Monday, April 16, 2007

Try not to hug the mailman

I love the anticipation of waiting every day for the mail when you know you have something arriving, but when you get two items in one day, it's difficult not to hug the mailman.

After receiving my first order from The Loopy Ewe, I now know why everyone loves Sheri so much! I had a difficult time narrowing down my yarn choices on her website, but I let Project Spectrum be my guide and I stepped out of my comfort zone to purchase only yarns in shades of green, pink and yellow. I also decided to try out some new yarn companies. I mean, how can you say you adore Socks That Rock if you've never tried Fleece Artist or Lorna's Laces and such?

from top to bottom:
Fleece Artist Basic Merino Socks in Nova Scotia
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Tickled Pink
Cider Moon Glacier in Congo

Not only did I receive my order in just a few days of placing it, but everything arrived packaged beautifully. The skeins of yarn were wrapped in white tissue paper and finished off with The Loopy Ewe seal. In addition, my invoice included a personal handwritten note from Sheri as well as needle inventory cards and small sample yarn cards of Regia Silk and Regia Bamboo. I will most definitely be purchasing more yarn from Sheri in the future.

On the same day, I also received another set of 10 stitch markers from Team Entrelac. They arrived just in time since I've started my next (first?) lace project. It's hard for me to put into words how ideal these markers are. There's not a single open gap or rough edge (burr), so I'm not scared of it snagging the delicate laceweight yarn, as other makers have done before. I also love how beautiful each tiny bead is, so it looks like jewelry for my knitting. You also can't beat the price or the speed at which she ships! Both my orders arrived on my doorstep in less than 48 hours! It seems that she doesn't have a lot of her stitch markers on her etsy site since she's trying to open her own storefront, but you can see all of her stitchmarkers here. Go ahead, take a peek, she makes them in ALL sizes!

I finally decided on a pattern for the dark navy Grignasco Regina that I purchased when I was with Laura at our LYS. The photo shows the beginnings of A Handsome Triangle (page 32) shawl from Victorian Lace Today. So far, I've completed 80 of the 212 pattern rows and since it's a triangle shawl knit from the bottom point up, I increase four stitches every other row, so progress is just starting to feel slow to me. I'm probably being either daring or stupid for jumping right into an intermediate pattern for my first lace shawl, but if all goes well, this should be a nice present for my mother-in-law (mum) for her June birthday.

DH & I entertained ourselves for a few days by finally adressing our landscaping problem. The sprinkers were all checked and broken ones replaced. New sprinklers were added to two areas that only grew dirt. 5 palm trees were added (2 in the backyard and 3 on the side yard of our corner lot). Last but not least, half the backyard was re-seeded for grass, since the dogs tore up the old pathetic grass that used to be there. This is just the beginning though. Hopefully soon (after recovering from all the money those palm trees cost), I'll be adding all sorts of blooming plants.

17 comments:

Laura said...

Wow, that pink yarn is certainly bright! I love the 2 greens. Definitely looking forward to seeing those in person. :-)

The shawl is coming along fabulously. It's just beautiful. Love those tiny stitch markers, too!

Anonymous said...

Oh, yummy yummy! Such a lot of goodies you've received, and those skeins look heavenly indeed! I especially love the one below, what a gorgeous colourway! And the shawl that you've started is going to look so beautiful - no matter how much I love bright colours, I do think that lacey shawls like this one look best in dark tones - so unique and elegant! Looking forward to seeing more progress pics!

Anonymous said...

The shawl is looking beautiful!
So is the picture of your yard; right now my yard just looks like a big puddle!

Carole Knits said...

The shawl is beautiful and if you've gone that far without any trouble then it's obviously not too difficult for you. Excellent!

KeanaLee said...

I love Lorna's Laces. It just glides on my needles. I knit so fast with it.
Your shawl is amazing I am so intrigued by lace knitting ut I am not sure I have the patience.
As far as the palm tress go, I envy you, all I ever see is pine trees, pine trees & oh, pine trees. Enjoy.

Rebecca said...

I'm trying very hard to also knit within the Project Spectrum colors this month. And, it is a good think my mail box is at the bottom of the mountain so I don't see my Mail Lady driving up when I'm expecting packages! Sherri was my Sockret Pal and she was just as warm and friendly receiving gifts as she is when you order from her. She was probably the most appreciative secret pal I've ever had!

Emma said...

Awesome new yarns. I too love the Loopy Ewe and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my most recent order.

jillian said...

Fabulous new yarns! Sheri really does put alot into every package.

abby said...

Beee-yoot-tee-full sock yarn! I have way too much right now to consider buying more, but that it just lovely. As is the backyard! The palms are going to be enjoyed for years and years.

flutter said...

oooooooooo that pink is stunning!

Anonymous said...

I'm knitting with Fleece Artist for the first time and I love it so far! Have fun! =)

Karen said...

Hug the mailman?? With loot that good, you could have even KISSED him!!! :) I think you are going to do just fine with that shawl, it looks like you are off to a great start. Your yard looks so pretty, and sunny and warm. I'm ready to come over now!! (It's raining here again - we're in the midst of the worst rains in 10 years.)

Christine said...

OOOoohhhh pretty colors. I'm loving those blues and greens. LOVE loopy ewe too! Your Baudelaires are so pretty, almost enough to make me think of putting them on my list.

Anonymous said...

I placed a Loopy Ewe order yesterday and I just can't wait for it to arrive. Yarns were selling out of my cart before I could complete my purchase! Getting a package from Sherri is such a treat.

I love the yarns you picked. I've not tried Lorna's Laces yet either and that pink is fabulous.

Your Baudelaire's are gorgeous. Well done!

slyn said...

I am drooling over your yarn! I ofcourse LOVE the greens!! Especially the Congo, can't wait to see what you do with that one.
The shawl is turning out so beautiful. Mum should love it, if she doesn't take it back! :)
Thanks for posting pictures of the yard too, it's like night and day! Can't wait to see it in person in June.

kathy b said...

Okay, that's it. A great testimonial for loopy ewe. Im heading over there! Your shawl is sooooo pretty.

Hasbu said...

Beautiful yarn! I love Lorna's Laces but haven't tried Fleece Artist yet. I was actually going to order some more Lorna's and also try Fleece Artist.l (I have to order both from the UK so I might as well order them together.)

That shawl is going to be so pretty!