FEBRUARY 25, 2010--Marjorie from Bay City sent two lovely baby blankets and a box of squares! Thanks so much--your kind notes, lovely wrapping are always a bright spot in our day!
As I was running errands this morning, I reflected on the squares and how the energy I gain, piecing together the blankets, is so strong. Each square made contains its creator's energy which strengthens me, and imagine what thirty-five of them sewn together (average for a blanket) do for their recipients. It really is a great project. . .thank you all!
FEBRUARY 23, 2010--UPDATE: We have successfully used 10,000 squares in blankets as of today! I pieced together another ten today, and with over fifteen out, we'll be hitting 11,000 squares soon!
Two baby sweaters done. . . Whoo Hoo--It's a pattern I have been using since I was yes, sixteen--I love it and even have adapted it for adults by using bigger needles , more stitches; it's one piece and starts at the neck with raglan sleeves and a hood--It's fun to knit and works with all types of yarn. You can add details like animals, initials, nordic designs, etc. I am now going to attempt a Noah's Ark sweater. . . Blankets are adding up. I finished one last night watching the ice dancing on television. Who knew University of Michigan had so many talented ice dancers????? I knew about Canton, Michigan and their ice "history," but not so much about the U of Michigan. As the mom of an alum. . . .well, you know.
I will pick up another blanket from Ruth today--it had more squares than normal as they were smaller. So Ruth gets a prize as she puts us over 10,000 squares used. . . Since she's been working on a great deal of orange blankets, I think her prize should be pastels for many further projects! Thanks to Judy from Birmingham, Michigan for the lovely squares--they are already being used. . . .
We had snow yesterday, but I managed a trek to Gaylord for my annual mammogram--hope everyone reading this has had theirs. It's important, ladies, so get one scheduled!
February 17, 2010--Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and Valentine's Day. Nothing like the Olympics to get a great amount of knitting done! I picked up a trunkload of yarn from a local knitting group--it was remnants from many loving projects, and they will put blankets together. Two of my sons spent Mardi Gras on the balcony at the Oyster House in the French Quarter. . .parades. beads, oysters, and I am sure plenty of liquid refreshments. My daughter-in-law is a great, patient girl to escort these two. My other son probably was serving oysters out in New Mexico to revelers at the resort! One of these years, he needs to join the other two on the balcony in the French Quarter! By the way, my grand-dog in Louisiana ate all the Valentine's Day candy I sent to the kids. . . it was from a French confectioner in St. Louis, Missouri--Bissinger's--fantastic chocolate. And no--the dog didn't even get sick. . . . Later. . .keep those needles and hooks working! We're getting close to 10,000 squares used--WOW!
February 10, 2010--Our numbers of blankets rise -- thanks to all inquiries and participants. Cold here but we don't have the snow as our friends on the East Coast do. Kathy G must be "holed" up with the eight blankets I sent her--Let us know your snow levels, Kathy, if you read this! Well, back to my needles. . . papers are graded. . . dogs sleeping. . . .I am taping the movie on Temple Grandin--heard it was wonderful. if you haven't read anything she's written--do so. She is autistic and received her doctorate in animal science. An amazing story! My youngest son is headed to Louisiana tonight. . . Mardi Gras is Tuesday, lots of festivities, parades and beads!
February 8, 2010--Heck yes, the New Orleans Saints won! And for anyone interested, my son and his wife and their dog marched on Sunday in the Mardi Gras Barkus parade. . . .The theme for pet cosumes this year was--tailgating. . . Oh does my imagination run wild. . . I would love to be pulled down Bourbon Street next year by my three Rottweilers in costumes. . . . to be continued.
Blankets are being assembled for Haiti. . .squares are coming in. . . the basement is a filled with squares sorted by color, size, etc. . . thanks for everyone who has checked us out, is working and continues to support our little endeavor. Email me any questions. . . .Thanks to Yvonne--one of our original contributors from New Mexico. As I told her--this is the Magnificent Seven ala blankets. . . the old crew is coming back for another ride. . . by the way, what a great movie, eh? Remember the scene when Robert Vaughan (yes the Man from U.N.C.L.E.) dismays over his slow hand in grabbing flies off a table? OK, later. . . .
February 3, 2010--I was unpacking boxes of squares yesterday; in the bottom of Marjorie's carefully packed box (always lined with pretty paper and a kind note)was a beautiful baby blanket for Haiti--Thanks Marjorie--it's wonderful! We have sent four blankets to MN for assembling; and today a shipment of eight goes to New York and Kathy. There's also two going out to a local helper--and well, Ruth is also busy with her hook. It's cold here this morning, but it's invigorating to know all the squares will be helping make people's lives brighter. Not that they weren't in New Orleans--as there's still plenty we can do there too--but let's face it, immediacy often takes precedence over a disaster that seems distant. We'll be heading to Louisiana in April , so I promise pictures of the areas we have been following. Remember Mardi Gras happens in two weeks!
February 2--Happy Ground Hog Day! Squares are coming in! Thanks Diane and the Canyon Villa residents in CA as well as Marjorie in MI. Shelly from MN and Kathy from NY are putting some blankets together for me also. So the old gang is back together--Kind of feel like a Western where the old "cowpokes" decide on another adventure. Could be the Three Musketeers. . . .too, for that matter. Ruth and Carroll locally in MI are also assembling for us! The blankets will be taken to Mississippi in Late March/early April to Doug and Susan's Kids' Foundation. From there, they will be sent to Haiti!