Designing Afghans Thinking Beach

I've been showing you some of the ghans I've designed using your donated knitted and crocheted squares off and on over the last month from when I had a design "frenzy". I dumped ALL the containers of squares I had on had from your donations and separated by color and started tossing squares here there and everywhere. I designed...I think 10 afghans. Some you've already seen the designs, some have already been completed. Some are adult/family afghans some will be directed more towards the kids. Above will be titled Beach Ball. It will probably be joined with pink, maybe off white, though am leaning pink at the moment. Time will tell. All these 25 squares are crocheted, all are granny style, though vary by maker and size a wee bit. These colors made me think of bright colored cheery and fun beach ball, thus the name. I know many of these squares are from our good friend AnneMarie; there others I'm not sure about. Are your squares here? Take a look, let me know if they are.
Still, bright and cheery and colorful.........still thinking about the beach and warm fun days I'm calling this one a Day at the Beach. These 16 squares are from our from AnneMarie lightening hook. Don't they remind you of being on the beach. I almost always shy away from white...true white...but might edge and join these in white? Still thinking...maybe offwhite. Stay tuned.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 120
Slippers: 62
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts etc)

With the number of squares still on hand, I'm not anticipating highlighting a month for squares anytime soon. If you like making them, please do and set them aside. I'll let you know when I have room again for another batch. If you're mailing other items and want to save money by including them, feel free to do so.

**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!

Sensational Slippers Donated

11 pairs of Sensational Slippers knitted and donated by our Friend, Sue F. These are awesome. A variety of colors, and sizes. They are nice and thick, made with double yarn (the ones with the taller cuff...sock like style), with a couple of the footie type style as well. sue included two neoprene headbands and Balaclava ,(helmut liner). I'll be adding her pattern for that to the blog as some point...what a nice warm item that would be.

Sue used the slipper patterns posted here on the blog. Sock type, and footie type. Please click in the slipper tab for the pattern.

Many thanks Sue for your on going support, we truly appreciate it. Keep up the good work.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 120
Slippers: 51+11=62
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts etc)

**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!

Toothbrushes Donated by Dentists

72 Toothbrushes...........36 for adults and 36 for children from Sylvania, Georgia. Through the efforts of our friend, Diana K the dental group, C. Howard Hagan & Craig Martinson group have gathered and donated toothbrushes. The shelters and those living in the street will be thrilled. Some of the brushes are plain, some are printed with Dr's Buddy Smith, Kyle Smith, and Richard Gentzler, III. Thank you all! Think how much better you feel when you get to brush your teeth, not too mention the added benefit of better health.

Diana was talking about our group, and it's cause while visiting her Dentist and this is the wonderful result. Thank you Diana for helping to spread the word. It's greatly appreciated.

Personal Care items are always needed for men, women, and children.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 120
Slippers: 51
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts 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!

Colorful Scarves Donated

Many thanks Paula K. for your on going support of Ohio's homeless and others in need. We greatly appreciate it. Look at these colorful scarves, remember to click if you want to enlarge the picture. Notice the scarf on the far right...look at the detail, isn't that cute. Very nice Paula, keep up the good work.
Thought I take a 2nd photo of this scarf for you. She's added a cute flower, but also an additional stripe color to really make it pop!
2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 114+6=120
Slippers: 51
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts etc)


*Spend some time on the blog, look around, there's probably a post you've not seen...a neat project you've missed*

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!

GemStone Afghan Completed and Donated

Enjoyed putting this afghan together from our friend, Liz's squares. This one is Gem Stones, loved the colors together. I assembled this one a little bit different in that I didn't edge the individual squares. I joined them with the blue and used the blue for the border. 1/3rd of of the squares were shades of blue; thus my selection. It's a smoky blue which I thought picked up the shades of the various blues. Often I add edges to the squares to enlarge them, or to make them fit together better; or because I don't have that many of a particular type of square, and sometimes I think it gives it a more finished look....however, without doing the edge this one is still nicely sized 56 x 46. And it was quicker to assemble. Would be interested in your thoughts, since this was a first.
Not sure why, but the 2nd picture shows it more true to the colors, they were deep tones. Wanted to show you the back, since this is a first without edging the squares prior to joining them; so you see what you think of this different method of joining.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 217
Scarves: 114
Slippers: 51
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 17+1=18
Mittens: 120
Squares: 203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts 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!

Squares and Sweaters Donated from Colorado

Thank you Martha M., our newest pair of helping hands. Martha hails from the state of Colorado. Look at these adorable sweaters for kids. Remember you can always click to enlarge the photo's in order to see them better. In addition to the sweaters, she's donated 2 hats, and 32 knitted squares. Many thanks Martha, we're thrilled to have you join us here on Bridge and Beyond, and hope to see you again, soon.

Here's a bit of a close up of the 2 adorable sweaters, both knitted. Martha, love know what patterns you used for these adorable sweaters.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 215+2=217
Scarves: 114
Slippers: 51
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 1+2=3
Vest 1
Afghans: 17
Mittens: 120
Squares: 171+32=203
Socks: 102
Rain Poncho's 2
Cotton Washcloths 27
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts etc)

Have you looked around the blog lately? If not please do. Information always changes, additional tabs across the top of the blog with item specific information as to size and color requirements, as well as patterns. In addition the working calendar is always being updated for those who like to know what we'll be highlighting each month.

While you're looking around, take time to admire each other's work, and please leave comments; so we know you were here. Remember you do not need to be a blogger to leave comments, simply click the drop down box after typing your comment and select name and url, leave the url space empty. We encourage all to leave comments, even those who are a bit shy...it's easy, give it try.

**Tomorrow we usher in the month of April. Traditionally April is the rainy month and so we will once again highlight Rain Ponchos, and Cotton Washcloths. Washcloths should be sized for adults, can be knitted or crocheted and are distributed between 3 family shelters; as well as those adults living outdoors.**

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!