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!

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

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 ;)

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!!!

Mine arrived!!!!

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

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

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 :)

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.

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