Mel was my very awesome secret pal for round 12. This was my grand finale package, which arrived just in time for me to have quilts on the brain. All these gorgeous fabrics!! I'm in love. I'm thinking maybe some small patchwork projects and some sock bags? She also sent shrinky dinks, a See's Candy gift certificate, my favorite dishcloth cotton and a dishcloth pattern.
Thanks so much, Mel! I'm sorry it took so long for me to blog, this semester has really kicked me in the ass. I loved having you as a secret pal!
In other news, I think I'm ready to start blogging again. Like I said, my schedule is hectic, but I think what was really holding me back was feeling obligated to blog every project. Then put them on Rav, on Flickr, etc. I've finished quite a few hats and smaller projects during my blog break, but I'm not sure I feel like blogging them. I will direct you to the Rav & Flickr pages, though. Then I'll start fresh blogging what I'm working on for Xmas. But more on that later...
Labels: secret pal, Sewing
¶ 11:48 AM 1 Comments
My blog in a nutshell, from Wordle. Click to embiggen. I love all the positivity- like, love, knitting, favorite!
There's just been a lot of working and a lot of relaxing with friends going on, too. Very soon, though, I will tell you how I finished Blue Cozy Thing, and it was a disaster. It's waiting to be frogged. I also need to tell you about the Creative Retreat I went on with ladies from my LYS, and how far I've gotten on Kellen's Cobblestone (almost done!) and the two hats I've made, and finishing my first (small) quilt! I know! Soon.
PS- Haven't heard from my sp in a while, so Swap Happy, if you're reading this, hope your summer is going beautifully!
Labels: secret pal, woolly rambles, wordle
¶ 10:07 AM 1 Comments
I got this cookbook from my book club and I'm so happy I did. I think slow cookers are genius inventions, but when you don't eat meat, you have to get creative with recipes. How much stew can one couple eat? This book is seriously a godsend. I made the veggie potpie with biscuit crush- cheap, delicious and so easy. This book will definitely be seeing more use.
Aside from making yummy food, we've been visiting the zoo a lot, enjoying the summer. Check out these cuties:
And, since I've been neglecting my Secret Pal Questions, here's my answer to last week-
What's your favorite summertime drink?
I drink lots of ice water during the summer, but I love suntea (when it's sunny!) and Kool-ade lemonade. Classy, I know! We don't really get too much warm weather here, though.
and this week's:
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
Honestly, I've always been a total homebody. There was no summer camp or anything for me. I always loved endless afternoons at home though. I was hardly ever bored with chickens to chase, a huge swingset, and a garden to hide in. When I got older, I spent my summers reading or knitting on the bench swing while the dogs panted in the sun.
Labels: cooking, secret pal, summer
¶ 3:35 PM 2 Comments
A box of Tazo Awake tea, several packages of hot coccoa (Kellen and I are going to have a cup by the tree tonight!), a dark chocolate bar, Coccoa notecards, gorgeous stickie notes, two bottles of mini m&ms, a Vanilla Creme drink mix, a sparkly blue snowflake ornamet, an advent calendar (I almost bought one the other day, but something told me to wait!), three tubes of Burt's Bees lipbalm in a cute carrying case, a yummy candle, a journal, a midnight scent sachet (that's as beautiful as it smells!), a lavendar bath set, two beaded stitch markers, sweet pea body wash and lotion (the lotion has a little shimmer to it, and smells wonderful), and YARN! Take a look:
Shaefer Laurel in Florence Nightengale. I'm melting over this. The colors are so rich beautiful, and it's from a series created for memorable women! I don't know what this is going to be yet, but for now I'm just content petting it.
Koigu. mmm, Koigu. These pretty pinkies are going to be socks for me. The colors remind me of frosting. My camera ate the picture of the purple yarn, but it's gorgous too. It didn't have a label, but I'm thinking it's wool and handdyed, maybe by my pal? It's beautiful shades of violet and lavendar. ;)
Thanks so much, Anne! You truly spoiled me!
Labels: secret pal
¶ 6:03 PM 2 Comments
Check out all these amazing goodies!
Lots of candy (Kellen has a giant sweet tooth, too, so we'll see how long this sticks around), cute notecards, heart shaped post-its, a halloween notepad, a calendar/mousepad (my birthday month has a teapot on it!), some Tazo Awake tea (I'm wondering if she took at peek at the Tea group over on Ravelry, where I mentioned that this tea is my favorite for staying up with homework. I have a term paper coming up, so it's come in handy soon!), an adorable sheepy tape measure, a beautiful autumn leaves travel candle, a fresh scented shachet, and...
Yarn! 5 skeins of yummy Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, 3 in Claret heather, and 2 in black cherry heather. I'm not sure what I'll make with these yet, but it'll definitely be for me, and I can't wait. She also got me a skein of tofutsies, which I've been dying to try, also in a gorgeous burgundy colorway.
Thank you so much, SP! This past week has been pretty stressful (school and work, as usual...everything else is wonderful!) and the package was a really nice pick-me-up. I'm off to pet my yarn now!
Labels: secret pal
¶ 4:17 PM 2 Comments
The Brother Sock. Okay, to be fair, this was a birthday knit, but I accidentally only ordered one ball of yarn, so only one was done on time. Okay, not entirely done. But why bother grafting when you can't start your second sock? I really need to order that second ball. I am a bad sister. oops. 
The Other Monkeys. These are a Christmas gift, but I won't say for whom. It only one sock, but I wanted to give you a front and back view so you can see how the yarn is working up. I'm digging it. 
Christmas Sweater #2. I'm quite a few inches into the body of this baby and so far so good. I hope the recipient likes it! I'm finished with the body of Christmas sweater #1, but after getting cocky with my sleeve modifications, I had to frog the entire sleeve, so it's on a shelf for awhile. I really need to get going on both, so I can start more gifts! I'm definitely feeling the pressure, but compared to the midterm pressures I've had going on this past month (I've gotten A's on all my midterms, and an 89% on another exam, by the way!) knitting pressures are pleasurable.
In other news, I went to the Midnight Madness S&B at Handmade Memories on Friday night with Karla and Kellen. It was a ton of fun, and it was great to meet other Humboldt knitters that I had previously only known through blogs and Ravelry. I also picked up a yummy skein of yarn for my Secret Pal's October package.
Speaking of Secret Pals, I got a sweet e-card from the person sending to me, who gave me some migraine tips, so I thought I'd update on the Migraine Situation. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and got samples of Maxalt and Frova to try out. Then, luckily, I was headache free for a few weeks! This morning, I woke up with a monster one, though, so I took a Maxalt and it really helped! My only gripe is that it took quite awhile to kick in and it made me a little drowsy. I was able to go to work and school, though, and that's all I ask!
Okay, I just wanted to catch my little blog up on what's been going on in my neck of the woods. There's a lot more, but it's so hard to blog secret knits!
Labels: Christmas, headaches, secret pal, SnB
¶ 5:05 PM 2 Comments
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1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Let me just come out and say that I am not a yarn snob. I think every yarn has it's purpose. That said, I like natural fibers, especially wool (Wool of the Andes and Lamb's Pride are favorites). I love alpaca and silk. I like trying new, fun yarns as well.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My straights and circs are in wine bottle holders, my dpns are in a pretty glass.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 4 and a half years. I taught myself using pages ripped from a Martha Stewart Living. I'd say I'm an adventerous intermediate with advanced tendencies. ;)
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
The link to my amazon wishlist is in my sidebar.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I love baking scents like vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and "sugar" scents. I also like clean scents like "fresh cotton" types, and most floral scents in they're not too dizzying.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a wicked sweet tooth. I love chocolate. I'm not huge on sours, though.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew, embroider, make jewelry, mosaic, block print, print gocco, make soap, play with polymer clay, paint, and occasionally put out a zine. I'm learning to spin.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like 70's and 90's punk, indie, and indiepop, and folkpunk. and cheesy 80's pop. a few of my favorite bands are listeded in my profile. and yes, I can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love pink, purple, blue, black...reds, greens. Brights and jewel tones. I don't really have a color I can't stand. Even if it's not my favorite color, chances are I can think of a good project to use it in.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live in an apartment with my darling boyfriend (who crochets). My parents are separated and live 45 minutes south of me, as do my older brother (25) and younger brother (11). I can't have pets in my apt, but my chihuahua, cat, and turtle live with my mom.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All of the above except ponchos. And I'm not really anti-poncho, I just haven't found one that tickled my fancy.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks, lace, anything cabled or fair isle. hats. I'm currently working on two sweaters. I like trying new things.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Two sweaters (one for kellen and one for a secret christmas present) and that's about it. I have a Mon Petit Chou hibernating. I usually have a pair of socks on the needles, too, but I just finished some.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like both straights and circs depending on the job. I usually use aluminum, but bamboo or other wooden ones are great too. I've never met a plastic needles I could stand, but they might exist...
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes, and yes. (Thanks, Kellen!)
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Less than a year. I had a purging session not long ago.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween, but I really love Christmas because it involves knitting gifts! Thanksgiving is a favorite too. Anything with family and food.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Teapots and tea! Knitting books, and things with bees, lately.
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 have a subscription to Interweave. I can't think of any needles or patterns I have my eye on. I've been eyeing the Felted Hedgehog from Fiber Trends and the Wicked Sweater from Zephyr Style. The books I want are on my wishlist.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Steeking. I'd like to get better at intarsia. I haven't knit a sock from the toe up, yet...
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I usually fit a women's M. My foot is about 9" long, about 8 1/2" at the instep and calf.
23. When is your birthday?
May 13th.
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am. My name is Violet on there. go figure. ;)
Labels: secret pal
¶ 8:51 PM 0 Comments
Pattern: Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts Yarn: Knit Picks alpaca cloud in Horizon Needles: US 10.5 clovers.
This was a fun, easy knit, and I'll definitely be making more in the future. Maybe for Christmas?
Labels: FO, secret pal
¶ 9:27 PM 2 Comments
I've been doing some secret knitting for my secret pal. Well, not too secret, but Karla won't tell! I'll post a proper FO pic after my pal receives.
Labels: FO, secret pal
¶ 3:20 PM 1 Comments
Labels: secret pal
¶ 6:27 PM 2 Comments
Click here to see the going price on Amazon! proof you should shop local and used!
in other news, i haven't finished anything lately, but i do have proof of my startitis:
Debbie Bliss' sheep pattern, in worsted rather than DK. this guy is going to be big! my aunt and cousin have also sent me some wonderful knitting books lately, but i'll post actual reviews of them soon.
and today is the 15th, so if you're my secret pal and you're reading this, hello!
Labels: books, secret pal, WIP
¶ 4:15 PM 2 Comments
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1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm really anti yarn snobbery. I like knitting with wool. lamb's pride is a favorite. i like merinos. alpaca. silk. but i also do a lot of knitting for kids/babies/hand-washing-impaired, so i'm not opposed to acrylic and blends. i like plymouth encore for these purposes. i'm not a HUGE fan of novelty yarns but some are okay. (i prefer thick 'n thins to eyelash, for example)
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? i keep my straights and circulars in two wine bottle holders. dpns go in a pretty glass. maybe i'll post pictures one of these days.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? i taught myself how to knit about four years ago, using a tutorial i swiped from a martha stewart living. i had purple hair at the time so the irony amuses me. i would consider myself an adventurous intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? i have an amazon wishlist. there's a button link to it in my sidebar.
5. What's your favorite scent? i like what i guess you would call "baking scents" vanilla, cinnamon, buttercream, "sugar" scents...i also like some fruity scents too. strawberry, pear, etc.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? i think all my teeth are sweet teeth! i love chocolate. reeses. i'm not a big fan of sour candies though.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? i sew a lot, make jewelry, and paint a little bit. i also do blockprinting, embroidery, and other crafts when i have time. I garden as much as an apartment dweller can. I spin very crappily on a drop spindle, and i recently acquired a wheel, so hopefully i'll be spinning successfully on that.
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 a lot of different music, but mostly in the punk and indie genres. i have some of my favorite bands listed on my blogger profile. i can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? i like pink, purple, blue, black, and silver a lot. i used to pretend that i didn't like orange, but i love it with pink. yellow and brown aren't favorites, but combined with other colors, i like them.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? i live in an apartment with my boyfriend of almost five years. my parents live about half an hour south of us; they're separated. i have a younger brother (11) and an older brother (25). we don't have any pets living with us here, sadly, but at home with mom we have two dogs (a chihuahua, my baby, and a blue heeler), a cat, and a turtle. animal gifties would be appreciated, since i visit them as often as possible.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
i wear scarves, hats, and mittens often, especially to school where it gets chilly. i've never met a cute poncho, but if one exists i would wear it.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
what a hard question! socks, baby items, i've recently got the lace bug. i also like knitting quick hats. all different things. i guess i'd have to say gifts! i like knitting for others.
13. What are you knitting right now? a raglan sweater for the boy, socks for me, a noro scarf, and the swallowtail shawl (which is two rows away from finishing!)
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
i LOVE handmade gifts, but don't often receive them. i'm also cool with thrifted things (in decent condition, of course) especially vintage knitting booklets.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
i like straight aluminums for most knitting. i do like wool on bamboo though. circulars are good if the project doesn't fit comfortably on straights. and i've never used a plastic needle that didn't suck. (although i'm sure they exist!)
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
i do! they were a christmas gift from my boyfriend, along with a new sewing machine. (i know, i know, he's wonderful. he crochets, too.)
17. How old is your oldest UFO? only a few months. i did a cleaning sweep and frogged or finished all the older ones. although i think there is a rogue legwarmer half finished on the loose at my mom's house. we won't speak of that.
18. What is your favorite holiday? i always say halloween. but i love christmas and thanksgiving too. and i'm a totally sucker for "spring" themed things.
19. Is there anything that you collect? teapots! and teapot themed goodies. typewriters, too, but i don't really need any more of those! i also "collect" different teas. i have a whole cupboard full of different teas to suit my moods.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? that's another great question. the books are all on my amazon wishlist, so you can check there. i've never tried bamboo yarn, so that would be fun. no particular needles. i do want to get the fiber trends felted hedgehog pattern, but that's the only one i can think of off the top of my head. i have a subscription to Interweave Knits, but i also purchase vogue knitting, knit simple, and knit1 whenever they look good.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? steeks (am i brave enough?) and i'd like to knit a toe up sock, just to expand my horizons a bit.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
yes. my feet are about 9.5" long, and the "cuff" part of my shin is about 9." most women's Medium patterns fit well. i wear a size 7 shoe.
23. When is your birthday? May 13.
Labels: secret pal
¶ 6:24 PM 2 Comments
