Goodies for Me!!

I just love getting gifts! *yeah, I know, who doesn't!* A few weeks ago my Secret Pal sent me an email saying that she had sent out a teaser package. The swap hadn't even started yet! I was excited to say the least! Lookie what I got for a teaser!! A knitter's keychain and Harmony cable needles! My secret pal must have done a background check in me to know I just love anything with cables! Right now, I don't have a single project that requires cables... I must find something with cables to cast on!! *I know, like I need to cast on anything right now with so many UFOs on my needles, but that's an ADD knitter for ya!*

Thanks Secret Pal!!



And that's not all I got! Last Friday, I went to happy hour with my girlfriends KozyKitty and Tracey. KK gave me a belated birthday gift! Isn't she adorable!



Kozykitty knows of my weakness for fairies. This beauty is a Jessica Galbreth Zodiac fairy! I have been eyeing the Gemini fairy for quite some time now, but I never did buy it. Lucky me that I have a friend that knows me so well!! She is sitting in my china cabinet as you are reading this :)

One of these days I'll get arround to unpacking all my Amy Brown fairys and put them in there as well, but for know the Gemini has the stage all to herself *just as any Gemini should!*

SP12 Question of the Week #2

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
You mean there was something else to look forward to BESIDES not having to get up early and do homework?? *giggle*

Hmmmm, let see.... Things that I most looked forward to at summer break was sleeping in *now does that really surprise any of you?* and going down to the local pool and hanging out with friends all day. The pool was about a 30 minute walk from my house. The main road that led to the pool was a rather heavily driven road and as my sister's and I look back on these times we wonder What the hell were Mom and Dad thinking letting us little kids walk by ourselves on these busy road???. My sister's and I would usually set out right around 11 AM (earlier if we had swimming lessons) and we'd pretty much be there all day. My parents would get home from work around 4:30 PM and come pick us up, If was a really hot day, they would join us and we'd be there till about 6 PM.

Another big part of my summer breaks was always the Summer Reading Program at the local library. I LOVED to read. I still enjoy it now, but since I haven't really mastered knitting and reading at the same time, my reading has suffered a bit. I can remember setting out at least once a week with a bag full of books and walking up Sunnyside Avenue *and yes is was a monster of a hill* to get to the Mt. Pleasant Public Library to report on all the books that I had read for the week. Sometimes I went twice a week. *Is it any wonder that I ended up being a school librarian?*

As for other school breaks and holidays, it was pretty much sleeping in, no homework, chilling out with friends and being able to read all day.

SP 12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I would have to say that silk and silk blends are my favs! I like yarns that are soft and cozy to the touch like merino and alpaca - oh and of course silk and cashmere *dreamy*. I'm more into natural fibers. I do have a huge tub filled to over-flowing with dishcloth cotton yarn!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a plethora of needle and hook holders. I am on the hunt for some sort of neat way to display my needles at home instead of keeping them all packed away in the holders. I want to display my tools as art - after all, that is what they create!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about three year now. My Nonna taught me when I was a little girl, but I never really took to it back then. I would say that my skill is Intermediate at this point. I have been crocheting for 18 years thought!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes I do!! The button is in the sidebar :)

5. What's your favorite scent?
I have to be very careful with ALL scents as they trigger migraines with me. Yucky! But vanilla bean, apple orchards and very subtle ocean scents are great. Mild, subtle scents. Nothing that is over-powering.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Unfortunately, yes. I would have to say my favorites are Baci, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate , Chocolate Torrone, and Nutella. Yes, I'm Italian and like my Italian sweets :) I also love raw almonds.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have been a crocheter for 18 years. I enjoy painting ceramics. I create Christmas wreathes as gifts. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Wow, this is a tough one for me. I'm some what eclectic when it comes to music. I am not much for country music, heavy metal, or punk. I enjoy most of today's hip-hop, classic rock of the 70s & 80s, Elvis Presley, James Brown, Barry White, music from the 50s & 60s, Italian music (old and new), any of the great musicians (Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, etc.). Yes, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Another toughie for me because I tend to love various shades of all colors. I guess my favorite colors would be red, black, smokey grey, rich teals(more blue than green), rich shades of purple. I am definitely a lover of winter colors for myself although a bright fuchsia or turquoise do look good on me too. I tend to stay away from pale colors as my skin is very pale and makes me look washed out. I stay away from yellows, golds, light or bright greens, and oranges.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my kitty, Frisco, who is 13 years-old now, but I swear he still thinks he is a kitten! I have an older sister who lives 10 minutes from me and I adore my two nieces. My folks live in NY as does my younger sister.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I am definitely a scarf wearer. I haven't worn mittens in years - it might be a nice change from gloves. Fingerless gloves and arm cosies are great. I'm more of a shawl or shrug wearing woman than I am ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Right now it seems to be the 3 S's - Scarves, Shawls and Stoles. I do enjoy knitting bags and hats. I have not tried my hand at sweaters yet, but I have a few I'm dying to start as well as some legwarmers, tanks and shrugs for my nieces. And I crochet afghans a lot. I've just started knitting socks, but I don't think that's really my thing.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Oh goodness, you want a list?? Arm cozies, 2 different scarves, dishcloth, hand towels, baby dress, 4 different lace projects. On the hooks I have 2 different afghans started. I really think I'm ADD when it comes to projects - I need variety! *giggle*

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes. Knowing someone put thought, time and love into creating something for me is special.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I *heart* my KnitPicks Options needle set and I *heart* my Addi turbos circulars. I also prefer wood straights. I stay away from plastic and aluminum in knitting needles, although I do have a set of Pony Pearls DPN that are really great!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I'm sorry can you repeat the question, we must have a bad connections. *giggle*

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and New Year's Eve.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Faeries

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Most definitely! Check out the Wish List section of my blog!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not right now :)

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I've only knit 2 pairs for myself. I'm a size 10 ladies.

23. When is your birthday?
June 8th - a Gemini :)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Pheelya