Squares from the UK!

Hello Everyone!

I had Squares come in yesterday, but I had trouble loading a couple up on to the Slide Shows for some reason, so I am a little delayed showing you these.

I would like to thank Didsbury 13 (UK)  for the Square for our Jan Eaton Challenge. It's No. 43 'Four Patch Granny. I love the shades of Blue you have used in this Didsbury 13 and I think it's such an easy Square to make.



I especially like the card too, isn't it just so pretty! Thanks so much for taking part in our Challenge.

We then come on to bonsall from the UK.  bonsall sent me a lovely selection of Squares.



1 for the 'Circle of Friends' Challenge - pretty shades of pink.
2 Squares for the 'Two Tone Green Granny Square Challenge.
1 Flower Square and 2 Grannies in beautiful pastel colours.
They really are so pretty, thank you bonsall.

Here's your Slide Show, Enjoy!

Finally our friend loopy_jess.  I do hope you will pop over to her blog and say hello.  She has been
working hard trying out various patterns of Priscilla Hewitt. First she tried 'Antique Pearls' and then
the 'Circle of Friends'.  She's sent me two of each, I have one spare for future Blankets. Also Jan Eaton No.
42, 'Lacy Wheel'.  They are all lovely patterns, I do hope you enjoyed making them!



Here's your Slide Show loopy_jess! Enjoy!

Thank you all for the Challenge Squares, they are all so nice.

Circle of Friends and Jan Eaton (2)

My first blocks for 2011 are finished and just waiting to be popped into the post....


Circle of Friends -

Sorry about the bad photo it was late and the light awful.  This was the only colour I had in the correct gauge, hope it works in with everyone elses!




Jan Eaton (2) -

Number 48  Danish Square,  this one was fun to make!


Can't wait to see the rest,


Jenni

Crochet Competition Square

I am holding a competition on my blog

I was inspired to make a square in my grandmothers honour.

To enter, all you have to do is make the square

and send it with your details i.e.

(name, snail mail & email address & the name for your square)

To either myself in Australia or Sue at SIBOL in UK

Email me at:  jane2gr@msn.com for my address

Or Email Sue at : sueatpigsty@talktalk.net for her address

(if sending to sue, please put the heading Jane's Competition)

 

Not only will you get a chance to name the square, 

but there will be a prize and

you will be assisting in making a blanket for charity.

here is a sneak peek

Details and the pattern are here

http://papillongold.blogspot.com/2011/01/crochet-square-competition.html

New Venture for SIBOL

Hello Everyone!

I have a very important announcment for you, some of you may already know.

On Friday SIBOL went 'live' over on Ravelry.  Yes, Ravelry!

During the last week I had an email from Aishwarya (arien 156 Flickr).  She was asking me whether I had thought about going on Ravelry.  I explained to her that Ladies had already asked me before, and I wasn't that keen on the idea. I think the reason why I said no before was that I had not long set up SIBOL, I was just getting it off the ground.  Aishwarya very kindly offered to set the Group up for me. She said she would
take responsibility for me, the daily running etc.,  Well this time I said yes.  The actual SIBOL web-site is a year old on February 28th and I thought maybe it was time to venture out into new ground.

Aishwarya is such a sweet lady, she has worked so hard for the SIBOL Group.  She has studied hard my Flickr photostream and she has taken from there all the 44 'Sunshine Blankets' and loaded them all up on to Ravelry. She has even put all the names with them. Nothing has been too much trouble for her, she has enjoyed the whole process.  She communicates with me every step of the way and keeps me in touch with everything.

When we receive Squares in 2011, all these Squares from you will be loaded up on to Ravelry so others can see them and I think the really nice thing about Ravelry is that we can all get on-line and have a chat over there! It's going to be such fun! I do hope you will check it out.

I'm sure we would all like to thank Aishwarya for her help in doing this wonderful thing for our Group. It is her way of helping us she said.  It's absolutely amazing how the internet can bring us all together don't you think? She's in Singapore and I'm here in the UK! Yet, we can do things like this. Wonderful! Thank you so much Aishwarya!

Thanks to everyone that has already been over to Ravelry.  If you haven't checked us out yet, please pop over and tell us how you found SIBOL and how you are enjoying the Group. We'd all be very pleased to say hello to you, don't be shy!

Blanket wise, I've been working on the Black and White theme.  I hope it's not too long before I can show you  on Flickr and SIBOL.

I  hope you are all having a good weekend, until next time thanks for visiting.!

squares for challenges

Hello Everyone,

Here are a few squares I'm sending to Sue for some of the different blankets
this one for the two shades of green
  young at heart
for these two
Brenda B-itty

Squares for our new Challenges arrive today! UK.

Hello Everyone!

I've received a very good response to my new Challenges, thank you so much!  I had a few sleepless nights over them I have to admit. But I'm pleased now we have agreed on the 'Circle of Friends' Challenge in particular. 

Thank you to everyone that has emailed me with Block Numbers for Jan Eaton, and also a space in our 'Circle of Friends' Blanket.  This Blanket was first of all suggested by Marilyn (roomontheleft) on Flickr and I thought it was such a good idea.  A 'Circle of Friends' so appropriate for our Group!

I do hope you will keep checking SIBOL, because very soon I have an announcement!

But first I would like to thank Pippa very much for the Squares which I have received today!

Pippa has very kindly made us Jan Eaton Block Number 35. This one is called 'Tricolour Square'.  I love the shades of pink she has used.  OOh how I love pink.... It's so pretty.  Pippa has tagged it too, as I suggested. Thank you. I think this is such a good idea.  Not only does it save me time, it's easier to sort when they come in.

Here's Pippa's 'Tricolour Square'.

and also......'Two Tone Green Granny Squares'.

Pippa has used a darker shade of Green on the left Square, a nice contrast to the Lime Green.  I think the other Square is lovely too. Nice to have them both different, but of course you don't have to! I love Granny Squares.  I think our Two Tone Green Granny Square Blanket will be quite interesting!

Thank you so much Pippa for the three Squares received this morning, the lovely tags, and the lovely letter too! I'm so pleased you are enjoying our Challenges.

It's just a shame the light is dreadful today. We have had snow this morning and then rain and the morning has been quite miserable. These Squares have definitely brightened my day up, many thanks Pippa!

Have a good day everyone!

Do you like yarn? What do you think about this?

Hello Everyone!

My friend Carol in the USA has just emailed me. She has seen this on the BBC News and wondered if I'd like to take a look.

Would you? Just put your hooks down for a minute Ladies, and enjoy this video!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9231000/9231744.stm

Thanks so much Carol, how lovely is this?

Hugs Sue x

Hope I'm not taking your minds off the new Challenge.



Just to say I can't get the list updated on SIBOL CHALLENGES, it's playing up sorry.
I am keeping a written list.

Circle of Friends

Hello dear Sibolettes!
I know there's a lot going on about the Circle of Friends square, 

designed by the talented Priscilla Hewitt.
I know, she has made the square with worsted weight yarn and that ended up as a 8"x 8"square.
But..... that doesn't mean we have to use the worsted weight yarn.

We are free to use the yarn of our choice as long as we respect the design.
So, yesterday evening I crocheted this Circle of Friends:

It's 15 cm x 15 cm (6"x 6").

I used hook 4 mm and the yarn is

100 grams = 250 meters (273 yds)

After finishing the square I found out it was a bit too small. 

So I added one row of sc (US) and now it has the required Sibol size. 

I hope you all will find the right yarn to make this wonderful square!

If so, Sue can add the Circle of Friends challenge to the list.

~X~

Karin



OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

This Challenge has officially been announced now on SIBOL CHALLENGES.
Thank you very much Karin, thank you too Amanda! x

Jan Eaton (2)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

DEAR SIBOLETTES!

I've started crocheting for the first challenge.

My first square of 2011 is here:

Jan Eaton nr. 38 Dahlia

I've blocked my square and it measures exactly 15 cm x 15 cm (6"x 6"):

No problem, it's only a matter of using the right yarn and hook.

Wishing you lots of succes making yours!

~X~

Karin

Squares from USA!

Good afternoon Everyone!

Happy New Year to you all!

Well the festivities are over, I do hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  Back to our work now......
Today I had some lovely Squares come in from Sandiepetit53 (Flickr).  As I have said many times
before I love Granny Squares.  Well I think we all do.  These are just lovely and they will be so useful
in our Blankets. The yarn is really nice too.  You Ladies in the USA seem to have such lovely yarn and
the colours are gorgeous too.  Thank you so much for sending them to me Sandiepetit53. I have linked
your blog I do hope everyone pops over.

Enjoy your Slideshow! It's been a pleasure to make it for you.




Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

I do hope you have popped over to our new SIBOL Blog 'SIBOL CHALLENGES'.  It's been fun sorting the Challenges out although one of them has given me a bit of a headache.  Yes I'm talking about 'Circle of Friends' Challenge.  I'm waiting to hear back from Amanda on this, so everyone keep checking.

Can I remind if you have time to make Squares also for the Children in America with Cancer.  I will be putting another link up in due course.  These Squares are desperately needed if they are to reach their target.  It's nice to help other Charities as well as our own.  Brenda and Beverley have asked me on a couple of occasions if we could mention the site. Please stop by and see what you think. Thank you! Here's the link.

Blanket wise.....I'm working on the Black and White at the moment, unfortunately had to stop because I ran out of yarn.  Today I have been to the shops so I can start again on those.

I do hope you are all enjoying your Crocheting and Knitting again after the Christmas holidays and I'll keep you posted about the 'Circle of Friends' Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by......

~~~ Important update ~~~ Happy New Year to you all! Challenges 2011

        HAPPY NEW  YEAR TO EVERYONE VISITING SIBOL!

I'M VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW CHALLENGES FOR 2011

PLEASE CLICK ON SIBOL CHALLENGES TO THE RIGHT OF THIS POST.

and.........read Manda's Challenges post!

Good Morning Ladies and fellow Sibolettes :)
We have exciting news for you regarding the Circle of friends Square by Priscilla Hewitt :)
It is true that a few of us have been working out a way to achieve the 6" version which i'm pleased to annouce was successful :)
However we have to respect the original designer's wishes of copyright laws and notifying her of any minor alteration's and not doing any photo tutorials without her prior consent, so this in mind i sent her an email expressing our wishes:

Dear Priscilla, i belong to a group of ladies that crochet for a charity called sunshine international blankets of love based in the UK, and we would very much like to do a blanket featuring this particular square, the idea is that 25 seperate ladies each contribute a square made from this gorgeous pattern,

the only snag is : the pattern is designed as being an 8" square and we as a group crochet 6" squares, with your kind permission i would like to alter the pattern slightly so that we can achieve the 6" purposely for this project and if possible do a photo tutorial to accompany the minor changes, i do appriciate the effort that you made to publish this gorgeous square and would naturally like to ask that if you wish to alter it for us we'd be equally delighted.

Here is the link to the site/blog where we have mentioned the possibility of incorperating your square http://sunshineinternationalblanketsoflove.blogspot.com/

my username there is manda's challeges and the lovely lady that put's all these blankets together is Sue we look forward to hearing from you

kind regards Amanda xxx

I also conferred with Sue at every stage to keep her in the loop:)
And so we are extremely pleased to announce that the lovely Priscilla responded very quickly with this reply:

Hi Amanda,

Thank you! I'm flattered that you'd like to use my square for your most worthy charity.
My 6" version of this square is this Antique Pearls square: http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Afghan%20Squares/Antique%20Pearls%20Square.pdf When worked in one color instead of two, it looks like a smaller version of the Circle of Friends square. Give it a try and if it's not what you're looking for please let me know and I'll rework te 8" square for you.
Happy crocheting!


Priscilla


Priscilla's Crochet

As you can see from her beautiful response that she is over the moon that we'd like to use her square and has kindly linked an alternative which Jenny picked up on .
Antique pearls
You may also have noted from her response that if we would like to keep to the original she would be willing to draw up a new pattern for us!!
How extremely generous we are flattered too Priscilla xxx
So now we have a decision to make ladies as a group  :) do take a look at the proposed 6" pattern and share your thoughts, it is strikingly similar, i hav'nt worked it up yet but will do as soon as time allows :)

Many thank's Amanda xxx

Ta - Dah! Ta - Dah! Ta - Dah!

Hello Everyone!

We are still having holidays here in the UK.  OOh, it will be nice to get back into our usual routines!  I've been so busy today trying to do a mamouth tidy up after Christmas and it's so difficult with everyone still at home.  I've tried to come on here but it has been difficult.

 I know Brenda and Amanda have been working on the Friendship Square and I would like to say a big thank you! Also too to Steph and Jenny for their thoughts.  If you'd like to pop to 'Sibol-The Archive' they have some ideas too.

Yes I know the Circle of Friends Square is 8" on the pattern, but Karin assures me that it is possible to get it to 6".  Just trying different hooks and yarn I'm sure it is possible. Do you remember Karins beautiful Square a while back.

 What I don't want though is you having to go out and buy special yarn to make this Square so that it gets down to size.

Can we just hold on please and let's see what Amanda comes up with., She has been working on the Square this afternoon. I will keep you posted.

My Challenges will be announced 1st January.

I haven't had much chance to come on the computer over the holidays but I have been crocheting. I know I was going to take a break, BUT I just can't! Do you want to see the latest Blankets?  Thanks to everyone that has sent me Squares for these. They are just so pretty!

So I have three Ta - Dah's for you! Here goes....

Ta - Dah! SIBOL No. 46




SIBOL No. 47




SIBOL No. 48




I hope you like them and here's my Slide Show!

Hello on Tuesday

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all having a nice holiday. I'm just popping in to say I have deleted the posts on making a 'Circle of Friends' Blanket for the Elderly.  I didn't realise that this Square is coming in at 8" which is too big for our SIBOL Blankets.

We are currently trying to make the same Square smaller, so if we are successful we will announce it again. We was going to ask that everyone sends just one Square using this pattern.  I think I got rather excited on Christmas Eve when Marilyn 'roomontheleft' suggested we make a Blanket 'as you do!' But I didn't realise at the time that it was that big. But I suppose it all depends too on what yarn you use.

Would you mind if we 'hold fire' on this one? I'll let you know soon thank you.

Sorry this is short.....
Bye for now.

Christmas Eve Squares from America!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I'm very pleased to be popping in on Christmas Eve to show you these pretty Squares that have just flown in from America.  Terri thank you so much.  Your Squares are just lovely.  I love the colours so much on these. The colour combinations Terri  are just wonderful!

I'm really pleased these Squares have arrived today just in time for Christmas you might say because Terri has been rather worried about their arrival. Well I'm very pleased to say they are here with me now at 'Two Times'.  I'm sure they will look beautiful too when they are in our SIBOL Blankets.

Take a look at these......




and here's your Slide Show Terri thank you so much.

Well I'm meeting the rest of my family at my Mothers house now, for Christmas Eve dinner, so Happy Christmas everyone, enjoy yourselves if you are popping in today!

Happy Christmas! Jan Eaton Blanket (1) and Squares from the Netherlands!

          'Happy Christmas to everyone that is visiting SIBOL today!

Whether you be one of our ' Followers', one of our 'team bloggers', one of our 'SIBOLETTES'.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful support.  

Back in January I asked you if you wanted to help me make Blankets for the Elderly in Memory of my Grandmother.

I'm so pleased because our project has been successful. We between us have now made 44 'Sunshine Blankets' which have been delivered to Nursing Homes as far as Cheshire and in the West Midlands where I live. 

To actually 'finish the journey' for a year has been very rewarding.  All our 'Sunshine Blankets' have been 'very well' received by the Staff and the Residents in Nursing Homes.  To actually meet some of the Residents while our Blankets have been presented to them has just put wonderful.  I personally know that they love them and they appreciate them. 

Thank you to everyone that has sent me a 6" Square whether it be Knitted or Crocheted. Your help has been very much appreciated. 

Thank you to everyone also that has sent me donations of ribbons, yarns and stationery once again your help has been appreciated. 

Many thanks.

----------------------------------------

UPDATE TUESDAY!


I have a Ta - Dah today for you!
Yes the first Jan Eaton Blanket.
I'm really happy how it's turned out ALTHOUGH
it has come out bigger than usual, so I haven't really put much of a border on.

The reason for this is because the Squares have come in at all different sizes, it has been quite difficult to do really. There has been a lot of filling in to get the Squares the same size, this is the reason why it has taken me longer than usual.  I have done the very best I can, I hope you like it.

Next time when we do the second set of Jan Eaton Squares, PLEASE do your best to get the Squares 6" (15cms x 15cms). This applies to any Square sent to SIBOL. When the Squares are all such different sizes it takes me so much longer, and then I tend to get bored with it. (If you know what I mean!).

It doesn't matter if it's just half an inch either smaller or larger I can work with that without too much trouble, it's when the Squares tend to be much larger it causes me a problem.  I know it's difficult to get the Squares exact, if anyone can give us advice in the comments I'd very much appreciate it.  Of course we are all using different yarn which probably causes the problem.

I'll always do my very best but it would help if any Square sent to SIBOL is 'roughly' 6" x 6" (15cms x 15cms).

Anyway, here is my Slide Show for the first Jan Eaton Blanket, and I will definitely be putting up the Block List on January 1st with our new Challenges!

Thanks so much to everyone that has sent me Squares particularly for this Challenge, it has been great fun receiving them! I do hope you like the Blanket.

The last Ta - Dah before Christmas! Thanks to everyone 'for everything'.


Wednesday

Just popping in to say thank you to Isolde (Netherlands) who very kindly sent me these Squares today and her beautiful little gift.  A La Zouzita! What a  sweet idea! I love it thank you.

I love your Squares Isolde, and thanks so much for your continued support with SIBOL. Thank you!

Delivery day again! Thursday's visit to 'The Prince of Wales' Nursing Home

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last visit to St. Bernards. I am so pleased you enjoyed reading the post.  Zoe at Longmore Nursing Home has left a comment underneath my write up so I hope you will go back and have a read.

On Thursday I decided to deliver the last of our SIBOL Blankets to the Prince of Wales Nursing Home in Shirley.  So Thursday morning I got the Blankets ready.

I love putting the Blankets out ready for you to see they look so pretty

                                                   and the cards with your names printed on.......

                                                             Gorgeous coloured Squares

                                                                   Each one so different

                                                                 Once again a pretty pile..........

                                                    Don't you just love to see them like this?

                                                All piled up ready to go with Butterflies hanging!

                               I set off on a very wet day to The Prince of Wales Nursing Home in Shirley

where I met the Nursing Sister who very kindly had a word with me about our Crocheting and Knitting Group. I explained once again why I wanted to do the Project in Memory of my Grandmother, and how all of you kind Ladies have helped me by sending me 6" Squares.  I told her how all these Squares travel from all over the World and how very kind you have all been.

It was time to hand the last lot of  the Blankets out.  

I spoke about our Challenges and showed the Blankets and was assured that the Blankets would go to Residents who needed them.  I'm sending my thanks to The Prince of Wales Nursing Home for accepting our Blankets and for the 'cup of tea!'.  Also for allowing me these photographs.

This was the last lot of Blankets to be given out. I've had a busy few weeks, but I'm so pleased

I finished my visits last week because today we have had bad snow. 

I want to thank each and everyone of you who have made and contributed Squares for my project. I initially wanted to make 6 I am just finishing of my 45th. 

Without you I wouldn't be able to make the Blankets. You have all been so kind and generous and I really hope all of our Blankets will be loved as much as we love our 'Crocheting' and it's so nice for me to be able to do the final part of the 'journey' so to speak, actually donating these Blankets to Nursing Homes for the Elderly.

Thank You 'The Prince of Wales Nursing Home'

Thank You Everyone!

Have a good evening everyone!