Grand and Magical swag!

Brilliant doesn’t even begin to describe it! I was told I had a parcel “full of sheep” but had to wait almost an entire day to finally open it. whereswoolly sent me: Fleece from just about any animal I could imagine and a plant or two!

Not the cat, but it took me some persuading to convince him that the tiger-tail wasn't "The BEST cat-toy EVER!!". Behold my excuse for fuzzy photos. The three-second interval I have between "OFF" (which he obeys) and the next bounce up to investigate. And excitement. :D

There was a complete set of tools, wires, rings and beads for stitchmarker making with a nice sheepy card:

Set of stitchmarkers - just the right wire for me, instruction booklet, Outdoor Magazine and two "Spin Off" which I'd been trying to find - on my way to sign up for subscription now. :-) :

The **Perfect** package. I'm so happy, I'm bouncing about the flat instead of packing the last (as I should be). Can't wait to get settled in to the new place so I can try everything. (For "settled in" read "found a place to hang my coat, and the box I packed my spindle in". :-) ) Apparently, this is the first box of two. O_o Is "swap-swag to die for" an acceptable reason for calling in sick? ^_^

Thank you for being the perfect upstream - communicative, funny and perceptive.

Parcel's in the post (Honest, guv'. :-))

One largish parcel slowly winging its way South. I *think* it will get there in time for the deadline. :D

To my secret upstream

I can't reply to the email-address - it bounces, user unknown.

This is what I wrote:

Hopefully this is the right address to reply to. Many thanks for the sheepy postcard and getting in touch so quickly! I feel spoiled already. :-)

No storm today, but yesterday had me outside and trying to walk against the wind for about six miles in total. Tricky to breathe when the wind is that strong and the combination of soaking horizontal sleet and hail was interesting. And cold. I hitched a lift home... :-)
Today we have warm sun and a white cover on the ground. The cat had a blast rolling around in, and scrubbing himself along, the snow. He's completely mad, but some of the snow-cat-angels were quite pretty.

I have done bobbin-lace as well. Nothing hugely complicated, but enough to border a hanky for my mum.

My favourite is Blue Leicester. I have some of that, some Shetland, some Corriedale (cat loves this) and Wensleydale/Teeswater. Thought I'd try some different kinds to see how they work as wool, for drafting and as spun yarn. I do drop-spindle, not enough space and persuasive talents for a wheel. Happy to try just about anything, but let me know if it is an advance-class fiber, so I'll be prepared for the struggle. ^_^

May your knitting flow as easily as the spring rains. :-)
Cabe

camille's questionnaire

do u knit / crochet? knit
what do u like to make? scarves, hats so far. would like to progress to sweaters.
do u have a fave type of fibre? bulky or sparkly
do u have a least fave? very thin yarn or novelty ones that are tricky to knit with
do u do any other crafts? no
what knitting do u bring on the go? whatever current project is
what do u carry your knitting in? knitting bag got free with a magazine
are there any knitting gifts u have been lusting over? not really
what is your fave colour? brown, grey
least fave? none
what smells do u like? fruity smells
what don't u like? cinnamon, coffee
how do u pamper yourself? paint nails, do face mask
what goodies do u like to treat your tummy with? chocolate with caramel inside, soft cookies
do u prefer tea or coffee? don't drink either. don't do hot drinks.
do u listen to / watch anything while u knit? watch tv / dvds
where do u live? cambridge
have u always lived there? yes
if u could visit anywhere where would u go? australia
what kind of gathering would u go to? book group
what's your style? eclectic
any allergies/preferences? no
anything else? no

Manda UK Swop questionaire

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

Newbie knitter, have not crocheted

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?

I like oddities I suppose .............. things like wrist cuffs or the cleaves on Knitty

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

No real brand as such - other than Cherry Tree Hill (Thick and Thin)

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

Tapestry is a yarn I am not that enamoured of or anything 100% unnatural

Do you do any other crafts?

No but I would like to master clothes enhancement and alterations

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?

I do not discriminate!

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?

I am am I woman who has a lot of bags! One of my favs is a handmade one from Stitch Diva. I am not in "practical" need of one however have never been known to refuse one

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

To be precise a simple purple or pink pincushion that I could wear on my wrist.


Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?

I really like purples (not too vivid) lilac pink or white. I am not fond of green blues

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?

I am not wildly into smelly things particularly highly scented items. Do like the smell of cocoa butter.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)

Painting my toe nails

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)

Coffee coffee and coffee from an independent shop

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?

See above coffee :-) Relatively strong and not bitter. No particular mug or cup

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)

Knit to a variety of things - silence, radio 4, Six Feet Under (a tv fave) or movies

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)

Cambridge

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?

I have lived here for many many years

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)

Film theory or theatrical make up would be top of the list

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)

Mmmmm probably better ask people around me - oops you cant. Fluffily elegant in a non conventional way. One of my favourite items of clothing is a pink fluffy jacket for winter time, really like shrugs and platform shoes


Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?

Not that I am aware of.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

Not that I can think of!

Cabe's Questionnaire

Part One: Crafting
Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Both.
What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
I'll have a stab at just about anything. Lace stoles and own design half-mitts seems to be the flavour of the moment.
Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
Lana Grosa (Linea Rossa) Pashmina, but it is almost impossible to get here these days. Any good wool or alpaca.
Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
Not much for manmade stuff and novelty yarns.
Do you do any other crafts?
Spinning, some tatting, pottery, dibs and dabs of almost everything. ^^
What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
Socks and scarfs.
What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
Pocket and no thanks.
Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
Does needle-nosed pliers for stitch-counters count? ^^ (No - they're too heavy (postage!)) Nothing I could ask for here.

Part Two: Your Favourites
What is your favourite colour?
Dark Grey. (Also like Blue, dark Red, Black, Orangy-Yellow)
What is your least favourite colour?
Definitely pink. Canna be dealing with it.
What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
Not into any scents.
How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
More yarn! :-) None of these. My treats tend to be active ones (cliff-scramble, gym and sauna, bike-outing)
What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc. )
No help there either. Fruit. Not into sweets.
Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup
Tea-o-holic. Plain unsweetened teas (Green, Rooibos, unflavoured black). Cylindrical mugs - simple beer steins are quite good as they are big and resistant to the cat overturning them.
Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)
Who-dunnits on tv or audio-book.

Part Three: Living & Past-times
Where do you live in the UK?
Scotland
Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I've mostly moved country every seven years or so. Many countries.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Remote island somewhere with good Internet connection and great diving.
If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
Climbing-wall!, Yoga, Tai-chi, Pottery-class. Just about any class - love learning new things.
What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Practical for everyday life, elegant for the times we go out.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
No allergies.
Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
I'm sure there is. Nothing i can think of now, of course...

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