Sunshine Blankets arrive from the London Knaughty Knitters! Thank you!

Good Morning,

Thanks so much for popping in to 'SIBOL' today.  I am just so excited because I have some wonderful 'Sunshine Blankets' to show you.

If you remember on the 25th and 26th August two of our  SIBOLETTE'S 'Maria-Jesus' and 'PurlyGalore' over on RAVELRY  had a stall at the Southbank Village Fair. They belong to the London Knaughty Knitters and they very kindly promoted our 'SIBOL' Group to the many people who visited them that weekend.
If you would like to refresh your memory please follow this Link and read all about the fantastic weekend.
They were very kind to hand out leaflets about our work and also got visitors making SIBOL Butterflies and Squares.

Well......I am very pleased to be telling you that the Group has been very busy assembling all of the Squares for us and today I received 9 Blankets back.  Isn't that amazing? They are so lovely. I can't wait to show you.

First of all I must tell you the Blankets were sent back to me by using the 'Collect +' Courier service. They paid £5.29, which was very reasonable and that was for any parcel up to 10kg (size 60cm x 50cm x 50cm from store to store. It was a very good service indeed.

On Saturday I had an email to say the parcel had been sent and it would take 3 to 5 working days to arrive. Then today at 4.01 I had an email to say it was at the store.  So at 5.50pm I picked it up.

The box was quite heavy but I parked in front of the shop so it wasn't difficult. I'm getting quite friendly with the man in there now and even said 'Bye Susan!' A new friend for me :)! Mind you I was a little embarrassed to show him my Drivers Licence which was falling apart. He said it's like mine! :) 

I got back home and first of all put my shopping away and as tea was cooking I started to open the box.
Goodness me the box was full to the brim! How exciting!

Wow! What a wonderful Blanket I thought. Superb! I couldn't wait to see what else was in the box. Blankets, Bags of Butterflies and a Letter too. I had to take the Blankets out of the box and have a  quick look. What a lot of work must have gone in to the making of these Blankets! I piled them high on to my corner tables and went upstairs to get down my box of Ribbon. I had such fun finding the right colour for them. 

(Just noticed phone charger - right :)

As well as the Blankets were bags and bags of Butterflies, but what else did I find? A gift for me! Inside was this.

It's the Butterfly Garland that Maria-Jesus and PurlyGalore made ready for the fair. Isn't it lovely?
So pretty all the gorgeous colours. I love it thank you so much.

Another Bag of Butterflies that they had made which will be really useful thank you.

I would also like to thank 'deeliciously' over on RAVELRY for making these ones too! They really will be very useful for our Blankets many thanks. 

Butterflies are so useful for our Blankets and if you would like to have a go at making them please follow this Link to Netties Blog in Australia. There is a great video tutorial and it's very easy to follow.

The girls in the Group spent a nice morning packing the Blankets up and writing the story behind each one of them. It was a very good idea to attach a little note to each Blanket.  I'm sure the Elderly and Staff in the Homes are going to love reading about them.  Everyone in the Group contributed and it's amazing to see that all the Blankets are made from simple squares, and all have their own personalities! 

It's 11.35 now and I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I will start working through the Blankets and taking photos for you.

30/10/2013

I've had lots of fun this morning taking photos of the beautiful Blankets that have arrived at SIBOL HQ. I'm also very pleased to say that names have been chosen too. So let's take a look at them now.

First of all we have 'Strictly Peachy' this was assembled by 'Jaibee007' Julie while she watched 'Strictly' on TV. I love the colour combinations in this Blanket. I think the Ribbon finishes it off well. The colours are her favourite and she learnt to crochet with this Blanket while watching 'Strictly Come Dancing!' She enjoys challenging herself I am told. Thank you very much Julie. The Blanket is beautiful. I'm sure an Elderly person is really going to enjoy it.

(Colours are better first photo sorry about that Julie). Thank you.

Next we have  'Christmas Everyday!' assembled by PurlyGalore thank you! It's gorgeous!

This Blanket was the very first one to be made by the London Knaughty Knitters Group. It was displayed and admired at the Southbank Village Fair in London during the August Bank Holiday. It was assembled by Maria. She loved putting the colours together, so bright and cheerful. It reminds them of a sunny Christmas Day.
It surely does and Christmas is not too far away either! Thank you so much. 

Another superb Blanket and this one is called 'Midnight Poppies' and the Squares were made by all the people who stopped by to knit with the Group. It was assembled by Maria-Jesus, one of the founding members of the London Knaughty Knitters. She loves strong and happy colours to match her bubbly personality.

I think this one is my favourite, but you know I love them all. Appropriate for this time of year approaching Remembrance Day.

Superb Blanket, really striking. Another winner for the Elderly. Thank you!

This Blanket called 'African Pond' is made with the famous African Flower Square. It's been assembled by PurlyGalore and in fact I think I'm going to have the Square as a Challenge next year. This Blanket is made in gorgeous colours and I particularly like the border on it. Really finishes it off beautifully. PurlyGalore is Spanish and also a member of the London Knaughty Knitters Group. She loves all shades of blue, green and teal. She tells me she particular enjoyed making the border, her first crochet edge! So well done to you! No I'm sorry you can't keep it, I know you love it. It's off to our Elderly folk in Birmingham! :)  I know they will admire it. Thank you for the time taken on this one.

So pretty! 

Now we have 'Whimsical Wales' assembled by 'Curlycroeso' Gillian from Wales. Gillian chose this quirky mix of colours and transformed them into a beautiful Blanket. Everyone in the Group love this Blanket and actually it's made in my Mothers' favourite colours. Gillian is always hunting for unusual yarn and shops in her native Wales and wherever she goes on holiday. Don't we all?  

Let's take a look at it.

 

It really is gorgeous Gillian thank you so much for the time and effort put into the Blanket.

We have 9 in total, let's take a look at the next one.

It's called 'Betty's Beauty'. Most of the Squares were knitted by Pam, nicknamed 'The Knitting Machine!'. I wonder why? I can imagine. Do you keep churning out Knitting Pam? This one was assembled by Betty, one of the Ladies in the LKK Group. Betty 'Heath' is a very experienced member of the Group. Well I think you have both done an amazing job of this Blanket. The Squares are made in pretty colours Pam and Betty thank you for assembling it. The joining colour is perfect. Another stunning Blanket. 

A great name too, thank you for choosing it.

'Rock Pools' is next and was assembled by PurlyGalore. I love the colour combinations in this Blanket. The orange joining is perfect really shows the Squares off. A great name too I must say. Golly these Blankets are stunning. I do hope I am getting everything right for you all. It's taking a long time to take photos and Blog. But of course it took you a lot longer making these Blankets up. You well and truly have had the 'SIBOL' experience!

PurlyGalore loves mixing bright colours with darker colours. She thought that she would join the Squares in orange to make the Squares 'pop'. Well you certainly have achieved this thank you.  The central Square was made by Dee 'Deeliciously'  who learnt to crochet by making their Squares. 

Lovely isn't it? Thank you.

We are getting down them now. Next is 'Beryl's Blues'. A great name once again. This was assembled by Beryl 'Lyrebknit' one of the most experienced members in the LKK Group. They are also her favourite colours.  Thanks to Pam nicknamed 'The Knitting Machine' and mum of one of their members, Jo, who knitted the Squares. Absolutely perfect. Thank you. Let's take a look at it now. These photos take ages to load up. I'm skipping between Flickr and the SIBOL Blog. Writing a bit here and there while doing so. 

The final Blanket is called 'Little Pony'. Assembled by Maria-Jesus this is another wonderful Blanket. They are all so different that's what I love about them. This one is made in her favourite colours. The Squares were once again made by the pubic at the fair. They had lots of fun at the event and this Blanket is full of happy memories.

These Squares are so good together. Another really pretty piece of work. A pleasure to receive thank you.

Well in finishing I do hope I have put everything in the right order for the Ladies in the London Knaughty Knitters Group. Please let me know if there is any problem.

Over the next few weeks I am going to visit a Local Home. I am planning to take 24 of our Sunshine Blankets and these 9 Blankets will help me towards getting enough. I am very grateful to you all for making such beautiful Squares and Blankets. Not to mention the pretty Butterflies too.

In particular many thanks to Maria-Jesus and PurlyGalore for promoting our Group at the Southbank Village Fair, I realise you have been flat out over the past few months. A big thank you from everyone involved at SIBOL. To these people too!

PurlyGalore
Maria-Jesus
Lyrebknit
Milliemoogle
Heath
Jesully
Jaibee007
Curlycroeso
Deeliciously

All Ladies on RAVELRY. 

Well that's it now. I'll leave you with some photos I took in the conservatory this morning.



Created with flickr slideshow.

Before I go I would just like to add that Maria-Jesus and PurlyGalore would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Blankets, whether they made Squares, assembled Blankets or in fact had a go at the Butterflies.
They are very grateful to everyone's support thank you. Also for anyone else visiting their Stall, they really enjoyed meeting everyone.

Their materials were sponsored by the Southbank Centre and the UK Handknitting Association, for which they  are very grateful. Thank you.

x Sue x 

SMALL PARCEL SIZES HAVE JUST GOT BIGGER - POSTAGE RATES CHANGED FROM TODAY!

I'm very pleased to be telling you that from today the Postage Charges have changed.. Now you get more for your money.

Pop over to ROYALMAIL.COM  for information.

I have just posted some Squares to 'SIBOLETTE's' and the Post Man has told me. So I'm really pleased for you all.

Thanks Sue x

Delivery Day last Friday.

Good morning and Welcome!

I am very grateful to Tinaspice for assembling 3 Sunshine Blankets for me. To save her spending valuable money on Postage I suggested she delivered them to her Mothers Home which is 'The Hawthorns  in Southampton.  Tinaspice  made a great job of assembling the Blankets  and finished them off beautifully with our SIBOL Butterflies and Ribbon. I sent everything over to her and it sounds as though she had fun putting it all together. They arrived just in time on Friday so that she could parcel everything up and take them to the home that day. Tinaspice decided to stitch the Butterflies in place this time which was lovely and they looked very effective and gave a lovely finishing touch.

Normally Tinaspice visits her Mother at the weekend and doesn't really see many of the management team but as she was on holiday so she was able to go in on a weekday. She met Beverley the Manager and told her quickly about the work our Group does for the Elderly. She was very pleased indeed to receive our Blankets and said she would pass them on to three Residents. 

Angela another member of the team agreed to have her photo taken  for us so that you could see the Home receiving the Blankets  which was lovely. I do love photos as you know.

Thank you very much Tinaspice for taking them in.

 I am so pleased you have enjoyed the 'SIBOL' experience.

You have assembled the Blankets beautifully and even delivered them and I have to say

you are the very first 'SIBOLETTE' to do this so you know first hand what's it's like

to reach the end of the road if you like.

Thank you Angela and Beverly too.

Thanks for visiting today!

x Sue x 

A colourful Blanket arrives at HQ today!

Good Morning to you!

Yet another Blanket has arrived at SIBOL HQ this morning and this time it has been sent from Annaha over on RAVELRY. Annaha has very kindly offered to make Squares up for me and I'm sure you will agree it's turned out beautifully. The yellow joining really makes the Squares stand out and I absolutely love the pretty border.

The Butterflies were sent by Annaha and I have used them for decoration which are perfect and I managed to find a length of Ribbon to tie the Blanket up. Another beautiful gift for an Elderly person.

I'm so pleased how this Blanket  and I'm very grateful to you Annhha. Thanks for sending it back to me.

Here it is.

Thanks to everyone that sent in the Squares for this beautiful Blanket and thanks also to Annaha for assembling.

Thanks for visiting today!

x Sue x 

'Derbyshire Dallying'.

Good Evening,

I am a little late blogging today because I have felt wishy washy all day with a headache and I haven't been able to come on line too much. It's starting to pass over  now so I thought I would take some photos quickly of Liztelf's Blanket before it gets dark.  Yes a beautiful Blanket arrived at lunchtime and I'm very happy to be receiving it.  Liztelf has recently learnt how to do flat braiding and she has put this new skill to test.

 That's the nice thing about 'SIBOL', it's a place where we can show our 'creative skills'.  The Blanket is called ' 'Derbyshire Dallying' and it's a superb Blanket made in very rich colours.
Let's take a look at it now.

I love the Granny Squares they measure 6" and the border is roughly 2". With the flat braiding the Blanket is approximately 38". I am often asked what size Blanket should you  make and this Blanket is a  perfect size. Anything under 36" is really a little too small.  Of course if you want to make your own Blanket of any design you like please feel free to make the Blanket even larger. You can also join the Squares how-ever you like please don't think that you have to 'flat braid' them. Whatever suits you is absolutely fine. Thank you. Please see SIBOL CHALLENGES here's the link.

There is never any pressure to do anything with 'SIBOL' please feel free to do whatever you want. If you want to make Squares only then please make sure they are 6". We do prefer Crocheted ones, but we will accept Knitted ones if this is a problem. I have to put a deadline on these too now. The latest I can accept Squares is 30th November due to Christmas. I wont have much time to be taking photos etc leading up to Christmas as I shall be getting ready for Christmas I hope this is okay, thank you.

I am aiming now to deliver our last set of Blankets to a local Home first week of December. So if possible may I have donated Blankets in by 30th November. If  you are making a large amount of Squares would you be able to assemble them yourself and send the finished Blanket to me. As Christmas is approaching we are all going to be pushed for time and I so want to clear the decks so to speak before we end the year. We have all been working so hard for the Elderly all year and I am very grateful to everyone.

This really is lovely. I found some Cream Butterflies to decorate the Blanket and also some wired Ribbon. I had just about enough to tie the Blanket up. We also attach cards to our Blankets when we deliver them to the Homes. They always look lovely.

I would like to thank Sally and the Ladies on RAVELRY for helping me assemble the Knitted Squares I have recently had in from Irene and Pat. This really is going to help me because I have a Home in mind and they have 24 Residents. It would be perfect if we could get them each a Blanket before Christmas.
I love visiting the Homes and you can read about some of my visits down the right hand scroll bar and also on previous posts. It means a lot to be able to have some photos of the Residents receiving their Blankets they really do love them.  With the weather changing too I know they will be useful. Not that the Homes are cold mind you far from it, but who doesn't like to snuggle under a Blanket or throw one over their legs. Often the Elderly are on medication which makes them cold and having a nice Blanket to give them comfort really helps them.

If you would like to have a go at the Butterflies they are really easy to make. Here's the Link to Netties Blog in Australia. A very easy video tutorial for you to try.  It's nice to keep our stocks up so please feel free to have a go. We also need Ribbons too, so if over Christmas you have any on Gifts that you receive please think of SIBOL. The Elderly really love a Blanket that is decorated  with Ribbon.

I think that's about all. Oh just to tell you that we have a Group over on RAVERLY and if you would like to pop over and read the threads please feel free to do so. Why not join us? We'd love to have you as a Member. Here's the Link.

Our new Challenges will be announced in the New Year and these will be different from the usual ones. We will be making Blankets using certain Squares. So for instance we might decide on a Square from the Jan Eaton Book and everyone will make the same one. We've had fun already doing the Willow Square for instance. So I hope you will stay tuned.

If there is anything you would like to ask me about Squares or Blankets please feel free to contact me. We have had a few new Ladies mail me over the last few days and it's always nice to answer any questions you have.

I'm off to do tea now, many thanks Liz. I love your beautiful Blanket. Thanks to everyone for visiting 'SIBOL' this evening.

x Sue x

I learn to Knit today!

Good Afternoon,

As I have said in previous posts, our Jersey Textile Showcase 'Festivals Challenge'  is ending in November. This is the last chance to make a Square and send it for our special Challenge. So all Squares need to be here by 30th November. Thank you. All details are on here.   I am also collecting Squares with Bunting Knitted or Crocheted on to it. If possible the Bunting must be in these colours, purple, orange, fuchsia pink, lime green, red and turquoise.  But please do not worry if you haven't got them all. 

Today bonsall sent in two Squares for our Blanket. 'Festivals of Colour' why not indeed! A fantastic idea and these Squares are definitely very colourful bonsall. I love them thank you. 

At 11.30  this morning I visited Irene our 90 year old Knitter.

We had a lovely chat and I came away with these colourful Squares that Pat and herself had Knitted for us.

We chatted about Knitting and as Irene had already started a Square

I asked her if she would show me how to Knit.

She showed me plain and purl and next time I visit she is going to show me how to 

cast on. What fun we both had this morning!

I asked Irene if she would take a photo on my phone. I don't know 

why this went to Black and White. But here it is.

ha.ha.!! 

Anyway I have come away with enough Squares for 4 Blankets at least.

So more Blankets for the Elderly!

Thank you Pat and Irene.

Just thought I would let you know too that yesterday I did this.

ITV’s ‘This Morning’ has been asking people to tell them about their ‘Moment of Kindness’. I thought it would be nice if I told them about what we did yesterday. For everyone filling out the form they will donate £5.00 to the Text Santa appeal. 
Here’s the Link.

So I told them about us making the Sunshine Blankets and delivering 18 to Stennards Care Home yesterday. 
x

Thanks for visiting today!

x Sue x 

A notice to anyone who is making Blankets for SIBOL.

Good Afternoon,

I just thought I would write a short post to tell you that the latest I can receive Sunshine Blankets for the Elderly for this year is the 30th November. This will give me chance to get the Blankets delivered first week of December.  I know everyone will be busy making their Gifts for family and friends  as well and we will be starting to wind down with 'SIBOL'.  Of course everything starts again in the New Year where we will be doing something different 'Challenge wise'. Not concentrating so much on the picture square Blankets but doing Challenges using particular Squares for example something out of the Jan Eaton Book like we have recently done with the beautiful Willlow Square. I realise not everyone likes doing Picture Squares for Blankets although the Elderly love them.

We have been very successful once again this year making Blankets for Marie Curie and of course our usual Sunshine Blankets for the Elderly and I would like to thank everyone that has supported the project.

The Blankets are always so well received and I know they are certainly talking points in the Homes.
If anyone has anything you like to ask me about our Blankets please do not hesitate to mail me.
I'm Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Thanks once again!

x Sue x

Sunshine Blankets from Spain and Delivery Day again!!

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the 'SIBOL' Blog.

Well here in the UK it is very wet and windy but that hasn't stopped me from getting the Blankets ready for my Delivery today!  I am actually very pleased because Sonieta and her Mummy who live in Spain sent me four Sunshine Blankets this morning and I rushed around this morning attaching the Butterflies, finding the Ribbon  and writing the cards because I desperately wanted these to go out in my Delivery today!

In total I have 28 'Sunshine Blankets' ready for the off  and I'll tell you about the Delivery once I have shown you the Blankets from Spain.  These gorgeous Granny Square Blankets have been made once again in a variety of colours and they really have been made so well. Sonieta tells me that her Mummy is always busy Crocheting  Squares for 'SIBOL' and I know Sonieta does her fair share too. Sonieta's Mummy makes the Squares and also crochets them together!  It's always really nice to accept your Blankets, I know how much you enjoy supporting our project and I am very grateful to you both so please tell your Mummy and give her a Big Thank you.

Let's take a look at the Blankets now.

Aren't these Blankets colourful?

The Elderly love bright colours and making a Granny Square is a good way

of using your odd bits of yarn up.

I have made a Slide Show for you Sonieta and Mummy thank you very much!

Created with flickr slideshow.

Well I have 28 'Sunshine Blankets' ready to go to Homes and over the past few days I have been getting them ready.

Today I am visiting 'Stennards Leisure Home', Frankley Beeches, Birmingham which is the Northfield area. Here's a link.  and I am delivering  18 Blankets.

As soon as I walked in I could tell it was a really friendly and welcoming Home. The Staff immediately said how gorgeous our Blankets were and it was lovely to be able to tell the Staff about you all. Of course I told Angela and the Staff why I started the project in Memory of my Grandmother and how successful we have been and where I deliver the Blankets to.

I asked for a couple of photos and this was no problem at all. The Staff invited me in to the Lounge where the Residents were sitting. Straight away the Staff started giving our Blankets out and the Residents absolutely loved them. We read the names out to them of the Blankets and I also told them about Grace and Irene who Knit and Crochet for us.  The Residents loved having their photos taken and everyone was laughing and saying how lovely the Blankets were. I even had Ladies clapping to say thank you. They were all saying how kind you all were to make such lovely Blankets and I told them how the Squares and Blankets come from the UK and Europe and also told them how the four Blankets came in from Spain this morning.

They loved the Butterflies too but most importantly they wanted me to thank you all.
I have some lovely photos to show you now.

Such lovely Staff, so friendly and loved our Blankets as you can see. Everyone wanted me to thank you all. I loved talking to the Residents and I even spoke to one Lady who at one time did a little Knitting herself.

So thank you very much 'Stennards' for receiving our Blankets today, it was lovely to meet you all.

I love our Delivery Days. It's nice for you to be able to see where your work goes to. The end of the road if you like. So it's really important to me that I manage to get a few photos for you. I realised on the way home that I hadn't asked the Staff to take one of me there's always next time.

So okay it's a miserable day here in the UK today, but there is one little part of Birmingham that has received lots of Sunshine! 'Stennards' Leisure Home.

Bye for now and thanks to everyone!

x Sue x

More Blankets to see!

Good Evening,

I am very happy to be showing you a new 'Sunshine Blanket'. This one has been assembled for me by Tinaspice. I am very grateful to Tinaspice because over the last couple of months she has been assembling Squares for me and this really helps me get the Blankets to the Homes quicker.  She has in fact now assembled 3 Blankets for me and they are all superb.

She has just finished this one and I'm sure you will agree it's another beauty.

She was really impressed with the Squares that were given to her and she sends her compliments to everyone that took part. We even had our 80 year old Grace make Squares in the next two Blankets coming up. We have named the first one 'Blueberry Pie' and the second one 'Citrus Crush'.

Blueberry Pie

Citrus Crush

I have suggested that she donates these Blankets to the Homes where her Mother lives and I shall be sending some matching Butterflies, Ribbon and of course our cards to decorate the Blankets up.

Perhaps you could send me some photos Tinaspice of the Blankets

decorated ready to go!

I am very grateful to you thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed the 'SIBOL' experience!

I have had a few new Ladies contact me about our 'SIBOL' project over the last few days and I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming you.

If anyone else wants to help please contact me on

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Or why not pop over to our RAVELRY SIBOL GROUP?

Here's the Link.

Have a good evening and thank you very much Tinaspice.

x Sue x