Good way to end a Bad Day

So I had a horrible day yesturday, not only because Braking the Cycle was over, but because I was at work until 10:30 pm after having no sleep for 4 days straight! But a good way to get back in a good mood is to come home and find out that your swap packages have arrived. Thats right I said packages with an "S" and that is because my buddy was so generous that she sent me 2 boxes full of things! I felt so much better knowing that people rock, and you would think I would have remembered that in the 24 hours I had been home from the ride!! Shame shame on me!
Well here is my swag!


Right now I just have one more item to get for my own buddies' package and then I will be able to ship it out soon. I should send her and e-card to let her know I haven't forgotten about her!
And on top of it all I found out that I won in the drawing for the Get Stitchy Yarn Swap!
I can't wait to see what the prize is!
Now that I've had a day to relax and finally do some of the computer things I needed to get done, like looking for work and such, I feel better. Too bad my laundry, dishes and other house work were ignored today. Ah, I'll always have those to do...
Til we meet again.

Braking The Cycle

So this is my third year doing this. Tomorrow I leave for Gettysburg. I will be crewing a 3 day AIDS ride. The loverly riders, my husband being one for the first time this year, will ride 275 miles from Gettysburg back to NYC to the LGBT center in Manhattan on 13th street. Each rider must raise a minimum of $3,500.00, and all of the money goes to benefit the AIDS programs of the center. For more info, or to maka a donation to a rider, or my hubby: David Brungard, visit www.brakingthecycle.org
Last Year, as the year before and this year, I will be on the Sweep Crew. Our job is to ride around in vehicle up and down the route making sure everyone is okay, cheering them on when they need it, giving them a lift if they get a flat tire, or just need a break to the next oasis and giving them lots of hugs when we can. This year I will be the navigator for Susan, and she and I will be dressing in some good costumes. I will bring pics when I get back. But imagine me as a bunny, a hula girl and giving my regards to Broadway on the last day. It is my favorite time of the year, because it is a small ride, only 140 riders at most, and 45 crew. It's like seeing family. It's uplifting, and makes me smile, but we cry too. We Cheer, we hug, we hold hands, we do something to make a difference in the fight against AIDS. If you want to make a difference too then come on by. We're always looking for more help and more extended family.

I was Zombifiied

So I dyed yarn for the first time about 2 weeks ago. But I couldn't post about it because I didn't want the reciepients to see it online before the did in real life. Well now both of them have arrived in the mail so I can show off my hard work here.
First for Jessica my partner in the Hand-Dyed Yarn Swap She said her favorite colors where blue, green and purple, royal colors. So I tried to stick to that color palette.
Secondly for the Get Stitchy Swap I was dyeing for Heidi she likes blue, green and orange. I think it came out a bit rainbowy, but I did my best to make it just those 3 colors. I was using the Jacquard Acid Dyes and Knitpicks Bare Fingering weight yarn. I can't wait to see what the ladies make themselves or to dye more yarn. DJ and I just bought some mason jars this weekend in the Poconos visiting his family and I'm ready to mix up another batch of color and watch my hands change colors again!

Yarn in the Mail!

So I am currently participating in 2 swaps that are finishing up right now.


Firstly-
The Hand Dyed Sock Yarn Swap
I recieved Yarn from Sabrina Here it is in all it's glory!

I am sending my yarn out to my partner Jessica today. It was my first time dying and I don't want to give away the surprise so pics to come after she recieves it.








Secondly-
The Get Stitchy Hand Dyed Yarn Swap.
In this I was sent yarn dyed with Kool Aid by Sinnomen in PA The package smelled so yummy when opened!
So for this swap our partners don't know who we are until they get their yarn. SO HRMRMRHRM dosen't know that her yarn is also on it's way as of today.

Also I spent some time over at Raverly and Get Stitchy today updating my FO's and such. But for another day... I must go to the Post Office before they close at 7 pm and I still have much to do today.. how the internet can suck up your time!!!

Knit 1 Tea 2 Swap

Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap Questionnaire

1.Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
I prefer loose tea
2.What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
I love Harney & Sons Paris Blend right now, and SerendipiTeas Once Upon a Tea blend
3.Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white).
I normally drink blacks or greens, But I'd really love to try some white teas
4.Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
Winter time tends to be for tea pots, whereas the rest of the year I go for the hot shot.
5.What tea accessories would you like but have never purchased for yourself?
I'd love to have a set of clear cups for art teas, but I know I wouldn't use them often, and space is a commodity in Brooklyn. I'd have to say I'm not sure on this one!
6.How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
I love a good day at home, an afternoon nap, a comfy chair. But if I'm pressed for time it's got to be a good hot bubble bath, with a good book and a small chocolate treat.
7.If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
I'd be superyak. Mostly so I could touch myself but because I love it's warmth and durability. I want to be dependable.
8. If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
I would go for the sweater. I despise fun fur, and booties are such a small project. Right now I'm wanting to make sweaters and big things.
9.What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
Mostly work. I work in a NYC LYS, and teach classes, often late at night. But puppy play dates take up time too.
10. What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
Gotta have something sweet. Small pastries and mini bitties. But for some stamina I'd toss is some fusion style mini sandwiches. For my Grammy's 80th Birthday this year we threw a tea party and I brought Asian inspired mini chicken wraps to add some zing!
11.When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
I substitute. I like to look at the yarn they're using and if it's something I know or like already and can get easily i might use it, but I think substituting is the fastest way to personalize a project.
12. What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
I have 2 small zippered shapes with clear soft plastic fronts for viewing. I need them to be compact enough to fit in my bag and take out on the subway between strangers.
13.Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?
Anything I've seen a thousand times, Princess Bride, John Cusak films, period pieces, but the best are musicals. Singing along and adding joy to the project.
14. Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
Give me a big ole' mug. I love handmade ones with thick bottoms so the tea stays warm while knitting. And I was raised with the idea that if they match it's harder to not be upset if something gets broken. So that's a non-matching set for me.
15. Favorite childhood birthday party?
I remember a lot of friends having rollerskating and bowling parties, mine were circus inspired, arts and crafts parties. I loved them all though!
16.Favorite type of scone and jam?
At work we have these chocolate chip scones. So good! But I like a plain scone with a bit of citrus zest and a pot of thick jam, any kind that we got from the farmer's market
17. If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
We don't use them much but I like the baking scents
18.If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
My grandpa I never met (father's father passed before I was born), The guy that built my parents house, and Mr. Thonet, the designer of the original bent cane chair in 1920's France.
19.You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?
I want a 1950's button front shirt dress in a blue shade, white gloves, straw hat, pearls, and little white kitten heels. (don't worry it's before labor day)
20. Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
No allergies.
21. Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
Not that I can think of, but feel free to ask if you want clarification on anything!

Death , Hand Dyed Swaps and Raverly

So it has again been a while... I was never good at writing in my diary as a kid and it seems that that is carrying over to my blogging! Well Of late I have died. I've been playing Death by Socks, a yahoo group based off of the Yarn Monkey's Sock Wars. I have once again died. Killed off by Clare in Australia, who ironically was my first assassin in Sock Wars. I received a loverly pair of green socks in the cable pattern for the game in a wool, silk, alpaca blend yarn from a local shop by her.


I had to take out the toes and rip them back a bit to get them to fit just right, but now they are perfect!
Also I am now participating in the Hand Dyed Yarn Swap And I just received my yarn and dye in the mail. It was my first time ordering from Knitpicks and I enjoyed the speed in which I received my order! Now I just need to dye the yarn for my pal Jessica of Alabama. Though I was informed by my partner that my yarn was already on it's way! I am so looking forward to receiving it! It will definitely brighten what has of late been a bit depressing time. I've been a bit overwhelmed by work, We just had a big yarn sale over the weekend.
And Lastly I was just invited to join Raverly
which is exciting. Now if I could just find the time to knit and sew the projects I have in mind I would be peachy keen!

Puppy of Love

Having been busy lately I haven't had time to write about the new pup-a-doo. Her name is Bailey and she's about the bestest birthday present ever! DJ and I went an adopted her on my birthday from the North Shore Animal League.




I'm in puppy love! Though she has grown about 6 inches in the month plus that we have had her..... Apparently a German Shepard-Doberman mix ends up as a big girl!
But I love her, and the fact that DJ is the one who gets up in the morning to take her for her first walk of the day (which sometimes is 6:30 am)is wonderful!