Magic, In And Out Of England

Potter, Schmotter. The REAL magic of England resides in this talented and charming lady.

Steph! of StephCuddles

To celebrate her 23rd birthday - and as fate would have it, my birthday on the 23rd - Steph had a giveaway with these awesome prizes:

The Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball in the rich and mysterious My Sweet Side* colorway. This may not hold all the secrets of The Universe, but let's face it, you want to poke and prod, and peel back just a bit to see what the next amazing color will be, don't you? Please say yes, it can't be just me that feels that way.


This gorgeous yarn bowl in a periwinkle-dotted, oh-so-soft pink, with a fresh, minty green interior. If you were yarn, would anyone be able to convince you to leave this cozy bowl? That would take some serious magic indeed.


But wait, there are the enchanted charms, right there - StitchCuddles stitch markers. To be cuddled by these beauties, that yarn may fly out of the bowl and onto the needles without my even touching it! I chose the tankard set as part of the prize, and Steph generously included the corn, eggplant, grapes and watermelon slice as a sweet surprise! Check out this post on her new Afternoon Tea collection - I commented on the eclairs - and Steph is sending me some... Gasp! The generosity just doesn't stop!
Every budding wizard learns that magic wants to be carried in style. Done and done, with this cute tote from sockyarnshop.com. But wait, look at that. Another, better picture of the Tankards... conjured up from StitchCuddles by StephCuddles Etsy shop (with her kind permission).

Steph, if you're reading this, Thank You! And please, please, please tell me that your birthday was as wonderful as you've helped to make mine!


Kathleen! of Knit Like You Mean It

Now for a tale, not of yarny goodness coming from England, but rather of yarny goodness that won't be making the trip to England. Kathleen will soon moving to Oxford for several years. A large portion of her stash will not be going with her, and she has been steadily and generously gifting it away through giveaways on her blog. There's one going on right now, so be sure to stop by.

I was fortunate enough to be chosen to receive these 2 lovely skeins of Canopy Fruit of the Forest yarns. The rich cream and sumptuous purple colors are wonderful, but the texture is magnificent. If soft, fluffy clouds were lined with satin, they'd still be jealous of this yarn! I can easily imagine a flying carpet made with this mystical fiber. Kathleen, I really appreciate these, and I am constantly hoping your generous gifts will be returned in kind when you start this exciting new adventure.

There's a little more magic to tell you about. As a finale to this wild birthday bash I've been having, I was just walking out the door to use the free movie voucher and meal coupon that I'd received as gifts. Just as I was about to lock the gate, the mailman turned the corner and told me he had these two packages for me. I immediately took them upstairs and opened them so I could notify Steph and Kathleen that everything had arrived safely.

I sent the emails, then started out again for the theater. I got no further than across the street before deciding I'd rather stay home and photograph all these fabulous goodies! I can go to the movies and dinner another day. But, in an uncommon display of self-discipline I decided that I'd better take a walk for my health first.

I changed direction to head for the steep hill I like to challenge myself with, and right away found a $20 bill on the ground. Turned the corner and someone handed me a coupon for a complimentary chiropractic visit and massage at an office just opening in the neighborhood. I'd never had this done before, but with my recent back problems I thought I'd give it a try. It was amazing. Almost all the pain I've been having in my legs is gone. I'm able to do the stretching exercises I haven't been able to do since the sciatic problems began. Hopefully they'll keep the pain from returning.

And all because two incredible ladies shared some of their magic with me, which just happened to arrive today! Thanks so much to both of you, for everything!



*Beware! The Universe will find a way of dealing with those of you who said "A Sweet Side?... On THE KITTEN?", followed no doubt by evil and mocking laughter. You scoff? After all this, can you possibly doubt that The Universe is my friend? Who's evil/mocking laughing now?


BTW: STITCHCUDDLES! I just love that name. I get such a smile every time I say it, if I don't just start giggling. In fact I've been giggling so much I almost didn't get this posted today!