Where Have I Been?

Oh my, it's been awhile since I've updated my blog! Time does pass quickly, doesn't it? I've returned home from a quick week in CT, picked up my son from college for his 2 week stint home until he returns for the fall semester, finished up my sockapalooza socks, sent off quite a few swap boxes, and frogged my beloved sweater for my niece due to knitting errors in my lacework (Bethany)...which I'll cast back on soon.
I also need to take time and take some lovely photos of a tote I've received from CC in the International Tote Exchange...it's bright and beautiful, and came with some great goodies...some perfume, lip gloss, and a pedicure set...what a wonderful treat! :) There are some photos of this tote on CC's blog if you'd like a peek before I get my photos up.
I'm also getting ready for teaching arts and crafts during our church's Vacation Bible School which is in two weeks...yikes, it's getting close! We have a Western theme this year, so I'm sewing a calico long skirt that I can wear with...you guessed it, a sun bonnet. Oh my...I think I'm having flashbacks of Little House On The Prairie!

Felted Bag Exchange 2!

Dear Knitty Friends and Felted Bag Fanatics.... It is almost time for the sign up period for the
Fall Felted Bag Exchange! This event is also called Felted Bag Exchange 2. Check it out!
The first round was a blast! Join in the fun!

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like to knit with wool blends and silk blends. I do not care for fun fur and acrylic yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have some needles stores in a clear vase, some in cases, and the KnitPicks Options set are in their original case. I also have the dpn tubes for storing dpns while traveling. All needles are stored and safe! :)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Learned young, didn't knit for 20 years, and picked it up again a few years ago...I'm an obsessesive knitter now. :)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Not at the present.

5. What's your favorite scent? With candles, it's food scents, such as chocolate chip, cappucinno,
sugar cookie, maple sugar, etc....especially the baked good scents. Weird, huh?
Favorite scents for body: Lily of the Valley.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Definitely a sweet tooth for Swedish Fish candies, Dove milk chocolates, Reeses peanut butter cups. Twizzlers. Yeah, I like sweets.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Are there other crafts? Um...I usually just knit and read. No spinning for me.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Gaither Vocal Band (gospel), Celtic. Yes to the MP3 and computer for music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love color in general, if not neon or garish. I fancy autumn colors right now...deep reds, greens, browns...as well as blues. OK, I like all colors! I like solids quite a bit now for socks to show off lace patterns.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Happily married, I have 3 sons (8,15, 18)...2 dogs (Toby, a12 yr. old shepherd mix and Annie, a 6 month old Schnoodle) , 2 cats, a guniea pig, 5 cockatiels and one old chicken (Sonya).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes to all.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now...lace patterned scarves, fingerweight socks, sweaters...

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks for a swap pal, Bethany sweater for niece, a tank for myself, and beginning the Forest Canopy Shawl this week.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Always appreciated.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use bamboo dpns a lot for socks, I love addis for everything else. I just purchased the Knit Picks Options set, but haven't used it yet.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO? a shawl in garter stitch...it's in a lovely wool, but the pattern bores me....Knit, knit, knit... :)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Um...yarn (laceweights, socks, and felting yarns in general), Yankee Candles in food scents (muffins, chocolate, coffees, fruit and biscotti scents... you name it! No "official" collections per se.

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 subscribe to Interweave Knits, Piecework, Knit Simple. I love Cookie A's sock patterns, Addi Turbo Lace needles, Felting books (I own Knit One Felt Two).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? more lace! I still need to try socks on circulars.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes I am! My foot measurements: Women's sz 10 shoe, length: 10.25 inches and 9.5 in circumference.

23. When is your birthday? July 31st.