Package from Maryland

I was so tickled to receive this package from my swap partner and to discover that she is my very dear friend Carissa ;D

This handspun yarn is very special...Carissa spun it from fiber from one of my own sheep, a Corriedale ewe named Coryn (Carissa bought her lamb fleece). I just can't explain how touched I am by this yarn! She carded it with hunter green and deep purple alpaca and silk and added just a touch of gold firestar. It is sitting next to my computer where I can just squeeze it every so often - LOL!

There was also this precious little felt covered journal and some of my favorite caramel/chocolate candy.

Thank you, dear Friend, for such a special treat! And, you did a great job keeping your identity a secret ;p

Thank you Carla

I rec'd a lovely parcel from Carla (TX) last week and while I did send her a card thanking her.. I did not post right away. I am so sorry for the lapse. I've posted pics on my blog. The parcel was delightful and perfect in every way!!

Package arrival

Hi there folks! Just wanted to ask you to let me know (or post on Ravelry) when you have received a package from your swap pal. I'm keeping track of this to make sure everyone gets their package. Thanks!

Bamboozled

Here's a picture of some bamboo that I just finished. I plied it with thread. There's 280 yard for 2 oz. I think I'll make some kind of lacy scarf with it.

Swap matches sent

I have sent everyone their swap matches. If you haven't gotten a mail from me with your match, please let me know ASAP. You should have also received a mail from your secret pal (or soon).

Support our members!

Hey folks, I just wanted to highlight our members shops. We've got a lot of talented people in this group! If there is anyone I haven't mentioned, please let me know!

Funky Carolina - If you don't know her, you're not a spinner. ;) Yarn, fiber and handspun.
HK Spindle and Fiber (Norway) - Handdyed fiber, handspun, spindles (15% off for Ravelry members - write "Ravelry" in the "Rabbat code"!)
Keegan Lane Yarns - Yarn and fiber
Kim4Life - crafty bags
Knit Front and Back - Fiber, yarn, handspun, bags, stitch markers
Lamina's Closet - Batts, fiber, handspun, learn-to-spin kits, spindles
LimeGreenJelly - Fiber, yarn, fiber art
Lizard Smells - Stitch markers, Yarn, Fiber and earrings
Material Whirled - Fiber, yarn, handspun, stitch markers, buttons, and "spinhancements"
Perchance To Knit - Yarn, fiber, handspun
Pixel Diva - Fiber
Punky Purls - Bags
Rosehill Designs - Silk hankies, accessories, housewares
Shelby's Designs - Yarn
Snarky Design - Handspun, yarn, handprinted paper, handprinted clothing
Snow Moon Spinnery - stitch markers, row counters, earrings, spindles, row markers, handspun
Spinspiration - swedish shop that has all kinds of stuff for spinning
Suzy Sells Sea shells - Handspun
Three By Hand - Yarn and Fiber
Vicki's Studio - Jewelry

HHHH Contest #1: How do you spin?

To kick off this Hootenanny (and to distract you while I choose your matches), I want to know how you spin! To enter, post a video of you spinning or plying on flickr, YouTube, Google Video (or whatever video hosting site) and post a link to it in the Ravelry forum for everyone to see.

You are not required to enter, of course, but I thought this was a good idea to document how you spin. It may change over time, especially if you are a beginner. Or it can be a conversation piece among your non-spinning friends. It may encourage other knitters or non-knitters to come to the dark side. So many reasons to do it! :) I just love watching other people spin, you learn so much!

Rules:

1. It needs to be at least 20 seconds long
2. At least part of it needs to be up close enough so we can see your technique
3. Needs to be submitted by July 31, 2008

Bonus points:
Submitting the video is 10 baseline points

1 bonus point if it is outside
5 bonus points if it is in a crowded public area
10 bonus points if there is a crowd around you

1 bonus point if you are wearing a knitting/spinning related clothing (Ravelry t-shirt for example)
2 bonus points if it shows your face
2 bonus points if you incorporate some humor
2 bonus points for fancy editing (and by that I just mean anything other than straight camera footage)
3 bonus points for wearing a handspun item (must be seen in video and made by you)
3 bonus points for flashing your knitting/fiber stash
5 bonus points for more than one person spinning in it (in the same place/room)
5 bonus points if it shows you spinning AND plying
5 bonus points if you show a fancy spinning technique like core spinning or coils or incorporating “other” elements into yarn like beads

Whoever gets the most points wins 4oz. Twisted Fiber Art Lively (sw merino) roving in the Dragonfly colorway. If there is a tie, then I will draw a name. The winner will be announced at the end of the swap.

I hope this isn’t too daunting, I want everyone to have fun with it!