Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Desert Garden and *Giveaway*












If there was a "cutest packaging award" for the box contributors each month, I think Desert Garden would have to be in the top 1 or 2!
In February, Jennifer sent in several large roving samples tied with raffia. The colors were wonderfully earthy, yet cheery and they were very squeezable. She also sent in a myriad of hand sewn project and spindle bags as well as amazing little tins of her hand balm! Jennifer really does it all!
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to work with her creating a one of a kind gift set based on Frederick Leighton's "Flaming June" for the Phat Shop. We discovered we had a mutual love for the painting and Jennifer was inspired to create a beautifully squishy (squishalicious, actually) handspun as well as some gorgeous hand crafted walnut knitting needles.
For March, Jennifer has included a few "golden tickets" inside her samples- keep watch out for these as they are worth $10 and $30 respectively!!
Desert Garden is just chock full of wonderful handpainted yarns, squishy handspun, colorful and soft spinning fibers and smelly good soothing hand balms. Visit Desert Garden Shop and find something you like! Post about it here, and you'll be eligible to win a gorgeous fiber storage bag, lavender sachet and a full 4 oz tin of Jennifer's hand made "Farm Hands" balm! I will tell you now, it smells wonderful! Remember to leave a way for me to contact you, should you win and as always, I'll count you twice if you tweet, plurk, blog etc about our giveaway! We'll be doing a big drawing on Friday!

88 comments:

Jags said...

I'm in love with her colors!

She is so sweet, she even contacted me and is sending an unscented Teat Treat sample after finding out I was allergic to the lavender in the sample!

I think my favorite of all is "The Dyepot Burped" what a great name for a wild color!

Campbell or @FELTit or Designs by Anna said...

Oh My Aching Salve sounds like it might just be the ticket for my arthritic knees with a scent that won't turn my hubby off (he HATES the wintergreen scent of most muscle rubs).

Anna

www.annasplaceofholding.blogspot.com

Silverstah said...

The Dyepot Burped - how cute is that? I would LOVE to see how that spins up. :)

Hard to choose, though - Riot is also totally made of awesome. :)

silverstah at gmail dot com! :)

wenchlette said...

Teat Treat with Lavender and Palmarosa Salve and Ointment sounds so delectable. I often knit to the point of getting cracked hands and this sounds perfect!

Patience Ann said...

Ooooh, my hands are a MESS and a half from knitting & crocheting. I am intrigued. :D

http://twitter.com/millarca

Abby said...

I'm with Jags, the dyepot burped is my favorite!

The hippo is adorable as well. =)

Unknown said...

Oh wow. I so love the project bags. I cant choose just one. i have quite a few projects going on. And I would love to find a way to carry one in my backpack, though I dont know if my teachers would look fondly on me knitting and not studying. LOL
The Oh My Aching Salve looks uber yummy too.

Maria
maria at the dragon well dot com

mica said...

Wow, her yarn is beautiful. I might just have to get some for myself ... not that I need more yarn, but when has that ever stopped me before?

idyll hands said...

What a fabulous shop - I hope to get one of her samples one day:)

I love just about everything in there - especially the balm, my hands are always so dry. However, since I'm supposed to pick out a favorite, I'm going with DRYAD yarn: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21538350
What a fabulous scarf that would make!

KristenCHealy said...

If I had to pick just one, it would be the earthday batt...I'd love to try the 'oh my aching salve' as well.

mjm knitting said...

I think the labels on her salves and balms are adorable.

Thanks for the giveaway.

orangefaeriedust said...

I love the Wowie Zowie Tumbleweed Batts and the Dancing Queen Yarn. I've been resisting those batts for a few days now :) I love the way the colors reflect the earth/sky/water colors and blend together so easily, just as they do in nature.

And those little packages are so cute! I hope I get one of her samples this month!

orangefaeriedust on rav

Grace said...

her needles are gorgeous but then so is everything else, and like others the aching salve sounds like a god send

needles54@optonline.net

cindy said...

It's so hard to choose! I really like the Rustic yarn, although The Dyepot Burped" makes me smile.

Martha said...

I love the Earth Day fiber, but the Dryad yarn is a close second.

PenelopeRose said...

Boy, it's a hard choice to make, everything is beautiful! Since the The Dyepot Burped Merino Roving made me giggle and I love the colors I'm going to have to pick that one.

k8 said...

That Dryad hand-dyed yarn keeps trying to hop into my cart!! It is just lovely.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I sooo could have used the "FARM HANDS Hand Balm, Summer in a tin" this weekend.. With knitting constantly, always washing of my hands, and then yard work, my hands were begging for moisture of some type.

I also LOVE the "the dyepot burped", the colors are amazing. It makes me want to run out and learn to how to spin yarn, because I know that roving is going to make an amazing yarn.

Unknown said...

There are some amazing colors. I love Dancing Queen. Those are amazing color combos.

Anonymous said...

I think I am in love... with all of them.
Dyepot burping looks like it would be so much fun to spin up... and the blue faced roving and and... I love them all

Classic Mully said...

I have been drooling over Jennifer's stuff forever! I love that she's like me- a jack of all trades. Farm girls rock! (especially desert farm girls!)

Laurie~Let's Knit It said...

I love Hand Dyed Bulky Merino Cotton Yarn Loch Ness There are so many yummy fibers to choose from I think this one is my favorite.

mommyslittlesweetie@gmail.com

Andrea said...

Oh, her colors are to die for!!! ;]

ikkinlala said...

I love the DRYAD Hand Dyed Yarn Alpaca/Silk/Merino Worsted. It just makes me want to touch it.

carrym said...

Holy crap, I LURVE the WOWIE ZOWIE Tumble Weeds Fiber Batts!!! And I adore that she labels her fiber section "Squishalicious Fiber". :)

Unknown said...

I love that Sea Witch coilspun yarn!

Stacy said...

I love DRYAD Hand Dyed Yarn Alpaca/Silk/Merino Worsted. It is a really calming colorway.

Heather said...

I love the Boy Meets Girl colorway, especially in the mohair/wool bulky. It's so soft-looking.

hbrogan at gmail dot com

Cat said...

Me, me, please count me! I need some pampering! (twice sprained ankle and now a pulled back muscle!) Please check my blog: http://bonaircat.blogspot.com for a link to here!

Turtle said...

i love the dancing queen and the hippo! i have had this thing for bright blue and brown combos for about 2 years now. Off to blog a link to you!

monkeyspinner said...

I love dancing Queen amd the hand balms.

Hampton Artistic Yarns said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hampton Artistic Yarns said...

I like the Wowie Zowie batts!

http://www.hamptonartisticyarns.com

Mariposa Farm Alpacas said...

It's a tie between the stuffed hippo and the Sea Witch Coilspun Wool Yarn.

www.mariposafarm.blogspot.com

Mariposa Farm Alpacas said...

It's on my blog.

http://mariposafarm.blogspot.com/2009/03/phat-fiber-sample-box-desert-garden-and.html

Mara said...

Definitely the Dryad Alpaca/Silk/Merino blend!

LilChickadee said...

I can only pick one?! But there are so many that I like! If I had to narrow it down, though, then I'd pick either the "Boy Meets Girl" in the worsted weight, or the roving in the "Riot" colorway (makes me think of the Paramore CD...).

Julie Livermore said...

"Dancing Queen", now you have me singing!

Unknown said...

what a great colours!

this is my favourite:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21026504

cksknitter said...

I like the Rustic Hand Dyed Bulky Wool yarn. The oranges are beautiful!
Chrissy at knittodayAThotmailDOTcom

Unknown said...

I'd love to try one of the balms. I also love her yarns.

I'm tomknit AT gmail

Anonymous said...

Dancing Queen handspun is RIDICULOUS!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Tami
www.DesignsbyTami.com
www.DesignsbyTami.etsy.com

Elaine said...

I absolutely love the needles. So very pretty.

I can be contacted via my blog, and I'll post this giveaway there soon and let you know.

Thanks for the fun.

Elaine said...

The deed's been done - it's posted on my blog. Really love those needles!

Jessica said...

Oooh... I have Jags's sample that she couldn't use and I LOVE it.

I'm also loving the Peony BFL...

Somehow i think I'll be blogging about this one too...

rebelhousewife said...

Once again hard to choose what I would want, so many great items. I think I like the Paper Roses merino yarn best. The colors are great, and it looks so soft and squishy.

Ravid. Rebelhousewife

Unknown said...

Lots and lots of pretty things, but my favorite are the walnut knitting needles.



gmail: jerseyjessie

Cindy said...

I love the wheels, but Tropical Smoothie silk/merino roving is fabulous!

purple-power said...

I love the beautiful lavender and old lace.


Ravid: purple

Maven said...

Love love love the colors over at Desert Garden. If I had to pick one thing that just LEAPED out at me, it's the Geranium Hand Dyed Yarn Merino Worsted! Love the colors!

(itsmemaven AT aim DOT com)

Gina said...

I really like the lavender tumbleweed batt on the very first page! I looked at everything else and came back to this.

I am also intrigued by the DT hitch-hiker! I think I would have bought one of those had I known that they come double-treadle style!

Hallie said...

Absolutely gorgeous! So glad I was sent this way!

Now off to blog about it!

Unknown said...

I'd love to get a pair of the walnut needles. They look gorgeous.


bloglessinnj AT gmail Dot com

Jenna said...

That roving is gorgeous! I'm just beginning to spin, and I'd love some of that for my eventual crazy handspun scarf.

cthulhulovesme said...

I really like the Raggedy Do merino roving. That shade of red is just spectacular.

-cthulhulovesme on Rav

Anita said...

Love the BFL Peony roving!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20492891

Anita
yarndemon

kataish said...

Oh that salve looks awesome. I've bookmarked the shop to buy some if i'm not lucky enough to get one in my box! And the spindle bag!? ADORABLE!

I think my favourite yarn is the Dancing Queen handspun. GORGE!

primdollie said...

Oh now loving the salve but love her WOWIE ZOWIE TWO Tumbleweeds Fiber Batts they are wonderful!! nice shop!! Hugs Linda

Cindy said...

The PAPER ROSES Merino Wool DK weight hand dyed yarn, is gorgeous

Aunt Kathy said...

I loved the paper roses too, and I of course just had to sing the entire song too. Gotta love Marie Osmond, LOL.

I am going to go back and get some of that hand balm to give away in my next contest though, it looks awesome

Anonymous said...

Love the colors of DRYAD Hand Dyed Yarn Alpaca/Silk/Merino Worsted reminds me of the beach water and sand.

mzpookie10@centurytel.net

Who? Me? said...

There wasn't anything I didn't like! I'd really like one of the portable spinning wheels! Or the salve...or the yarn...anything really!

karijo.09 at gmail dot com

ZombieCat said...

I really like the raspberry margarita and dancing queen yarns. Her prices seem really good as well. I hope to get one of her samples in the box!

Logical Judgement said...

I tweeted about your giveaway! http://twitter.com/faeriebell

NoviceKnitter said...

I love the retro flower spindle bag, that pattern is so cute. Her rovings are very nice as well!

Tiana said...

Wow. Just wow. I want it all! At least all of the yarn! Her mohair blends are all so cute and curly! I haven't started spinning yet, but boy when I do...I was totally ogling her spinning wheels too...If I had to pick only one goody though, it would be her mohair blend in Playful....

Beautiful!

tianac2 @ gmail . com

Lacemoth said...

I'll bet the FARM HANDS Hand Balm is great stuff. I'll bet the TEAT TREAT is, too....

edina said...

Love the Dryad alpaca/silk/merino worsted and the walnut knitting needles!

knitmomma said...

The batts look so lovely and squishy! I love that her daughter made the Passionate Twist batts, but I think my favorite is Tumbleweeds Fiber Batts - the colors and fibers are just wonderful!

Kanjun said...

Wow, her batts are so beautiful! I love Wowie Zowie. If I had the money, though, I would definitely get one of those portable Merlin Tree spinning wheels...

Little Miss S. said...

Wauw, beautiful colours. I'm in love with the Hand Finished Walnut Knitting Needles - wouldn't they be fitting to knit up some uf the Dancing Queen Handspun??? I think so...

Susan said...

Love the Desert Garden etsy shop. My favorite item would have to be the "Hand Dyed Bulky Merino Cotton Yarn Loch Ness".

Taleah said...

I'm naughtyknots on Ravelry.

I like desert garden's http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21227722 Lavender and Old Lace. It looks like a lovely dessert, and I bet it'll look great in a scarf!

Kathy said...

The GERANIUM Hand Dyed Yarn Merino Worsted caught my eye - the colors are beautiful. She says there is only one skein available - but I would try to get more or at least something else in those same colors.

George the Girl said...

I'll covet the spinning wheels, but would love to buy the needles...and the raspberry margarita yarn...hehe
georgethegirl on rav

roguezot said...

I just stumbled onto this blog and started salivating over the different samples and fibers. I love the "Boy Meets Girl" bulky yarn and the "Lavender and Old Lace" bulky wool, but my favorite would have to be the hand-finished needles.
roguezot@gmail.com :D

mamakin said...

I love lavender balm. Not only is it good for the hands but I've learned that it helps relieve my headache symptoms before they get to be migraines. So I'm happy to find a source for the balm. Desert Garden has a beautiful shop and I like the diversity. My favorite by far is the Alpaca Merino Handspun Yarn in Dove Grey. It has such a lovely sheen to it and you can see how soft and delicious it must be. Thanks guys for another great giveaway.

GHouk said...

The sea witch coilspun looks so cool!

Teresa said...

Saw several rovings in the shop I wouldn't mind having. But I really hope I get a March box and get a sample of her Farm Hands cuz I love a good hand cream.

Susan said...

So much beautiful stuff!

I'd love to spin up PASSIONATE TWIST Tumble Weeds Fiber Batts 2.1 ounces. So pretty!

navars2 on rav

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

I love SUMMERTIME Hand Dyed Yarn Bulky Wool.Hugs Darcy
rav id knottyknitter40

alittleweirdo said...

The bulky merino cotton in Loch Ness is a great color combination! The sea witch coilspun yarn also looks like fun :)

Anonymous said...

Loving the summer breeze bat, and I am so glad to see her carrying the Merlin Tree wheels. I worship my Hitchiker!!!

Unknown said...

i love the passionate twists tumble weeds fiber batts yummmy vbarton24 at gmail dot com

Sharon Rose said...

I don't usually go for pastels, but that Summer Breeze batt is divine! The hand salve looks delish, too. Thanks!

Cindy-Lou said...

Just moved to a dry, dry, dry, dry part of Texas. My poor hands are having trouble handling wool in this winter air. The TeatTreat sounds great!

5elementknitr said...

Their Dancing Queen yarn, their hand balms and their great variety!

Erin said...

The hippo is so cute!