Crocheted Afghan truly says Welcome Home

If I were naming this afghan it would have to be something along the lines of Caribbean Cruise.   I've always been a big fan of blues and greens together, this definitely makes me think of ocean and salty breezes.  Another wonderful team effort with squares made by our good friend from New York, AnneMarie, and assembled by our other good friend, Sherry K right here in Buckeye Land.  It also reminds me of the first 2 peace bathing suit I had way back in the day.  Twas a real 2 piece too, not a bikini.  Back in the dark ages when I was a young girl you stayed pretty covered up ...even in a 2 piece.  Boy legs were more like shorts, the waste was covered and the top was anything but skimpy.  Anyone as old as dirt like me and remember the style I'm describing?  lol

Thank you Sherry and AnneMarie, you both Rock!

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 826
Scarves: 389
Socks: 187
Afghans: 24+1=25
Slippers: 98
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:120
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 329
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated.
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, hand warmers, lipbalm, floss, soap, shaving cream, razors etc aren't tabulated

**Still looking for Jane Burmeister or someone from The Sullivan Group, if you're out there, please use the contact form in the right side bar to hail me.  Thank you.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Team Crocheting Aids the Homeless

 This afghan is the result of what I call team crochet.  A good friend of ours from New York, AnneMarie made these lovely squares, and another good friend of ours Sherry K, a fellow Buckeye edged and assembled the afghan.  What a beautiful result.  You might have seen this afghan earlier on Sherry's blog.  I love the jewel tones, it reminds me of a kaleidoscope.  Great work ladies!

Sherry's also been busy crocheting hats, slippers and a scarf .  Many thanks Sherry for tagging the hats and slippers with size, much appreciated.

Both Sherry and AnneMarie have been long time supporters of Bridge and Beyond, thrilled to have them with us.  Not too long ago, I posted a retro Avon's Calling post.  In addition to crocheting for those in need, Sherry's an Avon Representative.  I suggested you all might like to double your help by buying Avon from Sherry.  How does that help double?  Well, when you buy from Sherry, you give her the ability to get more yarn which turns into helping more people.  AND, you could even order personal care items from Sherry for the homeless here on Bridge and Beyond and help both with her Avon=yarn, and the personal care items needed for the shelters.

Or perhaps you need to do some Christmas Shopping.........Sherry's Avon Page is linked above.

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 823+3=826
Scarves: 388+1=389
Socks: 187
Afghans: 21+1=22
Slippers: 96+2=98
Rain Ponchos: 61
Mittens & Gloves:120
Wrist Warmers/Fingerless gloves: 4
Cotton Washcloths: 329
Misc. (Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, cowls/mobius,  and Shrugs etc.) aren't tabulated.
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, hand warmers, lipbalm, floss, soap, shaving cream, razors etc aren't tabulated

**Still looking for Jane Burmeister or someone from The Sullivan Group, if you're out there, please use the contact form in the right side bar to hail me.  Thank you.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Avon Calling and Helping Homeless

If you're anywhere close to my age, you well remember the saying, "Avon Calling".  When I was young my Mother sold Avon.  I loved watching her open her deliveries to bag up her orders, to play with some of the samples.....it was way cool.  She walked door to door back in the day.  Shortly after graduating from high school, I too sold Avon; though I was not nearly as successful as she had been and it was short lived when I got a full time position as a clerk typist.

Fast forward Avon is now light years ahead of those door to door sales.  They, like so many business have a presents on the web.  YOU can shop from the comfort of your computer chair with a friend of ours, Sherry K and when you do; you'll be helping the homeless and others in need.  You might now be scratching your head saying...Sandy's gone off the deep end..again... how does buying Avon's lipstick or jewelry help the homeless?  The money our friend and long time supporter here on Bridge and Beyond makes from sales goes to her purchasing of yarn...........which turns into awesome goodness from her hook and is then donated to the homeless at Faith Mission, or others in need.  You could make it a double win win, lip gloss, deodorant, shampoo, lotions, soaps all are items we donate on a regular basis.  Personal care items are needed 12 months of the year by families in all the shelters, by those living under the bridges.  You could order from Sherry K, donate personal care to Bridge and Beyond and help Sherry with the yarn she needs to help others.  So hope over to her blog and see the wonderful items she makes HERE, and visit her AVON page HERE.  

AND, the other plus of ordering Avon from Sherry,  you're still helping even when time is tight and you can't knit or crochet.  AND you can tell all your non knitting and crocheting friends, this is a perfect way for them to help.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheting with 12 Children

Still enjoying sharing our stories about how and when we learned to knit or crochet.  Please email your story, it's fun to see how we all started these crafts that have become such big part of our lives.  These skills/gifts given to us that share with the  with those less fortunate.  I believe our hearts and hands are guided down this path.  Please keep up the good work, One and All.

Love to post your story, please email at sandycrochet at gmail.com

Here's our good friend Sherry K's story, enjoy!

When I was about 7 or 8 my mother had a friend who had 12 children yet she had time to crochet baby afghans.  She was quick and it fascinated me.  I didn't actually pick up a needle until I was 19. I had lots of time on my hands because my first husband was a Marine and gone all the time.  I purchased a basic book to learn the basic stitches.  I didn't start small though. I went right to an afghan. I made afghans for everyone except myself of course.  Over the years I have made baby clothes, hats, scarves, and more but my real love is to make afghans. I recently made a knitted hat for my son and I have made a few knitted wash cloths but I still prefer crochet over knitting.

My story is quite simple but that is the way I roll.

 *I love how so many of us have a common thread, whether it's knitting or crocheting, so many of us used the craft to fill a void, and it truly does*

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Licorice Afghan Donated to Homeless Families Foundation

Thank you Sherry K for this lovely afghan, whomever receives this at Homeless Families Foundation is going to be thrilled.  It's nicely sized, and very well made.  Here's team work for you folks, our friend from New York Ann Marie, sent squares to Sherry K (through the group they've become friends...pretty cool), and Sherry assembled the ghan.   Sherry named this afghan, Licorice...how perfect is that!! Then Sherry and I met again for coffee and a nice visit so she could pass the ghan along to me.  Gotta love team work!  And I passed along Pink Persuasion to be assembled to Sherry.   Sherry also loomed 2 hats.  Thank you Sherry for your hard work!

**June is slipper month, be sure to check out the slipper tab above, before you begin knitting and crocheting**

**Email me details of when, how etc you learned to knit or crochet, please don't leave the details in the comments below**


2013 Donations:

Hats:  372+2=374
Scarves: 288
Socks: 200
Afghans: 24+1=25
Slippers: 132
Rain Ponchos: 202
Mittens: 77
Cotton Wash Clothes: 369
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 10
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated


All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Mint Chocolate Chip Afghan for Homeless Families

Here's Mint Chocolate Chip .  The colors look a bit faded due probably to the sunlight coming in.  Wanted you to see this blocking process.  Sometimes folks say acyrlic yarn can't be blocked.  They're wrong.  It can.  Sometimes easily with just a few tugs here and there if you're working on smoothing an edge for instants.  Somtimes ghans need more then others and more time in the blocking process...just depends on stitches and tension when putting them together, how many different hands and stitches were involved etc.  This did need substantial blocking with pinning and wetting it a 2nd time.  But, I wanted to show you how well it works.

Here it is all nice and dried, with pins removed.  Turned out beautiful, didn't it.  And look at the difference in the colors?  Different times of the day I think too played into it being a more true picture.  This is a bit more true to coloring, though the green is a bit more minty then I'm seeing in this picture.  The browns and greens look really nice together.  These squares were donated by our good fiend AnneMarie

Remember?  And put together for us by another good friend, Sherry K.  Many thanks ladies!

By the time you read this post, this afghan is probably already in use.  Delivery was made prioviosly while this post was  in que.  Keep up the good work folks!


*Reminders:
Please avoid the use of white, off-white, beige's as they show the dirt too easily.  Remember our folks don't have easy access to doing laundry.
Please remember visiting and commenting here on the blog is helpful.  It helps our blog placement, which in turns makes it easier to find other helping hands....that means more people we can help.  So, please visit frequently spend some time and leave comments.  We all enjoy seeing each others work.  We all enjoy the supportive comments on our labors.  You do not need to be a blogger to leave a comment.  You do not need to give your last name, so there's no security situation.  It's quick and easy and helpful.  Click the work comment, type your comment in the white box and click the drop down that says name and url...if you don't have a blog leave that space empty.  If you like, leave your facebook profile url there.  Then click ok or publish and bingo....you're done.


2013 Donation Totals:
Hats:  267
Scarves: 224
Socks:114
Afghans: 5+1=6
Slippers: 81
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 20
Cotton Wash Clothes: 152
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators and all meal prep related items, etc aren't tabulated


All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donating Hats for Ohio's Cold Homeless

 Thank you Sherry K for your thoughtful donation of 5 crocheted hats and your continued support.  We sure appreciate both!  These hats vary in size and several are large enough for the men living outdoors.  Sometimes they need to wear two hats, so the stretchy hats are particularly good for that.  Many thanks Sherry, please keep up the good work.

**Have you joined the facebook group?
***Have you updated yourself by reading the information provided by clicking on the tabs across the top of the blog?
****Did you know March's focus is Afghans and Quilts?

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  193+5=198
Scarves: 104
Socks:98
Afghans: 4
Slippers: 66
Rain Ponchos:2
Mittens: 15
Cotton Wash Clothes:100
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's: 4
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, handwarmers, cowls/gators etc aren't tabulated

ll donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Special Delivery for the Homeless

Awesome donation Sherry K.  Sherry and I have tried to connect a couple of time but have different schedules, so we've still not been able to have a face to face meet up.  We will keep trying, and eventually we will make it.!  Sherry hand delivered these to my door step the other day.  Look how awesome, hats, slippers, and cotton washcloths!  All beautifully made and so very much needed and appreciated.

And, a special thank you for labeling your hats, and slippers!  AWESOME.  Keep up the good work Sherry.  Looking forward to being able to meet each other, we just need life to slow down a bit so can mesh our schedules.

Donations: 2012
Hats 720+17=737
Scarves: 487
Slippers: 138+6=144
Shawls: 2
Sweaters& Ponchos: 4
Vest 1
Afghans: 34
Mittens: 278
Squares: 479
Socks: 193
Rain Poncho's 209
Cotton Washcloths 444+6=450
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, face-masks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand and foot warmers Teddy Bears and footies etc)

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Why Sherry K. donates

About a week ago I posted about why I donate and asked you to share with us why you do. What motivates you. Though clearly we all the common denominator of wanting to help others, we do have some different internal reason that keep us all going. If you missed reading these inspiring stories, please take a minute and click to catch up. If you've not shared with us your inspiration, please send me an email and let me know.

**Sharing stories about why we donate:
My story Here
Wendy H tells here story HERE
Sandie P's story HERE
Diana K's story HERE
Sue F tells her story HERE

And now, you can read why our friend Sherry K. donates and gives of herself. Thank you Sherry. Glad to count you among us and glad to call you friend (and all the other good people here).

When I was about 7 years old my mother had a friend who lived across the street from us. She had 12 children and still had time to crochet. She was always making baby blankets and I loved to sit and watch her. So I believe it was her that gave me the desire to crochet and I have crocheted many blankets over the years. I even belonged to a group that made blankets for the elderly in nursing homes for a while. But at that point I didn't really think of that as giving to charity.

In 2007, I became very ill and could not work. Up to that point I was very busy raising my family and working 70 hours a week. I had let the crocheting go by the wayside even though I had boxes of yarn put away. Once I became ill my husband lost his job shortly thereafter. For a period of 8 months we didn't know how were were going to pay the rent or have food on the table. Every month we had a leave on 3 days notice on our door. Also, many times we stood in lines at the food pantries. It made me realize just how many people that were in the world with the basic needs for living. My husband got called back to work a year ago and shortly before that I was approved for disability so we are much better off.

This started a desire for me to help those less fortunate and the homeless are close to my heart. I know there are needy everywhere but I have a firm belief that you should help your own first. I checked online for charities and found Bridge and Beyond. I,ve sent in a couple of boxes but intend on sending much more. I met a friend through this charity who has led me to other charities as well, but Bridge and Beyond will always be my first choice to give to since it will help the homeless.

I am very limited in what I can do but crocheting and a little knitting I can do so I decided to use my skills and yarn to warm those in need.

**We so glad you were so inspired Sherry. I'm blown away thinking of the women with 12 children having time to do anything. She was obviously a very special woman. Sorry you were so ill, how wonderful to have you here with us.**

2012 Donations:
Hats: 398
Scarves: 247
Slippers: 79
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 22
Mittens: 147
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 183
Cotton Washcloths 354
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc)

The above picture isn't current, in that I've gotten further along on that afghan since I had time to get a photograph. It has a couple more stripes currently. It's knitted, feather and fan stitch. Currently, I have 2 thoughts regarding this afghan I'm working on. Initially, thought it would be donated; as all the others have been (from your squares etc) to The Homeless Families Foundation for the Welcome Home Project. Then thought/wondered if I might do more good by having a raffle for it and use the money from the raffle as a donation. I've changed the design of this ghan now several times....probably about to change it again. Am using up grey, I had in my stash (have less then I originally thought I had), using the tan (donated), and the multi-colored skeins (6 also donated). Seems it may be smaller then I anticipated based on the yarn amounts I have so....re-thinking again the design. It's sorta changes on the fly as I knit.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Donations of many Colors

A colorful donation, crocheted by Sherry K, fellow Ohioan to help Ohio's homeless and those in need. Thank you Sherry for your creative and colorful donation of 7 hats, 5 scarves, and congrats on your first pair of mittens! Some are well suited for men, others women. What a nice assortment of warm goodies for those in need. Keep up the good work Sherry.

I've added Sherry's new blog to our blog log, please make a point to pop over and visit.

**9 more days of our contest, remember you still have time to get your name in at least 1 of the hats, if not all 3. Details in sidebar

2012 Donations:
Hats: 110+7=117
Scarves: 39+5=44
Slippers: 24
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 7
Mittens: 87+1=88
Squares: 111
Socks: 77
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 14
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, footies etc)

**Have you noticed, our followers has grown, good news indeed. Please feel free (nudge) to share the link of our blog with your email contacts. There maybe folks you know who'd like to read about what we're doing, or help**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!

Matching Sets To Aid Ohio's Homeless are Donated

Thank you Sherry K from Ohio for this fabulous donation of 3 matching scarves and hats. I've specifically laid out the hats differently to show you the versatility in this style hat. The black hat lower right is fully open....it might look long to you; but for larger heads this is nice and if someone wants to really pull it down there's enough to do so.

Notice the blue variegated one is the same style/patterned hat but the brim is rolled 1 time. The brim helps the hat fit a slightly smaller head while at the same time provides double thickness over the ears.

Look top left and you'll see the pink hat which opened is longer then the black hat and can be rolled twice for a nice thick wide brim. Again the thicker brim over ears can be additionally warmth, and if the hat is slightly too large rolling the brim the brim can help to make it fit.

Sherry I'd love to add this pattern to our pattern area here on the blog, if you're able to share with us.

2011 Donations:

Scarves 320+3=323
Hats 641+3=644
Mitts 137
Socks 124
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 309
Sweaters/Poncho's 7
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)
Misc Items I've not counted misc items like all the personal care items, the neck warmers, head bands or yarn.

*Did you read the helpful hints and guidelines about color and size? If not please do, scroll to 10-9-11

Donations in que from: Liz, Paula K, Sandy, Suzanne W, Nikki, Carol, Frank, Jenn, Jeanette J, Cheryl, AnneMarie, Sandy

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!