Needing Help From Knitters/Crocheters

I stumbled across this post from Chan's blog and I'm joining in to help. Since Amy has it written better then I could write I just copied/paste..hope thats okay Amy....Hope we blow away whatever numbers you have in mind ..

Hey folks! I have just started a new project, to try to warm up the homeless in the city I live in, Winchester, VA, this winter coming.Warm Up Winc I know that we're all busy knitting for various charities, but when my mom (who works for the city government), told me that we had THREE tent cities last year, I just had to do something. And I thought that I would enlist some of ya'll to help, if you're up to it.My goal right now is small, but I'm thinking of holding a few contests as well for insentive, for those who join up. And, ya know, to make it fun!So please, go check it out!

Dog Days Of Summer Dishcloth Swap

Do you knit, or crochet, or do both? How long have you been knitting\crocheting?
I've been crocheting for years, think was junior high that I learned to do basic Granny Square and Mom taught me Hairpin Lace..I'm a new knitter, have only done 1 cloth but do have a 2nd one I must do thanks to Chan's inspiring pattern :)
Have you knit dishcloths or dishtowels before? I've crocheted dishcloths and towels, but have only done 1 knitted cloth so far
What are your favorite cotton yarns? Is there a cotton or linen you’ve been dying to try but have not? Can't say I have a favorite..out here I get what I can get so I've never worked with Linen or any other name brand cottons. Have only worked with Peaches & Cream, Sugar & Cream or Aunt Lillys
Are there any cotton yarns you don’t enjoy knitting with? Not yet
What type of needle do you prefer using? (Metal/Wood/Plastic) Mostly depends on the project..I just recently received wood hooks in a swap but havne't had the chance to try it yet, but sure can't wait! So I guess any of the type hooks would be fine.
What other projects do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I'm hooked with felting bags, I do make hats, scarves and some toys/games for the grandkids, do want to try and make a knitted bowl from a Swap I received and havent' done yet, I like to crochet and do it sometimes just to see what it looks like..hoping to start on the knitting so I can get better at it, so many pretty patterns out there I want to do.
Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting? Macrame, scrapbooks, Beading, Plastic Canvas, Sewing, little cross stitch (eyes aren't as good as they use to be). I like to be outside and try to grow desert plants...lol
What kind of treats do you like? Chocolate? Candies? Nuts? Chocolates, but unfortunately I have to ask not to send as it melts into liquid getting here :(
What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in, if any? Kitchen- leaving it the purple that it is (have too much money wrapped in the Spice Village Collection) Bath- 1- is purple/sage green/mauve, 2- is Black, teal, 3- undecided yet..lol
What are your favorite colors and what colors do you dislike? Favorite colors- Purple, Teal, Coral, some Red, Blues, Black & White, Sage Green, Lime Green, like the bright bold colors..Like alot of colors just not too much into orange or regular green..
Do you drink coffee? Tea? Other beverages? Definite coffee drinker (all day up to bed time), do like some teas, love hot cocoa and drink Sweet Ice Tea (gotta have the sugar)
Do you have any kids (human or pet variety!)? Have 3 grown boys & 2 grandkids (1 of each), Have 2 dogs -Storm & LadyChaos, 2 cats -Electra & Dyna.
Do you have any allergies? desert dust..lol
Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think your pal and other swappers might find odd or interesting. I think any of my pals would find me to be an oddball, but a fun one...lol, I'm still somewhat of a perfectionist and thats really hard living out here in the dusty desert..lol, I do love to bake and try to garden some (though think I should give the gardening up as I have been killing desert plants too..lol), I eat dessert first any chance I get :) Only thing odd really is probably me ..lol

Garfield Comic Strip

Gotta love Garfield..lol This really hit me as its the way I'm feeling right now...lol

Secret Identity Revealed

Woo-Hoo...My Partner, who was Nancy , received her 2nd goodie package from "The Spring Felted Bag Swap"!! My identity was finally revealed!! Whew.. I made it, that was alittle tough as Nancy & I have been online friends for awhile now...(makes me wonder if thats why My Pal is so very quiet), hard to ask questions that you possibly already know the answer too, but I did it..just had to remember when posting as "secret pal" to make sure I was on the right blogger name..lol I sure wish I could've seen her face though, but her Thank you's make up for that as I think she was really surprised when she found out it was "Me" :) I had a blast spoiling Nancy and Reggae both..and I so do apoligize that the first package I sent out last month, I, of all people and my love for animals forgot to put Reggae's treats in the box..so I bought some more and added to the Second Package..and even then my I had one gift of Reggae's that I couldn't send as "Lady Chaos" liked it better (to which it is no longer)..lol But I'm told Reggae is happy with his treats and he and Nancy will be planting his Cat Grass this weekend. :) I'll let Nancy post her pic's this weekend and then put the links in.
You are so Welcome Nancy, it was my pleasure and I hope as a Secret Pal, that I did okay or at least made it fun for you! (though I was just as happy as a little camper that you replied back & kept in touch). You do know that if I ever get back to Jersey, we will definitely have to get together (first place is to stick toes in the sand), not to often I get to meet another Jersey girl! Thank you for putting up with me...lol Have a Super Weekend!!

Tagged Why June 9 Is Special...

Well I've been tagged with a MeMe from Anne, so glad its a different tag..lol
Ayways here's the deal...

Here are the rules: The rules: You go to http://www.wikipedia.org/ and type in your birthday (only the month and day). Then you write down 3 events, 2 births, 1 holiday, and then you tag 5 friends

3 Events:

*1909 - Alice Huyler Ramsey, a 22-year-old housewife and mother from Hackensack, New Jersey, became the first woman to drive across the United States. With three female companions, none of whom could drive a car, for fifty-nine days she drove a Maxwell automobile the 3,800 miles from Manhattan, New York, to San Francisco, California.

* 1934 - Donald Duck debuts in The Wise Little Hen.

*1957 - First ascent of Broad Peak (12th highest mountain).

2 Births:

* 1934 - Jackie Wilson, American singer (d. 1984)

* 1940 - Shirley Muldowney, Racecar Driver

* 1954 - George Pérez, American comic book artist

1 Holiday

* Roman Empire paganism - third day of the Vestalia in honor of the goddess Vesta


I will let you tag yourself if your interested in playig along...there is some neat info though.

Nancy's Bloggerversary Contest!

Nancy is hosting a Contest in honor of her 1 year being a blogger!!! Hope you'll stop by and wish her a "Happy Blogiversary"!! (I am still trying to put my answer in words..lol)

My Pal Received her SIS Dishcloth Swap !

Woo-Hoo!! My Spring Into Summer Dishcloth Swap package made it!! My partner, Erica H. recieved her swap package! I'm hoping she'll post a pic to her blog too as I unfortunately forgot to put the stitch markers I made her in the picture, but I made them using green beads and little dice. They really came out kinda cute! Knowing the weather here in Vegas, I didn't send chocolate and I wrote and told her why, but alas she didn't do without...while opening the package, she was eating chocolate cake...and you know I forgot to tell her that while I was reading her email that she had gotten the package, I too was eating chocolate cake with chocolate icing. :) YUMMMMMM ! lol (yes, I ate all my dinner first). Thank you Erica for letting me know it arrived and I hope we meet again in another swap to come. It was great being your partner! Until we meet again....

Chan's Contest #2

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and wished Mary a happy birthday! All the extra wishes made her day. Michelle was the group winner for my group, and Laura was the winner for the general group. I'll be shopping for those prizes this week during our Virginia yarn crawl, so it will probably be a full week or more before those prizes mail out.



I personally would like to say "Thank you" for all the Birthday Wishes..You truely made my Milestone Birthday a Special one!!! (and I don't feel any different) Also to those that sent cards, Thank you! I even had one come all the way from Austalia, Thank you Christine!!
I personlly say "Thank you" to Chan. She not only made my day extra special by having this contest, but had a package of specially chosen soaps from Sharon sent to me. And now that I finally got a picture of them I can use them now..can't wait to try them too, they smell so wonderful! Thank you to Sharon for making that special "purple" one..lol Might be the first one I try :)

Also, Congratulations to the 2 winners, Michelle & Laura! Way to go gals!!
Again, Thank You to you all! Hope everyone has a terrific week!

Virtual Vacation Swap Questionaire

Edited to add that I currently live in Las Vegas, NV...have my weather link at the bottom of my blog. Now to my questionaire for the swap...

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? Vermont, Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Dakota's, Colorado, Alaska, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Nebraska, Missouri, Utah, Alabama, Idaho, Iowa and Washington are all states I haven't been to
2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why? Ireland, would love to wonder through the many small shop, the countryside and being irish I've always wanted to go there. Autralia would be a close second.
3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries? Oh yeh, during our military traveling days and retiring from East Coast to West Coast..lol
4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it? yes, Puerto Rico, being surrounded by clear blue waters, some of the rain forests and even times up in the moutains
5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why? Never really had a real vacation, always seemed our military moves were vacations..lol
6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain. Yes a few times when family or friends came out to visit.
7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker? First love would have to be the beach (I'm a misplaced Jersey Girl), I do miss it! But point me in the right direction for the amusement parks if I haven't already gotten to it :)
8. What's your favorite type of yarn? I'm hooked on felting so I would have to say anythng that felts.
9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? don't really think I have a least favorite, sure some are harder to work with, like fun fur, or some Noro's that are thick/thin, but in some patterns they all look great!
10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? Lately its been totes, bags, but I would love to do myself a shrug and something with beads,just haven't figured out what yet..lol
11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation? Well at least one BIG bag full of crochet hooks, patterns, yarns, etc. If I run out of yarn can always buy more :)
12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? I'm a crocheter, do plastic canvas, some cross stitch, scrapbooking, some beading, do macrame, am very new to knitting. Have only done 1 cloth but thats a start, isn't it?
13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise) not to my knowledge
14. What is your favorite color? Purple of course, along with Teal, blues, black, lime green, some Reds like Burgundy-Mauve. I like Bright, Bold colors Least Favorite? Orange & dull colors
15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)? Definite Sweet, but some moods would be savory
16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know? I have 2 dogs & 2 cats, am easy to please..I kinda collect T-shirts and like them roomy so in case that comes up XL please, I like to be outside and do some gardening (or try at least out here), love windchimes, like to read Chicken Soup type books (own alot) but told theirs a Chocolate series out there? Am a chocoholic but it'll melt sending it here :( Am in need of a really good yarn store..lol Anything else you need, don't be afraid to ask :)

Early Birthday Present!

Well I tried to do too many posts into 1 and blogger had other plans an held back some of what I wrote so here's another post....lol

At work yesterday (Thursday), they had a small party (cupcake party) in Celebration for my 50th Birthday! Oversized cupcakes WOW!! Mine was- all chocolate with chocolate fudge icing and a blue candle in it..(didn't have purple one) LOL Anyways, they sang "Happy Birthday" to me and I could feel the blushing (hate being in the spotlight) ..lol and my sweet husband, the very nice guy he is and hating to hold any present till its time, gave me this.....

What a great gift and one that is so very needed and I will use till death do we part and he was afraid I wouldn't like it, (being so picky I am sometimes). I am thrilled to death! Thank you to my hubby!!! He's the greatest and I love it!!! Now I can't wait till we can figure out where we're gonna plug this baby in..lol I sure could've use it when making all those beaded stitch markers for my last swap. Look out now, Momma's got a hands free magnifier and I might be able to see what I'm doing now...LOL

Sock yarn & Tagged Again

Oh my gosh I've been trying to get a few things posted, but with Ms. Chaotic demonoid (Lady, who's new name might be Lady Chaos now), I've been having a hard time keeping this post from disappearing..lol And also blogger not letting me post all in one posting.

I wanted to share that my "sock yarn" finally, after over a month on waiting has finally come in...See... isn't it pretty and its so soft...

It is Hill Country Sock Yarn in "Purple Moutain". Has most of my favorite colors in one yarn and now I can finally try making socks! Crochet of course, with my new book that I've had since I first ordered ..lol

Also during the week and several comments, I've been TAGGED Again!!

This time by Jill Thank you Jill :) I don't know if I have 7 more things, though I'm sure I do, just have to figure out what they are. I will be posting that later on, right now need to get some things done while you-know-who is resting :) So til later......

Hope everyone has a great Friday & a Fantastic weekend!! :)

Thank You Spring Felted Bag Tote Fairy!

Oh what goodness awaited me as we got home today!!! We pulled up right after the mailman left....Thank you to my Tote Fairy, whomever you may be, no note added, so I think she's waiting to reveal herself to the end of the swap :)

I had to wait til after bowling to post this, but Look at all my Fairy Goodies... Beautiful colors of felting yarn in my favorite colors, a couple patterns, a summer Citronella candle, Chocolate Espresso Beans...Yummmmmmm :), Tin of peppermints and 2 new crochet hooks that are really special. 1 is made of Birch which I can't wait to try & have never seen before and the second one is really extra special as its the same size hook I broke when playing with a bag pattern just a ways back, a "J" Hook ....Thank you, Thank you so much to my Tote Fairy..you are truely wonderful and I must say I think she's spying on me :) Thank you, I just Love everything!!!!

Dishcloth Contest Prize Arrived-Thank You!!

Thank you, Thank you Chan!!

Look at the lovely prize I received this evening for winning one of the Spring into Summer Dishcloth Contest! First time I've won a prize from a Swap Contest :) I love it!!! I was really surprised when my name was on the blog as a winner!
I did however forget to put the BIG bag of M & M's in the photo, but they are cooling off as we've been triple digit lately, so I put them right under one of the vent so the a/c blows right on them..they are okay though, not melted, just really warm. They'll be A-OK to take to work tomorrow :)
I think Chan is inspiring me to try the knitting again. (don't ya think)? I love the pattern she enclosed, even Mike liked it..Its bowling pins and ball :) I suppose when we're not bowling (3 nights a week), I can try to do it..its small enough. I feel alittle silly as I sent Chan an email 1) Thanking her & 2) to ask what the sheep thingie was..while waiting I opened it... well Duh!! Once opened I found out its a tape measure...lol thats the cutest thing I've seen :) Got to be a knitters thing and why I didn't know...lol (I think thats a good answer, huh?) And of course, my favorite color in cotton..I don't know where she found that at, but it sure is pretty and gonna make that pattern, after all she enclosed the needles too :) (I feel the push, I will, I will, I'll do it) lol
Thanks again Chan for the lovely prize and the new friendship! You bloggers are the greatest! (and Thanks for including us crocheters)

Oh Happy Me :)

Oh me oh my..Laurie, Laurie, Laurie...you out did yourself girl...I Thank you so much for the wonderful spoiling!! Thank you, Thank you , Thank you!!!
Oh how glad I am that I brought my package in the house to cool off..lol Let me tell you I bowled the first game great, but the last two like crap just because I couldn't wait to get home and open my surprise!! And what a surprise........
LOOK at all my goodies......
Oh how I can't to dig into those taffies... how did you know that I was low on my shower gel stuff :) Girl you must've been in my head on that one...lol I love the smell of the candle in the tin, smells so good I could eat it, but I won't..lol
I love the yarn, new to me..lol and pretty purple though the flash makes it look blue...lol, She sent me 2 new hooks, 1 is an Addi's and the other is Bamboo.. I'm getting really spoiled here and I can't wait to try them......and the Stitch Markers are beautiful!!!! You did a fantastic job on them :) Absolutely goregous!! Did you make the bag for them too? And the card, Thank you, Thank you very much Laurie, I know its not a birthday card like you said, but it was definitely a birthday package that you put together for me and I really appreciate that. (as you didn't have to do that), but I love everything and again, Thank you so much! You definately Rock!!