Yarn Delights, Swap goodies and more!
Hello everyone! I hope that all of you have been having a great weekend! The last couple of days I wasn't at the computer very much--on purpose, so I get some things done--LOL! So I look forward to catching up with all of you the next day or so, and I owe some of you dear friends emails too...
One reason for there not being my "usual" Friday post, was that I was finishing another custom order, and making it ready to send. This time for a knitted item. The very sweet and friendly Kat, who writes the blog, Secrets of a Butterfly, requested a special knitted neckwarmer to give as a gift to her mother. I knitted the neckwarmer in a Bernat boucle yarn in a beige/chocolate brown color way and used a simple eyelet pattern with garter stitch to give some definition and character. The neckwarmer is generous in size and shape. It can be worn high up on the neck for extra warmth and coverage, or folded down. I like knit customer orders as much as sewing ones. Have you met Kat yet, or visited her very beautiful blog? Stop by and see her. She has an Etsy shop too, where you'll find a lovely miscellany of her mixed media collages on canvas, paper crafts, lace bracelets and other jewelry!
More yarn goodness...During the weekend I purchased some yarns to make a scarf, gloves and maybe even hat for myself to match my new wool winter coat, which is a gorgeous dark plum color. The Kitten Mohair will be used as an effect yarn for the set, here and there for extra texture and interest. The bulk of the scarf set will be made of the Peer Gynt yarn, the hat will be worked mostly in the Eskimo yarn with a little of the Mohair and Peer Gynt. All of this wool should keep me toasty through a Norwegian winter! I've not decided yet on what stitch pattern I'll be using for the set, and have a feeling I won't really be able to work much on this project until during Christmas holidays. But this will be fun, as I've not really made myself anything in a while.
Something else terrific , that happened just before the weekend, was receiving a swap package from Clara! So many treats and delights did she send, I almost couldn't fit it all into one photo...Thank you so much, Clara, for such a fun, generous package! So many goodies here...Cotton Time magazine is something I've been aching to see for real for a loooong time, so this was a special treat. Lots of little things for making crafts--fabric, trims, beads. Also stationery bits & pieces. A Hello Kitty mini-towel--something I've not seen before! I love Hello Kitty... *^-^* And there was even a little teeny, tiny something wrapped up, which I'm supposed to save for my birthday next month...I will be a good girl and wait to open it--LOL! Clara is a sweet friend...And she's just opened a new shop, check her blog for details on her whimsical creations for sale. And she writes another blog, Tips of All Sorts, with all kinds of news, health information and consumer reports. Stop by and meet her at both her spots in blogland!
Saturday night I finally made a start on some card making for Christmas, as well as some cards for family and friends birthdays coming up soon. We have a desk in the living room, which is rather large, and makes a super over-flow work space. This photo shows more mess than work in progress--LOL!--but Christmas is inching ever closer, so it will be more mess in weeks ahead, I think! Santa's Little Helper (otherwise known as Charlie), did not feel like giving me a hand this weekend with making things, and so he camped out on the bed... Just the place to be during a foggy, damp, cold weekend.
Ah, a new week! Ripe with possibilities... and maybe the sun will return! Let's see... Happy days to you all! :o)
Sounds like you are having a good couple of days. You'r swap package looks fantastic. Bet you'll have fun with that.
Take care xx :)
Posted by: knit, crochet, stitch, stick | November 18, 2007 at 03:21 PM
Your weekend sounds great Tracey! Lovely packages and yarn, Christmas Cards and a lazy Charlie! Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: nicolette | November 18, 2007 at 05:37 PM
You have been busy! I love the neck warmer, beautiful rich colours! I think Charlie has the right idea. lol
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
Posted by: Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa) | November 18, 2007 at 09:38 PM
It is always nice to visit your blog! Have a terrific week, and take care.
Posted by: Marit | November 18, 2007 at 10:05 PM
All these pretty things!! Are you not glad God made us girls! :o) What a wonderful swap with Clara, and I am loving the neck warmer. You have been one busy little bee! I want so much to get some knitting time in, I think beginning December I will have a little wiggle room. :o) You have a wonderful week....
Hugs to you...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | November 18, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Such a lovely neckwarmer, and I can't wait to see what your warm woolly purple set will look like!
Posted by: dottycookie | November 18, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Ah, Tracy, I love that neck warmer!... so feminine and lovely; they help so much on those awful winter days...
Here is this... Just for you, my sweet friend:
In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer.
Love,
Cielo
Posted by: cielo | November 19, 2007 at 02:34 AM
Ah, how nice! I've been tempted to purchase copies of Cotton Time online. They just look so cute!
Posted by: Linda | November 19, 2007 at 03:41 AM
Lots of goodies here to look at today! No wonder I didn't see you on MSN. You have been a very busy gal! Lovely neck warmer! Now I know what my next request to you will be!!! What a lovely swap package! You lucky girl you! I just ordered that same Cotton Time magazine! I hope I get it soon! It looked like there were all sorts of lovely projects in it, especially tne sewing set! Can't wait to get stuck into that. I was making Christmas cards yesterday afternoon too! Funny we were both doing the same thing at some point this weekend! I love making my own cards. I run out of time each year and tell myself that next year I am going to start sooner! Oh well, that's me!!! I do my best work under pressure! Love the little taste treat of Charlie at the end. What a wonderful way to end a delightful post! These little visits with you Tracy are like a breath of fresh air! XXOO
Posted by: Marie | November 19, 2007 at 08:59 AM
what a pretty neck warmer and such nice gifts for a nice person!
Posted by: Laney | November 19, 2007 at 09:27 AM
I like the brown shades you've used for the warmer. Feels warm already! :-)
I'm so happy that you like all the goodies! And the HK towel is so cute! LOL! I think I also want one! Heehee.
Posted by: clara | November 19, 2007 at 11:20 AM
lovely eye candy today. (as usual actually)
Posted by: Suzie Sews | November 19, 2007 at 12:21 PM
I love the neckwarmer, it looks SO warm and cozy!
Posted by: Karyn | November 19, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Lovely neck warmer Tracey, and what a lovely package to recieve in the post, you'll have to tell me more about the magazine, iv'e wondered what it is like.
Sarah x
Posted by: sarah | November 19, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Tracy,
Thanks for stopping in at Hospitality Lane. I do hope you'll come back and visit again.
I am putting your name in for the drawing for the Lititz Themed Giveaway.
My husband was raised on York. It is neat that you get to come back so regularly.
Your blog is beautiful. The neck scarf looks warm. It is cold here right now. There were 6-8 inches of snow in the Poconos last night with 1 - 3 more expected.
Blessings on your day!
Becky K.
Posted by: Becky K. | November 19, 2007 at 03:00 PM
sounds like a busy, but cosy weekend. I haven't thought about Christmas cards yet!!! I love all your knitting, the choice of colours and textures is beautiful. Our cats seem to have been asleep all weekend! Take care and have a good week
Kim x
Posted by: kim | November 19, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Lots of good news and happy plans, and Maria and I most enjoyed watching Charlie take his nap. Maria loves his "Fleeping" picture... as in: "Shh... he's fleeping."
Posted by: Natalie | November 19, 2007 at 03:22 PM
I have picked up my knitting needles recently for the first time in about 15 years.
I love the yarn that you have chosen for your next project.
Racheal x
Posted by: Racheal | November 19, 2007 at 04:29 PM
LOVE that Charlie. You've caught him in a great pose. Did you wake him with a hug and kiss? I would!
Posted by: nikkipolani | November 19, 2007 at 05:47 PM
ooh, I love that mag...actually i think I love it, I've yet to get my hands on a copy, enjoy! I'm jealous!
Posted by: Lisa | November 19, 2007 at 09:09 PM
Oh I think Charie had the right idea!
Posted by: cd&m | November 19, 2007 at 09:23 PM
The neckwarmer is gorgeous, Tracy! It looks so soft and cosy ... and speaking of cosy ~ I think Charlie's got that down! :) I started making a few cards over the weekend too ... I'm beginning to realize just how close Christmas is! Have a wonderful week! ~ hugs, Lynda xo
Posted by: Lynda | November 20, 2007 at 01:28 AM
awww I do love Charlie, and that neckwarmer looks just perfect for these chilly winter days x
Posted by: Bumpkin Bears | November 20, 2007 at 12:26 PM
The yarns are beautiful especially the one on the neckwarmer - so plush and cozy!
Posted by: Dyan | November 20, 2007 at 08:41 PM
oh charlie is so sweet all curled up! and thanks so much for the lovely words on my blog Tracy. mam loves the neckwarmer i've sent a picture which you can use should you need to. Anyone considering a custom order from Tracy, you won't be disappointed her work is beautiful and she is so friendly its been nothing but a pleasure to buy from her. Kat
Posted by: kat | November 21, 2007 at 08:29 PM