shaped flower stitch marker (that I’m using on my bunny for the Easter swap, I’m also using the bag for the bunny to tote him/her around). 
-a blue & green striped notion pouch. 
-a cute tin full of the most adorable garden themed buttons - ladybugs, snails, frogs, butterflies, flowers, etc. 
-ladybug and chick iron on motifs. 
-2 beautiful yellow butterfly stitch markers. 
-Australian animal stickers. 
-a beautiful bookmark with a lovely saying about a friend. 
-a delicate pink flower pin for my jacket or to pin on my scarf. This is so cool because I used to collect pins when I was younger and I still enjoy looking for special ones to add to my collection. 
-a stunning pair of dangly earrings that have pink beads, gold seashells and flowers hanging from them, that are so me! 
-a matching pink and grey shell necklace - also very me! Mel you did awesome picking these out! 
-an adorable frog project bag with my kit to knit Ribbit out of yummy Spud and Chloe and a bouncy ball. 
-froggie bubble bath. 
-a beautiful glass mushroom for all my froggies and fairy to sit under. 
-a mommy and baby frog. 
-my very own frog prince, with a “kiss me” sign and all! 
-a frog sitting on a rock and he has pink polka dots and a daisy painted on him. 
-a frog solar light to put out in the garden once the snow melts. 
-a precious tiny fairy figurine. 
-frog chocolates that my family are already enjoying :) 
-fairy cookies in the cutest fairy tin! Mom and I are going to have a tea party with these. 
-a pink notebook that looks like a little pocket book with a jeweled clasp. I’m going to keep this in my purse for writing my shopping list on. 
-a pink notebook for keeping project notes - I’m already using this as well :) 
-and last, but most certainly not least - I am in awe of the beautifulness of this: a porcelain tray with butterflies and flowers painted on it. Mel, it is absolutely gorgeous!! I can use it to serve cookies and treats when we have a tea party!! It’s amazing :D

Wow, I have been spoiled good!! Mel, thank you just doesn’t seem like enough! I am so blessed to have you as such a wonderful friend, and I will treasure each and every thing you sent me. You did an amazing job of putting together a swap package that was so very me :) Thank you so much!! You are wonderful :D"

Thank you again Mel, I'm thoroughly enjoying everything!  I wore my headband out for a walk over the weekend and it is so comfortable and warm!  I haven't got started on my froggy yet, but hopefully soon so he can sing along with the Spring Peepers when they come out.  They're my sure sign it's Spring. Again, I'm so sorry for not blogging this sooner, I do hope you can forgive me!!

xoxo

Wordless Monday

Fairy I knit for my Itty-Bitty Garden Swap partner

xoxo

And So IT Begins!!

Hello there!!

Happy November to you all!!  It is now officially "get ready for Christmas time" here at my house :)  I've decided to start early this year because I have found that in years past I'm always so rushed with making gifts and baking, etc, that I don't get to enjoy the actual things about the season that are so special to me.  So this year I'm trying something different; I'm making a change.  I've cut down my gift-making list to be more reasonable (in keeping with the plan of small, useful, handmade and lovely) and I've started plotting things out on my calendar to make sure that I don't end up leaving things to the last minute.  All this should help leave room for the other "special" things that I want to do this holiday season, and for the actual enjoying. 

So, in keeping with the theme, I thought I'd show you two of the required knits I finished for the Itty-Bitty Advent Swap. 

This is the Mouse from the Christmas Set in Itty-Bitty Toys.  He turned out really cute, and I think I might have a little bit of sadness about parting with him, but I know he is going to a good home where he will be well loved! 

And here is my Tiny Elf from the Spud and Chloe pattern.  Not too bad for an elf, eh?  He was a really quick knit! 

The other required knit was Susan's Santa Baby Ornament pattern, which I knit but forgot to take a picture of.  It was super quick to knit and even cuter than most of the mini hat patterns I've seen.  I've also knit some other gifts for my swap partner (SP), but I'm up-in-the-air about sharing them on the blog because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so we will see.  But for now, this is the first sneak peeks :) 

Much Love, xoxo

P.S. Yes, I'm listening to Christmas music and I'm even breaking out the Christmas movies tonight!! 

"C Wants a Party" Swap Package

Hello All!

I'm back home again now and I'm trying to adjust to the cooler weather here and get back into my daily routine.  I had such a lovely time on vacation - it was great to be able to spend time with some of my family that I don't get to see very often and I had lots of fun soaking up the sun and warm weather!!  It was wonderful to get away for a bit, but it's also nice to be back!

I had a lovely surprise waiting for me when I arrived home.  My Itty-Bitty "C Wants a Party" swap package was here!!  I made myself wait until Sunday morning to open it so that I could get good pictures, but it was so worth the wait!!!!  My swap partner was the amazing Becca (borkles) and she totally spoiled me :D  This is a list of what she sent to me:
A cupcake hat and pincushion that are knit out of the softest yarn and are so beautiful!  I'm saving the hat for my own baby one day.  The pincushion has pins already in it to look like sprinkles and is going to sit right beside my sewing machine.
Cupcake-shaped soap from Pink Dotted Owl that smell delicious and is now in my bathroom.
Some Bay Rum soap by Sandy’s Handmade Soaps & Things that also smells so good and is going to be put in the shower since I think it would be the most delightful smell to wake up to.
Two soak washes in Aquae and Flora plus 4 tags to attach to my knitted gifts that tells how to care for the items - which is so cool because I’ve been wanting to try Soak for a long time and the tags are beyond cute!
Some adorable cupcake stitch markers that I'm going to have to put to use really soon :)
The book “60 Quick Baby Knits” that I’ve been wanting ever since it came out!  There are SO MANY great patterns in it that I don't even know where to start.......although the Fisherman's Pullover just might be the first one, it is so adorable.
A skein of Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sock yarn in a gorgeous green colour called Matcha.  I was originally planning on making socks with it, but I might knit the Lettuce Slide Scarf instead since the colour would be perfect and the cashmere in the yarn would feel fantastic around my neck!!
And a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy Sock yarn in a beautiful pink colour called Petal Shower.  This colour reminds me so much of cupcake frosting!!  I may have to wind it up and start a pair of socks right away!

Here are some pictures:

The whole package.

Close-up of the cupcake stitch markers.



The Soak washes and label tags.



The cupcake shaped soap (aren't they adorable?!?!) and the bay rum soap.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH Becca!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You did such an amazing job of filling this package with things are are so "me"!!  It was one of the best things to return to, and I'm so blessed and just thrilled with it all!!

Much Love xx

P.S. You can check out some more pictures of the package on my project page.

C is for Cupcake

Hello There,

I know I mentioned before that I joined the latest Itty-Bitty Group swap over on Ravelry which is cupcake themed.  However, I haven't shared any pictures of the projects I knit for my swap partner yet, but since I mailed out her package this morning and the pictures don't really reveal who my partner is, I think it's safe to share a couple with you today. 

First off is the cupcake hat.  I used Borroco Palace and Vintage for it since I thought they were both super soft yarns fit for a baby.  I chose these colours because they look pretty enough to eat, just like a cupcake should look!! 

Next is the cupcake pincushion.  This was super fast and fun to make and turned out AdOrAbLe!!  I was thinking about how I'd like to make one for myself, and then remembered that my own swap partner will be sending me one!  lol (Dear my swap partner: if you're reading this, I'm very much looking forward to getting my own pin cushion, just to let you know!!).

After seeing another member of the swap post a picture of some cupcake stitch markers she made, I decided to give it a try and make a few for my swap partner too!  They're not as cute as hers, but I think they turned out ok.  I think I need a little more practice. 

I included a few other handmade items, but just in case my swap partner reads my blog, I don't want to share them just yet and spoil the fun!!  I'm so excited for her to recieve the package, hopefully it gets to it's destination very quickly!

I hope you are all having a lovely FriDaY!!!!!  The weekend is in sight, YaY!!

Lots of Love xx

P.S. Crocheters, have you seen the adorable hanger covers over on Spud Says!??  They're so cute, and best of all, they're a free pattern!  I think they'd make a great weekend project!

A Little Catch Up

Happy Monday Knitters,

I have to start by apologizing to you all for not keeping up with my blogging.  Things have been super busy around here lately, and when all is said and done, at the end of the day I've been too emotionally and physically drained to do much of anything.  I am going to try and do better this week.

To catch you all up: my first day of work last Monday was great - it was nice to get back into the swing of things.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy waitressing!  I don't work again till next week - I'm just filling in when they need me - but in the meantime I'm doing my baking which is keeping me busy.   It's going great as well and I find it very fun. 

Another new thing is that I joined the newest Itty-Bitty Swap.  It's an Easter theme this time around - bunnies and chickens to be exact.  Like I've mentioned many, many times, Easter is my favourite holiday, so I'm very excited about this one.  I've already knit up a Dotted Chicken for my secret swap pal, which is the picture at the beginning of this post.  I thought I'd share it since she doesn't know I'm her partner.  I had so much fun knitting this for her!!  I've always been a huge fan of chickens and cows!  You can see more pictures and info on my Ravelry project page.

Speaking of chickens and cows, my copy of Spud and Chloe at the Farm arrived today!!  I'm SO EXCITED!!  Susan's patterns are always amazing and fun to knit!!  I'm making myself wait until I'm done all my baking for today before I look at it - sort of like a reward for all my hard work.  I would like to knit the entire set using the Spud and Chloe yarn, so I'm thinking I'll need to start collecting it bit by bit.  If I could chose right now, I think I'd like to make the Mother Hen first and then the Brown Cow. 

Well, that's it for my update for today.  I should get back to the baking....the cookies are about to beep.  Have a great day everyone!!

Happy Knitting!!

Itty-Bitty Knits Let's Start at the Beginning Swap Package

Hello Knitters,

Today I got the best surprise in the mail!  It was my swap package for the Itty-Bitty Knits Let's Start at the Beginning Swap.  I just have to say a huge THANK YOU! to the wonderful and amazingly talented Eliana (Elly). 

Everything came packaged up in this beautiful bag that Elly sewed special for me!  It's just gorgeous and is a nice, big size that I always like in a bag :)  She made it specifically for my WIPs!! 

It has a sturdy bottom on it so it can stand up on it's own, which is great for when working on a project.

This is what I seen when I peeked inside!!  Squeeeeeeeeeeee!!  I see two gorgeous skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic and two balls of Regia sock yarn in lovely pinks and purples!!  (she added this for my sock knitting addiction! lol).  I'm so excited to knit with these yarns!! 

There was some yummy candies: two tins of coffee flavoured candies since I'm a big coffee fan :), a package of Now and Later apple candies, a box of Arizona Catus Candy, and a package of really good apple hard candies.

Close-up of the Cactus Candy

This swap had some required knitted projects: an apple hat, an apple finger puppet and an apple wash cloth.  These are the ones that Elly knit using really gorgeous yarns like Spud and Chloe Sweater and Fine, Mission Falls 1824 Wool, The SRK Collection Truffles, The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks, and the leaf on the hat is knit from her own hand dyed yarn!  They're all so beautiful!!

This is a skein of Elly's own hand dyed and handspun yarn that she made just for me!!  I'm so excited to find a special project for it!!  I'm amazed that someone would spin yarn for me!!  Isn't the colour fantastic?  It's so me!!  I'm so wowed by how gorgeous it is!!

She also made me some lovely shell stitch markers and a matching bracelet!  She also made a "message in a bottle" stitch marker that demonstrates yarn art: from fiber to yarn to knitted swatch - it's all in the bottle!!  Isn't that amazing?  It's so gorgeous!!  She also made me a little stitch marker pouch that matches the bag - you can see it in the first picture; for some reason I didn't get a close-up of it.  It's so cute!

Wow, I'm so overjoyed with everything!!  This package really brightened up my whole week!!  Again, thank you so much Elly for this amazing package!!  I feel totally blessed and spoiled!! 

Have a great week everyone :)

A is for Apple

Hello Knitters,

Over the weekend we were told what the theme is for the newest Itty-Bitty Group Swap.  It's called "Let's Start at the Beginning," and since A is the first letter in the alphabet, that's the letter we are starting with.  The theme is "A is for Apple."  I think this is such an inventive way of doing a swap!!

The projects we are required to make are:  The Apple Washcloth by Susan, the Apple from the Finger Foods pattern, and the Apple Hat from Spud Says!  We are also required to make one more thing that has to do with the "A is for Apple" idea, and include a few other goodies for our swap pal. 

I started almost immediately on the apple washcloth and the apple finger puppet.  I had suitable yarn in the stash so it worked out great!  Usually I have to order the right yarn and wait for quite a while before I get to start a swap project, so being able to cast right on this time was very exciting :-D  I ended up starting and finishing both the washcloth and the finger puppet on Saturday.  I had all day to just knit and do what I wanted so that's what I did. 

Here's my finished washcloth. 

The pattern was very fun and fast to make.  I haven't made a lot of washcloths, but this one made me want to make more and more! 

You seen my apple finger puppet at the beginning of the post, but it has a little surprise you haven't seen....

Since I didn't have any brown sock yarn, I knit the inside with Stroll Hand-Paint in Cartoons.  I think it makes the project a little extra special :-D 

Well, that's as far as I've gotten on my swap knitting.  I thought it would be ok to share these with you all since everyone participating in the swap has to make them, but for the extra little bits, those I will keep a surprise so as not to spoil anything. 

I hope you all are having a great Monday!!

Happy Knitting :-D

Another Mystery

Hello Knitters,

Last night I was enjoying my mystery sock so much that I decided to search Ravelry for other mystery KALs.  I came across one that I think is pretty neat.  It's called Mystery 220.  They are a group that does a mystery KAL for every month, using 220 yards or less of yarn.  What a great thing to help me work through the stash!!  With being only 220 yards or even less, the projects will be on the smaller side, making them much more manageable for me when I'm busy.  Plus, I really like the mystery part, and you don't have to join in each month, only when you have the time.  It's so much fun to be making something and have no idea what it's going to turn out to be!!  For the month of January, I joined their colorwork KAL.  They also have a bead KAL, but learning to do colorwork is one of my New Year's Resolutions so I thought it was the right one for me.  I can't say too much about the project, only that it involves hearts and I'm doing mine out of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Fedora and Rouge.  I've gotten to the end of clue 2 and am just waiting for clue 3 to be released - which I think should be either later tonight or sometime tomorrow. 

Now that I've gotten as far as I can go on this project, I think I'll jump back to the socks and try to get them a little farther along. 

There's also a new swap starting over in the Itty-Bitty Knits Group!!  I'm so excited to see what our theme is and who my swap partner happens to be :-) 

I hope you all have a great weekend!! 

Happy Knitting :-)

P.S. For those of you wondering, we finally got water!!  We've had to bring in a water tank and hook it up to the house.  Apparently this is how we will have to work until spring when the ice melts off the lake, but I'm not complaining!!  I'm just so thankful to have any water at all :-)  The Lord sure has been working in this situation!!

Itty Bitty Secret Santa Swap Package

Hello knitters,

Last night when we got home from the city we picked up the mail and in it was a card saying I had a package at the post office!!  I was so excited, but it was hard to wait until this morning to actually go and get it.  However, let me tell you, it was SO worth the wait!!  My secret Santa was the amazing Mary Rose (smozerose on Ravelry).  She has spoiled me rotten!! 

First off, it all came in a lovely green polka dot box that was filled to the brim.  It included: I skein Uptowne Road Lace in a gorgeous range of black, blues and purples, I skein of Scarlet Fleece Grassy Wool in pretty shades of purple, the Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders book, a small pair of scissors, some bigger sized stitch markers (which is great because I don't have any that size), the Knit Picks needle sizer (I've been wanting this forever!), 4 skeins of the prettiest embroidery thread I've ever seen in pink, white, tan and black, a beautiful "R" key chain, a Charlie Brown Christmas mug and some Chocolate Supreme Hot Chocolate to go with it (so cool because I'm a big Charlie Brown fan!), a holiday themed tea towel, a snowman cookie cutter (perfect since I've got to start my cookie baking soon), a recipe for a yummy artichoke dip and some adorable Christmas lights spreaders to go with it, Gel snowflake window stickers (that I've already put on my mirror), a cute little snowman ornament (which is now hanging on my tree), and I've saved the very best for last!!  Mary Rose knit me the most stunning beaded fingerless gloves!!  She made them just for me!!  I feel so incredibly blessed!!  Thank you so much!!

They came all wrapped up in their own special box!  I must also say that Mary Rose put lovely silver bows around the other boxed items as well, making the whole package so festive!

Here's a close up of them in the box.  See, they have a lace and bead Christmas tree motif on them! 



Mom took this picture in a hurry because she was on the way out the door, but I will try to get a better picture to really show the beauty of them.  I'm so looking forward to wearing them :-)

Here's a few more close-ups of the package:

Thank you, thank you, thank you Mary Rose!!  Words cannot even begin to express how blessed I feel and how thankful I am.  You have made this such a special swap for me!!  I rarely get any handmade gifts, so it was such a wonderful thing to receive the gloves :-)  Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!

Happy Knitting!!

Happy Little Reindeer

Hello Knitters,

I know I missed Ten on Tuesdays yesterday, but I was in the city for an appointment and by the time I got home I forgot what I was going to write about!  I'm so sorry about that.  I should be back on schedule next week. 

Today I thought I'd show you something or shall I say things that I've been making.  I joined the Itty-Bitty Knits Group's Secret Santa Swap and my package is going to be reindeer themed.  When I came across this pattern I just knew I had to make some.  The pattern is called Happy Reindeer and it's from lionbrand.com.  I thought they were just so cute, and my Mom suggested that one of them be a girl with pink antlers, which turned adorable!  Thanks Mom!! 

I've been working away on my gift list, trying to get caught up.  I've been making progress, just not as much as I'd like.  However, I'm learning to be happy with whatever I can get done and not stress over the rest.  I've determined to take time to enjoy the season and not rush right through in a whirlwind of busyness.  It will be interesting to see how I do!! 

Have a great week everyone :-)

Happy Knitting!!

Teddy Bear Picnic Swap Package #3

Hello Knitters,

I've finally got pictures of my final swap package from my fantastic swap partner Leanne (Lunatic84 on Ravelry)!  She sent me an amazing package to wrap everything up.  She included: some yummy homemade chocolates that never made it into the pictures!  lol a bouquet of flower-shaped suckers, a container of mints, a Nerds lip balm (which is so cool because I used to buy Nerds for a snack after swimming lessons every week when I was a kid!), as well as a tape measure, some super cute sticky notes and sticky tabs, a Yorkie notepad (I've already used this quite a few times!), two beautiful sets of handmade stitch markers, a very soft and warm blanket, and then for the yarn there is a skein of Knit Picks Shimmer Lace in the colourway called Stained Glass, a skein of Earth Collection Ranch 100% Alpaca in a white/grey twist and a skein of On Your Toes sock yarn that was custom handdyed just for me in a gorgeous colour called Aurora! 

 

 

Here's a close-up of the stitch markers.  They are so gorgeous!!  I think she made them herself :-)  I'm  really starting to get into collecting them, they've become one of my favourite knitting accessories!

 

 

The colour of the Shimmer is more purple and vivid than is showing up in the pictures, and it's so shiny due to the silk in the yarn.  The Ranch yarn is extremely soft!!  I'm excited to find patterns to make with these two!

 

Now this is the custom dyed, soft as butter On Your Toes sock yarn!  I'm not sure, but I think Leanne dyed it herself, she's so talented!!  The colours are very pretty!!  The picture just doesn't do it justice.  It's going to be such a treat to knit with this and to wear the socks when they're done!!  I've heard lots about the brand, but have never even seen it in person, so I'm very excited to try it out!!

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you Leanne!!  You've been such a wonderful swap partner!!  I feel so incredibly spoiled and blessed!!  I'm not quite finished knitting the Baby Bear to go with the whole set, but I will get cracking so she'll be all ready for tea party pictures soon :-) 

 

Happy Knitting!!