Thank you!

My C'ville secret pal sent me such a nice present!!

I opened the box, and yarn popped out at me. The box was stuffed full of 18 skeins of Modea Dea Cartwheel!!! And such a pretty mix of autumn colors!



It looks like handspun wool....with the variations in thickness.....and it's about WW in weight.

I'm trying to figure out a pattern to use.......along the lines of a scarf or two, or a fall weight shawl.

Any ideas anyone??? All suggestions appreciated!!

Finally done!

Why am I taking a picture of yarn scraps?? They aren't just scraps......they are life lines and ends that aren't needed anymore! The lace scarf I have been working on for ISE4 is now officially DONE!!!

I was delayed a bit in finishing by a mistake I noticed......of course, I only saw it after I had knitted nearly 4 more pattern repeats.....lol. Cost me several days of knitting -- but it's all done now!!!



Because of the dark purple color, I had a hard time getting a good photo. I am very pleased with the way it came out. Maybe my partner that I'm sending it to can get a better picture. :) I used the Cinnabar pattern from MagKnits.

It will be on its way to Australia later today! :)

Thank you to my SP10 Secret Pal for the reveal box she sent me......well, a sort of reveal box...she hasn't told me who she is yet! :)



She sent me a skein of variegated wool (very pretty greens), two skeins of Cascade Rainbow, a large scrapbook punch, mini watercolor paints, a mini photo album with a very pretty handmade cover, stitch markers, a gorgeous beaded bracelet, a neat African pendant, vintage glass beads, J shaped stickie notes, a Cupid pin, and a bunch of flavored teas! Thank you!!

Here's a closeup of the bracelet:



It's very very pretty!!!! Thank you Secret Pal -- you've made this exchange really fun!!! Now......who are you??????? I'm so curious!!!!

Thank you!

I received my ISE4 package from Australia!! :)

Thank you Kate!!!

Kate sent me a beautiful green cabled scarf, and a lace knit kerchief!! I love both!!! She also included an Australian knitting magazine "Yarn'', a pair of casein knitting needles (I can't wait to try them out!), a brooch pin, some cute sheep notecards, directions and information to go with the special knitting needles she sent me, and a nice note!

Here's a picture!



Here's a closeup to show the cabled scarf better:



I just love everything you sent Kate -- thank you!!!! :)

My partner for ISE4 is still patiently awaiting her scarf. I was soooo close to being able to bind it off, and then found a mistake......I had to tink back several pattern repeats....ARGH!!! But, nearly done!! It will be in the mail to Marg in Australia very very soon!!! I'll post a photo when I'm all done with blocking, etc. :)

Gettin' My Geek On!

Last weekend, we traveled to Charlotte for ConCarolina -- an entire weekend of playing boardgames!! Yes......we are gaming geeks. And proud of it!!

This year, my step-daughter came along with us. She is not a gamer....she came along for the trip, the hotel pool and to play with Joshua, her nearly 3 year old little brother. We also bribed her with money....lol. She was a great babysitter!! We all had a great time! Mikey (my 16 year old) came along too and played various role playing games all weekend. And, our good friend Butch came with us as well.

A great time was had by all!! Here's some photos from the weekend:



~The first game of the weekend was Struggle for Rome. I believe Michael (left) won this game. For any gamers out there, it's a distant relation of Settlers of Catan, and an enjoyable game!~


~We tried a new pickup game called Boomtown (Face to Face games).
It was a fun little card/bidding game. I whupped up on Mike (L),
Butch (M) and our friend Steve (R) in this first game. :) More info
on Boomtown is available here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/10997
We see Steve each year at the Charlotte convention. He's a great guy!~



~Butch plots his next troop movement in Conquest of the Empire.~



~And we would all be nowhere without our resident rules
afficianado, Mike~



~Here's a shot of the entire Conquest of the Empire board. Yes, it's a
complicated game, but great fun. This game took about 5 hours to
finish. I won, but it was a very close game. More info on Conquest
is here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/17710~

The guys also played Wings of War (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9203),
Settlers of Catan (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/13), and several other great
games during the weekend. :)

Sonya and Joshua also had a good time!!



~Toddlers just won't hold still for photos....lol~



~"That water looks cold....I think I'll hang out here...~

THE MANY FACES OF A 3 YEAR OLD:



Silly: "Shennanigans!''


Innocent: "Gee, I dunno what happened to your pop....''


Confused: "Are you talking to ME?"


Mad: "I don't want to!''


Luckily the mad face goes away fast!!!

Whew......I think that's a record for photos in one post for me......lol.

Outdoor Graduation??

Not much tempts mother nature more than washing your car, or planned outdoor events like graduations or weddings.

We were in a drought here in western NC.....no substantial rain for too long. But today is my step-daughter's graduation.....and you guessed it.....



Total downpour, thunder, lightning, high wind......mother nature is really putting on a show.

I don't think graduation is going to be outside tonight. lol.

But you never know. Maybe it will clear up, and be outside after all.....

Thank you!!!!

My Crochetville Secret Pal sent me the most wonderful surprise!

I received a wood G hook from Turn of the Century!



Isn't it gorgeous?? I can't wait to try it out! Thank you so much!! You are a great Secret Pal!!! I was totally surprised!

I also received a great surprise from my Knitting Pal, Allison!



Allison sent me two skeins of Paton's Rumor in a pretty purple, an issue of Vogue Knitting, a wonderful scented candle, bookmarks, some green tea, a journal, a "J'' shaped notepad and some great scrapbooking supplies! She also sent some maple sugar candy and a jar of Maple Syrup from Canada -- the syrup isn't in the photo as hubby and the boys jumped on it nearly as soon as the box was open and made waffles. :)

Thank you Allison!!!! :)

A Virtual Vacation!!

Sometimes a knitter just needs to get away from it all.....and now there's a swap to help you do that! Sharon is hosting a Virtual Vacation Swap, and of course, I couldn't resist!! :)

Here's my survey:

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? Florida...I would like to go to Disney World. We're waiting for our youngest son to be old enough before we make the trip.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Germany. That's where my family is originally from.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries? I've driven from the midwest to the east coast. Longggg drive, but interesting.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it? Torremolinos, Spain. It was gorgeous! Tangiers, Morocco too -- the Rock of Gibraltar was really awesome! Our boat went right past it. :)

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why? Going to the Ozarks with my family when I was a kid. It was a great trip. :)

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
I moved from Kansas to NC in 2003. There are lots of "touristy'' things in NC (like gold panning) that I haven't done yet....but when our toddler is old enough for little outings like that, I plan to do it all! :)

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker? All 3!! As well as Antique shopper and thriftstore rummager!

8. What's your favorite type of yarn? fingering/sock/sport weight -- I love to make lace scarves.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? Plastic-y thick cheap rough acrylics like Popn'yarn. After knitting with it for awhile, it starts to hurt my hands. I don't have trouble with softer regular WW acrylics though.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? Scarves, handbags, dishcloths

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation? I pack a knitting tote with a couple projects, a notebook and pen, scissors, measuring tape, needles, pattern, yarn, etc.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? I also embroider and am teaching myself cross stitch and needle tatting. I also paint metal miniatures.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise) I am a diabetic. So please no candy or sweets. Although I do allow myself 1 cup of flavored coffee or cocoa each day -- my one splurge. :) And I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke.

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite? My favorite colors are blue and green. And I also like Jewel tones, or autumn shades. My least favorite color is light pink -- I really detest pink. lol. :)


15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)? I like either one. On the sugary end of things, I have to have "sugar free'' candies because of diabetes. But I can have flavored coffee or cocoa. On the savory end of things, I try to avoid too much fat.....but I do love salted nuts.