Blogtoberfest Day 16: Contest Winner and Answers PtII

Today, I drew a winner for the Buttontreelane bag contest. So many entries! By the time I took out the double ups and the people who didn't wish to be in the running, we had 109 names in the metaphorical hat.

The hat was actually a table in a word document during a quiet moment at work today. So, here's the bag again, the Box for Socks, which was understandably popular. I bought from Michelle's Etsy store, by the same name. Buttontreelane.



The winner is Sarah from the UK. Her blog is All Fingers and Thumbs and it's lovely.

A couple more answers from the QandA session from earlier this week.

Fractalchic - How many knitted items have you frogged for one reason or another?

Well, I couldn't say how many because for the most part, once frogged a project is forgotten. Sure I can remember that I tried about three different shawls from Victorian Lace Today before settling on Myrtle, or I tried to knit Ishbel several times earlier this year. But there are cardigans I've tried; socks I've abandoned; the list goes on.

Some people, like RoseRed, rarely abandon projects. I think that's because some people think very, very carefully about a project before casting on. Each one is thought through, considered carefully, researched and settled on after the certainty of it's being the right one is reached. I don't do that so much. Or rather, I do, but I still get it wrong. So I frog. Life's too short.

Nellie: What motivates you the most when embarking on a new project? Is it learning new techniques or the possibility of creating something unique and lovely?

It's never just one or the other. Like most of us, my head is turned easily by something new and attractive. It's not always about learning new skills though. Sometimes it's nice to just use skills I already have and concentrate on something beautiful. Other times, it's definitely about the skills. Like with the Myrtle shawl. A pattern that has no purl rows, no rest rows, with a knitted on border in fine silk? That was absolutely about trying something I'd never done.

Sometime this weekend, if we're lucky, there'll be another guest post - this time from Sean! I really hope he comes through with the goods soon because I'd very much like a break.

Also, tomorrow night I'm going to a party for Sara from work - her 21st. I'm pretty sure I'm going to post about that. I bet there'll be loads of material to capture!

Have a good one everyone!

Bells

Contest winners and a single bootie

How's that for an exciting title?

First things first, never let it be said that my husband only half does the tough jobs. He found judging the contest really hard, partly, I suspect, because he feels like he knows some readers quite well from either being friends of mine, or because he hears stories and choosing is like playing favourites!

That said, he chose winners he didn't know and would you believe, he sent me a summary email outlining his choices, the honourable mentions, the ones that he liked a lot. But in the end, it's down to these three (yes, three, because choosing one was something he just couldn't do).

1. Kate from Knightly Knitter. Sean loved that her comment on suggested post topics was both funny and incredibly broad. She wrote:

hmm, interesting topics?
How Not To Get Back To Sleep At 4am
Procrastination: A Philosophy to Live By
Why It Is Good To Knit And Teach Simultaneously
Bookstores I Have Known
Utopian Cafe
15 Things To Do On The Plane When They Won't Let You Knit
The Book That Showed Me The Wonder Of (insert genre here)
The Weird Thing I Saw/Heard/Smelt of Public Transport Today
Just Keep Going Round: A Tourist's Guide To Navigation In Canberra (and any variation for any other city!)
I See Rainbows
Hang The Housework

(the first one pretty much is the reason for the rest of them today!!!)

2. Sonia from The Peaceful Knitter. Sonia wrote:

Have we seen your stash lately?
Interesting conversations with non-knitters/crocheters?
What's going on in your garden?
Themed photo mosaics from your archived photos.
Okay, I'm stumped now...have fun and keep writing!

Sean liked that Sonia's suggestions covered all the things he likes to see here.


3. Finally, Tinkingbell. Tink wrote:

Like trawling the archives, but how about being a tourist in Canberra? Lots of your readers would like the wider view - and you may notice things you haven't before - take us walking the streets and parks with you
Or take us to (the less sensitive bits) of your work with you
or take us to SnB with you
Or tour your favourite paintings via galleries and museums
or give us more of your childhood and growing up!
What a fun shout out!

Sean chose this one because it means he'll have a reason to drag me around to some galleries again. It's not that I don't like going, I just sometimes forget how much I enjoy it until I get there.

So thanks everyone for your fabulous comments. I've drawn up a list and well, that should keep me going for a while. Winners, send me your addresses and I'll have some stitch markers for you!

Finally, to finish with some knitting.

Isn't this so very cute? It's the first bootie I've made in a long, long time and it's for my niece. It's the leftovers from the jacket and hat I've so far managed to get out of two skeins of Koigu.



I just love it. But it really needs a mate. I'm off to make one now. Yes, they're that quick those Saartje's booties. I'll have the full set of Alice's outfit ready to give to her in the next week, after buttons are found and all finishing touches completed.

Bells

Winner of the Stitch Markers

Sixty five is a nice number. Sixty five people were in the draw for a set of stitch markers which were made by the uber-talented Donyale of Moggy and Me.

I bought them from Yarns Online.



The winner gets to choose a set from the photo above and I'll send them on just as soon as I can get to the Post Office. That may not be until after Easter.

I did originally say that if a non-knitter won, I'd send something else instead but it turns out I don't have to because a winner came up. Number 15 out 65 comments was


CAROL OF PINS AND NEEDLES!

Have a look at the stitch markers, Carol. Drop me a line and let me know which ones appeal to you the most and they shall be yours!

Next week I'll have another draw for another set of stitch markers (or something else for non-knitters).

Thanks for everyone's comments. Everyone knows a contest is a great way to bring the lurkers out, but honestly, I love reading my comments. That's how I find new blogs to read, seeing who else is out there and figure out if what I'm writing is working or not. And who doesn't love the instant feedback?

I wore Something Blue to work yesterday. It dropped a bit in the wearing. I don't think it's ever going to be a perfect fit, but it was lovely and warm and I loved knowing what had gone into every stitch. Isn't that why we make things?

Bells

Contest Winner and a blanky story

I'm very excited to announce my 2nd blogoversary contest winner. People went to town leaving comments a few weeks ago so there were quite a few entrants. I loved all the readers who came out of the woodwork. I got to check out lots of blogs I hadn't read before.

And so, the winner, as selected by a random number generator is

TERBY!

Terby lives in South Carolina and I've been reading her blog for quite some time now. We correspond a bit and happen to share an uncannily similar cardigan wardrobe!

So Terby, drop me a line telling me where to send your gear and I'll get to it. I wanted to wait to see who won before I decided on the prize, but I did manage to collect a few bits and pieces when I was visiting the Southern Highlands with RoseRed last week.

****

I promised to tell the story of Sean and his blankie, if he'd let me. Quite rightly, he pointed out that as I'd already mentioned it on the blog, he really had no choice. Oops!

Anyway, last night I finally gave him his pi shawl blanky and he was very, very happy with it. There was a freakishly early snow fall on the ranges last night so it was very timely.

So the story is this.

When Sean was a wee little boy, he had a blanky that he loved (his mother told me this story). He carried it everywhere and, as well loved blankies are wont to do, it got dirty and needed washing from time to time.

There was one time (I don't know if it happened more than once - not the washing, but this particular occurrence), Sean's blanky was hanging on the washing line, blowing around and around and he was so attached that he followed it around as it spun around in the breeze, longing for it and waiting for it to dry.

Was he watching for it to make sure it didn't blow away? Who can tell. But eventually, it was dry and returned to him and I imagine he was one happy little boy.

The pi blanky will, under no circumstances, be hung on the line to dry. Ever.

Bells

A mixed bag & a contest

A quick post with a couple of photos.

This spud came from my garden.

Isn't it hilarious? I almost felt bad chopping him up for dinner. He's simmering in a big pot of minestrone right now. Vale Mr Spud. You've amused me for weeks.

This afternoon, we went to visit Georgie and help pack up her house. A spot of cleaning, a bit of packing and some hanging out with PJ, who in turn hung out with RoseRed's sock yarn, Cherry.

Can you spot the sock yarn? It's hard to tell here, but she's in the pirate ship. Ahoy matey! She certainly gets around.

This Thursday, it's my second blogoversary. Second! I'm so happy to have been around for a couple of years. I love blogging. It's my 'happy place.'

To celebrate, everyone who leaves a comment this week goes in the draw for a prize. Last year, the prize was won by Generally Gemma.

Who will it be this year?

Bells

Playing Pimp

Some of you will know the blog, Pierre the Yarn Snob, by Gingernut. Well, Ginger has gone and opened a store. It's called GingerKnits (see button in the sidebar) and it has lots and lots of goodies. There's some really lovely stuff there and I'm sure with time Ginger will grow it beautifully.

For this month, or what's left of it (because I'm a bit slow on the uptake sometimes) Ginger is offering introductory discounts on all items including silk project bags, handspun yarn, books and loads more.

To recieve a discount, use the code BELS5% when you make a purchase. By doing this, I go in the draw to receive a $50 voucher for myself!

***

I'd say by now no one remembers my Dublin Bay socks made out of Vesper sock yarn. Here's a picture of the first one, which was long ago finished and sat waiting for its mate.


I originally finished this one in October, after Mad, Mad Rachel sent me the yarn as a gift. I really love the yarn - the colours make me think of lemonade icey poles - you know those blue ones? I think they'll be a great antidote in winter when I need some bright colour on a grey day. But second sock syndrome hit hard, mixed with Christmas knitting and the jacket.

Two days ago, I started the second one and am flying through it. I was on the bus this morning, so engrossed in the lace panel and the joy of waiting for the next splash of blue to make its way to my fingers that it took me until reaching the city to notice that the bus was in fact crammed full to bursting with passengers. I was caught up in the newest episode of Stash and Burn and just didn't notice a thing going on around me.

Knitting with yarn that was a gift from a friend is especially nice because I find I spend time thinking about that friend while working with it. I thought of you a lot this morning, Rachel, wondering what wine you were drinking since it was evening for you by then.

Half a day to go and the Easter break begins. Bring it on. Be happy and safe everyone.

Bells

Exciting contest!

There's a great contest on at the moment over at Donyale's blog.

Donni is a distributor of Knit Picks needles in Australia - Sean bought mine from her (with EXCELLENT service) in July.

Now, Donni is holding a contest to win a full set of Knit Picks Options needles. I adore mine and can't imagine my (knitting) life without them.

Entering is easy. I did it just by writing this post. But there are other prizes of the Knit Picks variety up for grabs too.

So head over to see what Donyale can do for you!