Final Question from Fall Swap

How was your experience in the exchange?
I loved talking to my spoilee – I can not say her name as her package is in route (wink)
Did you enjoy the folks you met?
I only talked to a few and really did. I cant wait for Jan to get to know everyone even better.
Did you just love the cloth and goodies you received?
THEIR HERE !!! I have to post a pic sometime soon for all to see !!! (10-31-07)
Have not recieved yet. I only have spoken to my spoiler twice so I am can’t answer this just yet. Shes adorable and I am sure the goodness will be yummie.
Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!
Loved meeting new people and friends and wish people would post or email on blogs to get to know each other better.

Topic of the week – Fall Swap

Our question this week was once fall hits do we go out and do the events and wonderful functions that make the season.

In times past you couldnt find me home on a fall day. Cider tasting festivals and such I was all about it. My house would be decorated beginning Oct 1.

I dont have much space to decorate or time this year and with having to fly out to train on this new job I wont be here for Halloween. Little bummed but looking forward to next year : )

Topic of the Week – Fall into Autumn

   
Our topic this week was – to flash our tools. I took a pic of yarn stash – and tools – you can click the thumbnails if you would like to see larger images.. come on click.. I seriously geeked on these !
So in some little bit of order here we go:

Knitting Needles  – in various sizes – primarily metal a few plastic ones including my new kit needles sent by my Oct Pal (!!!)
Crochet Hooks:
Wood/Bamboo
Metal
Crystalite
Lite Hooks – LCD lit needles for crocheting in darker settings
Tunisian Needles – LOVE THESE !!!
Work holders
Some stitch marker makings (yes I make custom ones)
Fabric Tack – wonderful little clue to have for any occassion project etc.
Of course my Spindle that I love so much that has been with me for 10 years  : )

The other picture is of my stast pool. Yes both boxes and another in the closet. I finally with the help of pixie got it organized. She took everything upstairs for me and boxed it up. Prior it had been in a box here bag there. This is so much better !
Ok and in front of that box.. what is that I see.. OH MAMA YES !

Its my brand new spanking Kiwi – that has yet to be named ! I have started practicing past the flu that has inhabited me the last week. My yarn resembles noodles.. but hey you have to start somewhere right?

Autumn topic of the week #2

TOPIC OF THE WEEK When you knit or crochet dishcloths, washcloths or face clothes, what do you use? What size needle or hook? Wood? what type? Metal? Plastic? A specific Brand? Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Is there one you are dying to try? Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for clothes? What is so special about it?

 No I don’t just babble these out because I want to win a little prize. I like sharing my thoughts and talking to others. If I didn’t I wouldn’t have created a blog to detail the inner workings of my life in every non private manner including finding lumps in my breast – my discourse with my mother – or the fact I am lost when it comes to love and teenagers. The two not related but you see where I am going.

 So to the topic –

Yarn.. I use Yarn : )
When I filled out the questionnaire – I commented on how I loved softies for face and more durable rugged sport for dish. Here’s the thing.. I bought some Bernant  Twists  on sale (see posts below) and was amazed to find how much I really loved it. Not only for the way it stitches up but the look of the finished product and the feel. Its like happy petals for your dishes. I love the way this stuff feels ! One ball (skein 2.5 oz deliciousness) winds up into a 10×6 cloth easily with (SC) stitches all in a row. Basic easy right? Well the way they look are just simply yummy! I would include a picture – however you see I am torturing my secret pal and can not reveal too much as to give myself away to them. This is after SECRET : )

I am loving my G hook. Dunno why but it mates up better with the yarn than the suggested H for these and makes them tight but movable. Clean. The H was turning out loops that were messy and not aesthetically pleasing to my perfectionist eye.  I was so darn  pleased I crocheted up one whole cloth today and its BEAUTIFUL! That I cant stop yammering about Twists and G.

The G-diddy is now like my Pool Man Juan.
We are lovers in twisted G-eelight!

Fall Into Autumn registration is open today!

Details can be found on Anne and Sharons site.
It began this morning I believe at like 9am. While I didnt win the lottery last night – this feels like a special lottery all of its own. I have been way to shy to join any swaps. This one I think is a good start to introduce me. I even picked out some special patterns last night for my possible swap friend. I stayed up way to late practicing grannies. Some look ok, some dont…(haha).

I am working all weekend (ug) and was glad to do so even though in my head there is minor complaint. The gas got shut off on thursday, somewhere I am beginning to wonder whats next. Before you feel bad I have no hot water – let me assure you its hot enough to enjoy a cold showed for a couple of days. While its mildly somewhat of an embarrassment, I actually am pretty not ashamed of the fact my expenses are tremendous. I am a reasonable gal and budget very well. I have a family member that is not working who I am taking care of in addition to my child and all together – things are ok.
Everything I do daily is to make sure there are lights and food on the table.  This family member is going to have to go get a job though. Financially this has to end this month especially with the holidays coming up.  It has been a year now and she hasnt. I understand better than anyone about being in a new city and being scared to try something new. But you know walmart is always hiring. Thats something, something that alot of people in this world would be greatful to have.

Fall Into Autumn Swap

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?
I do both (but can only make a scarf with knitting..lol) and have really done Crochet more since I was very little picking it up here and there. I have for the first time really educated myself and practiced the last 6-12 months.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?
Dishcloths are one of my constant practice pieces and something I always make to use up left overs. I do give them as gifts as well as facecloths. Those tend to be more requested as gifts in the family from the girls who love my hand made girlie gifts soaps and yummies.

3. What’s your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven’t before ?
I really love cotton blends that offer some more elasticity (that normal cots do not) and have found awesome color combinations and feel in Cascades Fixation line which is super soft springy and beautifully colored perfect for facecloths. Dishcloths I love to do in: Lion Brand – yes its cheap and easily accessible. Little plug for Lion. I love em.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?
I love circular – even in crochet hooks. I have recently learned to do Tunisian. I collect all kinds of needles for different projects. My favorite is size H and I love the feel of  the woods. I cant knit well dont understand the purl or patterns yet.. so I cant answer this as well as I can for crochet..lol.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don’t like much?
Rock Star Pink and Red. I do not care for green funny enough, even though I am irish something about kelly green always was kinda ick to me. Aqua Blue Chocolates Raspberries Lime

6. What do you like best about Autumn?
The seasonal changes fresh air and the fact I can really get out and enjoy  being out, outdoors and going out with out humidity or heat exhaustion. I finally live in place where the trees wash ablaze in seasonal changes. I am really loving that!

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!
Pecan first and always because I am a true southern gal. Pumpkin next because those spices and warmth sing in the season. Apple.. eh.. not really.

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn’t wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?
First up out the door and over to the glue pots to smell all the wonderful new scents of school. Fresh crayons, crisp paper, paste and pencil clippings.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)
I live for Halloween. It is my Christmas. It starts Oct 1 and ends officially Nov 1. Even though black cats gremlins and ghouls stay around my house all  year long.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible ‘goodies’ to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?
Candy Corn,  Candy Apples and mashed potatoes.

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? 😉
I am single no hubbie for me! But I do have a tween who believes shes not only Uma Thurman kicking butt in killbill but the President of these here United States, A RockStar and of course fashion model. On the rare thunderstorm, she returns to my beautiful 12 year old pixie hiding under the covers with me giggling. She is my life I adore her – simply put. I do not know how I was so blessed to have her as part of my life. Not mom speaking out of pride here – but shes turning into quite a human being. We have 7 cats 1 dog 1 hamster 1 parrot. We love animals volunteer rescue and try to help where we can.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?
Hands down would have to be Jacey’s EyeBall Yarn Its zaney crazy fun and all seeing!
I have my eyes out for the unusually wonderful at all times. This is why I am like this yarn!

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?
The rougher they are the more likely they are to be used for dish. Squenchy softies are for face goodness only!

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)
Again the Hallows take it! I like to be scared I love ghost stories. I love to dress up prance around and be silly. I believe in things that others do not and Halloween is a celebration of this spookie spirit frolicking. Cool weather – the moon is always more beautiful and brighter – the whispers in trees seem creepier.. oooOOOOoo

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about
Mushrooms bee stings and oysters !