Holy SP 10 Package, Batman!!!!!!

I think all of you who have secret pals(in the last round of SP10) had better step up to the plate- since I got the parcel to end all parcels today-obviously, my secret pal is the BEST. I ripped everything open (there were , like 15 packages inside this huge box!!!!)-except the things for my dog (!), my daughter (!!) and even my husband (!!!) (he will be beside himself- he often feels a bit put out when I get these parcels, and he doesn't get anything) Suffice it to say- my Secret Pal ROCKS!
A million thank you's-
Okay- here are the photos- taken when I got home after work. There are a couple of things not in the photo, I see- but here is the list of it all (I am sooooo very very spoiled)
First of all- this HUGE box-I think it cost my SP over 20 dollars to send it. The return address was Colorado Springs, but she said she is Canadian from Northern Ontario. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

First of all- everything was wrapped. Everything, including a dog bone for Bear (the packaging is there, because this is what happened to the chew bone--and he is not about to give it back for A PICTURE. You can see he has chosen the bone over his leash, in the picture. So- imagine it. My daughter is a crafty one, soo my SP chose a lovely potholder making kit from Klutz books (very very appreciated- she loves it. And today was the first day of Grade 3 testing-it couldn't have come at a better time). My husband's gift was an LED Tuff Lite (his comment when he opened it? "Excellent! Just what I need!") And now- my haul. (And what an amazing group of beautiful things!)The yarn: 3 skeins of Cascade 220 in a lovely dusty green, a lovely skein of Tofutsies by SWTC in a mix of green and blue and yellow for socks (and two patterns as well) and a lovely skein of Euroflax Linen ( a blend of pastels). Thank you, thank you, thank you. AND TWO (!!!) sets of Brittany straights-oh my heart- I love them! AND a wonderful knitting bag-an Eagle "Good To Go" knitting bag. I haven't seen this one before- it is totally awesome! And a cotton scented candle (pretty). And notes and a notepad and a stunning blank book for my notes (I go through these rather quickly) and two stamps and a silver stamp pad and a tea towel and lovely hand made stitch markers (I think you should make more-even though you said you were new at making these-they are really lovely) in a bag in a little Mary Englebreit box, and some mints in a jewelled metal box. And a pair of socks-"Well Being"-restorative Sea Cell Socks- very interesting!!!. And a mini cross stitch kit. And a hand made "dish rag" in lovely rainbow cotton. And a key chain. And last but not least-3 white chocolate Kit Kat bars!!!! (Okay- 2 now-yum yum)
I don't know if I have left anything out, but let me tell you, Secret Pal-I have had a pretty nasty week (work things) and this came at the very best time.
You have spoiled me too much, and I love you for it.
Thank you.

It's a bit humbling....

And here I was, thinking I was a unique old girl.........but I wonder how many Canadians share my name?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 13 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Thanks to Sad Lonely Crafter for the link!

Don't Forget......

This is coming up this weekend......
On Sunday, May 27, the Toronto Spiders will take up the International Wool Challenge (Back to Back Competition) for the fourth consecutive year. This competition, involving teams around the world, requires that a sheep be shorn and the fleece spun, plied, and knitted into a sweater (according to a standard pattern) in one day.After two years at the Ontario Handspinning Seminar and a year at Toronto's Riverdale Farm, this year the Toronto Spiders will be at the Pickering Museum in Greenwood, as part of their Opening Day. The team is made up of Wannietta Prescod (the Fastest Knitter in North America in 2005 & 2006), Barbara Aikman, Julia Lee, Judy Pergau, Denise Powell, Karen Richens, and Lorraine Smith of Spinners Quarterly. Our shearer is Bob Comfort, and Joan Kass and Judy Findlay will be our timekeepers and educators. We look forward to having lots of interest and support from passers-by. Like all Back to Back Challenges, we will be raising money for cancer research.We will be attempting to beat our Canadian record time of 6 hours, 51 minutes, and 15 seconds, so hope to finish some time between 4 and 5 p.m.If you are in the neighbourhood, please do drop by and wave, say "Hey y'all", but don't expect us to stop what we're doing to chat with you until the sweater is done!

Wish I could be there-good luck, guys!

Hey- Knitting Content! Whaddya know?

So I figured, this being a knitting blog, that I should, perhaps, start doing some knitting. Right? And "the broken finger, thanks to the Bear" is healing, and will now let me knit. Hmmmmm. What to knit? I am still working on the Big Red-Orange-Pink Kimono- I have just hit a "think spot" (I have to think about what I put in, where I am going, and what do I want to do next) So that is in the "marination chamber" (aka-in a bag, beside my bed). I had a couple of yarns I have been dying to play with- so out they came. The first is a Blue Heron Yarn-Rayon/Metallic. in colourway Macaw. Think rainbow bright with glitz. I wound up one of the skeins (I have two-for a total of 1100 yards)-and started entrelac (8 stitch squares on a 3.5 mm ) And this is what I got-

the two skeins-both wound up and in a skein( I love the way it looks in a skein!!!!!), as well as the piece of knitting, and a closeup. I think I like it-it is the middle panel for a wrap-I would like to frame it in black.

The other piece of knitting involves an unknown yarn (to me)-it is Persimmon Tree Farm, hand dyed "pot luck" yarn-wool/mohair. I have about 500 yards of that one. So I cruised around, looking at lace patterns, and thought-gee this looks interesting-it is soft as can be, with a lovely hand, and just a bit of fuzz. I think it will be a lovely, triangular scarf to wrap around my neck in the winter- I kind of want a new coat for next year- in a dark green. The colours in this are a rose, a bright lizard green, a darker green, a gold-peach-kind of sweet.

Otherwise, all is quiet on this front. I have to hunker down and get my report cards finished (didn't I just do those darn things?) And I have a couple of sweaters and a mitten up for show and tell at the local Wool Tyme- there is a bit of a shinding there tomorrow- I thought I might drop in.

I leave with you a question-a customer came into the store, and said she would love a sweater just like mine- Noro Silk Garden, entrelac front and back (small stuff- it was a 4 st entrelac-lots of turning), with a funnel neck and plain knit sleeves-what would you charge to knit it?

I got a TREAT!!!!!

Lookee!!! Lookee!!!!!
A while ago, I signed up for Knitter's Treat Exchange. The deal was this- a one time only, knit-treat-whatever, you reveal yourself, boom, you're done. I kinda liked the whole idea of that.
And today was MY day-The parcel was from Brianne in Richmond, Virginia. And check out the spoiling!!!
First of all, a great bag-just the right size to pop in a pair of socks, or a sleeve, or a piece of knitting-perfect. Some yummy coffees (I do love a nice cup of coffee- was never much of a tea person), candles (that "mandarin pomelo" smells awesome), a sheepy notebook, a satiny sleep mask (later about that), and 3 balls of scrumptious Classic Elite "Wool Bam Boo" in a stunning green-wow!!!! My treater must know how hard it is to get Classic Elite yarn around here- I haven't met one of their yarns I haven't liked. Sooo-as I was admiring my treat, in walks the Big Giant Poodle Head. Sniff Sniff, Snort, Snuffle- next thing I know, he has a sleep mask up over his nose.

So, he decides his job is to lay down amongst the spoils, just to see if there was anything for him, of course (he denied it, but I knew he was looking for a little somethin' somethin")


It is kind of hard to get mad at him, though. Especially when he flashes those big browns at you.

Thanks Brianne-in the words of one of my Grade 7 boys...."Ya done real fine." Thanks!

Garage Sales

Our street had its annual garage sale-it is quite the circus. You basically scour out basements and garages, and pile it all out, pour the coffee, and hope for the best. The big draw at our house was the Bear. He was Mr. Personality-he "schmoozed" all of the people coming by-kids and babies right on up. It was interesting-he came with a choke chain (which I removed-I really don't care for the things on a daily basis). Since his behaviour has been impeccable (when we are out in the yard, for example, he doesn't even try to leave the boundaries- and we don't have fences...yet), we haven't needed to use it for training. So I thought to put it in the yard sale. But nooooooo. Bear grabbed it and lay on it, and wouldn't leave it alone. Tail wagged the entire time. So what gives? We finally had to put it in a drawer. That is part of the mystery of rescue pups-you don't really know the whole story. But it obviously meant something positive to him.
So after a whole morning of selling our wares, we packed up, started the housework for the week (why do we always leave it for the weekend????), and ended up hitting the local "East Side Mario's" with the neighbours for supper. I had placed my order at the same time as everyone else, but when the food came-nothing for me. It seems my plate had inadvertently gone to another table. Okay, things happen. So the manager came over, very apologetic, says that they are making up a fresh plate for me (thank goodness-I really didn't want to eat something that had been sitting at someone else's table- you just never know). The manager came over later, with a little note for me, saying how sorry she was. I ate, paid the bill-off we went. Then I thought-maybe I should check that note. It turned out to be a gift certificate for $20! Works for me!!!!!
I am involved in two Secret Pal Exchanges-SP10 and Knitter's Treat Exchange. I enjoy these exchanges-I like the giving part, and as well, it is interesting to see what you will get in return, based on your answers to their questions. I have sent out both of my parcels (quite some time ago) and got positive responses. I am getting my second SP10 parcel ready-trying to get it sent out this week. So tell me- what sorts of things have you gotten in secret pal exchanges that you truly appreciated and enjoyed???? Anything innovative that made you smile? I want to make this a special package. Suggestions are welcome!!!!
I also have been knitting-pictures later-when a little more is showing.
Have a great long weekend, fellow Canadians!!!!!

A Public Service Message......

Well, I tried knitting last night- the broken finger gets in the way- but I can knit!!!! Amazing how much I have missed it.
And now for the public service message........................


On Sunday, May 27, the Toronto Spiders will take up the International Wool Challenge (Back to Back Competition) for the fourth consecutive year. This competition, involving teams around the world, requires that a sheep be shorn and the fleece spun, plied, and knitted into a sweater (according to a standard pattern) in one day.After two years at the Ontario Handspinning Seminar and a year at Toronto's Riverdale Farm, this year the Toronto Spiders will be at the Pickering Museum in Greenwood, as part of their Opening Day. The team is made up of Wannietta Prescod (the Fastest Knitter in North America in 2005 & 2006), Barbara Aikman, Julia Lee, Judy Pergau, Denise Powell, Karen Richens, and Lorraine Smith of Spinners Quarterly. Our shearer is Bob Comfort, and Joan Kass and Judy Findlay will be our timekeepers and educators. We look forward to having lots of interest and support from passers-by. Like all Back to Back Challenges, we will be raising money for cancer research.We will be attempting to beat our Canadian record time of 6 hours, 51 minutes, and 15 seconds, so hope to finish some time between 4 and 5 p.m.If you are in the neighbourhood, please do drop by and wave, say "Hey y'all", but don't expect us to stop what we're doing to chat with you until the sweater is done!

Looks way cool- if you are in the area- drop by and let me know how it all went!

I have been memed!

(by Miss Scarlett)
And here it is........
Here’s how to play…
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 interesting people and post their names 4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
My 8 things…
1. I have an unnatural dislike of the colour blue- sky blue and royal blue in particular. I swear I was scared by something blue as a child, but...? For years, I refused to wear blue of any sort (including jeans) I have relented somewhat, but.....
2. My second toe is longer than my big toe, and this bugs me- even though other people seem to be like that, and don't seem to be bothered. (Their toes don't bother me, just my own)
3. I have a flannel quilt, lap size, that I take with me to the couch when I can't sleep at night . I wrap my legs in it, or put it around my shoulders, and it somehow comforts me when insomnia hits. My mom made it, so this is likely the connection. (by the way, I am 48- well past needing a blankie)
4. I often tell people, when they ask how old I am, that I am thirty-eighteen. That "40-something" is a real problem, because, in my head, I am about 25 or 26.
5. I always have at least 4 knitting projects on the go, often more.
6. I have a love hate relationship with crochet. I see something that someone else has made, and I think-"Gee, how pretty." Then I try it myself- and ugh. Lump it.
7. I don't drink milk- at all- and I haven't since I was about 2. I had anemia or something, and Mom put drops of some sort in my milk. It made the milk taste foul, and so I stopped drinking it. And even now, when I taste milk or "something milky", I get that very sour, acid taste. Gag me.
8. Years and years ago, in Grade 8, I held a provincial shot put record for about 3 hours (when someone else at the meet broke that record). I am built like a shot putter, not like a ballerina, by the way.

And now, to send the meme to 8 other people- here we go...................
Ruth http://impulsivearts.typepad.com/knitting/
Ruby http://gaspe-knitting.blogspot.com/
Anne http://www.wooltymekingston.blogspot.com/
Robyn http://redbirdknits.blogspot.com/
Rochelle http://www.notesonbeing.blogspot.com/
Renee http://www.froggiemeanie.blogspot.com/
Lynne http://iwasknittogetherinmymotherswomb.typepad.com/i_was_knit_together_in_my/2007/05/post.html#comments
Mandy http://yarnageddon.com/

This collection of ladies is a most interesting, and vibrant group. Should make for good reading!!!!!!!!
Good weekend, all-

I forgot to say that the person who "won" my chair at the auction was the organizer of the whole thing!!!! She had told me that she wanted the chair- and , well, I guess she wasn't kidding!!!!!!
As I was cruising around, I found a meme at Miss Ewe's (http://missewe.blogspot.com/)- While I don't normally do the meme thing, I enjoyed this one- And I challenge anyone reading this to add it to their own posts-

Mark with bold the things you have knit (or are knitting), with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.
Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up -tried this once-unsuccessfully-plan to try again- anyone have a good pattern?
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting -used to do this by accident now and then. Now I say I did it on purpose.
Participating in a KALSweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting -I watched a display of group knitting once- with 4 knitters- is that what this means?
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (hunh??????)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book (- yeah, when flying monkeys come out of my....never mind))
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living (One would have to work long and hard to do that!)
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks-next on the list!
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards-and hated it- it didn't feel right
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair-when it gets wet, does it smell doggy?
Hair accessories
Knitting in Public


Hmmm- I guess I have tried out a few more things than I had thought!

The Results are in!!!!!!

Wow- what an evening that was! The "Chair Affair" was attended by many-it also was a real nerve-wracker for me. It is very difficult, as an artist, to put your work out there, and know that your abilities and the whole elan of the final product are being judged. And that money is involved. (All well and good for your friends to tell you it is a great piece, but when it comes to people actually doing the BUYING- another story). Anyhow, the bidding started off rather quietly- lovely chairs were going for $200, or $300. Bidding was tough- even for the very talented Alicia Gordon (the auctioneer). And I was shaking in my boots. My chair was in the last quarter of the program-just long enough to get me through every last fingernail!!!!! When my chair was brought up on the stage.........I think I was hyperventilating at that point.........the bidding STARTED at $500. Final bid- $1300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was pretty happy. Then the next few chairs were by recognized artists in the area-and the highest bid on any of those was $1200. There was one chair, done by a fellow who builds custom furniture, that went for a huge amount- $2800. But that chair had been altered considerably. It was a lot bigger, and had inserts of cork and carving in the wood. (Also a lot heavier, judging by how it was carried up to the stage). But of all the non-modified ones, mine ended up making the most.
Okay- brag over.
But one more thing- the $1300 that was made by that chair will go to feed two families, 5 children each, for a year, and still have $300 left over for another family. For more information, go and see www.g2gkingston.ca
The Stephen Lewis Foundation will thank you for any support you can give.

What am I going to wear......

Since I can't wear my snazzy jacket, since I can't seem to knit very well these days....................I had to figure out what to wear for Thursday night. Mind you- I am quite comfortable in jeans and a cotton and lycra t-shirt. Seems to be my uniform these days. Sooooo-I had a little look around and did a wardrobe inventory-found that I had absolutely NOTHING to wear to such an event. Like NUTHIN'. I have way dressy (like evening weddings) or I have "barely getting dressed to get out of bed" (like pj pants). Neither of those would work. Then I had "stuffy" things- like interview material. Nah. No good. Now this is $25 per ticket shin ding. So I feel a bit obligated to look like I put some thought into my outfit. So I went shopping (what else could I do????? I was injured!!!) I got a pair of gray chalk stripe pants, a white tuxedo shirt with French cuffs, and a plain black sweater with some cute details with sleeve and high waist. Put it all together with black flats and a long LONG black and clear necklace- I'm set.
I don't think I thought so much about what to wear since I got married.
Now THAT is a fairly sad statement of affairs.

OOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

Yup- broken finger, dislocated joint-needed two ring nerve blocks to get the damn thing straight again . Soooo- it appears that my hopes of getting my amazing sweater done for the big night (Thursday) are right down the tubes. And how did this happen? First, you take one giant Poodle Head. Add a smidge of spring fever and a tendency to bolt when scared. Now throw in a neighbour's Soft Coated Wheaton (same age as Bear). I dropped his lead because he was getting frisky. When I bent to pick it up, I had just caught my ring finger in the loop and he bolted. Caught my finger and pulled. I even heard the snap. When I looked down at my finger , my fingernail was facing my middle finger!!!!!! "Oh man. This can't be good," I remember thinking. I figured I was in shock, so I tried to straighten it a bit. Yeah. Dumb.

Anyhow- 4 to 6 weeks like this. No knitting for awhile. I tried, mind you, but I was awkward, and it hurt.

Now I have to go shopping to try to sort out my wardrobe dilemma for Thursday.

Onto other news- I saw my chair over at Chapters-it was way cool. I also met the husband of the chair of "The Chair Affair", and he wanted to know more about the chair, and implied that if his wife wanted the chair, so be it. What a sweetheart.

And so it goes...........................................................

PS- Bear actually seems to feel bad! He snuggles and tries to put his big furry head on my shoulder. He has sniffed my finger at least a dozen times, and then looks at me with those great big eyes. I know- he's a dog. But I think he "gets" it.

Update

Oh the interview was a blast-the interviewer made everything so easy. My knees DID wobble a bit- but I think I was fairly coherent. If you are in the Kingston area- go check out CKWS-TV, 5:30 on Monday. And you will see the chair. And me. If you can't get that station- I will try to describe myself as accurately as possible-....I am tall, willowy, blonde, everyone says I look exactly like a high fashion model............okay, maybe not. (My husband has*ahem* lovingly referred to me as a "Shetland Pony"-short sturdy legs and a square body-so get THAT image in your head!!!!!!!!!!!!) But listen to the big BIG BIG news- the chair of "The Chair Event" is a well known Kingston person- and she wants to buy my chair!!!!!!! She said she loved it and that it was her favourite one-isn't that a blast!!!! And my chair will be on display at the local Chapters on upper Princess Street on Saturday and Sunday (11-5). A rep from the organization will be there to talk about Africa and the great needs of these ladies.
So-find yourself a moment to look up the Grandmother Connection, and see how you, too, can give. It makes you feel like a million!