My 1st Fibre Swap!

I know another Swap from December that i failed to blog about >>>

Its from Kathy R and she has done a perfect job - i was hoping for lots of fibre samples (being new to spinning and all)

She’s included: Merino silver, Alpaca/Silk/Merino blend, Border Leicester fleece, Corridale fleece, Hampshire down with Mohair, Lama fibre, Combed mohair, Angora fibre, English Leicester fleece, Recycled Sari Silk and some silk throwseters … man i’m going to have a ball!!!!

I’m loving the patterns for felted clogs and Animal friends felted booties (felting is still on the to learn list just been bumped) some sweeties, soap and lovely wee stichmarkers.

Thank you soooooo much Kathy its great! … and i have to say your stalking was very good ;)

now to try ant tear myself away from it and finish the dishes (postie came in the middle of them ;) )

But then i got a wee envelope in the mail with an extra in it that 'disappeared' when the box was sent ... it was an ashford WPI tool and some lovely Merino from 'Shrek'
And here's the parcel i sent:

Sewsable is whom i had to make up a swap for in the latest NZ Fibre Swap of Favourites

So i decided to base it all around her favourite colours - Burgundy, Teal, Peacock and Purple

Included was:

Gifts

• Teal Knitting Needles
• Block of Purple Cadbury
• Two sets of Teal Stitch markers
• Purple Soap Roses
• A diz my Hubby Made
• A cut of lovely Teal / Flower fabric

I also included one of my Favourites - a taste of a bottle of Beyond Paradise by Estee Launder

Fibre

• 100g Polworth Natural roving
• A Silk Cap/hankie - hand dyed tealy purple
• Romney Staple dyed teal (and some was combed - but i felt it looked more affective gifted as staple)

Enjoy Sable!!!

TNN Fav Book Yarn Swap

Back in December I participated in the Favourite Book Yarn Swap on TNN:

This is the parcel that I sent to the lovely Jo and she loves it ;)

It was made up from the book series The Sword of Truth - to a theme taken from the main characters - Ps i love you

100g Vintage Purls Sock Yarn hand steam/pot dyed with powdered food colourings - Blue, Purple/Violet & Red

Added were hand made gifts of:

• A chocolate and pink WIP bag
• Beaded heart stitch markers
• A photo frame magnet

Patterns were:
True Love Socks
Falling in Love Socks
Cats Love Sweaters

Can’t wait to see it knitted up!

... And the parcel i received:

Based on The Whole of the moon http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Moon-Duncan-Stuart/dp/1877135054

"the power of friendship can provide the strength to survive"

Paperwork: Homemade Ginger Kisses Recipe

Pattern: Traveling woman by Liz Abinante http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/traveling-woman

Yarn: 100g 4ply merino dyed with mainly red food colouring in different strengths with a bit of purple thrown in for good measure.

January Giveaway - Swift Sack

Hi All!

The first Giveaway this year is a swift sack made by moi!
- i have 2 to giveaway this month!

Here's a pic of them to refresh you memory as to what they are - they fit most 'pull apart X swifts'


So to enter just tell me a quick story of the sort of trouble you found yourself in without a swift,
My DH has agreed to judge for me and the TWO he feels are the funniest will win.

Can't wait to read your entries - Judging will be at 6.00pm, 31st January 2010

Good Luck

My Blendy Box is here!!

My box from Blendy

Loving the samples i got:
20g ‘Luna’ Superwash Merino sock yarn from Grrrl Shaped Yarns
20g Hand dyed Fibre from Vintage Purls
30g ‘694’ 8ply Merino from Touch Yarns
25g Recycled Sari Silk from Yarn Traders
6g handdyed 80% Alpaca/20% Wool from Southern Alpacas Stud
3g ‘Hidden Gems’ 80% SW Merino 20% Bamboo from Moose In Socks

Fab Fibres Sample Pack
2 Stitch Markers from Deena Knits
Pattern, Soles and 2 crochet stitch markers from Marshmellowmagic Designs
No Snag Knitters handcream sample
’I’ve Got Knits’ badge from R.W. Scissors
Gift Tags from Songbird Designs
Little Felt Squares from Fibre Passion
Comvita Skincare Samples
Tea Towel
Sock Pattern from Blendy that looks great

What i missed out on:

Auzula
Needle Food
Inspire Fibres
Curiouser & Curiouser
The Loop Knittery
Spinning a Yarn
Nut & Bee
Vintage Purls Sock Yarn

Feel its a tad light on the Yarn/Fibre side of things but look forward to having a play with the samples i have :)

Would i purchase it again? .... um no, not unless there were more yarn samples or it was cheaper

Its actually made me think a bit more about the process and weather it is an affective advertising method - as i know the only sites I've looked at are those which where in my box as i can now relate to them so thumbs up. BUT i haven't checked the other suppiers sites - i guess as its a reminded of what i didn't get thumbs down.

I'm Back!

yes I know, I've been neglecting this blog for far to long - i guess with a combination of the festive season and feeling low lately my blog hasn't been on the for-front of my mind.

But i have alot to update over the next wee while:
- My Blendy Sampler Box just arrived
- i have got some lovely gifties from my lovely friend Kate
- My Favoutite Book swap
- Christmas!
- My new spinning wheel and accessories
- Whats happeing in the garden
- The Kids
- The Brag book Tutorial

and so on .... so i'll get started with my Blendy box in a minute :)

Sale - Swift Sacks

Okay so here's a much needed quick update!

I've been busy on the production line for some snazzy swift sacks and the first lot are ready for sale at a super start out price!

So first in first grabs - they are just Fab for keeping all your swift bits on one place and keeping little fingers out ;)


If you wondering a swift makes wool hanking and winding easier (its a Knitter/spinner thing ;) ) -- Here's some Just One W.I.P: Handmade Wooden Swifts


please note that one or two have a touch of wonky sewing due to a wee helper :oops:

I've been surfing!

I've found some more lovely yarny site thanks to Blendy and her Sampler boxes!

Firstly Touch Yarns - A lovely NZ made products for non prickly knitting (always a +) I'd love to get hold of some fibre from Kelly to process from fibre to knit myself using the different techniques i have recently learnt at spinning class - or if you haven't been taken by the spinning bug she has some lovely soft yarns of varying ply and type - well worth a click!

and then there is Fab Fibres ... who even sell dolls hair! or beautiful Treasure packs like this one:

Or Woolpaper ... yes read that again! Wool paper How amazing is that!! their own creation that i can't wait to find the time and money to get some to have a good look at! The colours it is available in are just spectacular as well

I think my art yarn spinning will start here!

Mail Call - More prizes!

just quickly - Yes that's right my box filled with more goodness while we were out today the pics speak for themselves but thanks sooooo much Stumptious!! for your blogtober giveaway.

i got:

• Some Lovely Crochet Patterns
• A wee Piggy
• Lovely Fabric - some trains and pink Floral
• 2 PEZ holders and candy (i loved these when i was a kid)
• and of course the wrist warmers - which Emma has snaffled for the moment (i went to find the camera and came in to that Sweet sit)

And the other day my lovely Honey Products arrived from Blendy: --- can't wait for the full yarn sampler box



Today was also the Hawera Show - Emma's first and she loved it - rode on the merry go round, the planes, slide and the bumber cars (lucky thing) ... then we spent an hour watching tractor pulls and she scoffed a bag of candy floss that she got from the clowns



o

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Sebs Looking Glass Longies

They're done - and i love them! - can't wait to cast some on for Beca for next winter (need to finish her summer dress first - only sewing to do on it :)

Ravelry Link

My first attempt at Longies for a Xmas Pressie for my nephew :) - I used the Looking Glass longies Pattern which is a really Great pattern Kelly xx

I Crocheted cord – a few woopsies but thats all learning and my adjustemt could have been better - i’ve added button holes and buttons so they can be buttoned up as shorties - but my positioning isn’t perfect - will note for next time not to put a button hole at the start of the row but 1/4 the way round then 3/4 the way round (K2TOG YO)

I love this idea though as it would make the pants grow with Seb as well - just by moving the button position :) - we put them on him last night for button adjustment - and they look great!

Modeled here on my just over 2 1/2 yr old - cheeky girl! ((please excuse her Freddo frog tattoo)

Roses

so I've often mentioned the roses I've got at our new place ... and now I've had a chance to grab some photos of them for you ... enjoy - aren't the pretty - now to learn how to look after them

(click the pictures for a clearer view)