Second Secret Pal Package

Finally, my long last camera to computer cord has been found. So, without further ado, I bring you the second package my secret pal sent me!


Okay, starting with the awesome pink socks in the middle, and going clockwise, she sent me...
A really sweet card
Note pads with bird designs that are actually just my style
Soak Woolwash in Citrus (I've seen this at my LYS so many times and now I can finally try it!!)
Skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton - soooo soft, and already mostly used, as you can see. I couldn't wait to use it, so I made a hat for Eleanor for her christmas gift.
Hot pink page holder-upper. Very handy!
Hand salve, which is really helping in this cold weather we are having.
Stickers! Crafty stickers! They're really cute and funny - my favorite is obviously the knitting one ("Your gauge or mine?") haha. I'm way too excited about the stickers.

Thank you secret pal! You really wowed me with this one! Everything is just perfect! I have no idea who you are though - ahhhh suspense!!!

Now I really need to get on the ball and mail my second package!

Eeeek!

Michael and I are horrible at waiting until Christmas to exchange gifts when we have already purchased and wrapped them. So we exchanged; I gave him the lesser of his two games (hahaha he's going to like the second sooo much better), and he gave me my present. It's so beautiful. Boy knows how to pick some jewelry out. He got me the rose link bracelet from James Avery, and it's so wonderful. I can't stop smiling.

In other package news, I got my second package from my secret pal, and it blew me away. I am getting batteries for my camera tomorrow, but I am sooo excited to use the yarn and the stickers and the stationary and the wool wash! Thank you so much secret pal! I wish I had some idea who you were, but I'll find out sooner or later - probably when you tell me, hehe!

Secret Pal Package!

I got my first secret pal package in the mail yesterday, and everything is sooo wonderful! I'll start out with the money shot and then show you my absolute favorite:

She (I'm guessing it's a lady :) ) sent me a sweet card (I love the knitting design on the front), some very nice chocolate I haven't dared to touch yet, a wonderul body wash (grapefruit and mint - mmmmm), the softest lip balm I have ever used (and I needed it today!), and best of all, a pair of hand-knit fetching, from knitty's summer issue - in hot pink! It's the most amazing match to Thelma, my car, and I can't wait to put these to good use tomorrow. I can't do the pink justice by photographing it, but I'll try again in the sunshine tomorrow.
Look how even and beautiful the stitches are!


Thank you Secret Pal! You rock!

finished jaywalkers

Lorinda, my Secret Pal 9 hostess, asked us to talk about our favorite FO so far. Well, mine just happens to be my first pair of Jaywalkers, fresh off the needles this week! I loved this pattern so much. It was so simple but gave such a great result. The socks fit me great, and I wore them all day yesterday. This pair has definetly gotten me addicted to Cherry Tree Hill. Without further ado, the picture:


I am to the heel on my grandma's first sock, made of the lavendar Cascade Fixation. This yarn is interesting to me. I thought it would be hard to keep gauge with the elastic content, but the sock is going great, and so quick. I am doing just plain stockinette for this one, with a ribbed cuff and a short row heel. Nothing like trying out a new technique.

Secret Pal 9 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love Noro (Kureyon, Silk Garden mostly), Cherry Tree Hill supersock, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, anything alpaca or wool. I like animal fibers the best, but I'm not completely opposed to acryllic, as long as it's soft.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I just got a beautiful needle holder that somehow holds everything. It's silk, white and teal, with embroidery, and I love it.

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 over the summer of 2005. I caught on pretty quick, and I'd say I'm somwhere between intermediate and advanced. The only thing I haven't really done is colorwork. I'll be diving into that pretty soon though.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like 'clean' smells that aren't too powdery or flowery. Examples: anything with "rain" or "air" in the name or citrus smells.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have several sweet teeth. :) I like Toblerone quite a bit, and I have a weak spot for tangy, sour things, including sour punch straws and smarties.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am working on cross-stitch, but I don't really like it so far. I journal and paint occasionally. I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My musical tastes are pretty random. I like classics, such as John Lennon, the Beatles, Bill Withers and Ella Fitzgerald; some indie bands, such as the Shins, the Postal Service, Rilo Kiley, and old Belle & Sebastian; and finally, weird things like the Hello Dolly Soundtrack and Threepenny Opera. My computer and car stereo can both play cds.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My absolute favorite is pink. I like it enough to have a hot pink car. I love every color though, and I like changing things up colorwise between projects.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend, Michael, my two cats, Emo and Audrey (both brown tabbies, 5 years and 4 months, respectively), and our ever-growing black lab puppy, Topper (5 months).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, and occasionally mittens if I can find them. I don't do hats or ponchos, especially ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am developing a great love affair with the sock.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A pair of jaywalkers (almost done! must...keep...going!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo and aluminum needles best, Clovers are my favorites. I like circulars and straights both.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I'm hoping for one this christmas though.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
This is embarassing...I have a Picovoli tee on the needles that has been sitting in my knitting basket since July.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Shoes and yarn.

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 a pair of Addi Naturas at some point, but I don't know what size or length. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm about to start learning colorwork.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I'm a straight-up size 9 (US womens). I can take actualy measurements if you need me to.

23. When is your birthday? September 12