Beyond Excited! The Best Birthday Gifts Possible!

 

I am a lover of all things Apple and when the new IPad came out it was way-y-y-y-y-y up there on my wish list. I can;t say that I thought I would be lucky enough to get one but darned if I didn't!! DH says it's from the cats but I know they had a lot of help!  I got the WiFI 64gb model and it is absolutely amazing! As with anything techno - there is a small learning curve but I have already downloaded some books for the road. I have to say that I am SO glad that I waited for the IPad to use as a book reader. The quality is really amazing and the ease of page turning with a slight flick of your finger is fabulous. I also was provided with a nice Apple cover and I have ordered a screen protector - just because I get them for all things Apple! I am so excited and have already spent hours playing with this!

 Another item that has been on my wish list for a long time is this amazing set of Addi Turbo interchangeable knitting needles. 

It has a truly superior lock system and a join that is flawless and smooth!

I have also been longing to have this book - which is after the exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The wait was worth it - fantastic book! Yes, a review will be forthcoming!! Now I have to get back to some serious play. 

In another real blessing - one of my dearest friends sent me a gift certificate for Dick Blick's so it looks like I can also get some PanPastels really soon. Am I in heaven right now? You betcha !!

 

Today I Found One Of The Most Awesome Yarns I've Ever Seen!

Today I walked in my LYS, Island Wools, looking for a replacement for my wonky Addi Turbo 24" size 8 circular needle. In looking for the needles I noticed that Skacel has replaced the material they use in the Addi Turbos. The new material (not for the needle part - they are still the same favorite needle) is more like the connector they have been using for their Lace needles. I have only used it to know several rows - but I think it's a nice change. I was just surprised.

As I was poking about in the store I spied a small basket of the most glorious new yarn that I have seen in a VERY long time. This yarn, aptly called, "Astral" is made by The Alpaca Yarn Company and is a scrumptious mix of 50 % Tencel, 30 % Alpaca and 20 %Merino. The sheen is like nothing I have ever seen - even in expensive silk skeins. Soft? Oh! My Gosh! Can you spell h-e-a-v-e-n ??!! The skeins offer a lusty 197 yards (180.137 meters) in each 100 gram hank - it's a dk weight and sugested needle is a size 7US.

I bought a teal & a black, although I think I may well have to save my pennies & buy enough of their wine color to make a shawl. The black is earmarked for fingerless gloves and I am not sure about the teal yet. All I can suggest is that you seek this yarn out & buy some. I know that you too will be utterly amazed at the sheen and brilliance - and that oh! So! soft feel. Gheck out the website - their photos really do this special yarn much better justice! It was a good time to stop by the yarn store! The basket is not as full now as I simply had to coerce a fellow shopper to also purchase two skeins - she must have thought me to be a looney local!