Secret Pal Package!

Wow, now that the holidays are over and life has slowed down a little, I can finally steal a few mintues to post pictures of the fabulous Secret Pal package that I received just before Yule. Check out the fantastically cool box that arrived on my doorstep!

Inside there was this really pretty blue card, very sparkly and cute...too bad my camera couldn't catch the true colour, much more robin's egg blue, less pale grey....

In a moment of serentipity, my pal sent me this thrummed mitten kit - I am in the process of planning my next project and have been googling thrummed mitten patterns for myself. How weird. And on top of that, she even bought the exact yarn called for in the pattern! No guessing, trying to find suitable yarn and needle match-ups...I am sooooo excited! Once I finish a baby gift I'm making, they are going on the needles next!

AND she sent me some gorgeous Malabrigo chunky yarn called "Aquarella Arapey". It is so to die for, the colourway is delish and I adore the thick thin yarn. I am thinking of making a hat for the baby, but I might have to line it in case she complains about the wool....

These stitch markers that she made came in really handy for the above-mentioned baby project, I used them almost the minute they were out of the box (after I photographed them of course). I love the caned glass beads!

And in addition, there were some treats: some Tazo chai tea, a cute mug and teabag plate and a yummy Lindt chocolate bunny, which met a very sad end as you can see...





Oh, poor bunny, life was so short and sweet for you....

And here is the evidence of the culprit who dispatched the chocolate hare....

Thank you so much, my secret pal, it was so much fun opening your gift and I love everything!

SP13 Question #2

1. Are you doing any holiday knitting?

Well, I must admit that I did think about it and I had some wonderful things lined up, but reality struck, and with 4 kids, who was I kidding? So, I've filed the patterns away and will fritter at them during the new year. How about a resolution to make ONE child's sweater next year....

2. Are you done yet?

Don't have to worry about it and liking it that way ;)

The Socks are done - just in time for the cold!

Yeah!!! The 2 year old UFO is finally finished! He even likes them, which is great since he's stuck with them - at least until his feet grow. AND if he doesn't lose one or both, they fit me! Extra bonus. Once I got the hang of it, they went pretty quickly. I still have to find a better stretchy, yet not loose cast on...maybe the next pair I'll try a toe up. I've got some yarn for Luna's jaquard socks, I guess they are next, if only I can remember where I put the skein. Well, she'll have to wait until after Solstice anyway since I'm not going to start anything new (yeah right, we'll believe that when we see it). At least the socks are done in time for the crappy weather. This year it started a bit earlier than usual - I don't remember EVER having real, stick-around-on-the-ground snow for my birthday. I hate winter, but at least it isn't too hot to knit.

I know that Iona looks really unhappy in this photo, she just dropped her lollipop and was screaming to high heaven. I tried to catch her between screams, but I think you can kinda still tell ;)

And I lied, I did start a new project, this Santa hat is on the needles, but Melia needed a hat, and it's Yule, and I thought it would be cute, and Len's Mills had a sale on red yarn, and wouldn't it be REALLY cute if they all had the same hat, and.....Matt is shaking his head. Sorry Matt, I tried, but I am weak...

More art

I finished my Children's Lit course at OCA yesterday. Only 2 more to go until I get my BFA (stands for Big F*** All)!! I had to hand in my final project yesterday...we had to either write a 10 page paper or write a 3 page paper accompanied with an art piece. Guess which one I chose? Here's what I made:

Heroine No Longer

Not bad if I say so myself, esp since i finished it around 6 in the morning. Behind the eyes, the red square is actually an opening that is lit-up. Cool, huh? The teacher wants to buy it...I haven't decided since it has some precious found items (those are blue jay feathers that I found on a walk with Fin), but maybe I can switch them out and let her have it. But I really like it too and I don't have ANY of my artwork.... hmmmmm have to sleep on it (I guess it would depend on how much she is willing to pay for it - oh, the power of the mighty dollar).

Oh, speaking of Fin, I finished his socks!!!! Ends woven in and everything. I'll take a photo tomorrow and put it up - after out trip to Casa Loma that I won from the drop-in centre. Woohoo!

What I am Thankful For

For this round of SP13, the question of the moment is, what am I thankful for? Hmmmm...that's easy! I've got a husband who loves me, 4 fantabulous children, a beautiful old house, cool parents, the means to pursue art as well as silly crafts, my health, the ability to read and to love doing it, good food, clean water and the ability to live in a peaceful, egalitarian country. I could go on, but I've procrastinated from my homework long enough.

Lookie!!!!!

I've been busy at the shop practicing tattooing on this crazy foam stuff. Stevie thinks that my depth is pretty good, and I've ALMOST stopped snagging the needle in the "flesh". haha

Soon I'll graduate to oranges...I can't wait. I mean, it has been 15 years since I took a break from my apprenticeship, so I of all people should be patient. I'm just so excited that it is all finally happening and my $40,000 art college education kinda shows in at least my drawing skills.

I am so nervous about maiming people though, "fortunately" I get to tattoo me first. Please note the quotations. I guess I should start designing something nice.

As for the knitting, I'm weaving in the ends on Fionn's socks...an almost FO!!!!!! YipPEEE!

Right now, just waiting for the paint to dry on some tests I'm running for my thesis sculpture for Children's Lit....yup, watching paint dry, that's me...