Christmas Questions...

I'm so excited to be in my first knitting swap. In previous craft-lives I did many card/stamping swaps and always loved getting the return cards... this is WAAAAY better. Knitting & Christmas. Can't beat that!!

So here are my answers for the Christmas-Around-the-World 2007 Swap questionaire:

1. Are you religious?
Yes. I am a Christian and my faith is very important to me.

2. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?
My grandmother taught me to cast on and knit when I was about 8 (30 years ago) and I self-taught myself the rest all through high school and college. After a 'hiatus' of many years, I started knitting again about 6 years ago and can't stop. Sadly, after an 18 month battle with tendonitis, I do have to pace myself and limit how much I knit at a time. I consider myself Intermediate.

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting?
Crafty hobbies include quilting, altered books/collage (beginner!), card making & other paper crafts. I love traveling (for work and fun).

4. Favorite color(s)?
Purples, blues, greens. I also love earthy/mediterranean colors and neutrals. Not a fan of orange/yellow.

5. Do you collect anything?
Yarn & fabric, of course! Can't think of anything else - I have a few Willow Tree angels & Nativity set, but not really a collection.

6. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?
I'm allergic to cats, but fortunately not to any fibers

7. Do you have any pets?
No, but I'm hoping to get a couple of dogs later in the fall. I've wanted to for years and finally have a job that doesn't require a lot of travel.

8. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?
With the moniker of JavaNut, what else but coffee!! I do try to limit myself to decaf though, but a vanilla latte or peppermint mocha is my favorite pick-me-up treat.

9. Cookies or Sweets?
Sweets, but trying to limit myself. I spent 18 months in Louisiana and my body did not appreciate the Southern cuisine - or appreciated it too much!

10. Do you knit socks?
Yes! I'm a recent convert to sock knitting and am looking forward to cooler weather to actually start wearing them! Update: am putting my socks on hold until I can focus more on sizing... the socks that I was so excited about have stretched more than I expected and are too loose. Very disappointing...

11. If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits)
I've knit tons of baby sweaters (no kids of my own) and have started knitting some shawls/stoles. I like rectangular or stole-like shawls better - I just don't know anyone who would wear a triangular shawl which takes away some of the appeal.

12. Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do?
I used to... and am planning to this year. As I mentioned before, I used to travel a lot for work which meant a lot of work to decorate (I REALLY like to decorate for Christmas) and never home to enjoy it. And I go to Florida to spend the holiday with my parents, so I always have my mother's tree to enjoy (I think it belongs in Better Homes & Gardens!).

13. Favorite holiday treats?
Peppermint Mochas

14. Favorite holiday smells?
Mulled cider, Christmas trees, gingerbread

15. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate.
Pretty traditional, although it's not that big a celebration anymore. I'm an only child and don't have a family of my own, so the celebration is with my mother, my step-father and my grandmother. As they age (I, of course, am still 29!), we tend to do less and less.

16. What are your favorite holiday traditions?
We celebrate Christmas (i.e. exchange gifts) on Christmas Eve. Instead of a big meal, we have lots of appetizers, and then later in the evening a bowl of homemade beef vegetable soup. And I love listening to holiday music.

17. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....”
Focusing on what matters... reflecting on the Christmas story and spending time with family and friends

18. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….?
A strand of white lights - they don't stand out, but make everything look better. I'm not an 'out -front' kind of person, but am reliable and love making sure others are able to do their best.

19. What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given?
One favorite gift that I've given was a plane ticket to a friend so she could see her sister who was undergoing chemo treatment. I love giving/receiving anything hand made.

20. When do you start your Christmas?
Hmmm... not sure how to answer this one. I usually travel to visit my family the Saturday before Christmas, but I think I'm ready for the Christmas season just after Thanksgiving.

21. Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them?
I LOVE Christmas cards and used to make them every year. I still think about making them every year, but it hasn't happened the last couple of years. I'd like to get back to making them again this year.

22. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
Although I love all things sweet, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the above mentioned soup! My family does have a traditional dessert called Gumdrop Cake. I hate to use the comparison, but it's like a fruitcake made with cut-up gumdrops in a spice cake (more like a bread than a cake). There are many friends who would be quite disappointed if they didn't get their annual Gumdrop cake!

23. Carolers are at your door. What do you do?
Join the singing!

24. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas Eve

25. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both?
Both!

Thanks to everyone participating in this swap - I'm looking forward to reading everyone's answers and can't wait to get my partner!!

Happy Knitting & Merry Christmas!
JavaNut