'Lazy Days'.

Good Afternoon and welcome!

I am very pleased to be introducing 'SIBOL 596' would you believe! It's called 'Lazy Days' and it has been very kindly made and donated by Julie.

This Blanket is an absolute joy to receive. Made in pastel colours with beautiful Flower embellishments in the corners and sewn on SIBOL Butterflies it really is a gorgeous Blanket. It's a lot larger than our usual 'Sunshine Blankets' but does that really matter? Of course not. I would say our Blankets start from 36" upwards and can be made to whatever size you want. This is ideal for someone's single bed I think. It really is going to give a great deal of comfort to someone. So pretty to look at and great to snuggle under.

Julie is really enjoying her Crocheting and she is well and truly hooked now. She's called this Blanket 'Lazy Days' as she tells me in her letter that she has spent lovely Lazy Days Crocheting  this Blanket and even her little dogs 'westies' are going on fewer walks! :)  Of course the housework doesn't get done either! I know that too well. A great name for this Blanket Julie, thank you.

Let's take a look at it now.

What a delight!

Let's take a look at the Slide Show now.

Created with flickr slideshow.
I am terribly grateful for the time spent on this wonderful Blanket and it will be my pleasure to take it out with me as soon as I can to one of the Homes over the next week or two.
Could I ask .... Are there any more Blankets on their way to me now please? Would you mind dropping me an email and letting me know. I just want to get an idea of numbers. I would like to thank everyone for supporting our 'SIBOL' project and if there is anything you want to know about our Blankets please drop me an email. I'm Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net Bye for now and thank you! x Sue x 

'Festivals'.

Good Morning,

 If you remember back in 2012 we took part in the Jersey Textile Showcase with our special 'Your Local Landscape' Blanket which raised £95.00 for Jersey Mencap. Well this year I have been collecting 6" Knitted and Crocheted Squares for next year's Challenge. The Jersey Textile Showcase 2014 are having a special 'Festivals' theme. Of course I jumped at the chance of inviting Ladies to take part and although the Squares have been terribly slow coming in we have managed to make a 35 Square Blanket. This Blanket will be sent off to Jersey ready for next year's event. Money raised will go to Macmillan Nurses.  I wanted to get this Challenge finished before the end of the year so it's off my mind and we can concentrate on new Challenges for the Group. The Blanket will be exhibited 'hopefully' at their show and then when the show is finished they usually have a 'silent auction' and the person who bids the highest wins the Blanket. The Squares have been fantastic with some really good ideas. My aim was to make this a really colourful Blanket, I do hope you like it. Here it is.... Ta ...Dah! Introducing to you our 'Festivals' Blanket!

I love making these Picture Square Blankets and I was thinking back this morning to the year of the Millennium. I can't believe it's now 13 years since we celebrated the year 2000. I had penfriends at the time and I invited them to help me make a Millennium Friendship Blanket. I know it's not Crocheting or Knitting but would you like to see it? Rather the same as what we are doing now but in Cross Stitch. The same sort of idea I invited them to send me a Cross Stitch piece of their favourite design. I'm pleased to say I am still very good friends with stricksusi1 and Brenda. I was just thinking back this morning.

Anyway back to the 'Festivals' Blanket. I 

have made a Slide Show so you can see in more detail the Squares. 

I am limited to what size I can put up in a Post on here but in a Slide Show the photos come out larger.

I am terribly grateful to everyone that has taken part and I will be sending this Blanket off

to Jersey in the next few days when I have done the paperwork to go with it.

Created with flickr slideshow. That's all for now. I haven't had the post arrive yet, I may be back later. x Sue x

New Blankets to show you!

Good morning to you all!

It's always so lovely when I welcome new Ladies to our 'SIBOL' Group. Today I am welcoming 'Stacey'.
She has very kindly made and donated two fantastic Blankets for our Elderly.

The first Blanket I am going to show you  is  actually the first crochet item she has ever made and I think she has done a remarkable job of it too. She has named the Blanket 'Lilly the Pink'. Do you remember the song? These colours work so....well together and you have joined them beautifully. Let's take a look now.

Isn't it lovely?

Let's move on to 'Colourful Memories'.
The Squares in this Blanket were actually made by a Lady who sadly passed away and Stacey has very kindly assembled  them in to a Blanket and donated them to the Elderly for her. Isn't it nice to know that her Squares live on and will  give comfort to someone else.  I'm sure she would be so pleased. The Blanket as you can see is much larger but this will be ideal for someone's bed. The Homes are always so very grateful for our Blankets and I  have been told before that they can be used on the beds when someone perhaps needs a little extra warmth maybe when they are not feeling too well. The Blanket is so colourful and actually reminds me of the Blankets that arrive from Spain from Sonieta and her Mummy.

Here's 'Colourful Memories'.

The Butterflies hanging on the Blankets were made by Stacey too.

Once you get the hang of them they are quite addictive. They are lovely thank you.

Would you like to try making  any for 'SIBOL?'

We are always in need of them.

Here's the Link to Netties Blog in Australia.

Stacey you are very kind. I know making Blankets take a lot of time and I really appreciate all the work you have put into them.

At the end of the post I am going to make a Slide Show for you . 

I hope you don't mind sharing this one with the Blanket that PurlyGalore has put together for us.

She has very kindly helped me assembling 25 of our Knitted and Crocheted Squares.

I am always grateful to anyone who offers to help me with my work load. I have to admit when I first started the project I was too 'proud' to ask for help. We had so many Squares come in the first two years that they started mounting up and this time last year we were busy clearing the decks so to speak ready for our Deliveries. This year they have been coming in steady but actually more Ladies are making their own Blankets to donate to the Group and this really really helps me. So if maybe you are making a lot of Squares would you  consider putting them together for us? This way our Blankets can be given to the Homes much quicker and of course it saves me on postage and  also to the person who assembled for me.

PurlyGalore has worked wonders with the Squares I sent to her. Some were Knitted and some Crocheted. A mixture .... and I did wonder what they would look like put together but I'm sure you will agree they have come together so .....well!

Green and Red look so nice together.

Here is it....

The Border really finishes the Blanket off so well. As PurlyGalore was finishing the Blanket she first of all thought it had a Mexican feel to it, then it looked more Russian after the edge was finished. On Flickr she named it 'From London with Love'  but we are going to put it out to the Ladies on RAVELRY first to see what they can think of. Naming our 'Sunshine Blankets' is always such a special part in finishing our Blankets off. 

Let's see what they come up with!

Thank you very much indeed PurlyGalore for helping me assemble these Squares and also to the Ladies who have made them for us. 

We certainly have some great Blankets to finish the year off.

If there is anything you would like to ask me about our Blankets please do not hesitate to mail me.

I'm Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Here's the Slide Show I promised you.

Bye for now!

x Sue x
Created with flickr slideshow.

We're featured in Crafty magazine. Well done to you all!

Good Morning to you all and welcome!

I'm just popping in to tell you that we are featured in 'Crafty' magazine this issue.

'Hedjogs' on RAVELRY has very kindly informed me this morning.

The magazine are offering a free 'Pink Flamingo' Crochet  Kit in Pink and Grey and they are inviting their readers to make the Crocheted Square and send it along to myself so that we can make a Blanket with them 

which will be donated to the Elderly.

This is your chance to try out a beautiful Square so please pop along to your local newsagents and pick up a copy.

Originally  I did say that we were putting a 'stop' on Squares and Blankets after the 30th November due to Christmas but because this article is in Crafty this issue I would like to tell you that we will be working as normal. If you are making Squares and Blankets I shall do my best to cope with them during the rest of November and December.  If you still want to wait until the New Year to send me a finished Blanket that's absolutely fine too. I know there are a few in the pipeline and some Ladies did say they would wait. So please do what ever is best for you.

Our Challenges will start again January time next year. So I shall be up-dating our Challenge Blog end of December. Here's the Link.

If you would like to join our Group on RAVELRY here's the Link. Everyone is welcome, please introduce yourself! We are a friendly, chatty Group and it will be lovely if you say hello.

All of our 'Sunshine Blankets' are displayed over on FLICKR. Here's the Link. This is my visual record of every single Square and Blanket made. There surely is a lot of 'eye-candy' over there!

As you can see by the Header photo  on SIBOL I have recently visited a local Home and you can read all about my visit by scrolling down older posts. Our Blankets are always so well received and especially now as the weather is getting colder. Lots of Elderly people do not have many visitors either and it is so nice that when they receive a 'Sunshine Blanket' they will know that someone maybe hundreds or thousands of miles away is thinking of them.

Squares and made up Blankets are welcomed and if you have any queries at all then please mail me

I'm Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

Thank you

Up-dated Lunchtime.

With thanks to Sally I have received a beautiful 'Sunshine Blanket' for an Elderly  Gent this morning.
It is made in a great colour combination and is just so warm.....Thank you so much for making this Blanket Sally. A complete surprise!

Another one for our collection.

x Sue x 

Jersey Textile Showcase Challenge.

Good Afternoon!

I am really pleased to be showing you some Squares that have been made sent to me today by Tinaspice They are Squares for our Jersey Textile Showcase Festivals Challenge.

As you can see from the photo below she has some fantastic ideas.

Over to the left we have 'Westminster Cathedral' and the theme is 'Flower Festival'. What a lot of detail in this Square! I love the Stained Glass Windows on the Cathedral and what a good idea to embroider pretty Flowers too. It's absolutely superb.

In the middle we have 'Festival of the Sea'. Just look at the waves so realistic. Made in gorgeous variegated yarn they really look like splashing waves. Lovely sails too fantastic!

Below we have 'Festival of Christmas'. Mary, Joseph and the Baby. Of course we have to have Christmas! Appropriate too for this time of year.

Then over to the right some Bunting Squares which will be lovely to add some colour to this special Blanket. So bright and cheerful.

Tinaspice very kindly sent me some Ribbon to decorate our Blankets which will be very useful indeed. You will see the photo in my Slide Show.

You certainly have put a lot of thought into these Squares Tinaspice. Beautifully made full of wonderful colour and interest. I'm sure everyone is going to love them.

I can't thank you enough for all the effort you have put into the making of them.

We now have enough Squares for this Challenge and I shall start putting it together now.

Thank you so much!

The Blanket will be sent off when finished to Jersey Textile Showcase and next March it will be exhibited and then sold to raise money for Macmillan nurses.

Thanks also to everyone who has sent in Squares for this Blanket.

Here's your Slide show now!

Created with flickr slideshow.

x Sue x 

It's time for another Delivery!

Good Morning and thanks for visiting 'Mrs Twins',

I'm very pleased to be telling you that today is one of our Delivery Days.  I had originally thought that I would go out on my Deliveries first week of December but as the Blankets were piling up in my room I thought I would start taking some out.

Today I am visiting the 'Hasbury Residential  Care Home' in Kings Norton,  Birmingham.

Over the last few days I have been getting the Blankets ready to take out. Once again don't they look lovely decorated with our famous Butterflies and Ribbons? It's always such fun getting them altogether for our photos.

There are 24 'Sunshine Blankets' here ready for the off.

On arriving at the Home I met Margaret and members of Staff. I am always so proud of our Blankets and it is always lovely to be able to tell the Homes about our work.  I can't believe we have now made 590 since January 2010.

I explained how the project was started in Memory of my Grandmother and Margaret took great interest in our Blankets. I lay them out on her table and she looked very carefully at quite a few of the Blankets.  She fell in love with each one I laid out. How can you have a favourite when each one is just so beautiful? Margaret told me how very useful the Blankets would be. All of the Homes I visit are not cold at all but she agreed with me that there are always times when a Blanket is needed. To throw around shoulders, lay over a lap or even lay at the bottom of a bed to give an extra layer of warmth.   The nicest thing about our Blankets as I have said many times before is that each one is unique. They all have their own names too and actually the Blanket made by joyce28 'Picking Daisies' is going to be given to a Lady who has the name 'Daisy'.

When I started the project in January 2010, I wanted to be able to give a Blanket to an Elderly person who may not have any visitors and I'm sure Margaret will be able to pass on our Blankets to someone in this situation. It will be lovely for them to know that someone has sat and made a Blanket for them, thinking of them and I'm  hoping this will give them a great deal of comfort.  My Grandmother was indeed very lucky She had family and friends visiting her very often and it certainly brightened her day up knowing that someone cared about her.

I have some photos to show you now of my visit.

It's always lovely to show the Homes our Blankets.

I would like to thank Margaret and Staff for welcoming me into their Care Home and they would like to thank you all too for the beautiful Blankets.



Our 'Sunshine Blankets' continue to pile up and today I  have had two new ones arrive.  They have been very kindly made and donated by Glenda. What amazing Blankets they are too! Glenda you have put such a lot of work into these Blankets I am very grateful to you. I shall put these with the other ones I have upstairs and will be taking them out very soon. I know these too are going to be loved by the Elderly.

Details about the Square for you!

The pattern is called ‘Scrap Afghan’ by Joyce Messenger, it can be found on here.
http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00071&cat_id=298

Or over on RAVELRY here.

Even these two are different. Thank you! A Slide Show for you now Glenda!


Created with flickr slideshow.
Well that's all for today, thanks for your help once again.
x Sue x

UP-DATE
I thought you would like to read the email I have received this evening from Hasbury Residential Care Home.

My name is Sally Chundoo and I am the care manager for the above-named home. 
Today you made 24 of my residents very happy indeed !!! Your gifts of these vibrant colour blankets have put a huge smile on each and everyone’s face. Their gifts have been the focus of conversation all afternoon and no doubt for many more days ahead !!! 
I had never heard of SIBOL prior to this and may I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the international community for their efforts and time !!!! 
It certainly cheered my folks !!! 
Keep up the good work and a huge thank you from us all …

I am very grateful to Sally for this email. It's lovely to know that our work is appreciated. Thanks everyone!

x Sue x 

'Sunshine and Showers'.

Good Afternoon to you all!

Thanks for popping in to the 'SIBOL' Blog today.  I am very pleased to be showing you 'Sunshine and Showers' which has been assembled by MarilynJG.

This Blanket is no 588. I can't believe we have nearly reached 600, it doesn't seem five minutes ago that we had reached the 500 milestone.

With thanks to everyone that sent me Squares for this Blanket it certainly has turned in to another beauty. MarilynJG has taken the border from Edie Eckmans border book and I can't tell you which number because I haven't got my book at home at the moment. But the border really finishes it off so well and actually I think it would be lovely for a Babies Blanket. I found some suitable Butterflies for the Blanket and some pretty lacy ribbon to tie it up with which really goes well with the joining.

MarilynJG has Crocheted her flat braiding join  in between the Squares and it looks lovely. We all have our own methods of joining and Marilyn is an expert I have to say at this particular method. All of the Blankets she has assembled for me or made herself have really worked out a treat.

The Squares really remind me of 'Sunshine and Showers' and I think it's a perfect name. Thank you very much Marilyn for your help, very much appreciated.

Well that's it for today. I'll leave you with some photos now


Created with flickr slideshow.
Thanks for popping in.
x Sue x 

Information about our Squares and Blankets.

Good evening and Welcome!

I have noticed on my Live Traffic Feed that we are getting a lot of visitors from Loving Hands. I would like to welcome you all to 'SIBOL'.

'SIBOL' was formed in January 2010 and we have now made 587 'Sunshine Blankets' for the Elderly. With the help of Ladies worldwide we have made some beautiful Blankets. If you have time why not scroll down and have a look at them.

I would just like to let you know if you are new to the Blog that I collect 6" Crocheted or Knitted Squares throughout the year. These are then made in to our Sunshine Blankets. However, if you would like to make a Blanket to donate to the project I would be happy to receive it too.

Blankets sizes should not be any smaller than 36" Square. Anything upwards is fine. Our usual Blankets comprise of 25 = 6" Squares Knitted or Crocheted with a 1 to 2" border. Of course the size depends on what joining method you use.

You can of course make a Large Granny Square using your odd scraps of yarn  or make a Blanket of any other design.  'SIBOL' is a place where you can try new skills, maybe you've seen something new on You Tube you'd like to try. Well please do.

Our 'Sunshine Blankets' have always been very well received in the Homes. Ideal to throw over an Elderly person's lap to give comfort and actually they have always been talking points in the Homes too.

You can be assured if you send Squares to myself here at 'SIBOL HQ', they will be definitely made into a Blanket by myself or one of our 'SIBOLETTE's'.  I never discard any, every Square is welcomed. I never sell any of our Blankets either only the special Charity ones which we make to raise for Charities. That is the same for a donated Blanket too. I hand deliver Blankets and I know where each one has found a Home.

We really have some talented Ladies in the UK and worldwide and with your help we have made a difference to an Elderly persons life. So please think of 'SIBOL' if you are thinking of Crocheting or Knittiing for a Charity.

In finishing I have to say that we have been really busy all year round and I just need a wee break due to Christmas etc., So....my last date for accepting Squares this year is the 30th November. That is the same for accepting Blankets too. I shall be out delivering our Blankets first week of December so unfortunately I can't accept any more after that date. But there is nothing to stop you from making Squares and Blankets throughout November and December and sending them to me in the New Year. I'd be very happy to receive them.

If there is anything you'd like to discuss with me about our 'Sunshine Blankets'  please email Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

I thought I'd just put you in the picture. Many thanks ....Oh I've just thought why not join our RAVERLY Group here's the Link.

Many thanks for your support throughout the year.

Bye for now and thanks for visiting!

x Sue x

'Rainbows' and 'Firecracker'

Good Evening and Welcome!

I am very pleased to be showing you two superb 'Sunshine Blankets' made and donated by Kathy here in the UK. What delightful Blankets sent for the Elderly! The first one is called 'Firecracker' and you will be able to see why. Made in really bright firey colours this is a very warm Granny Square Blanket.

The second one is made with strips of trebles and it's called 'Rainbows', how bright and cheerful this one is too!

Kathy thank you so much for making these two fantastic Blankets. They are so lovely and I'd just like you to know they will be very well received by one of the Homes.

I would like to say at this point that if anyone else is in the process of making Squares or Blankets for the Elderly. If at all possible would you be able to get them to me by the end of November please. I shall be going out to deliver our Blankets first week of December and these will be my final deliveries for 2013.

Would you like to email me and let me know, thank you. Sue on sueatpigsty@talktalk.net

If anyone has Squares for our Jersey Textile Showcase, would it be possible please to send them off to me to arrive no later than 30th November please.  I'm eager to get this Blanket finished before Christmas.

I don't usually go out to the Homes during December very much as I have my Christmas shopping to do, I'm sure you will understand.  I would like to thank everyone who has supported 'SIBOL' throughout the year you have all been super.  We certainly have had a very successful year once again.

Kathy, I have made a Slide Show for you thank you so much!


Created with flickr slideshow.
Thanks for popping in today!
x Sue x 

'Sugar and Spice'

Good Afternoon and welcome to 'SIBOL',

I have had such a pretty Blanket arrive here at HQ. It was very kindly made and donated by Julie. It's called 'Sugar and Spice'. Made in beautiful pastel colours this is a perfect name for the Blanket.

Julie tells me this is the first Blanket she has made and has found the whole experience quite relaxing! She's started her second Blanket now and because she's enjoying Crocheting so much I have given her the link to Nettie's Butterflies. Would you like to try making them? Here's the Link.  Julie has Crocheted some Flowers for the corners of the Blanket which finish it off beautifully.

Here it is. 'Sugar and Spice'.

You have made it with such lovely colour combinations Julie and it's a great size too.
I will be sure to deliver it to a local Home very soon.
Thank you very much indeed.

I've made a Slide Show for you sit back and enjoy!

Created with flickr slideshow.

x Sue x 

Always something new to show you!

Good Morning,

I'm very pleased to be showing you four new 'Sunshine Blankets' today.

They have arrived from Sally and Joyce.

Sally has been busy making a Crocheted Blanket which is absolutely superb!
A lovely wide border finishes the Blanket off beautifully.  I love the colours you have used Sally.

joyce28 has been busy making Granny Squares and once again a lovely sized Blanket for the Elderly. A nice way to use up any coloured yarn and put together a wonderful Sunshine Blanket for the Elderly.

Not only have they made their own Blankets to donate to 'SIBOL' they have been helping me assembled some Knitted Squares from Irene and the Craft Group in Scotland 'Kilmorack and Erchless'. I'm very grateful to everyone that has sent in Squares for our project and many thanks to joyce28 and Sally too for helping me assemble them.

Thanks to everyone!

Here's a Slide Show now.



Created with flickr slideshow.

x Sue x

Sunshine Blankets arrive from the Netherlands today!

Good Afternoon and Welcome to 'SIBOL',

I would like to thank 'Fien' today who lives in the Netherlands. She has sent me a parcel which contains 4 beautiful Squares and 2 'Sunshine Blankets'. Everything in the parcel is really lovely and I would like to share some photos with you.

Let's take a look at the Blankets first.

This one is called 'Aqua Daisies'. It's so...pretty!

I think the name Fien has chosen really is spot on. The Blues have a very calming feel to the Blanket hence the name 'Aqua' and the Yellow and the White in the centre of the Squares really do look like Daisies. The Border finishes it off so well too. Fien has also attached some little Butterflies on a chain and the little card is in the same colours as the Blanket. I think she has taken the card as inspiration to be honest. She has even crocheted an edging to the card, you will see on the following photos.

I just love this Blanket, can you imagine an Elderly person in a Home receiving this one? I'm sure they will be terribly pleased to receive it.

The next Blanket is called 'Rainbow Roses' and you will see why. In the centre of the Squares are some really cute Roses and this Blanket is definitely another winner! Once again the border is perfect.matches the joining so well! Fien you are kind.  Thank you!

I have some great Squares too from Fien. They were originally for my stash, but to be honest I think they will look perfect in our Jersey Textile Showcase.

 We can put these under 'Wool Festival', 'Food Festival' and 'Flower Festival'.

The Squares are going to look great in the Blanket I am working on thank you.

If you have Squares for the Jersey Textile Showcase could you let me know please

on 

sueatpigsty@talktalk.net (Sue)

Thank you so much Fien for everything in the parcel today.

It's been a pleasure to receive your Crocheting. I can tell you have spent many hours

making such beautiful work. 

I just want you to know that I appreciate it very much indeed.

Thank you!

Created with flickr slideshow.

x Sue x