Blue Sky

 Well this afghan, Blue Sky is quite timely, given all the storms around the country and high winds during this spring one day and winter the next season.  Blue Sky reminds us, after storms the sky does clear, and things do get better.  Somehow it seems perfect to me, and as I said very timely.  We had quite a storm here last night, high winds and lots of rain; but as I look out the window now.........Blue Skies do prevail.  And doesn't that metaphor seem appropriate for our homeless families?

  Thank you Sarah S for assembling this afghan.  This ghan is made of many different styles and sizes of squares and rectangle...some knitted and some crocheted.  She's edged in brown and joined to make a wonderful welcome home present for our families at Homeless Families Foundation as they transition from shelter living to their permanent housing situation.  Many thanks Sarah!  I truly appreciate your help with the backlog of squares.

Additionally, Sarah has included lots of personal care items, always appreciated and needed along with cotton washcloths.  Thank you again for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond and helping Ohio's Homeless.

Keep up the good work.


2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:     260
Scarves: 132
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  86
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  361 -8 =353
Afghans:   15 -1 = 14
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.

Donations Help Those in Need

Many thanks Gail B for this awesome donation of hats, scarves, and personal care items.  WOW!  Take a look folks, a wonderful variety of hat sizes and colors and nice big scarves, perfect to wrap up for warmth which is so needed.  Additional thanks for tagging each hat with the size  That saves enormous time both here at my house, and at the various shelters by the volunteers.  It also means items get to the right people quicker.

Gail has been a long time supporter and friend here on Bridge and Beyond.  We certainly value all the love and time you've put into your various donations over the years.

Thank you, and please keep up the good work.

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:    277 -17 = 260
Scarves: 139 -7 = 132
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  86
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:   +95
Cotton Washcloths:  362 -1 =361
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.

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.