Is It Christmas Already?

No, it's my final package from my Secret Pal 11 spoiler! Can you believe all the goodies that Marsha included? This is a five themed package. As you can see there is "Sock Knitting" - it included 4 skeins of yarn in my favorite colors and the Vogue knitting "Socks Two" book; "Tea Time" - it included "The Book of Tea", Honey Sticks to have with my tea and a box of tea "Gingerbread Spice" (which I haven't even seen this in my stores); "Yummy Stuff" - it included a HUGE 1+ pound of chocolate (which I have to admit I taste tested last night and it passed with flying colors); "Christmas Stuff" - it included very cute Christmas stocking needle protectors and Christmas tree shaped dishes; and "Fun Stuff" - it included adorable Mary Engelbreit notecards and a tea light holder!

Thanks to Marsha I really feel a great success with SP11. I have so throughly enjoyed getting to know her and look forward to being able to correspond with knowing who she is now!!! Marsha was a fantastic spoiler and I thank her with all my heart. This was sooooooo much fun!

Thank you Marsha! You are the best!!

SP11 Delivery!

Look what I got in the mail on Saturday? It was another delivery from my Secret Pal spoiler! The theme of this package was pink, and personally, I think it was quite the appropriate theme for October. Everything was wrapped in some sort of pretty pink paper!

A variety of items were included in this package. I can't wait to try the Blackberry tea! I've never had this flavor and since I enjoy sweat teas I'm sure this one will be a winner. My pal included 2 skeins of Incredible yarn in Autumn Rose. I love love love the colors! I'll probably knit up a scarf with this. Not sure yet. Also in the package was a little pink candle, some Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap (sounds yummy hunh?) and this cute little pink zipper bag, which will definitely carry some knitting notions. Thank you so much Brytomart! Your package put a huge smile on my face!

Ding Dong! Delivery...

When my doorbell rang tonight I knew who it was, I only hoped he had in his hands what I have been waiting for all week. At the door of course was my landlord. He receives my mail and delivers it to me everynight. It's kinda like having a doorman but I don't have to tip him during the holidays.

What did I hope he had in his hands? Well I am patiently awaiting for my yarn purchase from Knit Picks! I can't wait to start my Central Park Hoodie. Anyway, as I looked out through the door I realized he didn't have a package big enough to be my yarn (I purchased 12 skeins for the sweater and 3 skeins of sock yarn) and I thought maybe the Jiffylite envelope contained a purchase I made for my Secret Pal that I am spoiling in SP11. I received my mail from my landlord and plopped on my couch, where I had been knitting by the way, and took a closer look at the envelope. I quickly realized that this was not the package I had been waiting for, but it was a package from my Secret Pal who is spoiling me. I was so excited I couldn't wait to open it. This was such a suprise!!!

After I carefully opened the envelope I quickly caught a whiff of lavender! Mmmmmm. As you can see from the first picture everything was beautifully wrapped in lavendar tissue. It was a lavender themed package. The card is so adorable. It's of a girl knitting mittens. How appropriate! I was first going to read the card but quickly I realized my pal listed out what was in the wrapped packages. I immediately stopped reading and began to unravel what was inside of this lavender tissue.

From the picture below you can see how fantastic this package is! I love everything. I can't wait to try the Lavender Dryer Bags. It's going to make everything smell so heavenly. The lavender soap was made by a soapmaker near where my pals lives. The Cascade Pima Melange yarn is lavendar in color (I have never seen this yarn and will have to think of something special to knit with it). It's so soft too!! Lastly, my pal included some Peppermint (my favorite) and Tazo Honeybush teas. Yum!


I have to say that my secret pal definitely put a huge smile on my face tonight! Thank you soooooo much Brytomart!

SP11 Kickoff Contest Questions/Answers

Here are my answers to the questions my hostess of SP 11 presented to us. She wanted to kick-off SP11 with a little contest:

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without? The one knitting accessory that I can't live without is my row counter. I know it's a very simple accessory. A piece of paper can easily replace it but for me I have to have one for every project I work on.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project? Considering I just came back from vacation this answer is YES, of course I take my knitting with me. I was actually told by several people, with whom I agree, knitting is the most important item to pack. I took with me several projects. My bag included socks, tote bag and a drawstring bag that I had been working on and each project was in a different stage.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? As an adult I haven't done nearly as much traveling as I would have loved to have done. Right now my most favorite spot was my trip to Washington, D.C. last year. There was so much to do that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'm looking forward to going back sometime to do the things I couldn't fit into my trip.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it? My favorite knitting book is Interweave's Favorite Socks book. I don't own it and want it very badly. I was able to peruse my sister's copy while vacationing at her place in Myrtle Beach and fell in love with all the socks.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)? I do not listen to podcasts.

I'm Not Monkeying Around

So it seems to me that I am back on a roll with my Monkey sock. The picture I posted yesterday was of it back when I last worked on it. Which was I think Monday of last week. My knitting karma was off while I was on vacation and no matter what I knitted, I had issues. It seems I was doing more frogging that anything. The pic of it here was were it stood as of Monday afternoon. I am ready to start the foot.

As you can see I have chosen to complete these socks utilizing two circular needles. I have to say that I am loving this technique so much better that trying to works with four double pointed. I got this technique from Cat Bordhi's book "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles". She basically shows you how to do this. It is sooooooooo easy. What I love is that I can easily try on this sock for fitting. I am hoping to have this sock done by this weekend and cast-on the mate.


Besides knitting I have also been trying to get through the last Harry Potter book. I usually always read on my train ride into work, from work and right before I go to sleep. I am known to plow through an excellent book in two days. Unfortunately as much as I am loving and wanting to finish "Deathly Hallows", it is taking me longer than expected. I started a new work schedule a few weeks ago where I get up at 4:30am to be in work for 6am and it took me a few weeks to adjust to the schedule so when the book came out I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough at night before bed to read more than one or two chapters. Then I left for my vacation and forgot my book next to my bed. So it sat for a week without being cracked open. I have been really good about avoiding any spoilers anywhere so far and I hope it stays that way. I'm up to page 522 right now. I'm almost there!

Isn't this crab so cute? I bought it as a souvenir for myself from my Myrtle Beach vacation. My sister had this crab hanging one of her bathrooms at the house she just moved out of. When I spotted it, I fell in love with it. It just so happens that one of the places I did a little shopping was were her crab was bought from. I got it at a place called Lazy Gator in Murrells Inlet, SC. This place is awesome! There are so many cute and cool things in this place. I had a hard time deciding what to buy for myself. When I saw the crab sitting in a basket I knew it was going home with me. Right now I have it hanging on my cork board above my desk where I scrapbook. I find the colors very cheery to look at and it puts a smile on my face.

I would like to thank Shameka for the yummy tasty treat she gave me from Financier today at lunch. The Raspberry Chocolate Mousse was to die for! It definitely made my yucky day better. What scared me a little was that Kim took one look at it and knew what it was even though by the time she saw it there were only a few bites left. She knows her yummy treats!

Lastly, I received my Secret Pal 11 match last night! I am so excited. I can't wait to do some spoiling!

Secret Pal 11 - The Questionnaire

So I have signed up for Secret Pal 11. I am really excited about it. Here are my answers to the questionnaire I have to post. I am looking forward to receiving my pal.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Right now I am knitting with Merino Superwash yarns for socks. I enjoy working with anything soft - cottons, blends, etc. I can't stand super scratchy itchy wool. I have sensitve skin and I just can't imagine wearing anything like that all day long.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Right now my needles are all in their original packaging sitting in a canvas bag.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting since 2002. One of my girlfriends taught me. After watching her knit everyday at work, I wanted to learn. I consider myself to be an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, Amazon.

5. What's your favorite scent? I like scents that are gentle - not overpowering. Lavendar is really nice.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Oh absolutley. I love chocolate. Nothing with nuts. Peppermint patties have always been a favorite. Non-chocolate favs are cherry Twizzlers.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I am also an avid scrapbooker.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to all kinds of music - pop, rock, classical, disco. I don't care for heavy metal.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite colors are shades of red and pink. I also love purple. The only colors I tend to stay away from are greens and yellows. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I don't like the colors on me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am not married, have no children and I can't have a pet where I live.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves, hats, gloves. I prefer my hats to be a more fitted cap style. Scarves need to be able to wrap around my neck like 3 times.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Hmmmm, I have knitted alot of scarves and hats. Right now I am addicted to knitting socks.

13. What are you knitting right now? Right now I am knitting several things - Socks, Felted Tote Bags and Some Secret Christmas gifts.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Sure.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circular needles. I use bamboo when I can't find the metal circulars or the yarn I am working with is extra slippery.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hmmm, I have to say my very first sock from 2003. However, I am planning on knitting it's mate soon.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect? I collect angels.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I want to get Interweaves "Favorite Socks" book, the "Fitted Knits" book by Stephanie Japel, Knit Picks circular needles in 0,1 and 3 (24"). I want to get some Lorna Laces Shepard sock yarn, Risata yarn from Knit Picks, Schaefer Anne Hand Painted Luxury Wool Yarn #168. I do not have any magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Well considering I just started lace and cables patterns I can't think of anything else at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes. I just recently fell in lve with sock knitting after my very first attempt years ago. Now I can't stop. My shoe size is a ladies 7. My foot circumferance is 8.25. My foot length is 9.

23. When is your birthday? August 17th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Just got my invite today (Aug 17). ID - angelny29

Secret Pal 11

After reading about Secret Pal 10 on Kim's blog I decided to see if there was going to be another one. I really liked the idea behind it and it seemed Kim really enjoyed it just from reading her blog entries. Her secret pal, Yvonne was awesome and gave her an incredible gift in the end. I was thinking that this was another great way to connect with other crafty knitters out in blogland and have a little fun with it too!

So Kim, tell me, was the experience as great as I think it was? Will you do it again? I really want to sign up for Secret Pal 11, but I read today that if you are a new blogger you have to have at least 10 posts on your website by July 30th. I don't think that will be a problem for me since this is now post #8. I'm looking forward to being able to join the 250 people who have already signed up.