I Have the Best Friends EVER!

Thursday night, at our usual knitting group at Knitch, my friends threw me a surprise birthday party!  And it really was a surprise, because up until a few days ago, I didn't even realize my birthday was coming up (it's today, the 19th.)  But Claudia and Jacquie remembered and put together a fabulous bash, complete with singing, cake (which I did not get a photo of - it was so beautiful, and delicious!) and presents.  I was completely overwhelmed with surprise and happiness.

And gifts!

Wanna see what's inside? 

From:

• Phyllis - Really cute seersucker and canvas tote / bath products / amazingly soft and beautiful tencel roving
• Haley & Nell - Skein of Socks That Rock sock yarn in "Rolling Stone" colorway.  And that cute hand drawn sheepy card in the front, courtesy of the talented Haley.
• Meg - Great makeup/stash bag with tasty teabags inside / skein of Numma Numma Saucy yarn in "Bleu Cheese" colorway.
• Sandy - Very cool metal whirligig, which will soon be hanging on the porch.
• Doug - Skein of Tofutsies sock yarn / ceramic yarn bell (great for keeping kitties out of the working yarn!) (Oh, and Doug also make the most beautiful and delicious sushi for the party. Yum!)
• Marina - A bag of tasty Knitch blend coffee, to keep me going during those long knitting sessions.
• Steve - Fabulous Socks That Rock laceweight yarn in "Spinel" colorway.
• Melissa - Skein of handpainted sock yarn.  Very different from others I've seen, it's tweedy.
• Diana - Beautiful hand sewn dpn case.  With beads.  I've already filled it full of needles.
• Regan - Needle felt sheep kit.  How did you know I was anxious to try this new craft?
• Jacquie & Claudia - Amazingly beautiful silver buttons for a future sweater (and I have just the yarn for them) / Yarn meter - now I will finally know just how much yarn I've spun.  Yay! (There's also a skein of Piece of Vermont sock yarn in there, a thank you from Claudia for a little test knitting I'm doing for her.  Wait until you see her new pattern!!)
• Stuart - A really funny birthday card
• Linda - Another card, and a promise of a gift that is "in the mail."  LOL

I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate all of these people, as well as the rest of my friends who weren't able to come last night.  Each and every one of these people do so much for me.  They not only make me a better knitter, they make me a better person, too.  Thanks for being there and being my friends! (And thanks for the gifts, too.  I'm THRILLED with them all, and as soon as I finish my last deadline project, I'm going to dig in and get started on all that yarn and roving!) 

While I can't top all the goodness and love that was given me, here are two finished projects I'm very proud of.  First, a scarf that is a gift for someone very dear to me.

• Flaxen Lace Scarf - designed by the talented Nell at Knitch.  This is a very easy, yet elegant pattern.  I loved knitting it.
• Handmaiden Flaxen yarn, a silk/linen blend.  One skein, almost exactly. 

And, after one month and one day of knitting, I finally finished my Rhinebeck / SAFF sweater.  And it fits!!! (Except for the sleeves being a bit long, which is no problem, just roll them up.)

• ChicKnits Cassidy.  An amazing pattern.  Well written, easy and interesting to knit, and nicely fitting.  I especially love the side shaping.  The only modification is that I changed the hood to a collar. 
• Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool in "Mint."  Six skeins, almost exactly.  This yarn is fabulous!  So soft, it's softer than soft.  But also sturdy and amazingly warm.  I can't wait to wear this sweater!!

So, that's my end of the week adventures.  Thanks again to all my friends for making me so happy and for your kindness and generosity.  I love you all.  And all my blogland friends, too!

Don't forget to stop by again on Monday for the kickoff of the Fourth Annual Show Me Your Socks Contest!

Comments

[Chris]

Belated happy birthday!! You do have awesome friends. :)

[Claudia]

All the love you give comes back to you, my dear. I am glad we managed to totally surprise you. :-) Hehehehe. That was the best part. The sweater and the scarf are beautiful!

[Lorette]

Happy belated birthday! That sweater is gorgeous. I have the pattern, it might be next in line after seeing yours!

[Sydney]

Happy Belated Birthday! Look at that loot you got for your birthday! The scarf and the sweater are both lovely. I've been eyeing that sweater pattern.

[Rachel]

What great friends and presents! Lucky indeed! Beautiful scarf--I love the lace design and the color. And WOW--amazing sweater. I really like the play of design elements and I like your alteration to make a collar instead of a hood...great job and congrats on finishing it up in time!

[deb]

Happy belated birthday!! What a wonderful group of friends you have:)
I love your finished projects. That sweater looks perfect for Autumn.

[Karen]

Happy belated birthday Jane! Great birthday pressies!

Your sweater came out wonderful!! You will be the belle of Rhinebeck in it!

[Melissa]

Hope you had a very happy birthday and that everyone had a good time on Sunday. I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I found out over the weekend that the father-in-law will be having heart surgery tomorrow, so I stayed away from email, hung out with the boys and made them soup and cookies. I promise I'll do my best to make the next one :)

[Patricia McMahon]

Happy Birthday! Sorry I missed it.

[Lynn]

Wow what a great party!!! And what great yummy stuff you got.

and that sweater is beautiful! You did a fabulous job!

[Elizabeth]

First of all, a very Happy Birthday to you!!!! Second, what fabulous friends you do have. Fantastic assortment of gifts! You are loved!!!!! Your scarf and sweater are gorgeous. Sorry I'll miss seeing you and your lovely sweater at SAFF this year---have a wedding to attend in the eastern part of the state---you know where I would rather be! ;)

[Meg]

All of your handknits are gorgeous and these two FOs are no exception! Nice birthday goodies. Wish I had been able to be upstairs when all the unwrapping was going on!!!

[Rebekah (knit knack)]

What sweet friends you have!

That sweater is beautiful, I absolutely adore the color and the pattern. Personally I love long sleeves, except for the fact they get dirtier easier. But I love to cover my hands up.

[Mouse]

Happy Birthday! What a great bunch of stuff you got.. and I love your finished scarf & sweater!

[Trish]

Happy Birthday Jane! I am so sorry I didn't remember! 20 lashes with a wet i-cord to me!

Looks like you had a more-than-wonderful birthday. You are loved!

Your Rhinebeck sweater is just beautiful. Of course I love the color too! Mine has come to a screeching halt since my eyesight is changing daily. I was really hoping to knit a bunch this weekend but my close vision is worse today and I am having a hard time even seeing the computer screen. I may still try to knit, because the situaion is becoming desperate! We're less than 4 weeks from Rhinebeck! YIPPEE! But I still want my sweater done!

Happy Birthday, dear friend. Your gift is also " in the mail" (figuratively.... but coming soon)

[Janice in GA]

Happy birthday!

[Sandy]

You give so much to us - we love you lots!

[Dee]

WOW! Looks like you had FUN!

Your sweater turned out beautifully. Hopefully soon you'll have cool enough weather that you can wear it.

[greta]

Happy Birthday, dear!
Can't wait to give you a birthday HUG at SAFF.
LOVE the Cassidy sweater, gorgeous!

[Li_B]

Great post. Lovely project, wonderful haul and happy birthday!