Birthday gifts from my downstream pal in the UK!

I had a lovely time this past round of Secret Pal! My pal live in the UK and was very very very patient with me! We got along very well and she decided to send me a birthday gift as well! She included some beautiful yarn ( from Colinette I believe), some great blue sock yarn, & some alpaca from Debbie Bliss. Last but not least is the great vintage book she also sent along.
I also recently received my newest Interweave knits magazine. On page 66 is a sweater titled the "Placed Cabled Aran". I just love it. I will have this sweater done by the end of September to wear in the office during the Fall/Winter. I've never knit with this yarn, and am anxious to knit the sweater exactly as it appears. The only modification I may make is if I can find organic yarn that is soft enough on my neck I'll choose that instead.
At the top of the first image is one of my wpi. It's a Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted yarn I'm using to make a vesty like thing. In my previous posts, around January - February '07 you'll see the inspiration for it. I've been working on it here and there.. not really adding much to it as it doesn't excite me anylonger. However, I am determined to see it through. Hopefully by the end of August I'll have the main piece worked and can pick up the stitches to work the back of it.