I got a lovely package this morning off Larry the Cucumber (secret name — I still don’t know who she is!) aka: Gemma!

This is the box, filled with lovely goodies!

Here it all is unpacked and waiting to be ripped into!

And rip open I did! Package after package! This is sooo great! Stitch ‘N Bitch’s Happy Hooker, lovely yarn (llama and cotton), a yummy soap and cloth, stitch markers and a cute much with chocolate bunny!!

Now I’ll definitely have to learn how to crochet — eh Chelle? This is such a lovely case! Now I want one for my needles!!

This is the Miski 100% baby llama in a deliciously dark blue!!

Here is the Lindt Bunny in an adorable sheepy/lamb mug. Since I collect lambs… it shall be a lamb!

Here is a close up of the cloth and the stitch markers — adorable eh? Cats and a mouse!!

Thank you SOOOO much Larry… whoever you are Gemma!!

Q: Have you done a swap before (doesn’t have to be a knitting swap)? What do you like best about swapping? Are there any personal “requirements” that a swap has to have before you will join?

I’ve done knitting swaps before. My first was the Knitter’s Virtual Vacation Swap and I got to “visit” Boston. I sent someone from France to Vancouver. It was more fun putting the package together than receiving one. And I’m sorry again Jessi if I was a pain!

Personal requirements for a swap are pretty low… but I’ve not joined any of the Secret Pals because the requirements of involvement are pretty high.

This is a personal thing but if I host another swap, blogs are definitely going to be a requirement; they were at the beginning of the swap, but some people didn’t like that on Ravelry so I changed it. We only have 3 blogless participants so I really don’t think it’s that big a thing. Blogs are super important when “stalking” your partner.

—————————————————

P.S. I might be a little MIA this weekend as we’ve got friends from Manchester visiting us here in London. Today we’re going to the London Zoo… sound familiar?

Q: What kind of Spoilee are you? Are you paranoid that it’s not being sent, or lost in the post? Do you want it to arrive quickly? OR Do you enjoy the anticipation? Sitting and pondering when it will arrive… and anxiously waiting for it, close to the deadline?

As long as I’m hearing from my spoiler rather regularly, I’m not worried. Just knowing that they are about and they haven’t forgotten about me in general… I have faith that a package will arrive. I have to admit that once the deadline to receive it has passed, I do get a little antsy, but for the most part I try not to worry too much. Actually I have so much fun putting together a package; I lurk and think and ponder… I read months back on their blog.

I know this isn’t knitting related, but I thought I’d ask you to share your favourite Valentine’s Day memory, or your current plans for this year. Just to share some love. :)

Well my boyfriend and I have been together for 2 and a half years now, but we have been long distance for more than half the year up until this past November. So being long distance, this will be our 3rd Valentine’s Day together, but the first one we’ve actually spent together. I’m being a dork I know, but I keep saying, “It’s our first Valentine’s Day together!”

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?

I am more of an idea > pattern > yarn kinda girl. Although my boyfriend’s grandma gave me a bunch of acrylic toy yarn and a booklet in the Winter of 2006. The only “stash” right now that I have is “pre-project”. So I have a ton of brown alpaca for my mom’s lace stole, I am also hoarding purple yarns for my blanket. There is some yarn back home that I just couldn’t resist (good deals) but for the most part, I don’t want a big stash. I want to buy gorgeous yarn and knit gorgeous yarn and not have this big stash looming over my head going, “Pay attention to me! I sit here and look pretty and feel pretty… you want to knit me. You feel guilty for not knitting me.”

Does anyone else’s yarn talk to them?