SP10 Questionnaire

Well, I went for it and signed up for Secret Pal 10. I'm excited- this is my first time in the official "Secret Pal" swaps. Yay! anyways, here is my questionnaire, which you can either bookmark for future gift giving reference, or you can close your browser window and move on to a blog with better content today. Also, to my secret swap pal, you can look at my FCS2 questionnaire for even more ideas. Here goes! 1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm addicted to Malabrigo yarns. Highly. Addicted. I really love the look of anything "thick and thin" and cool handspun yarns. There's not many yarns I don't like, except for scratchy acrylic. I dig soft acrylic, though. 2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I keep them lying around, but I'm about to sew up a cool needle case that will store everything except my circulars. My KnitPicks options set stays at home in it's case. 3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting regularly for about two years now. I taught myself how to knit with one of those cheesy kits you find at craft stores, but it worked! I would consider my level high intermediate- I can read charts and patterns well, have mastered the basics, and am really good at cables now. The only thing I can think of that I haven't tried is color work beyond basic stripes. 4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have an Amazon wish list right here. 5. What's your favorite scent? I like light, clean smells, fruity, and floral. Pretty much anything as long as it isn't too strong or lavender. I really don't like lavender. 6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I definitely have a sweet tooth- I love milk chocolate, especially combined with mint, fruit, or caramel. I also really like anything in the "gummy" category. 7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do not spin. I do sew, cross stitch, beginner embroidery (but not old lady stuff. Things like this.), make stitch markers, all kinds of weird crafty stuff. 8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes I can play MP3s. I like a lot of stuff- TOOL is my favorite band. I also like The Fray, Korn, John Mayer, Tricky, Natasha Bedingfield, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day.... 9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love pink, orange, and chocolate browns. I really can't think of any colors I don't like- they all have a place in my stash! 10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with my darling husband and beautiful 14 month old daughter in an apartment. The only pets we have are an anole and two hermit crabs. 11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes to all! I really love scarves- they're my favorite thing to knit with those beautiful yarns that cost too much to buy more than one, or those really unique had spun chunks. As long as it's cool, it'll get worn. 12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Scarves, really. although it's hard to find one that is challenging now! I also love to knit plain old dishcloths. Someday soon, though, I will find time for socks and maybe even a sweater. 13. What are you knitting right now? I have a Malabrigo scarf for my husband, a skull illusion scarf, a pair of Fetching (one of my favorite patterns ever), a dishcloth ( I always have one on the needles- it's my sanity knitting.), and a scribble lace wrap I tried to finish for Christmas, but didn't. 14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Of course! 15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I really have no preference. I love my KnitPicks Options set, I love my crappy old aluminum straights, I love my bamboo needles, I love my baleen dpn's. I would, though, really like to get more bamboo needles. I currently only have the US 6 short straights and a US 11 circular. 16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No and no. 17. How old is your oldest UFO? Only a few months old- I'm pretty good about that kind of thing. 18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas! 19. Is there anything that you collect? Those squished pennies that you find get from the machines at touristy spots, and shot glasses. Lame,I know. 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'm not subscribed to any knitting magazines, mostly because I wouldn't knit many of the patterns from them. you can check my Amazon list for books, and I think I've already covered needles and yarns. 21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? FairIsle knitting and other color work, more advanced cables. 22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Not quite yet, but I plan to be! I've even begun to acquire sock yarn. I've never taken my foot measurements, but I generally wear a size 9 women's. 23. When is your birthday? October 14th Phew, that was a long one. Like I said, you can look at my FCS2 Questionnaire for more stuff, or email me any questions you may have.

Book Report: In Stitches

I finally picked up this book last week, after having my eye on it since it hit the shelves. I really love Amy Butler's fabrics, and now I have something else of hers to love! Out of over 25 patterns in this book, I love every single one of them. I would make and use everything in there! I think it will be a really good motivation for me to sew more. After all, I have this awesome sewing machine. It should get some use, right? I think that anyone who likes to sew and has a lot of the basics down (this book has more than a few patterns with some advanced sewing) should pick up this book. I love it! Hopefully I'll have some newly sewn objects to show you in the near future...

Shiny New Things

Ugh, life has been crazy. Good news, though, we already got our hard earned money back from the life suckers at the IRS! As planned, James and I bought a new (old) car for me to get around in while he's at work. I'm absolutely in love with it- it's a 1989 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Station Wagon. It's like driving a yacht down the road. It is in really good condition, though, painted white with navy blue interior. I plan to pimp it out with some pink accessories soon, although I'm not sure yet how James will feel about this. Oh well, it's mine, right? We also bought a shiny new computer! (guess which cost more- computer or car?) It's a lovely HP Pavilion with the swanky 17 inch LCD flat screen monitor. It's pretty bitchin'. Of course, out of spite and jealousy, the old computer died the night we bought the new one. We sure had one hell of a time trying to recover all the crap off the old hard drive, but all is well now and life is getting back to normal, even though the old computer's guts are still strewn about the apartment. Poor guy... Knitting! Knitting has been good. I made yet another pair of Fetching in some leftover black wool for one of the girls at work. She loved them, which is cool, and she paid me, which is even cooler. James' Malabrigo scarf has been coming along swimmingly, and I think I'm going to make a scarf for me out of some blue bulky stuff I have lying around. I'd also like to try to make some baby blankets for Project Linus- use up some old baby acrylic I have around, and do something good for the world. Of course, the dishcloth knitting will continue indefinitely. speaking of knitting, see what I taught Erin to do?! Yaaay!!

F*ck Rape.

I'm sure you all remember the F*ck Cancer post. (If you don't, I've conveniently linked to it with my magic abilities!) so, here goes another one. I'm putting in a disclaimer for those of you who don't like naughty words or don't feel like dealing with the very real issue of rape today. A lot has been said about how to prevent rape. Women should learn self-defense. Women should lock themselves in their houses after dark. Women shouldn't have long hair and women shouldn't wear short skirts. Women shouldn't leave drinks unattended. Fuck, they shouldn't dare to get drunk at all. Instead of that bullshit, how about: if a woman is drunk, don't rape her. if a woman is walking alone at night, don't rape her. if a woman is drugged and unconscious, don't rape her. if a woman is wearing a short skirt, don't rape her. if a woman is jogging in a park at 5 am, don't rape her. if a woman looks like your ex-girlfriend you're still hung up on, don't rape her. if a woman is asleep in her bed, don't rape her. if a woman is asleep in your bed, don't rape her. if a woman is doing her laundry, don't rape her. if a woman is in a coma, don't rape her. if a woman changes her mind in the middle of or about a particular activity, don't rape her. if a woman has repeatedly refused a certain activity, don't rape her. if a woman is not yet a woman, but a child, don't rape her. if your girlfriend or wife is not in the mood, don't rape her. if your step-daughter is watching tv, don't rape her. if you break into a house and find a woman there, don't rape her. if your friend thinks it's okay to rape someone, tell him it's not, and that he's not your friend. if your "friend" tells you he raped someone, report him to the police. if your frat-brother or another guy at the party tells you there's an unconscious woman upstairs and it's your turn, don't rape her, call the police and tell the guy he's a rapist. tell your sons, godsons, nephews, grandsons, sons of friends it's not okay to rape someone. don't imply that she could have avoided it if she'd only done/not done anything. don't imply that it's in any way her fault. don't let silence imply agreement when someone tells you he "got some" with the drunk girl. don't perpetuate a culture that tells you that you have no control over or responsibility for your actions. You can, too, help yourself. *If you agree, repost it. It's that important. No, I did not write this, but I still think it is important enough to share with everyone. Feel free to share it yourself!

It's A Party!

I thought this was a really cool idea, plus I'm a sucker for anything that involves fantabulous prizes. Why don't you guys join me, and get ready to party on your blog? You can always just come here and party, too. Anyways, you can click on the fancy button for more details. consider yourself invited!

So Many Questions...

For being the person running this swap, I really look like a slacker on the posting of the questionnaire, huh? Oh well. we can't all be perfect. Anyways, here it is! Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire 1. What are your top three favorite colors? Pink, orange, and chocolate brown. I like them in any combination of two, as well. I might even dig all three together. 2. What crafts do you really enjoy? Knitting, of course. I crochet as well, and I do a little cross stitch here and there, but only if it's cool. No "home sweet home" samplers here. I like to sew too, and really wish I made more time for it. I've really wanted to try needle felting and embroidery. 3. What products do you really covet? Malabrigo, these embroidery patterns, Amy Butler fabric (or any fabric even remotely resembling it), KnitPicks Options needles and cables that don't come in the set- I got the set for Christmas and want to expand it! I like their DPNs and fixed circulars as well- I'd love to try socks on two circs. Oh, and Burt's Bees goodies. 4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? I love to read and play video games, when I have the time. A lot of my time is consumed by my tiny little monster that runs around all day long. 5. Is there anything you collect? Those pennies that you squish in the machines at touristy places, and shot glasses. I know, I'm weird. 6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? I'm a libra (well balanced!) and was born in the year of the rat. I'd prefer nothing rat related, thank you. 7.What are your favorite… …scents/smells? I like a lot- anything light and fruity, flowery, clean smelling. The only thing don't really like the smell of is lavender, especially the French variety. Sorry, France. …types of music and/or bands? Again, eclectic. My favorite band is TOOL, but I also like Imogen Heap, John Mayer, Ozzy Ozbourne, Incubus, Black Eyed Peas, Mozart, Hayden, blah blah blah... …authors? Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, Orson Scott Card, Barbara Kingsolver, Terry Pratchett, Anita Shreve, and Ayn Rand. I really could go on forever- I do so love books. …animals? I really have a major thing for butterflies. …places to shop? Target, Borders, and KnitPicks. Love love love. …season? I thing I have to go with spring- I love the smell of it and everything starting over new. …yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? Malabrigo. Seriously. I'm addicted. I like all kinds of crafty goodies, because I can usually create something with it. Beads are good, too. Oh, and dishcloth cotton (think Peaches n' Cream)! Can't get enough of it. Mmmm, can't forget buttons. I love me some buttons. Don't forget the aforementioned Amy Butler fabric! Oh, and ribbon! …candies or goodies? I'll never say no to good chocolate of any kind. I love mint and fruity things with chocolate. I also like gummy stuff, and have a special place in my heart for Jelly Belly Beans. Bit O' Honey. 8. Do you have any wish lists? Amazon. 9. Are you allergic to anything? Just sulfa, so don't send me any antibiotics, mmkay? 10. Do you have any pets? What are they? I have a 13 1/2 month old human. 11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. I am seriously, seriously addicted to note cards. For real. I can stand acrylic yarn as long as it's soft (think Caron Simply Soft). I like coffee, as well, but it has to be fancy coffee, because I'm a snob. I don't really like self striping yarn, but really love the variegated stuff. I also really love bath stuff- body wash, lotions, that kind of stuff. I love candles, too. Hope that's helpful!

Project Spectrum 2.0: Blue

Blue, white, and grey are our designated trio of colors for the months of February and March this round of Project Spectrum. I decided to start with blue! In the knitting front, I have some denim blue Malabrigo that James picked out for a scarf. I'm knitting it in a simple horizontal rib. I forgot how much I love to knit with this yarn! Since it's an easy knit, it's coming along nicely: I also had some variegated blue dishcloth cotton lying around, so I cranked one out while watching Run, Lola, Run last night. (dishcloths are the only thing I can knit without looking at.) Sorry for the "sink and dirty dishes" shot- I already have put this guy to good use! There are a few other blue things that caught my eye today. One, of course, is the awesome New Mexico sky. Almost always a bright blue, and the view I have from our balcony is a great one: A few blues that caught my eye aroud the house: And last, but defintely not least, Joie in all her Project Spectrum glory! (No, this was not planned.) I'll be doing lots of this in the months to come, so stay tuned!

Good Stuff Soon...

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger- between working this weekend, Joie, and making matches for the swap, I really haven't had much spare time. I promise, though, that soon I'll have some good stuff- even new knitting! I've got a few projects in the works for Project Spectrum 2.0, plus I'm going to finally show you my Christms knitting. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? For now, though, I'm going to leave you in anticipation...