I really enjoy Weekly Topics for a swap. I think it’s a neat way to keep you involved during the “quiet period” between signing up and receiving a package. Here is the Cocoa Swap Question #3:

Marshmallows/Whipped Cream – The big debate: How do you prefer you top your cocoa?  If you like marshmallows, do they need to be the big ones, little ones, homemade, gourmet, flavored?  If it’s whipped cream, is it fresh, the kind in the can, flavored?  Or are you a fluff gal?  Or… do you like your cocoa naked?  Tell us about how you top off your favorite cup of chocolate!

I am whipped cream all the way. In the can… and straight into my mouth. No, but really… canned whipped cream is great on top of hot cocoa. Did any of you have the peppermint whipped cream from Starbucks over the holidays? To. Die. For. If you’re making whipped cream fresh though, you better have some pumpkin pie or strawberry shortcake on hand!

Marshmallows are just more of a “roast over the fire and make s’mores with” kind of treat. They don’t get gooey enough in hot cocoa. Or Marshmallow Alphabet! Did anyone used to do that with their fingers? Mash up marshmallows into goo and then form letters with your fingers?… yeah me neither….

Naked cocoa is fine too, which is how it usually is as I don’t regularly stock whipped cream. But I have a question, what is “fluff”?

This past summer, my sister took a class through the Richmond Weavers & Spinners Guild. The course was taught by Linda Montague, who is the Guild’s representative and also coordinates the fibre arts portion of the Surrey Art Gallery. As I mentioned in my yarn shopping post, my sister Bonnie is taking another course by Linda in Richmond (side-by-side to Vancouver).

Bonnie was flattered to hear everyone wanted to see her project, so I asked her if I could take photos and blog about her sampler project from the summer. Here are some photos and details of what I learned.

It is a 4-shaft loom set for plain weave with twill variations, also known as “The Sampler”.

The yarn is nothing special and kind of itchy, just whatever was available at the class. This wasn’t something they purchased wool for.

But I must say, it makes a neat finished product!

This is her favourite weave, an alternating plain & twill, which she selected for her first project!

This one is my favourite (left) because of the stripey-diagonal goodness. And the one on the far right is a plain weave.

This is my other favourite weave! Probably because I can’t knit that!