Hand Delivery

Project Spectrum is a great way to work themed colors into my crafts, but ironically, the administration of this Project has taken a great deal of time, and actually has kept me away from crafting!  So, when I do get those few moments, I take full advantage. My great friend, Anjo, has sent me another package, full of green goodies! 

Not only is this the May soundtrack (I am listening to it now!) but, also a trove of great supplies! A green Chibi, some great cards, spools, buttons, and ribbons, green circular needles, a very “mod” notions bag, and she made me a little pin (see?  I am wearing it in this picture)  And the quick craft I whipped up?  I used the green glass beads she sent over to make these:

Green beaded anklet and bracelet

I used an elastic thread for the connection, and finished both the anklet and the bracelet in about 20 minutes, prêt à porter!  Thank you so much, Anjo!

Before the festival, I had the great opportunity to spend last Friday with Zarah, who was in DC for vacation from Missouri.  We had beautiful weather, and decided to cross off another museum on her list of places to visit:  The National Building Museum (and one of my favorites to stop by!). After the museum, we agreed that it was time to knit, so we headed to Teaism, a lovely local spot, and set up to knit on our respective tank tops.  (She just finished her Orangina lace tank, and it is beautiful!)

And across the table, I worked on my Emerald Tank.

This is the front of the tank, with the deep U-neck.  

Zarah and I had a very nice day in DC!  She was so kind, and actually brought me a little gift for showing her around some parts of the city.  Zarah started the Project Spectrum Hand Dyed Sock Yarn Swap, and has made some lovely yarns.  She gave me two lovely dyed hanks of springy colors!  The colors remind me of a hydrangea.  Thank you!

Also pictured is the great yarn I won from Sarah.  Last month, I won a little contest on Sarah’s blog – how many packets of KoolAid did she buy to dye yarn?  I guessed randomly, and got the right number spot-on: 204!  She dyed some green yarn for me, and gave it to me this past weekend at the Festival.  It has a little stripe of light purple in it too – beautiful! 

Last month, I commented on Debi’s site about the lovely yarn she was using for a pair of socks.  The yarn was very similar to my favorite sock yarn, Trekking XXL.  She identified it as the now-discontinued GGH Marathon.  Before I knew it, we worked out a little trade, and not one but TWO skeins arrived on my doorstep. 

I love these colors!  For the trade, I picked up some Tess sock yarn for Debi this past weekend – it will be in the mail soon, D!  Thank you for the great trade!

Speaking of sock yarns – most specifically about Trekking XXL - did you see the new sock knitalong, Trek Along With Me created by Norma and Margene?

 I just so happen to have some amazing blue Trekking in my stash, that I was planning to use for Project Spectrum June.  Perfect timing!  Knit a sock and take a hike! I love having new knitalongs to work in with the Project Spectrum color themes! 

I also joined Kimberly’s group “I’m Fit and I Knit” last month. The group offers inspiration, excitement, and a little accountability to get on track and be healthy!

My “lifestyle change” has continued strong for 3 months now – I officially started on February 11th, and to this date, I have shed 39 lbs. of weight.  After three months, these changes have become a habit – I go to the gym 5 or 6 times a week, and enjoy various cardio exercises (elliptical, step aerobics, water aerobics, and swimming) and different yoga classes.  I am studying Anusara mainly, but am also enjoying a fast-paced morning Vinyasa class. 

Finally, I have to share my mom’s new FO!  She is in love with felting!  (it made shopping for a Mother’s Day present pretty easy!) She finished knitting her Sophie purse, and felted it this week.  For this one, she used about 1 and one eighth skeins of Patons Classic Merino.  She immediately started on another felted pattern with some Cascade 220 Quattro, and bought some yarn and a Noni pattern this past weekend at the Festival.  I love sharing this with you, Mom!

Have a good weekend!