Thanks, Secret Pal. . . You're the best

Every day I e-mail my work-from-home beloved to see if any "good mail" has been delivered. Most days the report includes requests for donations, telephone bills or perhaps a flyer addressed to "resident".

Today, however, I got the news I had been hoping for. "You got a box", the e-mail read and that was it for me. All afternoon I pondered what might be inside of the box awaiting me at home.

When my day ended, I rushed home to find what goodies awaited me. And it was well worth all of my excitement.


Right off the bat, I spied a project bag. Did my dear Secret Pal know that I had been coveting a bag to hold my sock projects. This bag is adorable! The fabric features the sweetest pattern and it is the perfect size for my needles, yarn and a pattern. No more plastic baggies for me. Thanks, Pal.

Inside the bag I found yarn, dyed just for me. "Ride Sally Ride" is a bright red and the 462 yards promise something wonderful. Just for me. . . I am not worthy.

She didn't stop there. Sweets! Sweets! Coconut patties coated in chocolate, a box of Jelly Belly sours, and tropical treats. Mmmmmmmmmm.


And a little sensory trip around the world. Vials of perfumes named after cities around the world. Each smells great!

Oh, now if I only knew who she was. . . so that I can thank her personally.

Each gift has been so thoughtful and generous. I hate to see it end. Thanks pal!

OK, I give (and my Secret Pal rocks)

OK, I give. I am breaking down and going to the doctor. I may even take an antibiotic according to directions if they deem it necessary. Whatever it takes to be able to breath, swallow and sleep. (I am not a fan of medications and doctor visits, believing that most things just take care of themselves. A nice way to describe "denial".)

My secret pal rocks
My Secret Pal has great timing. The second installment in gifts arrived yesterday while I was home feeling sorry for myself, and tossing tissues in the waste basket. Inside the much-welcomed package I found the coolest knitting journal, with the greatest set-up for recording my projects. She also tucked in some neato colored pens. Thanks, Secret Pal. You made my day.

Thanks, Secret Pal

I love good mail. I love it enough to want to marry it and call it mine forever.

Yesterday some good mail was delivered to my box. It was so good in fact that Cynical e-mailed me to let it know it was waiting. I rushed home after work and tore into a package sent to me by my Secret Pal 10 buddy.

Inside, beautifully wrapped I uncovered a card explaining that the box was a kit for complete "glamourization". And she was right. I found nail polish, a chocolate/caramel bar, various stickers, Green Tea lotion and Jojoland Rhythm wool yarn in a beautiful blue-gray-cold colorway, accompanied by some size 8 straight needles. Thanks, Pal! I love it all.

Stash Flash: Secret Pal 10

Here I go, flashing my stash, all for Secret Pal 10. In reality, I am only flashing a part of my stash. You see, if I showed all my stuff, well my true obsession would be revealed and I suspect I'd be exposed for the yarn horder that I am.

Above is a shot of my sock yarn basket. Just a snippet of my "collection", as it awaits its newest members, my finds at the Fiber Festival, currently stowed away elsewhere. I can't give away all of my secrets.

I love a contest. . .

I understand that Secret Pal 10 is hosting a little contest. And me, well, I love contests. So, here goes.

First and foremost, entrants must make sure that their SP 10 Questionnaire is posted and available for their pal. Here it is. Check!

The second piece in the contest puzzle is to discuss your current project. Check!

I have three projects currently underway, but I must admit that my favorite is Glee, a pattern I purchased from the Zephyr girls. I suspect that I like this project for several reasons:

1. It's moving along quickly.

2. The pattern is easy to follow.

3. I love the yarn: Knitpicks Andean Treasure in Sunset. Very warm color, very soft yarn.

4. It's so much easier than knitting my first colorwork project. Who knew it would involve so many bobbins, and a big tangled mess of yarn.

This is the second Zephyr pattern I have tackled. The first was Green Gable, which I knitted in Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece in Truffle. Sadly, Gable is still awaiting blocking and suitable photography.

I am still very nervous about the fit of Glee; but being as I just separated for the sleeves, I may be overthinking the project. It's a great knit thus far. . . but will it be a great wearable item. The test will be when I begin knitting in the round and get a chance to try it on. Fingers crossed.

I hate to leave out a third project that I have underway. I am making way on a simple ribbed sock in an ONline colorway that involves white, gray, black and blue. . . in keeping with the Project Spectrum colors for February and March.

Secret Pal 10: Updated

Secret Pal 10 Questionairre

(Updated as we approach the assignment of pals.)

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I tend to lean toward natural fibers: wool, cotton, alpaca. I am not a fan of acryllics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Currently they are in a cardboard suitcase-type of box. Not exactly chic, but functional.

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 to knit from a friend/knitter/spinner by using a kit I got at Target. I think I started knitting in October 2005. I would consider myself somewhere around intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do, it's pretty limited, but I do: here it is.

5. What's your favorite scent? I tend to like fresh, clean scents. Vanillas and "baked" smells tend to irritate my senses.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I love all things sugary, but am most fond of butter cookies and chocolate/caramel combos.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Outside of knitting, I am not very crafty. Nope, I don't spin.

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, but I do like it all.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I am kinda flaky when it comes to color. The real answer is "whatever tickles my fancy at the moment." I tend to like more earth-tone shades of colors such as blues with browns/tans; greens with neutrals. I like it all: I am often drawn to reds and unusual color combos catch my eye. I don't necessarily consider myself a "pastel" kinda girl; but I do like pink.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? My beloved and I have four cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves, hats and mittens often in the winter.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? It's a toss up between socks and hats.

13. What are you knitting right now? Glee, an argyle sweater and a pair of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I am a sucker for handmade gifts; there is nothing more personal or pleasing to me.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I tend to use circular needles, either bamboo or Addi; but I just got the Knitpicks set and love them. I am anxious to try their smaller needles for socks.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Right now, probably my pair of ONline socks.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Besides yarn? I am an avid reader, journaler, and movie fanatic.

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 don't currently subscribe to any magazines, but covet Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and Knitscene. I am just too financially frugal to subscribe. I am also enjoying coming across past issues to add to my collection. As for books, I love knit books, they are like dessert for me: I can never have enough. Lately I have been stalking online the Vogue Stitchionaries and the Interweave sock book (Favorite Socks). When it comes to yarn, I haven't tried any of Scout's Swag, Yarn Pirate or any other indie dyers out there. I'd love to sample their stuff.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I would like to try some basic colorwork incuding stranding. Just am a bit intimidated by it currently. And I have only done minimal cabling. . . that intrigues me greatly.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I love to knit socks. I wear a size 7.

23. When is your birthday? May 12.