PinkPurlGrrl

SP6 Giftee Revealed

Today I would like to introduce you to the person I have been sending gifts to for Secret Pal 6: Kim!  Kim is a gem, a mother of two wonderful and talented kids, a teacher of sociology, a knitter of lovely items, and a recent traveler to New York.  Pop over to her blog and make sure you scroll down to the picture of her and her daughter with David Hyde Pierce (I have just a teeny crush on him, don't tell BLING).  Included in this post is a picture of some recent spinning and the hokey tag I made for it - this was spun for Kim who loves purple like I do.

Getting to know Kim has been a lot of fun.  She is kind and generous of spirit, and knows how to turn a compliment.  I have really enjoyed SP6, I was lucky with who I drew and with who drew me (still a mystery for a little bit longer - I'm getting excited).  I had never participated in an SP before, and I jumped in to this only after much thought.  I know it can be a gamble (as evidenced by so many posts from jilted giftees), but I knew I could appreciate the experience of giving, and would accept whatever I was to receive.  I have been happy all the way around.  If anybody is interested in joining the giving fray I encourage you to sign up for SP7.  The next round starts in January.

Hand warming Poppet Update: total knit to date - 5.

For Me, Really??? I'm SO Overwhelmed!

When I got home tonight all kinds of great goodness awaited me!  My BEAUTIFUL-WONDERFUL-MINDREADING Secret Pal had sent me presents!  There is something wonderous in coming home to a big brown box propped up against the front door.  I squealed all the way from the car to the door.  Once inside the feline brigade of the USPS inspected the package, and approved. 

I tore into it (carefully) so fast, you could smell singed cardboard.  Inside I found a frog themed set of gifts.  There is a beautiful calendar of frogs - with lots of pictures of the dendrobates that first made me love the little guys.  In addition there is a green and blue project bag, the perfect size for all the baby knitting I've been working on this season.  Cuddled in the middle is a soft stuffed frog with a dapper brown tie.  He will soon take up residency next to the pothos in my office, where he can watch over me when I'm blogging working.  In a flash of yarny goodness I found two skeins of Cascade 220 - a yarn I have never worked with.  It is very soft and a fantastic bright green.  In the card my SP suggests I could knit a frog with it and I think that is exactly what I'll do.  For a personal treat she (I'm assuming she's a she) included bath oils in FROG capsules! The whole package smells sweet because of them, I can't wait to smell sweet myself.  I think my most favorite thing is the adorable glass frog.  He is charming and perfect.  I love glass art, and he looks like he was made with love.

Thank you SP - you made my day.  I am a very lucky knitter!

SPiffy SP Gifties!

Thank you Super Secret Pal!  Your timing is impeccable, and your gift selection is spot-on.  I came home yesterday, tired and down...but I found someone had thought of me and sent me a wonderful little frog card with a magnet and a note referencing good things to come.  It feels so good to know that someone spent time finding something I might like - considering favorite colors and animals.  Thank you for  your kindness and great timing.  I have spent the last week starting and frogging (how appropriate) pair after pair of socks, and my knitterly mojo is off.  I now have the gumption to begin again. 

Secret Pal 6 questions

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I knit because it pleases me to do so – I love good fiber; soft wool, wool blends, hand dyed – even better is hand spun.  Red Heart and Lion Brand are useful (some things have to be wash and dryable) and easier on the budget, but are not my first choice.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I hope to learn to spin, maybe that will be my post-holiday thing to learn.  I have crocheted, but it is not what I love (I’ll make an exception for crocheted lace which I want to learn how to make).

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

No allergies that relate to fiber, but something has been making me sneeze for two weeks.  I have discovered the joy that is Allevert – it works and doesn’t make me all stupid.

4. How long have you been knitting?

4 years, 8 months, 26 days, 21 hours and 15 minutes (as of 12:15 9/7/05).  I picked up needles when I set down cigarettes.  Sometimes I measure how long I have been a non-smoker in socks, hats, scarves, and sweaters (not to mention toys, I love knitting toys).

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

I have an Amazon wish list which I will try to link to HERE, I think you can also find it in the side bar.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I like fresh scents; bergamot, lavender, vetever, citrus.  I have really sensitive skin on my hands due to some old chemical burns and prefer to scent the area or my person, lotions/creams often pose problems.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Good mercy yes!   Chocolate and Salt are two of my main food groups!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I play with bakeable clay, I am interested in beading.  I have put a lot of sweat equity into my home (drywall, plumbing, painting) and often tackle big jobs.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I think the radio station I listen to is considered “Adult Contemporary”, favorite bands are the Beatles, Indigo Girls, INXS, and Dave Matthews; favorite artists include Natalie Merchant, Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, and David Bowie.  I use iTunes and have a 20g iPod that I LOVE!

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I’m in a purple/lavender phase for the first time in my life.  I have a lot of greens and I like earth tones.  I’m not terribly fond of pastels, but if they are warm and creamy enough I like them.  I like trying colors that are "foreign" to me, things I'd never think I'd wear (mainly I do this with sock yarn).

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

My partner and I have been together for 7 years, we celebrated our 2^nd wedding anniversary just a couple of weeks ago (we were married in

Canada

where they like that kind of thing).  I have 4 dogs (including 2 retired greyhounds) and two cats.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I would like to be better at balancing the different parts of my life.  I have a good job, and I am involved in my community – but I keep over committing and I need to keep an eye on what I want to do vs. what I think I need to do.  That is the area of my life I’m working on.  I would like to be a state representative some day.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Noro, Lorna’s Laces, Koigu

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I haven’t found a cotton that pleases me.  I might try mercerized cotton someday, but  mostly I find it too stiff.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

I want to knit another lace shawl, something I can use my big ole skein of Lorna’s Laces (variegated) on.  I want to do more socks (always want more socks) and I am revving myself up for another sweater.  I really like the look of rogue, but I need to lose another 10-15 pounds before I start (reward!).

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and toys.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Cabled socks from the Cat Bordhi  “Socks Soar…” book, Moss stitch baby hat to match the sweater (minnow knits) for a friends baby due in December, Koigu-Karp that I bought as a kit from my

LYS

, two other plain old socks.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

It looked good on Martha – but you won’t catch me in one.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular, especially Addis.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Mainly bamboo, but I am enjoying metal dpns a lot.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yes, yes, yes – love em.

22. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself from a book – not the easiest way but I had to do something with my hands those first few months.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

18 months, and waiting for the frog pond (ill conceived sweater in red heart…sorry).

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

I like frogs – I have two tattoos of them.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving (food and friends), Halloween is a fun one too!

26. Is there anything that you collect?

I seem to have accidentally begun a collection of truly tacky snow-globes.  I work with people who travel a lot and they bring them to me from odd places.  I figure that when I am an old woman in the nursing home I can show them to people and tell them about all the places “I’ve” traveled.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I pick up almost all of the IKs as they come out, but no subscriptions yet.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Debbie Bliss’ teddy bear book, and wonderful world of knitted toys.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

Rogue – because I need to be a little smaller to fit it well.