~~~ Important update ~~~ Happy New Year to you all! Challenges 2011

        HAPPY NEW  YEAR TO EVERYONE VISITING SIBOL!

I'M VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW CHALLENGES FOR 2011

PLEASE CLICK ON SIBOL CHALLENGES TO THE RIGHT OF THIS POST.

and.........read Manda's Challenges post!

Good Morning Ladies and fellow Sibolettes :)
We have exciting news for you regarding the Circle of friends Square by Priscilla Hewitt :)
It is true that a few of us have been working out a way to achieve the 6" version which i'm pleased to annouce was successful :)
However we have to respect the original designer's wishes of copyright laws and notifying her of any minor alteration's and not doing any photo tutorials without her prior consent, so this in mind i sent her an email expressing our wishes:

Dear Priscilla, i belong to a group of ladies that crochet for a charity called sunshine international blankets of love based in the UK, and we would very much like to do a blanket featuring this particular square, the idea is that 25 seperate ladies each contribute a square made from this gorgeous pattern,

the only snag is : the pattern is designed as being an 8" square and we as a group crochet 6" squares, with your kind permission i would like to alter the pattern slightly so that we can achieve the 6" purposely for this project and if possible do a photo tutorial to accompany the minor changes, i do appriciate the effort that you made to publish this gorgeous square and would naturally like to ask that if you wish to alter it for us we'd be equally delighted.

Here is the link to the site/blog where we have mentioned the possibility of incorperating your square http://sunshineinternationalblanketsoflove.blogspot.com/

my username there is manda's challeges and the lovely lady that put's all these blankets together is Sue we look forward to hearing from you

kind regards Amanda xxx

I also conferred with Sue at every stage to keep her in the loop:)
And so we are extremely pleased to announce that the lovely Priscilla responded very quickly with this reply:

Hi Amanda,

Thank you! I'm flattered that you'd like to use my square for your most worthy charity.
My 6" version of this square is this Antique Pearls square: http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Afghan%20Squares/Antique%20Pearls%20Square.pdf When worked in one color instead of two, it looks like a smaller version of the Circle of Friends square. Give it a try and if it's not what you're looking for please let me know and I'll rework te 8" square for you.
Happy crocheting!


Priscilla


Priscilla's Crochet

As you can see from her beautiful response that she is over the moon that we'd like to use her square and has kindly linked an alternative which Jenny picked up on .
Antique pearls
You may also have noted from her response that if we would like to keep to the original she would be willing to draw up a new pattern for us!!
How extremely generous we are flattered too Priscilla xxx
So now we have a decision to make ladies as a group  :) do take a look at the proposed 6" pattern and share your thoughts, it is strikingly similar, i hav'nt worked it up yet but will do as soon as time allows :)

Many thank's Amanda xxx

Ta - Dah! Ta - Dah! Ta - Dah!

Hello Everyone!

We are still having holidays here in the UK.  OOh, it will be nice to get back into our usual routines!  I've been so busy today trying to do a mamouth tidy up after Christmas and it's so difficult with everyone still at home.  I've tried to come on here but it has been difficult.

 I know Brenda and Amanda have been working on the Friendship Square and I would like to say a big thank you! Also too to Steph and Jenny for their thoughts.  If you'd like to pop to 'Sibol-The Archive' they have some ideas too.

Yes I know the Circle of Friends Square is 8" on the pattern, but Karin assures me that it is possible to get it to 6".  Just trying different hooks and yarn I'm sure it is possible. Do you remember Karins beautiful Square a while back.

 What I don't want though is you having to go out and buy special yarn to make this Square so that it gets down to size.

Can we just hold on please and let's see what Amanda comes up with., She has been working on the Square this afternoon. I will keep you posted.

My Challenges will be announced 1st January.

I haven't had much chance to come on the computer over the holidays but I have been crocheting. I know I was going to take a break, BUT I just can't! Do you want to see the latest Blankets?  Thanks to everyone that has sent me Squares for these. They are just so pretty!

So I have three Ta - Dah's for you! Here goes....

Ta - Dah! SIBOL No. 46




SIBOL No. 47




SIBOL No. 48




I hope you like them and here's my Slide Show!

Hello on Tuesday

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all having a nice holiday. I'm just popping in to say I have deleted the posts on making a 'Circle of Friends' Blanket for the Elderly.  I didn't realise that this Square is coming in at 8" which is too big for our SIBOL Blankets.

We are currently trying to make the same Square smaller, so if we are successful we will announce it again. We was going to ask that everyone sends just one Square using this pattern.  I think I got rather excited on Christmas Eve when Marilyn 'roomontheleft' suggested we make a Blanket 'as you do!' But I didn't realise at the time that it was that big. But I suppose it all depends too on what yarn you use.

Would you mind if we 'hold fire' on this one? I'll let you know soon thank you.

Sorry this is short.....
Bye for now.

Christmas Eve Squares from America!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I'm very pleased to be popping in on Christmas Eve to show you these pretty Squares that have just flown in from America.  Terri thank you so much.  Your Squares are just lovely.  I love the colours so much on these. The colour combinations Terri  are just wonderful!

I'm really pleased these Squares have arrived today just in time for Christmas you might say because Terri has been rather worried about their arrival. Well I'm very pleased to say they are here with me now at 'Two Times'.  I'm sure they will look beautiful too when they are in our SIBOL Blankets.

Take a look at these......




and here's your Slide Show Terri thank you so much.

Well I'm meeting the rest of my family at my Mothers house now, for Christmas Eve dinner, so Happy Christmas everyone, enjoy yourselves if you are popping in today!

Happy Christmas! Jan Eaton Blanket (1) and Squares from the Netherlands!

          'Happy Christmas to everyone that is visiting SIBOL today!

Whether you be one of our ' Followers', one of our 'team bloggers', one of our 'SIBOLETTES'.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful support.  

Back in January I asked you if you wanted to help me make Blankets for the Elderly in Memory of my Grandmother.

I'm so pleased because our project has been successful. We between us have now made 44 'Sunshine Blankets' which have been delivered to Nursing Homes as far as Cheshire and in the West Midlands where I live. 

To actually 'finish the journey' for a year has been very rewarding.  All our 'Sunshine Blankets' have been 'very well' received by the Staff and the Residents in Nursing Homes.  To actually meet some of the Residents while our Blankets have been presented to them has just put wonderful.  I personally know that they love them and they appreciate them. 

Thank you to everyone that has sent me a 6" Square whether it be Knitted or Crocheted. Your help has been very much appreciated. 

Thank you to everyone also that has sent me donations of ribbons, yarns and stationery once again your help has been appreciated. 

Many thanks.

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UPDATE TUESDAY!


I have a Ta - Dah today for you!
Yes the first Jan Eaton Blanket.
I'm really happy how it's turned out ALTHOUGH
it has come out bigger than usual, so I haven't really put much of a border on.

The reason for this is because the Squares have come in at all different sizes, it has been quite difficult to do really. There has been a lot of filling in to get the Squares the same size, this is the reason why it has taken me longer than usual.  I have done the very best I can, I hope you like it.

Next time when we do the second set of Jan Eaton Squares, PLEASE do your best to get the Squares 6" (15cms x 15cms). This applies to any Square sent to SIBOL. When the Squares are all such different sizes it takes me so much longer, and then I tend to get bored with it. (If you know what I mean!).

It doesn't matter if it's just half an inch either smaller or larger I can work with that without too much trouble, it's when the Squares tend to be much larger it causes me a problem.  I know it's difficult to get the Squares exact, if anyone can give us advice in the comments I'd very much appreciate it.  Of course we are all using different yarn which probably causes the problem.

I'll always do my very best but it would help if any Square sent to SIBOL is 'roughly' 6" x 6" (15cms x 15cms).

Anyway, here is my Slide Show for the first Jan Eaton Blanket, and I will definitely be putting up the Block List on January 1st with our new Challenges!

Thanks so much to everyone that has sent me Squares particularly for this Challenge, it has been great fun receiving them! I do hope you like the Blanket.

The last Ta - Dah before Christmas! Thanks to everyone 'for everything'.


Wednesday

Just popping in to say thank you to Isolde (Netherlands) who very kindly sent me these Squares today and her beautiful little gift.  A La Zouzita! What a  sweet idea! I love it thank you.

I love your Squares Isolde, and thanks so much for your continued support with SIBOL. Thank you!

Delivery day again! Thursday's visit to 'The Prince of Wales' Nursing Home

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last visit to St. Bernards. I am so pleased you enjoyed reading the post.  Zoe at Longmore Nursing Home has left a comment underneath my write up so I hope you will go back and have a read.

On Thursday I decided to deliver the last of our SIBOL Blankets to the Prince of Wales Nursing Home in Shirley.  So Thursday morning I got the Blankets ready.

I love putting the Blankets out ready for you to see they look so pretty

                                                   and the cards with your names printed on.......

                                                             Gorgeous coloured Squares

                                                                   Each one so different

                                                                 Once again a pretty pile..........

                                                    Don't you just love to see them like this?

                                                All piled up ready to go with Butterflies hanging!

                               I set off on a very wet day to The Prince of Wales Nursing Home in Shirley

where I met the Nursing Sister who very kindly had a word with me about our Crocheting and Knitting Group. I explained once again why I wanted to do the Project in Memory of my Grandmother, and how all of you kind Ladies have helped me by sending me 6" Squares.  I told her how all these Squares travel from all over the World and how very kind you have all been.

It was time to hand the last lot of  the Blankets out.  

I spoke about our Challenges and showed the Blankets and was assured that the Blankets would go to Residents who needed them.  I'm sending my thanks to The Prince of Wales Nursing Home for accepting our Blankets and for the 'cup of tea!'.  Also for allowing me these photographs.

This was the last lot of Blankets to be given out. I've had a busy few weeks, but I'm so pleased

I finished my visits last week because today we have had bad snow. 

I want to thank each and everyone of you who have made and contributed Squares for my project. I initially wanted to make 6 I am just finishing of my 45th. 

Without you I wouldn't be able to make the Blankets. You have all been so kind and generous and I really hope all of our Blankets will be loved as much as we love our 'Crocheting' and it's so nice for me to be able to do the final part of the 'journey' so to speak, actually donating these Blankets to Nursing Homes for the Elderly.

Thank You 'The Prince of Wales Nursing Home'

Thank You Everyone!

Have a good evening everyone!

Delivery day - 'St. Bernards Residential Care Home'

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments about my visit to Longmore Nursing Home,  (please see earlier post) they were very much appreciated!  I'm so pleased you read about my visit, it was so nice to be able to share it with you. The Blankets were really very well received by Zoe and the Staff and I was most grateful to them for allowing me some photographs to share with you. 

Thank you also to Zoe who telephoned me the other morning and said how much she liked the SIBOL web-site. So that really made my morning too! I'm very pleased also today because she has very kindly left a message in the comments for us. So please go back a post and have a read.


                                                                -------------------------

On Wednesday I telephoned another Home to ask whether they would like a donation of 9 of our 'Sunshine Blankets.  I  rang St. Bernards Residential Care Home in Olton. 

Earlier that morning I sorted out which Blankets to take with me.

I love seeing the Blankets sitting pretty with their ribbons tied on!

Then in lovely piles .................

Beautiful edgings and pretty Butterflies.......

Ready to go now......

I set off to St. Bernards Residential Care Home which is only a very short way from my home.

A beautiful house set back from the road, where I met Ann and the Staff.

On arriving  I sat down and had a chat with Ann. I  explained why I started the project, in Memory of my Grandmother.  I told her how Ladies from all over the World have become really interested in my project, and how absolutely amazed I have been with the kindness and generousity from you all.  I showed her my SIBOL leaflet which I have been handing out on arrival (which I will show you soon) and she thought the Blankets were lovely.

I went out to the car and took the Blankets back into the Home, Ann and the Staff gathered around. They took such a lot of interest in our Blankets.  I showed them different Squares and they absolutely loved them. I explained about our themes and it was so lovely to be able to show our Blankets to them. Ann and her Staff were  amazed!

Then I was shown into the Conservatory where the Christmas tree was standing, this is where I met some of their  Residents.  The Residents took such a lot of interest in our Blankets too and just couldn't get over the beauty of them. Once again I explained that the Squares are sent to me from all over the World.

This is where I met Alice.  Alice is a lovely Lady and she very kindly agreed to having her photo taken with me. Ann sat down by the side of her and presented her with one of our Blankets. 

It was so nice to speak to the Residents and on my way out I asked Ann if she would have one more photo!

I think this is a really lovely photo of Ann.  I had a word with her before I left about who she was going to give the Blankets out to. She will give them out to the Residents who need them the most,  I will leave that for Ann to decide, perhaps once again Residents who do not have any visitors!  

I can't tell you how much the Home welcomed our Blankets, they thought they were lovely and it gives me such a thrill on leaving  to know that we have all done a good job and most importantly that I know where our Blankets have found their new homes and of course the people who will hopefully love them as much as we do!

I'm so thankful to Ann and Alice who allowed me these photographs. As I explained to Ann  I feel an obligation to you all. It gives me such  a lot of pleasure to share them with you and hopefully the Home will be checking in too!

From the Home 'Thank You!'

From myself 'Thank You!' 

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I don't know whether you have noticed but in the side bar there  is a link to Luna's blog.  Luna has very kindly said in one of her comments that if you want to go over to her blog there is a 'free download in Spanish' of the Jan Eaton 200 Block book.  How kind is that?  So for you that need the book in Spanish, please do pop over and say hello to Luna.  Once again this is our SIBOLETTES helping each other!  Very kind of you Luna thank you so...much!

Once again I'm afraid I haven't finished the Jan Eaton Blanket, you will have to bear with me.  You know I have been having a busy time delivering the Blankets.  It's not just the delivering of the Blankets, it's the writing up too, so you can all see what I've been up to!

---------------------------

Please don't forget either helping the Children in America that are suffering with Cancer, Beverley and also Brenda have mentioned this worthwhile cause. If you go to SIBOLETTES CHALLENGES in the side bar. Under Beverleys name, you will find details there. Thank you! They require 6" Squares. Would you be interested? I hope so.

 Bye for now!                                                        



Delivery day - 'Longmore Nursing Home' / Wednesday's Update Squares from Belgium!

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for visiting SIBOL today.  I have wonderful news for you all. 

Yesterday I rang Longmore Nursing Home near to where I live and I asked Zoe - The Manager if she would like a donation of 9 of our Sunshine Blankets.  Zoe  told me that she was short of Blankets and would be happy to receive them.  I arranged to call in at 2.30pm,  I had to drop my  Daughter back at work first.

I am really pleased she came home for lunch because I asked if she would take a photo of me 'just for the record!' I had been busy all morning getting the Blankets ready to take with me.

                                             9 of our beautiful Blankets all ready to go!

Here I am!

I went along to see Zoe and was invited into her office.  I told her why I wanted to start the project  because of my Grandmother and I also told her about YOU!

I  had a lovely chat with her, and she was most interested in hearing about the Squares. She couldn't believe that they came from all over the World as far as Australia and New Zealand to America, Canada and Puerto Rico! 

I made a point of telling her how each and everyone of you have taken my project on board and how much you have been enjoying it. I told her all about our Challenges and how very talented you all were! I couldn't have made so.... many Blankets if I hadn't of had the support from you all.  After we chatted I went outside to bring the box of Blankets in.

 I took the box of Blankets into the Reception of the Home and Zoe and all the other Staff just loved the Blankets. They thought they were absolutely gorgeous!  Once again I explained about our Challenges and showed her for example 'The Seaside Challenge - Beach Picnic' which they absolutely loved  and I also  showed her the Blankets by Posy Linda 'Butterfly and the Blanket called 'Damaris'.  If you remember these Ladies sent me enough Squares to make a whole Blanket!  The Staff thought they were really nice.

I had asked Zoe earlier if I could possibly have a few photos of her accepting the Blankets. I explained this was very important to me because I felt a certain obligation to you all for helping me with the project.  I wanted you to see where the Blankets had found their new home.  She couldn't have been more happier, so we walked through to the Conservatory part of the Home, to where the Christmas tree was standing!  On the way I said hello to some of the Residents and Zoe handed a few of the Blankets out to Ladies who needed them.  This really made my day as you can imagine because it was so nice to see who actually received them! It was nice to chat to the Residents because this made it all seem so worthwhile!

Here's a photo of Zoe and myself standing by the Christmas Tree!

Just at the other side of the Christmas tree was one of the Male Residents.  It was so nice to 'personally' hand him one of our Blankets.  I met his Wife too, and I actually read one of our SIBOL Gift cards to him.  I can't tell you how very interested the Gentleman was and also his Wife when I started reading your names out to them!  It also turned out that many years ago the Gentleman had actually had a workshop for his tools in my road, so we had a lot to talk about!  I have to send their thanks on to you Ladies, they were so...grateful to you all!  His Wife mentioned about having his Name Label put on, so this is probably something else we can do in the future!

I went over to the other side of the room afterwards and Zoe had handed out 'The Irish Sunshine Blanket' to a Lady sitting in her chair.  So I went over and said hello to her.  Zoe had explained about how everyone had made the Blanket but I went over it again.  We had a lovely conversation about Knitting and Crocheting.  You know when the Residents heard about which Countries had taken part they were so amazed! To think that these Squares had travelled all these miles! They simply couldn't get over it.  I said to them that I hope the Blankets bring a lot of warmth and enjoyment to them, and a smile to their faces knowing that each and everyone of you had done your own little part in bringing some comfort to the Elderly.

Quite importantly........The Residents asked me to thank you!  Quite a few said please thank everyone concerned.  So from them to me.   'THANK YOU!'

I had a  cup of tea and spoke to the Residents for a bit longer and then it was time to leave.  Before I left I asked Zoe and the Staff if they wouldn't mind having their photo taken. 

It's turned out to be a smashing photo and I'm sure you would all like to meet the Staff  who made my visit so nice. 

I know Zoe and her Staff will be reading the SIBOL site so once again thank you all for making my afternoon so special! I am so pleased you liked the Blankets, it's been an absolute pleasure to make them for you and I really hope the Residents get a lot of enjoyment from them.

Thank you very much for showing me around and for the hospitality!

From all of us at SIBOL,

Have a lovely Christmas!

You are all doing such a remarkable job yourselves for our Elderly folk and it was a pleasure to meet you all!

UPDATE WEDNESDAY

I'm very pleased to be showing you some Squares that came in from Belgium this morning. ATheeC (Tinka) and her Daughter 'Anneline' very kindly sent me these pretty Squares for our SIBOL project. 

Tinka has picked up her Crocheting after many years after reading about SIBOL, and it's so nice that she has also taught her Daughter Annelinde too!  Isn't that nice when Mother and Daughter share an interest together!

It's nice too that Annelinde has had a go at making one of the little Christmas trees. You will see it in the Slide Show I have made for them both.

Sit back Tinka and Annelinde and enjoy looking at your Squares and thank you so much!

I am still assembling Squares for the Jan Eaton Blanket.  There's a lot of work involved in this one, so I hope it's not too long before it's finished.  I will be putting another Block List up in the Side Bar as soon as it is finished I know you are longing to go on to the next set 26 to 50.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments on my visit to 'Longmore Nursing Home' I will do one of my special posts acknowledging you all, thank you!

finally ...

Look:


They finally have made their way to Mrs. Twins! The four squares I made some time ago. They have been waiting patiently for several weeks until they could fly to the United Kingdom and Sue's place.


Hey, look:


Who's tail is that? Sneaking into the package? What or who is joining the squares on their journey to a SIBOL-blanket?



Oh, it is la Zouzita with the red tail. And she is meant for Sue! Maybe to watch her join squares. Or to accompany her on her mission giving out blankets.
She might bring some magic with her ... Our youngest daughter believes her la Zouzita can help het sleep. Wonder what this little la Zouzita can do for our Sue !

Anyway, squares on their way to you Sue!!