I Threw the Party, But I Got the Gifts

Whew, what a weekend it has been!  But before I get into all the fun details, here's the mystery item I posted about a couple of days ago.

• Pattern - Paula's fabulous Corrugator Scarf.  I came across the pattern (and Paula's blog, of course) on Margene's blog (be sure to go see her fabulous red version!)
• Yarn.  Well, here's the really cool part - it's handspun.  Handspun I won in a blog contest.  Hand spun by the Yarn Harlot!!  How great is that?  She's coming to town on Wednesday, and I really wanted to have something knit up with it by then.  She sent it as sock yarn, but it is a bit too heavy a weight for our usually temperate Southern winters.  As soon as I saw the Corrugator, I knew it was the right pattern and off I went.  I'm tickled with all of it, pattern, color, and fabric - which is soft and squoosy.  I can't wait to show her my scarf done up with her yarn!

Next up, birthday celebration #1.  On Saturday, the family got together to celebrate both my birthday (which will be the 19th) and my mom's (which was on the 5th.)  Because of hectic schedules for a lot of us last week, we decided to split the difference this year and have a joint party.  We had presents on the porch, and then went to the The New American Shakespeare Tavern for dinner and a play.  As for the presents, my mom, who seems to have forgotten she already gave me my present (the sewing machine) bought me gift cards for the movie theater and Border's.  Cory and his girlfriend got together and gave me a pretty bamboo plant in a cute planter, DVD's of the first three seasons of "Rescue Me," and a book on Nicola Tesla, with whom I've long been fascinated.  The play was "Lettice and Lovage," a very interesting contemporary comedy, which we all enjoyed.  It was a lovely afternoon and evening.  I think my mom liked all her gifts too.  I snapped a photo of her wearing Wisp.

Isn't she sweet?  And just because I love him so, here's picture of my cute son.

Today, Sunday, was the spin-in at my house.  A few weeks ago, I was talking to some of the Knitch knitting group, lamenting my ability to produce anything resembling yarn with my spinning wheel.  Blogless Jacquie had just bought her first wheel, and we decided we'd get the more experienced members of the group to come over and teach us to spin.  So, on the first really cool day so far this season, everyone assembled on my porch and the fun began.  People were learning to spin all over the place.

Sandy taught Regan to use a spindle.

 

And she caught on right away!

   

Jen helped Jacquie with her new Lendrum.

And Claudia got into her spinning groove.

 

Janice and Jen rocked one side of the porch.

While Sandy (sorry I got you with your eyes closed!) and Melissa (also a very new spinner) did their thing on the other.

We were especially happy to partake of all this spinning under the eyes of Royalty. 

   

I have been given to understand that each Queen is in charge of their own domain.  (Hey, don't EVEN go there - I'm sure that's not at all what they meant!!!)  Thanks for presiding over your minions, m'Ladies.

Of course, there's was a lot of great food and drink.  And even a few goodies for me! (See, birthday celebration #2!)

From Jacquie - who apparently knows me very well.

From Sandy - Fabu bag, roving, and sewing supplies for my "other" hobby.

From Jen - beautiful Lux sock yarn.

From Janice - totally my colors merino/silk/angora roving.  Yum!

From Claudia - Icelandic roving, a cool sheep tape measure, and hand knit dishcloths (that I have to admit I shamelessly put in a bid for when she was knitting them a while ago.  But really, they are perfect for my kitchen (and are not as neon as they look here)!  hee hee)

I'm completely overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends, but ladies, I have to say, the very best present I got was you!  The gift of your help, laughter, jokes, conversation, and just YOU is the best thing I could ever receive.  Thank you all, so much more than I can say.

There was one other surprise for me and everyone else, when my neighbor from across the street, who I had not yet met, came over - hand knit, hand dyed sock in hand!  Turns out she's a knitter, knitting teacher, and dyer.  HOW COOL IS THAT!!!  She saw all the wheels and was immediately sucked into the fibery vortex.  We jumped on her like dye on merino, telling her all about local knitting meetups, knitting guild, spinning guild, blogs, SAFF, and all the other ways and means of increasing her stash and time away from hearth and home.  What a surprise to find one of "our people" living right across the street!

So, you see, it was a wonderful weekend.  And the fun is not over yet!  Wednesday is the Yarn Harlot's visit, and we'll all be getting together again!  I love my fiber friends and am looking forward to all the things we'll be doing this week, and in the future!!

I'm off now to cast on a sock.  My only dilemma is - with which yarn!!   

Comments

[Chris]

Belated happy birthday! What fabulous goodies you received. :)

And your Corrugator Scarf is SO stunning.

[Trish]

Wah!!! I wanna come spin on your porch with you too! Looks like you all had a blast, and dang, your birthday haul is impressive! Have fun with it all!

[Dale-Harriet in WI]

Two days early: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What wonderful pictures, what a great event. I feel like I was there! (Although I don't spin on a wheel, spin ridiculously with spindle...) Also - what a merry-looking Mom you have, and I think your son looks very cool too. Happy knittings on your birthday and every day thereafter!

[Kim]

Happy Prebirthday Jane! We'll see you Wednesday when the harlot arrives to celebrate with you!

[Beth]

I just left this same comment over at Janice's but you're going to have to host another spin in if I ever get to travel down your way.

Congrats on all the great stuff and for bring another knitter into the group. :)

[jenifleur]

Thank you, Jane, for letting us come play at your lovely house. It's so nice to spend time with the people you love.

[Sandy]

Thank you! It was wonderful to get away and hang with my homies!

The scarf is beautiful, Wisp is beautiful and you have a beautiful family too!

[EvilScienceChick]

Oh, and I'm such a GRACEFUL spinner, too!

thanks for hosting the party - it was so much fun! and happy birthday!!!

[Claudia]

You are so welcome! I had a ball yesterday - thanks for throwing the spin party. And btw - the tape measure must have been from somebody else, not me... I guess the sheep wanted to be with the Islandic roving...

[Crazy For Yarn In Alabama]

Sounds like a WONDERFUL weekend!!! So many wonderful gifts and how lucky to have the Spin In!!! The corrugated scarf is so pretty...love the yarn!!!

[Dee]

Happy, HAPPY birthday. Looks like you had a great time!

(You make me soooo jealous ... I want some fibery friends!)

[The Chickengoddess]

I wondered what you would do with that handspun, that's perfect! Wisp looks so nice on your Mom, the color is really pretty for her. Hopefully I'll get to see you Wednesday at YH, till then I think you should have a birthday celebration every day!

[Jane]

What a great weekend! And your b'day week is just beginning -- enjoy every minute!

[J.P.]

Yay for the Harlot on birthday Wednesday! Woo hoo!

[Diane]

Happy, happy birthday to you! What a great way to spend the day: family, friends and fiber.

[Sydney]

I love the scarf! The pattern is perfect for the Yarn Harlot yarn. What a great birthday weekend you had and such nice gifts. (My birthday is right after yours, the 20th.)

[Lynn]

Wow what a great time you had!! Fun with family and then more fun with friends. And to find out that there was a knitter across the street?!!? Ok that is COOL!!

And Nicola Tesla huh? DH is obsessed with this man!!! And completely hates Edison. I have heard so much abt this man, its not funny.

[Sockbug]

Great stuff! Love the scarf, it's so happy! Your son looks like a young Bard, himself, you know...

[Becky]

What fun! The scarf will be a hit at the Harlot Party. What a wonderful birthday. Such a sweet family! :)

[mouse]

I hear that those are the best parties to throw.. congrats on all of the lovely gifts. Hope to see you on Wed. at Yarn Harlot.