Contest Link, Exercising, & Missing Candy

As I was reading through some favorite blogs this evening, I stopped in at Randi's, "i have to say...". I found myself gazing at the most darling piece of artwork. I'll admit it, I was on the verge of coveting it. Seriously, I really want it. Fortunately for me, the artist has other copies of it on her etsy store, so it's going on my wishlist.

The artist's blog is Tollipop, and her whimsical style speaks to my heart. Not only is she a very talented artist, but she also writes. I read one of her stories while there, and am now anxiously awaiting what I hope will be another installment.

Tollipop is holding a contest on her blog. Some very blessed person will win some of her artwork. The pictures above, as well as the darling locket at the top, will be among the prizes she's awarding. I would love to win something from her, wouldn't you? If so, go to her blog and leave a comment. If you blog about it or Twitter it, you increase your odds of winning. I did both, 'cause I really want to win. She's also offering bonus entries to anyone who can get Martha Stewart to come sign up for the contest. I'll have to pass on that one. Ever since she learned I set my Thanksgiving table with styrofoam plates, Martha and I haven't exactly been on speaking terms.

That Linda, the sadistic hilarious blogger at 2nd Cup of Coffee, is at it again. Seems she wasn't satisfied that she got our lazy behinds off the couch, or out of the computer chair in my case, and moving for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, two weeks in a row. Neeeeeewwww, now she wants us to do it again for two weeks, only this time we get to cut 100 calories out of our day, too. And we're supposed to be happy about that. Oh, sure, I could just not participate, but then I'd feel left out, and I wouldn't get my name in lights..or at least not in her sidebar as a participant. Having my name in her sidebar makes me feel all important and such. And the truth of the matter is, I tend to be more disciplined in my exercise when I'm accountable to someone.

Giving up that 100 calories, though...that's a tough one. I wonder if all my vitamins and supplements would add up to a hundred calories? Or better yet, I could hurry and gobble up all the leftover Easter candy in one day. After that, I couldn't eat it anymore, and I could count that as my eliminated one hundred calories each day, right?

The flaw in that plan is that Mr. Studley would wonder what happened to all the jelly beans and peach rings. He doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, but he does love peach rings and jelly beans. I guess I'll just bite the bullet and find 100 legitimate calories to eliminate from my daily diet. That would be better than denying Mr. Studley his extra calories. Of course it goes without saying that it would benefit me!

I've already posted this in Ravelry, but realized I've not yet posted about it here. The is a pre-felted picture of my Hobo Handbag I knit from Pipp's Purses. I knit it in Lion Wool, which felted great, though it took awhile.

I've since felted it, but still need to attach a decorative button, and am contemplating lining it. I'm still undecided about the lining. I'll show a picture of post-felting on my next post. I didn't have enough space today. Picasa will only let me send four pictures over to Blogger at one time. Besides, maybe this will pique your curiosity to return again to see the felted picture.

So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.

~1 Corinthians 4:5 Amplified Bible

I DON'T WANT ANOTHER DOG!

Queen Wilhelmina State Park, AR. Fall '08 camping trip

It has rained all day long. I didn't mind it, though. We've had a relatively dry winter, no snow, and not a lot of rain. Today was one of those days it was pleasant to be inside. Life seemed to take a slower pace. It felt like a Sunday afternoon. Isn't it funny how different days have a different feel to them? I finished up my Hobo purse. I'm determined to take a pre-felted picture of it, but clearly the weather didn't permit. I can be patient, though.

It seems we have a new dog. I'm not terribly thrilled about it. We had many dogs for many years, and determined when we got Leyna that we'd never have more than one dog at a time again. Ever. Never ever. Sigh...never say never, and definitely not, never ever.

About a year ago, I volunteered to walk a neighbor's dog. Though I'd waved at her on the street in passing, I didn't know her. I began noticing a strange person walking her dog. Out of curiosity, I approached the stranger. It turned out she was a good friend of my neighbor, and informed me that my neighbor had become very ill, spending nearly two months in the hospital. She was back home, but destined to be an invalid due to a chronic lung condition which had worsened. Though she was able to live alone, she was no longer able to walk her dog. She was on oxygen 24/7, and only able to be up and about for a short bit before she'd lose her breath and begin coughing uncontrollably.

My neighbor, L, and I became friends over the past year. She's a very intelligent woman. She had a great job as a college library director, prior to being forced (by her health) to retire. A few months ago, her health became even worse. She began needing a lot more help. Mr. Studley and I pretty much took over the care of Pepper. We knew she was in no condition to have a dog any longer, and yet we knew that dog was her sole companion.

I encouraged her to see her doctor again, and I imagine her two good friends were doing the same. I think she put it off so long as she likely suspected the outcome-confinement in a care facility. She did finally break down and go two weeks ago. The doctor sent her straight to the hospital, as her oxygen level was dangerously low. It was determined rather quickly that she cannot live alone and manage her condition. I feel so sorry for her. She has a beautiful home filled with lovely things., which she may never even see again. Mr. Studley and I couldn't bear the idea of Pepper going to the pound, and L's friends were unable to take him, so we brought him home.

Pepper's a sweet dog, and he and Leyna play well together. I just didn't want another dog. Plus, he's long haired, which means he'll require regular grooming (an expenditure we really can't afford). He has skin allergies in the summer, requiring vet and allergy medicine bills (another expense we can't afford). He's just the sweetest thing, though. He wants nothing more than to sit in my lap. He looks up at me with those huge, sad eyes and melts my heart. Still, I don't want another dog. I have prayed about it. I asked the Lord to send us a good family who would love and spoil him, 'cause I don't want another dog!

I'd say, that's the long and short of how we got another dog, though there was nothing short in my telling of it. There never is. I've said it before, brevity is not my strong point.

Messes and Mudpies Handmade Soaps

If you're hungry in the market for some great soaps, click on the above link. Seriously, her soaps look good enough to eat....but don't; you wouldn't want to end up blind like Ralphie.

In celebration of opening her new web store, along with reaching her 100th blog post, this very generous lady is having a contest in which she'll award a lucky winner with $30 worth of products from her store (shipped free!). If you'd like a chance to win, go to her blog and read about it here.

A [consistently] righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

~Proverbs 12:10 Amplified Bible

Randomness

A pair of Maine Morning Mitts (pdf) knit from Wool-Ease for my sis-in-law for Christmas. Yes, I know, the picture is lousy. I simply cannot get decent shots inside my dark house. The weather stayed overcast for days forcing me to take some pictures indoors, or not be able to take them before giving the knits away.

I love the Maine Morning Mitts pattern. I have knit a lot of fingerless mitten patterns, but this one is my favorite to knit, hands down (hah, pun not intentional!). On this pair, I picked up a few extra stitches on the thumb. It was that, or end up with a lot of holes to fill in later. As it turned out, I decided to leave them rather than decrease back to the amount called for in the pattern. My sis-in-law's hands are bigger than mine, and these (thumbs) felt slightly snug on me. I didn't knit a gauge swatch, as I rarely do on small items. Small items being about all I knit, now you know the awful truth about me and gauge swatches.

These pictures are so bad, they're hurting my eyes. This was also a gift I knit for my sis-in-law, for her birthday last month. It's a pidge, neckwarmer, or whatever you want to call it.

Neckwarmer pattern

Yarn: GGH Savanna (heavy worsted)

Needles: 10 1/2 US

Size: Approximately 5" x 27"

CO 32

K2, P2 every row (2x2 ribbing)

Buttonhole worked on desired row by BO 2 sts at desired placement; determined by holding scarf around your neck and deciding where you want your button to be.

Next row, CO 2 st (at same place you bound them off i n the previous row) with backward loop CO.

Knit in pattern to desired length (27")

BO

Sew on buttons to match buttonholes

I think the next time I make one of these, I'm going to make only one buttonhole in the center of the row, as no wider than the scarf is, one button, strategically placed, would be sufficient.

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the redneck out of the girl.

This is my prissy (not!) little daughter, Nikki, having some fun last summer. She and her Bubba (brother) spent the afternoon 'shooting up stuff' at his boss' place in the country.

You who don't believe in owning guns, look away, please. This is Texas, and it's what we do....well, I don't, but a lot of Texans do.

Click to enlarge to see the delicate beading in the yarn

This is a lovely pair of fingerless gloves which I won in a blog contest a couple of years ago. I was blogless at the time, but have always intended on showing them when I got a blog. I'm finally getting around to it.

These were knit by the extremely talented designer/knitter, Nancy, at Getting Purly With It. Nancy has only been knitting a few years, and has designed some incredible knitwear in that time. You should see some of her sweaters. Aside from her talent, she's also one of the sweetest and nicest women I've met on the web. Seriously.

I guess that's all the random things I have to share today. I have to go now. Either there's a prowler in the house, or the cat has gotten stuck in the abyss which is known as my closet. I'm guessing it's the latter, so I better go get her before she determines it's a giant litterbox.

Be blessed y'all!

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

~Romans 8:14 Amplified Bible

Happy Birthday to Me!

Not today, but yesterday was my birthday. I learned this weekend from my mother that she requested the doctor induce birth two weeks early so that I would be born on my bio dad's Valentine birthday. I was 8 1/2 hours late. Of course, she'd never have done that today, but 53 years ago, a little less was known about the advantages of letting a kid cook to full term.

Mr.Studley and I spent my birthday with my mom and her husband in Fort Worth. They took us out one night for Mexican food, and the next night for a fabulous steak dinner. We had birthday cake back at their house, and my mom gave me a fat check to buy a new outfit of clothes. Life is good.

I was still carrying around the money Mother had given me for Christmas, saving it until I got a chance to shop in Dallas. I bought several skeins of yarn in JoAnn's Fabrics, and a Lucy Neatby sock knitting book, along with three new sets of bamboo dpn's at the Woolie Ewe in Plano. There were scads of yarn there that I wanted to buy, but it wasn't in my budget.

On our way home, we stopped at Whole Foods Market in Plano. Mr.Studley and I were like a couple of kids in a candy store. All that luscious looking organic produce had our mouths watering. There were samples being given throughout the store of various goodies. I told Mr. Studley, if we lived there, I could do a lot less cooking. I'd just drag him down there every day at dinner time, and we could cruise the store for sample freebies. Not having to buy groceries is likely the only way we could afford to live over there. Practically every other parking space was occupied by a Lexus.

Fortunately for us, the weather had turned a bit colder the night before, so we were able to pick up some perishables there (purchases, not freebie stuff). We sat them in the back of the pick-up so they'd stay cold on the trip home.

One of the things we bought at Whole Foods was goat cheese, something Mr.S. and I had never tried before. It is now our new favorite snack! Another stop we made on the way home was at the World Market in McKinney, where I bought some flatbread crackers. They have toasted carraway, poppy, and sesame seeds in them. We've been spreading the goat cheese on them, then drizzling honey on top. It sounds weird, but it's truly delicious.

In other, and more exciting news, I won a blog contest last week! Natalie, at Tins and Treasures, gave away a big bag of pink, girlie-girl, Valentine goodies, and I won! I had a blast going through the bag, pulling out one pink treat after another. What a shame the only one at home to hear my squeals of delight was my dog, Leyna. ;-Þ

I first met Natalie through her blog about six months ago. We became quick friends. I'm so thankful that our paths have crossed. She's such a warm and caring person. I love reading about the high school classes she teaches. It shows that she puts 100+ percent into those classes, and her students. They are blessed to have her as their teacher! She shares many of the recipes she teaches her students with her blog readers, too. Her crafts are amazing. She has such talent! Everytime I walk in my front door, I now see the red heart she made. I think of her, and am blessed all over again.

Whoa. Would you look at the size of that big, honking box?

What a pretty gift bag. It was stuffed to the gills, too!

It looks like I hit the motherlode! Click on the photo to enlarge, and you can see all my goodies.

This is now hanging on my front door. I love it. I love everything. Thank you, Natalie! You have truly blessed me.

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

~1 John 3:11 New King James

New Jewelry Etsy Store & Giveaway!

My friend, Marilyn, at A Mixed Bouquet, is a woman of many talents. I think I sometimes embarrass her by singing her praises, but she really is an amazing person. She can do so many things, and do them well. She's always encouraging me that I can, too; so you can add exhorter to her long list of good qualities.

Marilyn creates beautiful jewelry, and has opened her own Etsy store to enable others to purchase it. I've looked at a lot of sites online that sell jewelry, and in comparison, I think her prices are really good! She always puts God first in her life, second only to her family. I'm praying He'll now bless her with many customers, who will in turn be blessed by obtaining her lovely creations!

To kick-off the grand opening of her Etsy store, Marilyn is having a giveaway contest. The prize is a beautiful birthstone bracelet. The winner gets to choose their own choice of birthstone color. You can see a picture of the bracelet, as well as get the details for entering her contest, at this blog post.


Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Pink Heaven

Is this not the most delightful thing you've seen today?


What about this?

Or this...
It just keeps getting better, doesn't it? Want to know what the best part is? They contain zero calories. As mouthwatering as these delectable creations are, they are not edible. These luscious faux pink Cupcakes, Cookies and Petit Fours were created by Miss Rhea at Miss Rhea's Sweet n Shabby Roses. Truthfully, I've never been what you'd call a 'pink' sort of girl. Yes, I like feminine things, but pink's just never done it for me... until now.

I first discovered Miss Rhea's a few weeks ago when I clicked on a link in a blogroll at Melony's Whimsy Daisy. I love Melony's style of decorating, so I figured there was a good chance I'd enjoy reading blogs which she enjoys reading. The creations at Miss Rhea's is eye candy at it's best. I took a peek at her profile, and, not only is she incredibly talented, but she's also a lovely christian lady with a passion for children's ministry. Plus, her husband ministers to inmates and aspires to enter seminary soon. What I'm saying is, these are good people, y'all!
I hope I've piqued your interest enough to click on the links and look over her blog. Just don't go hungry! ;-) While there, you'll discover Miss Rhea is celebrating her 100th post, and the opening of her Patisserie Shoppe by giving away an an assortment of her faux sweet pink Pastries, including the ones I've shown you. The drawing will be held on Saturday, October 25th. If you like pink, or know someone that does (Christmas is around the corner), then visit her blog and leave a comment on this post. Now, I think I'm going to have to visit the local bakery today. I suddenly have a hankering for something slathered in frosting!





Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
~Psalms 27:14 Amplified Bible

Nothing Spells Comfort like Q.u.i.l.t.

Back when Dana, at Old Red Barn Co., had her last quilt giveaway, I had all my fingers and all my toes crossed. Walking and writing were a little difficult, but I wanted to win her quilt sooo badly. Somebody else won it. Rats. Well, now it's time to cross my fingers and toes again, maybe even wear a lucky rabbit's foot.

Nah, I don't really believe in that stuff, but I do really, really, really want to win the lovely quilt being given away at (no, not Dana's this time) Pigtails and Snails. The quilt is gorgeous! The lovely blogger giving it away says in her profile that she's a mother of three. GET OUT OF TOWN! She doesn't look a day over sixteen in her picture....but I digress. Go check out her blog and sign up for the quilt. The giveaway contest ends at 7:00 PM MST, Friday, October 17th. Plus, she offers extra entries if you blog about it. You can check out the details on her blog.

*****************************************Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
~Romans 12:2 NIV

Blog Giveaways Galore

Marilyn at A Mixed Bouquet is about to celebrate her one year blogiversary. She's a very good friend of mine. We ran the Homeschooler's Curriculum Swap together for six years (through December of last year). It was challenging and fun, and we forged a strong bond of friendship in the process. Marilyn was the driving force behind me finally getting my own blog up and running. She's been a great prayer partner, too.

Leave a comment on Marilyn's blog between now and midnight (Central time) Monday the 22nd, and you can win a free Ayiesha Woods CD, and she will tuck in a few other goodies in the package.

While we're on the subject of blog giveaways, I'd like to tell you about a couple more.


I just love homemade soap, especially food scented ones. Kay, over at The Rustic Cottage is having a First Day of Fall Giveaway. In honor of her favorite season she's giving away one bar of each of her new Fall scents - Pumpkin Spice and Chai Tea. If you're the lucky winner you'll get two bars of soap! Just leave a comment on her blog between now and Monday the 22nd, link back to her giveaway on your blog and she'll draw for the winner first thing on Tuesday morning. Kay's uplifting posts which share her faith and love of God and family make for a warm and welcoming blog; I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit there.

Thirdly on my list of fall giveaways is happening at a new-to-me blog, Just Another Hang Up. The blogger's name is Suzanne, and she makes the most awesome bags. I kid you not, they are gorgeous. I'd like to buy every one she makes! The "Retro Fall Flowers" bag below is the one she's giving away this month. Her contest will run through midnight, Sunday the 21st.

Visit each of these blogs for their individual contest rules. I hope you win. If not you, then me! ;-)

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Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.

~Ephesians 4:29 Amplified Bible

Me & My Peep!

Is that not the cutest little thing? It was made by Blair at wise craft. She makes and sells them in her etsy store, wisecraft handmade goods by Blair Stocker. I've been admiring them for a really long time, being the bird nut you all know me to be. Guess who had a contest on her blog to give one away, and guess who entered and won said contest. That's right, moi'!

The contest was for the Peep, but would you look at all the goodies Blair included in my package! My picture doesn't do the pretty skein of yarn justice. There were some darling little stitchmarkers in that envelope, which I forgot to include in the picture. See the picture of whales on the left? That is a stack of post/note cards handmade by her. I am totally enamored by them. Even the pencils were an added bonus, as I can never find one when I need it. And did you notice that "Thank you, Renna" on the envelope? She's thanking me? She blessed my socks off!

If you're a crafty sort, check out Blair's blog, wise craft. She really is a wise crafter. You will be inspired. She's a wise mother, too. Check out her remedy for bored, bickering kids. Now, that's a creative mamma!

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

~Proverbs 8:12 King James Version

Quilt Giveaway at Old Red Barn Co!

Dana at Old Red Barn Co is having another quilt giveaway at her blog! I have been reading Dana's blog ever since her last quilt giveaway contest. I went there because someone posted on their blog about her contest. I fell in love with her site and have been a regular reader ever since.

You can get all the details for entering her contest here. When you click on the link, you will see how GORGEOUS the quilt is. Dana likes it so much, she almost backed out of having the contest. ;-Þ

We've been dealing with some health concerns with Mr.Studley the past few days or I'd have posted about this sooner!

I hope you enter and win...or that I win..or...well...I hope one of us wins! ;-)

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[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

~Romans 12:9-10

Pictures of My Blessings

Notice the name on the return section of the envelope? That's right. Vicki Howell. I got a package from Miss Vicki, herself. Well, okay, I think her personal assistant may have actually mailed it, but still.

VICKI HOWELL, Y'ALL!

You non-knitters are probably wondering who on earth Vicki Howell is, but the knitters know, at least those who watch DIY do. She was the adorable redhead with the funky haircut who hosted DIY's television show, Knitty Gritty. She offered a prize of her label yarn (by SWTC) to the first 50 people who posted a link on their blog to her podcast, "Craft.Rock.Listen." Just call me speedy.

Next up is this BEAUTIFUL handspun by that awesome knitwear designer, Kristin, over at Through the Loops. She designed a pair of "fraternal" socks. If you read her blog, you know she has fraternal twins. Her children, who model much of her knitwear, are drop dead gorgeous, by the way. The socks she designed and knit were very much alike, and yet different. She sent out the call for name suggestions for the socks. I, along with four other people, suggested Apollo & Artemis. That's right, Miss Monk. I was paying attention in your senior Greek Mythology class!

Along with some of her lovely handspun, Kristen awarded to the winners (including moi') the pattern for the Apollo & Artemis socks, along with our choice of two other of her purchasable patterns (she also has great free patterns available on her blog). This yarn is soft & luscious.

Last, but definitely not least, take a gander below. Is that cute, or WHAT? I not only won a blog contest, but I made a new friend. Kat, over at Katerpillars No More, is a gem. She is one of the nicest and sweetest people I've ever met online. To see how brilliantly creative she is, one only has to see the pictures on her blog. She turns out adorable primitives. Each of her dolls has a personality that just shows in their picture.

Not only did she send me the darling garden angel, but look at the goodies she included with it! Along with the sweet card, the gardening gloves and seeds, is a cute little flower magnet. That Kat, she just blessed my socks off! Another thing that blessed my socks off was reading her awesome testimony. It will give you chills what the Lord has done in her life. Read it, you'll be blessed!

Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.

~Deuteronomy 28:6

Not Lucky, Blessed!

My stepson's oldest, posing for me last fall. A real cutie, huh?

I hope when I post about my winnings, you don't think I'm bragging. I even hope you don't think of me as lucky, per se. I'm not. I spent much of my life thinking I was an unlucky person. I never won anything. Not anything. It wasn't just in not winning contests that I felt unlucky, either.

These days I seem to be having what gamblers might term as a "winning streak". I prefer to think of my winnings as blessings. I no longer even believe in luck, or it's opposite. I have won alot of blog contests this past year. I have been greatly blessed!

As believers, I think we stay in God's favor as we walk with Him, but what I've been experiencing lately feels different. I feel like I'm in a 'season of blessing'. I don't even know if such a thing is scriptural or not, but I just 'feel' it. I'm not saying Mr.Studley and I aren't facing tough economic challenges right now (we are), but blessings seem to be coming from so many different directions these days, not just in winning blog contests.

I don't expect to always be the one winning things. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. I even teased Mr.Studley that maybe this would be a good time for us to go to Vegas. I'm kidding....I think....yes, I am. I'm kidding.


Lately I've been feeling I need to offer a contest of my own. Start paying some of it forward, you know? I'm not a wealthy woman, so offering some high dollar prize simply isn't doable for me at this time. I'm milling it over, praying about it, to come up with something I could offer that would appeal to a varied group of readers.

Well, that's enough yacking for one post. This is sort of long (brief, I'm not), so I'll show you my most recent blessings in a separate post.

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Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.

~Psalm 33:12 Amplified Bible

Free Fabric Contest Tip!

Randi, at i have to say..., who hosts the monthly Recipe Box Swap the first Thursday of each month (which is coming up soon, by the way), has opened her own fabric store on Etsy. Listen, if you're one of those whose heart palpitates at the sight of pretty fabric, and your mind immediately drifts off in a dream of what pretty things you could sew with it, then you have to check out Randi's store!

Her fabrics are truly beautiful. They're summery, fashionable, classical, and just make you want to flip the power switch on your sewing machine! Even the name of her new store is delightful, Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. How cool is that?

I've been gradually getting to know Randi in recent months since discovering her (widely read) blog. I'm not exxagerating when I tell you she is a genuine sweetheart of a person. She's someone I hope to someday get to meet in person.

This week is Fresh Squeezed Fabrics grand opening! To kick things off, Randi is hosting a contest on her blog to give away some of that lovely fabric. Granted, I do get extra entries into the contest for mentioning her store and contest on my blog, but I seriously had planned to share about her new store here even before I read about her contest. Of course, those of you who know me very well, know I tend to struggle with procrastination, so possibly it would've been later rather than sooner before I mentioned it. ;-Þ

Now, hurry on over to Randi's and leave a comment on this post on her blog to enter her contest. You'll see the rules there, and may want to mention it on your own blog to increase your chances of winning. We don't have much time, though!

Reading & Knitting

Preemie Spiral Hat in Lion Brand Microspun Buttercup Size 5 dpn's click picture to enlarge
Most of my life, I've been an avid reader. Not being terribly self-disciplined, I've spent many nights reading through a book I simply couldn't put down long enough to slumber for eight hours. I don't read as much now as I did before I learned to knit. There doesn't seem to be enough idle hours available for both.

Aside from crafty or decorating type books, I've never been one to purchase books, other than at garage sales or thrift stores. Since I don't generally reread a book (the exception being the Bible and novels by Rosamund Pilcher!), there doesn't seem much point in paying the hefty purchase price.

I have been wanting to read The Memory Keeper's Daughter for some time. Until today when I read a review of it, I knew next to nothing at all about it. It's the cover and the title which seduced me. When I peruse the shelves in the library, it's generally the cover of a book that determines if I'll read it or not. I love when the picture itself seems to tell a story. When choosing fiction, I am drawn to soft drawings; whereas I am turned off by bold, colorful and modern looking pictures, as well as by actual photographs. Ninety-eight percent of the time, if the cover attracts me, I end up really liking the book. Covers rarely fail me.

Today is my blessed day! Bev, over at Scractchin' the Surface, held a book giveaway contest and among the announced winners in today's post was my name. YeeHaw!!! She gave away several books, and I won the one of my choice. I read several blogs (thank God for Google Reader!), and just as I am sure is the case with you, I have a few that are my absolute favorites. Bev is one of those. I always look forward to reading her new posts.

I've not done much knitting lately. When I have little time to knit, or when my concentration level is low (both are the case right now), I turn to baby hats. They're so simple and mindless, and I figure I can never knit too many. Aside from any need I may have for giving them as gifts, there are a multitude of charities out there which appreciate them.

I've been knitting all the baby hats with Lion Brand Microspun, since I had alot of it in my stash. I'm not crazy about how easily it splits, but knowing it's propensity to do that, I am a tad more careful as I knit with it. It's not a big problem, and I just love how soft it feels. I only want to use the softest yarns for sweet little baby heads. The picture above is another Preemie Spiral Hat in Microspun Buttercup (I do wish LB would make this yarn in pastels). I can't seem to get enough of that pattern. It's easy, and yet the spiral ribbing keeps it from being boring. It's the perfect little project to pick up when I only have small blocks of time to knit.

If you've read the Memory Keeper's Daughter, I'd love to hear your comments-provided you can make them without spoiling the plot for me! :-)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

~2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Goodies in the Mail

Aren't these pretty? For my non-knitting friends, they're stitchmarkers. You slip one over your knitting needle as a marker after a you knit a certain number of stitches, but I'm guessing you probably could figure that part out on your own.

These were handmade and sent to me by Ponyknit at if Ponies could knit. She was holding a contest to give away Malabrigo yarn. I didn't win the yarn, but I did win the stitchmarkers. Don't you love it when bloggers have runner-up prizes?

This is my very first set of stitchmarkers, other than the simple plastic o-rings I've bought inWal-Mart's craft department. Should I accidentally drop one of these on the floor, as I have a tendency to do with stitchmarkers, these will be a lot easier to see than those flimsy little plastic rings. I guess you can tell I'm proud of my prize.

Thank you, Ponyknit, you made my day! :-)

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

~I Corinthians 13:4 Amplified Bible

Pampering

I encourage you to take a look at the Simple Woman's Pampering Gift-Away. The picture of goodies she's giving away had me salivating. You can read more about it on her blog. Be sure you click onto the picture to get a better look at what she's gifting...or you can just read her list. Trust me, you will want every item on the list; and if you happen to not be a fan of chocolate, that's okay, you can send the Lindor White Chocolate bar to me. ;-)

To enter her Gift-Away, first you need a blog. If you don't have a blog, don't you think it's time you did? ;-)

Next, you need to write and publish a blog entry sharing with your readers about her "Simple Woman's Pampering Gift-Away". Afterwards, go back to her site and place your blog post link on her Mr. Linky for your chance to win.

The Gift-Away contest is being held through the 18th (sorry about the late notice), so you'll need to hurry!

I really like her blog, and think you will, too.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

~Colossians 4:5-6 NIV

Contest Alerts!

No, not here, though I am milling around the idea of one soon.

First off, Barb, over at A Chelsea Morning, is giving away six Steven Curtis Chapman cd's. She's holding the contest through the weekend, and will announce the winners on Monday (all 6 of 'em!). Her blog is a lovely place to visit. If you've not been there before, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Of course, you'll enjoy it if you have been there before.

Go to her Wednesday, April 2 post and leave a comment. Maybe you'll win. Maybe I'll win. Maybe we'll all win.....well, 6 of us, anyway!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Secondly, for you knitters, Amanda, at Modest Purls, is giving away a $25 gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe. Just leave a comment on her contest post telling her what your favorite color combinations are. While you're there, take a look around. The thing I love about finding out about contests is that it's a great way to find new blogs. :-)


He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?


~Romans 8:32

Winning!

Well, I didn't win the Malabrigo at either blog's contests that I previously told you all about, but I did come in second place at If Ponies Could Knit. I'll be the proud owner of stitchmarkers made by her. I'll post a picture of them when they arrive. I'm happy!

I have company and I'm pooped. This is me being uncharacteristically short winded. Be blessed!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

~Phil. 4:13 King James

More Malabrigo? It must be March!

A little birdie told me about yet another blog contest giving away....you guessed it, Malabrigo! In honor of Malabrigo March knitting, Ponyknit (aka~If Ponies could knit...) is holding a Happy Malabrigo March Contest! Leave a comment on her contest post and you might be the winner of one hank of Malabrigo worsted in Vermillion. Tell her that I sent you and we both (you and I) get an extra entry in the contest. Post about it on your blog, and you also get an extra entry.

I just love spring!

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

~Ephesians 4:32

Mmmmalabrigo yarn contest!

I have heard Malabrigo yarn spoken of on Knitting Help many times. It's always spoken of in a sort of hushed whisper, as if the speaker just wandered off into a faraway place where the ocean breezes are warm and the scent of exotic flowers intoxicate you.....Mmmmmalabrigo.

I have never seen, nor touched Malabrigo. I just found out about a contest where Malabrigo is the prize, two skeins of it! I read about it over at Major Knitter's , who found out from Tracy, at Wool Windings , where I would also have read about it, as they are two experienced knitters who's blogs inspire me every day. Don't you just love the way good news travels through blogland?

The "Celebrate Spring Contest!" is being held at Happy Handwork's blog. I'll admit, I've never been to her blog before today, but I will certainly be going back. I spent at least 15 minutes there once I arrived. She has lots of great knitting, and for this snow-deprived Texan, the many snow pictures were a teasing delight.

If you're a knitter, head on over there and enter her contest. If you aren't a knitter but know someone who is, enter for them (me, me, me). She says,

"If one of your friends enters because of your input you will get one extra entry".

So, if you read it here first, and you do enter, be sure and tell her I sent you! :-)

Ooh, I almost forgot. As part of celebrating spring, Happy Handwork has asked that if we mention the contest on our blog, we also share what one of our favorite flowers is. I believe I've posted this picture previously, but the sight of a Heavenly Blue Morning Glory always makes my heart skip a beat. Though I appreciate well manicured flower gardens, I tend to be drawn to the half hazard style of English Country gardens, lots of color, but not much structure. It probably says something about my personality. ;-Þ