Alice Jean

What can I tell about this group on Ravelry. This group is for giving without expecting anything in return, and possibly receiving gifts that you don't deserve! Today I received a wonderful gift from Morgan , a set of books. The Amber books are for Reese as he has his Dutch exam in May and reading some Dutch will be a benefit for him. Though it is very weird to read some fragments in Dutch when you just have read the English version for the second time. The other book, Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson is for me. I love reading fantasy. Morgan, thanks so much, you rock!

Not the most beautiful photo, I know... These are the Child's French Socks I made Tessa in the '(handmade item for) Mamma swap'. Used yarn is 75% BFL/ 25% nylon, dyed in pink and lavender.

It is always fun to receive parcels, especially when they are the fluffy kind :-). Here I have approx 600 grams of the most lovely and soft handspun BFL/Corriedale from the talented Sarah . I am planning to make a cardigan or jumper with this wool, so stay tuned! She also sent Dory a present, a wonderful purse and a CD 'the Story Tree'. D. is so pleased with it, at the age of nearly 4 she is very into stories. Sarah, thanks so much! xx

Another birthday parcel came in yesterday evening. This one came from Tessa , she truly did spoil me! Hand spun and hand dyed wool named 'Veeler Wolletje' in beautiful colours, a set of lovely hand made stitch markers to add to my collection and a cute notecard. Tessa, thanks so much!

I have been awarded the "Make my Day" by the brilliant Angie of Jazzycrafts . Thank you so much, you did make my day! The Blurb... "Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times." Before I begin listing 10, let it be known that you all make my day! Darcy at Darcy's Knotty Knitter for being a wonderful friend, Tessa at Myrthestiek because of her pleasant posts on her blog and her emails, Morgan at Dromen van Avalon because I have found in her a soulmate and a friend, Annemarie at Wollekje because of a wonderful magic ball swap, I still enjoy a pair of cosy socks :), Ailsa at Not Enough Time to Craft for spending some great time together, Marjon at Made by Mama for the pictures of her beautiful little daughter, Christien at Famke's Frutsels for her kindness (PIF), Olga o...

All the way from California, from Darcy . The card is too cute (yes Darcy, I passed up the trip and the million and chose option #3...). The Christmas Blend of Starbucks is to die for, the chocolates will be tasty as will be the tea... and that yarn! Lorna's Laces pale pink. I love it, want to knit it immediately... Thanks so much Darcy!

This was the first skirty I've ever made, so kind of a challenge. I think it really turned out well. The pattern is my own. The hat is a top down model. The legs are ribbed, I hope this will improve the stretchyness. Therefore they are not embroidered. Used wool: BFL Aran weight.

Many thanks to Greetje . Here are my '4' 4 jobs I held nursery teacher helpdesk assistant childminder crafts teacher 4 movies I like Witness Lord of the rings Love actually Equilibrium 4 places I've been Eilat, Israel Arhus, Denmark Guernsey Caernarfon, Gwynned 4 places I lived Zwolle IJsselstein Eindhoven Horndean (Hants) 4 TV shows/programs I watch Currently? Torchwood - - - 4 Radio-shows I listen to I never listen radio 4 favorite foods Cheesepizza Indian Chinese Vegetables. Really, I LOVE vegetables. 4 places I'd rather be Walking in the forest Reading a book in my bed Ireland Having a shower The 4 I tag, only when interested! Darcy Angie Sarah Morgan

This afternoon I got another PIF package. This one came from Christien . She has really spoiled me, made me the most nice pressies. All gifts were put in this bag, isn't that a neat cable? These little bags always come in handy as I've so many projects at the same time on the needles. My little princess (today she was princess instead of sheep) could hardly wait to unwrap everything. Actually, she did not wait at all. She immidiately decided the stickers were hers. Close up of the lovely hand dyed wool And the cute stitch markers... Christien must have known I collect them! Almost everything but the stickers (they were already in use. Attached to the buggy, in the castle and to the swing-go). The green item on the photo is a very gorgeous hand knit hairband. I really can use that! Thanks so much, Christien!

Q : What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way? A : Mostly I don't do any planning at all. When I am looking for a project, I have my Ravelry queue to browse, my huge stash of pattern print outs or a few knitting books. And this 'looking for' can take so much time, I'd better cast on some project and just start knitting. I have enough yarn in my stash to choose from or to dye up in the colours I like. I seldom shop for any particular yarn, but when I am in a yarn shop, it often happens there is some yarn I cannot resist, although I don't know any use for it (yet). I bring it home just to add it to my stash. And that is how my stash is getting out of control (well, it still fits in one room, not bad at all), do I have to tell more?