New Pumpkin Stitch Markers!

Well, here are the new pumpkin stitch markers finally!! I think they turned out really cute! Can't wait to get another project going so I can use them. Like I need another project going! I think I need to finish a couple first, but what would be the fun in that??? ha ha!!

Topic of the Week - Dishcloth Exchange

Topic: Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

No, I do not change. Our weather here in the SE doesn't change much until Jan or Feb. We only get a few cold months, & only a few flurries if we are lucky. I really miss the snow!! :(
I love felted bags & of course that takes 100% wool.... dishcloths are always good.... I tend to use acrylic for afghans, those I usually do knit or crochet in the cooler months..... and sweaters are usually knit in lighter weight yarns, cotton, linen & other yarns that are airy, etc..... don't get much use out of heavy sweaters here. It was 90 something here today!!! Yuck! It is supposed to be fall for goodness sakes! Unfortunatley we are usually still in short sleeves at Christmas here.

Time to get started!!

Woo hoo!!! Time to get started being a spoiler & spoilee!! I got my notes from my spoiler today, she sounds like fun!! Looking forward to seeing what I get, I'm so excited!! Thanks for the great comments on the markers!! I enjoy making them.

I contacted my secret pal this evening.... This is my first swap so I hope my secret pal doesn't mind me going a bit overboard!! ha ha! She just might be sick of hearing from my by the end!! :) Keeping all this a secret is going to be tough, I'm not a good secret keeper!!! I'll try my best.

My Beautiful Baby Jasmine!

Well, since I don't have any children of my own.... this is my baby. My adorable kitty Jasmine. (Jazzy) Isn't she just beautiful!!! She has such attitude, she owns this place and we just live here with her! ha ha!

My latest finished project!

Here are a couple of photos of my newest bag.

This pattern is the Double Delight pattern in Eva Wiechmann's "Pursenality Plus" book, with a few modifications. :) I made it a bit smaller, I think the original is a tote bag size & mine is more large hand bag size. Just perfect for my "junk" I carry around every day! It has 3 large pockets with magnetic closures.

I made it out of Malabrigo yarn. It was sooooo soft and beautiful it was almost a shame to felt it!! I got the beautiful matching leather handles from Homestead Heirlooms, here is a link to their site: http://www.homesteadheirlooms.com/index.html

They are super friendly ladies & I got my handles and mini leather leaves in just a couple of days!

This bag ended up being a bit pricey but it is what I really, really wanted!!! And it's price doesn't compare to my husband's hobbys, so he can't complain!! I'll get so much use out of it too!! :)

Join, Join, Join!!!

I am now officially a swapaholic!! ha ha! I have joined the Dishcloth exchange, http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/, the Bag Swap on the Bagaholic site, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bag-A-Holic/, and the KAL for the new Interweave book 'Bag Style', http://bagstylekal.blogspot.com/. I am going to be busy, busy, busy!!! I'll post progress on everything as I get going. I think they are ALL going to be lots of fun!!

"Fall Into Autumn" Dishcloth Swap Questionaire

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?

BOTH. I have been crocheting for about 12 years, my wonderful grandmother taught me the basics & I took it from there. I have been knitting for about 2 years. A friend talked me into trying it, I always thought it was one needle too many! Now I love it!!

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?

Yes, I have made many of them and do use them myself. Last year I gave about 20 of them as Christmas gifts with pretty soaps in them.

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?

Not sure I have a favorite.... I used Knitpicks Shine Worsted for the Christmas gifts last year, it was really soft and I thought it would make nice face/washcloths for the bath. I have also used the Sugar & Cream for dishcloths. I would try any yarn, I love just about all of it!! :)

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?

I like both circular & straight, depends on what I'm knitting. I like both wooden & metal, I have both, it depends on what I'm knitting which I use. The yarn slides easier on the metal I think. Don't like plastic at all, tried them and now they are at the bottom of a drawer somewhere!

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?

LOVE purple!! I also like greens, yellows, pinks, white & black. I don't like the too bright colors, I like natural, jewel or earth tones & pastels. And, my kitchen is black & white, so any colors combined with black & white would be great! Any color for the bath. I'm not picky.

6. What do you like best about Autumn?

The somewhat cooler weather.... it gets REALLY hot here in the summer!!!

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!

Pecan the best.... I also like Key Lime & cobblers!

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?

I don't think I overslept but I wasn't all that thrilled either! It was just something I had to do.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)

I think Halloween is a lot of fun! I love the decorations and costumes. I'm more of a "cute" person though, I don't go for the scary or gory.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?

Gummy Bears, Chocolate (Rolos & M&Ms are my faves), does Pasta count as a 'goodie'? ha ha!

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)

I have an adorable kitty, Jasmine, we call her Jazzy. One step-son who has now graduated high school and has left home. And I do have a husband who definately seems like a kid most of the time!!

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?

This is a tough one..... maybe a laceweight mohair blend, like Rowan Kidsilk Haze. It is light and fluffy, dreamy, very soft, but strong at the same time. I am a real softie, tenderhearted to a fault, cry easily & my feelings get hurt easily. I have a dreamy nature and love romance novels and cry at sad movies. I love lacy pretty things. I'm kind of shy. But I am also very durable and strong. :)

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?

Ummmm..... facecloths/washcloths I guess. I use both though.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)

I would have to say Halloween, no pressure there! Thanksgiving & Christmas can be a little stressful with all of the family and expectations....

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?

Just your basic seasonal allergies, please don't send any dust or mold! ha ha! No allergies to food or yarn! That would just be horrible!!

A Friend's Sweater

One of my knitting buddies (Tucky) knitted this wonderful Gansey Sweater... isn't it beautiful?! She is so talented and an incredibly fast knitter! I'm so jealous!! :)

The sweater was from the book by Beth Brown-Reinsel, her first book "Knitting Ganseys", published in 1993 by Interweave Press.

New Bag!!

I just bought a new handbag, just can't have too many bags, or shoes for that matter!! :) This is a handmade bag from http://www.jewlbal3.etsy.com/, check out her store, really pretty bags and you can buy the patterns too!!

Latest Stitch Markers

Here are my latest stitch markers..... Ghosts & Bats for the fall/Halloween season. They are more silly than spooky, but lots of fun to knit with! :)