Did lots of things!

Wow, my Crafting was busy this past holiday season. Knitting was only part of it.

I know I am not alone, and I have a ton of stuff to share. But first I am going to show off a gift that I made for a swap.

We have done this in the past and it was great to get involved with the gang again. This is for a good friend who has moved up country and came back to join us for the gift exchange!
So it's a bit of a selection of goodies. A Coffee sugar scrub, knit hat in an alpaca blend, cute note book, some chocolate, leather bracelets made with "noodle beads" and a heat bag set.

I was really into the sugar scrubs this year, and made them for all the ladies in my family. They were a hit, and that made me really happy so I made this one inspired by a drink that we all enjoy at the end of a party night. (thanks J, you rock)
The final addition to the gift was a hand-painted shirt

I love painting shirts and I haven't done it in ages.... this was fun and inspiring, the colour is totally different in life. The paint actually has a combination of black and silver glitter and when you photograph it, the silver dispersal. Oh well..... the shirt was awesome and she loved it so I win!

Next year should be just as fun! Next post.... more things I did! LOL

Here are some neat things....

As I mentioned I was spoiled in our group gift swap.
Here is the proof. First a fantastic hand quilted Bodum cover. The fabric is devine and she did swirls for me! I love swirls.... lol They came with 5 matching cup cozies... for travel mugs and home cups. They are just as pretty!

Next up is.... my amazing baby ice dragon. Isn't he amazing. He is about the same size as the Bodum.... and at the moment he is nestled  in a nook in my book case with some lovely yarns... to keep him safe from the live furries that I have in my home. Sam took one look and then folowed me around the house trying to talk (imploring eyes ) me into giving up the stuffie.... No way. Mine! This picture doesn't do him justice, his tummy is sparkly white and his tail is fantastic! I will have to sneak him into the sunshine and take some better pictures... without the dog noticing! LOL

He hasn't been named yet... nothing has been apropriate, I will let you know when I do.

This all came in a fantastic black and white project stand/ basket, with a copy of Jane Austen's collected works, chocolates, cookies and really cool teas. I think it was the best gift! She knows me well!

Thanks very, very much to my gift giver..... Dragon Rhapsody

Amazing stuff gal! Pop by her blog and see her pics of it... he is super cute in her picture!
(The baby and the dragon!)  ;)

So, wow... we did our gift exchange .

Yay Christmas gift giving has completed! No seriously...... we did our swap for our group of friends... it was great! Here we go, for gifts that I gave today... and the goodies I was gifted later.

Mitts for Julia, inspired by her dog Strider......

She squeed... it was very gratifying. I really wanted to make sure that the fingerless gloves that I made for Julia were perfectly suited for her.  I did begin with a pattern that I was familiar with, but it didn't work out, so I had to make it up as I went along. The dog I found in a Selbu mitten book, and I tweaked it to look more like her furry big guy. I really like how they turned out.

I made her two tea cosies, and I only got one photographed. The first one, was begun out of recycling a sweater..... it was a great adventure, but I had total swap anxiety about it..... so I tossed it in the pile of fix it later, and went with a back up plan of lopi yarns and knitting..... and the lopi made me break out in cold sores! So I had to get a pinch knitter... Thanks Jen! When I was discussing my trouble with Jen, she got a chance to see the recycled sweater project, and was sure that Julia would love it.... so I finished it off too....

As you can see I felted a sweater and did some embroidery on the front. And lined it with some great botanical fabric. She liked it, I also liked it, and I think I will be making a few more. Seriously this was a inspiring project, I have so many notes on new ones that I plan on... and one cut out sitting beside me now. LOL

Sorry about not having the other cosy photographed, but I also like that pattern so much that I am on my third one... really easy and so easily made to match other peoples tastes. I will have pics of the others.

Finally I knit a Multnoma in a colourway that I thought she would love. And she did! YAY!

Here it is on a blocking board.
It looks great around the neck, I may see if I can get her to model for me....

On my needles.... two tea cosies, a sweater or two, socks and mittens. More on that later. Have a good Sunday.

A few gifts...

Wow.... big!

From the swap... I told you I would share...

First a fantastic little dishcloth, that is in use right now... so no you can't see it sorry that may be a bit gross.

Next a lovely cowl in a really neat yarn... super cozy!

Finally a GIANT bag! See the lovely lining (her first ever sewing project) A new home for travelling knitting projects! :D

Awesome gifts. Thanks Miss May!

Updates on other projects later! Have a great weekend!

Husband away.... more crafty time!

I am getting some movie and knitting time in with the man away... I have a few more update pics to show you....

but first a esential kitty shot......

Hello out there!! Hi Redd and all other kitties! Hi Static! I rule the yarn!!

Let me see what else do I have for showing off... ah, Endpaper mitts that I just started knitting in a Kal with a good friend, Love the colours! I think that this will be a great project to knit up for my sister and mom too.

The Ocean socks are done!!

I have another charity blanket that I am knitting with the Stitch It podcast group on Ravelry......

This one is called the Barnyard Dance.. it is pretty cute so far and I got a few lovely goodies from Chelsea who sent it to me! Thanks again!!! Now to figure out what the heck I am going to put on it!!

Ah I have the Sea Shawl that I am knitting as a thank you gift for a friend.... Iit is totally her colours, and Feather and fan could not be an easier pattern for me!

I am knitting another pair of slippers for my sister, but I have no camera this weekend so I have to update that for you later. I am going to felt the two pairs at the same time so the other pair is done and waiting felting. That is great to have done, but I really want to give them to her so I really want the other pair done, I knit the first one already today and I plan on having the second done before bed!

I started a new shawl (another friend gift too) but that is not far at all so the pic is not intresting... sorry. Well, obviously it's black and beady, but I haven't even started on the lace part yet! So this is the shot I have!

I am really far into the vest for Hubby but I have to say that I am going to the LYS for advice this week, I am getting close and want to get the shoulders right.... I would hate to have re-knit it this far and then screw up! It is so close to being off the needles that I reall want to get it done, but I am afreaid of improper shaping. Oh well, I will get over it this week and get it done I have a CPH to knit for myself! Maybe the Olive Branch Yoga hoodie too.

The gals that I knit with at the coffee shop and I are going to do a Rogue KAL in the new year after all the holiday knitting is over. I think that it will be a blast. I already have the Rogue kit, so I am set to go and I hate the fact that it is just sitting there... I know thaq we all buy yarns that we intend to use, and sometimes don't get to but I really want to get it made. I think that I will make it a cardigan, I am really using them right now, intrestingly enough the 3 sweaters I have mentioned knitting are all to be cardigans.....

We met and did a mini stash swap at a friends house on Friday night. I went with two bags and came home with one (and half of that was some of the stuff that I went over with). We all kinda decided that if we had had it a few years it was time to re-evaluate! Mostly it was the yarns that I bought when I was a newer knitter and a student... affordable and washable acrylics. Now I can wash with care and be a bit more picky on what I buy. So I passed on my sleeping yarns to friends who are students and have something in mind for the yarn! I think that we are going to do this again in the new year also... I want to get some things made!

So that is my mini update, hope to have some good FO news for you later this week. Hope your weekend was good, and take some time on Tuesday to do a bit of remembering for our war vets.

This one is for you!

This is for bhean. Who sent me a new nomad! Isn't she cute!!!! YAY!
I realise that this is posted twice..... but who can resist!

No seriously........YAY! Thanks bhean you rock!!

Wonder of wonders......

Knitting!!!
YAY!!!
Here is my progress on my Wicked: almost done the shaping. I have extended it a bit as I have heard that many people wish it was longer, and it does look short on them. So I decided to be proactive but I only added about an inch so far.... we shall see! I love this! It knits up so great.... and the yarn is great to work with! I have also heard a rumor that WOTA from knitpicks is scratchy, I hope not. It has been great to work with so far! I guess I will have to finish this one before I can order more in other colours! To be on the safe side! :)

So I also have news about my pinup girl swap! I got my box!!! Look at all the goodies! ( BTW that little pink knitting up ther with wicked...... was for my partner Chimerix for this swap. I can't tell you what it was.... it may spoil the suprise! Ihope she likes it!

We agreed to spoil each other! She kept her end of the bargian, and I have to say that I feel no anxiety at this stage about my end either! I got tons of goodies! She is a seamstress so she made me things that I would never have made for myself! She doesn't knit..... so I did the same!

Comment always welcome! I love hearing from you guys! Take care and have a great last two weekdays! Friday night I am off to the Relay for life!!! YAY GO BEACHBABES GO

LOL

Sunny Weather!

So it's sunny outside and it has been warm for the past few weeks!

Boy do I have a tan...... except on my legs. I wear pants to work and it really shows...

So today I think that I will take my knitting project outside to catch some rays in my shorts to try and even this issue out! LOL

I do have update photos on my Wicked.... but I don't have the dock to download!!!

Dangit!

So I will have to post again tomorrow or Monday with some knitting eye candy!

I have been knitting a new project too, for my Pinup swap 3.

I got my pacage in the mail and boy did I get spoiled! I am so glad that my return package spoils her too! LOL No swap anxiety for me! no sir!

A little mood lightener for you:

Have a GREAT weekend gang!

Pictures anyone?

Some swap fun for ya!

I was the happy recipient of two other packets this week!

I am sucking at getting my projects done, so I am giving you these pics.... hopefully I will have some FO's for you next week. LOL I really want to finish this stuff!

I did get my swap knit item done, and when she has it in her hot little hands I will give you more details..... for now all the packets that I have sent are in the wind (well the post)

They are both from Craftster swaps...... the top is March wishlist swap from superhooker. That stuffie is tall! LOL I think she is great! I should take a pic of where I have her. No name yet..................same for my wee alien. This image below is handspun alpalca lovlieness! From instar and the "Handspun& Handcrafted 2" swap. I made her something fantastic and she spun me these fabulous hanks! The top one is beaded too!!!!!! YAY I can't wait to make a shawl out of it.... she sent the other two as additional shawl details, 500 meters of the stuff total! She rocks... I hope she likes my packet.

I sent out three this week, two in Canada and one to Australia...... that may take some time. dang.

Anyway comments welcome, or whatever.... LOL I should try to knit a bit..... LOL

Got swap swag!

YAY! I was the happy happy girl who had two swap packet arrive this week!

So after a few very, very tiring days at work...... I got goodies! YAY!!!! LOL

So this first one is a packet from the March Wishlist swap on craftster....... thanks to AsphaltQueen! Sari yarn! eeeeeeeeeeee!!! A great journal, a gong (desk sized), lovely hand made cards and a bag of rings from her wedding that she kindly sent so that I may have them for my wedding if I need them! YAY! Thanks so much..... I already posted in the swap gallery so she knows that I have it! Too great!

And this second one was from last month's swap..... a giraffe on a t-shirt made just for me! She was totally great! SO you see what the giraffe is made of? All the spots are SKULLS!!!!

LOL!!! Such a cool touch! she knew that I liked giraffes and skulls! LOL Thanks Bigmouth!!

April wishlist is in full swing with myself organizing again. So far last month was HUGE but this month is shaping up nicely! Stop by...... check it out......

Thanks for the well wishing.... I was sick all last week, but I went to work cuz I really don't have to worry about passing it on to others. Another benefit of working outside! I have some lovely pictures from this past week and I will share them later. So much sunshine!! Makes things move right along, and work a pleasure! I will have a tan in no time, I better pull out the sunscreen soon.

So my brown sweater had to be put aside for a bit due to a swap project that I have been creating, no sleeves yet, but I am hoping to get that remedied tonight! I am still trying to get some work done on Mariah, as well as plan the next sweaters. I have decided on Sonnet and Sesame for the next two, swatching has commenced but other than that I am sad to say I have nothing to report. This week I have all my swap packets to send out though, so I will have some pics of the finished goodies in those and have time to get back on track on my own projects! I did get some dyeing in this weekend, but I was coughing so hard all night thother night, I barely slept and didn't feel like tacking my other projects this weekend! Oh am I glad to feel better today!

Hope to let you know this week! have a great one, and I hope your long weekend was nice!

So today is another lovely spring day!

And I'm inside at home because I feel poopy. I got a chill last week and I have been developing a cough, sore throat and sinus issues ever since! Dang!
It sucks, days like this I really love my job, I do garden maintenance and landscaping, and the flowers that you see in the pic of my little pal are just the begining! LOL
Here we have sakura (cherry blossoms) already! So pretty!
I'll get a picture for another day's posting!

So thanks for all the compliments on my spacy scarf! I appreciate it! Also, Errika, it was the Feburary wishlist swap that I got my little pal from, I was the organizer this month and I think that I will do April as well! Craftster is fun! LOL
Hope you are all having a great day!

New Friend!

So, I had a suprise waiting in my mailbox yesterday!

I just have to show you!

Lovingly delivered from Scotland all the way here to Canada by Shooting Star! Gotta love swaps! I had a little pal. It sure was a big hit last night at Knit Night! LOL

I also promised an update of my sweater........ this is the Buttony sweater from ohmystars. Gotta get the arms on and the buttons too, but other than that not bad huh? This would me my "March" sweater..... yes I am still working on Feburary. I still love it too! I have been swatching for "April" and "May" LOL. Who dosen't love sweaters!

So anyway that is my update for today! Thanks for stopping by!

About time for a fresh post...

Well, I think so anyway!
I finished the body of the Buttony sweater that I am in a KAL for.
Now onto the sleeves, I just have to get that hat off the needles! LOL

I was at the Weavers and Spinners Guild meeting for Langley last night. I saw some fantastic work, spoke to some lovely people, and generally had a good time. Fiberfest is coming up in Abbotsford at the Tradex May 10-11. I wonder if I will have time to volunteer...... that would be cool! I did however get a second job lined up so I may not be able to. Gotta put away that money for a house, and to make that debt go away.

So I have been carding the fleece that I dyed. I can't wait to try spinning it, but first I have to send some out. I promised some to a friend and I am sending to Australia for my current swap. Yes, the one that I am organizing..... I had to join, everyone is so great! LOL

Oh and I was the recipient of a gift today. Faye gave me a shalish weaving loom.... and some of her own handspun fiber! She even had some form her ram "Sam" he was a dark thing! I hope to have pictures very soon, of everything! LOL

Fiber Friday.....alas!

Well, not alas for me, alas for you guys!
My Knitpicks order came in!!!! YAAAAY!

And I took pictures to flash! But the camera, and cords are up at the the fiance's oops, guess I'll update that part later! I am really excited, this bring so much promise! I have several new projects looking at me from this box! lol

AND.......... I have update pics of the projects that I am working on...... the double knit scarf (which I highly reccomend you all make if you have a chance! It is fun!) hats for the charity auction tonight, just about everything!

So I will either post those tonight, or later this weekend, the fiance and I ane going to a sportsman show tomorrow in Abbotsford! We went last year and it was totally facinating! I am hoping we have some guests to join us, but who knows! Maybe I can post some pics of that for your enjoyment!
Other news I am organizing a swap! Well no one else could, and I really loved doing the Wishlist swap, so this month on Craftster I organized it! yay me! LOL I'm sure it will all go smoothly

Have a great GREAT weekend, and enjoy whatever you have to do!

oooo goodies!

So I was fortunate enough to get mail today!!!! I have pics..... let me show you what I got!

oooooo so much fun!! As a warning, there are four pictures in this post and I know that I have a few more on the blog, so be aware, I don't want to have anyone upset over download time......

I seriously love swapping!!! I have reasons.... LOOK......

This is Benson, my very own pincushion!!!! LOL is he not the funniest thing that anyone could get in the mail! LOL I think that he is great! I have been waiting for him for a while! I guess, judging by the customs tape................ that he spent some time with the Canadian officials, because seriously, what customs officer would know what this guy was!!! LOL the colourful dots on him are his pins!!! LOL I wonder what he looks like going through an X-ray machine! no wonder he has a hole in his bum and some of his pin decorations appear to be broken! (incidentally he is filled with cotton batting and plastic pellets.......) oh man LMAO!!

So that was my first joy!! ( in all honesty, I don't think my family understood the joy on my face when they beheld Benson in all his glory.........)

Moving on......

*giggle*

This fantastic array of goodies is from another swapping partner.....

I got a PURSE! with SKULLS on it!!!! how fun is that! the lining which I seem to have forgotten to take a picture of, is a red snakeskin! It matches the skulls bandannas.... YAY!

In addition to that I got a spindle and some roving that was kool-aid dyed so I can try out spinning!!!! She is awesome!!! I have already thanked all these great swap partners in the proper galleries on craftster. I swear.

But wait.................there is more! yes I have received from my fat quarters swap! LOL aren't these nice!!! I have to think of something to make, I can't let them be stash, they are way to fun, and I know that I will never have this fabric again, so why not have some fun with it!?!?! Pillows maybe? I have no clue! LOL Too bad I don't quilt. You may have noticed that I have 7, not 6 that was what I was supposed to have, but she wasn't sure that I would like the golden fabric, so she gave it to me and made sure that I had 6 other anyway! Good thing this happened to me too, I have an extra for each of my partners.....
This final image is not a swap..... I knit it this weekend.... you can see it on my noggin in the top picture, I used a squash here, and it doesn't do the stitch justice........but it was all I had, the family is in bed so I can't model it on my noggin right now, and I really wanted to post.... so maybe later. I was trying to make sure that I had something done for Project Spectrum..... So I went with white as the colour, to challenge myself, I don't usually use white! This is Patons Classic Merino knit in the round into the Maple Seed Stitch hat I found on craftster.... I am now going to make several more as they only seem to take a few hours...... I love that!

I think that I may try to have a less picture oriented post next time. I realise that for some it takes a while to load this up, and that can be a pain and frustrating..... sorry about that. I will keep it light for a little while...... talk at you later!

A Little one!

So, I was a swap angel for a ATC swap.

Today I was notified that the first card has arrived, so I thought that I may as well share the images with you. I have no idea if the second person will in anyway see this before she gets her card, but I doubt it! LOL
The Hierophant:

And The Emperor:

The first was sent in Canada, and the second to Israel............... I hope that one gets through ok. I had fun making them. I tried a new technique, and other than the smell in my house from the blending markers, they worked well!

Hope you like!

well this will be a downer

It's true...... I have no FO's
I did finnish a baby blanket for my sister..... so that counts. But it means that the purple sweater is still on it's needles and it TAUNTS me!

I have worked on it! I swear....... I think that I like this yarn, but I will not be using this gauge again for anything but socks for a while! (oh wait I have three shawls to knit.......nevermind)

So I am dissapointed, because I know that there are folks out there who love seeing my pics. I feel the same I love a blog with pics. It is so nice to see someone who can get stuff done!!

Sadly, I can't show you what my swap partners have sent, as I think that the border gaurds may have taken a liking to my stuff and kept it. *le sigh*

I do have news on that however....... I was picked up as a pinch crafter in another swap! O this month in addition to the Feburary Wishlist swap, and the 1/2 a Dozen Fat Quarters Swap, I am also making an apron! I think it's title is Worth Your While Apron Swap...... I think. LOL
So I will post pic's next week sometime, as the yarn is coming to an end and I have got to be close to finnnishing off the sleeves!!! Plus I have to send out goodies, and I want to have pics.....maybe I shouldn't post those.......hmmmmm we shall see! Questions, comments, strange remarks? LOL