Squares from the UK and Challenges.

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Thank you so much for visiting the SIBOL web-site.

I would like to thank you all very much for the comments over on Flickr and on here regarding the last Blanket for the Elderly. The Tropical Blanket was definitely an eye-catcher. The Squares were beautiful and I would like to thank you all. I still have another Tropical theme to make up, so if you haven't seen your Square just bear with me.

When I visit the Nursing Homes these Picture Square Blankets definitely go down a storm with them. The Squares are so...interesting and they are definitely talking points with them. It's really surprising how our Blankets are making a difference.  As I said a few weeks ago when I delivered 'Young At Heart' Alice one of the Ladies in the home who received the Blanket was particularly interested in it, it brought back so many memories of her Childhood. I do really want to make some more of the Picture Blankets and I really would welcome your ideas for future Blankets. Of course if you would like to give me other ideas too for the ordinary Blankets these would be helpful also.

Today was the last day for quite a few of our Challenges. If your Squares are in the post I will do my best to fit them in. I am going to concentrate now on getting these made up and then I will announce new Challenges. But of course if you still want to send me Squares 'please do!'. 

The Squares I receive are just wonderful whether it be a Picture Square or a Patterned Square. I am so grateful to everyone and I shall continue to work hard assembling them for the Elderly. It's September now and I propose to hand-deliver 'Sunshine Blankets' late October/early November. I was rushed off my feet last year delivering them and it was just before Christmas too. So I'm hoping to get them out earlier this year.

Today I have received beautiful Squares from Mummy Cat (UK).  I am very grateful to you for sending the Squares, thank you.

Mummy Cat made a Square for the 'Watermelon' Challenge and it's so nice to see what everyone's ideas are with these Challenges. I love the Square, the pattern is very nice indeed.

A 'Two Tone' Blue Square which is unfortunately late now for our Challenge. I have already 25 Squares for one Blanket so I'm going to keep this one if I may for future Blankets.

Here's your Slide Show Mummy Cat thank you!








Created with flickr slideshow.

'SIBOL' concentrates all year throughout on making 'Sunshine Blankets' for the Elderly. We have now made 85 Sunshine Blankets, totalling 2,125 Squares now assembled. Plus a 'Royal Wedding Blanket' comprising of 56 assembled Squares, which raised money on EBAY for Prince William and Kate Middleton's Charity Gift Fund. A fantastic amount of £112.00.

It is nice to work for the Elderly in Nursing Homes but we do like to help others too  by making special Blankets. Our 'Olympic Blanket' is going to be another special one.

I am proposing to make a large Blanket to celebrate the Olympic Games. It will be auctioned on EBAY once again and I am hoping it will be bigger and better. All proceeds will be given to the Alzheimers Society in the UK which I think ties in really nicely with the Elderly, don't you?

 For this I need your help please. I am inviting you to make 6" Crocheted or Knitted Squares with the Olympic Games in mind. So you could make a Flag of the Country where you live or another Country if you like. You could create a Square with the Olympic Rings, Olympic Flame, an Event picture such as someone running, or swimming. Please use your imagination and pick up your Knitting Needles and Crocheting Hooks. I know we can make this Blanket a success, and we can have fun while doing so.

Would you like to see some of the fantastic Squares I have received already?
Here they are.

Aren't they wonderful?  Are they inspiring you to have a go?
All details are over on our SIBOL Challenge web site.
Please join us and spread the word around on your own blogs.

Thanks so much Mummy Cat, thanks everyone for visiting SIBOL today!

x Sue x

Let's head to that Tropical Island for SIBOL 85! Up;-date Squares (UK) today!

Hi Everyone!

Wow! That's all I can say! Thank you so much to everyone that has contributed Squares for the Tropical Challenge. I have finished the first of this theme. I will start the second Blanket later on. The Squares that you sent in for this Challenge have been absolutely gorgeous 'as usual'.  It always amazes me what you come up with for our Picture Challenges! 

crochet3love actually suggested this Challenge. She was the first one to send a Square which is the centre Square of the Paradise Bird. It's truly beautiful and soon after other Ladies started sending in their Squares too! We've had everything included and it's been an absolute delight to make this Blanket up.  One Elderly person is just going to be absolutely over the moon with this Blanket. Well don't we say that about all of them!

I am so proud to have you all in my Group. I have said many times before that we work so hard for our Elderly folk making these beautiful Blankets but don't you think we have fun too as a Group sharing ideas, and Squares. These Challenges give us such new ideas and it's always a pleasure to see what you come up with.

Quite a few of our Challenges are ending at the end of August. I am going to work flat out so I can then put some new Challenges up. I hope you understand that I would like to try and finish these ones first. There are a couple remaining over on SIBOL CHALLENGES.  I do hope too that Ladies will have a go at the special
Knit Today Blanket we are making and I am also going to put up a Let's Get Crafting Square too later on in the week so there will be something to go on with.

Don't forget we must work hard for our special Olympic Blanket too. I really want this to be successful. I am trying to raise money for the Alzhemiers Society here in the UK with this Challenge. Hoping to auction on EBAY around the time of the Olympics in London. We have quite a lot of time, but I need  you to use your imagination with this Challenge too Ladies! If you'd be so kind.

Why not make a Flag of your own Country or someone elses! I honestly don't mind how many Flags I receive. I want this Blanket to be bright and cheerful, with lots of variety. Why not Crochet or Knit an Olympic Flame or the Olympic Rings?  There are some ideas over on our Challenge blog. Pop over and take a look.  I do  hope the translator is working.

I'm going to leave you now with a Slide Show of our first Tropical Blanket. I would like you think of a name too please, if you would!

Thanks so much to everyone that has taken part, It has been an absolute delight.

UP-DATE Lunchtime Squares!

I'm very pleased to be showing you some Squares which have come in at lunchtime.
They are from baw1812 over on RAV.
She has made two 'Two Tone Blues' for our Challenge.
Also Squares which are made in beautiful Pastel Colours.  Two 'traditional Granny Squares' and one 'Textured Stripes' Jan Eaton No. 193 which is gorgeous.
There is also a pretty Pink Square a traditonal Granny with a cute Butterfly which I love!!!!



Thanks so much baw1812! Here's your Slide Show!


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It's always lovely to receive your emails, and I am so pleased new Ladies are going to join our group. Thank you for visiing SIBOL today!

x Sue x

Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL 84!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

My thoughts today are with my friends in the States, I am keeping my eye on the TV watching the awlful weather, and I'm hoping that you are not affected. We have rain here now, but it's nothing like what is expected over there. We are very lucky here in the UK. As I say my thoughts are with you all.

I am very happy this afternoon to be showing you our SIBOL No. 84! I am most grateful to 'Jean Nock' who very kindly assembled this Blanket for me. The Squares are so pretty, thank you to everyone that has sent me Squares for this Blanket.

I'm sure you will agree the Blanket has come together beautifully once again. 

If you'd like to click on the Photo you will go over to Flickr where you can 'add note' to your Square.

I can't believe that this is our 84th  ' Sunshine Blanket'. I am always most grateful for the Squares I receive and I get so many lovely emails from Ladies all over the World telling me how much they enjoy making Squares for our SIBOL project.  So yes, we are working so hard for the Elderly in Nursing homes, but we are having fun as a group too. 

I would like our SIBOLETTES to pop over to Ravelry, and have a read of the latest discusson board topic. Thank you.

Just to say also on Saturday I went into the House of Fraser where I met Erica from Rowan. It was lovely to sit with her and discuss Crocheting. I took along a simple Granny Square with me and I wanted advice on how I held my hook. She gave me some great advice and I came away with some beautiful yarn  and a superb Crocheting Book which I'm going to have a go with.

The yarn I bought was Rowan 'purelife' which is 93% recycled wool 7% polyamide. Colours were 'Camper' and 'Garage'. The book 'Purelife home'  has some great patterns inside including rugs, throws, cushions, table mats and pouffle cushions.  It's nice to know that by using these yarns we are helping the Britsh hill farmers. If you'd like to visit the Rowan website follow the link.

Of course I gave Erica  one of our SIBOL business cards so she could have a look at our SIBOL web-site and I also took my small photo album in to show her which includes over 80 'Sunshine Blankets'.  She absolutely loved our Blankets Ladies and she said it was always nice to know what Ladies are getting up to with their Crocheting and Knitting.  So Erica from Rowan, 'Hi!' and thanks for yesterday!

Well I think that's about all. Have a great Bank Holiday everyone and thanks again so much for the gorgeous Squares I receive.

x Sue x

Challenge Squares arrive from the UK!

Good Evening Everyone!

It's a miserable day here in the UK, bit chilly and it's been raining.  We are having the last of our Bank Holidays on Monday, so it's a nice long weekend for those in the UK.

I'm very happy to be showing you the Squares that have come in from  Rags4bags here in the UK.  She has made gorgeous Squares for our Challenges.  I particularly lilke the Flower Square which she has made.

I'm sure you would like to have a look at the other Squares too, thanks so much Rags4bags and here is your Slide Show!




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We do have another web site which shows some of our favourite Squares. if anyone would like to contribute 'please' let me know and I will send you an invitation. Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net I'd be very happy for you to 'team blog' so you can share your pattern with us.  The web site is SIBOL - The Archive.

Well I think that's all for now, thank you once again Rags4bags for the wonderful Squares, they are very much appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

x Sue x

No Squares today, but I have my 83rd Ta - Dah! 'Pig Tails!'.

Hello Everyone!

I'm very pleased to be showing you my 83rd Ta - Dah today! This is another 'special' Blanket because Laura in the Netherlands very kindly donated these Squares for our SIBOL project. She has named the Blanket 'Pigtails' because of the middle Square! A great name thank you Laura!.

The Squares are just so pretty and I think this Blanket has got to be one of my favourites. My favourite colours are pink and green and this Blanket has turned out so lovely.  Oh golly I can't wait to show you. Here goes...



It always amazes me when Ladies send me enough  Squares to make a whole Blanket and I am always so grateful.

Laura would you like to name this 'Sunshine Blanket' please? Thank you for the beautiful Squares!

I'm sure you will agree Lauras' Squares were brilliant!

No Squares today. Can I remind you quite a few of our Challenges end at the end of August, so please do get your Squares in now.

Did you know there was a new knitting magazine out from the same company as Crochet Today? It really looks a great magazine. Now I did try to remember the name, but can't.....Something Knitting and it has got the word 'Life' in. Sorry I can't remember. But there was some great patterns inside. I don't really knit so I never bought it. But I did pick up the latest Crochet Today magazine. It's in W.H. Smith.

I also picked up some great bargains at The House of Fraser today. A pack of (10) Patons Double Knitting for £6.75.  In the House of Fraser they have a rack of 'Sale' yarn.  Well the prices are all knocked down but when I went to the till the Lady said there was an extra 20% off, so it is worth enquiring. I picked up a pack of Peach and a pack of Blue.

I hope to show you SIBOL 84 that 'Jean Nock' assembled for SIBOL, but it started raining as I was taking photos, so I'll show you very soon.

Thank you Laura very much for the beautiful Squares too!

Bye

x Sue x

Squares from the Netherlands and UK today!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

A beautiful afternoon here in the UK. The sun is shining and it's glorious. So hot outside on our patio this afternoon.

I am very pleased to be showing you three sets of Squares today which have arrived at my home.

The first set is from hieke in the Netherlands.  hieke has really taken on board our Challenges and I'm very pleased to be showing you what she has made. There are quite a few so I have made a Slide Show for you all. But I do want to point this one out for our Olympic Blanket. This is the Logo for the London 2012 Olympics. What a fantastic idea hieke, how original, I love it! Thank you so much.

I would love everyone to have a go at the Olympics Challenge.  All details are over on our Challenge blog.

Here's your Slide Show hieke and thank you so much for the gorgeous Squares, I'm sure everyone will agree they are fantastic!



Created with flickr slideshow.

Our second set of Squares have come in from bonsall (UK).  bonsall you have been busy! The Squares are beautiful and there are so... many! These Squares aren't for Challenges particularly, however I am going to try and fit the bright orange, yellow and red in for our our Tropical Challenge if I have room. They remind me of Sunshine!

I've made you a Slide Show bonsall, and thank you very much I love your Squares.



Created with flickr slideshow.

The third set are from Pippa S (UK).  I am very grateful to you Pippa for the two 'Knit Today' Squares and also the 'Textured Square'.  They are all so pretty, I love them.

Knit Today recently featured two Squares which they were inviting their readers to try making. They suggested Ladies send them to SIBOL, which I thought was extremely nice of them. So why not have a go! If you want the pattern please email me Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net  I am going to try and get enough in to make a Blanket up and then send a photo off to Knit Today, so I can thank them for mentioning our Group.

The Simple Squares are the two Squares on the right. The one on the left is a Textured Square which Pippa has sent in for our Textured Challenge.  What fun! Have a go email me!

Here's your Slide Show Pippa and thank you so much I love the three Squares received today!



Created with flickr slideshow.

I have got two finished Blankets here but I haven't had chance yet to take photos, I hope it won't be too long before you can see them.

Thank you so much Hieke, Pippa and bonsall. I am very grateful for your beautiful Squares.

Until next time,

bye.....

x Sue x

Knitted Squares from the UK today!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I do hope you have had a nice weekend. 

I'm very pleased to be showing you some Knitted Squares which arrived this morning from here in the UK. Sarah has very kindly made these for SIBOL.

I think the Squares are really pretty, the variegated yarn I think maybe Patons. They look so lovely amongst my flowers. I do hope you enjoyed making them Sarah for SIBOL. I'm really hoping I will have room amongst the Tropical Theme for these Squares. 
I've made you a Slide Show Sarah enjoy and thank you!




Created with flickr slideshow.
Jean Nock has been helping me lately assembling some Blankets and I would like to thank her very much.
Today I received a beautiful green, pink and white one back so I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can showcase it. It may be later today, it may be tomorrow.

I'm always grateful for everyone's help, and I am so pleased that you are enjoying the SIBOL project.

Have a lovely afternoon everyone!
Thanks for stopping by.

x Sue x

Please pop in and see our Jan Eaton Ta - Dah! 82. Also Olympic Squares from the UK!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Ooh where do I start today? All this excitement is just too much! 

This morning I have received amazing Squares from joyce28 here in the UK, and  I also have my 82nd Ta - Dah to show you.  I think we have got to start with our latest Squares.

Now if you go to our Challenge blog you will see I am running an Olympic Challenge. We are making a special one off Blanket to celebrate London 2012 Olympics.  I am inviting Ladies from  all over the World to take part in this special Challenge.  You will need to go to the Challenge blog  and read our instructions. But basically I am inviting you to send me 6" Crocheted or Knitted Squares with the Olympics 2012 in mind. Now you may like to make the Flag of your own Country, or someone elses!  You may like to Crochet or Knit a Square with one of the sporting events such as Cycling or Running. You will  have to use your imagination with this Challenge.  Now for some ideas please pop over to our Challenge blog. 

This Blanket will be rather like the Royal Wedding Blanket, it will be larger than our normal 25 Squares. The Squares will be collected by me and then I will assemble them. When the Blanket is finished next year (No deadline date as yet) the Blanket will be auctioned on Ebay.  All the proceeds will be sent off to the Alzheimer's Society here in the UK to help people with Dementia.

Do you need any inspiration? I think we better have a look at the fantastic Squares that have come in this morning  from joyce28! They are wonderful.

joyce28 has also sent in two Squares in Deep Pink for the Knit Today Blanket I am trying to put together. Are you interested in helping? I will send you the pattern by email if you are.

joyce28 you have worked so hard for our SIBOL Olympic Challenge. Thank you. Sit back now and enjoy looking at your Squares. I'm sure everyone else will too! Don't forget Ladies you are most welcome to join us. Pop over to the Challenge blog and read all about it.



Created with flickr slideshow.



Such wonderful Squares from joyce28 today! Thank you!

I also have to show you my 82nd Ta -Dah!  This is our Jan Eaton (3) Blanket. I had such fun making this Blanket up, the Blocks were amazing. I have to thank each and everyone of you for sending your Blocks. We will be doing the next 25 Squares, but first I have to get down my present Challenges.

I'm sure you will want to have a look now.

Here it is Jan Eaton (3). SIBOL 82.

Would you like to see the previous two Jan Eaton Blankets? Here they are!

Jan Eaton (2) SIBOL 60.

Jan Eaton (1) SIBOL 45.

We have now between us made 75 Blocks out of the Jan Eaton 200 Block Book. What fun! Thank you so much!  I told you it was an exciting day! Thank you so much joyce28 for the wonderful Squares and thanks to all the Ladies who have taken part in our 3rd Jan Eaton Challenge.

I bet you are wondering how on earth I manage to keep track of all these Squares? I honestly don't know! I do somehow and I am enjoying every minute. I hope you are too!

Here's wishing you a wonderful hooky weekend!

Bye for now

x Sue x

Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL 81!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

It's a lovely afternoon here in the UK, and I've just been outside to take some photos of our latest SIBOL!. But first of all I think I need my calculator!   Okay.......81 Blankets x 25 Squares...........2,025 Squares assembled Wow! Let's congratulate ourselves SIBOLETTES! We've clocked over 2,000 Squares!
I have to thank each and every one of you who have sent me Squares!!

I have assembled the majority of these Blankets myself, but from time to time I have had help from my SIBOLETTES, and I want to thank you very much.

Recently Jean Nock assembled 'Autumn Fields' for me, in record time I add! She made a beautiful job I just absolutely loved the Blanket when it arrived at 'Two Times'. But little did I know that while 'Autumn Fields' was on it's way to me, she was busy making more Squares and making another Blanket! Well I was amazed how kind was that! 

A few days ago the Blanket arrived and this morning I found some of Puppetystuff's pretty ribbon and made a few Butterflies to compliment Jean Nock's (2nd) Blanket. I just can't wait to show you. The Blanket is absolutely superb! Yes the Blanket comprises of Granny Squares, but just look at the colour combinations! Each Square is different and they match beautifully! Oh how excited I get!

Isn't it lovely? Do you want to see more? I'm sure you do! Here we go Jean Nock, here's your very own Slide Show.

I'm sure you've enjoyed looking at this Blanket, I can't thank you enough Jean Nock.

Blanket wise myself I am now doing the border on the third Jan Eaton Blanket. I'm really pleased how it's turned out. So it won't be long before I can show you.

I have had to now close the 'Winter Wonderland' Challenge, because I have had 50 Squares arrive now for this particular Challenge. That's two Blankets, and I don't really think I shall make anymore. But.....don't worry if you are in the process of making Winter Wonderland Squares, please do send them. They can be used in other Blankets. It's nice to have White Squares to fit in here and there. Perhaps they are already on their way, please don't worry I will use them.

After I had taken some photos of Jean Nocks Blanket today. I fetched the Blankets down and took some phots outside. I'm not ready to deliver them yet, but I just thought that while I had the sunshine I would take some new photos. The Squares are all so lovely and I appreciate each and every one!  Thank you everyone and thank you Jean Nock!

Have a good afternoon everyone and thank you so much for visiting SIBOL again today!

x  Sue x

Squares from France for our Winter Wonderland Challenge.

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Thank you so much for the kind comments on Flickr and also here for SIBOL No.80. I am still waiting for a name from ATheeC.

I'm really pleased to say welcome to Penny from France. She has just joined our Group by sending me two gorgeous 'Winter Wonderland' Squares for our Challenge. They are lovely Penny, thank you. A very nice pattern and I have to say these two Squares will have to be the last for our 'Winter Wonderland' Challenge. I now have enough for two Blankets in White! I don't  really want to accept any more for this particular Challenge, as I think I'm going to have enough White!  Please don't worry though if you are in the process of making any or maybe they are on their way to me, please may I use them in other Blankets? They will not be wasted I can assure you.

I'm sure you are eager to see Pennys' Squares.  Here they are.




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I really love these Squares and I would like to thank everyone now for their help with the Winter Wonderland Challenge.  As I say I now have enough for this Challenge, but if you are in the process of making any please do send them to me. They will be useful in other Blankets.

I am so glad you are getting inspiration from our SIBOL web-site. Nearly every day I receive emails telling me how much you love the Blankets, and how  much you enjoy watching the Squares in the Slide Shows! I am so pleased you are getting insipiration from our SIBOL website. I am in a very priviledged position to be able to work with your Squares and I just want you to know how grateful I am to you! A warm welcome to the Lady from Mums net. Hi!

Thank you very much.

x Sue x

Ta -Dah! Introducing SIBOL No.80

Good Evening Everyone!

For Today's post I have gone back to an earlier post (in bold). The Story continues.......


On January 17th of this year I had an email from Tinka over in Belgium.  She was telling me that for the first time ever she ordered some yarn on the internet with a company in The Netherlands http://www.remyhandwerken.nl/


Tinka  gave links to Flickr and also SIBOL, and she very kindly told Gemma  at the yarn company about our project for the Elderly. Tinka enquired whether they  had any left over yarn that they would like to donate to our project. In return Tinka promised Gemma that we would put some links up on the SIBOL Blog. Well Gemma mailed Tinka to say that she was going to put some extra yarn in with her order.


On January 17th Tinka's order arrived and Gemma  very kindly  put all this beautiful yarn in with the order. How nice of her! 400 gr extra yarn for SIBOL, 16 skeins of 25 gram! Look at this great donation in lovely colors:

What beautiful yarn! Tinka has been working very hard making her Squares for SIBOL, and here are her finished Squares. 

These Squares arrived on April 26th.

Tinka also sent me an email asking me whether I could put the Pink and Blue Squares in a particular order for her in one of the Sunshine Blankets.

 So......this is what I have come up with. I do hope you like the finished Blanket Tinka and Gemma.

Can you spot the Pink and Blue Squares made with the donated yarn?


 I have of course used other Squares which have been patiently waiting to be used from other Ladies.  Thank you to the other Ladies who have very kindly contributed the Squares to SIBOL also.


15th AUGUST

Then on July 5th I received these Squares from ATheeC

I'm very happy now to be showing you the second Blanket that I have put together for ATheeC. She asked me to put them in a particular order for her and I do hope she approves!

My SIBOL project is enjoyed by many Ladies. Tinka actually picked up her hook after many years and she tells me quite often how much she enjoys making Squares for me. Not only does she enjoy Crocheting again after many years but her Daughter AnneLinde has made Squares for SIBOL too! I think this is great. I am so deeply touched when Ladies go the extra mile for my SIBOL project, and I just cannot thank you enough!

I hope you like your Blanket Tinka. Now would you like to sit back and enjoy your Slide Show! Thanks again!