Caution...long post ahead....

First off...I want to publicly apologize to Jennifer for not getting this post up sooner...she did an absolutely awesome job of "spoiling" me...I got her package last Saturday....I have no excuse other than it has been one of those weeks....

Jennifer did an incredible job of spoiling me in this swap...We exchanged long emails on a semi-regular basis...she sent me e-cards...I really got to know her and it made the swap a lot of fun...She kept me guessing the entire time...stinker...she made me think she was in the U.S...when she was actually in Canada...I didn't even catch it when she made reference to "claiming" value on the package when she mailed it...I am clueless, sometimes...

Come closer...look at all the goodies she spoiled me with....



She knit me not one...but...TWO dishcloths and crocheted me another ONE...How awesome is that...and...she used the dishcloths as wrapping paper..how smart is that????



She knit me a variegated one...the colors are beautiful and I love the pattern...the picture doesn't truly do it justice...the other one she knit is of a deer head, using the soft brown cotton yarn...I tried and tried to get a picture that showed the design...just wasn't happening....



The crocheted one is awesome - it has a unique pattern and the texture is really cool...again...the picture does not do it justice...



...and...this next item truly shows the thought that Jennifer put into this package just for me...anyone who knows me, knows I have a very soft heart....get emotional occasionally, okay, maybe a little more than occasionally...anyways... Jennifer crocheted this little klennex holder (complete with kleenex) for my purse...How thoughtful is that? Tissue anyone?



...and she sent me a set of stitch markers, sized for sock needles...I have made numerous sets of larger markers that I have given away - but none so tiny and none that I have kept for myself....I am thrilled...



..and speaking of socks...she sent this awesome skein of sock yarn...funny story....as you may or may not remember, Last Saturday, I went to the cities to pick Andy up for his spring break....on our way home, we stopped at numerous yarn stores in the cities...details to follow...anyways...I had this very same skein of yarn in my hand at one of the stores and put it down...thinking... well, when finances are a little better, I would pick it up someday for myself...this very skein.....How did she know????

I can hardly wait to start a new pair of socks...am thinking I should finish the pair I already have on my needles...



Here's a shot of the whole box...you can kinda see the brown dishcloth in the background...she also included a set of needle protectors in the shape of little socks...you can see them peeking out...the soap she included is lavender, smells awesome and is made in Canada about an hour from where she lives... the chocolate bar is ..well...lets just say...its gone...and it was awesome...



Thank you Jennifer!!! {{{hugs}}}

As I stated above, I did go to the cities on Saturday to pick up Andy...we explored five different yarn stores...and had a wonderful time...he even introduced me to Caribou Coffee...can you believe I have never been in a Caribou Coffee???? It was awesome!

I found Andy to be a perfect companion in yarn stores...he really appreciated the colors and softness of the different yarns...It was large fun....

I ended up buying yarn to make two projects for his girlfriend (Katie) and one project for him, along with a couple projects for me...

Let me show you...

It's a felted Blow fish...



Isn't it absolutely adorable? Don't you just want to smile? Andy and I decided that Katie needs one of these...doesn't everyone???

After a lengthy discussion on yarn color and complementary yarn color...we decided on this combination...



I also bought this yarn as a close second choice...may need to make up a second one...depending on how quick and easy the first one knits up...





Then, I found this yarn at a different store...decided it would make an awesome pair of socks for me...picked it up...was wandering around...decided I needed to go to the washroom...handed the sock yarn off to Andy...left him...came back and he had my sock yarn.... and this yarn...



It's Cherry Tree Hill (100% merino fingering weight)

There was a beret/beanie knit up...free pattern included with purchase...and Andy decided that Katie needed a new hat...but...we got to the cashier and they were out of copies of the hat pattern...I have searched around Ravelry and have not found the hat...it's called "Happy Feet" put out by Plymouth Yarns...I did find a similar pattern that uses worsted weight and am trying to figure out how to adapt it to fingering weight...any suggestions? I know I have to cast on more and use smaller needles...stay tuned to this channel for updates on that one....

Andy also decided he needed a "dice bag" for...well...his...dice...funny, how that works....

Anyways...he found a small drawstring bag made out of some very expensive yarn at one of the stores...I picked up a skein of suede yarn (can it be called yarn if it's suede?) and I am going to use Mandy's Candy Bag pattern to try and duplicate the bag he saw...again...stay tuned....




I did buy this beautiful yarn for myself...it is so soft. There was a scarf and hat made up using it. I am such a sucker for finished objects...most of the yarn I buy spontaneously is connected to a finished object in the store...I have no imagination to be original and figure it out for myself...

Anyways...I bought the pattern...the pattern calls for four skeins of yarn to make an eight foot scarf - decided I didn't need an eight foot scarf - so I bought just three skeinds...am anxious to get started...

I also bought two skeins of Lamb's Pride bulky weight to make mittens with...one in the same soft green color - and the other in a Grey/tweedy color...of all the mittens I have made and given away...I have none for myself...of course...it's going to be Spring here soon...I hope....

That was my Saturday in a nutshell...the week went downhill from there...

Monday night we got the dreaded 1:00 a.m. phone call...His sister had what they thought was a heart attack. Later we found out it was either a brain aneurysm or a blood clot - She was pronounced brain dead Tuesday morning...

Tuesday night we ran Andy back to the cities and home again all after school...still waiting word on His sister....

Wednesday evening was a combination of students staying late after school...confirmation class with Nathan...and lesson plans....still waiting word on His sister....

Thursday evening was a workshop after school for two hours (learned a lot...time well spent) and then my monthly Stamping Club...and...still waiting word on His sister....

She finally passed away Friday morning.....She lives on the other end of the state...so we will be leaving after I go to the dentist Monday....visitation on Monday and funeral on Tuesday....

...oh...did I mention I completely busted off my front bottom tooth on a piece of soft red licorice...that was last night...

I told you it has been a rough week....