Knitting: SECRET PAL FIRST PACKAGE OMG!!

The picture doesn't do it justice. I wish I had a better image than the digital camera; if this skein makes it through the night without being wound into a ball so I can use it RIGHT NOW OMG OMG I shall take better pics in the morning.

It was in my first present from my Secret Pal. XD When my husband and I came home tonight, I said, "Hey, what's that on our mailbox?" We got closer, I read the label, and then it was like Christmas and my birthday came at once. XD

The absolutely dreamy multicolor yarn is SPUN BY MY SECRET PAL OMG and is, from her note, "core spun...the core is Jaeger merino and on top is hand dyed mohair locks."

Let's just think about that for a moment. Hand dyed. Hand spun. Mohair locks. Jaeger merino. I am dying of happiness. What am I going to make?? What will do this justice?? The yarn is SO soft, so pettable. I am in love. It also, funny enough, matches the twinset I wore to work today. Like exactly. I tried to take a pic, but it just doesn't want to work. Again, I'll try tomorrow. You have to see it.



This is the other yarn in my package, some yummy Debbie Bliss Soho, in a colorway that is precisely my favorite set of autumn colors. I want to play with it like a kitty. XD I want to make mittens out of it; I bet I could get one out of each ball.

It had better get bitter freaking cold this year. I want to get use out of my new wardrobe of scarves, mittens, hats and socks. XD

And for a pic of the complete package:



The other two items are a REALLY cute set of origami girls that I can't wait to play with, and at the very bottom of the pic is a wired burgundy ribbon with gold bees. Secret pal, you really hit my loves, I'll have you know. I didn't even MENTION how much I love bee motifs, and yet I get bee ribbon from you. :)

I'm off to revel in my yarn and to think up something really special for the handspun, because whatever it is, I'm going to end up wearing it ALL THE TIME.

Love.

Gamer Stuff

Sorry for the dry spell. I have been busy getting a job, working on a TON of art, trying to reconcile four (count 'em, FOUR) separate stories, and assisting my dad in his Cabinetmaking.

I actually had a rant ready, but as I wrote it, I realized I disagreed with myself halfway through. XD Nothing like thinking something through and changing your mind once you place all the elements out on paper. I have been re-thinking it since, and I'll be putting up a new rant very soon. The world of gaming is shifting, and I'm not so thrilled with some of the directions.

To tide you over, here are some mini-rants about my dearest, beloved Final Fantasy VII:

1. WHAT ON EARTH are they doing to Reeve in DoC?? If they kill him off, I will be a very, very unhappy bird. It's one thing to kill a character within the original game, but now? Eight years after? When I've had a LOT of time to become attached to the characters who remained alive? Nuu. Do not, repeat, DO NOT kill Reeve. Please, someone, tell me it isn't so. Of course, this is based on a trailer, so maybe I'm reading too much into it. I just hope I am.

2. Why is there another delay on FF7:AC? Honestly? There comes a point where delays cease to make people want the item more and instead make fans irritated. I can even see delays early on, but two weeks before the supposed release date? Grrr.

3. Reeve TUESTI? What the heck kind of name is THAT?

4. Note to EGM: I have a subscription to your magazine for a reason. I like receiving the issues sealed, pretty, and in good condition. Why in the name of every god did you slap a non-removable, 3" round, YELLOW ADVERTISEMENT STICKER over half the beautiful image on the cover?? I save my issues, thank you very much, and I look forward to getting copies that aren't damaged. It took me a while to realize the pic on the cover was Cloud holding KADAJ and not TIFA, since everyone wears black and the ENTIRE UPPER BODY of the person in Cloud's arms was covered by said yellow sticker. Feh. I am very disappointed. Why spend all that money to have such a beautiful image printed on the cover if you're going to cover it up anyway? It's bad enough that I get those stupid 'fake' covers that are just ads glued to the spine of the mag.

So see? I can still rant. XD Next time I discuss games, I promise I'll have some more intelligent things to say about games, the politics surrounding them, and why Mr. Schwarzenegger has severely disappointed me.

SUPAR SEKRIT PAL STUFF!!!

This is for the Secret Pal 6 project; non-knitters need not read. :X

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I am such a yarn snob. I do use Lion Brand, but only if I can't get an all-natural fiber instead.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

No, and no. I want to learn to spin, but a wheel is waaaay too expensive right now. I am thinking about getting started with a drop spindle, however. :) I don't know crochet. It's not something that I want to pursue. Yet.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Mangoes. *cries* I love them, but I can't have anything with them IN it. That goes for candles, body washes/lotions/etc, shampoos, and foods. I also am highly sensitive to cigarette smoke; I can tell if something comes from a smoking house. Ugh.

4. How long have you been knitting?

Almost exactly one year as of this writing. I started last year with a friend, and I have been addicted ever since.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not really; my husband and I share one, so his stuff is mixed in with mine.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I love citrus (pure, not mixed tropical, because they often add mango), the smell of cocoa butter, herbal scents like sandalwood and real lavender.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Oh heck yes. White chocolate rules my world. So does milk chocolate. And dark chocolate. And chocolate-covered cherries. And chocolate-covered espresso beans. And...well, you get the picture. ;)

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I draw a lot in pencil; I also sew--mostly costumes/renfaire garb. Oh, and cross stitch, blackwork, embroidery...needle arts!

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

A quick overview of my music selection includes: Linkin Park, video game remixes, anime themes, game themes, celtic folk, Billy Bragg, trance, techno, Melissa Etheridge, symphonic arrangements of video game music, bebop jazz, and a whole bunch of other stuff that I throw in because I like them. XD My computer IS my stereo, so MP3s are actually preferred. :)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favorite changes between purple and blue, though I tend to wear blue and just like looking at purple. I like to buy and knit with autumn colors, though; right now I have browns, berries, and oranges on the brain.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married, no kids (ever), one pretty white cat. Her pic is on this blog somewhere about a million times. XD

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I want to own a shop someday, one that sells yarn, video games, used books, and costumes. I think there are about 3 places in the world where that would work. XD Realistically, I'd like to make a living off my art and craft instead of working for THE MAN. I have a good start, but I'm not there yet. Beyond all that, I just want to be happy for a long time with my husband.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Noro Kureyon--anything with that gorgeous cobalt blue in it. Knitpicks' Wool of the Andes. Manos del Uruguay. Alpaca Boucle. Brown Sheep Co. Lamb's Pride. OMG, I love that stuff. I prefer a handspun-style yarn to a machine-spun yarn.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Acrylic except in small amounts. NO FUN FUR. Gods, I used to like the stuff, but now it's just EVERYWHERE. Like Kudzu.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Gloves. Gloves and cables. OH, and finding a hoodie pattern that will not look stupid on my rather large form.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks. <3

17. What are you knitting right now?

On the Needles at this writing: Booga Bag, Cigar Gloves from Knitty.com, chemo cap in cashmerino.
About to start: 2 more pairs of Cigar Gloves, possibly DNA scarf.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

Honestly, I keep wanting to make one, but I think it would look silly on me. I've had the yarn ready and I always put it off. So, ponchos are cute, but not really for me.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Straights. I also prefer DPNs to circs. I will use DPNs for as long as I can on a project.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo or birch. Never used plastic, can't stand aluminum.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yes! :) Haven't made many yet, but I love the ones I have. :)

22. How did you learn to knit?

Originally, I was taught by someone who didn't think to tell me that at the end of a row, you turn your work--so I put it down for a few years in frustration. Last year, a friend of mine started, and I thought, if SHE can do it, so can I. We've since converted other friends to the way of the needle. ;)

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Not very--if I don't think I'll ever finish something, I frog it. The projects on the needles are pretty much my UFOs, and they're only a month or so old apiece, if that.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

My real obsession is with Sephiroth from the video game Final Fantasy 7. *swoon* Favorite animals are horses and bunnies.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. Non-religious, happens in autumn, and we eat a lot. Perfect! :)

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Statues of video game and anime characters--either really pretty men or really sexy women. :) I am a nerd.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

None, sadly. I read Interweave Knits, Knitter's, and Vogue Knitting. I absolutely love IK.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

KNITTING OVER THE EDGE. I have the first book, and I about died when I saw the second.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

The Eris and Rogue sweatshirt patterns, and there's one on White Lies Designs that I dearly want.