WOW! Great Virtual Vacation!

Wow!! What a vacation i just went on!
I just received the best vacation package ever from KSee. She took me to VA, DC ,FL and to St Maarten.
As you can see in the first picture the many items came wrapped in pretty purple wrapping paper or in their own special bags. As my family will tell you I LOVE BAGS. Any size, shape or color!
The second picture shows the beautiful yarn and supplies KSee sent me. The purple yarn is Spectrum hand dyed wool and she sent a pattern and needles with it to make a lace ribbing scarf. It was in the striped bag which will make a great project bag! Can't wait to start this scarf!
The yarn comes from the Springwater Fiber Workshop which is a non profit fiber art school. Will have to check it out at http://www.springwaterfiber.org/. Sounds very interesting.
She also sent me some raspberry Simply Soft yarn and a pattern for a pocket scarf and 2 bags to make. Very pretty! There is a copy of Knitting magazine. Can't wait to check it out.
There also is a brochure from the Juniper Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. I know I enjoyed visiting there with KSee. She also got me a magnet and bookmark there. There is info on a program where you can buy a brick to have put in a historic pathway with your name on it. I know the view from the top of the lighthouse is fantastic! Very humid in FL. Next time will visit in cooler weather!
She even sent a coupon for a shampoo,cut and blow dry at a LOCAL hair salon here in CT. Wow, that is really fantastic. Can't wait to go. Will make an appointment ASAP!
Also received a T shirt from St Maarten - will post picture later - forgot to post the picture of it. I have never been to the Caribbean befoe so will enjoy wearing the tshirt and remembering my virtual trip there with KSee.
Next KSee took me to Washington DC where we found this cute snow globe. I put it on my sofa table with some others I have. Wait until my grandkids come over and see it. They love to shake them. If I remember correctly it was very hot in DC.
You can see the cute card she sent me in the picture along with some great hair products (very nicely scented) in the own special bags(love those bags!). Will have to hide these from my daughters! There is also some great candy(I am eating the MilkDuds now), a water lily and lotus scent diffuser, post it pad and journal. I think I will use the journal to keep track of my swap pals! There is an emery board to keep my nails smooth so they won't snag my new yarns while I knit. The book is great! It is Cozy Knits for Cuddly Babies. SO CUTE! I can't wait to make the knee pads for my grandson. There is also a beautiful flower garden afghan I would love to make for one of my granddaughters and a great basketweave poncho I can make for all of them!
And look at the great stitch markers and row counter KSee made me!
DOUBLE WOW! The stitch markers have charms on the end of my favorite seashore things. They are so beautiful! I have a charm necklace I have had and been adding to for about 15 years with similar charms. Can't wait to start knitting my lace ribbed scarf and use my new row counter and stitch markers! I especially love the beach chair charm. Reminds me of my favorite thing to do - sit on the beach and knit!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH KSEE! This has been a FANTASTIC vacation! Hope your virtual vacation is as special!

CONTEST ANSWERS FOR FALL FELTED BAG EXCHANGE

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why?

I LIKE TO WORK WITH PATONS MERINO WOOL OR CASCADE 200, BOTH ARE INEXPENSIVE AND FELT WELL.

2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog.

CHRISSIE IS FROM SINGAPORE. YOU CAN FIND HER AT http://www.ghostknitter.blogspot.com/



3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog.



MARY B. HAS A "LAP DOG" NAMED LADY. YOU CAN FIND MARY AT http://www.maryslittlecraftcorner.blogspot.com/



4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog.

LAURIE C. HAS A WEE LITTLE GIRL. YOU CAN FIND HER AT http://www.knitwitarmywife.blogsppot.com/



5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why! (Yea, I know part of September and November are technically fall, but for this question, only October and November matter!)

I LIKE OCTOBER MORE BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS BETTER, LOVE THE COLOR OF THE FALL LEAVES AND FLOWERS, AND THE SMELL OF THE LEAVES THAT HAVE FALLEN. WE USUALLY GO TO MAINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND ENJOY ACADIA NATIONAL PARK WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL IN OCTOBER!

Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth Swap Sign ups

Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap starting soon!
Sign ups start 9/1 and end 9/8.
Packages need to be received by partner BY October 31st!
Need to send 1 skein of yarn, a dishcloth, fancy soap and an edible treat!
For more info go to www.dishclothexchange.blogspot.com and check out the requirements and rules!

PAY IT FORWARD CHALLENGE

I received this invitation from Jane. I hope you will read it and want to participate.
I will send a handmade gift to 3 random people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. This isn't a huge gift, just a little something to lift your spirits. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do if you like, is in return pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

WIP

These are some of my MANY WIP.
The first picture is my daughters afghan which I started in the spring and have neglected. It is superwash wool from Mission Falls. A feather and fan design, very easy. Great yarn to work with. Colors are showing pretty true. Had hoped to finish it by her birthday but not going to make it. Her birthday is NEXT Friday. Oh well, maybe for Christmas?
The next picture is of my dishcloth and scrubbie wip pile. The 3 pieces on the lower right have to be sewn together to make scrubbies - I love to do the knitting but hate the sewing part even though it only takes a few minutes each! The dishcloth on the needles is a cabled pattern. Very interesting and easy to do. Will take a picture when done so the pattern is more visible.
This yellow/pink/green/white baby afghan is to replace the one (pink/blue/white) in the bottom picture. The one in the bottom picture is a disaster. It is a real cool yarn which I have used before but this time tried to use larger (17) needles and make a quick gift. Wrong move! It will not hold it's shape. Looked fine on the needles but when I BO and held it up it kept stretching and stretching! I put it away for a month and hoped maybe it was my imagination but when I took it out again last week nothing changed! Could not think of a fix for it - can't frog it because of the type of yarn - so knew it was time to start another blanket without trying for a quick finish! Went back to my favorite yarn - Velvet Touch from Wendy/Peter Pan.. The best yarn ever for baby blankets! Soooo soft, and washable. I bought the yarn in Vermont at Kalidescope Yarns last summer. I only have 3 skeins so am using 1 strand of pink with the YPGW combo. To stretch it I am also doing some sections with 2 strands of pink. Working up pretty quick - should finish by the end of the week.
On the exchange front my package for the KVVS is almost ready to go out. That means I am caught up with swaps for the moment. Will be busy soon though - have signed up for the FALL FELTED BAG exchange, KNIT 1 TEA 2 exchange, and the CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD swap. Should keep me busy for awhile! Also can't wait for ITE5 to begin!
Also keeping up with the Red Sox. Great game last night! Tim Wakefield was great! Yankees lost which is also great. 5 games up! Go Red Sox!
Well, better get back to my knitting!

Questonnaire for Fall Felted bag Exchange

1. How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?

I learned to crochet 30 years ago from my friend Barbara. She was right handed and I am a lefty but it clicked . I learned to knit about 25 years ago from my friend Luise. Many people tried to teach me even my grandmother but I was a hopeless case until Luise was able to teach me. She made me sit for HOURS and just knit until it stuck!

2. What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?

I made a felted tote bag. A friend, Paula, at work made one and it was such a fantastic bag I needed to make one too! I gave it to my DIL for Christmas.

3. What are your favorite colors?

Favorite color is purple all shades!. Also like jewel tones(purple, blues, reds, gold, greens) , beach colors (beiges, blues).

Any you hate? Dislike orange or yellow.

4. What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)

Open to any style. I love totes/bags of all kinds. I am always changing bags to match my moods or needs. Prefer longer handles/straps.

5. What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?

I use different bags/totes all the time. Depends on my mood or where I am going or what I need to carry. Some of my bags can hold my knitting other times I carry a 2nd bag with my knitting. ALWAYS carry some kind of knitting project with me!

6. What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?

I make a lot of baby/ kids items for my grandchildren, socks, dishcloths, scarfs, shawls, bags. Mostly smaller projects except for baby afghans. Have made some sweaters for grandkids but nothing too involved. Like easy relaxing projects to knit.

7. What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)

I prefer circulars whenever possible. When using straight needles go for the shortest length possible. Type of needle (bamboo, metal) depends on the project.

8. What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?

Entrelac, I have a pattern but not the courage to try. Want to take a class but they always seem to be on days I work. Will keep checking LYS until I get into a class.

9. What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?

Yarn made from seaweed. I love the ocean and thing it would be fun to work with something that came from the ocean.

10. What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
Besides yarn, do you collect anything?

I quilt (not lately). I like to read but find it hard to do while knitting. Audio books make me sleepy! I love to walk on the beach. I have done some beading for stitch markers.
I have a large lighthouse collection. I also have lots of book, magazines and patterns for knitting, crochet and quilting. Have been collecting them for over 30 years. I have a fabric collection - my favorite are my lighthouse prints. Haven't been using it to make quilts lately but love looking at the prints and planning future projects!
Love to travel with BF. We go to Maine every year and Cape Cod as often as possible. We also travel to see the Red Sox play. We went to Baltimore this summer to see them play.


11. What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?

Love chocolate, caramel, nuts. Love salty/sweet combos.
Not allergic to any thing but wine.

12. Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)

I have 4 grown children and 5 beautiful little grandchildren. I also have 2 calico cats.

13. What kind of project best personifies you and why?

Anything I have knitted for family. It feels good to knit something special for a family member. Family is special. Knitting for them is special.


14. What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!

I love the colors of the changing leaves and the autumn "smell" in the air. I like the cooler days and chilly nights. I like baking apple crisp.

My favorite autumn memory is from 2004 when the Red Sox won the World Series after being down 3 games to 0 in the ALC against the Yankees. Great Comeback!


15. Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.

1. Share with my family!
2.Buy a house on the ocean with a big deck overlooking the ocean where I could sit and knit while I listen to the waves!
3. Quit my job and buy a yarn store!

Problem Solved!

Have been trying to post for 2 days but unable to upload pictures. Blogger finally has posted a way around problem. Sure hope this works!
Our trip to Baltimore was great! Would have been better if the Red Sox won both games we saw but we had to settle for 1 loss and 1 win. Last night's game was great! They won in the bottom of the ninth. Very exciting! Go Red Sox!
Baltimore Inner Harbor was fun to visit. I would like to go there again when we have more time. This was a quick trip and we weren't able to see everything we would have liked to. We did get to go to J Pauls Restaurant after the game on Saturday and have steamed crabs. The were delicious! Definitely worth the long wait to get a table. There were so many Red Sox fans in town that the restaurants were overwhelmed! We had to wait almost an hour to get seated and we were lucky to get in that quick!
I was able to finish some dishcloths on the bus trip. These are the ones I mailed to my Dog Days of Summer Swap pal - Dee. She received them Monday. Glad she liked them. Had lots of fun putting her package together and knitting the dishcloths. Have started a couple more - the are addictive!
Did not have time to check out any yarn shops in Baltimore, maybe next time!
I need to make a new gift for my BF's newborn niece. The afghan I made is a disaster. I made it with this cute funky yarn and it looked really good on the needles. When I took it off - surprise - it would not hold it's shape. Keeps stretching out - looks like a towel! I should have used a smaller needle or another strand of base yarn. I used a yarn called Sprinkles. It was a pink/white/blue colorway and so cute. I made a sweater from it and it was adorable . Thought larger needles would work. WRONG! Can't frog it - the yarn just knots! Have to start form scratch with something else.
I hope to finish putting together the package for my partner in the Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap this week. I want to mail it out by Mon - or Tues. Need a few more state items to put in it. I also have a bunch of postcards I am going to mail out to her soon.
Well, I need to get ready to go to the dentist. I chipped my front teeth and need to get them fixed.
Happy Knitting!

Busy week

Very busy week here but I did manage to get my package ready for the Dog Days of Summer Dishcloth Swap. Hope my partner likes it! Had a lot of fun knitting the dishcloths. I haven't knitted any in a while.
My daughter will put it in the mail for me tomorrow - Friday because we are leaving early for Baltimore! We are going to see a couple Red Sox games. It is a bus trip sponsored by our Park and Rec. Should have lots of time to knit on the bus ride. Have packed my yarn, a Yarn Harlot book, ipod and some snacks. I think I am ready! Will be back Sunday night with some pictures to share.
I did get to see the Yarn Harlot last week. She was great! My pictures are not! I did get a copy of one of her books autographed for my pal in the Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap. Since she was here in CT I think that counts as a vacation stop! After her talk and signing a new yarn store down the street stayed open late for all the knitters to check out. I found a skein of sky blue hand dyed cashmere from Lobster Pot Yarns that was calling my name! I could only afford one skein but it came with a pattern for a neck warmer! I will have the warmest, softest neck warmer around!
Sorry no pictures tonight. Promise plenty when I return!

Fall Felted Bag Exchange starting soon!

The Fall Felted Bag Exchange will be having signups starting 8/15/07.
The last exchange was a lot of fun so check out this blog - www.feltedbagexchange2.blogspot.com - and join us!

Answer to question for Dog Days of Summer swap

On the real "Dog Days of Summer" I like to keep cool inside by cranking up the ac and relaxing inside with an iced tea or lemonade, some watermelon and a good movie/tv show to knit by!
I do not like to be outside in the heat unless it is on the beach next to the water relaxing under my beach umbrella while I knit or people watch!

Lots to see!

MY TOTE CAME TODAY FOR THE ITE4! ISN'T IT GREAT! I CAN FIT MY KNITTING PROJECT, PATTERN, BOOK, IPOD, SNACKS FOR GRANDKIDS, AND ANYTHING ELSE I WANT! GREAT TRAVELING BAG! KATHY - MY SECRET PAL ALSO SENT ME SOME BATH AND BODY LOTION AND BODY WASH. SMELLS REAL NICE! THE LIP GLOSSES ARE GREAT ALSO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH KATHY - IT IS A FANTASTIC BAG AND WILL GET LOTS OF USE! THANK YOU KATHY!
THESE PICTURES ARE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS I BOUGHT ON VACATION LAST MONTH IN NH. THERE ARE COTTON YARNS, COTTON CHENILLE, & WOOL.

LOTS OF YARN TO KEEP ME BUSY AND SEND TO PALS IN SWAPS!
I ALSO FOUND THESE BOOKS AND PATTERNS. I HOPE TO TEACH MY GRANDDAUGHTERS TO KNIT SO BUY BOOKS TO TEACH THEM WITH. I AM A LEFTIE SO THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING! I DID FIND SOME PATTERNS FOR A DISHCLOTH EXCHANGE AND SOME GREAT YARNS.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ARE ALL THE "THINGS" I FOUND TO BUY! AS YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL I LOVE "GADGETS" . I GOT SHEEP AND PENQUIN BUTTONS, PENQUIN AND MONKEY BEADS, CROCHET HOOKS, ADDI SOCK NEEDLES, SOMETHING TO STORE MY CIRCS IN, SOMETHING TO CARRY MY SOCK PROJECTS IN, STITCH MARKERS, AND i FORGOT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE MAGNET AND ANTENNA TOPPER I GOT FOR MY CAR THAT LOOK LIKE A BALL OF YARN AND NEEDLES.
LOTS OF GREAT BUYS FROM ONLY 2 YARN STORES! MY BF GAVE ME A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO PATTERNWORKS AND THAT HELPED!

GREAT VACATION!
Friday I AM GOING TO SEE THE YARN HARLOT AT A LOCAL BOOK STORE - CAN'T WAIT. SAW HER IN MASS AT WEBS IN MAY AND SHE WAS GREAT! WILL POST PICTURES ASAP!