TLE Swap

So, last time I showed you what I received, now that my downstream swap partner received her gift I can show you what I knit and gave her.

As you know, I love the Summer Wind pattern by IrishGirlieKnits. It was a Winter Swap and since my partner lives in a very cold and wintery part of the country I was drawn to this pattern for its name...bring on Summer!!

The lighting still seems off, so here is a photo of the yarn during a better weather day:

 See how it is a bit brighter?

Pattern: Summer Wind by IrishGirlie Knits
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima
Purchased from: The Loopy Ewe
Colorway: Periwinkle
Yardage: Just shy of 2 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks Circular Needles US 7 - 4.5 mm
Ravelry Page

Anyway the entire package looked a bit like this:

Madeline Tosh Vintage in the Mare Colorway
Valley Yarns in various colors & weights
Frog magnets that were made from a children's book with a bag made from the pages
Fabric squares (my swap partner also quilts) with a fabric bag
Cold Stone Creamery Hot Chocolate
Snowflake Stitch Markers

This was my first knitting swap and I really enjoyed it! I hope to be able to participate in the future!

The Loopy Ewe Swap 2012

I participated in my first knitting swap over the past couple of months. While I can not show you what I knit and mailed out, as my swap partner hasn't received it yet. I can show you what I received today from my swap partner.

My DH was kind enough to pick up the mail today and gave me this when I arrived home from work:

Opening it revealed some wonderful goodies and two of my favorite sugary snacks! Also included, was a handmade yarn holder, Baggu bag, 100% silk skeins, handmade bunny heart and tape measure.

 Removing the tissue paper made me squeal with delight, then, it rendered me speechless:

The cowl my partner knit me is just stunning! The colorwork is simply amazing to me....as at this point in my knitting experience is not something I could do. I can't help but look at my new cowl and believe that it is mine. Someone actually took time to handknit me something so beautiful!

I plan on wearing it tomorrow when we could get up to 7 inches of snow!

Thank you Amy! aka half of the Stockinette Zombies...I highly recommend you checking out their podcast.

Stitch Marker Exchange

The stitch markers are in the mail (or will be tomorrow) to my partners.

I hope you enjoy them! For a sneak peek here is a photo:

Off to do the final preparations for the big party tomorrow. DH has a big"zero-ending" birthday and his wife is throwing him a party!

No Sheep Swap Package #2

During this tough week, it did have a bright spot. I received my 2ND No Sheep Swap Package from none other than ... "stitchaywoman".

It was a great package, as so was the first. I got the following:

The dark chocolate drink is long gone! Yummy! The card reads"I have a secret pal but it's not really a secret...I know who she is!"

Did you see what is on the top left? NEEDLES!! Lantern Moon, Destiny Circular ones!!! YAHOO!! I do not own a pair of circulars and I'm itching to try my second shawl on them (but I have to finish my first shawl...can't have too many UFO's!) :-)

There is also samples from other non-wool yarns. This is such a great idea to send in a swap. I can't want to try some of them.

Thank you Stitch-ay Woman!! You've made my first ever swap a great experience!!

**As for how Emily is doing (she is the one on the right of the picture with the mohawk!)...she is enjoying her cheerios. She is taking her medications however, there isn't any change. She did give me quite a startle last night when I arrived home and didn't see her. She had managed to crawl over the towel/rod (that keep her on the rug for traction) into a tube (the cardboard kind you use when you are making a concrete footing) and was hiding!

We gave her a bath last night and she looks pretty clean. She just had her first visitors (our wonderful neighbors) who feed her yogurt drops. So...we will just be taking one day at a time.

Happy July 4th!

Wow, it has been a while since I've been here. Things have been busy. We entertained friends last weekend. I worked the long hours last week, in preparation for taking this week off! YAHOO!

The DH was so kind to bring my to WEBS. Yes, "WEBS...America's Yarn Store". What a store! I had saved a few bucks to go and I went over my limit by $17. not that bad! I returned the 14" needles that I had ordered from them. I just couldn't get comfortable with a needle that long.

I picked up Lantern Moon needles. WOW! SO lightweight and much better than the cheaper bamboo ones. So I splurged. I figured I was going to trade off the current needles from my wrap to these. Then, the DH surprised me with another pair later in the shopping trip. I now have two pairs, 4.5mm and 5mm.

I also purchased Rowan Summer Tweed. This is going to make a really nice shrug for myself. I also picked up some ribbon. I'm also going to make a ruffle scarf.

DH was such a good sport (and for the record I was only in WEBS for exactly one hour). He sat in the chair the entire time and became the offload-of-the-arms site. I took him to the Northampton Brewery as a thank you. He enjoyed his 4 self-selected beer choices, pulled pork and key lime pie! So, I think we are even.

I heard from my downstream swap pal. She emailed me last night that she received the package and loved it. Yipee! I guess I can now show you what I mailed out to her: The picture doesn't show the fireline beading thread that I included as well. The Panda Cotton sock yarn is in 'Dreamy'.

So...are you wondering how my shawl is coming along? With the new Lantern Moon needles I got about 20 rows done in the past two days. The needles are 10" in length, so I'm just about at 12 1/2".

No Sheep Swap Package

Have I mentioned yet that I love receiving presents? I do also like giving things and matching a present to them...but nothing beats going to the post office and seeing a yellow slip. A yellow slip means there is something bigger behind the counter. OH OH OH what could it be? In the short walk from our box to the counter your mind races, oh could it be what I ordered for myself, or ordered for someone else....but NO it is something even better, a surprise gift for me. I participated in the No Sheep Secret Pal Swap, where you pick two skeins and mail one out to your downstream pal in June then again in July. With my allergies I do not have to worry about receiving something that I'm allergic to, so I was all game for this swap.

So, without further ado...

Two words: Schaefer Yarns! This one is named Sandra. It is such a pretty combination of colors, my blues/greens are covered with a very fitting brown/black. It is definitely a yarn that I would have picked out myself. I can't wait to find a pattern to use this up! I love it!

Also - the little bags are different types of yarn, clearly labeled with name and kind for future yarn purchases. I mentioned to my DH when I found these in the box that is was a wonderful idea! I wished I had thought of it.

The card you see is from the state of Washington, with a note from the sender (aka "-me") who says she has been to Mt. Rainer. The photo was taken by Lee Mann. This one is going in a frame...(to my secret pal - I frame cards that I really like and have them throughout the house).

Also I received some Washington State honey! Yumm...this is going to be going in the next loaf of bread I make.

Finally, I know she sent so much, where handmade stitch markers. They go with the yarn and my OCD/anal retentive side loves them - as they match the yarn!

WAY TO GO secret pal! This was a great package to start my weekend!!!