This week has been busy. The my oldest has started with her competitions with Academic Team. So we are on the road again.
Hopefully, it won't be as stressful as last year. With homework and all makes it difficult to stay on top of things!
I will have two in competitions in January. My 5th grader competes on the elementary level also, but at least the schools are right around here.

It took forever tonight to get everyone settled and homework done. The younger two were finished early, but the older two, I just sent to bed because they had too many questions(Algebra) and it was late. I guess we must get up early in the morning to finish.. Argh!! My brain had shut down by then! LOL

TTFN!

Weather/SP 9

Well, the rain has stopped, for a while at least. The temperatures did get warmer. So we will see what we will be instore for next!
I heard from my Secret Pal 9, (Thank you for my E-card SP!) I was glad to hear from her. I am going to email her the answer to her questions tonight.
TTFN

Woe is me.. We are at it again. Back to the busy schedule with the kids at school. I must organize myself so I can keep up with things!
I am crocheting some more coasters to send to a Holiday exchange partner. I have been waiting for some pretty Christmas yarn at our Walmart, but it has not arrived yet. I saw some online even some cotton Christmas yarn. I hope they hurry up and get some in!!
My dd has started carrying around a hook and yarn in her backpack! It is funny because she just makes chains,,,,, and the kids are asking her to make some for them! LOL I told her she needs to learn how to make a square now!
We are still in rainy weather. It rained all night long and is still raining now at 11 a.m.
Our temps are going back up to warmer for a few days too so they say!
Better go finish these coasters and start on a dishcloth for another exchange!

See what I made?

I love the colors in this cloth and coasters. I made these for exchanges, one coaster exchange and a dishcloth exchange. I had to go buy more of this color called Fiesta Ombre by Peaches n Cream.
I hope the people that received them liked them.
TTFN!!

HI!

Hi!
I forgot to post yesterday. I actually was trying to catch up on housework, not to mention made a big pot of homemade vegetable
soup for dinner. The cooler temperatures are starting to hit our
area and the soup was just what we needed!!

I am knitting and mostly crocheting dishcloths and coasters for
upcoming exchanges. I am one ahead on my monthly dishcloth exchange. My month is Feb. I believe. the Halloween exchanges have been so much fun too, buying for kids is one thing, but being able to buy treats and make things for the ladies have really been fun!!
Next are the secret pal and Christmas exchanges. This will really be good because you all know mom gives and gives at Christmas time...and that indeed is what I love to do! But it is nice to occasionally receive things that you love to do as gifts, and who better knows what to give
a fellow crafter than another crafter!!!!! Plus we never make things for ourselves to use!!!! LOL

Looky what I got!!!!

First of all let me say thank you to Suzi at the Knitters Tea Swap2. It was so much fun participating in this!!! My Secret Swap partner was Isobel, from Ireland! She really showered me with gifts too! She sent me two bags of her favorite loose teas and a tea ball infuser!!!! One tea is a Rooibus tea,which is a South African red bush tea. The other is a vanilla tea, yummy! I will savour the flavor of each one!!!

Here she gave me two adorable tea towels and a book called "Tea Tips" Aren't these adorable?






Oh and look here is some beautiful yarn. Some from an Irish spinner, and it has alpaca in it!!!! It is Aran Luxury Tweed.


And the color is just luscious!!! It isn't as bright purple as it appears hee, it is more of a plum or mulberry with flecks of red, green, and blues in it ever so slight.





Oh and here we have everyone's fav. Chocolate!!! My kids were drooling over this. She sent her favs here and tells me that even though we can get the Kit Kat Bar in the US, these taste different. I cannot wait to try them!!!



But wait that's not all!!!!!!!


Here are my souvenirs from Ireland. Two post cards and an ink pen that says 'Ireland', and has sheep on it!! (I collect ink pens!)
Then the sweet darling sent my kids each a green pencil with sheep on top. They were so tickle to get something!!!!
So I'd say this swap was an awesome experience, and I plan on keeping in contact with Isobel.

TTFN!!!

SP 9 Contest Info

I have to list my favs on here as a contest. Keep you fingers crossed!!!
Actor: Denzel Washington
Actress: Jennifer Garner
Animal: Panda
Band: Like classical music, and gospel music only (Donnie McKlurkin, Hezakiah Walker, Rizen}
Beverage: Diet Dr. Pepper
Book: Ooo hard one. Maybe The Firm by John Grisham, or the VC Andrews books (any of those would qualify as favs)
Bubble Bath: I like shower gels: pears/vanillas
Candy: All milk chocolates .....and hot tamales!!lol
Color: PURPLE!!!!
Flower: Orchids
Food: Turnip Greens!!
Lip Balm: Hmm using Lypsyl these days.
Lotion: Jergens
Movie: Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Song: God, Great God
TV Show: E.R./Alias/ Greys Anatony!!!!!
Vacation Spot: Hawaii (haven't been yet though!) LOL

So this was kinda hard because I never think of what my fav things are! LOL
Let me put it up so the hostess will know!
TTFN!

Monday

Hello,
I had forgotten that today is a holiday, and I have several exchanges ready to go out. Guess I have to wait till tomorrow.
I just received my Pal for the Secret Pal 9 swap. This is so excititng because I have been waiting a long time for this. I found the SP8 too late to join, so I had to wait until now to chime in on the fun!
I have secret pals in other clubs but they only last for that month's exchange. This will be a secret for LONGER!!!!

I have been watching the Knitters Tea Swap Blog and reading all the goodies everyone has received. It is so exciting to see. My Pal has assured me that mine is on the way across the water, so I will be patient and wait! It is exciting just to know that it is coming from such a distance!!!!:)
Better go light a fire under my kids who seem to want to play instead of straighten their rooms! LOL
TTFN!

Parcel on it's way!!!!

Oh my there is a package on its way to my Knitters Tea Swap 2 Pal! I mailed it out and I pray it gets there safely to her. I have mailed out another smaller coffee/tea swap and a monthly dishcloth exchange also this week. The US Postal Service loves me this week, and it's not even Christmas!!!! I have one more exchange to send out before Halloween, it is a Halloween exchange for CrochetSwapSpot@yahoogroups.com It is a neat place with some fun folks.
Better go and get busy.
Oh yes I was visiting blogs on the Knitters Tea Swap, and ran upon Cecily's blog who had an interesting post. She said to the first 5 responses to her post she would create something art wise especially for them. I was number 2 comment, so if no one else has emailed her or something I may get a neat original piece of art!!! Isn't that cool?

I finally finished answering the questions for the SP9 swap. Whew! That took some thought!
I have my Knitters Tea Swap box ready to go out. It has to go a great distance, so I will mail it this week. I also have about 3 or 4 exchanges ready to go out also. Whew! It has been so much fun. I made some coasters, and hopefully I can post pictures tomorrow.

Secret Pal 9 Questions Answered!!!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?So far, I seem to like Caron Simply Soft . I haven't tried many varieties yet. Stuck with what I can find easily on sale. I love Peaches and Cream/ Sugar and Cream, Patons too. I just discovered dishcloths! :) The Bernat soft yarn is pretty too. I don't care for wool (allergic) and other scratchy yarns, so I lean toward softer brands.I have seen beautiful yarns posted on people's sites, but I don't know where they came from.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?I have a purple zippered knitting needle case for my knitting needles, but nothing for my crochet hooks.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?I learned how to knit when I was a child from my Granny. I stopped , and recently stared back up. I never learned by a pattern, just learned the stitches. So now I am learning how to read a pattern. My girls wanted to learn. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Intermediate beginner maybe
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?Yes, I do at Amazon
5. What's your favorite scent?Hmm...I like vanilla, pear, cinnamon, mulberry, and fresh scents( fresh linen, ocean breeze/freesia) no flowery or musky scents(for candles, bath products, etc.)
6. Do you have a sweet tooth?Oh my yes I do! Favorite candy? Hmm,a good milk chocolate is #1 with or without nuts/toffee caramel...yum! ,I love Sees Milk Chocolate balls they sell at Christmas, and really loved some delicious chocolate covered pecans I had once that I cannot find here right now.Licorice taffy(hard to find), Hot Tamales, laffy taffy, skittles too; (not many kinds I don't like!) I like dark chocolate when associated with coconut or mint. I also like good cookies.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? nothing else really except for school projectsDo you spin? No Idon't
8. What kind of music do you like? Gospel and traditional classical (Bach, Brahams..)Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?don't know. I assume maybe.It plays CDs, and DVDs (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. What's your favorite color(s)?All shades of purple Any colors you just can't stand?rust, greys,browns unless mixed with other colors
10. What is your family situation?Married for 19 years 4 children. 3 girls 1 boy. Do you have any pets?No Pets I have allergies and a daughter with asthma. ( Non smoking home also)
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?yes to all but ponchos
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?So far Coasters, dishcloths and bookmarks. Quick items and easy to read patterns
13. What are you knitting right now?nothing right now
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?Oh my, I'd be honored!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? straightBamboo, aluminum, plastic?Only have tried aluminum, would like to increase the variety of needles though. I have aluminum sizes:10.5,8,7,and 2. A pair of plastic size 3.75 that I don't remember why I got. Maybe for my youngest daughter.lol
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No
17. How old is your oldest UFO?3 yrs ? .....Maybe!
18. What is your favorite holiday?Christmas!!(and my birthday of course! )
19. Is there anything that you collect?Yes, I collect ink pens from various places and companies; Postcards, and crystal figurines or figurines of flowers and children
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?Yes, books are on my wish list at Amazon;Would like to try stitch markers, any patterns would be great I have just been getting them from the net. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?None as of yet
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?I don't know many so any would be nice to know. I can knit and purl basic stuff. I'd like to try that garterlac cloth but looks so hard, plus I didn't have the dpns
22. Are you a sock knitter? no, have never tried. looks so difficult!What are your foot measurements? ?sz 9.5 ?
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) Jan. 20th. I will be 45!!!!! Horray!