Late Birthday Gifts and Other Neat Things

Things have been hectic around here lately, as usual. But in the middle of all that, I was surprised with a late birthday present that came on a day when I could really, really use a pick-me-up.

My Ravelry buddy sent me some beautiful yarn. (She keeps my stash well fed!) She also sent Franklin Habit's book to me which informed me that a well fed stash is a happy stash. So, without further ado, here are the stash enhancements.

She drove over an hour to pick up this beautiful yarn for me! It is some sort of wool mix, about 200 yards. I really want to make something pretty out of it, but it is screaming that it is hardy too. Any suggestions?

It looks sort of gray, but is actually a brown color. The lighting outside was not cooperative.

Here's some sock yarn that she dyed. I love the color. It definitely looked different outside than it did inside - once again, lighting did not cooperate, so I don't think I captured the true color. Sock yarn is always appreciated and I love the way she dyes it.

But knitting isn't the only activity around these parts. My sister was cleaning out her fabric stash and sent this kit to me a few years ago. A couple of weeks ago while I was cleaning my stash, I found it. I really liked the entire kit, but I didn't want to follow the directions 100%. It had a couple of printed panels that were supposed to be sewn into the hanging. I decided to use those for something else, added some of my own stash, picked Rs brain for some ideas on how to tie it all together and came up with this:

I really like the way it turned out. I'm anxious to start quilting it.

Alas, knitting and quilting aren't the only things around here though! I have been spinning! Well, I have been attempting to spin! :) R had some silk caps that she wanted me to learn with. The draw on those suckers is soooooooooooooo long that it made for an easy first time. I really enjoyed it! I have to wash it and then maybe dye it. I have no idea what to do with it. Part of me just wants to stare at it and say, "Gee, I really did make this!"

Now it's on to knit, quilt and spin! What a life!