Our SIBOL TOTAL IS 1376! Thank You!

Slideshow of Sunshine Blankets (Click on Left/Right Arrows).

Challenge Blankets
I'm Sue and can be contacted on
sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com

It is so important that email addresses and names are enclosed with your donations of Sunshine Blankets, Shawls and Butterflies please. Thank you!

Butterflies LINK


'Crochet keeps our hands busy so our minds can rest. It is a gift to help quiet the world around us, if even for a moment. To create -- and think of those we create for --is a quiet prayer of hope, love and dreams all wrapped up in a hook, a book and a ball of yarn. Author Anonymous. Thanks Cynthia.
SIBOL Blog
I NO LONGER ACCEPT KNITTED OR CROCHETED SQUARES. I DO HOWEVER ACCEPT MADE UP BLANKETS FOR THE ELDERLY IN CARE HOMES. I'D BE VERY HAPPY TO RECEIVE YOURS! THANK YOU! 'SIBOL' is a charitable outlet for your Crocheting and Knitting Skills why not join us? Together we are 'Sending a ray of Sunshine into the Lives of the Elderly.' All enquiries please contact Sue on sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com Thank you!
Please Note

Please may I remind you to enclose your email address with parcels delivered to my home. If I don't acknowledge receipt it's because I can't find your address. Thank you.


Total 1384 Thank you!




Sunday 30 May 2010

showing a few new squares

Hello everyone,

It is a rainy sundayafternoon here in Holland. Perfect for cleaning up the house ;-). But also for crocheting.

I have been working on new SIBOL-squares. And I'd like to show them to you (Sue agreed to me doing so)!

I have been trying out a few patterns by Sarah London this time.
This is the 'pop wheel', with a little twist by myself (because I used a too small hook and it didn't turn out big enough):



This is the tweedy granny square:



And this is a bold Irish rose, which I attached on -again- a granny square:


I am not sending them off to Sue yet though. First I'll make some more to join them (and finish the loose ends) ...

Friday 28 May 2010

Squares from France and Germany today!

Hello Everyone on Friday,

Weekend is about to start. I thought you might like to see the latest Squares which arrived today. Liil 49 very kindly sent me these beautiful Squares from France today! Aren't they just lovely? 'Blue and White' for our theme coming up shortly and some for the 'Flower Square' Challenge which ends 31st May!
I took the opportunity to go out into the Garden again today it was such a lovely afternoon. Please enjoy Lili 49's Squares!





Also I had some Squares come in from Stefanie today. Once again most suitable for our Challenges coming up. Yes, of course I had a walk outside and put Stefanies' Squares amongst the Daisies.  Hopefully the grass will be cut at the weekend if the weather keeps dry.  It's getting more like a meadow out there! Your Squares are lovely and please enjoy!




I do hope everyone has a great weekend. I hope you all enjoy your Crocheting if you have time to do any!

Thanks for visiting SIBOL today!

Hugs

~~~ Sue ~~~

Thursday 27 May 2010

SIBOL Squares arrive from Canada, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Thank you!

Hello Everyone!

I'm sorry this post has taken so....long.  I've had three lots of Squares arrive today.  So I've been putting them on to Flickr for the three Ladies to see and of course anyone else who wants to look at them.  It all takes time.......so in between  doing my Laundry and making the tea for the family it's taken me quite awhile.

I'm very very pleased and 'relieved' to say that finally Delphines' Squares have arrived from Canada.  The Post Office told Delphine that her package would take 3 weeks, well it has been more like 6 weeks!  Although I have great faith in the Post Offices around the World and indeed the 'Posties' who deliver them I am always so relieved when the package finally arrives at 'Two Times' (my home). Everyone goes to such a lot of trouble for my SIBOL project and the last thing I want to happen is that a package gets lost! So I'm pleased and happy today.  I know Delphine will be too.

I know Delphine has a very busy life bringing up her children and doing her work so I am really MOST grateful that she has taken part in our SIBOL project.  I just loove......the colours she has used in her Squares. I'm sure you will all agree they are just so beautiful.  It's so interesting as I've said to Delphine that each Square coming in to me is so..different.  Each one reflecting our own personality.  Don't you agree?

Now as I have had such a lot of Squares come in today (Nothing all week) I was wondering the best way to showcase them all to you.  If you go over to Flickr you can look at Delphines' Squares and indeed our Flickr Group 'Blankets for the Elderly 2010'. or the Flickr link at the top.   As you know I will put all the Squares into the 'side' Slide Show in a few days, but I really wanted you to have a good look at the Squares so what I have decided to do is to make an individual Slide Show for each person.  So you will have three Slide Shows running at the same time.   I hope this doesn't confuse you.  But I really want you to see the beauty of each Square.  'Because I just love them all!'.

Here is Delphines' Squares in her own Slide Show. Thank you so...much Delphine!






My thanks go out to Wanda today too! Wanda is from Puerto Rico and has very kindly sent me Squares before. It's amazing to think that Squares are flying into the UK from different parts of the World at the same time! I have just loved taking the Squares out into the Garden today.  I bet all of your Squares are very tired after their journeys so I'm sure they will enjoy a bit of fresh air and sunshine :)  I'm sure you will agree Wandas' Squares are lovely also.  Please take a look now at Wandas' Slide Show! I  hope you have made a cup of tea while you are enjoying the Squares!





Great aren't they? Thank you Wanda!


Crochet3love over on Flickr has very kindly sent me Squares before for SIBOL.  I really want to thank her today because she's sent me some more.  Some for the ' Flower Challenge' and some for our 'Picture Square' Challenge.  The 'Flower Challenge' ends 31st May but the 'Picture Theme' is still running for another few months. 

As you all know it's really the Elderly who I am interested in making Blankets for.  BUT we've had the idea to make a 'Children's Picture Square' Blanket.  This I think will be a 'one-off' project so we are running this theme.  The idea is to make a 'Picture Square' which would be suitable for a Blanket for a Child.  So for instance Crochet3love has made four 'Picture Squares' depicting a Lion, A Tree, A bunch of Grapes, and a Lamb.  Please have a look in Crochet3loves' Slide Show because they really are lovely.

The Squares will be made into a Children's Blanket and will be donated to a Children's Home/Hospital/Charity. Let's see how this works out..... We haven't done one before it might be quite interesting.

Thank you so much Crochet3love, I appreciate your help. Enjoy the Slide Show!





I hope you have enjoyed watching the Slide Shows today. Delphine, Wanda and Crochet3love I can't thank you all enough.  Kindness from people I don't know overwhelms me. I am amazed how popular SIBOL has become and I know there are  a lot of people who tune in every day to see our new Squares arrive. I am enjoying the journey, I do hope you are too! I continue to make Blankets for the Elderly and I thank you all so much for your support.

I also thank everyone who follows SIBOL. It's just so nice to know everyone is interested.

The weekend will be soon here enjoy yourselves!

Hugs

Sue

Blue White

Here they are, my squares for the blue white challenge:


I know, the dark yarn seems to be black. But it's darkest blue you can imagine!
The top right square is the Vintage Lace Square. You can find the pattern HERE.
The other squares are from the book "200 crochet blocks" by Jan Eaton.

I'll send them next week to the UK!
♥ Karin ♥

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Flowers & Blue & White

Hi everyone

I have just posted these off to Mrs Twins today.  It would be interesting to see how long they take to get to her.  I haven't heard anything more about ash clouds, so hopefully flights are per normal.

The squares are not fancy, I was a little short of time dealing with a wedding.  But I just had to send something!!!!  And there is always a use for the plainer things in life.



Mrs Twins, keep an eye out for a tiny little bag inside the bigger bag

Bye for now

Monday 24 May 2010

More Flower Squares ......Luna !

Loopy Granny ! Video - How To make it on your right hand side of the blog.Try it , why not ?


Good Day ! These are some squares for the Sibol , I haven't finish them but I´m almost there.Just to show you the colors and when they will be arriving to UK ?, possibly I will mail them next week.Hoping you like them.Have a wonderful week.

Sunday 23 May 2010

Our SIBOL Squares travel such a long way. / Ta - Dah! Introducing SIBOL No. 11

Hi Everyone!

I made a map today of the World and plotted where my SIBOL Contributors live....... (as well as the map allows me!).
Those lovely little 6" Squares travel such a long way to the UK They are pretty tired when they arrive,


Where were my SIBOL Squares made?
Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com


http://bighugelabs.com/map.php

I give them a lot of love when they arrive!

2009 was a very special year for me. In April/May time I joined Flickr and in September I made my first blog. Kate, The Garden Bell had just started hers and if I remember correctly she was saying to me 'Why not start one?' What would I ever write about? Well my 'Mindless Ramblings' soon took over and so did my Crocheting. Project after Project, Ripple after Ripple......the crocheting went on and on....... Christmas was a lovely time making those gorgeous gold Butterflies and Birdies. But I soon came to realise that there is only so much you can crochet for either yourself, your family or your home. 'Mrs Twins' was so much fun.

I had been thinking about making Blankets for the Elderly in Memory of my Grandmother and as it was before Christmas I thought I would leave it until the New Year. This I did. At the start of January I asked my friends in Blogland and on Flickr if they wanted to help me by donating 6" Squares. Well I was surprised that my friends thought it was a good idea and soon after the Squares started coming in. Soon after I set up 'SIBOL' my 'spin-off blog'. Even the name was a joint effort!

Molly was the first person to send me some Squares then
I sent myself Squares..... then
Kim,
Brenda
Karin
Helen
Amy Woo
Bethel
Jak
Pilar Pertinitaco
Kathy
Kate
Linda -
Susanna -
 Maria
Elizabeth Cat
Louise - Handmade in Gibraltar
Maytaurus (MSE)
Rita
Aishwarya
Ed 4448
Kimbles
Damaris
Bienzfive Maria
Jacquie
Tricia Marino
Helen -
Debi - Hooks and Yarn
Mrs Moneypenney (MSE)
Patty Gloria
Sandy - Teacuplane Sandy
Ellen -
Luna
Vers Cyther
Posy Linda
Marg
Azbelle Sandy
Maree
Anne (MSE)
Bonsall
Val - Crochet3love
Dulcinea
Pol (MSE)
Manclass
Stephanie
Forines13
Sonieta
Wanda
Angel
Lili 4g
Ruth Marie
Isolde
Elke
Sally 'chunkyhooker'
Denise
Jen
Louise

Please forgive me if I have left anyone out! (Please tell me).

All these friends in 12 countries Canada, Puerto Rico, USA, UK, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, France, Australia, Latvia, Gibraltar, Singapore
Have sent me Squares across the miles to help me make Blankets for the Elderly.
I have now made with your help 11 'SIBOL' Blankets. 11 x 25 Squares in each = 275.
I have just counted the Squares up as promised weeks ago. To my amazement I have 459
So in total I have now received 'since January' 734!
Thank you all so much.
So I have enough for plenty more Blankets.
Now you might think that sounds frightening, 'what a lot of work', but it doesn't take me all that long and to be honest there isn't anything else I would rather be doing so I'm going to plod along at my own pace enjoying the ride so to speak.

I have to thank my friends in the USA, you are in the lead sending Squares in, then followed by UK. But I shall have to get the figures for that one for you.

Over the last few days I have had some remarkable emails from Ladies who visit SIBOL. I'm just 'amazed!'. Their comments are very much appreciated.
They enjoy looking at the different Squares and they do enjoy the music too (I always wonder whether you hear it okay). I wanted to find some relaxing music while visiting SIBOL and I've had a few people asking what the music is. If you scroll right down to the bottom of SIBOL you will see the music list.

I can't thank you all enough for your support. Many thanks.

Please do keep sending your Squares, I enjoy making the Blankets and we are having a wicked time on SIBOL. If anyone wants to 'team blog' with us you are most welcome!

Here's SIBOL No. 11 -  'Sun theme No. 3' 
If you don't see your sun square please keep looking there are still some 'sun theme' Blankets to put together! They are colour co-ordinated now so they will be going by the colours.

SIBOL No. 11 'Sun theme Blanket' No.3.


Here I am! Wearing Bethels' sunglasses!!..............>


I have now made 11 Sunshine Blankets of Love for the Elderly. These 3 are made from Squares sent in for our 'Sun Challenge'. If you don't see your Square it will be coming up very soon in the next 'Sun Blankets' there are still more to come ! :)


I hope you have all had a good weekend. The weather has been beautiful in the UK.

Have a nice evening!

Hugs

~~~ Sue ~~~

SIBOL No. 10. (The last one) 'Dolly Mixtures!'.

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted you to see the last Blanket I made.
If you click on the photo it will take you to Flickr photos
and you will be able to see all the names of Ladies that made the Squares.

Stay tuned....SIBOL No. 11 is coming up soon......

Saturday 22 May 2010

'More' Flower Squares!

Hi Everyone Sibolettes and Followers!

Just popping in at the weekend to show you Louises' beautiful Squares.  Once again I have been out into the Garden to take some new photos.  Well I thought with all those Daisies in the grass, how could I resist!

Louise is now one of our 'team bloggers' I am so...pleased she has joined us and her Squares are in the Slide Show.

When visiting SIBOL I do hope you go back on previous posts because there is always a fair bit to catch up on!

Louise has sent me Flower Squares for the Challenge which ends this month.  I am sure you will agree she has used most beautiful colours and each Square is just lovely. Thanks so much Louise.  Please visit her Blog, she is new to Blogging and I'm sure would love to welcome you all over there!

Enjoy the nice weather everyone!

Each one different colours, but all work so perfectly!

Lulabelle 1967 sent SIBOL these lovely Squares! Thank you!

Pretty Flower Squares from Lulabelle 1967

Flowers and Daisies!

Lulabelle 1967 Thank you so much your Squares arrived this morning. What beautiful Flower Squares for SIBOL! Thank you!

Aren't they just gorgeous! I absolutely love them thank you Louise!
Have a good Weekend Everyone!

Hugs
~~~ Sue ~~~

Friday 21 May 2010

Blue/white

Today I found this wonderful blanket on the internet:

Isn't it a great example? This blanket shows how beautiful blue and white can be.

Have a great weekend!
Karin ♥

Flowers, Bumble Bees and Daises!! Friday Fun in the Garden!

Well what a Friday!

It all started at around 8.15 am this morning.  Mr. Postie actually knocked the door today! Not the usual Postie who walks the round,  a special one.  The one that has the red van! The one that carries the parcels on his van.  I had to sign for a box.

Mr. Twin and Little Miss Twins, both of them I add,  were interested to see where the box had come from. 'Spain' I said.  OOh! It's Pilar (Pertinitaco). We read the outside of the box and had a giggle.

'The Journey of the Squares' and how they travelled across the sea in a plane, through those dreadful 'ash clouds', landed safely in the UK  and then went in a dark truck and travelled to my home here in the UK. 

The Squares were from Pilar, (Flickr Pertinitaco) and wow! What lovely Squares!!  The Little Squares were very tired after their long......journey so I took them outside to play in the Sunshine. Look what I saw on the Squares!! Little Bumble Bees I thought I heard a buzzing sound...........


Now would you believe that? Bumble Bees had landed on Pertinitacos' Squares!!! Buzz! Buzz! Aren't they just so cute!


Beautiful Flowers, Thank you Pertinitaco!



They played a little outside in the Garden and rested and now I'm pleased to say they feel better after their long journey which took 6 days all the way from Spain.

Thank you so much Pilar, (Flickr Pertinitaco) such lovely Squares. You are very kind making these for the SIBOL project.


Bethel of Bethania often makes us rhymes on Flickr the other day she said........

Welcome to our Squares Family, little squares...don't be afraid... after your rough trip in the big truck...A really nice lady lives here...she has a fettish for squares...She will love you,She will straighten you out again...She will touch you, feel you, smell you,Then she will work her magic with you each & everyone of you...The nice lady... will find a very special place for you...With her magic fingers... you will find a permanent home in one of her beautiful blankets...Look at the comfort you feel in those blankets all there to Welcome you...Then everyone will say... you all look FANtasMaGoRIcal together...You will be so HAPPY... the nice lady will be so Happy too...So don't be afraid... The nice lady is a very special person... and loves you.

Well Pilar, I'm terribly sorry this Slide Show has taken so long I've been so busy today getting ready for the weekend.  I've been desperate to get the photos on Flickr for you and the Slide Shows made.  I do hope you will sit back now and enjoy your Slide Show!

I hope all our other Sibolettes and Followers (new and old) will enjoy the Slide Show too!

Have a good weekend everyone and thanks for visiting SIBOL today.  Ooh! We have a new 'team blogger' Louise please go back and view her post.  She's relatively new to Blogland and I'm sure she'd love your support on her Blog.

If you put your mouse on the individual Squares (if you have time) you will be able to read the text. The Journey of the Squares!'.




Hugs

~~~  Sue ~~~

Hello Ladies

I just thought that I would say Hi and introduce myself to you all as Sue invited me to join the team and I was more than happy to. I live near Knaresborough in a small rural village with my family.  http://www.lallylou-lou.blogspot.com/
 IMG_1247
I started to crochet over 12 years ago when my son was born. I stumbled upon Sues blog last week and now here I am. I have only really been blogging since January and still expected to be talking to myself (do that a lot)However I have met so many lovely, kind and nurturing people from all over the world and I am amazed and thrilled. Anyway the reason why I am here today is to show my efforts towards the project.
 IMG_1283
This is such a great idea and one to which I am delighted to contribute. Having been involved in many a charity in the past I know how hard it can be and how much work it can take. I have contributed 4 squares (so far, I will do more promise) but Sue, you put them all together and that takes a huge effort. So I am glad to be part of this wonderful community.
 Lally lou
Thank you for welcoming me and I look forward to chatting with everyone. Now where is that blue and white yarn?

Thursday 20 May 2010

Two Challenges in one delivery!

Hi Everyone!

Just popping into SIBOL to show you all the beautiful Squares I have received from Kim  today. Kim has sent Squares which are great for two of the Challenges which we have running at the moment. Flower and Blue and White Squares. Just look at Kims' Squares aren't they just lovely! Once again our favourite Granny Square with such a wonderful little Flower in the centre. I just love them. Also Kim has sent some really great Blue and White Squares. If you have been checking into SIBOL over the last few days you will see that Ladies are starting to send them in and I'm really pleased that Kim has kindly sent some in.

Flower Squares and Blue and White Squares from Kimblesathome (UK) Gorgeous Squares all of them thank you so much!


OOh, I just get so....excited, and I know that everyone else loves looking at the Squares when they arrive. I know from emails received that you are enjoying looking at the different designs and indeed colours.

I do hope you will pop over to Kim's blog and introduce yourself! She has some really lovely work on there.

Thanks for visiting SIBOL today. My email address is sueatpigsty@talktalk.net if anyone is interested in donating Squares or indeed wants to 'team blog' with us. I can then send you an invitation.

 If you have anything you would like to say about SIBOL please feel free.
If you have a blog, you can 'team blog' with us. You may just want to say how nice some Squares are, you may want to post your own SIBOL Squares on here, or you may just want to say what you think of the Blankets, your thoughts on all the beautiful Squares used. It's entirely up to you. All are most welcome!

Thanks Kim, I really love your Squares and I am most grateful. Your Squares are in the Slide Show. Enjoy everyone!

~~~ Sue ~~~

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Busy week with 'Blue and White' Squares!

Hi Everyone!

Hope your Wednesday is good........I've been having fun today in my Kitchen.  Well most of you know the colour scheme is Blue and White, which actually happens to be the Square Challenge for June.  I couldn't resist trying to be 'creative' with Jenfur43's Squares this morning when they arrived!  Some of you popped over to Jen's blog yesterday. It's great and she has some lovely Crocheting on there. Hope you'll pop over and say hello.

My piggies helped me welcome Jens' Squares this morning and what fun we had......

Hello 'Blue and White' Squares!


Mr. & Mrs. Piggy take a walk down the 'blue and white' brick road!


Aren't they gorgeous? I hope you sit back now and have a look through the Slide Show over to the right introducing Jens' Squares!

Thanks Jen!

~~~ Sue ~~~

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Denise your Squares have arrived from France.

Hello Everyone!

May I first of all say thank you to Jen for the great post yesterday.  I do hope she will 'team blog' with us again! It was great to meet you yesterday and I'm so pleased some of our SIBOL Ladies have made themselves known to you over on your blog. Jen has just started blogging, so she needs a lot of support from us all. Please go and check her blog out, she has some lovely crocheting on there.

Also 'SIBOL No. 10' has  a name.  Mia Self has called it 'Dolly Mixtures'. So well done to Mia, and thanks.

Now today I have had some Squares come in from Denise21.  I would be most grateful if you could make contact with me I can't put my hands on your email address. I'd like to say thank you personally.

Denise has taken part in our Challenge for 'Blue and White' Squares which ends 30th June.  Now just look at these Squares Ladies aren't they just lovely?  Each one so different, different designs and different shades of Blue.. Simply lovely thank you so much Denise.  'Blue and White' is the colour of my Kitchen so they are favourites of mine.

photo.jpg


What a great selection of Squares from Denise (France) arrived this morning for our future 'Blue and White' Challenge. Thank you.

I have made a Slide Show introducing your Squares Denise, Enjoy! Many thanks!

Have a good day everyone ! Thanks for visiting 'SIBOL'.

~~~  Sue ~~~

Monday 17 May 2010

Hi Everyone,

Firstly I would like to thank Sue for inviting me to write a blog post here. I think Sue's idea of the Sunshine International Blankets of Love is a wonderful idea. Not only is it providing such a great service it is a lovely way for us all to meet others from all around the world.

My name is Jenny, I live in Cambridgeshire in the UK. I have 3 grown up children, the youngest two are boy/girl twins. I am also the proud Grandmother to my 2 grandsons.

I love crochet and am finding the internet a great way to get inspiration, I seem to be getting more ideas than I have time available, though I'm sure that can be said for us all! It was only yesterday that I plucked up the courage to start my own blog and now today I am guest blogging here, boy things move fast around here!

Anyway enough about me, here are the squares I have made for the Blue and White challenge.

I made them using the pattern for the 'Trip around the world granny' from the book 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws. I posted them to Sue this morning so hopefully she will get them in the next few days.

Before I go I would just like to thank Sue for all her hard work in organising all this and putting together such lovely blankets from the wonderful squares she receives.

Bye for now
Jenny