PRGE mini questionnaire

Hello! Welcome to PRGE mini....
Here is the questionnaire. Its a new format on its test run - let me know what you think and if it will be helpful for you gifting/getting to know your pals! Please have this posted on your blog by the 11th of July, although earlier is better!

1. Why are you punk?
2. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related)
3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet?
4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday?
5. What are your three favorite yarns? What are your three least favorite yarns?
6. What are your five favorite delicacies?
7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures?
8. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here?

I will be sending out blog invites to those who were not prge members the first time around on Sunday - and listing the new punks. I do write back as soon as I get your invite, so if you don't get a reply from me within 24 hours, please e-mail me again. This is looking to be a fun group with a few new faces! Thanks for playing!!

3rd package thak-you!!

I recieved my final package from Okitten thank-you!!! I am assuming the clothes go with the cow?? the girls will love that!! there was an awesome sheep tote, a sheep stuffie that's already above my comp, sheep notecards, magnets she made (very cute) and beautiful silk/mohair yarn in a gorgeous purple mix :) Thank-you for making this such a fun swap!!

PRGE (mini)!!

So since its the summer, one good way to beat the heat is shopping for swap pals! Welcome to Punk Rock Gift Exchange (mini). It is only for one month, JULY!

Here's the deal, since it is so short, you will gift the person who is gifting you. Sign-ups are open till July 5th, pals will be paired on the 6th. Boxes should be received by July 31st. If you have an international pal, try to plan ahead! (The prge v.3 will open sign ups in the beginning of August, so we don't want to overlap!) Your box should have a minimum value of $20USD, you can do more, but you have to do this!! And obviously, the punk theme still applies! If you flake you will be listed under the deadbeats catagory from now till the end of PRGE's life - only good pals need apply!

There will be one contest - it will be posted on the 11th. Questionaire will go up on July 6th, please have it on your blogs by the 11th - short swap so the deadlines are tight. Also, I am going to try out a different questionaire, so let me know what you think! I am also asking again, that everyone use this blog! Feel free to put up any punk postings - hellos - contest entries and know that you are required to post your boxes here! So in the interest of less fewer nasty e-mails from me, please be on time!

If I missed anything, please let me know! If you would like to sign up drop me an e-mail with the following information to sunne (at) rmi (dot) net (replace the at and dot with the correct symbols, please!)

name:
e-mail:
blog address:
what country do you live in?
are you a smoker?
do you have pets?
any allergies?
would you like an international pal?
do you promise to be the best punk pal you can be - knowing that if you flake you will be publicly humiliated?
do you agree that if you flake your name will go under the deadbeats listing and you will be taken to task on this blog and banned from all future prge swaps?

Thanks so much!! Happy PRGE (mini)

Wrap Up Post....

Sooo, it looks like its getting pretty quiet around here. Most of the boxes have been recieved or arrangements have been made. If anyone has any questions/problems please let me know. For those who have not received their last boxes, when you do, please post them here! We still want to see your goodies!! It has been great fun hosting this swap! I am so impressed with how good all of you were to your pals! And even if you choose not to do another prge swap, but you'd like to post items that you made from your swap gifts - feel free!!

If there is enough interest, I will hold a one month, not secret swap in July. Sign-ups will start on Friday (and the blog will be switched over for prge-mini). There will be another big PRGE with sign-ups in August, gifting in September to November. So if you are interested, check back!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!! Hope to see you all again!!

Final Package

My Pal Colleen was fantastic! she spoiled me with extravagant yarn in every package and I truely appreciate her generosity and her thoughtfulness. This has been fun and I think we can all toast to SUCCESS!!

Peace All~
DAWN

My kids ate my internet!

Someone cut my wire at home (I think it was the baby.) Now that I'm up again, I can finally post a photo of the great final package from my pal, Staci.

She sent me some great Jo Sharp yarn, enough rayon for a clapotis, two purse kits for my daughters (already decorated here), a note card, bookmark, and a dragonfly clip. Thanks a bunch Staci, I love it all!

In other news, I had a great time at lunch with Kate yesterday. She's such a sweetie! I wish her the best with her new job and new city.

Sunne, you've done a great job heading up this exchange. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you!

meeting in real life

Today my pal Shannon took me to lunch while I was driving through her town. She has sent me gorgeous yarn & hand-made goods & all together spoiled me.

It's been fun!
Kate

Package #3!!

I am slow to post this weekend ... I received my final package from Shannon!! And what a package it is!!


There was a HUGE roving that I estimate to be about 50 lbs. ;-) It's a blend of chevoit, shetland, and corridale -- it's so soft and lofty, I want to take it to sleep with me. To go with it, there is a lovely pink and black swirly drop spindle!! There is a Voltaire CD that I've been listening to non-stop, and the cutest little black and white sheep stitch markers. She also sent a sweet card and some strawberry candies (yummmmmmmm!). Lastly, there was an adorable pattern for a knitted sheep that uses U-bolts for the legs so it will stand up!


Unfortunately, due to ferret interference in the photo shoot, I wasn't able to get good pictures before my camera battery died. I thought I was being clever to set things up on the table, but Houdini reminded me that she is a very quick and quiet table-climber. (The roving is unharmed.)

This exchange has been so awesome ... Shannon is a fantastic pal and I was so lucky to be her giftee. She was the impetus for me to pick up a spindle and start spinning. I hope I get a chance to show her a Texas LYS someday ... :-)



THANK YOU, SHANNON!!

awesome gift #3! (well technically #4 cuz she sent me a birthday present, how cool is that!!!)

whoo hoo! look what i got in the mail today!!! its from my very awesomely cool fantastic pal, Lesley!

there are ALOT of patterns in here, and there so cool. i cant wait to get the yarn to make them!!!! lemme just say, lesley, you really made my first exchange really cool, and fun. im so lucky. im so glad i got the chance to get to know u better. :D thank you for everything, you rock!!!

Package #3!

I finally have my internet access back up, so I can get pics of my goodies up!

You can see all the good stuff on my blog! Thanks again to Leigh for all the good stuff!

Edit: the links are all screwy. go to stellify.blogspot.com if you wanna see pics. :)

Best Pal

The Shriners Jeep Patrol hat was pull back to PRGE prize duty last night. Mr.sunneshine did the honors and...

drum roll please...

the winners are - O'Kitten, Jen from Nutscraps and Robert from KnittingPearl! Congratulations!! Your boxes are in the mail!


On another moderator type note -- it seems that only about half the packages for the third round have been received? Is that right? If you haven't posted your box here, please do so - or at least post a link... If you have not received a box or heard from your pal about when your box is arriving, please contact me! If you're a pal who has not sent the box or it is enroute, please let your pal know! This is a three box exchange and I want to make sure that everyone is getting three boxes!! I am leaving for Seattle in the morning, so if I don't respond immediately to any e-mails, I will be back on Sunday and take care of them.
Okay, back to the fun...

Happy Knitting!!

omg, OMG, Oh My Goodness!

Three cheers for package number 3!!

From the wonderful Shadkitty, I received my third package last night! Inside was a bounty of goodies: Yummy Classic Elite yarns (yes, multiple types) in gorgeous colors; two great books - neither of which I have read before, but plan to read now; a bottlecap necklace; stitch markers, including some purple-heart ones from sunnelite as well as some regular clover ones.

I know I probably missed something, but I plan to carefully go through everything later tonight after work. That way, I can take pictures of everything and put a proper post on my blog!

Thank you so much, Crystal!!

Showin some Pal Love!!!

I received my final PRGE Package from Barb this weekend and didn't get around until this morning to get pics and post! Sorry Barb!! I love the package!!



A washcloth kit! Here's a close up of the pattern books she sent!


I want to take the time to recap the goodies Barb has sent me for this exchange....
She's brought a smile to this knittin freak's face when she's needed it the most!!!!

Package 1- Yarn, Candle, Yummy ginger body wash, Notebook, Stitch Markers! LOVED IT!!!!



Package 2- The Yarn Harlot's Latest Book and a crocheted bookmark!!!! Went nuts over it!!


Not to mention all the Hallmark E-Cards and Patterns she emailed me!! Thanks Barb! You've been a great Pal! Thank you soooo much!!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

super fabulous supermerino

My awesome pal Stella sent me a gorgeous gift basket of yarn and goodies from Fabulous Yarn. Stella just moved and sounds VERY busy, so I really appreciate this gift. The basket was wrapped in a really cute way -- the whole things was enveloped in orange tissue paper with a big green bow gathering it at the top. It looked like a giant pumpkin!

Artyarns Supermerino, which I have been coveting for over a year now

Pattern for a modular hat
Bamboo needles for knitting it

One more picture of that gorgeous yarn -- it's so soft, and the colors are just perfect for me

Thanks again, Stella!

Best Pal Nominees

So without further ado, here are the best pal nominees:

Scarlett for spoiling Shannon H.
Scarlett is the best pal ever, for the great goodies she sent, as well as having similar interests as me outside of knitting (The Dead and Breakfast soundtrack is the bomb!). I'm hoping to talk the Husband into taking a trip in the future to visit his family in TX so that I might be able to meet her in person.

Dawn for spoiling Carissa
Yarn, cases, handmade gifts
More than a punk could ask for
Spoiled with things I love

Dawn showed her awesome pal-ness by putting a lot of thought into the useful and fun presents (many of which were handmade) that screamed "Carissa".

Lesley D. for spoiling Kat
she made me feel very important and special. i love getting to know her :)

Shannon for spoiling Kate
Over the last few months, Shannon has taunted me with her identity, constantly contacted me & always kept me guessing which has been loads of fun. She gifted me with gorgeous yarns & her home-made goodies & has always got my tastes & circumstances corrent - she's even meeting me for lunch when I drive through her town on my way to move. :)

Robert for spoiling Tianne
I was sent things I thought I would never get to enjoy in the knitpicks alpaca cloud and the Jagger alpaca yarns. My parcels were full of great stuff that I whole heartledly loved and enjoyed especially the food stuffs.

O'Kitten for spoiling Barb
Obsidian Kitten is the most awesome knitter anyone could know, I have truly been spoiled by all the emails, e-cards, and gifts (3rd one still coming) through out the entire swap :)

Nana for spoiling Jennifer

For having never met, Nana sent me some really wonderful things that truly reflect my style and knitting ability... how did she do that?!? She was super generous (package # 2 still has me shocked), very friendly, and made my first online gift exchange such a great experience I can't wait for fall!

Shadkitty for spoiling Knitkat
Not only has she sent me amazing packages that have actually helped expand and reinvigorate my knitting knowledge, but she has opened my eyes to the wonderful generosity and uniqueness of knitters in general. She has made me feel incredibly appreciated and awesome, all while raising three beautiful children and maintaining her own crazy lifestyle!!!

Jen for spoiling Leigh
Jen hooked me up with the shizzle for rizzle with two amazing packages so far--colorful, fun, and random, which is just how I like it. I've been in several gift exchanges and she's probably the best pal I've had yet, which means a lot to someone like me who's been shafted a few times.

Staci for spoiling Shannon
Staci (from Knit at Knite) should get a best pal prize because she is the shiz! She sent me great stuff and was always attentive and thoughtful!

Cheryl for spoiling Jules
My pal's the best because she spoiled me with tons of stuff AND paid attention to details! Another reason that she is the best, is she gifted me AND my three girls!!!

Alison for spoiling O'Kitten
Alison was the best for having amazing timing, being so considerate and thoughtful and giving amazing gifts. Her presents always seemed to arrive just at the right time, too! (paraphrased)

Okay, there are the nominees!! I am running short on time, so if you didn't provide links I didn't have time to get them (I will try to correct that tomorrow...) I know that there are still packages coming in - even though the exchange is coming to an end :(, please still post them here for all to see!! I am so impressed with how wonderful everyone was to their pals - You all Rock!! I will post best pal winners tomorrow - boxes will go out on wednesday!!

3rd package!!wooo!

I got my third, and sadly last, package tonite. I really needed this after today. I enjoyed opening it so much and love everything in it. I will update with pictures soon, as it is 3 in the am here and I feel unequal to the task of using the camera right now. thank you so very much Tianne, it has been so much fun and I just now realized we are done and feel sad, especially after such a wonderful package.
(edited to add)Here's the promised picture, its a little washed out, and I couldn't get any detail shots without the flash overwhelming everything. But the magnet says, "Because chocolate can't get you pregnant" and the notebook says "I can't be good all the time".
The baggie is stuffed with interesting aussie candies, which I can finally eat(yah!) and a note on the contents"Frogs-when you need to jump to it Bananas- for when you're going around the bend Minties-when you experience one of those moments Sherbets-when you have lost all your fizz Bullets-when all else fails!!" Oh, and the yarn is cashmerino, Tianne suggested the irish hiking scarf, but I have so many projects in queue.... anyway, absolutely wonderful and creative package. Thank you so much.

Gifts 2.5 and 3!

PRGE Gift 3!

I got some wonderful bamboo yarn in my favorite colors (I LOVE bamboo yarn! Everyone go out and try it right now!) and a super-cute crochet ladybug tape measure made by Lantern Moon.
I'm also posting a pic of the t-shirt I got as part of gift 2. It's really cute and it reminds me that I need to go see the Austin Rollergirls since I'll probably be moving to the bay area in a couple months (ack!)
Thank you Kyira (of Rakusu & Roll)!!!

Whee!!

I got my 3rd package at the house last night!! Leigh from Grrleigh Knits kicks butt. My husband helped me open it, and can attest to my squees of delight! Inside was.. a bag of chocolatey snack mix, two freezie mugs, a sunglass case with skulls on it, a pair of gold bling hoop earrings, a super cute note card, and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Tahoe. Oh Em Gee. I have been drooling over this stuff for-evah. And the color is luscious. and I love it!! Thanks, Leigh! I am so spoiled.

I would post pictures, but I have no home internet access until next week... I'm doing random checks and blogging from work... when the boss isn't looking. :) I promise I'll have pics up as soon as I am able!!

thank you Shannon!

This post will be quick because I am on my way out the door to visit a friend then to the beach with my mom for a week (no internet). Then I'm MOVING to Houston from my mom's house in Birmingham, AL & stopping along the way to visit my pal - Shannon - who is spoiling me rotten & I'm loving it.

The pictures are crappy because it's storming a little outside which is EXCELLENT because we've had a bit of a drought here.

First we have some Noro Silk Garden in colorway 247 - I'm going to make a scarf this next week - I'll post here when it's done. :)

Homemade soaps (black tea !), lotion bar (dark chocolate) & lip butter - YUM-O!

Rebecca home knitting magazine (lots of great patterns) & some notecards & stationary & such.


Thank you Shannon!

My 3rd package arrived

My package arrived from abbytrois and a lovely package it was too! She really is a great pal, and I've enjoyed getting to know her. In this package she sent me sock patterns from Lang Yarns and Ann Norling (when asked for ideas of things I'd like I'd asked for sock patterns) a lovely checked bag, as you can see a skully bandana, some mints in a pretty jewelled box, a jewelled photo frame (just right for my office) a pretty pen with some felt backed notebooks and a sheepie tape measure. Thank you for being a great pal and sending me wonderful thoughtful packages.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Brown Paper Packages

Especially ones that come in the mail from my super-extraordinary secret pal.


Look at all the goodies:
~ Two skeins of super-soft chenille
~ Lavender, rose, and vanilla incense
~ Glycerine/silicone hand creme for my hard-working farm-hands - that would be my hands, not to be confused with actual hired farmhands; unfortunately I don't have any handsome farm labourers to rub creme on
~ A pair of circular needles - perhaps because I'm crazy about the Addis she sent me previously?
~ A matching memory game - And the tiles are coffee labels, packed in a coffee bag! Mr. O'Kitten and I played it the moment I got it; we both enjoy concentration games and I loved the matching game as a kid. (Plus, he's excited that he can beat me at this one, I've been beating him shamelessly at Boggle lately.)
~ A CD of her son's DJ set from a nightclub in Somerset that I haven't listened to yet because I've been running around all day, but I'm so excited.
~ And finally - An obsidian kitten keychain (at center of photo)

*Happy dance happy dance happy dance*

Woops!

I got my third package awhile ago and completely forgot to say so on here! Since my computer is a bit whacked out right now, just check out my blog to see the goods.

Shadkitty Knitty

The Last Hurrah!

I got my last package from the wonderful Ms. Jen at NutScraps, and would you look at this awesomeness?

Four balls of a wonderful cotton/bamboo (!) blend yarn in two of my favorite colors, and an incredible, HANDMADE apron complete with utility pocket! If I didn't know any better, I'd say Jen was trying to make me a little more domestic... I guess now I will actually have to learn to cook, if only so I can rock this adorable apron! Thank you so much, Jen, you've been a wonderful pal!

Best Pal Packages...

Here are the best pal prizes all put together so everyone can see. There are three boxes of greatness for those pals who were amazing! I may have to even things out a bit between boxes but these are pretty much how they will go out.

Happy Knitting!!

Package #3!!!

I got my third package today from the lovely Scarlett. I’ll try to get pictures up later in the week, when I can round up a camera that works.

In the package was a skein of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a very nice green shade, two shirts (they totally rock!!!), a great notebook, some hair pins, a bar of Ghirardelli Chocolate (yum!!!), a great card,and a tin of hand cream (that got mangled in the mail…)

Thank you so much Scarlett!!!

ETA: I totally forgot the copy of the "Dead and Breakfast" soundtrack! The girls and I have been dancing around the house, and the Husband has ripped it to his Zune!

Thank you Pal Angela Marie

The final package from Angela Marie my Punk Rock Gift Exchange pal. She has treated me to some wonderful things over the past three months. I am so fortunate to be blessed with her generosity. In this final package she sent me two felted bag patterns. I have seen the one before but not the Noni. I thought I had decided on the bag for my pal in International Tote Exchange 4, but now I am not so sure. Also there was two kinds of yarn. A beautiful turquoisey Cascade and some very interesting very soft roving yarn. I am going to fondle them a bit before deciding what they shall become. Now do you see the special treats? EXTRA SPECIAL treats.....look at the dishcloths/washcloths. I have assume Angela Marie knit them, there is one with a Devil knit into it and LOOK the EIFFEL TOWER!!! Isn't that fantastic?? It is amazing how well my partners know me. Thank you so much Piper , for everything. I hope to run across you again in a swap.

Best Pal Prizes from Kat

Look at this amazing best pal donation!! It from Kat at Satisfy my Knit Spot!! There are two rowan classic bamboo, two debbie bliss alpaca and silk skeins, two patches and a handmade hemp and bead necklace!! I will be dividing this up inthe three best pal boxes that I will post soon! So far I only have two nominations for pals - so if you're going to nominate your pal, get it in by the 10th of June (post below!!).
Thanks again, Kat!!

Thank You Spinalcat!!

Thank you Spinalcat (aka Amy)!! I am so excited to have gotten two books that I will use a ton! And after setting my summer knitting goals last week, I am hoping that I have left enough space for several projects from these two books! Starting with the lace dress on the cover of the book. I will be shocked if it is not on my needles by the end of the week - I was sure it was going to be crochet, but its knit!! And when that is done, there are about 10 other projects in the book that I am dying to try!!
Since Amy got me started back on socks (I even have the Tofootsies socks on today in my cowboy boots!), I suppose the sock book is appropriate. And the best part is, there are a lot of beautiful socks in there that are so different from any patterns that I have (and a bunch of amazing fairisle socks that I am dying to make - good thing skirts are short right now!). Thank you so much Amy!!

My 3rd package!!!!

I got my third package yesterday from my secret pal. It was an awesome last package!!! She filled it with Candy-- Bottlecaps and York Mints in the cute little tins!!! I got nail decals that had dice, hearts, skulls and crossbones, etc. She gave me some silly feet baking cups that I can't wait to use and surprise my girls some how! I also got 2 skeins of Lorna's hand dyed super wash wool yarn in a most amazing color called "Black Purl". Some "That's Alright Mama" Elvis coffee that cracked me up! Six patterns for lace snoods-- ranging in difficulty and silk lace weight yarn in a gray black! Then the surprise she made for me was a felted hand bag with a skull on it--- it is GREAT!!! And inside of that were three presents for my 3 girls--- All items for the girls had the skull/ punk rock theme: notebooks, pencils, Pez candy and dispenser, erasers and little bead kits. My girls were all so surprised and excited!!! And then to top it off, I think she made the card--- I know she collects Eiffel towers and the card was a picture of a collection of them!!! She does everything great down to the last detail!!! Lucky, lucky, lucky me!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Cheryl!!!

Gloves and Eiffel

Here are some of the things that I have knit, that my secret pal has sent to me.
The sweater is made of hemp and is a cute pattern from Knitty. The gloves are a kit with hand dyed yarn from Sugar Apple Creations.
Heeeey, my last package just arrived as I was blogging! I haven't opened it yet, I'll let you know later what I got...