My first Nursing Home visit.

Hi Everyone!

Well before I begin this post, I must tell you that today is my First 'Blogoversary' over on 'Mrs Twins'. So I hope you will pop over there. The Story continues here on SIBOL..........

Not only has it been my First Blogoversary, but also another special thing happened yesterday. A few weeks ago the Deputy Manager from The Willows Nursing Home in Cheshire contacted me because she had seen our SIBOL Blog and wondered whether we'd like to donate 'Sunshine Blankets' to her home.  Of course this made me terribly happy.  I mentioned to her that my Husband Colin was on holiday week beginning 6th September and I asked if we could take them up to her on the 9th which was yesterday.  My Husband was only too pleased. I had planned to give all the Blankets out in November, but because Colin was on holiday and the  home was quite a distance, we decided to go up this week.

So this week I have been preparing the 'Sunshine Blankets' and the cards to go with them. Now I really have to apologise here because I haven't had much chance to get round to my 'blog-reading'.  Please forgive me.
Colin and myself spent Tuesday morning preparing some cards on the computer to give with our 'Sunshine Blankets'.  I couldn't have done that on my own, and I really appreciate his help. 

We had some photos printed off of each 'Sunshine Blanket' and inside I typed a message from 'SIBOL' to the person who receives the Blanket. I wrote the name of the Blanket and  I also made a list of everyones' name who contributed Squares for that particular Blanket.  It does take  a lot of time to sort everything out but this was something I really wanted to do because you have all helped me so much. 

This is the front of one of the cards.

Anyway, the cards were printed, now it was time to go out and buy the ribbon.  I tied the 'Sunshine Blankets' with ribbon and attached the Butterflies.  When I made a  Blanket with Posy Lindas' Squares I made a couple of Butterflies. She named the Blanket 'Butterfly'.  When Salma over on Flickr saw the Butterflies she suggested that I made Butterflies with each Blanket and used them as a type of trade-mark for SIBOL.  I really think the Butterflies finish the Blankets off beautifully. So thank you Posy Linda and thank you Salma!

I took lots of photos when I was preparing the 'Sunshine Blankets' I wanted you all to see what I was doing. What do you think? When preparing the 'Sunshine Blankets' emotion came over me because I actually felt quite sad to think that our 'SIBOLS' were leaving me, but at the same time I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

The 'Sunshine Blankets' were ready to go. So we waited for Thursday.

We went out in the Garden before we left and took a final photo.

We travelled to 'The Willows Nursing Home' in Mobberley, Cheshire.  It took us nearly 2 hours, 80 miles there, driving up the M6 from Birmingham.

When we arrived the Matron welcomed us and we were introduced to Maxine the Activities Co-ordinator. We sat down and explained about SIBOL, how it all started and why. She was so interested.  I told her how all my Friends were so kind in helping me with this project and how amazed I have been  at the amount of Squares that have come in. She just loved the Blankets and wanted to take some photos for a Website called 'Dignity in Care' which she did. But she also explained that they have to be very careful about confidentiality so they couldn't allow us to take photos of the residents or the inside of the home. We were offered tea and biscuits and we really had a lovely chat. She even gave me a Thank You card which I thought was extremely kind. The staff in the home were so friendly and as soon as we walked in we had a really nice feeling about the place.

Maxine spent a lot of time telling us about the activities she arranges. Bingo Evenings, Film Evenings, Quizzes, Poetry and Book readings.  At present they are reading Pam Eyres who I think is so funny!  She really tries to keep the days interesting for them. 

She explained to me that the Blankets would be given out when new people arrived. I actually thought that was a really good idea because I kept thinking on the way up to Cheshire, how are they going to decide who to give the Blankets too. She really loved the Blankets and was so interested in our group. I told her about my Grandmother and how I wanted to do something in her Memory. Colin and myself walked out so happy knowing that the Blankets would be appreciated in the home.  Although we didn't actually meet any of the residents we fully understand the reasons why.  At least we know where the Blankets have  'ended up' if you know what I mean and that's really nice.  

I really love making the SIBOL Blankets and once again may I take the opportunity of thanking you all. You are just the kindest people!

After thanking Maxine and saying Goodbye to her, we thought we'd have a ride out into the Peak District. The scenery was beautiful, it was such a lovely day.

We travelled to the 'Cat and Fiddle' pub, high up in the Peak District hills

where Colin agreed to have his photo taken.

Then it was my turn, I never take good photos.

Why not have lunch while we are here?

The most gorgeous Ploughmans meal.

Come on Sue, 'I want my dinner now!' ha.ha. :)

Then we headed back home, mission accomplished!

7 Beloved SIBOLS have now left me and boy was I sad!

'Sunshine Surprise'

'Orange Grove'

'Across the Oceans'

'Dolly Mixtures'

'Sunshine Blues'

'Sun Reflections'

'Shining Light'

Squares arrive from the UK.

Good Evening Everyone!

OOh I'm so happy to be telling you that I had Squares arrive from Devon today here in the UK.  Charles
is one of our new 'team bloggers' and I'm so happy that she's now officially a 'SIBOLETTE!'.  Her Squares
are gorgeous.

You may remember a couple of posts back she wrote about herself and she showed the pretty Blanket which she made using the Jan Eaton Blocks. 4th September 'Newbie on the Block'.   That very night I went to bed thinking of her Blanket and could'nt get to sleep because I had another idea whizzing around in my head.  Why not make a 'SIBOL' Jan Eaton Blanket?

Do you have the Book?
Jan Eaton 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans.
Turn to the front of the Book  'The Block Directory'.
Go through the Squares 1 to 25 and choose one you would like to make.
Email me the number sueatpigsty@talktalk.net
I will then type it on to the list in the side bar.
I then await your Square.
When I have the Squares 25 arrive,  I will then make them in to a Blanket for the Elderly.
Good idea? Want to have a go?
Please do.

Getting back to Charles (slightly side tracked there).  She has sent me in a great Selection of Squares, including her Square for the Jan Eaton Challenge. She has chosen No . 16  'Waterlily'. It arrived  very quick Charles! I'm so pleased you liked the idea.  The other Squares are lovely too I think my favourite is the purple and pink Square 'Waterlily' because  I just love those two colours together. So many, many thanks.

Before I show you your Slide Show,  I also want to tell you that a couple of posts back  5th September, 'Sunshine Wishes across the Miles ' Posy  Linda in the USA had an idea about writing a few lines in a letter or on a postcard telling 'the receiver of the Blanket' a  little about yourself as the one who contributed a Square for that particular Blanket.  I'm very pleased to say Charles did this very thing and today I received her 'postcard'. So when your Square(s) is  used in a Blanket I will make sure the card is enclosed with the Blanket. A brilliant idea from Posy Linda. I hope you pop back and read her post.

Today has been the most wonderful day and before I tell you about it, I have a lot of work to do on the post, so would you please keep checking. I'm hoping to get it on for tomorrow. You will be really, really interested in what I have to say.......

It's my one year 'Blogoversary' over on 'Mrs Twins' tomorrow I do hope you will pop over and say hello!

Charles thank you so much for everything, Enjoy your very own Slide show now.  Have a good evening everyone! May I say thank you to all our new Followers, and for the enquiries I have received by email. Glad you want to join us!

My squares for 3 challenges

The Bonfire Square

The Christmas Square

Jan Eaton's Block nr. 17 Alternate Bobbles

 These are the squares I made for the last challenges.

I hope you like them.

I send my congratulations to Sue. Making these beautiful blankets is a lot of work.

Dear Sue, you're the best!

I'm looking forward to the yet-unknown-blankets and the new challenges next year.

 ♥ Karin ♥

Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL No. 28! 'Blue and White 4).

Hi Everyone!

I'm very pleased to tell you that I have finished SIBOL No. 28 which is the fourth 'Blue and White' Blanket. I hope you like it as much as the others.

I've had great fun making it once again. So many Blue and White Squares came in and I still have three more to do! But this one was made last weekend. I started it Saturday while Mr. Twins went up to Scotland and by the Sunday evening it was assembled and bordered up! So I was very pleased to show him when he got home.

The Squares have just been absolutely amazing and I am very grateful to you all.  Please bear with me if you haven't seen your Square yet for this theme. As I say there are others! I'm afraid it looks rather like the others, the reason being I still have lots of white yarn to use up and I thought I must use it before buying anymore.  As long as we have a reasonable Blanket at the end that's the main thing.

Thank you to everyone who have sent me 'Blue and White' Squares, without  you I couldn't make the Blankets. I appreciate your help very much.

Here's SIBOL 28's 'Slide Show'.

If you go back a couple of posts and read what Charlotte wrote about her own 'Jan Eaton' Blanket.  You'll probably have read that I thought of making a 'Jan Eaton' SIBOL Blanket.  I was greatly inspired by Charlotte and I want to thank you for your great post. 

I thought why not make a 'Jan Eaton' Blanket for the Elderly.  Now do you have her book? '200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans?'. If you do........

1.  Turn to the front of the book where there is a Block Directory.
2.  Choose one  Block between the numbers 1 to 25.
3.  When you have chosen a Block, email me and let me know which number you are going to make.
     sueatpigsty@talktalk.net
4.   I will then add it to the list on the SIBOL Side bar (at the top).
5.   When the Block is made send it to my home address (on request).

      When I  have 25 Blocks (Squares) out of the Jan Eaton book. I will make them into a                       
      'Sunshine Blanket' for the Elderly.
      When we have made the Blanket we will do another Blanket using the Blocks 25 to 5O.

I thought this might be fun!

I hope you will join in!

Sunshine wishes from across the miles.....(5th Sept) 'Newbie on The Block' (4th Sept).

I am so pleased to be invited by Sue to add a post to SIBOL.  Thank you Sue!

Everyone has worked so diligently in making and donating the squares that have been transformed into a "one of a kind" gift that will be delivered by our tireless leader Sue.  The delivery dates are just around the corner and I was thinking that any SIBOLETTES who are interested might write a note or card about herself and mail it to Sue to include in the parcels.

I know from visiting relatives over the years who reside in nursing homes how they adore sharing with their friends the cards, letters, postcards and photographs they receive.  A small note with some details about yourself, where you live and how you came to make the squares might make this project even more special.

Another idea might be to simply pick up a postcard from your area and write a short note.  It would be really fun to see all of the postcards from so many far away places.

If you are interested, please contact Sue at sueatpigsty@talktalk.net  The deadline is Friday, October 8, 2010.  With your submission, kindly include your name, address, email, blog site or Flickr name.

Thank you SIBOL Sisters!

Newbie on the block!

Hello Ladies,

My name is Charlotte and i thought i would introduce myself to you all in blog land! I am quite new at crochet, my mother in law taught me about a year ago and i have done quite a few projects already. As an anniversary present Linda bought me Jan Eatons 200 crochet squares book and i have been loving it! My last blanket was made from all different squares from the book and was really successful. I am currently working on another bigger one in lots of different blues.

The next thing my mother in law Linda (from Chalky's World) introduced me to was the world of blogging! To be honest at first i thought, what do i have to write about, i live in a quiet area in Devon, I'm not very exciting. But i thought i would give it a go... and I'm actually quite enjoying it! As i seem to write mostly about what crafty things i get up to it encouraged me to do more and more. I do hope some of you will come over and check me out at 'Sharky Knows', as i don't have very many followers yet.

Anyway, back to the main reason for my post and that is to show you the first few squares i have done for SIBOL. Again they are all taken from the Jan Eaton book.

To Sue, you are doing a wonderful job and i cant believe how generous you are being with your time and energy putting these blankets together. I am sure all the lucky people that receive one will really appreciate it! This project and blog is such a success, you should feel very proud!

Well i hope you like my squares and i hope they will be useful to Sue. I'll get my hook out again soon for some more!

Busy Saturday for SIBOL! Squares from USA and UK.

Good Morning Everyone!

Rise and Shine it's a beautiful SIBOL Day!!

Oh goodness I'm full of happiness again today! You all never fail to amaze me with your kindness.  Today I received some Squares from the United States of America and good old UK!

bienzfive (USA) sent me some gorgeous Squares.  OOh, they are so sweet. One in particular take a look, what an usual idea. I do love to see what you all come up with!



Isn't that just so lovely?

Do you want to see bienzfives' SIBOL Squares? Here they are Maria in your very own Slide Show! Thank you so much for the Squares, I just love all the colours, I love the patterns.

I also had Squares arrive today from Pippa (MSE) (UK).  Pippa has sent me a lovely selection of SIBOL Squares.  The photo below is just four of the gorgeous Squares Pippa sent today. They are for the 'Christmas Challenge'. We've started receiving Squares for this Challenge now and it's lovely to see what you all come up with! Take a look at them. 



So beautiful for our Christmas Challenge.  Thank You Pippa.

Sit back Pippa here's your Slide Show coming up with Squares too for our Men's Challenge! Many thanks.

Thank you all so much for visiting SIBOL today and what ever you are up to, have a good time and many thanks to everyone who have sent me Squares this week for SIBOL.  I'm pleased you are enjoying it as much as I am!

Busy Friday! Squares from the UK and The Netherlands.

Hello Everyone!

I'm back again. I did do an early morning post showing Squares from Manda's challenge and also Maytaurus but I've had post come at lunchtime today, so I'm back to show you the three sets I've received.

First of all I want to show you Squares from Jean Nock (UK). The squares are just so pretty.  Pastel colours mainly which are my favourite along with Squares for our 'Black and White' Challenge and also the Mens. But of course the Black and White could be used for the Men, couldn't they?   We are going to have some lovely Mens' Blankets.



Those are the pastel coloured ones and in the Slide Show you will also see the Mens' Squares. Thank you so much and I am pleased you are enjoying SIBOL so much!



Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Lovely weren't they?

Now the next set of Squares have come in from Anja in The Netherlands.  She has made three Squares which will be lovely for our Christmas Challenge. I love the Squares, I love the patterns, I love the colours. I am so pleased you too are enjoying SIBOL Anja! Thank you for sending them to me, I appreciate them very much.



I've added a few more photos now to make you your own Slide Show too!



Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Did you enjoy seeing your Squares Anja?

The last set I have to show you have come in from Seakay on the MSE Knit a Square Forum here in the UK. The Ladies work very hard on there Knitting and Crocheting for  different Charities.  I am so grateful to Seakay and other Ladies on there for helping me out too.  Seakay has sent me two Squares for our 'Christmas Challenge' and two for the 'Mens' Challenge.  Perfect Squares I just love them and thank you  so much for the note Seakay!




Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Simply lovely Squares I am most grateful to you, Thank You!!

I'm sure you have all enjoyed looking at these three sets today. But did you see the ones from Manda's Challenge and Maytaurus?  If not please go back and view them. All the Squares have been lovely thank you all so much.

Have a nice weekend everyone, it's been a glorious afternoon today here in the UK. I hope it is nice where ever you are!

Squares from the UK arrived yesterday!

Hello Everyone!

Many apologies to Manda's challenges and Maytaurus (MSE) because yesterday their Squares arrived and unfortunately I couldn't get on to Blogger. I tried all afternoon and it was so annoying. But today early bird as I am I'm posting photos of gorgeous Squares.

First of all I would like to thank Manda's challenges for the super Squares received yesterday.  I did tell Amanda that we had to abandon the Childrens' Picture Square Challenge unfortunately but I'm sure we will
find a great use for them next year. It's one of those silly 'Elf and Safety' issues here in the UK! :)

Anyway, Amanda made gorgeous Kiddies' Squares and if you look very closely there is something so tiny and cute at the bottom of her photo. She very kindly made me a tiny weeney pair of 'flip flops!'. They are so
sweet and treated me to a beautiful heart shaped box of fudge!!!!! I know who cares about those calories!
So Amanda here is your Slide Show sit back and enjoy.  Thank you so much for the fantastic Squares I just love them.

Weren't they just so cute!

Now yesterday I also had a beautiful set of Squares arrive from Maytaurus over on MSE. which is a Charity Knitting and Crocheting site. The work the Ladies do for Charities is simply amazing. Maytaurus has
very kindly sent me Squares before and I am so....grateful to her. The Squares will be so useful to me and I
just loved taking photos for you all to see. Maytaurus made me the sweetest little cupcake, do you want to see? Simply lovely. Thank you so much.

I'd like to showcase your beautiful Squares Maytaurus, here goes and many thanks!

Thank you both so much for the Squares it's very nice of you both to help me with the project.

Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL No. 27. 'Blue and White' (3). 'Blue Beauty' - named by Salma.

Good Evening Everyone!

So nice to say hello to you all.  I have  a Ta - Dah! for you today! Introducing 'SIBOL No. 27' 'Blue and White' theme (3).  We had such a lot of fantastic names the other day, I thought I would use one for this 3rd 'Blue and White' Blanket.  'Blue Beauty'.  I love all the 'Blue and White'  Blankets but I particularly like this one.  I've had such fun putting the Squares together and I would like to thank you all so much.  27 Blankets with 25 Squares in each, Let me get the Calculator, my Maths was never any good! Let me see........ 27 x 25 = 675 SIBOL Squares altogether.  Oh my Goodness! What a lot of Squares! Simply beautiful. I would love to thank each and everyone who have contributed to this theme. Such fun!

I have been outside this afternoon it was such a wonderful day.  Mr. Twins took down one of the top sheds at the weekend, so we have a pile of wood on the grass, so I came up to the top patio to take some shots. I did my best. Ooh I do wish my flowers were good still.  But they aren't sadly.......

Here's my Slide Show, I do hope you enjoy seeing the Blankets in my Garden. Have a lovely evening, afternoon, morning where-ever you are around the World!  Do you like the name? Salma chose it over on Flickr. Thank you Salma.

Squares from 'Down Under'.

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Thanks so much for visiting SIBOL today!

I have had some great Squares come in from Australia today. Susan has  very kindly sent me a great selection of Squares and I just love them. I just love all the different colour combinations she has used
and the yarn is gorgeous too! I am so pleased you have joined in the fun Susan and I'm very pleased
to show you now your very own Slide Show! I just love your Squares thank you so much for sending
them to the UK! The Squares will be really useful in our 'Sunshine Blankets!'.

Here's your Slide Show, enjoy!