Crochet Donation from Tennessee

Thank you RoseMarie from Tennessee for this thoughtful donation of hand crocheted hats, scarves, headband, and cotton washcloths.  RoseMarie has also donated some personal items (tissues).  Hand made items are always so appreciated by those who receive them.  Not only does the item, hat, scarf, mitten, slippers etc keep someone physical warm.....but it gives them warmth in the inside.  They know someone they didn't know took time, made time to make something special just for them.  How can that not warm them up, and give them hope for a better future?  That's why hand made is such a HUGE part of our mission folks.  It adds so much that's hard to put into words.  

Please keep up the good work, as always it's a pleasure to have you as a member here on Bridge and Beyond.

**Urging EVERYONE to visit the blog frequently, to read the tabs at the top of the blog.  Each item we knit and or crochet has it's own tab.  It is essential that the items you make meet the requirements in order to be the items needed and wanted at the other end.  PLEASE ALWAYS read the tab for the item you wish to make BEFORE you make it.  Sometimes things change.**

2014 Donations:
Hats: 10+2=12
Scarves: 8+1=9
Socks: 4
Afghans: 7
Slippers: 7
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13+5=18
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

**Remember folks to always include a removable tag on your slippers, mittens, and hats with the size you made**

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.

Daisy Afghan is Done

This afghan, Daisies is in the wash machine being laundered (as all afghans should be), as we speak.  This isn't the best picture, but was taken while at the hotel recently while I was out of town.  If you read the blog regularly you no doubt read where I tried to post pictures with my ipad and had troubles.  And while, I did finally figure out how to.......it takes time and so took this picture the old fashion way, with my camera and waited til we returned home to load to the computer.  (see below for info on posting pictures using an ipad...once I learn something, love to spread the wealth).

This afghan traveled with me and was in the works while traveling through Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina on our trip down.  All the squares were edged and once we arrived in South Carolina (by the way there will eventually be losts of posts on my travel blog, if you want to travel without packing...click here), I was able to lay it out and begin piecing it together.  Finished it just prior to our departure.  Without being laundered and blocked it measures 59 x 71.

Yes, I know some people say you can't block acrylic yarn...I would disagree and always launder and block all afghans.  Why?

• All yarn gets dirty, gets dusty while sitting on the shelves in the stores
• Get's dirty from the oils in our hands while we're crafting an item
• Picks up household odors, like pets and cooking)
• Get's rid of most of the hairs yarn picks up, both yours and your pets.  And in the case of something like this with squares from various households, more hair and odors exists.
• Gives the yarn a chance to rest, like letting meat sit awhile after cooking.  Letting the yarn rest, gives a much more finished and professional look to the item.
• Grows the item, yes this will measure several inches larger and lay more flat once laundered.  All items do, but again with an item made from several different hands, different sized hooks, and different gauges is absolutely essential.
• It softens the item.  We all know how stiff and scratchy many acrylic yarns can be.

**so please folks always launder your afghans before mailing to be donated**

2014 Donations:
Hats: 6+4=10
Scarves: 8
Socks: 4
Afghans: 6+1=7
Slippers: 7
Rain Ponchos: 
Mitten:
Cotton Washcloths: 13
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts etc. : 
Misc. Items: include personal care, headbands, hand-warmers, cowls/gators/neckwarners and all meal prep related items, Dolls, associated items, stuffed/crocheted/knitted toys... etc aren't tabulated

**What I learned about using your ipad to blog, and add pictures?  You can not load a picture directly from your ipad to your blog, even if you've actually taken the photo with your ipad.  You must load from your ipad to a photo storage site, like photobucket, snapfish and the like.  Then you select the url of the picture to post in your blog post which takes people to your storage site and your photo album...OR (and this is the better option), you select the html code of the picture and imbed it into your blog post.**

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.

Snowy, Cold, Dangerous Temperatures Difficult for Homeless

Folks across the country have been experiencing severe weather conditions, ice, snow, dangerously low temperatures with many businesses and schools closing.  This is a picture I saw posted a few days on Facebook of an area not to far from my house, about 6 miles.  Can you feel the cold?  This was I believe the day temps were around 10-.

This is why homeless people, and people in shelters need us to knit and crochet warm things such as mittens, hats, scarves, and slippers.  Each item has it's own tab with necessary information about sizing, colors, and fibers needed; as well as what is not accepted.  Please review the tabs prior to making your thoughtful donations and let me know if you have questions.

*yet another practice for me using the ipad to post pictures and write blog posts.*

 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.