Flashing My Stash for Secret Pal 10!

Real Knitting Content & Some Other Stuff

The Knitting Content

Pattern: Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: 1 skein Socks That Rock Medium Weight in Farmhouse &

1 skein Socks That Rock Medium Weight in Watermelon Tourmaline

Needles: Size 5 Knit Picks Options Circular

Started: 3/31/07
Finished: 5/13/07

And here is the first of hopefully 2 Jaywalkers, on my beautiful new sock blocker from The Loopy Ewe.

The Other Stuff

Of course, I've been tagged! Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog. I’ve been tagged by Sarah.

1. Sometimes I think I care more about animals than I do people. I have such strong compassion for animals, I think because they are innocent, vulnerable, and offer unconditional love. This is why I became a social worker instead of a vet. I could never have handled being a vet - too much emotion.

2. I love to make lists. I make a "Things to Do" list every Friday, that carries me through the weekend. I have 2 pages worth of my "Knitting Projects" list that I keep in a binder with all of my patterns from the Internet.

3. I have an obsession with sheet protectors. As mentioned above, my "Knitting Projects" binder is one of 12 binders on my bookshelves. They house everything from my bank statements, knitting how-to's, and beading ideas, to name a few.

4. I am addicted to the Internet. I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing. I check my email, read blogs, shop, blog, and just about everything else. I've been trying to curb my online shopping here lately, which feels super hard.

5. I used to be a dancer, back in grade school and high school. Ballet was my passion, and I often dreamt about becoming a prima ballerina. I was also on the Pom Squad in high school. I still have a desire to buy a leotard and some soft pink ballet shoes, although I can't imagine I would look too good in a leotard anymore!

6. I have naturally curly hair, just like that little girl in Charlie Brown.

7. I hate to cook. This is ok right now, since I am still single. I eat a lot of cereal. But I worry what will happen if I get married - guess I need to fall in love with someone who is much better in the kitchen than I!

I tag Robyn, Mindy, Hope, Rachel, Kim, Knit Diva, and Jennifer.

What a Great Week!

First, I must show you the gorgeous yarn I received from My Small Wonders Etsy shop.

This has been in my stash for quite some time, but I could never get a good photo of my own skein, so I finally asked Donna if I could borrow hers. The colorway is Seaside Jewels. It's exquisite, don't you think?

Now I need to tell you about the great time I had Wednesday night. I finally went to Knit Nite at Knitorious! I've been chatting back and forth with Mindy, and she shared that she attends Knit Nite herself. I thought, well, I'll kind-of know someone now, so I should go. It was fabulous! I was amazed at all the people; seriously, maybe 20-25 people were there throughout the evening. Some of the people I met were Mindy, who identified me as SassyKrafty the second I walked in (how cool is that?), and who was knitting a beautiful sock in her own handdyed colorway (you can see a pic on her blog); her roommate Kara, who was knitting both a gorgeous sock and an entrelac scarf; Jenn, who was knitting lace with Hand Maiden Sea Silk; and Rachel, who happens to be saved in my favorites on Etsy! I decided I had to get a skein of her Dyeabolical Yarn - I picked Dark Envy. She definitely has an eye for colors that pop!

I had originally heard about Rachel and her awesome sock yarn on who else but Lime 'n Violet, which she also is addicted to. How cool is it that Rachel has her yarns right her in St. Louis, at what happens to be my favorite LYS? I felt like I was meeting someone famous! I even jokingly asked her to autograph my yarn skein band (I know, I'm a total knitting geek. I can't help it!) Anyway, Rachel has suggested we try to get Lime 'n Violet to come to St. Louis for a book signing at Knitorious. I just posted a comment on their podcast blog, pretty much begging them to come. (Again, total knitting geek.) I honestly am having a little bit of Lime 'n Violet withdrawal, as there's no podcast this week. (Snif, snif.)

Anyway, Knit Nite was great. I met a ton more people, but of course can't remember every one's names yet. But I will go back next week for sure. I took my Chevron Scarf, which feels like the never ending project. It's going to be a freakishly long scarf. And, it seems a little silly to be knitting a wool scarf in May. But, I love it. And I received a ton of compliments on it too. I thanked dogged for her inspiration. Can't wait to finish it up, block it, and post the final product!

Thanks to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday - it really was a great day. And I was originally thinking I didn't really want to celebrate it anymore, you know, being over 30 and all. But, celebrate I did! The people I work with were so kind, and showered me with cakes, gifts, cards, and even a plant! My family took me to eat at The Elephant Bar, which I love. (You know I have that small thing for elephants!) I suppose the day made me realize how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.

We Have A Winner!

Hooray for Robyn of Knit and Purl Mama! She was my 127th comment! She'll be receiving Ashabee's Creations sock yarn in Eclipse. Thanks to everyone who participated. You are fantastic!

1 Year Blogiversary Contest!

Monday, May 7 is my 1 year Blogiversary. I can't believe it's been a year! I met Beth last April while seeing the Yarn Harlot, and she introduced me to the idea of blogging. Up until that point, I thought you had to be someone famous like the Yarn Harlot to have a blog, not someone like me; new and fairly clueless. I look back at my old posts; boy was I a novice knitter. I remember being so excited about my first comment, which happened to be from my non-knitter friend Travis. At the time, I had no idea how many people I would have the chance to "meet." Through the year, I have developed online friendships with so many other bloggers, and have learned so much about myself and my crafting. I feel as though I am a part of an amazing community of knitters. Now, I've already passed my 100th comment.

May 7 is the 127th day of the year (and 3 days before my birthday - ugh.) Anyway, I have a gorgeous skein of Ashabee's Creations Sock Yarn in Eclipse to give away to my 127th comment! I can hardly wait to see who it is!

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog, left comments, become my friend, and touched my life in such a way that I cannot describe.

Sweetest Secret Pal

I have to begin by saying, my Secret Pal 9, Hope, was absolutely fantastic. I just can't believe that I have just as great of a pal for Secret Pal 10! I received this today:

She was SO kind and thoughtful, and put a lot of hard work into my package. She actually dyed the sock yarn herself, basing the colors off of my blog and what I said I liked. Look at the label she made - it actually says Sassy Krafty! The yarn is so soft, and superwash too! (I have to apologize; my picture-taking skills suck, don't they? I don't know why I haven't bought a book or taken a class or something. Hmm...will have to put that on my "List of Things to Do.")

She also made a set of beautiful sock stitch markers and a row counter to match, and found a cute matching bag on Etsy too! The bag actually came with a little pocket and tags, so you can label what project you're working on. How perfect for someone as organized as me? The needles are of course to go with the sock pattern and yarn, which she says is for my very own "Traveling Sock," which leads to the next item - the book. That's right - signed by the Yarn Harlot herself!

Plus, she even sent some squishy balls for Muffin and Sam, which they have already played with this evening. How nice is that? This package absolutely made my day. Thank you so much Secret Pal 10! I can hardly wait to find out who you are!