i bought a couple of new pattens this week.  i'm sorta in love with the idea of PDF patterns--it's such instant gratification!  First i picked up Leda's Dream from Melanie at Pink Lemon Twist.  you might remember some previous posts on the Mystery Stole along (Melanie designed that pattern, too).  well, i frogged it, even after i had started it over.  the stole is predominatly stockinette stitch, and i just wasn't loving it.  i may grab up some of the new Gloss yarn from knitpicks to make it at a later date, but right now, i just wanted something really lacey to use the Merino Lace yarn on.  and i think that Leda's Dream fills that bill.
i am totally singing the praises of Bonne Marie over at Chicknits.  i had some problems with the ordering system she has, and she was so freaking helpful.  i love love love her.  she was totally the best and helped me get two patterns that i've been drooling over.  Cece caught my eye right away.  i think that i have finally found the pattern that the infamous Lily yarn has been waiting for--turns out that i wouldn't have had enough to make the v-neck cardi i wrote up...guess that's another thing to add to a future Knitpicks order!  i also got a copy of the Ribby Cardi.  i've been lusting after this one almost as long as i've been knitting.  i've read about it on Lori's blog, and heard nothing but good things about it on the various boards i frequent.  so woot!
i'm participating in the Mysterious and Lacey Swap and i've gotten my package all together to send to my pal.  here's what i'm sending--just wanted some feedback on it.  i always get swap anxiety.  it's just a little scary, and i don't want to dissapoint!

now, a question:  what do you, the comment-leavers (and you lurkers too!  come outta hiding and answer, why don'tcha??) think the best way for me to respond to your comments?  emails?  semaphore?? 

and now, a shout out (tee hee) to Dani.  she helped me suss out the banner problem i was having, and i think she's the bee's knees!