Funny you should ask that

Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?

Funny you should ask that because this weekend is the Arlington County Fair. I've never entered anything into a fair or any other competition before, but this year a friend practically hounded me into entering something. She really wanted me to enter a pair of socks. She printed out the list of categories for knitting and kept asking, "Do you have this? Do you have that? Can you make something quickly that fits this category?" So I finally gave in and put up some finished projects that were lying around the house. And low and behold, each one of them earned a ribbon! How cool is that?!

For the scarf/hat category I submitted Branching Out in Wool Bam Boo (Ravelry link).Not the best of pictures, but you can see that red second place ribbon attached to it. Then I decided to submit Jen's Fire engine Fingerless Fetchings (Ravelry link) and now she'll have an award winning knit for a Christmas gift. Does it get any cooler than that?

Then there was the issue of choosing a pair of socks to enter. Mmmmmmmm.... several to choose from. Which was my favorite? I just couldn't decide. So I went with the pair that I get the most comments on, Claywalkers (Ravelry link). And what do you know - they won FIRST PRIZE!!!

I'm so stoked!!! And then after mulling over the list of categories at the last minute I decided to finish off my Isa (Ravelry link) and submit it too. What an incentive to finally finish it! I mean I only started it in April of '07 and it's only needed the picot edging on the sleeves for about a year now. But now I can proudly say it's finished and it got second place to boot!

So I guess you could call me a happy camper this weekend. I'm now already planning what I want to knit for next year's fair. Good luck to all of my knitting friends out there who are entering their craft into their local fairs.

Beachy knits - What a surprise!

Jennifer over at Coffee, Puppies, and Knitting had a little contest to help celebrate her 4th anniversary with her husband. Jennifer and I have bonded over our issues with migraines, not the best thing to want to have in common with someone, but at least someone understands what I go through. Anyway, I won! She sent along a great prize package. A see through take along knitting bag, some color coordinated yarns, and a folding ruler. I love the combination of colors, so beachy. What a way to end a summer. Now, just to figure out what to knit with them!
Any beach appropriate ideas would be appreciated!

Contests and winnings

There are several contests out there that are worth mentioning.

First up is Chan celebrating her blogiversary. Pop on over and tell her about some crazy adventure/experience that someone has talked you into and you might just be rewarded for your antics.

Hurry on over to see Cinnamongirl and begin celebrating the arrival of spring.

Ponyknit is marching through March with Malabrigo to spare.

Anne's looking to expand on her blog reading and is asking for great blog links.

I know I've come across a few other contests but for the life of me can't remember where. Sorry.

Anyone reading this should head right on over to all of them and enter. Here's proof that knitting friends give great prizes!!!

Today the mail man brought me this wonderful package from Risa and her sock contest. She's kind of new to the blogging thing so hop on over and say hello. She's got a great eye for sock yarns!

This is hand dyed Chocolate Princess in Colarz. Check out her Etsy shop and all her lovely colorways. I love the color combination and can't wait to see what it turns out to be! Also in the package were adorable pink butterfly stitch markers and very stylish knitterly knote cards. Thanks Risa! You rock!

But that's not all the mailman brought me. Chris over at Drop Stitch Knitter had a contest a little while back and it was well worth the wait to receive her package of goodies!

What luscious additions to my stash! The prize package included some spring/Easter goodies... yum... as well as some tasty yarns. Couldn't you just eat these up!

Artyarns Supermerino 155

Karen's Heavenly Creations in Boston colorway

And Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Childsplay

Knitting friends have the biggest hearts and are total fun! Thanks again ladies! And to think today is Monday... oh Monday Monday. Usually not a very good day. But what a way to end spring break!

I won?!?!?

Can you believe what I just recieved in my email inbox?!?!?!? Maybe things will start looking up around here after all!!!

Hi Wendy!

I just wanted to let you know that you won first prize in my blog contest!!!! It shall consist of yarn and other goodies, so send my you mailing address, I’ll get the package together and send it out! Thanks for taking the time to enter and I appreciate your contributing to the Readers Tools and Tips!

All the Best,

My Blog:
http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com

My Etsy Shop:
http://scottsmountaincrafts.etsy.com

My Photography:
http://scootergirl762.deviantart.com

Contest Alert

Head over to Anne and Martina's blog for their Blogiversary contest and tell them you heard it from here!

Quickie

I know, I know, I know....

I promised photos and details of my finished fingerless mitts and I don't have them. Well, actually I do have them, but I'm not going to show you.... just yet. I'm almost finished with my pair (the one with short fingers but no tips) and I thought it might be nice to post about them together. I just have to finish the fingery parts on the left glove and then you'll get to drool all over them. I really do promise.

But instead of leaving you totally out in the dust and FO photoless, I present to you College Roomie's little one:

(Don't ask me how she got the photo to rotate properly. I just copied the photo file from her - it came rotated.) This is a sweater that I knit up for her when she was born way back in the spring and she's finally getting to wear it. Isn't it, I mean she, adorable?!?!? I think I've been commissioned to create a wardrobe.

Sorry Stacey but I don't have details to share with this one. I can't remember what I used with this one. But I promise to include details on the next FO post.

Gotta get off to finish a paper for my UVA class....

But check this out : Hot Cocoa Swap! Tasty swap fun!!! And there's a contest going on!

I've also been tagged by Michelle for a Meme on 8 gross things about me. I'll have to think a little on that one and get back to ya. So check back again soon.

SITMT: Things that I'm thankful for

(updated to include photos 11/24) Being that today is Thanksgiving the Sock It To Me Twice swap is asking for us to post 10 things we are thankful for. Since I'm posting from my parent's computer at the moment, I don't have access to my photos saved on my computer. I'll be editing when I get back home on Saturday to include pictures. So check back again later for a more visually appealing post.

1. Having had Buddy in my life. (No brainer, huh? If you are new to this post, read down a few entries and you'll see what I mean.)

2. Growing up in such a warm and loving family. They'll push you to do what you never thought you could accomplish and they're always there to support you and cheer you on. 3. The Little Man. He's brought so much joy to the family and it's so wonderful to have little ones around again now that my generation is all grown up and stuff. 4. My sensay Jaz. La-ove her! She's been such a guidance for me in the knitting world and she's always challenging me to knit things I think are too hard for me. (photo stolen from her blog) 5. Tea - Nature's gift of relaxation. 6. Fall - my favorite season. I love everything about fall. The leaves turning, pumpkins everywhere, visiting the farm, the cooler air just perfect for long sleeves and a comfy pair of jeans, baked goods, the colors, the smells, everything! 7. My TomTom Honey got me for Christmas last year. It keeps me from getting lost when traveling through the city and is great for spacing out on the directions on those long road trips. 8. SudaCare Vapor-Plug. My sinuses couldn't make it through the night without it! 9. All the great friends I'm making through blogging and knitting. You all have such great ideas and are supportive in knitting and other life happenings. I never thought I would meet so many people through starting a blog. Some of you I hope to meet in person some day.

(Sorry, no photo here because I have yet to meet any of you.)

10. Holidays with all of my family. It's a rare occasion when we all get to get together but it brings back such happy memories of growing up in a 'village of a family'.

Contest Alert!

I've very sad to report that I've been so swamped with work this week that I haven't found time to even breathe on my needles let alone pick them up and put the to music. In a short while now I'll be heading off to SWPA for the little one's 1st birthday. Oh I can't wait to love him all up!!! Hopefully there will be pictures to share when I return.

For now, I'll refer you over to Cass's blog for her #333 post contest. Tell her you saw it here first. I've got my eyes on prize #2 and #3!!!