Marsha

Mail call!

Today’s mail brought not one but two delightful packages.

p6091210magnets.jpgFirst, wrapped in even more packing tape than even I use (and I like to use enough to ensure that any package I send will survive a nuclear winter), was a small envelope from my friend Mary Ann, whom I’ve known since we went to college together. About a month ago, she sent me a birthday card in which she’d written a promise to send me another tacky magnet for my collection. When she and her family went on vacation to Great Smoky Mountain National Park a couple of weeks ago, she made doubly good on that promise by picking up two of the cheesiest magnets she could find. (Note the use of Smokey, a misspelling that ratchets up the tackiness quotient for this duo.) I’m putting these on the fridge right next to the Bass Pro goodies that another college friend, Frank, sent me in April.

The second box contained lots of yarny goodness. About two weeks ago I won a contest at Yarn Is My Metier. Karen asked people to compose haiku poems for her birthday (which was May 29), and the random number generator chose my entry as one of the winners.

Next thing I know, I get an e-mail from Karen asking my for my snail-mail info and all about my yarn preferences. Sending along my address was simple, but answering the other questions was tricker. I had a bad case of option paralysis. It was like standing in front of the counter at a Baskin Robbins. Fortunately, Karen was very patient and, after a few e-mails back and forth, announced that she would send me enough burgundy yarn for a shrug (a project I’m interested in trying) and enough taupe yarn to make something for Sylvia.

p6091211yarn1.jpgThe taupe yarn? Four balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran. I received a Jo Sharp book as a gift from a friend in Australia two years ago, but have never tried any of her yarn beforeā€”or even handled it, for that matter. This stuff is so soft. It’s 85% wool, 10% slik, and 5% cashmere. (Interestingly, the care instructions say “Dry flat in shade.” That’s the first time I’ve seen that variation. What happens if you dry it in the sun? Does it get a sunburn?) I’m thinking I might turn this into a little vest for Sylvia, or perhaps some legwarmers for her. Ooooh…maybe cabled legwarmers!

p6091216yarn2.jpgAlso in the box were a panda pencil sharpener (which was of course immediately appropriated by Sylvia) and three balls of Jaegar Shetland Aran in a beautiful burgundy color. This yarn is 80% wool and 20% alpaca and it, too, is very soft and totally new to me. I haven’t quite decided what to do with this yarn, but I’m eager to get it on the needles. Karen suggested I look at her Mia Shrug pattern (available in the sidebar on her blog, and also a popular knit on Ravelry). It’s awfully cute and may be just the sort of dive-in-head-first plunge I need to get over my reluctance fear sheer terror of lace knitting!

So thanks, Mary Ann and Karen, for making my day!

7 Responses to “Mail call!”

  1. Chrison 09 Jun 2008 at 9:13 pm

    I got a package from Karen today, too – and it was SO perfect!

    Hee hee – I might need to make some of those windchimes for my brother…

  2. Karen B.on 09 Jun 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Well, ma’am, you’re totally welcome. You should have seen me running around, trying to decide what to include in your gift box. I’m glad it worked out. And the little panda? I totally meant that for your little girl. :o)

  3. Sarahon 09 Jun 2008 at 9:56 pm

    Oooo, that yarn sounds lovely! I love Jo Sharp’s yarn. It’s addictive, though. You’ve been forwarned. I feel the same way about the Rowan Tweed DK yarn I splurged on to knit a baby sweater for a friend. I’ve never knit with anything like it before and I’ll never forget how lovely the sweater turned out. Maybe someday I’ll knit with it again.

    Someone should write a post–“The Yarn of Legends” or something like that.

  4. Amyon 10 Jun 2008 at 7:50 am

    You like cheesy magnets? I’ll keep my eyes open! I love fridge magnets, all kinds, cheesy and nice.

  5. MACon 10 Jun 2008 at 9:14 am

    You’re welcome. If you’re nice, I’ll leave my SMSU magnet to you in my will. :)

  6. bethon 10 Jun 2008 at 10:38 am

    Great magnets, nice yarn package. How do you find all these contests to enter?

  7. Katie Jon 11 Jun 2008 at 4:46 pm

    Great packages! As far as lace goes, I totally have confidence in you Marsha!