Sunday 30 June 2013

Marie Curie Cancer Care Daffodil Blankets are finished. Pop in and have a look at them!

Good Evening,

A very hot day here in the UK today and to be honest I have spent the whole day virtually on-line up-dating our 'SIBOL' Blog. There is always so much going on in our Group and I do like to keep everything up to date for you.

First of all I do hope you will scroll down to previous post and view the beautiful work from wilfi over in the Netherlands. It just can't be missed!

On Thursday September 13th I started a new Challenge off. I had the idea to make 9 Daffodil Blankets for the 9 Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospices here in the UK. I invited Ladies over on RAVERLY and in Blogland also on Flickr  to help me by making a Daffodil Square. The task actually was quite daunting and there was a time when I thought no...... we will never be able to complete this Challenge, but with the help of Ladies worldwide I am very happy to be telling you that it is now finished.

Yesterday the final Blanket was finished by wilfi and I send her my thanks.

We have now made 9 Blankets which will be donated to the 9 Hospices up and down the Country. Marie Curie Cancer Care have Hospices in Belfast Ireland, Bradford, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hampstead, Liverpool,  Newcastle and the West Midlands.

These are the Blankets which will be donated to the Hospices.

The 9 Daffodil Blankets which will be donated to 9 Marie Cancer Care Hospices here in the UK.



The 10th Blanket which we made will be auctioned on EBAY.

If you are interested in purchasing this Blanket yourself why not email me
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net
All reasonable offers will be considered.

Marie Curie Cancer Care Blanket to be auctioned.


Now I will prepare the Blankets for sending off to the Hospices and I will do my best to ask them for some photographs of them receiving them.

I will let you know when the Blanket is ready for auction too if it hasn't been sold through a private sale.

All money raised will be given to the Marie Curie Cancer Care organisation.

I would like to thank everyone for their fantastic support with this Challenge.
Each Square has been lovingly created by Ladies worldwide and I can't thank you all enough!

x Sue x 



Beauties from the Netherlands!

Good morning to you all!

Yesterday I received a bumper parcel from wilfi over in the Netherlands.  What did I find inside for our 'SIBOL' project? 6 Crocheted Blankets, 3 spools of Ribbon, Squares for Stash and Challenges and a Square from her friend 'ans'. I didn't have time to take photos yesterday as we had visitors in the afternoon so I thought I would get up really early and take some photos while all was quiet in the 'Two Times' household. The question is where do we start? It's taken me ages to write this post and load all the photos but I've enjoyed every minute!

wilfi I first of all have to thank you for donating such a generous amount of Blankets, how very kind of you! Thank you so much. Such beautiful Blankets have all been made in beautiful colours and designs. Let's take a look at them now.


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wilfi has named this one 'Viva La France'. A little card tells me this Blanket was made in France and after the holiday she finished the border.  Every time she looks at the Blanket she gets that sunny feeling and it relaxes her. She hopes that the person receiving this Blanket has the same feeling of love and happiness that she had when making the Blanket.

Simply beautiful wilfi and I love the variegated yarn. I think it is one of Patons? I've used it before, it's lovely to work with if it's the same one.

The next Blanket is called 'Glitter Flowers'. What a gorgeous colour combination! wilfi tells me that she had a spare ball of glitter yarn that  she thought she would use in this Blanket. It gives it a great sparkle and glittery feeling. Such a stunning Blanket wilfi, thank you!

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wilfi has been busy! Let's take a look at the Blue Blanket now. It's called 'Blue Lagoon'.
wilfi has used odd bits of yarn put together in this gorgeous Blanket. She loves trying out new patterns and making them into a 'SIBOL' Blanket. That's the nice thing about our 'SIBOL' Group not only are we doing something worthwhile for the Elderly it gives us chance to practice our skills! Thank you!

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Just take a look at the next Blanket. Do you like Black? Wow! This is fantastic! It's called 'Black Flowers'. wilfi takes her stash balls everywhere with her in her yarn bag and when there is time she hooks flowers! She has made them into a Blanket and she hopes the person who receives this Blanket enjoys it as much as she enjoyed making it! Thank you wilfi!

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The next Blanket is called 'Little Stash Flowers'. Stash! Stash! A big bag full! wilfi has to take the bag with her every where and when she has to wait for her children she hooks flowers! It's surprising what you can hook in half an hour or so! This is another pretty Blanket wilfi! Thank you! Such wonderful colours in this Blanket. 

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The last Blanket is a special one, because it is to be donated to the 9th Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospices. wilfi offered to make one up herself and this is simply beautiful. What a treat!
Look at these beautiful Daffodils! I love the colour of the background Squares. You really have made a great job of this one too wilfi! Thank you!

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I am very pleased to say our Daffodil Challenge is now finished. We now have 9 Daffodil Blankets for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Challenge, one for auction too!  Such a colourful Blanket and beautiful Daffodils, simply beautiful. wilfi thank you so much for this donation. I know the Hospice is going to be so pleased.

I'm over the moon with these Blankets wilfi, thank you so much! Not only did wilfi send these gorgeous Blankets she also sent Squares for Challenges and Stash, simply wonderful! 

                                                               Stash Squares 

                         Stash Squares from wilfi! Thank you!

                                                           Challenge Squares

(Top Left) - 'Festivals'! Great Square. wilfi has a Concert by the Sea and she very kindly made a Square with this idea.

(Top Right) - 'What a Wonderful World!'

(Bottom) - - 'Transport' Challenge.

I love these Squares I hope they have inspired you to have a go for our Charity Challenges
Here's the Link.


                         Challenge Squares. Thank you!

Pretty Ribbon too wilfi, you are sweet thank you so much for everything in the parcel for 'SIBOL'.
I am terribly grateful to you.

                        Donations of Ribbon thank you wilfi!


I would also like to thank ans for the pretty hat Square. It's lovely! 

                        ans (Netherlands) Hat Square. Thank you!


A busy morning I do hope you enjoy the Slide Show now! I hope it's working for you.
Thanks for popping in today!



Created with flickr slideshow.

x Sue x

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Breast Cancer Care receive our Blankets today!

Good afternoon,

I'm very pleased to be telling you that our 3 Think Pink Blankets have arrived at the offices of Breast Cancer Care today.

Lisa from Breast Cancer Care said,

"WOW we received the blankets in the post today – they are absolutely beautiful!
Here you can see Emma from Breast Cancer Care opening them as they arrived

Thank you once again for your kind and beautiful donation."


Lisa has forwarded me some photographs for you!

Here's Emma opening the parcel.

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Our 3 Think Pinks!


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emma 2


emma 1


You are a pretty girl Emma!
Thanks ever so much for having your photo taken!

I do hope they raise some money for Breast Cancer Care.
I'd be interested to know how you got on!

Thank you for accepting them.

Sue at the SIBOL Group

x

Monday 24 June 2013

Think Pink Blankets for Breast Cancer Care

Good Afternoon and welcome to 'Mrs Twins',

I'm very pleased to be telling you this afternoon that I have just posted off 3 beautiful 'Think Pink' Blankets. Breast Cancer Care 'North and Midlands' have very kindly agreed to accept them from us.
As you know these Blankets are some of our special Charity Blankets. We have already raised a substantial amount of money ourselves by the sale of other 'Think Pinks' on EBAY. I thought it would be nice to try something different with these Blankets and that's why I contacted them.

Lisa from Breast Cancer Care has told me that they will be used for Strawberry Tea parties which are taking place over the next few months and I really hope they will be useful to them in their fund raising.

We had such fun making these Blankets. Ladies in our Group are very generous donating their time and energy to making a Square and I would also like to thank Joyce, Fiona and Marion for their hard work too putting them together. Several Ladies in our Group have experienced Breast Cancer themselves so these particular Think Pinks do mean something personally too.

These are the Blankets which have been sent off to them.

Marion's Blanket.

What a pretty Blanket and how kind of you 'jean nock' to make this one for us.  Think Pink (7).



Fiona's Pink Ribbon

'Think Pink' (6).  'Pink Ribbon'.  So beautiful!



Blanket Joyce made up for us.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this gorgeous Blanket.



Good luck to all at Breast Cancer Care and thanks to everyone who helped me with these special 'Think Pink' Challenges.

x Sue x

Friday 21 June 2013

A thank you from Grace.

Good evening,

I do hope you will scroll down and have a look at the latest Blankets.

I am just popping in to show you a Thank you card which I have received from one of our oldest
SIBOLETTE's.  'Grace' is 80 years old and over the past few months she has sent these Squares like these.

Grace has sent more Squares for SIBOL thank you!


We have made several Blankets with them and I sent her some photographs of the Blankets we had made up.

Squares from 80 yr old Grace. Two new Blankets made. 'Rowheath' (Left). 'Double The Love' (Right). Thank you!


412. 411. Squares from Grace made up into two more beautiful Blankets.


Grace in her 80's at one of the homes I visit has made these Squares. pippa has assembled them into two beautiful Blankets. Thank you!

It was nice for Grace to see what we had made with the Squares and she sent me a Thank you card. I thought you might like to see it.

Grace lives in one of the Sheltered accommodation Anne and myself visited.

Thank you card from Grace. 80 yr old SIBOLETTE.

grace 2


Very nice of Grace and I'm so pleased 'SIBOL' passes a few hours for her.

x Sue x 

'Strawberry Blossom'.

Good evening!

I would like to thank radja (RAVELRY) (Belgium) for this beautiful Blanket.
What a treat!
Can you spot the gorgeous Strawberries?
They are good enough to eat.

This Blanket is called 'Strawberry Blossom' and I think the name is perfect for it.
I love the white flowers and the yellow and red border finishes it off so well.
How kind of you to make this for the Elderly here in the UK, 
thank you so much radja!


446 'Strawberry Blossom' made and donated by radja (Belgium) Chrisje. Thank you!


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Colourful Squares too from radja thank you!




  x Sue x 

'Olive'

Good evening and welcome to 'SIBOL',

I am very pleased to be showing you a Blanket called 'Olive'. This Blanket has been made by 'creativegranny' here in the UK. It will be given to 'Olive' her sister-in-law who is in a Care Home. I think this is a really lovely idea 'creativegranny' and  I know she will love it.

Let's take a look now.

445 'creativegranny' made a SIBOL Blanket for Olive her Sister-in-law who is in a Care Home. Beautiful!


What a pretty Blanket! Each Square is full of colour I absolutely love it.

Thanks for sharing this with us 'creativegranny'

x Sue x 

Thursday 20 June 2013

'What a Wonderful World' Challenge. Join us!

Good Morning,

We have two exciting Challenges taking place now and I invite you to take part.

If you would like to read about our 'Festivals' Challenge please scroll down to the previous post. Our 'Festivals' Blanket will be sent off to the Jersey Textile Showcase where it will be exhibited next year  and then they will raise money for Macmillan Nursing.

Our other Challenge 'What a Wonderful World' is hopefully going to raise money for 'Sight Savers'.    
One of our 'SIBOLETTE's' has suggested it. Please read on thank you!

Please label your Square with the appropriate Challenge, your name and please enclose your email address. Thank you!


12. 'What a Wonderful World Challenge'. .

Please make as many Squares as you like for this Challenge.
It is the first 125 Squares that will be accepted in to our Blanket(s). Then the Deadline will end.

We are hoping to make
1 - Large 100 Square Blanket.
1 - Small 25 Square Blanket which will be assembled by Linda herself.

6" (15cms) Square
Crocheted or Knitted. (Picture Squares)
Acrylic yarn.
In any Colours
Please attach a label to your Squares with your name and state which Challenge.


Some months ago I received an email from one of our 'SIBOLETTES' Linda.
At the time she was waiting for a cataract removal operation and it made her start thinking about how lucky we are here in the UK to be able to have such operations and how grateful she is herself.
She said,

"This afternoon I have
been thinking about all the people in the world who do not get such.
Wonderful treatment as us and being doing some research into cataract
charities. They are numerous, some even for children and this is where
this email is leading.

I wondered if in the fullness of time you could
possibly consider adopting a cataract charity for the proceeds from the
sale of a blanket on eBay as you have with cancer and Alzheimer's
charities. I thought maybe the blanket could be called " all things
bright and beautiful" because right now I would love to be able to see
the bounties of this wonderful world of ours with a clear vision once
again.


So in the fullness of time a blanket auctioned in aid of cataract removal
would be wonderful and thank you once again for agreeing to do this in
the name of SiBOL.

I have googled the words of "All things Bright and
BEautiful" and the scope for featured squares is huge and I am sure
beautiful ones will arrive from all over the world. I promise mine will
be there too."

  
I would very much like to do a special Challenge to raise some money for
'Sight Savers'.

Sightsavers works with partners in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to help restore sight, prevent blindness and promote equality for people who are irreversibly blind.

Our Charity Blankets usually raise money for Charities here in the UK, but as our Group is 'international' after all I thought it would be a good idea on this occasion. Also my own Grandmother had cataracts which she never had removed so it is quite special to me personally too! Her excuse was, 'I'll never keep my head still enough!'

Although 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' is a brilliant name we have had it before on one of our Blankets and our Squares do come from all over the World from different people so therefore I am naming it  'What a Wonderful World!'


You could use the World as inspiration, what do you see around you? 
You could use the following words as inspiration. (See above header photo). Linda is starting us off with these beautiful Squares. Thank you! Brilliant.

All Things Bright And Beautiful -  Hymn

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all. 

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all


The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one;

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows for our play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day;

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.



Or the song from Louis Armstrong 'What a Wonderful World!'.

Songwriters: RICE-OXLEY, TIMOTHY JAMES / CHAPLIN, TOM / HUGHES, RICHARD DAVID / SANGER, JAMES KEITH WARNOCK
  
I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
They're really sayin......i love you. 
Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/louis+armstrong/what+a+wonderful+world_20085347.html ]

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more.....than I'll never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
They're really sayin...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
*spoken*(you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than I'll never know)
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.

We take everything that we see for granted, can you imagine what it would be like 'not to be able to see?'  There are plenty of people who would benefit from cataract removal operations. Let's try and help them!

 Thank you! 

x Sue x


Wednesday 19 June 2013

'Festivals Challenge' - Join us!

Hi everyone!

We had such fun taking part in the 2012 "Jersey Textile Showcase"  with our Blanket

'Your Local Landscape' Blanket has raised £95.00 for Jersey Mencap. Thank you!


"Your Local Landscape" when it raised £95.00 for Jersey Mencap. I was wondering if you would like to help me make a Blanket for next years exhibition. The theme is 'Festivals'.

So I am inviting you to make a 6" Crocheted or Knitted Square with this in mind.

Where-ever you live in the World each country holds it's own Festivals.
If you 'Google' - 'Festivals' you will find lists of various ones held.
You know the sort of thing  Music, Wine, Book, Film, Steam, Religious, etc

Here's a link giving you some ideas.

REQUIREMENTS

6" Crocheted or Knitted Square.
Acrylic yarn. 
Festival theme Picture Square
Lots of colour!
With each Square please enclose a note enclosing details about the Square you have made so I can enclose a sheet with the Blanket.

DEADLINE END NOVEMBER 2013.

The Blanket will go on exhibition in the Gallery at the Harbour in Jersey for the duration of the show and then it will be sold to raise funds for Macmillan Nursing here in the UK.

Our Blanket will  not be entered in to the Competition they are holding it will be purely for exhibiting and fund-raising.

There are lots of details about the Jersey Textile Showcase on here

Enquiries Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net or RAV mail me 'MrsTwins'

I do hope we can help them raise some money for this worthwhile cause.

Thanks everyone!

 x Sue x

Thursday 13 June 2013

Marie Curie Daffodil Blanket is finished!

Good Afternoon,

442 'Marie Curie Daffodil Blanket' to be auctioned on EBAY to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Thanks to all for contributing these beautiful Squares.



I am writing three seperate posts this afternoon to showcase our beautiful Squares and Blankets. So please scroll down.

I have to say a massive thank you to 'jessiebonbon' on RAVELRY. 'jessiebonbon' has very kindly offered to make a Daffodil Blanket up for me so that we can auction it on EBAY for Marie Curie Cancer Care. I would like to thank everyone for the Daffodil Squares received for this Blanket. The Blanket has turned out so well, the Squares are gorgeous and 'jessiebonbon' has made a great job of assembling. The simple border really finishes it off so...well! I just love it.


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Finally I have the Slide Show working, I hope it is for you!



Created with flickr slideshow.


A lot of hard work has gone into making these Daffodil Squares from Ladies all over and I do hope we can raise some money for Marie Curie Cancer Care here in the UK. A very worthwhile cause.

Thanks to everyone!

All enquiries to me 
Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

x Sue x 

'Meadowsweet'.

Hi everyone!

I am very happy to be showing you 'Meadowsweet' today. The Squares have been made by our 'SIBOLETTES' and it has been assembled by Marilyn here in the UK. I'm really pleased how this one has come together once again and I really love the border.

441  'Meadowsweet'



Thanks to everyone who contributed Squares for this Challenge.


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A busy week once again which is lovely.
Thank you very much Marilyn and to everyone who has
contributed Squares for this Blanket.

x Sue x

A Flowery Blanket from Wales.

Good Afternoon and Welcome!

I would like to show you a Blanket which has arrived this morning from 'cosseted' on RAVERLY.
What a pretty Blanket! Full of colourful Flowers it surely is going to be welcomed at one of the Homes.
I just love the green joining between the Squares and I have added a Flower and a Butterfly too which the Elderly love.


Let's take a look at it now.

442 made and donated by Marion (Wales) thank you!


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Absolutely delightful. Thank you 'cosseted'.

x Sue x


Tuesday 11 June 2013

I deliver over 40 'Sunshine Blankets' today!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for visiting 'Mrs Twins',

It's Delivery Day again today and I'm very pleased to be telling you that I had a lovely morning.
I decided to ring up Brookvale Care Home in Olton, Solihull to see if they would like any of our
'Sunshine Blankets'. They were only too pleased to receive them and I arranged to visit straight away.
It was only June 3rd that I delivered to Olton Grange over the road with a large set of Blankets and it's surprising how quickly they add up again.

Delivery day again! 23 Sunshine Blankets ready for Brookvale Care Home


On arriving at Brookvale I instantly felt welcomed and it was lovely meeting the Staff.
Angela, Alison and Karen along with Residents who came down to see me Muriel, Dot
and Elsie.

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First of all Elsie was given the Pink Blanket but then she asked if she could have the
Blue one which Sonieta and her Mother had made from Spain.
I was telling her how useful our Blankets are and we even wrapped one round
her shoulders which she loved. She really loved the colours in the Blue one.


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Everyone admired our Blankets and I told them all about you and why I started the project.
The Staff and Residents couldn't believe how beautiful these Blankets were and all said how talented 
you all were. The Willow Blanket was admired greatly and even the odd two Squares which were attached. 

The Residents loved having their photos taken for me which was lovely. 

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The Staff were so loving towards the Residents as you can tell in these photos and
they were so.....grateful for our Blankets. 

On talking to the Staff I said I had got more Blankets at home which were our Challenge Blankets.
Now I was going to wait until our other Challenges had finished and give them all out to one home so everyone could have one, but as I thought that this home really would appreciate them I decided to ask them if they would want them. I was told that they would love them and so I agreed to go home pick up the Blankets and go back again. So it was a quick photo once again before I left so you could see which Blankets I was taking with me.


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I rang to say I was on my way back and asked if they could let the Staff know. When I arrived another group of Residents had come down to meet me how lovely was that! Now I'm really sorry about the quality of these photos coming up. They have come out slightly dark but you can just make out the Staff and Residents and see how much our Blankets were loved. I explained how we have our Challenges and they all just loved looking at them.


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Sorry these photos are dark. Challenge Blankets delivered to Brookvale Care Home, Olton. 11/06/2013

The Liquorice Allsorts Blanket made by PurlyGalore and Maria Jesus was loved and so was the Irish Rose and Butterfly Blanket from Joyce.

I had such a lovely morning. Our 'Sunshine Blankets' were given to a well deserving home you know how particular I am when giving them out and I know that they will give a great deal of comfort and warmth to these lovely people.

On leaving the Residents shook my hand and said a Big Thank you.
The Staff were so grateful for our donations and said that the Blankets really would make a difference to them.

Everyone wanted me to thank you. 

I also want to thank you because since January 2010 we really have been so successful in what we have tried to achieve. We have now made 439 Blankets.

I had such a lovely morning thank you Brookvale for making me so welcome.

Update on what I have left now.
I only have the Marie Curie Cancer Care Daffodil Blankets which we are going to donate to the 9 Hospices  and the three Breast Cancer Care ones.
Since June 3rd I have delivered over 60 Blankets.

Thanks everyone.

x Sue x