Thank You's and Reminders

Pick some flowers to enjoy folks.  My daisy's are pretty done for the season and in fact most have been trimmed back.  I've also dug some up that badly needed thinning in an effort for the yard to look less like a jungle; but thought I'd post some Shasta Daisies to say thank you for knitting, for crocheting, for donating, for reading and for commenting on the blog.  I appreciate you all so very much.  

RoseMarie recently sent a donation and the picture of that should be posted here, but I had a picture fail.  I can say from memory she had crocheted and donated a couple of shawls that I think the young girls will enjoy..believe there was a pink and blue one...always colors young girls like.  I'm not sure what else was included, but think there were personal care items as well.  RoseMarie has been a long time and faithful supporter with her crochet hook.  When I processed my pictures there was one totally white blank...which by process of elimination, I determined to be RoseMarie's thoughtful donation.  If you've visited here before, you can probably almost picture it...she has what we've come to know as signature donations, with bright colors, edges, and decorations.

Thank you RoseMarie, keep up the good work.

Folks I've been posting reminders, as we're moving into the next season; many people will be gearing up knitting and crocheting more then they typically do in the warm summer months.  I always have items put aside that don't quite meet the needs of those we serve, items that need a bit of tweeking before they can be donated.  Sometimes it's because they need to be laundered, need tails woven in, repairs made...unraveled, exposed knots etc.  So, please read the tabs about what colors to avoid, what stitches to avoid, what fibers to avoid etc.  Many people are in need, but if our items don't meet their needs, we're not accomplishing our mission.

Please remember folks, open lacy stitches aren't warm, and tend not to hold up well in the cold wet weather here in Ohio.  Stitches should be close together, please avoid using stitches your fingers can easily poke through and or you can see through.  Broom stick lace, mile a minute type patterns etc don't meet the needs of those we serve.

*Folks please remember not to knot and cut with knitted or crocheted items.  Knots are always the weakest link in any garment or project.  Always leave tails when changing colors or adding yarn and work in your tails to avoid un-raveling.**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 532
Scarves: 293
Socks: 101
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 217
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11+2=13
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

Reminder to everyone to please avoid using pastels, white, and beige.  Dark colors are best for men, women, and children.  Dark colors work for everyone and help with not showing the dirt as easily.

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.

Hats, HATS and Hats!!!

 Thank you Patty C for this very generous donation of crocheted hats.  Hats in lots of different colors, and sizes to warm many heads in need.  Thank you also for tagging them with size.  When I open a donation that's tagged it always makes me smile.

Patty also crocheted and donated scarves which makes matches sets!  Nice work Patty, thank you for your caring heart.  You are greatly appreciated.

Please keep up the good work!

*Folks please remember not to knot and cut with knitted or crocheted items.  Knots are always the weakest link in any garment or project.  Always leave tails when changing colors or adding yarn and work in your tails to avoid raveling.**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 509+23=532
Scarves: 291+2=293
Socks: 101
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 217
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

Reminder to everyone to please avoid using pastels, white, and beige.  Dark colors are best for men, women, and children.  Dark colors work for everyone and help with not showing the dirt as easily.

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.

Warm Dry Feet Important for Homeless

Thank you Marjorie M for this thoughtful donation and your continued support of Bridge and Beyond.  Marjorie had donated personal care items which are needed both by the folks living in the elements and by the folks entering shelters, as often they have nothing when they get there.  And warm, dry, feet is HUGE!  Having warm dry feet is important all year long, in every season, and is often a key element in keeping someone healthy and more.......ALIVE in colder wetter months.

Thank you Marjorie for your generous and kind donation and your caring heart!

**Folks please remember not to knot and cut with knitted or crocheted items.  Knots are always the weakest link in any garment or project.  Always leave tails when changing colors or adding yarn and work in your tails to avoid raveling.**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 509
Scarves: 291
Socks: 81+20=101
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 217
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

Reminder to everyone to please avoid using pastels, white, and beige.  Dark colors are best for men, women, and children.  Dark colors work for everyone and help with not showing the dirt as easily.

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.

Everyone Loves Cotton Washcloths made by Hand

Look at this fun and cherry assortment of crocheted cotton washcloths from our good friend Annemarie!   I think she managed to hit every possible color combination with her cotton.  This are always a hit at all the shelters and are used both as washcloths and discloths.   In addition to donation of cotton washcloths Annemarie's sent personal care items.  Both those living in the elements on the street and those in the shelters are in need of personal care items and the cotton washcloths.

Many thanks Annemarie for your thoughtful donation, and your on going support of Homeless and those i need in Ohio.  We so appreciate  you.

**Folks please remember not to knot and cut with knitted or crocheted items.  Knots are always the weakest link in any garment or project.  Always leave tails when changing colors or adding yarn and work in your tails to avoid raveling.**

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 509
Scarves: 291
Socks: 81
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 197+20=217
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

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.

Crochet Donations to Help Homeless

 Folks these pictures leave a lot to be desired.  It was so dark and gloomy I had every light in the basement on and lightened the pictures further on the computer to try and get things to show up a bit more.  Sorry they didn't turn out real well.  These are two nice large scarves crocheted by our good friend, Gail B.  Gail has been a long time and very generous supporter of Bridge and Beyond.

 Her work is always beautiful.  I'm always happy with to see the nice dark colors she chooses.  This picture has hats, scarves and hooded scarves.  Is there a better name for them?  I personally love and often wear hooded scarves because they're really warm, and for my pea size head stay on well.

 She's also crocheted ad donated cotton washcloths with lots of fun colors, and sent along socks as well.

With my limited table space I often need to tack multiple pictures,plus Gail sent 2 really nice size boxes of her thoughtful donations......thus the multiple pictures.  Thank you Gail, we so appreciate you and your very skillful hands.  Keep up the good work!

**hey folks, does it makes sense to count the hoods with scarves?  Love some input here.  For now that's where I'll put them, but open to suggestions.

Reminder to everyone to please avoid using pastels, white, and beige.  Dark colors are best for men, women, and children.  Dark colors work for everyone and help with not showing the dirt as easily.

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 498+11=509
Scarves: 280+7=287+4 hooded scarves=291
Socks: 75+6=81
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 189+8=197
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

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.

Time to Gear up with Donations, Homeless in Need

A pretty Lilly from my back yard.  Though they are almost done blooming now.  I love the color and thought I'd share to thank you all for your on going support with donations, with visits and comments to the blog.  I also want to thank those who keep track of me.  Things have been more quiet here on the blog of late.  Things are always more quiet in summer.  People tend to knit and crochet more in cooler weather, more donations mean more blog posts.  In some years, I've posted contests, stories and comics or other things to try and keep a blog post up daily, or close to it.  My time this year has been far less.

I've been traveling more then normal (presumably leading up to retirement), and flip side of that is I've been working more.........ALOT more which limits my time to search for things to post about.  In addition, I've carved out several hours daily to exercise/walk/.  Due to increased swelling and pain in my knees, (mostly right from good olde arthritis.......turning up my nose to good olde), and a high cholesterol level.  My doctor told me I needed to become more active, as the cholesterol was way to high.  So, stretching, warming up, walking, cooling off, stretching...takes 2-3 hours a day.  I've happily reduced my cholesterol to where I don't need to go on meds, knees are much happier too.  The hard part of it is, I'm out moving away from my computer which makes the posting/sitting etc a bit of a challenge

I'm pretty excited to have a few days off (hope that doesn't change, as my schedule often does several times a week) giving me the time I need to keep caught up here with you all.  I appreciate so much those personal emails asking where I am and how I am.  The folks in this group truly ROCK!

I think we're on the edge of the season where donations will start picking up again...a plus and a minus situation.  Having more donations is always good, but that means the weather is turning cooler making things more difficult for those we support.

Thank you all for your on going support with your hooks and needles.  You all truly make an important impact on the quality of many peoples lives.  Bless you all.

Stay tuned for donations from Gail B, Annemarie, and Rosemarie

2014 DONATIONS:
Hats: 498
Scarves: 280
Socks: 75
Afghans: 15
Slippers: 69
Rain Ponchos: 55
Mittens & Gloves: 63
Cotton Washcloths: 189
Shawls, Sweaters, Vests, Poncho's, Skirts, and Shrugs etc. 11
Neck warmers, cowls, gators, wrists warmers/fingerless gloves and other misc items aren't tabulated; as well as personal care item

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.