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!




Tuesday 31 July 2012

Think Pink blanket raising money for Breast Cancer Care.

Good morning everyone!

Ta - Dah! SIBOL 219 'Think Pink' (2).


As you know 'SIBOL' is an on-line Crocheting and Knitting group based here in the UK. Throughout the year with the help of my on-line friends we make 'Sunshine blankets' for the Elderly.  These are given out to Elderly people in Nursing homes and sheltered accommodation.

Apart from this work we also make 'Charity blankets' raising money for various charities. We have made blankets for Alzheimer's, Mencap, Prince William & Kate Middleton's Charity Gift Fund and Breast Cancer Care. 

As you know we have already raised £102.00 for Breast Cancer Care here in the UK with our very first 'Think Pink' blanket which was assembled by Lotti here in the UK.

'Think Pink' Blanket for 'Breast Cancer Care'.


Well I'm very pleased to be telling you that Joanna one of our 'SIBOLETTES' has been collecting squares from all over the World  for our 2nd 'Think Pink' blanket and yesterday I received the finished blanket in the post.  I'm sorry I have kept you waiting but I did want to make a special feature of her blanket.

The squares came in from the UK, USA, Holland, Scotland and Belgium and I am very grateful to everyone that took part.  Joanna was very nervous at first at the thought of making such a special blanket but I'm sure you will agree she has made a  fantastic job of assembling the squares and making such a wonderful border too.

Let's take a look at the blanket now.

Thanks to Ladies all over the World for helping to make this blanket.

Isn't it wonderful?  Joanna went to a lot of trouble making a  laminated card too with the names and countries of the Ladies who took part in this special Challenge

This blanket has been made to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. Assembled by Joanna.

Such pretty Butterflies too adorn this gorgeous blanket.

Individual squares have been made by Ladies all over the World and I am truly grateful to everyone that sent the squares in to her.

As you can see the squares have been amazing!


A beautiful border too made by Joanna.


The shades of pink are superb!


We are doing a 3rd 'Think Pink' very soon!


Thanks to everyone that took part in this wonderful Charity blanket.


Such a pretty border too Joanna, I am so happy that this blanket has turned out so well. I know that this blanket has meant a lot to you personally too and I really would like to thank you on behalf of our Group for making such a wonderful blanket.

The question was when to auction it, we have decided to wait until October 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. which we think is better than right now. A lot of people are away on holiday and have the children at home and we really want to get as many people bidding as we can.

So I do hope that nearer the time everyone will write about our special blanket on their Blogs, Facebook pages or whatever.  Let's see if between us we can raise more than what we did for the first one which was £102.00.

This truly is another remarkable 'SIBOL' blanket and between us we are working so hard for our Elderly folk but we are also raising money for various charities and so far we have raised in total  £1,559.00 as a Group. So thanks to everyone involved.

A special thanks to Joanna x

x Sue x

Monday 30 July 2012

Three Knitted Blankets arrive today and Challenge squares!

Good afternoon everyone!

Today I received a bumper delivery from the Postman. I received three blankets from Sally and a very special 'pink' one!  Yes you've guessed it our 2nd Think Pink blanket has arrived from Joanna here in the UK who has very kindly collected squares for the special Breast Cancer Care blanket and assembled them in to a most  gorgeous blanket but ......you will 'unfortunately' have to wait until tomorrow, sorry about that! I do want to write a special post and as I have a lot to show you today I have decided it's too much today to show you 'four' blankets!

I really want to concentrate on the Knitted ones I have received back from Sally. Sally very kindly offered to make up some Knitted squares for me, so along with Joyce they are helping me get through my Stash here.  These squares have arrived from Caroline in Belgium and mainly two Craft Groups here in the UK. Sally has made a wonderful job of all the blankets by assembling the squares so well and also adding great borders on all three blankets.

Let's take a look at them now.

First we have 'Daydreamer'.

Thanks to the Craft Groups in the UK for sending in these Knitted squares and to Sally A for assembling this gorgeous blanket.


Secondly we have 'Sweet Dreams'

012


Thirdly we have 'On a Cloud'

Assembled by Sally and the squares were from two Craft Groups here in the UK.


Such beautiful squares thanks to everyone that sent them in and also to Sally who very kindly is giving me a hand make them up. I'm sure you will agree they have come out beautifully!  Let's take a look at the Slide Show now. Sit back and enjoy!


Created with flickr slideshow.
 
 
Tomorrow I will be showcasing the special 'Think Pink' blanket. This will be auctioned on EBAY to raise money for 'Breast Cancer Care'.
 
So please stop by!!
 
It's absolutely gorgeous ..........
 
 
The 'SIBOL' Blog moves along very quickly indeed because whenever any new squares come in or there are any new blankets to show you I post them on here. The reason for that is because quite simply I have to keep up to date with it all.  So please......take the time to go back posts and see what's been happening.
 
Yesterday I showcased 'Camouflage' and 'Black Magic' and I wouldn't want you to miss them!
 
I am in the process of de-cluttering upstairs. I have a mountain of magazines and old pattern books that I have decided to try and sell. The reason being I'm running out of room and I seriously need to sort myself out up there. Rather than throw them away I am selling them at low prices to raise money for my 'SIBOL' project. There are lots of hidden costs in my 'SIBOL' project as you will appreciate with  stationery, ribbons, yarn, petrol, Ebay fees etc., and all the proceeds will be going towards that.
 
If you are interested please pop over to RAVELRY.
 
I think that's about all for today. I'm off to buy some pink ribbon now!
 
x Sue x
 
 
Well I did sign off for the day but I'M BACK!
 
I had a lunchtime post today and I'm very happy to be showing you some Challenge squares that have arrived from 'Happy Spice' Tina here in the UK.
 
Talking about 'Think Pink' Tina has just sent me some 'Think Pink' squares for our next blanket and they are beautiful. Fiona will be making the next Think Pink blanket so I will send these squares on to her after her holidays. 
 
 
We will soon be doing another 'Think Pink' blanket. Tina sent some squares today!
 
 
Tina also sent me a really pretty 200th square with a tiny Daffodil set on a green and cream background. It really is so delicate looking I love it. Of course it's very special to me because my Grandmother loved Daffodils. I remember as I looked out from her window I would see loads and loads of Daffodils planted amongst the grass and my Mother would also buy her Daffodils, so yes I love this square Tina. Thank you very much. It will be very interesting to see the finished blanket gathering inspiration from my Grandmother.
 
 
200th Square 'Grandmother as inspiration'.
 
 
Two other squares for our Heart Challenge. These are really lovely too, set on a simple white background these red Hearts really stand out. Thank you so much!
 
'One Heart From Around The World' Challenge.
 
Our 'Irish Rose' Challenge became very popular too and I'm extremely happy to be showing you this square from Tina.
 
'Irish Rose' Challenge.
 
Made in wonderful colours actually my favourite pink and green combinations. Such a pretty design thank you very much!
 
A really pretty selection of squares Tina thank you for taking part. I am off to do a count now and I shall be updating over on RAVELRY. So if you want to take part please do.
 
Tina 'Happy Spice' (UK) Your Squares arrived today! Thank you!
 
 Well I've just been out to buy the ribbon for Joanna's 'Think Pink' blanket so tomorrow I will show you so please stop by!
 
Thank you for visiting,
 
x Sue x

Sunday 29 July 2012

'Camouflage' and 'Black Magic'

Hi everyone!

I have two new SIBOL's to show you and I would like to thank everyone that sent me in squares for these blankets. I have to admit I've had these squares for 'quite a while' so if you see your square I'm sorry I have kept you waiting. I am trying to make up the bags of squares I have here now before I accept any more 'Stash Squares'.

Let's take a look at 'Camouflage'.

Thanks to everyone that contributed these Squares mainly USA and Australia!


Great squares yes they do have an Army feel to them. I think this one will definitely go to a Man!

Then we have 'Black Magic'.

Thanks to everyone that contributed squares for this blanket! I love them.


I think these two blankets are quite different from our usual ones. I had fun making them thank you.



Created with flickr slideshow.


x Sue x

Friday 27 July 2012

What are 'you' doing while the Olympics are on?

Good afternoon  everyone!

crochet today



Thanks for popping in to SIBOL today! It's the start of the Olympics today and I thought it appropriate to show our beautiful Olympic blanket  that we made.  I am really happy too because 'Crochet Today' over in the States have printed my letter to them thanking our American friends for sending in squares for our Challenge.  Here's the link. Thanks so much 'Crochet Today' for printing my letter.

As you know we make these special Charity blankets but all year round we are busy making blankets for the Elderly in various homes local to me here in Birmingham.

Well the question is what will you be doing while the Olympics are  on? Are you the sort of person who likes to sit Crocheting or Knitting while the TV is on? I know I am.  Well  why not spare a thought for SIBOL and if you have any spare yarn you would like to use up why not make a Large Granny Square blanket or a blanket made up of 25 squares?  We have a few homes to visit during the next few months and I am inviting you to help us.  All details are over on the Challenge Blog.

We do have a 'Square Stop' on at the moment apart from  accepting Challenge squares but I am accepting made up blankets. I have quite a few bags of squares here at home which I am determined to get finished before the end of the year and then we can start our Challenges again. Sending a made up blanket will really help keep our numbers up thank you.

You might also like to make some Butterflies for our blankets, flower embellishments or whatever you think would be nice to hang on our blankets. If you would like a link for the Butterflies please pop over to Netties Blog in Australia where she has a great video tuturial.

I do need squares for our Challenges still if you would like to make any for

Owl Challenge
Irish Rose
Music
Snowman
Faces
Nursery Rhyme
Heart Challenge (Any Heart Design)
Please pop over to our Challenge Blog.

To give you ideas we've just had some Challenge squares arrive from hieke in the Netherlands. Let's take a look at them.

hieke has sent in squares for our Music, Heart, and 200th SIBOL Challenges. Thank you very much!  Such wonderful ideas I love them all. I especially like the 200th SIBOL squares. Inspiration for our 200th blanket has come from my Grandmother. She loved the colour green and red roses and every day she would eat a British Traditional meal of potatotes, meat and vegetables and I think hieke has captured this so.....well! Great Musical squares guitars and a CD or Record too. You've made them really well hieke thank you!

200th blanket squares.


'Musical Challenge'. Such great ideas hieke!


'One Heart From Around The World' Challenge. Thank you!


I would also like to show you a blanket that I have just finished, this one is called 'Greensleeves'. Thanks to everyone that sent in squares for this blanket. I had such fun making it up, another one for our homes.


Thanks to everyone that contributed squares for this blanket.


 
So there is plenty to do on the 'SIBOL' project. I hope I have inspired you to pick up your Knitting Needles or Crocheting Hook. 
 
I would like to thank everyone for your help as a  Group we have raised £1,250.00 for Alzheimer's here in the UK. Enjoy the Olympics everyone!
 
x Sue x

Thursday 26 July 2012

Challenge Squares arrive!

Good morning and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today!

I am very happy to be showing you some squares which have arrived from Beang (RAV) here in the UK. As you know we sometimes have themes for our blankets and I am collecting at the moment squares for our Nursery Rhyme blanket and an Owl blanket. Beang has very kindly made two squares and I would love you to have a look at them.

'Nursery Rhyme' Challenge. Thank you!


'Owl Challenge' Thank you Beang very much!



Great ideas Beang.
Beang has also  made some Butterlies for our Butterly Club too. If you would like to make a Butterly and send to 'SIBOL' here's the link for RAVELRY 'our Butterfly Club' and here's the link for the brilliant Butterly video tutorial in Australia on Nettie's Blog.

We use Butterlies to decorate our blankets along with ribbons and they really do finish them off beautifully. They are talking points in the homes too! It's nice to have lots in my Stash so I can pick the appropriate colour out when finishing the blankets off. So if you have odd bits of yarn lying about please feel free to send me some.

I am continuing to make blankets up at home and I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in 'take a bag' over on RAVELRY. Ladies have offered to make a bag up for me, this way we can assemble more for the homes. All help is very much appreciated.

Thank you Beang, and thanks everyone for popping in to see what's new today!

x Sue x





Wednesday 25 July 2012

Colourful Wednesday!

Good morning and thanks for visiting 'SIBOL' today.

I am very pleased to be showing you some squares and blankets  which actually arrived yesterday. My poor lap top decided to give up on me yesterday, Mr. Twins thinks it was the heat that got to it and the constant work produced  on it! I'm very happy to say today it's working fine so I shall carry on up-dating 'SIBOL'.

First of all I would like to show you some Challenge squares.  joyce28 has very kindly sent these in to me along with her friend Kathy.

Let's take a look at Kathy's Heart square first. A great Knitted square with a Heart, wonderful thank you so much Kathy.

Kathy (Friend of joyce28) Square for our Heart Challenge. Great thank you!


A square made in a lovely shade of lilac thank you!

We move on to the Heart square that joyce28 sent in to me......

'One Heart From Around The World' Challenge. Unusual Joyce, thank you!


Really unusual design Joyce, but very nice indeed. We also have a very colourful 'Nursery Rhyme' square.

'Nursery Rhyme' Challenge. Brilliant!


'There was an old woman who lived in a shoe........'
Do you remember this one? I certainly do. A great square thank you Joyce.

'Faces' Challenge. So good!


I think this one is so...comical too for our 'Faces Challenge'.

I'm very happy to be receiving your squares Joyce and Kathy thank you very much.

The fun doesn't stop there. Do you remember on June 14th I visited 'Grey Cables Care Home' in Birmingham? An Elderly Lady there called Vera was talking to me about her own Knitting and she said that she had a bag of Knitted squares in her wardrobe. She asked one of the Staff if they would go and fetch it for her. Inside was a large quantity of squares that she had made for someone else but they hadn't collected them.  She kindly gave them to me. Here they are....

On the 14th June I went to 'Grey Cables' where an Elderly Lady 'one of the Residents' gave me these squares.


Well I must thank Joyce because along with the squares yesterday I received two blankets that she had assembled for me from Veras' squares. These blankets are so....colourful  and have been put together beautifully.  I have taken some photos and I will be sending them to Vera so she can see what we have made with her squares.  I'm very grateful to you Joyce thank you. Thank you also to Vera, I don't expect 'she's on line!'

A blanket full of Knitted squares.


Look at this one too, fantastic!


Excellent result I think........I'm so pleased that we could put them into one of our blankets.

SIBOL 212. Vera's squares assembled by joyce28! Remarkable job thank you Joyce!


SIBOL 211. Veras' squares again! joyce 28 has worked her magic again! Thank you!


Decorated with our SIBOL Butterflies and ribbon too, finishing them off.

I have just had the lunch time post arrive and I'm very grateful to BrendaS2 who has very kindly sent me in these squares.

Brenda has taken part in our Musical Challenge and these notes just sing out to you don't they?

These musical notes just sing out to you!


I wonder what they are singing? Beautiful square thank you!  I love it!

I also have a Heart square for our 'One Heart From Around The World' Challenge.

A square for our 'One Heart From Around The World' Challenge. Thank you very much Brenda!

Thanks very much for taking part Brenda!

If anyone is interested in back issues of magazines and old crocheting books, please go back a post or visit RAVELRY. I'm having a de-clutter still!

I hope you like what you've seen today, I certainly do!

Thanks for visiting !

x Sue x













Tuesday 24 July 2012

Massive de-cluttering going on at 'Two Times!'.

Thanks so much for taking an interest in my 'back issues' of magazines.

I still have magazines for sale, so if you are interested please email me
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net
or RAV mail me 'MrsTwins'

I accept Paypal, Bank Transfer if you are interested or a cheque if that's better for you
All proceeds will go towards our SIBOL costs.

I would like to thank everyone who has already bought a copy and I'm just listing now what is left.

I have quite a lot of the following magazines and I decided it was time to say goodbye to them, 'although' I love them to bits! I need the room.

**Knit Today magazines £2.00 each. Plus postage

Simply Knitting magazines £2.00 each. Plus postage

Let’s Knit magazines £2.00 each. Plus postage

Inside Crochet magazines £2.00 each. Plus postage**



Are you looking for a particular issue? Email me and ask me I'll have a look for you.

**Woman's Weekly Best of Our Knitted Toys. £5.00 plus postage (98 pages)
(Brilliant for Knitted Toys).**


Magazine clear out.



My de-cluttering continues.

I have sorted out now unwanted patterns/books/magazines if anyone is interested.

**Alan Darts 'Gnomes at Home' pattern. £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class).**


gnomes


**360 Mini Messages Cross Stitch £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**


Cross Stitch pattern book.




**Knit Today - August 2011 (In Plastic Not Opened) £2.50 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class).**


Brand new edition in plastic.

**Rowan - Purelife home - Pattern Book (Beautiful items) £5.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class).**

Rowan pattern book



**Crocheted Gifts in a Weekend - £5.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class).**

crocheted gifts in a weekend



**The Craft Business Handbook £5.00 Plus Post and Packing. (2nd class).**


Craft business handbook


**Craftseller October 2011 (With Halloween Supplement which is brilliant) £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class)**



Craftseller




Halloween (Craftseller).


**Craftseller Christmas 2011 £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**


craftseller christmas



**Craftseller November 2011 £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**


craftseller 136


**Knitting Life 'August-September 2011' £2.00 Plus Postage and Packing (2nd Class)**


life


**Knitting Life 'December 2011/January 2012' £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**

knitting life


**Knitting Life 'October/November 2011' £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**


knitting life two



**Ripples for Baby £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class)**

ripples for baby


**Home Knits - £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**

home knits


**Hand Knitted for Baby £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd class).**

handknitted for baby


**50 Quick Knits - £2.00 Plus Post and Packing (2nd Class).**

50 quick knits


Just Rav mail me Mrs Twins
or Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

All proceeds from these magazines/patterns/books will go towards my 'hidden costs' for

my SIBOL work e.g. postage, cards, ribbons, yarn, petrol, Ebay fees etc.,

Don't you feel better for de-cluttering! :)'

Thank you.
x Sue x