My post was held up!

Hi everyone!

Well I guess my post must have been held up because today I received quite a few parcels of SIBOL goodies and also a beautiful Friendship gift from my best friend Brenda. A 'Good Friends' Star and a Friendship book full of poems and quotes.

We celebrate our 13th Friendship Anniversary on the 23rd January. Enclosed in the package was a beautiful Butterfly card.

I thought it so appropriate for SIBOL I have taken a photo.

Isn't this pretty? It will be put on my Blog permanently. Thank you so much for your friendship Brenda too!

Let's get back to work......

I would like to thank 'creativegranny' for 'Paintbox'. This is a beautiful blanket made out of traditional Granny Squares. The colours in this blanket really work well together and don't you think the purple makes the Squares pop out! I have added a couple of Butterflies that 'creativegranny' sent and also some of her ribbon which finishes it off beautifully.

'creativegranny' also sent some Stash Squares, Challenge Squares and a little sachet of Lavender thank you so much! The selection of Ribbon will be terribly useful.

I have made a Slide show for you.

Created with flickr slideshow.

The Challenge Squares are just so lovely and what wonderful ideas.

If you are interested in our SIBOL Challenges pop over to the link.

One of our other 'SIBOLETTES' over on RAVELRY 'jessiebonbon' has very kindly sent in some Challenge Squares too. 

She's had a go at our Challenges and I can tell she has enjoyed them.

Let's take a look at them now.

Thank you so much for the beautiful Challenge Squares 'jessiebonbon'. Thank you for all of your hard work too!

I love the Poppy! What a wonderful idea for our 'Wartime Challenge'.

All of these Squares are perfect for our Challenges. So pretty! 

Great little car too. I just love all of them. 

I hope you enjoyed making them as much as I have receiving them!

Created with flickr slideshow.


A great pile of Knitted Squares were received today from Kilmarnock and Eichless Parish Church Craft Group (Scotland).
Although I'm not too good myself at assembling Knitted Squares I do have 'SIBOLETTES' who are and they make an excellent job too.

We have made some great Knitted blankets. All of the Squares you sent before have been used up.  So thank you very much!

'angelfee' is a new Member on our SIBOL RAVELRY GROUP and she's made some great Squares for our 'Sunshine Blankets'. She's also made some really gorgeous Butterflies. These really are so.....addictive. Why not pop over to Netties Blog in Australia and have a go yourself. We are always in need of them.

These really are so....pretty don't you think? Some fantastic Squares too, I am very grateful for them thank you 'angelfee'.
Created with flickr slideshow.

What fun!
Thanks to everyone that has contributed to the 'SIBOL Project' today! I'm going to have a great time with these Squares.
Thank you for visiting today!



x Sue x

Seven blankets arrive from the Netherlands.

Hello everyone on a snowy Sunday afternoon here in the UK!

As promised I am going to show you the blankets received from wilfi (Fiona) in the Netherlands.
On Friday I received a large parcel and it was full to the brim of SIBOL goodies!

I did show you the Butterflies, Ribbons and Squares etc., but now I would like to show you the blankets that she has put together for  'SIBOL'. Fiona has really worked so hard on these amazing blankets each one so......different.

Now the first one is a blanket that she has put together for Breast Cancer Care.
I would like to thank everyone that has donated these beautiful Pink Squares, they came from all around the World.

I will be auctioning our Think Pink blankets very soon.

I am very happy to introduce 'Pink Ribbon'  - Think Pink (5).

What a pretty blanket! I love it Fiona. Each of the Squares are so different and the border finishes it off beautifully. Fiona has even made hanging Butterflies and attached a special card too!

The second blanket is called 'Lovely Pink'.

Fiona wrote on her card, " I really love the colour pink and purple. I had a lot of 'lefties' and put my book of grannies out my crochet and made you this blanket it was a way of doing new grannies and doing some nice time on the christmas holiday. Hope you like it, as much as I have with making it".

What a superb blanket Fiona!

Thank you again.

The third blanket is called ' Butterfly Love'.

This is a really colourful blanket made our of Grannies and Fiona wrote on her card the following.

"A simple granny square blanket made from 'lefties'. I can't put them in the trash cane. So I made a blanekt off it for SIBOL. Hope you like it".

An Elderly person is going to love this blanket Fiona. What gorgeous colours!

I'm sure it will brighten up their day!

The following blanket was a 'take a bag' one. This means that I sent Fiona a bag full of Squares and she put them together for me 'working her magic.'  The Squares came from an Elderly Lady at Rowheath House. Fiona has made a fantastic job of putting them together.

Fiona I love the cards you have wrote and enclosed with your blankets. A great personal touch. I'm sure the person who receives this blanket will really enjoy reading it.

It's called ' A touch of magic!'.

Great border too Fiona, thank you!

Oh goodness what beautiful blankets!  What a nice way of brightening up this dreary day!

I've had such a lot of fun taking photos this afternoon.

Let's move on......

I think this blanket is great for a man. I would like to thank Tinka who sent the Squares and the Craft Group here int he UK that sent the plain red one. Fiona added her magic again to make these four Squares in to a blanket. What a fabulous idea!

This blanket reminds Fiona of China. She has called it 'Red Dragon'.

You are good at choosing names Fiona thank you for saving me a job!

'Love Bug' is another wonderful blanket. The colours in this are so good together.

Fiona has made this blanket for a Man. It's a plain simple blanket just going round and round 'as we do' in a Granny blanket. But don't you think the outer border finishes it off well?

The last blanket is another beauty. 

It's called 'Chat, drink tea and enjoy!'

That's what Fiona does when she meets her friends at the Craft group she attends.

She asked her friends to make a Granny Square so that she could make a blanket for SIBOL. 

The outcome is superb Fiona. Thank you so much!

I would like to thank everyone that has made a Square for these blankets. 

Fiona has done a superb job of putting them altogether. I can't thank you all enough.

Fiona is just so kind making all of these blankets and them donating them to our SIBOL project.

Well I'm sure these blankets are going to inspire you to pick up your hooks.

I am always very happy to receive Squares and blankets. If there is anything you would 

like to know please mail me 

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Let's take a look at the Slide Show now.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today!


x Sue xx

A box of SIBOL Goodies from the Netherlands.

Good Afternoon,

Well we have snow in the UK today, it's coming down quite heavily and I am inside for the day. Just as well because I have a lot to show you.

This morning a knock came to my door and there standing in the snow was a courier. This poor chap was cold and he had even left his van at the top of the road and walked down with Fiona's parcel. I think he knew how important it was to get this parcel to SIBOL HQ! :)

Fiona 'wilfi' lives in the Netherlands and she has been working so hard for our SIBOL Group that she sent a really heavy box to me today. It was full of goodies for SIBOL and I'm going to start showing you what was inside!

Fiona packed the box as much as she could. She sent  Butterflies, Ribbons, Squares, seven blankets that she had put together for us and also a beautiful Bird Cage for my Conservatory.

Daffodil Squares for our Marie Curie Cancer Care Challenge on here

Total count now 92 Daffodil Squares, nearly 4 blankets..

Please help us, why not make a Square with a Daffodil theme?

Did you notice the Butterfly Square? Bottom right.

This is for our Butterfly Challenge.

All details about our Challenges are on here

Here's my sweet Bird Cage. I am going to decorate it as I always do!

Thank you Fiona. I love it. 

Gorgeous blankets from Fiona. Hasn't she worked hard for our Group?

These are so pretty and some will be ideal for our Elderly Men too!

I am going to publish this post now and over the next few days I will show you the blankets in more detail. The afternoon light is fading on me.

I am terribly grateful to you Fiona for all the hard work you have put in to these blankets.

You really have put such a lot of effort in to everything and from behalf of myself and our SIBOLETTES a big thank you!

I'll be back soon to show you the blankets.

Thanks for visiting today!

x Sue x

Knit Today February 2013. 'SIBOL' is featured.

Good Afternoon everyone!

I am very pleased to be telling you that 'Knit Today' has very kindly featured our Group in their February issue.

If you have trouble reading the article please click on the picture and it will take you over to Flickr. Go to 'Actions' then 'Sizes'. You will find it easier to read.

We are asking for Squares and if you would like to help us please Crochet or Knit 6"  (15cms) Squares. Please try and get the measurements as near to 6" as you can please. If it is just under or just over that's fine but not 7"!

We make Sunshine Blankets for the Elderly in the UK. I personally hand deliver Blankets to Nursing/Care Homes/Sheltered Accommodation. Our 'Sunshine Blankets' are so well received. There are many Elderly people in Nursing Homes etc., that do not have visitors and our Blankets are a way of letting them know that someone maybe thousands of miles away in a far off country or even in the UK is thinking of them.

We have come to the end of our Stash Squares, we have now made 338 Blankets and our stocks are very low. So why not take out your Crocheting Hook or Knitting needles and spend an hour or so each evening Knitting for the 'SIBOL' Charity!"

I am always very grateful for Squares whether there is just 'one' or '100!'.

Do you need something new to occupy you? Please think of SIBOL.

If you would prefer to make your own Blanket for 'SIBOL' I would be very happy to receive them.

All details about our Squares, Blankets and SIBOL CHALLENGES are on here.

Thanks for popping in to SIBOL and if there is anything you would like to know please mail me
on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net



x Sue x

'New Beginnings' and Challenge Squares arrive today! Pop in!

Good Morning to you all,

Thank you for visiting 'SIBOL' today.

I am so excited today to be showing you a new 'Sunshine Blanket' for the Elderly and also some Challenge Squares which have arrived today.

The blanket has arrived from Liztelf here in the UK.  Liztelf has very kindly made and donated a gorgeous Patchwork Granny Square blanket to SIBOL. I am so...grateful for this wonderful contribution. The colours in this blanket are perfect and you know how much I love Granny Squares.
A great border finishes the blanket off and I have used some Butterflies today from 'jessiebonbon'.

This blanket is really so warm and over the next few weeks I am going to make sure the blanket will be 
given to an Elderly person who really would find a lot of comfort from receiving this blanket. Thank you so much Liztelf for putting such a lot of time and effort in to this wonderful blanket. It is very much appreciated.

Liztelf I have made a Slide Show for you now! Sit back and enjoy!


Created with flickr slideshow.
How beautiful thank you Liztelf!

Oh I'm a happy bunny today! I have also received a bumper parcel of Squares and Butterflies from 'jessiebonbon'.
'jessiebonbon' is a member of our 'SIBOL RAVELRY GROUP as well as Liztelf and she has kindly taken part in our SIBOL CHALLENGES. Just look at these fabulous Squares!

We have Squares here for the Gardening, Fruit, Underwater, Daffodil, Butterfly  and Leaves Challenge. Simply superb! I also received a beautiful selection of Butterflies.  Why not have a go yourself? Here's the link. 'jessiebonbon' it's time for your Slide Show!  Thank you so much for taking part in our SIBOL CHALLENGES.
Created with flickr slideshow.

What an exciting delivery thanks to Liztelf and jessiebonbon. Thanks for visiting today!

x Sue x 

Are you interested in our 'SIBOL' Freeform Challenge?

Good Evening,

We have a Freeform Challenge taking place on SIBOL. This is organised by 'creativegranny'.

Why not join us?

'creativegranny' says,

"Sue has given me permission to announce a NEW FREEFORM CHALLENGE. This time we will be making a blanket for SIBOL. 

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. 

Patches to be sent to me please. You can p.m. me for my address or E.Mail me at ‘paulineames@talktalk.net’

'creativegranny' RAV. Link here!"

Some examples from 'creativegranny'.

The Ladies on the RAV SIBOL Group are having fun with this Challenge. Please don't be nervous, have a go! Pop over and join us!

x Sue x

Daffodil Squares, Lime Cordial and Grape Crush!

Good Morning,

A bumper delivery of SIBOL Goodies today from 'jean nock' and 'Sally'.

Thank you to 'jean nock' who has very kindly made some Daffodil Squares for our Marie Curie Cancer Care Challenge.  As stated over on SIBOL CHALLENGES it is going to take me quite a while to collect the Squares for our special Marie Curie Challenge. I am trying to make 9 Blankets to be donated to the 9 Hospices up and down the Country. That's the idea, but let's see how we get on collecting them.

'jean nock' has made some beauties and I am very grateful to her. Along with the Daff Squares I received some SIBOL Butterflies and a beautiful little pink Heart. So cute.....

Here they are now.

The light is a bit iffy today, sorry.

I've made a Slide Show for you, sit back and enjoy!

 

Created with flickr slideshow.
Thank you so much 'jean nock'.

I am also very grateful to Sally.  Before Christmas Sally gave me a hand with 'take a bag'. It's amazing how she puts Knitted Squares together for me!  These blankets are really interesting. The green one I'm going to call 'Lime Cordial' and the other one 'Grape Crush'.

Beautiful Blankets Sally thanks ever so much for giving me a hand.

I think this one too is so.....pretty! 'Grape Crush'.

Let's take a closer look at the blankets now.
I would like to thank everyone that sent in the Squares for these blankets and also to Sally who made a wonderful job putting them together.


Created with flickr slideshow.


Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today!


x Sue x 

Let's take a look at our SIBOL CHALLENGES!

Hello and thanks for stopping by....

I'm taking a little peep at some beautiful Fruit Squares that have been made already for No. 1. Fruit and Vegetable Challenge.  I am sorry I have been rather sluggish so far this year but I have had this dreadful cold/cough virus that is doing the rounds. I am starting to feel more myself now but I would like to thank everyone for 'bearing with me'. Thank  you so much for your 'Get Well' wishes over on Ravelry and email.

Well it wasn't long before Tinka in Belgium started working that hook of hers. She was saying that's what she likes about our SIBOL Challenges, they give her chance to try something she wouldn't normally do.  I haven't received these Squares yet I have only seen them on RAVELRY but I want to try and show you the sort of thing I'm after for our Challenge.

First of all we have a Lemon.....

Cherries......

A beautiful Green Pear!......

Beautiful designs Tinka they are perfect!

Please don't feel frightened about having a go with our Challenges.  Using basic Crocheting Stitches  you can conjour up the most amazing Squares.  Nikster over on RAVELRY has also Crocheted a Square take a look at this one now.

Just make a shape and sew it on.....that's what our Challenge Squares are all about.
The Elderly love our SIBOL Picture Squares, they are real talking points for them. Why not have a go!

The Apple Slice has now been transformed in to a beautiful Picture Square! Thank you Nikster, another perfect attempt.

I also had some juicy Squares arrive earlier on in the week from bonsall which are so....realistic!

I'm really pleased you like the sound of my Challenges. If you want to have a go please remember your Squares must be roughly 6" (15cms) and they must be labelled with your Name and Challenge details. Oh please don't forget to leave your email address so that I can tell you that they have arrived.

Bye for now.

x Sue x

What's new?

Good Afternoon,

It's 10th January and already I have some new Sunshine Blankets flying in through the door of SIBOL HQ, also some beautiful Challenge Squares.

I would like to thank Kate here in the UK for sending along two beautiful Granny Square blankets made in such pretty colours. These really are enough to brighten up anyone's dull January day.  Kate also had a go at making some of our SIBOL Butterflies and I'm very pleased to say she is really enjoying them. I'll give you the link if you want to have  a go too. Kate has used silver thread for the antennae and I think this really finishes them off.

The two Granny Square blankets have been made in wonderful colours. Let's take a look at them now.

A great pastel one perfect for a Lady.

One for a Man maybe? Isn't it amazing how Granny Blankets can look so different just by changing the colours?  These Blankets are perfect thank you Kate. I'm sure you found them very relaxing to make too!

I must show you these gorgeous Butterflies! Aren't they pretty!

Kate thank you for all the hard work that has gone into both Blankets. It really is very kind of you.

Let's take a look at your Slide Show now.

Created with flickr slideshow.



I also had some Challenge Squares arrive today from Pamela here in the UK.
Pamela has been using her creativity to make two superb Squares.  One for our Underwater Challenge and the other for our Leaves Challenge.

Wow! Brilliant what fun!

Leaves of Autumn...  and plenty of life under the Sea!

Love them! Thanks ever so much Pamela. I can tell you enjoyed making them!

Why not have a go?

Pop over to SIBOL CHALLENGES.

x Sue x

Flowers and Fruit!

Hello and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL',

I'm very pleased to be showing you some Challenge Squares which have arrived from bonsall here in the UK.  bonsall has very kindly made some Squares for our Gardening Challenge and also some for our Fruit Challenge.

Some beautiful Flower Squares arrived this morning for our Gardening Challenge.

Also some Fruity Squares!

So realistic don't you think?

Stash Squares too!

A beautiful selection of Squares bonsall, thank you so much for taking part so soon in our

 SIBOL CHALLENGES.

Thanks for stopping by.

x Sue x

Our first Squares for 2013.

Good Morning and thanks for visiting the 'SIBOL' Blog.

May I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!


The start of the New Year brings some beautiful Squares from Ann in Leeds along with some pretty Butterflies and embellishments. I thought they would make a good header photo bringing some colour in to our day.

This is the first time I've been properly on-line for nearly a week as I have had this cold/stomach virus which is going around. Not feeling 100% yet by any means but I have had these Squares arrive this morning and I thought I would like to try and get them blogged for you. They are really lovely Ann thank you very much. A great start to 2013.

Our 'SIBOL' Challenges are now announced and they  can be found on here.

Thank you for visiting 'SIBOL' today!

x Sue x