Damn, She's fast

Not two days after the "official" start date of SP9 and I had a package in my mailbox.

Shall we see what October treats were sent?

Great first impressions!

Ok, so here's what was inside, a quick note from secret pal, two skeins of Lopi in brown and blue, two cute halloween cookie cutters, a really cool googly eyed dog pen, a creepy eyeball pencil, a fall magnetic notepad, a small whitman's sampler (yay, chocolate!) some lindt truffles (yay, more chocolate!), a really cool little jeweled box of peppermints, a spider beanie, and the fall Knit It! :)

Thank you Secret Pal!

Now I need to go make dinner, I KNOW truffles aren't a good Weight Watchers friendly dinner, no matter how good they taste...

Proof

I do still knit on occasion, here's the proof.

Had to go all the way to my friend Cameron's place in Chicago to get some knitting time in this weekend, but it was worth the trip. Finished a sock, learned all about a new-to-me sport, put faces to names of a lot more of Cameron's friends and just had a nice fun visit.

So, what sock did I finish? The blue and khaki Regia cotton sock I've had on the needles forever. I cast on for it's mate yesterday morning. My mom is still waiting for me to cast on and finish the mate for the orange, green and yellow striped socks too, I think her feet are starting to get cold (she'll get them for Christmas).

Note to Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

In case you haven't noticed, it's only October. I just got used to fall colors being here again less than a week ago. Please keep the snow to yourself for at least another month so we can remember what Autumn is like.

Thank You,
Freezing in Michigan

Spoiled, Spoiled, Spoiled

I came home to a package notice on my door and ran over to the office to pick it up 3 minutes before they closed last night. I had a well wrapped package from Anna, my Knitters Tea Swap 2 spoiler.

She did very well at spoiling me. There was a lovely note, three tins of Adagio loose tea in flavors I haven't tried yet and three jasmine adagio tea bags. A box of Twining Lady Earl Gray, some cute teapot/teacup buttons, green tea lip balm, a pack of make your own teabags, an adorable teapot shaped infuser, some bath tea, lemon popyseed scones mix, some butter cookies, a skein of malabrigo, some cascade cotton in the colorway "iced tea" and two skeins of Wildfoot in a pretty purple with pink and turquoise. Plus a homemade rollercoaster note on how to decaf caffinated tea. Awesome package and definitely a great intro to the world of knitterly swaps!

Secret Pal 9 questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'll knit with just about anything, but I've got an affinity towards wool and other natural fibers. I'm new enough to the hobby that I'm still experimenting with all sorts of things.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I don't have a system for needle storage yet. There are needles all over the place around here.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned in March. I think I'm progressing into intermediate territory or at least adventurous beginner. Still haven't done much with lace despite a few attempts.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon List

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like citrusy scents and fruit scents over flowery stuff. Vanilla is a favorite too.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Of course. I love dark chocolate.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I've crocheted since college, my mom is trying to get me into scrapbooking right now too. I don't spin but I'm not adverse to learning.

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 all kinds of music, not a huge fan of country or rap.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm big on blues, greens and reds, there really aren't any colors that I despise.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live alone with two cats, Lily and Gromit.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, yes, yes, and no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks, dishclothes, bags

13. What are you knitting right now?
On the needles I have a couple scarves, a couple socks, a dishcloth, and a bag with my first sweater hopefully not too far off.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
absolutely

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I started on straights, but I'm really prefering circulars now, still using mostly bamboo, but I've used aluminum, addis, and plastic. I would love to try the new knitpicks needles too.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I have a winder, no swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
my oldest UFO is from March.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Probably Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
amusement park memorabillia (especially postcards, magnets, and christmas ornaments), I also collect Marvin the Martian stuff

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'm not subscribed to any of the magazines. Not sure what patterns are out there, nothing that I'm dying to get my hands on though.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to attempt colorwork and lace (not at the same time)

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
yes, I'm a women's US 8 1/2

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
6/11