Our SIBOL TOTAL IS 1376! Thank You!

Slideshow of Sunshine Blankets (Click on Left/Right Arrows).

Challenge Blankets
I'm Sue and can be contacted on
sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com

It is so important that email addresses and names are enclosed with your donations of Sunshine Blankets, Shawls and Butterflies please. Thank you!

Butterflies LINK


'Crochet keeps our hands busy so our minds can rest. It is a gift to help quiet the world around us, if even for a moment. To create -- and think of those we create for --is a quiet prayer of hope, love and dreams all wrapped up in a hook, a book and a ball of yarn. Author Anonymous. Thanks Cynthia.
SIBOL Blog
I NO LONGER ACCEPT KNITTED OR CROCHETED SQUARES. I DO HOWEVER ACCEPT MADE UP BLANKETS FOR THE ELDERLY IN CARE HOMES. I'D BE VERY HAPPY TO RECEIVE YOURS! THANK YOU! 'SIBOL' is a charitable outlet for your Crocheting and Knitting Skills why not join us? Together we are 'Sending a ray of Sunshine into the Lives of the Elderly.' All enquiries please contact Sue on sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com Thank you!
Please Note

Please may I remind you to enclose your email address with parcels delivered to my home. If I don't acknowledge receipt it's because I can't find your address. Thank you.


Total 1384 Thank you!




Thursday 28 February 2013

'Pink Blossom'

Good Morning and welcome to 'SIBOL',

361 'Pink Blossom'.



I have a Ta - Dah for you. This is 'SIBOL 361' and I would like to thank everyone that has sent me Squares for this particular Blanket. It's called 'Pink Blossom'.  I had great fun once again putting this Blanket together. Each of our Blankets are 'unique' no two are the same and they are all donated to Care/Nursing Homes near to where I live.

This is a pretty Pink and White Blanket and the Squares feature a lot of beautiful Flowers. Thanks everyone!

Thanks to everyone who sent me Squares for this Blanket.


023


025



020



Thank you so much everyone!



031


030



018



019


If you would like to  join us please do.
6" Crocheted and Knitted Squares are required and all instructions are over on
SIBOL CHALLENGES. Follow the Link.

Please mail me if there is anything to ask.
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Thanks for visiting today!

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x Sue x

Wednesday 27 February 2013

'Here Comes The Sunburst!'

Good Morning everyone!

This morning I received 'Here Comes The Sunburst!' It was sent to me by one of our 'SIBOLETTE's' Liztelf.  This is such a pretty Blanket made in a great combination of colours and the pattern by Priscilla Hewitt is an all time favourite.

Liztelf actually put a thread up on RAVELRY back in November telling the Ladies that she was going to try her hand at Flat Braid joining.   It has been lovely over the last few months to share her journey.  Not only has she made a wonderful Blanket for the Elderly she has learnt a new technique. The support and friendship of Ladies in our Group has helped her achieve a new skill.

Liztelf took part in one of our Challenges 'Make your own SIBOL Challenge' and I'm very pleased to accept such a wonderful Blanket. All details are on here.

Let's take a look at 'Here Comes The Sunburst!'


Liz thank you for making and donating this gorgeous Blanket.



It was such fun to take photos this morning.



Created with flickr slideshow.


Liztelf you have put a lot of time and thought in to this Blanket, thank you so much for donating it to 'SIBOL'.


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Along with the Blanket Liztelf also made and donated some Squares. One for the 'Butterfly' Challenge, the others for the Stash. I'm very grateful to you Liztelf for the Squares and the Ribbons, it's very nice of you. Thank you once again.

'Butterfly Challenge'




Liz (UK) Stash Squares, Butterfly Square and Ribbons. Many thanks.




Our 'SIBOL' Group means such a lot to Ladies of all ages. We share ideas, photos of our projects, give advice and help when needed. Most of all the Friendship between us all is wonderful.

If you would like to join us over on RAVELRY, please follow the link. Everyone is most welcome.

Thank you for visiting today!
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x Sue x 




Monday 25 February 2013

Lots of Challenge Squares arrive today!

Good Afternoon and Welcome to 'SIBOL'.

I am extremely pleased to be showing you these gorgeous Challenge Squares.  They have arrived from 'jean nock' here in the UK.

We have Squares for our 'Marie Curie Cancer Care Challenge', 'Leaves' Challenge and 'Fruit' Challenge.
These Squares are superb, such wonderful ideas.

'jean nock' Your Squares have arrived. Thank you!



Created with flickr slideshow.


The Squares are perfect thank  you so much 'jean nock' for sending them in to me.

I am very grateful to you!

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x Sue x 

Saturday 23 February 2013

We're in 'Simply Knitting!'

Good Evening,

I have just popped in to tell you that we have been featured in 'Simply Knitting' Issue 104.
We have our 'Nursery Rhyme' Blanket shown. I'm so proud of everyone in the 'SIBOL' Group
but particularly to the Ladies who took part in this particular Challenge.

Our 'SIBOL' Challenges are such fun to do. At present we have quite a few running. Have you ever thought of taking part? Not only do we accept 6" Knitted or Crocheted Squares for our Blankets of any colour, any design but we also invite Ladies worldwide to make a Square for the Challenge Blankets.

We have some very interesting ones running at the moment some of these being Fruit and Vegetable, Wartime, Underwater, Daffodils, Leaves, Gardening, What a Wonderful World and there are more too.
So why not join us?

'SIBOL' is a place where you can be creative, whether you are just setting out with Crocheting or more experienced. I'd be really happy to accept your 6" Squares whether they are for the Stash or the Challenges.

I'd also be extremely happy to accept donated Blankets too whether they be Knitted or Crocheted.

If you are interested please pop over to SIBOL CHALLENGES here's the LINK.

If you have any queries please contact me on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net (Sue)

Thank you and now I'll leave you with the magazine.

If you click on the photo it will take you to Flickr and you will be able to enlarge the photo by clicking  on 'Actions' and then 'view all sizes'.

'Simply Knitting' Issue 104.


We have one of our Blankets in 'Simply Knitting'. Well done everyone!

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x Sue x
   

Squares from Spain and a new SIBOL!

Good Afternoon and Welcome to 'SIBOL',

I am very pleased to be showing you a Blanket which I have just finished. Thanks to everyone who has sent in Squares for this particular Blanket.

Thanks to everyone who has sent in Squares for this Blanket.Very much appreciated.


I had fun putting the Squares together, I hope you like it.


Created with flickr slideshow.



I am also very grateful to 'Edit' in Spain for these gorgeous Granny Squares.
They were made in Katia yarn.
Your Crocheting is lovely Edit and thank you  for taking the time to make them for our Blankets.

Let's take a look at them now.
'Edit' (Spain) Thank you for these Grannies!


Beautiful colours.

Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today!
Have a good weekend.

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x Sue x

Thursday 21 February 2013

Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL 358!

Good Afternoon to you all!

If you are visiting our Blog through 'Simply Knitting'  then Welcome!
I'm so pleased you have followed the link to us.

We are an on-line Crocheting and Knitting Group based in Birmingham, UK with members worldwide. Together we make 'Sunshine Blankets' for the Elderly in Care/Nursing Homes/Sheltered Accommodation.

I am inviting you to make 6" Squares Crocheted or Knitted. Any colour, Any Design. Acrylic yarn please.  We then make them into 'Sunshine Blankets'.  Our Blankets have been so well received by the Elderly and they are certainly bringing smiles to their faces.

Apart from this we also have special Challenges which have deadlines and if you think you have time to join in why not follow the link to SIBOL CHALLENGES.


I'm very happy to be showing you SIBOL 358 would you believe! Our Blankets are certainly adding up. I wonder if we will hit 500? Let's hope so.

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed Squares for this pretty Blanket they are so pretty. Can anyone think of a name for this Blanket? Why not leave a comment or mail me Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Let's take a look now.

Thanks to everyone who contributed Squares for this Blanket.


The Squares are amazing and I love all the colours used.


Created with flickr slideshow.


I'd be most happy to receive 6" Squares all details are on here.

Also would you like to make a Blanket for SIBOL?
Roughly measuring 37 to 38".
A design of your choice.

All details are on the same website please follow the link.

Thank you for stopping by.

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x Sue x

Wednesday 20 February 2013

SIBOL Poetry and New Challenge Squares today!

Hi everyone!

I am so pleased that the 'Fruit and Vegetable' Challenge is popular and we are getting some great Squares in for it.  Today I have received four Squares from moragtodd (RAV). I absolutely love the Squares she has sent. What wonderful ideas.

Morag (UK) Your Squares have arrived. Thank you! 'Fruit & Veg' Challenge.



I really love the grey background on these Squares. It's the first time moragtodd has sent Squares in to SIBOL, and I'm pleased to welcome you to the 'SIBOL' Group. You are now a 'SIBOLETTE!'

Thanks so much for Crocheting them.


I put a Challenge out to the Ladies on RAVELRY a few weeks ago. A 'Poem Challenge'. These are some of the poems I have received.



From wilfi (RAVELRY).  (Netherlands)
Sunshine, love and living with a hook in my hand 
It,s living live to the max,thats what it means for me 
Building ,creating things for someone how needs 
Oosh and aash on raverly when you put your creations on the web 
Lovely to be a sibolette

From 'From angelfee (RAVELRY) (UK).  Thank you!


A little ditty from me ;-) xxxx
Sibol has such sunshiney girls, ready to give each challenge a whirl 
Lovely blankets do appear, throughout each year… 
Made with loving and caring, our blankets are for sharing 
Say it out loud … “We are Sibolettes and PROUD” !!
image title

'creative'grandad (UK). The Hubby of 'creativegranny' :)
Roses are red 
Violets are blue 
When I think of a poem 
I’ll tell you. 

From 'creativegranny'. (UK)
Knitting and crochet is my game 
But without SIBOL it wouldn’t be the same 
Run by a lady whose name is Sue 
She finds us plenty of challenges to do 
We like to make blankets for the elderly in homes 
But we don’t make blankets for garden gnomes.


From 'jenn1feranne'  (RAV) (SCOTLAND)
Our Queen of the Butterflies, Sue 
Has challenged the Sibolettes to 
take a short time 
to make up a rhyme 
Which is just what I’m trying to do……..

Balls of bright yarn, needles and hooks, 
Ideas from Ravelry, patterns from books, 
Scissors and row counters, rulers and tapes, 
Six inch squares and odd scrumble shapes, 
Mrs Twins’ challenges, our birthday bus, 
Blankets for Oldies with much love from us.

From Joyce (UK)

There was an old lady in Brum 
Who needed a blanket to keep warm 
Sue heard of her plight 
The Sibolettes hooks took flight 
And a cosy warm blanket was born



From manda's challenges. (UK)


Make a square for sibol! 
6 inches please will be grand 
Doesn’t matter if you’re a learner 
So long as its been made with loving hands
Grannies will be welcomed, 
They’ve been around a hell of a long time 
And no we don’t tire of them 
So if that’s all you can make that’s fine!
Ooh but there are a few adventurous ones 
And we don’t mind one bit,  
In fact we hold special challenges 
To test your talented gift
No matter where you come from, 
If you can donate 1 square or 2 or 3  
Your gift will be highly cherished 
And loved by our elderly
Join in the fun at sibol 
You’re welcomed one and all 
Help turn Sues legacy into reality 
Let no elderly person be alone anymore 
  
Let them know that they are loved, 
Let them talk about the beautiful squares, 
Let them be wrapped with warmth and blessings 
Let them know that someone ,somewhere, cares xxx

From trublvr (RAV)  (Nigeria) 


A few years ago this dream was born 
Mrs. Twins, inspired by her sweet grandmum 
Called on SIBOLETTES in every nation 
To warm up the elderly with our creations.
A sisterhood of bright yarn and blankets are we 
Sending love and warmth out to the elderly 
This big, beautiful SIBOL family 
That’s come to mean a great deal to me!
And here’s another… 
Crochet hook in hand and yarn at my feet 
I frog and rework to make the square neat 
For there’s an old lady waiting across the sea 
To cuddle in this giant granny, made by me.
I hope that she will love this SIBOL gift 
That when she uses it, she gets a little lift 
Because you see, into each and every square 
I have carefully woven a smile and a prayer.


Ladies these poems are superb! Not only are you all so wonderfully talented with your Crocheting and Knitting, you are so good with words too! What fun we have had over the past few weeks. Thanks for taking the time to put pen to paper.

Thank you too moragtodd for sending the Squares to SIBOL.

Thanks for visiting today!

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x Sue x

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Challenge Squares

Good Afternoon,

Welcome to 'SIBOL',

I had a lovely  morning today 'pippas45' popped in to SIBOL HQ with her dear Husband. She very kindly bought me lots of beautiful Squares some for the Stash and some for Challenges which will be so useful. With the Squares she also gave me some Butterflies and Ribbons which was very nice of her.

Over a cup of tea I showed her the Daffodil Blankets and the Freeform Blanket that 'creativegranny' had put together for us. She absoloutely loved all of them. She even spotted her 'scrumbles' on the Freeform which really is quite difficult.

I have taken some photos of the Squares to show you it was rather too sunny in my Conservatory this afternoon but I have done my best.

Pippa (Anne) (UK) Thank you !


Let's take a closer look now in the Slide Show. Thank you so much pippas45 for popping in and for the beautiful Squares it was great seeing you both.


Created with flickr slideshow.




Thank you for visiting 'SIBOL' today!
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x Sue x 

Monday 18 February 2013

Mondays Post.

Good Afternoon,

I would like to thank bonsall for the package received at lunchtime today.
Inside I found some Daffodil Squares for our 'Marie Curie Cancer Care' Challenge and also a Square for our 'Fruit Challenge' an 'Orange'.

Daffodil Squares for 'Marie Curie Cancer Care' Challenge.


'Fruit Challenge' - an Orange. Great idea.

What interesting Squares!

I love the ideas.

Along with these Squares I received four for our Stash.

I love this variegated yarn very much. So pretty.


The variegated yarn is so lovely. 

bonsall (UK) Your Squares arrived this morning thank you!

Thank you so much bonsall.

If you are interested in taking part please follow this link.
www.sibolchallenges.blogspot.com

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x Sue x 

Sunday 17 February 2013

Please make us a Daffodil Square 'Knitted or Crocheted'.

Good Evening,

I just thought I would remind everyone visiting 'SIBOL' that we still need 'Daffodil Squares' for our Marie Curie Cancer Challenge. We aim to make 9 Daffodil Blankets which will be donated to the 9 Marie Curie Cancer Care  Hospices up and down the Country.

Over the last few days I have had enquiries from Knitting Groups asking whether the Challenge is still running. Yes it is. So far we have made these Daffodil Blankets.

Thanks to everyone who sent in Squares.


Thanks to everyone who sent in Squares.


A gorgeous Daffodil Blanket mandas challenges. Thank you so much!




Aren't they all lovely?  We also have 50 Daffodil Squares out to Ladies at the moment for assembling and we have at SIBOL HQ 13 Daffodil Squares waiting for others.

So we have collected so far 163 Daffodil Squares. I would like to thank everyone who has already sent in a Daffodil Square for this special Challenge.

The Challenge will end when we have completed the 9 Blankets. These Blankets will be given to the Hospices for either exhibiting in their reception areas or for their fund raising. I have been told from a member of Staff that it's a really lovely idea. I do hope you will find the time to join in the fun. It's so nice to
see the variation of Daffodil patterns. Once again all of our SIBOL Blankets are 'unique' no too are the same.

So if you are a Knitting Group why not pass the word on to the members in your Group? We accept Knitted and Crocheted Squares but they must be 6" Square please of course with a Daffodil Design.

I would like the Daffodils made in either Yellow, Orange or White but the background colour can be anything you like.. 

Two of our SIBOLETTES over in the States have very kindly designed us some Daffodil Patterns.
Would you like to try them?

I'll give you a link to  SIBOL - THE ARCHIVE.  You will find links on there for Luna and Debi.

They are both great Patterns.

Thanks for stopping by this evening.
Any queries please contact me
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Thank you

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x Sue x






Friday 15 February 2013

You must pop in to see this beautiful 'Freeform Blanket' made by the Ladies of 'SIBOL'.

Good Evening and welcome to 'SIBOL!'

I have received some beautiful Squares and Blankets over the past few days and this afternoon I have finally been able to load all the photos up, I'm so sorry for the delay. We have had Squares come in from Marilyn, angelfee, bonsall and Joanna I do hope you will scroll down a few Blog posts and view them. They are so nice.

I have also received a beautiful Granny Square Blanket from Joanna and also a very special Challenge Blanket from 'creativegranny'.

At the beginning of January this year 'creativegranny' very kindly invited Ladies to take part in a 'Freeform Challenge'. Do you remember back in 2012, she also organised the Challenge for the Wall Hanging? Well anyway she invited Ladies to send her a small 6" 'patch' or 'scrumble'.  Her idea this time to make a Blanket for the Elderly.  She gave instructions of what the requirements were.  I'm going to let you read what she wrote so you can see what the Challenge was all about.

Hi Sibolettes. Welcome to 2013. 

I would like you to send me ‘patches’ or ‘scrumbles’ of roughly 6” in Blues or Greens.Only Acrylic yarns to be used. NO FANCY YARNS as it must be washable.They may be one colour or a mixture of Blues/Greens. No squares. It will be one piece when assembled so would you please take a photo before you send your pieces as you may not be able to distinguish which is your ‘patch’ when finished. 
This should be easier than the last FREEFORM CHALLENGE as it doesn’t need to be square. The size isn’t crucial so please have a go ladies. You all made some wonderful squares for the last challenge and this one should be easy peasy. 


It wasn't long after that the 'patches' or 'scrumbles' started arriving at her home. Of course there were a few nerves flying around cyberspace at first, but 'creativegranny' gave lots of reassurance to the Ladies in our Group and she was always there to sort out any problems or queries they might have.

Well today is our Ta - Dah!  

I'm very pleased to be showing you this stunning 'Freeform Blanket' 
made in Blues/Greens this is an exceptional piece of work. 

Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this Blanket.

How beautiful is this Blanket?

'creativegranny' has worked terribly hard organising this Challenge, keeping a record
of who sent what and finally sewing the 'scrumbles' together. I'm sure you will agree this is a 'work of art'.

This Blanket is going to be put with our Challenge Blankets and when I have finished all the Challenges
I shall be delivering the Blankets to a deserving Home. 

Who-ever receives this Blanket is just going to love it. 
I would like to thank everyone who sent 'creativegranny' a 'scrumble'
and of course 'creativegranny' for taking charge of this wonderful Challenge.


Created with flickr slideshow.

This surely has been a fantastic Challenge and I'm sure 'creativegranny' can think of something else
to inspire the Ladies of SIBOL to come out of their comfort zones and try something new once again!

What a success!

I shall be taking this Blanket along to the Craft Evening on 12th March to show them what our Group is capable of.

Thanks everyone!

Have a lovely evening and don't forget to scroll down!

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x Sue x 




Do you like Grannies?

Hello everyone!

Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today.

I would like to thank Joanna here in the UK, for making and donating this beautiful Granny Square Blanket.
The small Squares in the Blanket are set in blocks of four and they are colour co-ordinated so well. Joined and finished off using a beautiful Grape colour yarn this Blanket is a winner! Joanna tells me she used odd bits of yarn to make the Squares and Crocheted them on the evenings after a days work which she finds relaxing.

This is such a pretty Blanket, so striking with the grape yarn I think. I know that this Blanket is going to be loved by who-ever receives it.

Isn't this gorgeous!



Two Grape coloured Butterflies accompanied this Blanket too!
Thanks for sending them to me Joanna. 
You are very kind making this Blanket for the Elderly.


Created with flickr slideshow.

I'm also very grateful for the Squares too Joanna, they are so pretty!
Joanna D. Your Squares arrived. Thank you!

It's always lovely to receive donated Blankets and if you are interested please pop over to 
SIBOL CHALLENGES.
You will find all information on this Blog.
Or you can contact me on
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net
Thank you for visiting!
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x Sue x

Challenge Squares arrive!

Hi everyone!

It's always lovely to announce new Challenges and the Ladies over on RAVERLY are really enjoying themselves. angelfee is one of those Ladies. She hasn't been in our Group very long but the short time she has been with us she has thoroughly enjoyed. I can tell by the beautiful Squares she produces for us.

Amongst my Challenges for 2013 are Transport, Leaves, Butterflies, Fruit and Vegetable. I'm very pleased to be showing you the ideas that angelfee has come up with.

Before I do show you, here's the link for the Challenge Blog.

angelfee (UK) Your Squares have arrived. Thank you!


Such pretty Squares and I think now we had better take a closer look at them.


Created with flickr slideshow.

Aren't they good? I love them, thank you so much.

bonsall has sent me in some Daffodil Squares too! These are still needed for our Marie Curie Cancer Care Blankets. Thank you very much bonsall. I love the Daffs set on the Green back ground. They will be very useful for our Blankets. Such pretty Daffs cute and dainty!

bonsall. Your Squares arrived. Thank you! 'Marie Curie Caner Care' Challenge.




Created with flickr slideshow.



Why not take part? Everyone is so welcome.
Any queries please mail me on
Sue at sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Why not join our RAVELRY SIBOL GROUP? Here's the link too!

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x Sue x


Stash Squares arrive today from the UK.

Good evening!

I'm so glad you have popped in to the SIBOL Blog,  I have a lot of beautiful Squares to show you. They have been sent in by Marilyn here in the UK.  The set of Crocheted Squares I received this week are just so interesting, great colour combinations and great patterns.  Marilyn you have worked very hard making these Squares thank you so much I love them. Let's take a look now at them.

Beautiful patterns amongst these Squares.

Such a great variety and there are more in the Slide Show!


Created with flickr slideshow.

Thank you so much these are great for our Stash.

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