Contest #8 - SP10

Robyn, hostess of Secret Pal 10 has asked us to post
on a special topic for Contest #8.  Her insturctions to
us stated: 

"Blog/Post about 3 yarns you're just dying to try/get  
your hands on, and why! You have until Saturday,
June 30th, 2007 to post your entry.  This is also the
last day of SP10."

My focus this summer is going to be on Lana Grossa Yarns.
I am about to leave tomorrow for a three week trip to
Austria and Germany.  Of course, I will be visiting
every yarn shop I find on my travels. I have decided
in advance that my mission will be to come home with
some beautiful yarns made by Lana Grossa.

Currently, I am making the Penelope Blouse by Oat Couture,
out of Lana Grossa Basic Print. It is my first adventure
into Lana Grossa Yarns. I love it.
Therefore, I will be looking for more as I travel.

I have THIS BOOK and want to do some of the patterns in it.

Here are the THREE I want to get for making some sweaters.

#1: Pashmina Cashmere Mix Up - for something wonderful for
FALL/AUTUMN - It is a blend of 22% Cashmere and
28% Merino Extra Fine yarns.

#2:  Tocco - because I am crazy about yarns that have a
halo or haze effect. This yarn is 25% Kid Mohair and
20 % Merino Extra Fine, and 55% Microfiber.
I would like to try one of these blends with
microfibers since I have never used them yet.
I enjoy trying new things.

#3:   Terra Meilenwert 50 - Classic Sock Yarn
I am not yet a sock knitter. I have made two pairs,
but I want to do more.

Here are some photos of the yarns I want to try. 
Right now, I justwant to do some work using Lana Grossa
yarns. That will be my focus.
I have my knitting needles all packed, and some
pattern books. I am just about ready to fly EAST,
Across the Pond.

Where are my TREATS?

Where oh where are my knitter's treats?
I signed up for the Knitter's Treat Exchange.

I sent out my treat package to my Downstream Pal, Brandi.
I have not yet heard from her that the package arrived. It was sent last week, and does not have very far to travel. I hope all is well with the package and it's Treatee.

I visited the Knitter's Treat blog this morning and suddenly I realized that I have heard nothing from my Upstream Pal, and no treats have arrived yet. Hmmmm. I wonder just WHO is my Upstream Pal and if I will be getting a treat?

Where oh where are my Knitter's Treats?

I received a wonderful thank-you for the box I sent to my Downstream Pal, Christine. This was my package for the Secret Pal 10 Exchange.
She even posted the package contents on her blog. Go HERE to see it.
What a neat person she is. I enjoy reading her blog regularly - she is very witty!
I am delighted she is so enthusiastic about her gifts from me. It is always a worry, waiting to hear from your treat-ee to see if your package got there and if your gifts were received with joy. I always hope I got it right.

UFO is now FINISHED

At last, I have finished this Kimono using Lion Brand "Moonlight Mohair." I love it. It took me over a year, because I put it aside when the weather got hot last summer. I finally picked it up again this spring and got it finished up. I am very pleased with it.

Sequel to "A Clean Studio"

There is nothing that can compare to the feeling of having cleaned up my studio for the season. I close it down about December when the weather here in Western PA gets cold. My studio does not have heat in it. Then, in May it gets a good cleaning. Here in PA we say we "Redd it up."

Once the redding up is over with, then the fun and the work begins. Often I get visitors who stop by to spend some time with me as I work in the studio. Today, I was visited by two of my grand daughters, Brandi and Angel.

Not only do the grand daughters come for some relaxation and fun in my studio, so do my two cats. My grand daughter Angel is holding each of the cats and rocking them in one of the three rocking chairs that are in the studio. Angel the cat likes to be rocked and he also likes to have you sing to him. His favorite tune is "Rock-a-bye Baby" and you have to say his name as you sing about him falling down from the "tree top" when you get to that part. He purrs, puts his head on your chest, holds onto you with his soft paws, and just relaxes. We have to take some time every day for Angel to be rocked.

Blaise is older and grumpy most of the time. But, today he wanted to be rocked, too. So here you have them getting rocked by Angel this morning. What am I doing during the rocking and singing, I am WORKING on a project. But, I am smiling, so that means I can work and have fun at the same time. Life is good. Dontcha think?