Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful new year - may it bring you all lots of yarny goodness. :)

Until next year...

Yarn Name: hazel knits artisan sock
Yarn Color: Chuckanut Drive
Type: Indie
Content: 90% Superwash Merino, 10% Nylon
Put-Up: 400 yards
Weight: 132 grams
Gauge: 8-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-2
Purchase At: http://www.hazelknits.com

Bright, vibrant colors; a soft hand despite being a soft hard-twist; heavy for the put-up - this is a delightful yarn. As you know, I'm not a fan of the hard-twist, but this one is exquisite. The colors form secondary colors at the joins, as well as having little blobs of color peek through other colors. Since the put-up is 400 yards, you need to check your pattern requirements carefully to ensure that you have enough yarn. Smaller sizes should have no problem; anything above a size 8 or 9 will most likely have to purchase two skeins unless the pattern is a simple one. Wearability should be excellent. This artist also creates knitting jewelry in addition to her yarn line.





Yarn Name: Dashing Dachs
Yarn Color: Enchanted
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Put-Up: 560 yards
Weight: 4 oz.
Gauge: 8-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-2
Purchase At: http://www.DashingDachs.com

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what "Dashing Dachs" meant, so I went and looked at this dyer's website. It turns out that her family has a dachshund (Dachs) who likes to gnaw on knitting needles, and then dashes away (Dashing) when she tries to retrieve them. In any event, this yarn is gorgeous. Available in many different colorways, all the skeins I purchased have a soft twist, inspired colorways, soft blending at the joins, vibrant colors, and a very squishy feel in the skein. Due to the generous put-up, all sizes and patterns should require only one skein. I'm not too sure how well this yarn will wear when knitted into socks due to the soft twist and pure merino content; however, it's such a lively, bouncy yarn that I don't care. You may also purchase this yarn through Woolgirl.





Yarn Name: Creatively Dyed Yarns Ocean Series
Yarn Color: Numbered
Type: Indie
Content: 70% Wool, 30% Seacell
Put-Up: 365 yards
Weight: 118 grams
Gauge: 6-7 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.creativelydyed.com

Seacell is made from seaweed and has antimicrobial properties. It is the new hot item to blend with wools such as merino. I was curious to see what it would be like, so I ordered a couple of skeins. I don't particularly like the feel of the skein, but once you separate a strand, it's much softer. This is what I call a "fat fingering" weight. It's very heavy for the put-up, which is sparse; you will need two skeins for most patterns and larger shoe sizes. The twist is soft, and the colorways inspired. The colors move, dance, and flow into and out of each other, forming very interesting combinations. The dyer is very friendly and customer-oriented. I'm not too sure about this yarn yet, but perhaps I'll love it when I knit with it. I don't particularly like trendy things, no matter what the medium. Trendy things come with a steep price tag, and so it is with this yarn. If the put-up were greater, I could justify it. As things stand, however, I won't add any more of it to my personal stash. For those who love it and are willing to pay the price, it should knit up into incredible patterns.





Yarn Name: Spindle Cat Studio
Yarn Color: Hosta
Type: Indie
Content: 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Nylon
Put-Up: 450 yards
Weight: 104 grams
Gauge: 8-10 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://spindlecatstudio.etsy.com

I have been buying this dyer's yarn from the time I began buying indies. Her earlier colors tended towards the black/gray/white families; lately, however, she has branched out and begun dyeing colors on top of black as well as more conventional colors. That's where the conventional stops, however. I was stunned when I received this skein. There are few parts of the individual strands that are a solid color; for the most part, even the "solid" colors have undercurrents of other colors showing through or different colors dancing throughout the skein. There are no discernible breaks; the colors just ebb and flow, making music as they swell and recede. This yarn is soft as butter and flows through your fingers. With a medium twist, wearability should be good. These yarns knit up into the most interesting patterns. Due to the generous put-up, you should need only one skein for almost all patterns. This dyer has excellent customer service and offers a variety of items. I can't recommend this yarn highly enough.





Yarn Name: All Spun Up
Yarn Color: Woodland
Type: Indie
Content: 100% BFL
Put-Up: 440 yards
Weight: 4.3 oz.
Gauge: 8-10 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http:/Allspunup.etsy.com

This is a new dyer for me, and I'm glad I found her. I found it hard to believe that this was handspun; her spinning skills are outstanding. With a loose twist, this yarn may not wear very well, but it will make wonderful sandal or house socks; it also has the durability of BFL going for it. Her colorway is beautiful; because the two plies are different, they combine to make fascinating combinations. The put-up is excellent, especially for a handspun; you should be able to get a pair of socks out of one skein. This yarn is exceptionally soft, especially for BFL (which I've always found to be a bit harsh in the skein). I would like to see a lot more of this artist's work. Give it a try; you won't be sorry.





Yarn Name: Tempted
Yarn Color: Fascination
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Put-Up: 400 yards
Weight: 130 grams
Gauge: 6.5-7.5 sts/in
Needle Size: 2-3
Purchase At: http:/www.theloopyewe.com

Vibrant. In your face bright. Deep saturation. All this and more in one skein. There are a number of colorways to choose from, all of them beautifully painted. The different colors have hard breaks, but then bounce back to the color they came from. This is a hard-twist yarn, so wearability will be excellent. The hand is good, but as is typical of hard-twist yarns, it's not especially soft. I have a hard time believing the given SPI; you should get around 8-10. I also would use a size 1 or 2 needle, not a size 3. If you want a hard-wearing, beautifully painted yarn that will shout out when you wear the socks made from it, this is your choice. Because of the put-up, you may need two skeins for a pair of socks; be sure to check your pattern for requirements.





Yarn Name: Yarn Pirate BFL
Yarn Color: Spruce
Type: Indie
Content: 100% BFL
Put-Up: 420 yards
Weight: 98 grams
Gauge: 8-10 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http:/www.yarnpirate.com

This dyer is well-known among knitters who clamor for spots in her "Booty Club". She puts out a variety of yarns; this one is her BFL line. With a soft twist, it should have decent wearability because of the durability of BFL; however, I wouldn't expect socks made of it to last too long with regular wearing in closed shoes. Her colorways are always inspired; this one didn't disappoint. The colors fade, swirl, dance, and blend into each other; even her semi-solids are works of art. One skein should be sufficient for a pair of socks. She also sells books, roving, and other items in her shop.

I Survived - But Barely

Dear Readers -

I barely made it through the holiday intact - we slept almost all day and night yesterday, so I'm just now coming to my senses. As such, I haven't photographed the yarns I'm reviewing this week. That's my task for tomorrow, so please check back. I have some beautiful yarns for you to see and read about.

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday and are all intact yourselves. :)

Until tomorrow...

A Note to Everyone

Since Christmas and the various holidays are upon us, I won't be posting any updates until after Christmas Day has passed. There are very few people around to read blogs, so I'll save the pictures until everyone is back. Rest assured that I have many reviews to share with you.

That said, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate), and hope that your holiday season is filled with joy, love, and family and friends.

Happy Holidays. :)

Yarn Name: Artfibers Carezza
Yarn Color: Peach
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 30% Silk, 30% Baby Alpaca, 40% Extrafine Merino
Put-Up: Various
Weight: Various
Gauge: 7 sts/in
Needle Size: 3
Purchase At: http://www.artfibers.com

I included this yarn because it really is incredible. Artfibers is a small yarn shop on the second floor of an old building in the Financial District in San Francisco. They have a fairly extensive selection of yarns that are exclusive to them and are all hand-dyed; however, I listed them as indie/commercial because they reproduce all their colorways using a second party (I don't who or what company does the dyeing for them). I chose this particular yarn because it was one of only three that were suitable for sock knitting; it was also the softest one I felt. One of the unique things about the store is that they have "yarn tasting"; you are able to borrow a pair of needles, choose a yarn, and knit a swatch to see if you like it. You are also allowed to take the swatch home. As for the yarn, it's a study in eroticism. Because of the fiber content, it's extremely soft and silky; having a loose twist adds to the softness. Their yarns come on cones; if you don't want enough yarn to knit a shawl, you can have the yardage you need wound off onto foam cores. This yarn will have poor wearability because the twist is so loose; however, because of the fibers, it won't fall apart immediately. It's just better suited for occasional wear with shoes (sandals) and will be happier at home as house or bed socks. Because this particular type is a semi-solid (with the emphasis on solid), stitch definition is superb. It is best suited to patterns such as cables, lacework, textural stitches - anything that needs the pattern to shine as opposed to the yarn. The swatch I saw was gorgeous both in look and feel. I'm looking forward to using this yarn for a very special pair of socks.





Yarn Name: Urban GypZ Bam! Boo! Hand Painted Sock Yarn
Yarn Color: Twisted MaMaLove
Type: Indie
Content: 60% Superwash Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon
Put-Up: 420 yards
Weight: 4 oz.
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.urbangypz.etsy.com

As you may know, I'm not a fan of bamboo. However, I loved this colorway, so I thought I'd give it a try. I've had bamboo yarns before and, while usually soft, I just didn't like them. This one, however, has made a liar out of me (to myself). It is incredibly soft and squishy with a medium twist that adds to the softness. Wearability should be good. The colorway is exquisite; the colors are bright and compliment each other. The painting is expertly done; the colors melt into each other and form secondary and tertiary colors at the joins, as well as having surprises of color popping up through other colors. This yarn is a joy to view and hold; I can't wait to use it. You should be able to get a pair of socks from one skein. I think that "lively" is a good descriptor of the colors used.





Artist: PopsieDaisy
Item Name: Hoot
Material: Recycled Articles
Contact At: http://www.PopsieDaisy.etsy.com

Hoot is a delightful creature that I found on Etsy. The artist makes a variety of creatures who function the same way as Hoot; they are designed to hold a cake of yarn and, with the grommet on the back, allow the yarn to be fed through and prevent tangling/collapse of the cake. You can also use Hoot and his pals to hold pretty much anything you want to put in him. There is a zipper on the back to allow you to put items into Hoot. Here is a picture of his backside:





Rather than try to describe Hoot, I'm using the artist's own words from her ad on Etsy:

The Knitter's Critters....
* are made with repurposed wool that has been washed and felted
* have their own personalities
* have a zippered pouch on their back where you can store your yarn or other goodies
* have a grommet on the back that your yarn can feed through
* use zippers and wood that are repurposed
* have their own unique personalities
* have a padded bottom so they sit nicely on your lap
* are lined with coordinating fabric
* don't mind when you have to frog a project

Hoot works like a dream. He sits on my lap or the footrest of the Monster and doesn't topple over, no matter how hard I pull on the yarn. He's also a lot of fun to look at. I'm hoping to carry Hoot and his friends in my shop. He's not inexpensive, but I think he's worth the cost. A lot of work went into making Hoot; things like this are a pain to sew, and even though I could do it, I choose not to and buy the finished product instead. He would also be a fun gift for a special friend.





Yarn Name: meliabella Toasty Sock
Yarn Color: Jack Frost
Type: Indie
Content: 75% Merino, 25% Nylon
Put-Up: 420 yards
Weight: 4 oz.
Gauge: 8-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 0-2
Purchase At: http://www.meliabella.etsy.com

I have seen "Keegan Lane" associated with this dyer's yarns, so I'm not sure which is the correct one to use. However, meliabella is the name on the ball band and the website, so that's what I'm using.

This yarn is exquisitely dyed; the seller states on the ball band that each skein is dyed one at a time. I don't doubt it for a minute. The colorway is inspired; I own other skeins from this dyer and they are all exquisite. The colors fade into each other, forming secondary colors where they meet. Being a hard-twist yarn, wearability should be excellent. Even though the twist is hard, this yarn is incredibly soft. A complementing stitch marker is tied onto each skein. You should be able to get a pair of socks from one skein. Customer service is excellent; this dyer is friendly and responsive. I had a problem with identifying this yarn, thinking that I had received the wrong one; she went out of her way to ensure that I had the right one (it didn't look like the picture but was indeed the correct one). I will be buying a lot more from this dyer.

Gone for Anniversary

Dear Readers,

Tomorrow is my 16th wedding anniversary, so we'll be gone for a few days. I'll be adding more yarns on Saturday.

Until then, have a lovely week!

Company: Northern Essence
Owner: Traci Hoffman
Item Name: Various
Type of Purchase: Website
Contact At: http://www.NorthernEssence.com

I first discovered this company from a lotion sample that Jen at Woolgirl put in my package. I was hooked! Jen carries some of their line, but I wanted more. So I went over to their website, only to discover that it was under construction. It just opened a couple of weeks ago, and when I went over there to buy some lotion, I was floored. They have an enormous selection of things for sale with over 150 scents to choose from. I decided to stock up. What you see in the picture are Whipped Lotions in "Ocean Rain", "Lemongrass & Sage", and "Lavender & Herbs"; Solid Lanolin in "Patchouli (Essential Oil); All Natural Healing Salve; Whipped Shea; Body Butter in "Almond"; Liquid Goatsmilk Soap; and a travel size bottle of Whipped Lotion in "Lavender Mist". They make pain relief salve, baby, bath, nursing mothers, lip, hand, and several other categories of products. All are made with natural ingredients by WAHM's (work at home mothers); because of this, the company recommends that you use their items within nine months of purchase to retain freshness. The items are made in small batches for just that reason. Packaging is simple but attractive; delivery is rapid; the company has a question box if you need help; they offer "sniffy samples" if you need help in deciding which fragrance to get; their website is easy to use and navigate around. I, for one, am sold on these products and will buy them for as long as they are sold. I highly recommend this company; a little goes a long way in both product and money spent.





Yarn Name: Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet Sock Yarn
Yarn Color: Grape Crush
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Merino
Put-Up: 400 yards
Weight: 4 oz.
Gauge: 9 sts/in
Needle Size: 2
Purchase At: http://www.HillCountryYarns.com

This is a new dyer for me. When I opened the box and removed the yarn, I was shocked at how harsh the skein felt. After playing with it for a while, it softened up; however, it's still not what I would call a soft yarn. Perhaps washing will make a difference. The other thing that surprised me was how thick the yarn is. The yarn isn't listed as fingering, but it's also not listed as DK or sport; since it's a sock yarn, I assumed it would be fingering. Because it gets such a high stitch count on size 2 needles, I would call it a thick fingering. It has a loose medium twist, which would normally make the yarn soft, or at least a lot softer than this. The color changes are abrupt; there are no secondary colors, no blending, no surprises. I checked the site where I bought it from, and there are still quite a few skeins left. I understand why now. This is not a yarn that I will be purchasing again. In fact, I'm inclined to find a new home for the two skeins I purchased; I'm not happy with them at all. Maybe someone who prefers a thicker yarn than normal fingering and doesn't mind washing it with a lanolin softener would like it. The one good thing is that you should be able to get a pair of socks out of one skein, as long as the socks aren't too large or too detailed.





Yarn Name: Alpaca Plus
Yarn Color: No. 600
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 60% Alpaca, 20% Wool, 20% Nylon
Put-Up: 410 yards
Weight: 100 grams
Gauge: 7 sts/in
Needle Size: 0-1
Purchase At: http://www.alpacaplus.com

The skein I purchased is best described as semi-solid, with varying shades of lavender making up the colorway. A loose-twist yarn, I expected this to be soft as a cloud; however, the individual strands sort of stuck together when I took it out of the box. After pulling the strands apart and squishing it for a while, it softened up considerably. Color changes are not abrupt; they fade into each other. The make-up of this yarn ensures that it will hold together and not drift while knitting; the wool and nylon give it strength. One skein should make a pair of socks. I don't expect this yarn to have very good wearing properties; the twist is too loose, so I expect it will wear fairly quickly. However, alpaca is a strong fiber on it's own; I could be pleasantly surprised. Because of the recommended small needle size, this will help with the wearability problem. There are a variety of colorways available. Since this is not a superwash product, it will need to be hand-washed and laid flat (or on blockers) to dry. It would be lovely knitted into a lace or cable pattern.





Yarn Name: Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock & Baby Yarn
Yarn Color: Hot Mamma
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 100% Merino
Put-Up: 400 yards
Weight: 3.6 oz.
Gauge: 7-8 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.missbabs.com

This is a beautiful yarn. With a hard twist, the wearability should be excellent, yet it is soft enough to put next to a baby's skin. Offered in many different colorways, each one is beautiful; the colors softly change into the next with secondary colors forming at the changes. You should be able to get a pair of socks from one skein; however, if you have large feet or are doing an intricate pattern or cables, check your pattern carefully for yardage requirements. This particular type of yarn also comes in a sport weight. I don't expect this yarn to bloom either during knitting or washing. Since it is a superwash yarn, it is suitable for baby clothes which need to be washed frequently.





Yarn Name: Miss Babs Cashmere Moon
Yarn Color: Bronze Plum
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 100% Cashmere
Put-Up: 400 yards
Weight: 2 oz.
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 2-4
Purchase At: http://www.missbabs.com

This is yet another offering from this dyer. When I took it out of the box, I almost swooned. Soft doesn't even begin to describe this yarn. It has a fairly hard twist for cashmere, so wearability will be enhanced. Even so, this is a luxury yarn and should be treated as such. It is best suited to house or bed socks; if you want to wear it in shoes to show off its' beauty, sandals would be the best choice. As with the yarn above, the colors fade into each other and form secondary colors at the changes. Note the difference in weight and needle size; cashmere is much warmer than merino in a much lighter package. The larger needle size is to allow the bloom which will occur when knitting and washing. Treat this yarn with care when washing; cashmere has a habit of drifting when knitting and is fragile, so hand-wash only and lay flat to dry. It certainly won't fall apart when wearing it and shouldn't when knitting because of the hard twist and ply, but even so, don't pull hard on it when knitting. This yarn also comes in a rainbow of colorways. It is an expensive yarn as befits the fiber, but well worth the cost if you want a luxury pair of socks. You should be able to get a pair of socks out of one skein if the pattern is not complex and you don't have overly large feet. A true sensory delight!





Yarn Name: Strings and Yarn
Yarn Color: The Unforgiven from Apocalyptica
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Put-Up: 455 yards
Weight: 3.25 oz.
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-4
Purchase At: http://www.stringsandyarn.etsy.com

This is one of my favorite dyers. She takes a piece of classical music (she's a violinist) and translates the music into color. Even though I'm not a fan of classical music (I do apreciate it's complexity, however), I'm a huge fan of her interpretations. This particular musical selection is by a group called Apocalyptica, which consists of cellists who play metal music and arrange Metallica songs (although they are now composing their own music). Jodie Danenberg is the lady behind the yarn. Like all of her yarns, this one is soft, soft, soft, with a hard medium twist. Wearability should be very good. Her colorways are more than inspired; like the music they represent, they swell, move, dance, play, and create all kinds of new colors between and within themselves. Knitting with it is a joy; the yarn flows through your fingers and forms a lovely halo from being handled. One skein is plenty for a pair of socks. A stitch marker is attached to each skein, along with an elaborate hang tag which contains information about the yarn. The only thing I would add to the tag are suggested needle sizes and approximate gauge. I have several skeins of Jodie's and love each and every one of them. They are all beautiful and ethereal like the music they interpret.





Manufacturer: Jelby
Artist: Cary
Item Name: Felted Stitch Markers
Purchased At: Etsy
Contact At: http://www.Jelby.etsy.com

These stitch markers are true jewels. Cary is the woman who painstakingly makes each and every one. You have your choice of three sizes of rings: small, medium, and large. Split rings in small and medium, and solid rings in medium, are also available. In addition, she does custom orders. Each marker is made with a combination of wet and needle felting with embroidery. A key ring is also shown, and she makes hair clips (not shown). The acorns were sold separately from the key ring, but because they clearly made a set, I bought them together. Even though you can use the key ring as it was meant to be used, I put my markers on them. I custom-ordered the sheep; they are just shy of 1/2" from top to bottom. Because they are so light, I use them on sock knitting and have no problems with them weighing down my work or getting in the way. I use stitch markers all the time; using these makes me smile. They are whimsical, joyful, and impeccably crafted. I have a lot of patience with my work (even though it sometimes gets flung across the room); I cannot imagine the type of patience that fine work such as this takes. These would also make a perfect gift for a knitter friend or swap pal. Cary has outstanding customer service, makes the markers at the speed of light, and ships just as fast. She will work with you until you're satisfied with the final result. Try them - you'll be as enchanted as I am.

Yarn Name: Forbidden Fleece
Yarn Color: Pumpkin Spice
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Put-Up: 440 yards
Weight: 100 grams
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.ForbiddenFleece.etsy.com

This is the first offering from a brand new dyer (a husband and wife team). I was astonished when I saw the pictures of their first efforts, but actually holding the yarn really knocked my (hypothetical) socks off. I've seen established dyers whose yarns weren't as well done as this. The yarn is a very soft 2-ply with a medium twist; it has a lot of squish and poof and should bloom nicely when knitted and/or washed. It should flow through your fingers with ease when knitting. Wearability should be good. The color selection is inspired; colors softly fade into new ones with secondary colors at the changes. Many other colorways are also offered. The put-up is generous, allowing you to get a pair of socks from one skein. Customer service is excellent, and this dyer will do custom orders. I hope to add many more of their colorways to my stash. A breath of fresh air for the indie scene!





Yarn Name: FatCatKnits
Yarn Color: Bermuda Sand
Type: Indie
Content: 75% Wool, 25% Nylon
Put-Up: 416 yards
Weight: 3.6 oz
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.FatCatKnits.etsy.com

I had to look this yarn up under the dyer's profile to see if it was hand- or commercially-spun. What a pleasant surprise to see that it's a hand-spun! Outstanding spinning with a hard twist; even though this yarn is soft, it will have excellent wearability. The dyer describes this yarn as monotonal; however, the oranges and purples peek out, giving the color and yarn delightful dimension. This yarn should flow through your fingers when knitting. You probably need one skein for most patterns; check your pattern requirements. This dyer has a wide range of colorways to choose from and also offers roving. Customer service is good and shipping is fast. I would use this yarn in highly textural patterns, lacework, or cabling. Due to the colorway, it will allow the pattern to shine while still retaining enough character to show itself off as well. This is another dyer whom I will be visiting again.





Yarn Name: Hand Maiden Camel Spin
Yarn Color: Dragonfly
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 70% Silk, 30% Camel
Put-Up: 329 yds
Weight: 100 grams
Gauge: 6.5-8 sts/in
Needle Size: 2-3
Purchase At: http://www.thesweetsheep.com

This is another of those yarns that borders on commercial, but it's so special that I had to include it. This yarn is pure luxury; even softer than cashmere, it should be reserved for the most special of garments, socks included. There are several colorways to choose from, and since this yarn is expensive (but well worth it!), choose wisely. You will need two skeins to make a pair of socks, even more for larger garments. The silk makes this yarn glow and shine; the colors dance, appear, disappear, and reappear; it's hypnotic to look at. Make sure your hands are absolutely smooth before you work with this yarn; even the smallest rough spot on your fingers will cause it to catch and perhaps snag. Once your hands are smooth, however, this yarn will slide through your fingers like a hot knife through butter. Be careful if knitting socks on DPN's; because of the high silk content, this yarn is also very slick. All the little precautions are more than worth it, though, because even just a swatch will make you drool and want more. I bought two skeins because I want to make a pair of house socks. A medium-twist yarn, it will probably have decent wearability. Because of the high silk content, it's best suited to house socks or bed socks. Shawls and scarves would also be heavenly made from this. Because of the riot of colors, a simple stitch pattern should be used. This yarn is a heavy fingering weight, falling in-between fingering and DK or sport. No matter how much it costs, it draws me like a moth to the flame. I'm sure I'll get more of it (hmm... my wedding anniversary is in seven days - gift time!). :)