A Happy Scavenger.... Or Is It Scavengee?

Crossposted on winemakerssister and Scavenger Hunt Swap.

Ok, Scavenger Hunt swap spoiler -- show yourself!

I received a wonderful box filled with goodies from Norfolk VA today... but with no name attached. Everything is clever and fun and well thought out. I love it all!

Here's what I received:

Something round - 2 skeins of Manos color 106. My spoiler said they jumped into her basket. I can understand that -- they knew they were meant to come to my home and make me very, very happy...

Something with a "T" - a big, lovely lightweight tote, perfect for holding a larger knitting WIP, eh?

Something green - needle felting claw and mat cleaner. You're right spoiler, one can't have too many felting tools!

Something hard - "Mag Knit," a fun clasp that turns beads or I-cord into a necklace. Should be fun to play with!

Something local - a lovely light shawl pin made by a local artist and knitter.

Something funny - a wonderful, whimsical, giggle-inducing little felt pin entitled "Garden" from Keri Rounding's Etsy shop.

Spoiler's choice - The book, "Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair." Ok, I'm a professional drunk (who's constantly covered in cat hair), so it's perfect for me! Sounds like a very fun read.

Thanks so much, my nameless spoiler.... it was very much worth waiting a few extra days!

Edited: It's Erin! Yay!

Scavenger Hunt Swap (Sent)

I sent my package for the Scavenger Hunt swap out relatively early -- my partner's birthday is on Valentine's Day and I wanted to get it to her during her birthday week. She received it, so it's safe to post it here (since it's no longer a secret).

We had a list of things to find for our knitting-themed scavenger hunt. One (or more) was supposed to be yarn. Almost everything (except "something funny" was specifically tailored to my partner's likes and dislikes.

Something local: My partner loves good chocolate (who doesn't?) so I sent two packages of Gilbert's dark chocolate drops. They make these drops specifically for the winery -- we serve them with tastings of our raspberry dessert wine. Gilbert's opened in Jackson in 1900.

Something hard: A jasmine candle in a glass holder. Jasmine is one of her favorite scents.

Something round: Handmade stitch markers that match the yarn I sent.

Something green: Two skeins of teal alpaca silk yarn. She, like me, tends to use more "basic" (and inexpensive) yarns like Cascade 220. But she expressed interest in lush, decadent yarns like alpaca, cashmere, and silk so I sent her some lovely soft decadent stuff. (Oh, and she loves green and jewel tone colors...)

Something T: She's a tea drinker (also like me) and especially likes green tea.

Something funny: This was the hardest category for me. I ended up making her some notecards that said "What If the Hokey Pokey Is What It's All About?"

Spoiler's choice: She likes bags so I sent her a morsbag that coordinates with the rest of the package of goodies.

That was a fun swap!

If Money, Time, and Skill Were No Object...

Cross-posted on winemakerssister and Scavenger Hunt blogs.

A current contest on the Scavenger Hunt swap blog asks the following questions:

#1 - If your knitting skill and the money to purchase the necessary yarn were no issue, what one pattern would you knit?

I'm going to add unlimited time to the mix.... why not ask for it all?

I think I'd make Annie Modesitt's cardigan from Vogue Magazine Fall 2005. It's quite amazing. Perfect for a star-of-the-party sweater... occasions when you want something fabulous. It's made with Lorna's Laces, which is fabulous yarn, but I'd maybe prefer it in cashmere or some sort of silk/cashmere/alpaca blend. Soft and yummy, but in really gorgeous colors.

#2 - What is your favorite blog ?(doesn't need to be knitting related)

I don't really have a favorite blog -- I like to visit lots and find new ones. Orangette is a fabulous blog about food. Polka Dot Creations is mostly about polymer clay (but lots of other things as well). I love her post on how she develops her colorways. And I like the Purl Bee very much.

Another swap, another questionnaire

I just joined another swap. I know, I'm obsessed, I admit it. This is a fiber-friendly Scavenger Hunt swap.

Here are the answers to the questionnaire:

1) Do you knit, crochet or both? How long have you been doing it?
I knit. I can crochet just enough to do some finishing stuff.

2) What is on your needles/hook right now?
A. An adult version of the Harry Potter baby hat from Weekend Knitting (with a much simpler colorway) that I've been promising to my son forever. B. Some very quick dishcloths for a different swap. ....and let's not talk about the old UFOs.

3) What is the most frequently used tool in your knitting bag?
I have one of the kits with interchangeable circular needles. I use them constantly.

4) What are your 3 favorite yarns (fiber type or brand)?
A. 100% wool (or mostly wool with a little of another felt-able fiber like "Lamb's Pride") - I enjoy working with it in general and love felting
B-C. Any other natural fiber: alpaca, silk, cashmere, cotton, linen...

What are your 3 least favorite?
Eyelash, acrylic, other synthetics, even blends with synthetics (except funky stuff like this), lace and sock weight. I like natural fibers in DK weight or heavier.

5) What is your favorite color?
I guess dark red. I also like lots of greens (but not kelly green).

6) If you had a 5 minute shopping spree in your LYS, how would you plan your attack?
Interesting question. I'd plan for some specific projects, make a floor plan, and then add some other fun stuff at the last minute.

7) What is your favorite FO and why? (post a pic if you have it!)
Hmmmmm, I'm not sure. I like the big version of Maggie's Tote Bag that I made for my sister a year or two ago. It was pre-Flickr... sorry.

8) What are your favorite things to knit/crochet?
Felted stuff. Bags and containers of all sorts. Hats. Things that are interesting to knit but not too detailed so I can be sort of mindless...

9) Do you collect anything?
Depression-era kitchen stuff (Fiestaware, bakelite, etc.), cookbooks. And yarn (and fabric), of course.

10) What are your five favorite things (not necessarily knitting related)?
Making art/crafting, my family, my home, gardening, cooking.

11) Are you on Ravelry? What is your ID?
Yes, but I haven't gotten very involved yet. Need to do it soon, eh? My ID everywhere is winemakerssister.

12) Do you drink tea/coffee/cocoa?
Yes. I like 'em all (although I can't take much coffee with caffeine). My basic drink is tea.

13) Favorite Sweets?
Dark chocolate. Maple.

14) Any allergies?
Smoke. Nothing else that affects the swap.

15) Do you have pets? kids?
Yes. Yes. We have a Golden Retriever and four cats. One teenaged son (Tommy).