WIP Wednesday, Mystery Stole Edition

So, Norberta #1 hasn't made any actual progress since I posted the pics this weekend, but I did finish up Clue #3 on the Mystery Stole. Here's how it looks as of now: Yes, that's right - for you, my dear readers, I even broke out the blocking wires. (OK, and I really, really wanted to see what it looks like so far.) It's a GORGEOUS pattern - I can't wait to see how it continues to progress. There are all sorts of theories about the theme bouncing around out there, but I have no idea what it is. That and Norberta are about the only things I am working on right now, so that is it for the WIP portion of this post. Now, we move on to some overdue thank you pics. WAAAAAAAY back when, morgsarah and I struck up an agreement to do a fiber festival swap. I picked up some things for her at Maryland Sheep and Wool, and she picked up some stuff for me at... erm... Taos? Damn, now I don't remember which festival it was. These are the gorgeous goodies she sent me: In the front is some hand-dyed Wensleydale roving dyed by a friend of hers, behind that is some merino-tussah and some Navajo churro, and in the back is a Corriedale-alpaca blend. All so, so beautiful! I also got a lovely, thoughtful gift from Bezzie recently, tucked in a box of hats. (And yes, I swear I will update the Hats for Alex blog soon. Hopefully tomorrow.) It's a Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign, and it has some very personal significance that I'm not getting into here. Just let it be said that I cried when I saw it, I've worn it every day since, and I am unbelievably touched by her sweet gift. Not to mention the 19 (!) hats she sent. I won a blog contest over at AKKnitter's blog, and check out my prize: 8oz. of beautiful alpaca, and a grow-your-own pet. :) Finally, my lovely, lovely Knittyboard SP9 pal "Marie Dent" (who also goes by "Mostly Harmless") sent me my first package last week: We have a Wizard of Oz mini activity book, Koigu's "Take Along Socks" pattern book with three hanks of gorgeous Koigu in front to make a pair of socks from the book, Pez and a cute-as-a-button lamb Pez dispenser, and a Hemp for Knitting kit. The pattern is called Kathy's Fingerless Gloves, and the yarn (one ball is next to the kit) is Cashmere Canapa in that awesome green. It's a cashmere/hemp blend and is just so soft. I can't wait to work with it! Thank you, my dear Marie! You clearly know me really, really well. And I have NO CLUE who you are. I also picked up some yarn recently for a new crochet project, but I think we've had enough pictures for today, so that can wait for tomorrow. :)