That is exactly how I feel!! As I sit here listening to the evening rain outside and smelling the delightful scent of coconut as I type this post.

I love burning oils (b/c they are smokeless and give off a nice long lasting scent), and even more so I love The B.ody Shop!!

How about Marin must have known I had wanted another oil burner (that ironically matches my home decor! Look at the cute droplet!!), ran out of tea lights LOL! Haha! AND that my favorite oil burning scent is coconut!! Dang she really does pay attention!! I LOVE IT!!! And I dare not forget the stylish post-it notes! Check them out! :o)


As I look thru my eight page Cookie A German Stocking pattern Haha!! (Ooh this is so when I grow up in knitting! Haha!) I discovered I missed something else!! Yep!


A second sock pattern called Waterfall. Ooh yeah this pattern is more my speed right now :op
And I also know what I will be knitting up with this beautiful Mountain Colors yarn now.

Everything was just perfect! What a wonderful way to kick off my weekend!

You have certified me as one spoiled knitter! :o) Thank you!

I have a Fairy Godmother too!! She "angeled" (yeah so not a word) me a package from SP10 secret swap and I am almost practically a 'yarn princess' with all these 'yarny' goodness gifts coming my way!!

And yarn certainly is what you make it! Isn't it neat to know you can make your hanks of yarn into "something" "anything" your heart desires!! I think that is just awesome!

Pennie even has her own Etsy site so check her yarn out here!

Alright I can do better than that!!! Here is a good yarn p0rn pic for ya!! :oD

Of course this extreme yarn will turn into some yummy socks one day!

I have a Knitting Angel!!!

You may have recalled a few months ago I participated in the Secret Pal 10 swap, and I think it is wonderful that I have an angel (and from what I hear a fairy godmother too!!). So the wait was so worth it because I am so spoiled!! AND very appreciative!!

They were so quick to come from out of their magical wings to swoop down and make sure I had a great exchange experience. Thank you!!

On yesterday I was in a big rush to get out and make it to my knitting group (you know how it is running late!). But I knew I was expecting something special in the mail so I went to go pick it up before the office was closed for the day. And LOOK!

My wonderful angel gifts!! And we are not talking Victoria Secret here folks! LOL
I received a delightful surprise in getting a mittens book! The Knit Mittens! book has great patterns that tell you literally step by step what to do in helpful grids. I have seen these books before, but never had one. My Secret Angel really was paying attention!

I have been wanting to eventually branch out to mittens, and since I dream of doing Eunny's Anemoi Mittens one day this is a great start! :o)

During my sock class last month I saw another knitter taking a mittens class and it got me wanting to look into learning how to do them again! So this was perfect!

Here are some of the patterns that I am liking so far:

And of course I received yarn to get started on my 1st pair! Mmmh starts to ponder if I can knit two at one time?? :op. The yarn is Nature's Spectrum by the Brown Sheep Company in the colorway Enchanted Forest. Can you believe the label says it is "Permanently moth proofed"...Wow! Gotta love that!

I also received some Regia sock yarn in Strato color that stripes. And I know just the person I want to knit these socks up for so I can give them as a gift! Great! More practice for me on knitting socks! :oD

And lastly I was almost upset thinking my soap melted in the mail traveling here in the very hot summer heat. But actually, my cute yarn wrapped box is Solid Lotion that melts with your body heat!! How cool is that! :o) The scent is Lavender Mint. I love the smell of Lavender and I never heard of heated body lotion before until now! This is good stuff too with Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba and Vitamin E in it! I have such very dry skin that this is wonderful!

My card that came with my angel gifts had the cutest message in it:

Wishing you:

• Many hours to knit
  Warm Hands
• Warm Feet
• and at least one pair of socks that don't require hand washing!! :o) (She definitely has been reading my blog! LOL)

Well I didn't anticipate posting today, but discovered my Secret Pal Pam (the one I spoiled a.k.a Flint Knits) posted up her final reveal package! Plus she has now stopped by to check out my e-digs :o)

In the stainless steel 69% silk and 31% stainless steel (proper name: A-21, 1/20 silk stainless B). Pam is in the Project Spectrum and for the month of June one of the colors was metallic. So I thought how perfect would that be, plus it was on her wish list too! ;o) Isn't it nice!!

This yarn has a memory to it and is a lace yarn. I have never purchased this yarn before, let alone knitted with it! LOL. Even Pam is wondering what she is going to knit with it! If you have any pattern suggestions please hit her up at Flint Knits to let her know! :op I will be waiting to see too!
From my understanding it is good to pair it with the Habu Shosenshi Paper. Lovely but I doubt if I will ever knit with it! Possibly their cotton but not the steel :o) Hence why I had to hold it in my hands for a little while and take beautiful pics of it!!! :oD

If you want to check out the other Secret Pal goodies I sent her you can click here.

I also have some nice 'store box' yarn (TLC Cotton Plus yarn) that I have already started to use on a project. See I am not a complete yarn snob! :op And it is going to be cute too! More about that soon!

In other goody news the Soapy Knitter strikes again! Last week I purchased some more of her luscious homemade soap that you all may have remembered in one of my earlier blog entries that I posted, or have been seeing on other blogs as well.
I purchased some of her yummy Cashmere facial soap (has oatmeal, honey, lavender, Ylang Ylang Clary Sage Essential Oils), Spring Garden (with Australian Clay, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lime, Orange, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils), Green Tea (with ground herbs for exfoliation), and Sensual (a combination of Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Lavender fragrances).

I just showered in the delicious Sensual soap this evening!! Mmh of course b/c my skin is sensitive I have to take it easy as how often I shower/use the fabulous soaps so they are definitely treats.

Rosi (Soapy Knitter) technically doesn't sell her soap anymore at this time, but some of us pulled her out of retirement this one time. Check her out! Not only does she make soaps but she is a talented knitter!

Alright that is it for now! Have a nice Independence Day!

I am absolutely positive my Secret Pal thinks I am one ungrateful Booger! :op

My secretest of pals gave me the heads up that I should see something in the mail soon.
Let me tell you one thing about me and mail.....I rarely check it!! And need to now more than ever since I am doing the SP exchange! It probably has been about 2 weeks since I last went to my box!! Shish!

In saying all of that, my secretest of pals, penned 'Sir Knitsalot' (I have no idea if they are a male or female!! My assumption is female and that is just a crazy handle name) sent me a package and according to the box it has been here since the 21st!! I am a triflin' girl!!

And to my squealing delight it was a book on how to knit socks from my amazon.com wish list!!! :o)

My secretest of pals even had a nice note enclosed saying:

He/she must know how to knit socks! WHOA!!!!!!!!

The book is very thorough and goes over everything you need to know about knitting socks, in addition to some nice patterns to get started. The first sock they suggest is the 'Basic Sock' which is a quarter sock. And I have been thinking about my first pair being ankle or quarter length socks! I plan to get started on them after Ms. Marigold

I can't wait to see what other treats my secretest of pals has in store for me!! Thanks again!! :oD

Well here is a chance for others to get to know me in my knitting hobby. And just maybe I will end up with more than one mystery gift along the way! ;o)

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't like to knit with 'novelty' yarns like chenille, fun fur, eyelash..anything foo foo!

I would like to try the Malabrigo Malabrigo & Manos del Uruguay yarns, Knit One, Crochet Too - Ty Dy (for a future project in Cafe Latte), silk Habu Textiles, Soy Silk, or Cascade Fixation Sprayed Dye as a pair of socks!
Because I have yet to knit with any of these yarns!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have the Denise needles so that has their own case, and the Harmonies with their bag.
Thank goodness or my needles would be everywhere just lost!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My knitting story is right here:
http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-finally-did-it.html

I would consider myself a beginner intermediate now.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, I have an Amazon button in my sidebar!

5. What's your favorite scent?
Really like the scent of coconut (love Body Shop's butter and scrub) and lavender scents. Other than that I really don't get into "fruity" stuff. I am really particular about scents, plus I have really sensitive skin.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a terrible sweet tooth! I have a fetish for chocolate covered cherries (Cellas only) or strawberries (in love w/ Godiva's!)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Knitting is the most crafty thing I do at this time! And I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love gospel and R&B music mainly. Artists such as Fred Hammond, Joanne Rosario, Jill Scott, Robin Thicke, Teena Marie, KEM, Maxwell, Luther Vandross, etc.
I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I LOVE bright red and deep purple (like an eggplant purple).
I also like to see them in combos of red & chocolate or purple & chocolate.

I always wear/have red, black, and white in my wardrobe.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Just me, and no 4 legged animals! :o) I couldn't even keep my beta fishes alive!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, No, Yes (Eunny's Anemoi Mittens are to die for! I am going to knit those up one day when I am all grown up!!), and Sure.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Right now top down sweaters/garments! :op Learning how to do those and possibly my next project will be the Flair.
I also have a thing for baby items - even though I do not have any kids! :op

13. What are you knitting right now?
Ooh check my OTN status bar it could be anything!! :o)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, I would love handmade socks!! I have never had anyone knit me up a pair.
I can never get enough of handmade stitch markers too.
Anything personalized in my fav colors is very much appreciated!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Always on circulars. I love them! There is a very rare moment that you may see me on straights. And rarely knit on metal.

I'd love to get my hands on some Addi Turbo Natura Circulars in 40" for the smaller sizes like US 2 to ML socks. And could always use extra US 5 - 7 Harmony tips since I have noticed a lot of patterns I like call for these sizes.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes and yes! Gotta have the essential knitting appliances! :o)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years old now :op It is my Noni bag has just been sitting on my needles since spring 2006! My "plan" is to get it done by the end of this year so I can sport it during the fall season!
We will see..... :o)

18. What is your favorite holiday?
CHRISTmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Unique elephants w/ their trunks up (I am in a sorority - Delta Sigma Theta)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Yes, I have a wish list on Amazon.com (button on my sidebar) of the books I would like by 'priority' of interest.

I love custom made/unique stitch markers!

I used to do subscriptions but can get the mags cheaper at the box chain stores with my coupons!

I would love to get my hands on the Rebecca pattern mags (since that is so hard to get locally).
I have a serious jones for Simply Knitting and their promotional gifts. I am always trying to make it to B.orders to get their issues!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes, improve my crocheting skills since I only know how to do the basics to get thru some of my knitted garments.

I would also like to learn how to seam a sweater correctly (hence why I like top/down patterns right now).

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I just started to warm my needles up with sock knitting and plan to sharpen up my skills soon!
Especially made knitted socks just for me would put me over the moon!!! I think that is the best gift ever!

I am a US size 7.5 in a woman's shoe. I don't know my exact foot measurements.

23. When is your birthday?
I just celebrated one! April 8th

I am now officially apart of my first knitters secret pal exchange! WHOA! I am so excited!!
I was able to hop into one at the last minute since someone else dropped out. One of the hostesses saw my eager inquiry and asked me if I wanted to join to fill in the open spot. And I happily accepted!

I have been on other knitters' blogs noticing that they are in many different versions of secret pals and they keep signing back up (that says something within itself). So I thought I would give it a try!
Besides who doesn't like to get "fun" mail and treats from time to time!! I do!! :op Especially about my hobby of knitting! OH YEA! :oD (I really need blogger to get some smilies! haha)

So this is my first time doing this so I hope I am a good spoiler (my spoilee is an advanced knitter! *yikes* a tad bit intimidating, but she has a great sense of humor which I like!) This is going to be fun!

I also love the various cute buttons they made for this exchange. The one I have choosen for my sidebar was perfect timing! Haha! Since the book The Secret has been the buzz lately; my co-worker just recently let me borrow her book, so that has been my mental candy the last couple of days.

Well stay tuned for my questionnaire and my soon-to-be treats from my own SP in the mail!