Putting Out Some Feelers......

If you truly know me, then you will know that I have a very 'soft spot' for the homeless. Perhaps this is because I have been close to that situation myself at least 3 times with 3 children in tow.

Regardless of the reason, my heart always leans in this direction. I have done charity knitting/crocheting for various organizations, and I have always felt that 'this is good'. But, I have also felt that this was not 'it'.

The beginning of the week, I was visiting hakucho just because she designed one of my very favorite dishcloth patterns. I wanted to see what she was up to recently.

She had a photo of some squares. I thought to myself, "I wonder what she is going to do with these squares?" (knowing that she has a very inventive mind). So, I read further.

She is going to a Knit-A-Thon that benefits the homeless!!

I then went to visit the website for the Knit-A-Thon. I was totally blown out of the water!! This is it!! This is it!! My heart was telling me full blast that this was it!!

I sent an email to the organizer of this event, and she responded that very morning. We have since talked on the phone twice, and she is very excited about expanding her Knit-A-Thon (which is in Boston) to other areas. If you browse around her site, you will see that they have made many blankets and raised a substantial amount of money doing this as an outreach to their community.

I am willing and able to organize this (with some help from my friends!). Basically, you knit or crochet 9 x 9 inch squares. You will need to have sponsors--say 50 cents or perhaps a dollar/square.

Then, at a later date, the knitters/crocheters will meet en masse--assemble the blankets (35 squares to each blanket), and the blankets and the monies will be donated to a local homeless shelter.

I'm just in the stages of putting out feelers now. I've sent emails to every knitting group and local yarn shop that is close to our area, contacted my church regarding this, and now I'm appealing to you.

Do you want to help with this effort? You could either be part of the square making, the assembling, or both. Do you know someone who knits or crochets who may be interested in this? If so, please pass the word!!

I want to get an idea of who is willing to do what before I contact the shelter. Nothing worse than presenting them with an idea and nothing to follow up with--right??

If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop me a line!!

Beth

A Couple of Projects and Where is That Snow?

I finally finished my January KAL for Monthly Dishcloths. I have another one started for Rachel's Knitting Room which should be finished in another day or two.

Here's a picture of my first dishcloth of the year:

In case you can't tell, it is an ice skate. The color is really blue, and I have no idea why it looks green!!

You might ask yourself what I do with all these dishcloths. Well, remember I have two daughters who are constantly asking for these, and I actually have very few left of the many that I have made. They are quick, inexpensive, and completing one gives you a feeling of accomplishment!! A project started--a project completed!!

I'm also keeping up with one square a day for The Ghana Project, but I'm going to wait and take a picture of these when I have one month completed. If you have extra yarn (and come on, I know all knitters and crocheters do!), please look into this very worthwhile project. I finished a square before i went to work one morning!! Very little time at all, very little expense, and you're giving your time and talent to someone who is need of some comfort! Stop by and visit their site. It's very interesting and full of designs for so many different squares!

Last night, I made a batch of Tea's Rosy Citrus Marmalade. I haven't tasted it yet, but it sure does look yummy!!


I would love to be able to show you the pictures of the snow we were supposed to have received. Six to 7 inches was the prediction. Did we receive this? No!! Instead we have about 1/2 inch of snow with a new glaze of ice from the again freezing rain!!

I don't know about the rest of Central Pennsylvania, but I'm getting pretty tired of ice. Snow--bring on the snow!!

If you'd like to stop by The Power of Your Love, I have my Then Sings My Soul Saturday and my Super Simple Sunday posted there.

I think I'm going to be iced in today, so I'll be knitting along while the laundry is being done!!

Beth

Christmas on the Way!!

I meant to post this last night after I had finished blocking it, but another migraine put me under for the evening.

Here's the Mid-month KAL from the Knitting Dishcloth Group. It was designed by Noreen and called Ribbed Diamonds. I like the way it looks--kind of elegant in the purple, I think. She has three patterns on her blog that she has designed. I have finished two of the three, and I really like what she's done.



I can see these being a nice Christmas gift for my daughters. I've planned on several things for each of them, and I was thinking of adding progress bars to see how far I've gotten with my Christmas projects. I'll just have to figure out how to do this.

I know that I'm making an Irish Hiking Scarf, a cable hat, a cable knitted purse and a Miter Square Rug for Cara. Since Lindsay lives in Texas, she has no use for winter scarves or hats. But, she is also going to receive a Miter Square Rug and some market bags. I haven't decided which ones yet, but she is starting to go green, so these will be a good gift for her. Any ideas or suggestions on good market bags, I'd love to hear them! I know that she wants something sturdy and not to open weave or mesh.

Both of the girls picked out the colors for their rugs, the Peaches & Creme is here, just have to get started and get these finished. If you look at the link for these rugs, the picture is the whole way at the bottom--after the instructions.

I'm off to work on that baby blanket some more--this is the top priority project right now. The baby shower is on October 25th, so it MUST be completed by then!

K--that's all for now!

Beth

THE GHANA PROJECT

I am so excited I can just about stand myself!!!

I have been praying to God to show me how HE wants me to use my God given talent of knitting and crocheting. I know that this gift was given to me by God. When I was 8 years old, my Dad died. I spent most days after school alone and all day during the summer alone.

My neighbor from across the street, Mrs. Robertson, saw my loneliness. She came to our door one day and asked if I could come to her house to help her with her 3 young children. Being a child, I felt that I was doing her a favor. Now, as an adult, I realize that she was reaching out to me.

I did help her with her children, but she also taught me alot also. She taught me to knit, crochet, sew, cook and many aspects of being a good mother. I picked up the knitting and crocheting like I had been doing this since the day I was born!!

So, I knit, I crochet--and I give almost everything away. As I said earlier, I've been praying about how God wants me to use this talent. Today I received an e-mail from a member of a knitting group that I belong to. I have never heard from her previous to today. I don't even know her.

She pointed me in the direction of the Ghana Project--you just knit 7 inch squares--so many beautiful patterns to choose from--mail to Michigan, and then they are put together into an afghan to send to Ghana to children who are having surgeries, a comfort blankie!!

This is also especially close to me because most of this children are being treated for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). They have had no treatment for this and so require surgery to be corrected.

I also have scoliosis, but having lived in the US, I was able to be treated without surgery and before the damage was too great.

I do have to say that God answers my prayers in some unusual ways sometimes!! And I pray for the doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other volunteers who donate their expertise and time to this project.

Praise and glory to God!!!!

Check out the website if you're interested in helping out. I'm so glad I did!!

http://theghanaproject.wordpress.com/