Jackie's Clapotis and Di's Baby Blocks Rock!

I'm back! And gradually catching my breath (pics to follow, probably in the next couple of posts).

You know, I used to live for travel. I loved packing and taking that plane/train/automobile and disembarking someplace completely different. The intriguing world of travellers is a blur of bodies at rest and in motion. Except that my body is now more inclined to prefer rest than motion. At home, the closer the departure date gets, the less I feel like going. And once there, wherever it is that I've gone, the closer the return trip gets, the less I want to go home. And the inertia is more acute for the return trip.

The only explanation I have is that I always secretly dread the HUGE pile of paperwork that I know has been growing -- like bacteria in a petri dish -- on my desk at work. That's precisely what I'm wading through right now.

But for my own sanity I'm coming up for air for just a moment to show you these:

Jackie from North Carolina sent some terrific photos of her Clapotis for which she used 3 skeins of Estelle (100% cashmere) in Orion.







Read her entertaining play-by-play Clapotis adventure during the Knitting Olympics here and the Flickr photoset from start to finish.

She writes:

This yarn was an absolute dream to knit with--I love love love how patternless it was and the consistency of the color. Not to mention the softness!!! I followed your suggestion and threw the finished product into the dryer for a few minutes after I ironed it (no blocking needed!)--the fluffing made all the difference, too.

Jackie, thank you! And thanks for sharing your photos!

And a couple of posts ago I mentioned a mystery package I received from Di of Clementine's Shoes. Wanna see what was in it?



Some deliciously aromatic tea from Husk, yummmmmmy Green & Black's chocolate (there was more than these two bars, but I couldn't resist and ate it before I unearthed my camera) ... and... my new Favourite Things, Di's handknit and felted baby blocks:



They are so so soft and delightfully squishy, and her colour choices are simply spot on! Simple and sweet, but with a twist. I LOVE THEM. Who needs stress balls at work when you can have these?

Di, if you should ever decide to make more sets of these for babies, I am definitely buying some. For babies... or for my colleagues, who I'm sure will appreciate them just as much, if not more!

Thank you for such a terrific pick-me-up!