Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I got my Package - good things come to those who are patient!

Yeah...I got my package. The items and socks were wonderful! I got it about 3 or so weeks ago. See when patient, good things do come. I have not posted a picture yet. I can't seem to find my cable for my camera to hook up to my computer, but I will. Anyway.....I am happy now. Yippeeee!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

It will be okay! Thank you for your kind words everyone!

Thank you for your very nice comments. I am sure things will turn out okay. Anyway....I still can't wait till number 5 comes around! Can't stop knitting those socks! LOL
Iva

Friday, August 15, 2008

I am still waiting....and I am sad.

I still haven't gotten my package. I have been patiently waiting and I have contacted my partner and have asked. She keeps telling me soon. The last I heard was July and it is now the middle of August.

With that said I hope she gets my package to me soon.....
But I am excited to see number 5 considered. I had a hard time finding monkey items last time....and now I see stuff everywhere! So I have been collecting....who ever my partner will be next time she will be very spoiled....

I did enjoy my partner and participating very much....! Take care all and happy knitting

Thursday, June 26, 2008

My Wonderful Monkey Package


Look at the wonderful swap package I received from my Monkey Sister Pam aka Yarn Goddess . I have known Pam for over a year now through reading her blog and through emails. I was totally surprised when I found out that Pam was my Monkey swap pal, she did the most wondeful job hiding her identity from me. Pam totally spoiled me, just look at all the lovely goodies she sent me, beautiful yarn, sock monkey knitting tote bag and sock bag and the most wonderful yarn, Noro, Lorna's shepperd sock yarn, Schaefer Anne and Colinette Jitterbug. I also received two sets of Sox stix which I have really wanted for ages and lots of other goodies. Pam knitted my Monkey Socks in Posh Yarn in all my favourite colours, they fit like a second skin and feel so soft and comfy on my feet. I have been so lucky both in this swap and the last swap to have such wonderful partners both upstream and down. I am really looking forward to the next one.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Monkey's at last- but oh so worth the wait.

Between thunder storms and power outages I have not been able to get on line this weekend. But now that I can I want to share with you all the wonderful monkey box I got on Saturday. Now I really feel bad for my partner because this was her second attempt at sending my a goodie box. The first one was lost in the mail. But now that I have them I am thrilled. They fit just perfectly and I know you can't see on the first picture but there are little bits of silver in the yarn. I just love how the turned out and they fit perfectly, now I can't way until fall when I can wear them. Cheryl also sent some little gems yarn in purple and the flicker pattern. I think I will give them a go this August when its really hot. The monkey goodies were a huge hit with my daughters I had to fend them off so that I could keep the bowl. LOL Thanks Cheryl I just love everything.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Monkey Sock FIVE Information

Stay tuned for Monkey Sock Swap FIVE information!

Our fifth round will be a FALL swap with signups starting sometime in September.

I'm tossing around some ideas on how to spice things up a bit. My drawer is getting full of Monkey Socks and I'm thinking that it might be time to try out our Cookie A. patterns. What do you guys think about surprising your next Monkey Pal with a pair of socks using one of your Cookie A. patterns in one of her favorite colors? We can always have the 'Monkey Sock' option for those not wishing to knit or receive anything other than the original pattern.

I think the Monkey Package should still have the requisite monkey pressies..........what else should it have?

I would love to have your thoughts on what you would like so please drop me an email.

I hope you enjoy your summer! My summer is full of wedding excitement. My firstborn is getting married and my secondborn is moving back home.

Take care,
Rebecca
Monkey Hostess

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Monkeys have landed!



Edited to show me wearing my beautiful socks. And Yes I have worn them. They are very warm and toasty and Fit perfectly!








What a beautiful package. The colors are wonderful and full of monkey items. 3 skeins of yarns, a monkey bag, stickers, markers and 2 sets of bamboo dpns! But check out the beautiful socks!









The socks are absolutely gorgeous and just my size! Thank you so much my secret pal.....It's time to tell me who you are! No card in the box but I do know they came from England (maybe!)

Over the Top Goodies!

Was I surprised when the postman backed his truck up to my door, and delivered a HUGE box from Jan. It was crammed with goodies! First and foremost, a lovely pair of monkeys with an innovative picot top. I must confess that I am not a great fan of the twisted rib, and this cuff treatment is very feminine. Then there is a beautiful skein of hand-painted yarn in a colorway called, "Ocean". The flash-blinded package is strawberry lemonade tea mix. That will certainly be refreshing on one of these hot days that have fallen upon us with a vengeance. We literally had the electric blanket on the bed, and two nights later, had turned on the air conditioning! Some biscotti that I don't have to share, some yummy coffee/chocolate candy, and the box of choco-creme Panda cookies . . . the box is an illusion . . . those have been "inhaled"! Yummy!
Continuing the tour, an adorable snuggly baby monkey, a cute little basket which holds some scrumptious bath gel and lotion . . . but will hold a skein of sock yarn on one's wrist once its duties are complete for the bath products, a Monkey lotion pump bottle, Twisted Flower pattern by Cookie A, and a special beverage glass suitable for Strawberry Lemonade, I'm sure!
As to my own obligations, I finally finished the socks for my patient pal, Natalie, and the box is packed and ready at the door of my studio to be taken to the post office. I put in a few extras, since she has been so kind to grant me a generous extension of time to finish. Such a good deed should not go unrewarded!
This has been fun . . . when do we play again?

Friday, June 6, 2008

I'm so embarassed!

I need to post a picture of my wonderful goodies from Jan. She made lovely Monkeys with a charming picot top, and the goodies . . . too numerous to mention . . . could have been a double swap, from my vantage point! I promise to get a picture posted this weekend . . . I'm done with house guests until the end of the month, everyone seems to be healthy, and I hope to have some quiet time over the weekend.

My "victim" has been so patient, and I'm just about to get to the toe of the second sock, and get her goodies out, too. I didn't like the hand-dyed yarn I ordered first, so I've ordered another, and it should arrive tomorrow. Because she has been so nice about waiting, I am including a little extra heap of sock yarns. Sadly, one of our local craft shops is closing, but the good part is that with the sale, it provides more goodies for my patient pal, and she certainly has earned it!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

woot

I received the most wonderful package, I opened as I was running out to work tonight. SOrry I cannot post pics til Saturday, there was no card so I can not thank my Pal by name. Thanks so much for all the wonderful things.

I have not heard if my Pal received her socks and things. It has been ten days since it was mailed. My email bounced back but I will try again.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

I was spoiled rotten

The socks.  They fit!

Kary was my swap partner and she spoiled me rotten this week. Check out all the goodies she sent on my blog.

Monkey Joy!

Look at all the monkey joy that I received from Tammy!!!
First up, the socks; they are in my most favorite color :) green, and they fit like a dream!!




Here are all the monkey goodies that she crammed into the box! How did she do it? Maple flavored chocolate from Canada, stickers, keychain, tissues, memo pad, applique & a keychain sock blocker sock! OH BOY, I can hardly wait to make tiny socks from my leftover yarn! Also, the Stricken pattern :), pink Shibuiknits yarn & a skein of her very own Faery Fiber. I don't know how she was able to pull this package together, she has been very sick this past month, but I am very grateful to her! This is all in addition to the monkey sock bag and stuffed monkey I posted about earlier.

And finally, here are the socks on my feet-they fit perfectly! Thank you so much Tammy for this great package!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

I'm a Happy Monkey

Big Thanks to Iva for a fantastic monkey package! She really went above & beyond. She knew about my past experiences with swaps and wanted to make up for them. She did not have to do that, but I'm so glad she did :) Here are all the goodies I got:
A stuffed monkey, a monkey card holder, checkbook cover & bookmark. A monkey drinking cup that was filled with bit-O-honey candy (yum) and bright yellow star post-it notes. She then went to my Loopy Ewe wish list and got me Great Adirondack Silky Sock yarn in my favorite colors (I can't wait to try this yarn) and the awesome red Loopy tote with the "sock yarns don't count as stash!" tag on it. I LOVE it. I also love the socks she knit me. They fit great and the color is beautiful. They're knit with Dream in Color Smooshy in the Butter Peeps colorway.
Thank you again Iva, you're the best pal!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Oh oh oh oh oh oh!

I am on e happy monkey! Wow! I have received an awesome swap package from my pal Stacy! Check out my blog for photos! Thanks for such a fun swap! Let's do this again sometime (hint hint!)

Monkey Socks for me!

I received my package from my upstream pal Margie (who was also my upstream pal!) 4 days ago and let her know via e-mail that I received them; however since I couldn't find my usb cord for my camera there was a delay on me blogging a public thank you here and on my blog. Thanks so much Margie! Please click on the picture below to see my blog post with more pictures and info.

Monkeys Sighted in L.A.!

Actually, they've been here for a few weeks, but it's only now that I've had enough focus to sit down and tell y'all about it.

First of all, my swap partner was our fabulous swap hostess, Rebecca; and more than anything else, I've enjoyed getting to know her over the past several months. As she mentioned below, we have a great deal in common; so it came as no surprise that she put together the most perfect package imaginable for me. Let's take a look.

Here it is as it appeared straight out of the box. Can you guess my favorite colors?


It was all so pretty that I didn't want to rip into any of the wrapping. . .of course, that lasted for all of about twenty seconds.

Here's the big reveal:


I was floored. Where to begin? The loads of Curious George pads? The row counter with the cute monkey leash (perfect for knitting in cramped spaces like planes or waiting rooms)? The monkey chocolate? The monkey pencil/crochet hook bag? The sock monkey ornament?

Oh, no. Let's head straight for the socks. A gorgeous pair knit from a wool/cashmere blend that fit like gloves. Warm, cozy gloves for the feet, that is. The fit, colors, and dye job couldn't be more to my liking. Want to see what pampered feet look like?


Lovely socks, yes? (Many apologies for the gleaming ivory leg, but my faux tanning cream is on order and has yet to arrive -- fingers crossed I don't end up with yams.)

Also included were a copy of what may turn out to be my favorite Cookie pattern ever, Trystero (LOVE this one! -- it's brilliant!), and a skein of long-desired Sundara sock yarn in Guava, a gorgeous salmony pink. Hats off to Rebecca for having the patience and persistence to score a skein of Sundara sock. I've never had enough of either to do it myself.

Wait, you're saying there's something else that's grabbed your eye, aren't you? I believe there's something else you want to see up close, no?


People, can you believe this insanity? SOCK MONKEY SLIPPERS!!! I laughed and laughed when I saw these, then ran around the house nearly walking into walls because I couldn't take my eyes off my feet. Best. Monkey. Score. Ever.

So as you can see, it's yet another day full of monkey business in L.A. Many thanks to Rebecca for not only being such a swell swap pal, but also for organizing such a nice, upbeat swap. If she's got it in her, I'm definitely up for another round.

Monkey Goodies


I received 2 wonderful monkey gifts today!! A cute monkey bag, large enough to carry socks-in-progress and a supersoft stuffed monkey! Thanks so much to Tammy, I'm sure the rest is coming direct from her in Canada...as these came direct from the etsy sellers!

Swap Goodies



Jess was my swap pal and she did an awesome job putting together my package. She made the beautiful monkey sock bag and dpn case for me and there were stickers and a monkey pot holder and kitchen towel that have already been put to good use. A great Cookie A pattern and some gorgeous Farm House sock yarn. The best part of course was the socks aren't they cool? They are the purless monkeys in Socks That Rock "Pink Granite" colorway. I had actually been lusting after this colorway for a long time but hadn't had a chance to buy it yet so I'm totally in love with how it worked up and they fit great! Thanks so much Jess N. for such a wonderful and thoughtful package!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Finally...some pictures

Hi All! I finally got my computer and camera to work together so here are the pictures I promised. These beautiful Monkeys are from my Pal Chelle in Canada. I love them!
And here is the rest of my goodies...2 Monkey bags, some sock yarn (the colorway is called "Monkey See, Monkey Do"), monkey stitch markers, a mini sock pattern and sock on a sock blocker key chain, and some chocolates. Thanks again Chelle!
Margie


Monday, May 26, 2008

Monkeys Away

I captured the last monkey and they are on there way to Jody. I hope every one had a great long week end. We had rain all 3 days so it gave an excuse to knit and sew all week end ;)

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Monkey Sock, monkey sock!

Look at the BEAUTIFUL socks I received from my new friend, Eva! Something funny about these socks? The ones I knit Eva are almost the same color and fiber content as the ones she knit for me. We have found that we have many things in common and have enjoyed getting to know each other.
As you can see, Eva has spoiled me rotten! All the items in my Monkey Package were wrapped with care and creativity....simply lovely. One of the 'clever' monkey items Eva included was my very own "Monkey Edition" of a British County Living magazine. I have enjoyed reading it in my bubble bath each evening and discovering 'monkeys' placed throughout the magazine. Fun! She also sent a book by an author she loves hoping I will do the same. I'm looking forward to reading this new author.

The Cookie A. pattern I received was Marilinda and I cannot wait to knit it. In addition to sending some lovely yarn that I believe will be perfect for Marilinda, Eva also sent some Kaffe Fassett yarn in the 'EARTH' colorway. Check out the lovely hankies each skein was wrapped with - they are now in my purse.


I couldn't wait casting on with my new yarn. I'm participating in Lolly's Project Spectrum and we are just finishing up knitting with 'earth' colors. These socks will be perfect and I think I finish them just in time!

I hope you have all had fun with the swap and have been as fortunate as I to have made a new friend! It looks like everyone is receiving wonderful packages.

Look What I Got!!!

My wonderful pal, Ana, sent me the absolutely most fantastic box of monkeys! She spoiled me royally!



Look at all those goodies! Oh, and are these the cutest socks ever?!?



Poor Ana! She had my name in our Monkey Sock Swap 3, so she had to come up with all new ideas for this swap. I could not have asked for a better pal. She is the best!

Thanks again, Ana!!!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Mine arrived!!!!


Coutesy of Ronnie:-)
Thankyou so much, it's a wonderful parcel and the socks are just FAB!!!!!!!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Doing The Happy Dance!

I'll be posting pictures this weekend, but I wanted to thank my good friend and pal Penny for the fantastic, wonderful, incredible package she sent to me! Gorgeous yarn, TWO patterns, tons of goodies and, of course, the most incredible Monkey socks I've ever seen made of Lorna's Laces in Tuscany! They fit like a second skin and look terrific in the clear Croc-like shoes she sent to show them off! Everything was wrapped individually and had a darling note attached to each package. I can't thank you enough, Pen, and I'm so looking forward to getting to know you much better. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You made this swap an incredible experience and renewed my faith in swaps. :)

Monkey's received!

Hi to All!
I received my Monkey package from the Wonderful Chelle in Canada. They are beautiful and fit perfectly. My home computer is having issues at the moment but hopefully I will get them fixed this weekend and I will post the pictures I took.

Thanks for another great Monkey Swap!
Margie

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Monkeys from Oz!

Thank you, Mel! My monkey swap package arrived safe and sound so you can stop worrying.

She sent me some wonderfully crazy Monkey socks! Sorry, but I don't know what the yarn is.


Plus I got some great monkey goodies and sock yarn galore - you can see it all in the picture below.


She sent me 3 (!!!) different sock yarns. The Knittery Merino Slim is soooo silky and smooth. It's hard to believe that it's just merino. And I love the monkey fabric. I've been spoiled :)

Friday, May 16, 2008

THANKYOU GILRAEN ..


The postman brought me all of this on Wednesday from the wonderful Gilraen , I really needed something to put a smile on my face , and this did it !
Firstly, the socks , they are beautiful, knitted from Posh Emily Aurora, so soft and cozy .They fit as if they were made for me LOL. I have them on as the weather has turned back to winter. Gilraen couldn't decided which pattern to send , and so she sent TWO . the Panda cotton and bamboo is something that I have been thinking of getting ,and the colour is perfect. The Hand Maiden Casbah is so soft , and the colours are much more vibrant than in the photo. I LOVE the bag , it has a half knitted pair of socks in it and is just the right size.I had the cutest monkey stitch markers , key rings , 2 purses, cell phone charms, I am sure that I haven't mentioned everything, but what a marvellous pal to have ? Thankyou so much Gilraen, and thank you Rebecca for making this possible.


Thursday, May 15, 2008

I've been monkey'd!

My package arrived yesterday from the wonderful Chrispy. My husband has the camera so no pictures from me, but she's got some of them on her blog. They fit perfectly and I love the yarn. She also sent a sock bag (that she made herself), some lovely Madeline Tosh yarn in a colorway called 'Tomato' (yum!), stickers and drawer pulls (that have been given a home by the 4 year old), some lovely handmade soap, and the Mingus pattern (that's being added to my Summer of Socks 'to knit' list!). Thanks so much Chrispy! You made my day =)

Little Teaser


OK Blocking and will send out the next day or two...overwhelmed with so many things here. But I had to blur the pic a bit to show the silver yarn throughout.

MONKEYS ARE ALMOST CAPTURED

I have almost captured both my monkeys.
Then a few small details to finish then they will be swinging there way to their new home

Love My Monkeys!!

Wednesday night I got home after working and spending some much needed time at my LYS (I did finish a sock wee!) Anywho I got home to see a package had arrived for me!! All kinds of treats were inside!

a Super Cute Stuffed Monkey, snackies oh Yum!, a Barrel Full of monkey games/candy, a Monkey wallet (which couldn't have come at a better time a need a little wallet for this weekend), monkey tissues, the Red Thread Socks Pattern which I have been coveting for a LONG time, beautiful Sock Yarn and the socks. Monkeys socks in the most awesome blue/ purpley Wollmeise yarn. Which I couldn't stop petting. They fit perfectly too!!!

On a side note out of curiousity has anyone played the Barrel Full of Monkeys game while drunk?

Thank you so much KitchKnits, I love love LOVE it all!!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Almost there.....

I've finished the knitting for the monkey package, but still waiting ofr a couple of monkey items to arrive in the post. Hopefully I'll get the package posted tomorrow or Friday, fingers crossed:-)

Monday, May 12, 2008

Monkeys Down Under

Ok -- be jealous -- this purple is soooo nice. *sigh*

How much do I love my monkey socks? I LOVE MY SOCK PACK! Hard to say what is the bestest of the best, as I'm enjoying it ALL.
Is it the purple happiness of my Cherry Tree Hill Monkeys, handknit by Cynthia -- which fit perfectly?

Or, is it the unreal monkeysock bag, perfect for sock knitting? 'Scuse the silly shot -- I was so excited, I had it wrongwayround. But wait, there's much more... Monkey tissues, monkey bookmark - v kewl -- bath salts, SOAK, bag for handwashing, balm (using as I type for chapped lippies), GORGEOUS happy sock yarn, notecards, and a Flicker pattern.
One happy monkeysock knitter here in Australia. Thank you so much Cynthia! Thanks to everyone who shared their monkeys. It's so much fun to see what we get up to.

Mel, in Oz



Happy Sock Yarn -- Handpainted in Alabama! Kewl.

PS: slept last night with purple monkeys on -- they were too comfy to take off!

Almost Ready

My socks are done and done in a way I've not done before. Two socks on two circs!! It was fun..I am hoping my pal will like what I am sending. I don't want to post pics yet as so many have recived their socks I don't want to give it away. By weeks end I will though :) Thanks Rebecca for hosting this again. I almost have enough Monkeys for a different pair each day of the week. I ahve not heard from my Pal for a bit, please say hello.

May I buy a "vowel"?

I have all my monkey "toys" gathered . . . the gift yarn should arrive tomorrow . . . and I'm methodically knitting away. We've had a crazy month at my house, with house guests, deaths in both sides of the family, and spring cold or allergy, or some sort of bug. I'm considering sending all the toys tomorrow with the socks to follow as soon as I can get the second one off the needles, just so my pal doesn't feel like a total orphan! I'm really excited about the fun monkey stuff I was able to collect. I think I have a little "stash" of those kinds of items built up, so I'll be prepared for Swap #5 . . . if I can just get the 4th off my needles! Ball game tomorrow night, with a one-hour drive each way . . . and my DH is driving. That should be a big help!

Package almost ready to swing...

I am waiting for one more goodie and then my monkeys swing over to my pal! I can't wait to get it all wrapped and ready to go. I am in love with this pattern and started another pair right after finishing my swap pair. I think the pattern is now burned in my brain! It is so fun to knit. Thanks for swap #4...hope there is a #5!

They're on their way!

Just a note to let my bud-dee know her monkeys and friends are on their way. To our Swap Host: Thanks for the opportunity to play together again.

I confess, in my haste to send monkeypack, I didn't do a gorgeous wrapping job like the previous post. The socks have a wrapper, the pink paper is fab. Forgive me bud -- I'm crap at wrapping packages. I hope you like what's inside just the same. Confession: it was hard to mail these socks as I likes 'em. But off they went just the same. Sorry, no sneak preview piccies -- mustn't spoil all the fun. Cheers, Mel

Sunday, May 11, 2008

one completely satisfied customer!!!

I rejoined the Monkey sock Swap 4 this time round. Last time around my partner defaulted despite assurances to the contrary to more than myself. My Swap 4 pal Sheryl has more than made up for any prior disappointments. She was my recipient last round and I loved having her for a pal then too. :)

































Look at all the pretty wrapped parcels



All unwrapped and so many items it could be hard to do them all justice. Apologies if I missed out on anything!
Pens and pencils, notepads, stickers, keyrings (one a sock knitted in matching yarn), a pretty sock monkey purse and fabulous
monkey stitchmarkers!! Wow!! A georgeous little box, a purse and project bag all in monkey themes. Yarn wise 2 different yarns: Louet Gems Merino in Cherry Tree Hill Old Roses colourway and a skein of Araucania Ranco Solid in pink. And a CookieA pattern Moselle. :)



Aren't these so cute!!


I love Louet Gems and Cherry Tree Hill colours!!



The piece de la resistance!!



I love how they fit! The detail is beautiful and the yarn fabulous!!!

The only problem is this good weather prevents me from pulling them on tomorrow and strutting them about at work to show them off!!

I love them :) Thank you so much!!