Green Valley in the Works

 This afghan originally was called pastel garden when it was designed because of the light spring colors.  Our friend Tristi began edging the squares with the dark green and it's taken on a different look.  We've renamed it Green Valley.  Makes me remember a silly thing from childhood, Down in the valley where the green grass grows, there sat Sandy sweet as a rose, etc.  Remember jumping rope to that song and inserting your name?   Come on, I'm betting some of you are as old as me and remember.  You're nodding now, I can tell.

Any way, I picked up where Tristi left off with the edging, then our friend SSeger (Sue), mentioned in a comment she'd like square that had flower to be in the middle.  There were 30 squares 6 x 5, so there was no middle.  I liked her idea...these afghans after all have squares made my many pairs of helping hands so it is truly a team effort.  I started moving squares around and pulling out some that I thought added less to the theme.  And here ya go.  More squares have been edged since it came back from Tristi's house and in fact, since taking this picture am up to 16 squares done...so moving right along

A little different view here for you.  Hoping to get this afghan finished soon, and will keep you posted.  Need to look through my stash to see what else I might want to add beyond the dark green for the edging once the squares are all connected.  I think right now (might change my mind), some of pretty tangerine or yellow might be the ticket to bring it all together.

Stay tuned and keep your yarn handy folks!

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:    277
Scarves: 139
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  86
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  362
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:   8
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.  Likewise note we've definitely reached our goal for rain poncho's.  Rain ponchos's serve many purposes so we will probably still need some....down the line, but not for awhile.

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.

Clapping for a Donation of Mittens

Whew Who...Clapping for this awesome donation of mittens among other things.  You all know how excited I get, that I dance in the street etc when we get a donation of mittens.  Please click this donation from our good friend Sandra R from Florida to get a better look.  As always, she's out done herself with a wonderful donations of mittens, hats, scarves, cotton washcloths, and personal care items.  Additionally, she has tagged and paired each pair of mittens AND attached sizes on her hats.  Truly appreciated by me, by the volunteers who receive our items at the various shelters and those who receive them.

Please folks remember Hats, Mittens, and Slippers need to be tagged with size to facilitate getting to right spot for donation quicker.  Also please attach your mittens and slippers so the pair stays together with a string or piece of yarn.

As always, Sandra many thanks for your long time support Bridge and Beyond, and please keep up the good work.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   295 -18 = 277
Scarves:  140 -1 =139
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97 -11 = 86
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  364 -2 = 362
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9 -1 = 8
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.  Likewise note we've definitely reached our goal for rain poncho's.  Rain ponchos's serve many purposes so we will probably still need some....down the line, but not for awhile.

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.

Kitty Approved Donation for the Homeless?

Thank you Laurie Smith for this donation of crocheted warmth.  I borrowed the picture you posted on  our facebook page because the one I took was as my battery died on the camera and it didn't turn out such that you could even see things.    Laurie has I think the approval of her kitty?  Or maybe...the kitty saying hey, don't mail those I want to lounge about them.

Folks, we're officially into spring, but.........the day before the 1st day of spring we had snow flurries, the first official day we had below freezing temps, and the 2nd day of spring it was even colder...25 when I got up in the morning.  So, while your calendars tell you it's Spring, please please don't stop knitting and crocheting.  The need most definitely still exists.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297 -2 =295
Scarves:  141 -1 =140
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  368 -4 = 364
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.  Likewise note we've definitely reached our goal for rain poncho's.  Rain ponchos's serve many purposes so we will probably still need some....down the line, but not for awhile.

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.

An Afghan in the Works Needs a Name

 The above afghan is in the works.  It was named Pastel Garden (see below in it's original designed stage).  I think it needs a new name, as it no longer looks pastel to me.  Tristi K started working on this for us,  and had the vision of bordering and joining in the dark green.  I like it, it pops...but needs a new name.  I've got it laid out and have picked up where she left off.  My thoughts for names as I stare as it are: Green Garden, Green Valley, and or Green Pastures.  What do you all think?  I don't want to re-use a name we've used before, so checked the files of those completed, as well as those waiting in the wings.  I'm sorta leaning Green Valley...as I see flowers in fields of green?

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297
Scarves:  141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.  Likewise note we've definitely reached our goal for rain poncho's.  Rain ponchos's serve many purposes so we will probably still need some....down the line, but not for awhile.

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.

The Rainy Cold Season, Special Donations

The months of March and April in Central Ohio.......can be almost anything with regard to weather.  What it isn't is predictable.  We can have freezing rain, sleet, snow, rain, or sunshine.  The weather can change 40 degrees from one day to the next.  So, even on a day when it might be pretty and sunny and 55-60 ish during the day, it can be extremely windy.  A rain poncho provides a great wind break in those situations.  Likewise it might be 40 and rainy all day and all night and these rain poncho's are again needed and appreciated.

Our good friend and long time supporter Anne Marie from New York donated 200 of these awesome poncho's.  This is only a fraction of them in the picture.  Didn't un-box them all as I delivered 3/4th of them the very next day to our friend Rae who prepares meals and feeds those in the elements on Saturday mornings.

I would imagine the poncho's might come in hand covering ones belongings also when out in the elements.  Additionally, the shelters always appreciate these donations.  You may not be aware, homeless who get nights here and there in shelters often still spend the bulk of their day outside until the magic hour they're permitted to come inside.  This isn't necessarily slam folks on shelters either, many operate with a volunteer base and therefore often don't have the ability to operate any differently with regard to the hours they permit folks inside.

As always, many thanks AnnaMarie and please keep up the good work.

**This is the accounting I listed on rain poncho's when we closed out the numbers for 2015

Rain Poncho's is another item probably used all year long, like socks.  Obviously it too is store bought and not handmade.  In 2013 we donated 213, in 2014 there were 61 (152 less) and in 2015 we had 105 which is 44 MORE than the previous year and 108 less than 2013.  Rain poncho's can be purchased almost anywhere.  We donate the light weight ones that are folded in a small package which makes then very portable for the folks in need.  So, we've now not only met our goal of matching last years number, we've passed it.  YIPPEE, and even better.........we've broken our all time record for the number of this item donated.  Way to go!  That gives us now the ability to concentrate on some of the other items.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297
Scarves:  141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105 -200 = +95
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.

Dusty Rose Afghan Ready for Donation

Dusty Rose as it was designed with both squares and rectangles, both knitted and crocheted squares from many pairs of helping hands looked like this.

When last you saw Dusty Rose it was at this stage.  It's growing as it's edged and joined.  More adjustments were needed then I initially thought, as some of the squares/rectangles had more stretch to them.

And here it is finished.  I debated about an edge and decided just basic straight single crochet rows, and though it needed something to make it pop a bit, so went with the pink for the last 2 rows instead of staying with dusty mauve color.  A few alterations made on placement, one wasn't intentional, as I carried it to the chair to work on it, joined one section the opposite direction I wanted...didn't realize it until other pieces were added.....soooooooooo it's slightly different.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:   297
Scarves:  141
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  368
Afghans:   16 -1= 15
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

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.