"Hello, My Name is Inigo Montoya..."

A couple of weeks ago, my swap partner and I met at  Los Palaminos, the local, authentic Mexican place, to...well, swap our packages. I throuoghly enjoyed our visit and am so happy that I can now share with you the puns that hurt my dear husband, so much.

At the beginning of the swap, I found out that K really likes "The Princess Bride" both the movie and the book were on her list of favorites. I have been wanting to do themed packages this year, so I decided that was what I was going to do. The first month of the swap, I spent more time actually planning out the packages than making the package. Oops!

This first package, I thought it would be fitting if I went with the quote "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." because we were just meeting. So, I included some note cards that said "Hello" on the front, I made a basket out dark blue yarn...I was trying to go for "Indigo" yarn but my Local Craft Shops didn't have any in stock and I was running short on time, so I couldn't order it. Then my favorite part was the actual pun.

I asked K if she liked to dye things (oh, yeah, I went there!) and because she said that she had no interest, I decided to try my hand at tie dying a project bag for her.  "Prepare to dye" was what I was going for and it still makes me giggle, because I'm a child at heart and I enjoy a good pun. My dear husband, however just shakes his head at me. It took a couple of tries to figure it out because the dye came in bottles so there was no dipping involved. This confused me even more but I'm glad that I don't have a blue or green pan/bowl/bucket now. The first try, there was more white space than I wanted. Pretty much, just the corners were dyed. It was bad. So I dyed it again and it came out much better.

I'm not sure that I will try tie-dying, using bottles again. But, it was fun and I hope that K enjoys all of the little things that were in the package, beyond just the themed stuff. I am excited to work on the second package, which isn't due until August. Now that I have the planning done, I can spend more time on the packages.

Feel free to check out my other posts about the swaps! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

**The basket was made from the "Colorful Catchalls" pattern in the August 2015 issue of Crochet World Magazine

Afghan Swap 2016: Package #1

 Today, my swap partner, Vwoman and I were able to meet at a local Mexican eatery "Los Palaminos" for lunch today. It was great to be able to meet her and her mum, and introduce her to Jerad as well. We had great food and great company, despite the cold weather.

As part of our visit, we swapped our packages. It was fun opening them and watching her open hers as well. In mine I received the beautiful shawl pictured above,

Three beautiful fingerless gloves. The pair on the right matches the shawl. I love all of these and will be strutting my stuff at work! These will help, even in the Summer time when the store has the Air Conditioning on and it gets too cold for my hands. I will be nice and cozy all year round!

Some colored pencils, an adult coloring book, a pattern for Reindeer mittens, and a recipe for Russian Tea and Date balls. I'm pretty sure that my Mimi (Dad's mum) made the Date Balls, but never shared the recipe. Which, of course had the grand kids coming around for more. They may have been figs, instead but they look very similar. I just know that whatever it was it was yummy and I can't wait to try out these recipes!

Some safety eyes for the toys and dolls that I plan to finish, buttons to add to my collection and two Dahlia bulbs (which Jerad was surprisingly excited about). We have been wanting to start a garden and these will be perfect for it. Now, we just have to wait for the frost to stop making appearances.

Lastly, a beautiful skein of Lion Brand Heartland yarn in the Bryce Canyon colorway. I am excited to find the perfect project for this yarn. I think I might actually have a second skein in my stash. Or my dark purple would look great with it. Hmm...I guess we know what I will be doing on my days off. Pouring over my library of patterns to find the perfect one.

Thank you, so much! I enjoyed our visit and I am enjoying everything you have made for and given me. I am excited to start the next package!

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved.
Feel free to leave comments below and check out some of my other posts! I always love hearing from you.

Afghan Swap 2015: The Final Box

As some of you know, I have been taking part in a year round, afghan swap. In this swap, there are three packages: two smaller and the final on has the afghan. The first one was sent out in April, then August and finally December. I have throurghly enjoyed participating and hope to take part in the next years.

My final package left me spoiled:

 I received two, beautiful circle blankets!

 Many goodies: Two bags of butterscotch candies (my favorite), hot chocolate, Peanut Butter Cup Tea (yum!), Sherlock Holmes book (My CSI hero), an engraving art kit, dry erase board, X-men DVD (Not sure how she knew of my secret Marvel love or my love for Hugh Jackman...) and not pictured a set of beautiful blue coasters.

 There were four blanket patterns, a recipie for pie and one for ham.

 Four skeins of yarn. They are so soft and I have many ideas for these I just have to pick the right ones.

 A clever, reversible hat.

 Beautiful, beaded stitch markers

 And two crochet magazines! One is Crochet Accessories (which I will be making several thing in the near future) and the other is a Crochet magazine, which teaches the enterlac crochet which I have been so curious about. I am excited and forever thankful!

Thank you, Bonnie for spoiling me, all year. It has been such a blessing to get to know you and find things for you as well. Your patience with me was unimaginable. I know I have a history of unending questions and this was my first swap. Thank you, for being part of such a wonderful year.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved

Dear Santa, May I Borrow Some Elves?

I finally sat down (during a lunch break) and wrote down a list of projects that I need to start and complete before Christmas comes around. Yes, it is only September but I'm sure all you crafters know just how long it takes to make something special for someone. I glanced at my list, today and I'm starting to wish that I hadn't written everything out.

So far (I usually end up adding things) I have:

Two afghans- one is for a swap and needs to be finished by December 1st, I'm about halfway finished; the other is still in the process of having the pattern written. Eighty rows are written, still have about 108 rows more.

A "Stitch" hat for my neice.

Ten winter hats

Three Earwarmers

Three Shawls

Six ornaments

Ten scarves

Nine potholders

Four dishcloths

and possibly a third blanket but I'm not sure I'll have that much time.

Since I have started crocheting, one person has received a blanket each year. The first year it was my dad and step mom, the second was my mother in law, this year it will be my husband and I'm thinking next year will be my brother in law, once I figure out what he likes. Now that he is in high school, I don't know if he still wants the Star Wars things or if he wants things to be  a little more grown up.

Which makes it difficult for this Christmas, for him. Last year I made him a "Creeper" scarf from Minecraft. Last year he was in middle school. This year, he is in high school and I'm not sure what he wants.

Out of all the projects that I need to do, I have the blanket for my afghan swap started and...yeah, just that. Well, I may have one scarf and an earwarmer finished...depending on if I want to give away my prototypes of the Strawberry Wine patterns.

Every year, my list gets longer. I'm just going to have to start crocheting for Christmas 365 days ahead of time.

In all of the chaos, remember: You are beautiful and well loved.
 

Afghan Swap Package #2!

Hey there!

Some of you, know that this year I decided to join an Afghan swap on Ravelry.com. What it is, is three packages go out to your assigned partner, throughout the year. One in April, one in August and the final one in December. The first two packages are little things and the last is the afghan. It is pretty neat and you get to know someone that you may never have had the chance to get to know.

Well, I received my second package a couple of days ago and didn't have a chance to actually  write about it, until today!

I am so excited and grateful to Bonnie for everything she has done for me.

 I received a recipe for Banana cake and Buttermilk Fried Chicken; some patterns for a Log Cabin Blanket and a basket weave baby blanket....

 A Crochet magazine with great tips and wedding projects (which is great because I know a couple of people who are having a wedding in the next year or so) and a Family living magazine with 76 yummy recipes...

 Some yummy chocolate mint patties and Oh Henry bars...yum yum yummy! ...

 Three skeins of lovely yarn that gives me so many ideas...

Two beautifully knit potholders and washcloths!

Thank you, Bonnie for your beautiful package. I truly do appreciate it and I hope that you enjoy yours.

What is your favorite thing to make someone?

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

My first Swap Package!

Some of you know that I have taken on the challenge of my first Afghan swap! It is a year long swap with the same partner. Three packages are sent out from each partner. The first two are smaller and filled with goodies, the last one (in December) is an afghan that we have been working on for the other person. Also, the last box is filled with goodies. I just sent out my first package (which she received) and I got my first one from her!

I wish you all could have been there for my happy dance when I opened my package the other night! Even though I was expecting it, it was a very nice surprise and I am so excited for everything in it! So, here we go!

First up is three skeins of beautiful yellow yarn! So soft :) I already have some ideas brewing of what I might do with this. Thank you, so much, Bonnie!
Next! I have a beautiful Crochet magazine filled with so many more project ideas and I wonder how long it will take me to make them all! There is a really cute dress I want to make my niece, that I found in there. Also, she sent a Rainbow Ripple Baby blanket, 12-pointed star. I am so excited for this because I think thiss will be perfect for my cousin, who just had a baby! (I might use some of the yarn I got, for this :) ). Also, a yummy recipe for hot chocolate cake ! She just combined two sets of words I love “Hot Chocolate” and “Cake”. I can’t wait to try this!

Next, we have more yummy yummies! My husband grabbed the choclate cherries and ran off with them, the moment he saw them in the box. Hahaha! Right now, I am sipping some yummy orange tea. It feels so good after a night of rain.
Up next….

Some beautifully made, hand knitted, cozy socks! These my hubby can’t steal mwahahahaha! And if he does, I will know it. (we have sock wars)

And Last, but certainly not any less exciting….A sewing kit that I can stick in my purse and take with me, when I have projects that call for buttons or when accidents happen at work (or anywhere for that matter), a pom-pom maker! I have been wanting to try one of these things out because I like the look of the fuzzy things on hats, but it has been so fun trying to figure out how to make one and yarn just gets everywhere. I am hoping that this helps! And a little wallet with a crown on it. :)
Thank you, Bonnie (Panther)! I love absolutely everything that was in this package and I am excited for the future two.

Afghan Swap #1

I am so sorry that I haven't posted anything in a couple of weeks. Life decided to take me on a trip of it's own for a while. I was working overtime the last couple of weeks until a new Full time assistant manager was hired and now I'm back to my 20 hours and job searching while having time for crochet and blogging. Yay!

As promised, here is a picture of the afghan that I am working on for my first afghan swap!

 

I was wanting to go for more of a "Stained Glass" look. I thought that the multi-colored yarn bordered by the black would look nice. The pattern is a honeycomb afghan pattern that I found for free on Ravelry.  The afghan isn't due until December but I am starting it because afghans tend to take me a while and I don't always have time (like these last couple of weeks) to work on it. 

Actually, I have surprisingly taken a break from crocheting and I cannot express to you, how much I miss it. I need to make things. I have yarn but I just don't know what to make, as my small projects. Usually, I have one large project and 2-3 smaller projects going on at the same time. I did make a headband for St. Pattrick's Day but nothing to really write home about.

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me that I do need to take time to relax every day. Just a little bit of time for me. I love my husband, my friends, my job, my family but everyone should take a little bit of time for their self. For me, I like to crochet. Even it if is only ten minutes. I am going to make it a goal to crochet at least one row, a day, on my afghan and find another project to start.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

Feel free to leave comments below and check out some projects I have worked on or finished in my previous posts.

Afghan Swap!

I joined a group on Ravelry that does a year long swap. You are assigned a partner, and you swap three packages through out the year. This is my first swap, ever and I am so excited! The first and second box have different things that you make, some yarn and little gifts. The last one, in December, we swap an afghan that we have made for our partner.

Quite honestly, my first package is supposed to go out by the end of the month and I haven't the foggiest idea of what I'm going to send, or how I'm going to send it. My partner has done more swaps and I really don't want to give her something that she already has. My problem, with gifting, my husband says is that I put too much thought into my gifts and I actually stress over them.

My partner and I have talked back and forth, quite a bit. She has been very helpful in finding the things she likes but I still want there to be a surprise. So, I'm not sure that I am going to post too much of what I'm making her, on here, in case she reads. I do really want to post the blanket that I have started for her. But I will have to make a seaparate post for that, because I would like to talk more about it and I don't know where my camera is.

I do really like the idea of a knit/crochet swap. I am exicted to see what other people can make and excited for the adventures of making someone I have never met, in person, gifts. I love to help people smile and I think this is one of the many ways.

Have you done anything similar? What are some gifts you have made for someone? Feel free to leave comments and check out my other posts. I love hearing from you!

You are beautiful and well loved.