Category Archives: exchange

Nov 2

A Swap Package

In mid-September, I signed up for a Treat-or-Trick swap from one of the Ravelry groups I belong to.  Today, I got my super awesome package:

  • A bag of strawberry filled marshmallow – YUM!
  • A bag of chocolate drizzled marshmallow – Double YUM!
  • A box of cappuccino drink mix – How did you know that I don’t like to break out my coffee machine but loves coffee!
  • A bag of mix flavor Lindt’s chocolate – Love Lindt’s chocolate!
  • Some twix, smarties and sugar stix – My favorites!
  • A tube of body cream – perfect size for the purse and perfect for winter!
  • 2 bottles of anti-bacterial gel from Bath and Body Works – Always need more anti-bacterial gels with the little one running around
  • A bar of sheep soap – baaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh
  • A notebook with a small pen – perfect for those notes on the go!
  • A package of Sharpie pens – I heart sharpie pens.
  • A peppermint candy shaped reusable bag – so cute!
  • 2 pairs of KnitPicks Harmony needle tips on size 6 and 7 – Now I can cast on more projects!
  • A KnitPicks Emergency Fix keychain – This is so awesome.
  • 9 knitting yarn bobbins – I’ve been eyeing them for a long time!  Totally perfect for my color work!
  • A blue chibi – my daughter broke my chibi two days ago!  This cannot come in the better time!
  • A row counter – who doesn’t need more!
  • A large Niddy Noddy – I’m so excited to try this out!
  • A skein of Malabrigo Sock in Stonechat
  • A ball of Noro Kureyon in 188 – I am one skein closer to my lizard ridge blanket!
  • An few skeins of minis for my beekeeper’s quilt
I am speechless.  I am beyond spoiled!  It was like going through a bottomless box!  Thank you so much TheSailingKnitter!
Aug 7

Sock Mini-Land

OK.  Apparently, working a full time job, a part time job, and have a toddler is too crazy to spin everyday for almost whole month of July.  ::sigh::  But I at least got 10 days out of it and got to the roving I needed to do, so not too bad, if I do say so myself.

Back in June, I had signed up on Ravelry a mini sock yarn swap on Sock Yarn Round Robin group.  I even volunteered to be the host.  What that means is that I will receive everyone’s mini skeins of sock yarn, weighing 10g each, then I will mix and match them for everyone, taking one from each person’s contribution and give them back.  So you start with 10 mini skeins of your yarn, and you end up with 1 from yourself and 9 from other people’s mini skeins.  It’s rather fun!

Of course, I wasn’t slacking and didn’t get to the stuff till now, August.  Canadian Post is at fault!  By going on strike!  When the strike was over, there was a backlog and one of the participant didn’t want to mail her stuff until the backlog was done.  But the wait was worth it, just look at this:

It is all sorted and bagged.  I just need to get a moment to go to the post office!  all these minis are gonna enable me to make the Beekeeper’s Quilt!!!!

Feb 14

Happy Valentine’s Day

Are you having a good day?  It is beautiful out with no wind. 

David and I decided to take a drive towards Clinton to a) bring my wedding gown back to the bridal store to be cleaned and b) to go to the outlet and have the store where he bought a belt to take off the alarm lock thing.  We bought the belt awhile ago but he couldn’t use it because the lady who checked us out forgot to take off the lock thingy.

We stopped at a diner to have breakfast on the way there.  And on the way back, we stopped at a used/rare bookstore that I’ve seen everytime I drove to Clinton.  I found this book:

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They don’t have much of craft section, but I’m glad I looked anyways. :)

When we got home, there was a package waiting for me, and in it contained these:

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My cocoa swap package!!!  Look at Wilbur!!!  Isn’t he cute?  I love the wings.  And you can’t read the cocoa, but it says “Chili and Spice”!  Can’t wait to get some milk and try it!  Of course I already opened the chocolate and started indulging :) .  Also included in the package are DP Needle Tube for me to store the DPNs, a skein of Malabrigo in Purple Magic, and a beautiful mug.

Thank you riizu!

So our plan is going to a hibachi dinner tonight.  And then maybe to a movie.  Any of you have plans??

Jan 30

The New Pal

Please meet the new Beat The Winter Blahs Buddy – Sleepy!

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Pattern – Sleepy Puppy by Raynor Galletly
Yarn Used – Red Heart Soft in Teal, Caron Simply Soft in Pale Yellow, and little bit of Patons Classic Wool in Black
Needles – Harmony size 4
Gauge – N/A
Knit – January 27, 2009 to January 30, 2009
Modification - I made this all in the round except the ears.  I stuffed as I knitted.  And I used a little bit of the black Patons Classic Wool for the nose and eyes.  I reduced the muzzle size by forgoing row 1 to 3 and cast on 12 stitches to start, then follow row 5 to 10 and finished.  I find the flat muzzle looks nicer and a better transition.

I love this pattern! I would make this again in a heart beat!

And I hope my pal will love him as much as I do!  I mean com’on!  Look at Sleepy on my sleepy puppy!

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Adorable!

Jan 19

Cocoa Swapn 2 Savenger Hunt

I know, it doesn’t say Vermont.  And I’ll save that for another day, but today, I must participate for the savenger hunt, since I would be late if I don’t.

1.  Who wants to try plant fibers? Emily
2.  Who wants to learn to crochet? Michelle
3.  Who collects yarn? Mary Lynn
4.  Who loves yellow?  Alicia
5.  Who doesn’t like fruit flavors?  Apparently, JUST ME!
6.  Who loves Malabrigo (who doesn’t??? hahaha) ?  Ruth
7.  Who has one mitt to go to finish her Endpaper Mitts? Elizabeth
8.  Who’s favorite animal is a dog? Chelle
9.  Who likes to paint? Kathy
10. Who has too many stitch markers? Ariel
11. Who likes Bailey’s in their cocoa? Sarah
12. Who likes Starbucks salted caramel cocoa? Darcy
13. Who can’t stand vanilla flavored cocoa? Channon
14. Who’s favorite animal is a hedgehog? Ariel
15. Who might stab themselves over Neon Yarn?  Laurie
16. Who’s oldest UFO is at least 15 years old? Kate
17. Who likes crystallized ginger? Chelle
18. Who likes whipped cream in their cocoa? Penny
19. Who likes marshmallow fluff in their cocoa? Becca
20. Who needs stitch holders? Holly

Dec 28

mmm… PORK!

Yes.  Yet again, this knitting blog is going to talk about food.  You see, I started this blog with the intention of talking about everything, hence the name Cafe Eclectic.  Instead of Knitting Cafe of some sort.  But when I first started, I didn’t know what to put on a blog, so all I talk about is knitting.  But now I think it is finally got to the point of where I want it to be.

So on to the food…

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I forgot to take a picture of the whole roast, but I follow Giada’s Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast with Herbed Polenta.

I didn’t have pancetta, so I used bacon instead.  The roast I had didn’t need as much of chicken stock as it called for, and it cooked longer – about 1.5 hours.  I think it all depends on the size of the roast.  The result is a tender, juicy roast.  And the polenta is the perfect compliment to this dinner.  Although I think white rice would do as well, since there were lots of yummy pan juices left on the bottom of the pan.

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So I joined the Hot Cocoa Swap #2.  If you missed it last time and would like to join this year, hurry over and sign up since they are only taking the first 100 participants!  I had a great time with this swap last year and highly recommended!

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Lastly, I’m almost done with my new sweater.  Although I’m getting worried on the yardage I have left.  The pattern said 9 skeins, but I already used 10!  And that’s all I got!  I’m crossing my fingers on the yardage.  Hopefully I’ll finish the sleeves today to get a judgement on that.

Mar 20

Pay It Forward, Part 2

Awhile ago, I have offered up the Pay It Forward when I left a comment on Octopus Knits‘s blog. No one signed up on my blog, so I had forgotten about it. Today, Octopus Knits showed up at SnB with this:

And it contains these:

Snowflake wash cloth in organic cotton and snickerdoodles!!! The cookies are delicious (I already ate 3!!!) and the cloth is soooooo soft!

Thanks so much Octopus Knits! And it is nice FINALLY meeting you! :)

As for those of you who are still interested participating, just click above and leave me a comment!

Feb 11

Thank You My Cocoa Swap Pal!

I came home and found a big box in front of the door, and inside it contained these:

All the presents were nicely wrapped and presented

It’s my Hot Cocoa swap package!!!!

Can you tell she really took care of me? So here is the list of what InsanKnitty put together for me:

  • Homemade cocoa mix
  • Photo travel mug – instead of pictures, she put in a piece of hand knitted stockinette swatch.
  • Mousepad calendar with doggies on them
  • 2 Marshmallow men – my “Beat the Winter Blahs” buddies
  • 2 sets of stitch markers and 1 set of keychains made by InsanKnitty
  • Honey Sticks!
  • Werther’s Original hard candies
  • Homemade Marshmallows – So yummy, already dived in~
  • Cocoa mixes – 2 from Hershey’s Cocoa Reserve (Mayan and Aztec), 4 Candycane Cocoa with real peppermint candycane from Sephen’s, which is the kind David’s mom got me for Christmas and I finished and wanted for me but couldn’t find!!! And a pack of Chocolate Royale by For Giving Souls.
  • 1 package of sticky notes in mug shape
  • 1 package of recipe cards with her homemade cocoa mix recipe on it
  • 1 tube of chocolate cover sunflower seeds
  • A felted mug – that will be my pen holder at work for sure!
  • 2 skeins of yarn – of course yarn!!! Blue one is from NH Knitting Mama and the Orange one is from Glass Hedge Studios.
  • 2 package of Chew Cheez Rolls – she even remembers my puppies!

Here is the close-up of the stitch markers and keychains – although apparently my photo taking skill isn’t really quite to par…

So I want to just give a shout out to InsanKnitty – Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I love EVERYTHING! Even David was impressed with the thought you put into putting this package! And here are Mick and Vanilla saying their thank you’s -

Jan 30

Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #4

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

Well, I think every trip we went up to 1000 Islands for vacation is memorable, but the one in 2006 was the one David and I got engaged, so I guess that’s the most memorable. And of course when I went to Germany to meet up with David, that was a very memorable 2 day weekend I’ve ever taken for sure.

I also finished the swatch for the scarf, but no pictures yet. The pattern isn’t too bad, but I think I’ll have to pay attention to it for a little while before I get a hang of it.

Completely random thought – I LOVE MYTHBUSTERS! Yes, I know, I am dorky.

Jan 27

Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #3 & Piggy

What is the most ‘random’ memory you have from your childhood?

Hmmm… It’s actually a dream. My first dream I ever remembered. I think I was still in grade school. The dream was that I was a ninja along with few other ones, we were stuck in this maze and trying to find something or save something, but it was dark and I can barely see. The whole dream basically was me running around looking for this “thing” with the other ninjas.

I don’t know why I still remember it, but I just do.

I finished the piggy today. So excited!

Pattern – Curly the Pig by Rebecca Hatcher
Yarn Used – 1.5 skeins of Beaumont Yarn (special yarn made for me from my friend)
Needles – Option size 2
Gauge – N/A
Knit – January 19, 08 to January 27, 2008
Modifications – None.

It was a super quick knit. I think it would have been faster if I realized earlier that I can convert the pattern to knit it in the round. I really like this pattern and I’m sure I’ll be making it again, for myself.

After finishing the piggy, I started stringing the beads onto Susan so I can start the Undulating Waves Scarf.

Instead of using the thread and needle method, I used one of the dental floss threader and string the beads that way. It was super easy. Soon I had this:

Isn’t the yarn just pretty? I thought so. I better go swatching.