And the Winners

TODAY'S THE DAY TO ANNOUNCE THE 3 WINNERS

1 Boxes of yarn and or yarny things will be mailed to each our three winners! Once you determine if you're winner...please make email contact with me and provide your snail address as well as whether or not you're a knitter, or a crocheter or both....and whether or not you're a sock knitter.


The winner from Hat I (a fabulous black wool hat purchased in Charleston on vacation), was drawn from the following participants: (those who donated between Feb 14th and March 14th)
DaMarys
Karen B.
Sherry K.
Bonnie R.
Sandie in Florida
Bonnie B.
Diana K.
Sally B.
Kathryn V.
Patty L.
Gail B.
Otterbein's "Stiches to Share"
Suzy in Ohio
AnneMarie
Cheryl S.
Trudy S.
Wendy H.
Shannon P.
Martha M.
Paula K.
Elizabeth R (I need you to contact me)
Sue F.
Theresa A.
AND THE WINNER IS: Bonnie B! Congrats Bonnie B on your win. We're thrilled to have you and your thoughtful hands and hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond, with your donations, as well as your comments. Please remember to email me within the next 3 days. (after that time a new winner will be announced). **Added link to Bonnie's Rav page if you want to pop over and congratulate her**

The winner from Hat II (a fun hat purchased in Palm Springs to keep the sun off my head), was drawn from the following participants (those who donations included slippers and or scarves, the two highlighted items for the month of February and March):
Bonnie R.
Diana K.
Otterbein's "Stitches to Share"
Sandie in Florida
Gail B.
AnneMarie
Trudy S.
Wendy H.
Paula K.
Karen B.
Damarys
Sherry K.
Kathryn V.
Suzy in Ohio
Cheryl S.
Patty L.
Shannon P.
Elizabeth R (I need you to contact me)
Sue F.
Theresa A.
AND THE WINNER is Wendy H. Wendy be sure and email me your information within 3 days. Congrats to you, hope to see you here often with your comments as well as your wonderful donations. **Added link to Wendy's Facebook Profile, if you want to pop over and congratulate her.** Edited to add, I've already heard back from Wendy and have her address...1 down and 2 to go.

The winner of hat III (The chatty Cathy portion, those who left comments, each comment counted as 1 name in the hat, so the more comments the more times your name was in the hat--one of hubby's golf hats):
SSeger, Sue F, Patty L., Damaris, Allyson, Sally, Sherry, Liz, AnneMarie, Harvest Hill, Yvonne, Sandie P, Joy D., Jessica, Jen, RoseMarie, Sandie in Florida, Kathleen V., Trudy S., Theresa A., Crochet Princess, Kim, Wendy H.

And the winner is........SSegar. Congrats Sue, and please keep visiting and chatting along with your donating!
**Added link to Sue's Rav. profile page if you want to pop over and congratulate her.** Popped back to edit again...have now heard from Sue as well. 2 of the 3 winners have checked in.

All winners need to contact me via email with their snail addresses. Additionally, please indicate whether you knit or crochet, or whether you do both. It could influence the box of goodies you get to make. Contact via email needs to be within 3 days, after the 18th, a new winner will be announced if contact hasn't been received.

THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED WITH KNITTING AND CROCHETING AND DONATING, THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED THE HIGHLIGHTED NEEDED ITEMS OF SCARVES AND OR SLIPPERS, AND THANKS TO OUR CHEERING SECTION OF CHATTERS. I continue to encourage all of you to visit, to chat. There are many of you, we never hear from here on the blog. Remember you do not need to be a blogger to leave a comment. Comments are nice, they show support for each other's skillful work, comments are helpful to the blog with regard to it's SEO (search engine optimization). Placing well in the SEO makes us easier to find for folks looking for some place worthy to donate their knitted and or crocheted items too. If you are not a blogger, type your comment, then click the drop down box that says name and url, type your name...first name and last initial is all that's necessary and leave the url space blank. Then click publish....quick and easy.

As I wait to here from our 3 winner, Bonnie B, Wendy H, and SSegar....I'll be looking through my stash and picking out some goods to get ready to mail.

**Reasons to launder your items: Yarn sits on shelves in stores collecting dust. Yarn gets stored in our various containers...our stash areas, collects dust, sometimes get musty. Yarn picks up smoke and other aroma's from the house like food and perfume. Yarn attracts furry friends, their hair, and their dander. Yarn picks up oils from our crafty hands as we knit and crochet. And, yarn needs to rest, laundering your items, blocking if need be improves the appearance as well as the freshness of your thoughtful donation. It's not possible for me to launder ever item that comes my way; though I do sometimes need to do that when I open boxes etc. All the afghans I make from your donated squares get laundered and blocked, which also helps me make sure things stay put together. Sometimes squares need a bit more attention in terms of tails being appropriately secured. Please avoid spraying your donations with perfume, air-freshner, and or Fabreeze, it really doesn't replace the benefits of it being laundered. I generally wash the afghans in cold water, on delicate, and lay out to dry/block. Even though most of the yarn says washable and dry-able. I find these gives a good result over the long haul.**

2012 Donations:
Hats: 130
Scarves: 56
Slippers: 28
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 9
Mittens: 97
Squares: 128
Socks: 98
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 15
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, 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!

Sweet Georgia Brown

I couldn't help but sing, partially because this donation comes to us from our friend, Diana K from Georgia, and partially because ........LOOK! When I started opening boxes, I didn't realize more then one of the boxes was from Diana. Thus separate pictures. This is box 1....17 squares, 3 hats, and 2 scarves...plus personal care items. Awesome. Took photo, made note and moved onto another box or two...had several that day. Then

hit box 2 from our friend, Diana K from Georgia...see why I'm singing? Join me in the chorus. Followed by some lala's K! Box 2 had 6 more scarves, 8 more hats, 2 pairs of slippers.... AND
This rippled afghan!

Many thanks Diana for your thoughtful donation of goodies. So many will benefit. Scroll back up folks...anyone quess what Diana's favorite colors are, lol. Love the red and purples together!!

2012 Donations:
Hats: 119+(3+8)=130
Scarves: 48+(2+6)=56
Slippers: 26+2=28
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 8+1=9
Mittens: 95
Squares: 111+17=128
Socks: 98
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 15
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, etc)

**Donations received and counted in the contest not yet posted from: Patty L, Bonnie B, Gail B, and Otterbeins "Stitches to Share", Suzy from Ohio, AnneMarie, Cheryl S, Shannon P., Trudy S, Wendy H, Sandie in Florida, Paula K. Sue F., Eliz R (need Eliz R to make contact with me)Theresa A. ** (remember posts are written ahead, placed in que...scheduled to be posted and we typically work about 2 wks or so ahead). Announcement of winners tomorrow, everyone be sure and check in, and leave comments so we know you were here.

***Please folks ALWAYS include a note with your donations that includes your name, your email ady and group we're in together (if that's how we know each other). It truly isn't possible for me to know and remember everyone over the number of years Bridge and Beyond has been in existence. I spend lots of HOURS, looking through emails, facebook friends, Rav friend, friends on The Hive and in The Ville; as well as yahoo mailing groups to try and identify donations without the information. I have no way of knowing if you want to be anonymous...if I knew that I could spend the time knitting and crocheting vs searching and searching. I do like to be able to let you know your donations have arrived safely and to be able to thank you. So PLEASE PLEASE, even if you want to be anonymous, include a note for me stating that. I fear when I can't make the identification, people just feel I'm not acknowledging their donations. That's not my choice. I want you to know your donation has been received, and that's it appreciated. There are times when after looking multiple days, and spending lots of hours I book something as unknown, and weeks later, I'll receive an email asking if their donations arrived. They feel bad, and I've wasted time. When your donation comes with a return address label with your husband's name...it's a good possibility, I don't know it's you. Additionally, the people who use nicknames in groups, and or fun names in their emails ady's typically don't come up in search when I plug in your real name (from the label) to find you. Please save the frustration at my end, and YOURS, include a note.


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!

Clapping for Mittens

Lively clapping going on here, look at this fabulous mitten donation from our good friend, Sally. Awesome, soft, warm mittens. You knit so beautifully Sally...I so wish you could sit beside me and help me along. 7 pairs of mittens, some personal care items, a hat and nice knitted washcloth. Thank you also for joining your mittens, I sure appreciate that. Your mittens are always so nice and warm, solid...what type of yarn are using?

ONE MORE DAY LEFT FOR THE CONTEST.....TALLIES WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW, THE 14TH, AND WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE 15TH. DO CHECK IN. WHAT'S THE LINE, "DO YOU FEEL LUCKY, WELL DO YOU?" Clint Eastwood said it, but the name of the movie isn't clicking in my brain right now.


2012 Donations:
Hats: 118+1=119
Scarves: 48
Slippers: 26
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 8
Mittens: 90+7=97
Squares: 111
Socks: 98
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 14+1=15
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, 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!

Designing Dusty Rose

Recently, I mentioned I dumped all the donated squares from my collection containers (ones not already in designs in bags in que), and had a design frenzy. This is another of that group. This has squares from lots of folks, big squares, small squares, knitted squares, and crocheted squares--some of which are granny style while others are sampler style. Do you see any of your squares here?

This will most likely be joined with pink or ivory...depends on amount in my stash and how it all matches up when I'm ready to start this one. Notice the 3 different pink camo type yarns? I've not come across any of those in my shopping, but like them all. Interesting, the lighter camo I have 2 crocheted squares and one knitted one...not from the same person, or at least not from memory. Always think it's fun to see how different the same yarn looks when knitted and crocheted.

**Few more days left in the contest**

2012 Donations:
Hats: 118
Scarves: 48
Slippers: 26
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 8
Mittens: 90
Squares: 111
Socks: 98
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 the addition of an afghan tab across the top of the blog? Check it out**

****Reminders:
Please include a note in your donations, have had an increase of donations not identified, which causes me lots of extra time to track down
Please check your work to be sure you've tucked in ALL your tails (the only exception to this is your final tail on a square) before mailing your donations. Donations not ready to go, get delayed in their deliveries until I have time to fix them.

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!

Donation from the West Coast for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Kathryn V., our newest pair of helping hands all the way from the west coast, California. Kathryn is donating 2 pairs of mittens and a scarf. Not sure why this picture isn't very good. Might have been right before the battery needed to be charged? The scarf is dark green, and the top pair of mittens are black. Hop over to Kathryn's blog, it's been added to our blog log and say welcome. She has a lovely blog about crochet, you'll enjoy it. I first met Kathryn over on crochetconcupiscence through one of our linky parties (Work in Progress Wed, Finished Object Friday, and or Year of Projects on Sunday....maybe on all 3, lol).

2012 Donations:
Hats: 118
Scarves: 47+1=48
Slippers: 26
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 8
Mittens: 88+2=90
Squares: 111
Socks: 98
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 14Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, footies etc)

You have a few days left folks to get in on one of 3 chances to win, contest runs til March 14th.

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!

Bountiful Harvest Afghan

Another afghan made from Liz's lovely squares for our project, "Welcome Home". I asked for opinions on the name of this afghan, just couldn't settle on one myself and am thrilled to say hakucho, one of my regular blog visitors to Sandy's Space suggested it's name. Bountiful Harvest. I really liked the name and appreciate her suggesting it. By the time you read this scheduled post I'm onto another one.

There is no end to the afghans that can be made from your creative and thoughtful squares. With what I have in que to assemble, I'll probably not set aside a month to focus on squares for a bit yet; please keep checking though. Many of you go ahead and mail your squares when you're mailing other items, and that's perfectly fine. Makes sense, most cost effective...we just won't be highlighting another month for squares for awhile.

Have you noticed I added a tab for afghans to the top of the blog? Some folks like to make full afghans themselves vs squares, that's fine and dandy. Please though, do read the requirements. I've not yet posted any patterns, but will on down the road. So do check back.


2012 Donations:
Hats: 118
Scarves: 47
Slippers: 26
Shawls: 2
Afghans: 7+1=8
Mittens: 88
Squares: 111
Socks: 98
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)

4 more days in the contest....chances in hat 3, Chatty Cathy are as follows:
SSeger 22, Sue 4, Patty L. 5, Damaris 8, Allyson 9, Sally 21, Sherry 14, Liz 1, AnneMarie 2, Harvest Hill 12, Yvonne 8, Sandie P 3, Joy 1, Jessica 1, RoseMarie 2, Sandie in Florida 5, Kathleen 1, Autumngeisha 1, Trudy S 1, Theresa A 1, Crochet Princess 1, Kim 1, Wendy H 2, Emma 1
**Kim and Emma, please make contact I'm not finding you in the donations database

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!