Festivals Squares arrive today.

Good Morning and welcome!

It's so nice to be popping in this morning to show you some fantastic Squares we have had come in for our 'Festivals' Blanket. As you can see 'madaboutpooh' over on RAVELRY has covered quite a few Festivals in her Squares. We have a Square for the 'Music' Festival, one for a 'Balloon' Festival. Another for a 'Flower' Festival and a Shamrock Square for 'St. Patrick's Day' Festival.  These Squares really are lovely and are going to look great in our special Blanket. With the Squares I have also received some Butterflies and Flower embellishments which we can add to our Blankets. I also love the little cards you have made which are attached to your Squares so good!

You really have made them beautifully 'madaboutpooh' thank you so much. Let's take a look at them now.

Our Jersey Textile Showcase Challenge will be ending 30th  November and I am very eager to get the rest of the Squares in now. So if you would like to join us please pop over to the Link Here.

The Blanket will be assembled and then sent off to the Jersey Textile Showcase which is going to be held in March of next year. The Blanket will be exhibited and then sold to raise money for Macmillan nurses.

You are welcome to join in!

If you would like to ask me anything at all about our Blankets please feel free to contact me on

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

I will be going to deliver the rest of our 'Sunshine Blankets' over the next few weeks as they are piling up again.

Thanks to everyone for supporting our 'SIBOL' project.

x Sue x 

Something different every day!

Good Afternoon and Welcome!

I am very pleased to be showing you three new 'Sunshine Blankets' which have arrived this morning.
Two from 'Marilyn' and the third from 'jean nock'.  They really are the prettiest of things.

Making 'Sunshine Blankets' yourselves has really taken off within the group and of course you are invited to take part. Our usual Blankets comprise of 25 6" Squares. These can be Knitted or Crocheted and we usually put a 1 to 2" border around the Squares. If you want to make the Blanket any bigger that's fine. I always say anything above 36" Square. Of course the size depends on what joining you use on the Squares it's really up to you. SIBOL is a place where we can be creative and it's so interesting to see what comes in.

Of course I accept Squares but making a Blanket really helps the Group. It saves us money sending the Squares on to an 'assembler' and we can get the Blankets to the Homes quicker too. So if you are making a lot of Squares why not make them into a 'Sunshine Blanket' yourself. Thank you. All information is on here.
SIBOL CHALLENGES.

Let's start with the two Blankets that Marilyn has sent in.
They are so...pretty!

I love both Blankets Marilyn. The Squares are really interesting and great colour combinations.
Marilyn is brilliant at flat braiding as you can see! We have to think of names for these Blankets any idea?
I am very grateful to you for the time spent on both Blankets Marilyn and I shall be taking them out to a Home very soon.

The next Blanket has arrived from 'jean nock' this morning.

Really cute tiny flowers in the centres of these Squares and I've found some Butterflies too to decorate the Blanket. You've made a wonderful job of the Blanket 'jean nock' I'm very grateful to you too, thank you so...much.  Our Blankets are piling up again and once I have received some more that are due in I shall be taking them out to a Home.

Thank you both very much indeed.

x Sue x

Festivals Challenge. Would you like to make a Bunting Square for Macmillan nurses?

Good Morning.

The SIBOL "Sunshine International Blankets of Love" Group will be making a blanket for the Jersey Textile Showcase to raise money for the Macmillan Nursing charity. Sibol is an online Crocheting and Knitting Group based in Birmingham, UK with members all over the World.

As the theme for 2014 is "Festivals", the group is inviting ladies to make a 6” crocheted or knitted square with this in mind, so that the Blanket can be auctioned with the proceeds going to Macmillan Nursing. Should you wish to take part, please contact: Sue McGorie - sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

The requirements for the project are:

 6” Crocheted or Knitted Square in Acrylic yarn with a Festival theme so this means lots of colour!

With each square please enclose a note enclosing details about the square you have made so it can be included on the info sheet to go with the blanket.

Since SIBOL was formed in January 2010, the group has made 558  blankets which have all been so well received by the elderly. The aim is to send a "ray of sunshine into their lives, hoping that one of the blankets will bring a smile to their face and will let them know that someone maybe thousands of miles away is thinking of them". The group also make Charity Blankets raising money for worthwhile causes such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Jersey Mencap, Breast Cancer Care and Prince William's Charity Gift Fund.

To pretty our Blanket up even more and continue the theme of Festivals, I am inviting you to make a Bunting Square. The Square must be 6" Knitted or Crocheted and made in the colours of purple, orange, fuchsia pink, lime green, red and turquoise.

joyce28 has helped me out on this one and has sent in a perfect Square. Let's take a look now.

This is a great Square thank you joyce28!

x Sue x

What's new?

Good Afternoon and welcome!

I am very happy to be showing you two beautiful Blankets sent in by Myrna today.
One is a Large Granny Square and the other is made  in smaller Squares. I think Myrna's hook must
be smoking because I can't get over how quickly she has made these Blankets up for us. Both
so different in their own way and both in fantastic colours. Let's take a look at them now.

I love the flower and Butterflies in the centre, really cute.

We've got three tiny Butterflies in the centre of this one too.

A great idea. You certainly have such a way with colour combinations.

Both Blankets are superb. Thank you very much indeed.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Beautiful Sunshine Blankets today!

x Sue x 

Three Sunshine Blankets to show you.

Good evening and Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by.

A very wet miserable day here in the UK. A good job we have some pretty Blankets to cheer us up.

I would like to thank 'creativegranny' for this superb Blanket received today. The Squares are really pretty,
bright and cheerful once again.

I would also like to thank you very much for making some Butterflies for our Blankets. If you would like to have a go at making some please do. Here's the Link to Netties Blog over in Australia.

Lovely Butterflies 'creativegranny' thank  you!

It really is a gorgeous Blanket here it is.

Finished off with a Butterfly and Ribbon to decorate another Blanket for the Elderly.

Thank you very much.

Tinaspice very kindly offered to make up some bags of Squares for us and so I gave her two bags of Squares that Grace had made up. It's amazing what she has done with them.

Let's take a look now.

This one is called 'Blueberry Pie'

and the next one is called 'Citrus Crush'.

Tina is going to give these Blankets to the Home where her Mother lives.

I'm sure they are going to love them thank you very much indeed.

I shall be sending her some Butterflies,Cards and Ribbon  so she can decorate the Blankets.

I am very grateful for your help Tinaspice and creativegranny.

Thank you!

x Sue x

A Thank you from Grove Care Home.

Good Morning,

I would never have imagined that we would still be making 'Sunshine Blankets' for the Elderly. Our 'SIBOL' Project was started in January 2010 and to-date we have now made 548 Blankets.  Our 'Sunshine Blankets' have always been so well received and today I have received a lovely letter from a Home I recently visited.

This isn't a scanned copy just a photo so I hope you can read it okay.

It is from Grove Care Home which is in Solihull.



I would like to say a Big Thank You to Grove Care Home because this letter will mean such a lot to the Ladies who Knit and Crochet for us. Thank You!

Thanks also to everyone who supports the Group.

I will be back in a short while I have had some amazing Blankets come in just now. I need to take photos of them for you.

It's nearly 6.00pm  now and I have been trying to load up Blankets all afternoon.. It is so frustrating when Flickr is slow. Now I'm very pleased to be showing you the latest Blankets that have arrived.

Three from Sally. Now mostly the Squares have been made by Irene and Pat. Sally has assembled these Blankets absolutely beautifully. I love the colour combinations on all three Blankets. The joining and the Borders are superb! A lovely size too and I know will give a lot of comfort. Thank you so much Sally I am very grateful to you.

Here they are.

The fourth Blanket has arrived from Lesley. Another stunner. There is nothing like the Granny Square Blanket and what a good idea to use your un-wanted yarn!

You have made it beautifully Lesley thank you so much. I will take it out to the Homes as soon as possible.

Here it is.

I love the striking border. Perfect.

Well it's been a very busy day at SIBOL HQ.

If there is anything you would like to know about our 'Sunshine Blankets'

please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

x Sue x

Created with flickr slideshow.

Such beauties arrive for 'SIBOL!'

Good Morning and Welcome!

I always say our 'SIBOL' Group is a place where we can share our creativity and try new things out and joyce28 has certainly done that. Yesterday tea-time I picked up a parcel from the local convenience store. and there was a pile of goodies inside.  Collect + is a very fast delivery service and extremely reliable. joyce28 only sent the parcel on Sunday and yesterday it arrived at the store. It really is no problem for me to go and pick parcels up and it might be worth you trying this service if you have Blankets to send to me. Please email me for more information. Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net.  As the light had gone down so early again last night I didn't have chance to take any photos so as soon as I had finished my work this morning I took some. Such fun!

You will love the Sunshine Blankets that joyce28 has made for 'SIBOL'. It is really lovely to try new patterns out and 'SIBOL' is a place where you can do that and also help the Elderly too. Our Blankets are so welcomed in the Homes.

The first Blanket is called 'Granny's Garden' and if you would like more information please follow the Link here It is so pretty I absolutely love it. So colourful and very interesting. This Blanket measures 40" Square and it's a great size for a Blanket for the Elderly. I can just imagine this on someone's bed joyce28. I had better show you now.

Gorgeous isn't it?

The next Blanket is called 'Picking Daisies'. A brilliant name for this one too! All information is here. What a striking Blanket! I love the bright colours on this one. The Elderly particular like Bright colours.
I agree with you it is a good way of using un-wanted yarn up joyce28. It's going to be so well received.

The third Blanket is made with tiny Squares and what a lot of patience you must have had.  Great colour combinations in this one once again and a great size too! Thanks so much. It measures 40" x 40" and all information is here. Here it is...

What amazing Blankets! I can't thank you enough for making them. I'm sure everyone visiting 'SIBOL' today is going to follow the Links I have in place for them.  I shall be taking the Blankets to the Homes as soon as possible.

The final Blanket today is one I have assembled myself. It's called 'Brighten up my day!'.  Such bright colours in this Blanket and I would like to thank everyone for sending me the Squares it really has worked up lovely.

I've made joyce28 a Slide Show now thank you so much for supporting our project.



Created with flickr slideshow.

Thanks for visiting today!
 x Sue x

Up-date Late.
Another finished Blanket this one is called 'Peach Melba'.
Thanks to everyone that contributed Squares for this Blanket

Delivery Day 'again!'

Good Afternoon and Welcome!

Yes, it's Delivery Day again today. Over the past week or two I have been gathering Blankets up ready to take to Grove Care Home in Solihull. They look so pretty with their Butterflies attached and Ribbons. Not to mention their Gift Cards.

On my last visit I didn't have enough for all the Residents in the Home so I promised to go back as soon as I could. I rang the Home this morning to see if it was convenient to call round, no problem at all. Here's Grove Care Home.

I was welcomed by Jane and she very kindly acccepted our Blankets and agreed to have her photograph taken.

She loved the Dahlia Blanket. This one was made jointly by the Ladies in the 'SIBOL'

Group and was organised by baw1812. What fun the Ladies had making this pretty Square. Can you imagine how an Elderly person is just going to love this Blanket?

It certainly is going to brighten someone's day along with the others.

In my Delivery  box was a large single bed size Blanket that Myrna had made. I explained this one was larger than the others but Jane said how useful it would be to perhaps someone who is feeling poorly and needs extra warmth on the bed. I said let's hope it cheers them up with all the bright colours.

Our 'SIBOL' project was started in January 2010 and I still can't get over the kindness of

Ladies worldwide who support our work for the Elderly.

It always gives me such pleasure when I deliver our 'Sunshine Blankets'.  I am just so proud of you all and I know first hand how important our work is.

So a big thank you from Jane at Grove Care Home, Solihull and also a big thank you from myself.

How very kind of you all to spend so many hours making these wonderful Blankets for the Elderly here in the UK. 

Any enquiries about our 'Sunshine Blankets'

please email me 

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Enjoy your Crocheting and Knitting!

Bye for now

x Sue x 

Slide Show of our latest Blankets.

Good Morning,

I am very pleased to be telling you that our 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' Blanket has sold for £50.00 and well done to the person who bidded for it! All proceeds will be sent off to 'Sight Savers' and I'm really pleased. May I thank everyone for making the Squares for this Blanket and special thanks to 'jessiebonbon' for assembling the Squares and organising EBAY. I'm very grateful to everyone concerned.

Now let's take a few minutes looking at the latest Blankets received here at SIBOL HQ.




Created with flickr slideshow.
Have a great weekend, x Sue x 

CROCHETED LAPGHAN ON EBAY! BIDDING RUNS OUT AT MIDDAY!

Good Morning to you all and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL',

Some months ago Chalky of 'Chalky's World' suggested a Challenge for the SIBOL Group. Waiting for her cataract removal operation here in the UK, it got her thinking how fortunate we are here in the UK to be able to have these operations. But can you imagine what it would be like if we lived somewhere else where these operations were not available. She suggested a Challenge for us inspired by the words of 'All things bright and beautiful' and I invited Ladies worldwide to send a design on a  6" Crocheted or Knitted Square with the words from this hymn in mind. We also took inspiration from Louis Armstrongs 'What a Wonderful World'. We have had some amazing Squares and I would like to thank everyone for taking part.

This blanket is now on  EBAY  HERE'S THE LINK.

All of our SIBOL blankets are so unique and this is a one-off piece of work. Perhaps you know someone who has recently had a cataract operation and they too are grateful for the help of the Doctors. All proceeds from this blanket will go to 'Sight Savers', where the money will go towards helping others abroad.

Here's the 'Sight Savers' Link. 

What a gorgeous blanket and it was assembled by jessiebonbon over on RAVELRY

She's made a fabulous job with the wonderful Squares and it's now up to you to bid for it.

What a great Christmas present this would make for someone!

EBAY.

THANK YOU!

I know we are recovering now from the party we had last night for our 500th celebrations but it’s time to get our thinking caps back on because we have another Challenge to complete.

Yes it’s our Jersey Textile Festivals Challenge. 
We have done so well with our 500th Blanket and I would like the Festivals Challenge Blanket to be even better.

The Squares are quite slow coming in for this Challenge and it’s my job now to try and inspire you to pick up those needles and hooks and of course not forgetting ‘your thinking caps!’.

So let’s have some ideas.

Hot air Balloon Festivals 
Wine Festivals 
Book Festivals 
Food Festivals 
Harvest Festivals 
Music Festivals 
Film Festivals, 
Beer Festivals

There are plenty of ideas on ‘Google’. 
Have fun and thank you!

The Blanket will be sent off to Jersey Textile Showcase in time for next March 2014. It will be sold and all proceeds will go to Macmillan Nurses.

Jersey Textile Showcase 2014.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CHALLENGE ARE:-

6" SQUARE

ACRYLIC IF POSSIBLE

LOTS OF COLOUR TO BE USED

KNITTED OR CROCHETED

WITH FESTIVALS AS A THEME FOR THE SQUARE.

PLEASE MAIL ME SUE ON sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

For my address.

If there is anything else you would like to know about our Blankets please mail me.

Thank you! 

x Sue x 

Good afternoon to you all and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL',

Some months ago Chalky of 'Chalky's World' suggested a Challenge for the SIBOL Group. Waiting for her cataract removal operation here in the UK, it got her thinking how fortunate we are here in the UK to be able to have these operations. But can you imagine what it would be like if we lived somewhere else where these operations were not available. She suggested a Challenge for us inspired by the words of 'All things bright and beautiful' and I invited Ladies worldwide to send a design on a  6" Crocheted or Knitted Square with the words from this hymn in mind. We also took inspiration from Louis Armstrongs 'What a Wonderful World'. We have had some amazing Squares and I would like to thank everyone for taking part.

This blanket is going to be auctioned on EBAY and I will let you know when this is organised but I will accept offers privately. So if you are interested in purchasing this wonderful blanket please contact me Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

All of our SIBOL blankets are so unique and this is a one-off piece of work. Perhaps you know someone who has recently had a cataract operation and they too are grateful for the help of the Doctors. All proceeds from this blanket will go to 'Sight Savers', where the money will go towards helping others abroad.

Here's the 'Sight Savers' Link. 

What a gorgeous blanket and it was assembled by jessiebonbon over on RAVELRY

I am terribly grateful to everyone that took part and of course to jessiebonbon.

Thank you!

I also had two Squares arrive today once again from jessiebonbon for our 500th Blanket Challenge.

What brilliant ideas! Thanks very much!

Thanks for visiting today if there is anything you would like to know about our Squares and blankets please mail me

Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

x Sue x

Created with flickr slideshow.

Ta - Dah! Introducing our 500th Sunshine Blanket!

Good Afternoon to you all,

It's time to put your little Black dresses on, glam yourselves up and head down to HQ. For today we are having a party because we are very happy to introduce our 500th celebratory Sunshine Blanket (even though we have clocked up 544 now!) Over the past few months our SIBOLETTE's have been very busy making Squares to mark this special achievement and once again I have been receiving some really good Squares. So without further ado I would like to introduce you to our '500th Sunshine Blanket!' I do hope you like it.

I couldn't get enough Squares to make another row so I'm sorry there are two I couldn't get in. But they will always be attached to mark the occasion.

Do you like it? Can you spot your Square?

To mark this special achievement for our Group we are having a Giveaway. So one special person will receive a surprise present.

To be eligible for this Giveaway you must have made a Square for this Blanket.
To enter you must pop over to RAVELRY and leave your name on this thread.
Here's the  Link.

The Giveway closing date will be 9th October at Midnight so please put your name down before then.

Thank you!

We had such fun collecting the Squares for this special Blanket and I would like to thank everyone for taking part.

So now it's time to party!

and yes let's have that piece of cake I think we have deserved it!  Well done everyone!

Thanks for coming and best of luck to you all!

Before I go.....I would like to thank Gillian for Squares received this morning. I am so pleased you found our project. I love your Squares and they will go into future Blankets, many thanks.

x Sue x

We need people for our party!

Good morning everyone!

I am in the process now of making the 500th Blanket up. Today this Square arrived just in time. With thanks to Kianie another beautiful Square for our special Blanket.

'We need people for a party......SIBOL people!
Ann's Daughter thinks that they look like her and her boyfriend!

A really good idea Kianie of course we need people.

Thanks so much this is a great Square.

x Sue x

A 'Sunshine Blanket' brightens up my day!

Good morning and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today!

I am very pleased to be showing you some pretty Squares sent to me by GillyLilly here in the UK. They are so bright and cheerful ideal for an Elderly person's Blanket.

Some really lovely patterns here GillyLilly!

Not only did she send me beautiful Squares I also received an usual Blanket. I'm sure you can recognise the pattern  in this Blanket.

The African Flower Square. Doesn't it look superb? I think this Blanket is so bright and cheerful and I know it is going to certainly brighten someone's day up. Thank you so much GillyLilly I am very grateful to you for making and donating the Blanket.

It's certainly brightened up my day!

I love it, thank you!

x Sue x

Saturday's parcel delivery!

Good afternoon and welcome!

I have received four 'Sunshine Blankets' today. Three from B3ckv over on RAVELRY and one which was kindly assembled by 'jean nock' today.

Let's take a look at a Blanket made by B3ckv first.

This Sunshine Blanket is absolutely gorgeous. It is made in such pretty colours and it's a great size too.

I do hope you had fun making it B3ckv!

Thank you so much for making such a beautiful job.

The next Blanket was sent in to me by B3ckv, but the Blanket was  actually made by 'Lenice'. 

 What a beautiful pattern this is! Made in wonderful colours too.

I am very grateful to you too Lenice.

I really love this pattern. So pretty!

The next one was made by Joy. Lovely autumny colours this is another gorgeous Blanket.

Once again a beautiful pattern. Stunning.

You have all been working so hard for 'SIBOL'.

Just want you to know that I appreciate it very much.

These Blankets will be delivered as soon as possible to local Homes.

I have made a Slide Show for you!

Created with flickr slideshow. The fourth Blanket was assembled by 'jean nock' for me and the Squares were sent in by Antonia. Such pretty Pink and Grey Squares. Definitely another beautiful Blanket for SIBOL.

Love the Butterflies too thanks so much for your help 'jean nock'.
x Sue x 

Don't you just love Grannies?

Good Morning and welcome to 'SIBOL',

Today I have received three beautiful Granny Square Blankets from

'Jannine' here in the UK and I would like to thank her very much indeed.

Unfortuately, I have mislaid the mail address to acknowledge receipt of 

your work so if you are popping in please contact me on 

sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

I have however put a note in the post to you. So thank you very much.

'Jannine' these Blankets are so pretty.

I can see you have used quite a lot of your stash up in these Blankets.

They are so bright and cheerful and I know they will be terribly useful to the Elderly in the Homes.

I have found some pretty Ribbons and Butterflies to compliment your Blankets and I shall be taking these out as soon as I can. 

I am very grateful to you thanks so much for making them.

2 Granny Squares were also enclosed in the parcel and these will be put into future Blankets too.

Let's take a look at the Blankets now!

I've also made a Slide Show for you!

Sit back and enjoy!

Created with flickr slideshow.

I also had three other Granny Squares arrive in the post today from 'Lesley'.

These are made in such pretty yarn. Pastel colours I think are my favourite.

Thanks so much Lesley I am pleased you are still enjoying Crocheting!

Please scroll down on previous posts to see what's new.

I don't know whether anyone is interested but I am selling 25 Let's Get Crafting

Crocheting and Knitting magazines

I am having a de-clutter but also raising money for SIBOL.

There are lots of hidden costs and any proceeds will go towards

Stationery which involves Brochures and Cards for the Blankets.

Later on in the day.......

I have now finished assembling Squares from Grace.

Grace is 80 and lives in Sheltered Accommodation.

She loves Crocheting for SIBOL, she tells us that it's good exercise for her hands.

Thank you Grace. I know these Blankets are going to be loved.

x Sue x