Donations from The Bay State

Thank you Melody and Penny from Massachusetts, The Bay State. Melody and Penny belong to a group called Knotty Knitters. Thank you for your thoughtful donation and your on going support. We surely appreciate it.

Hope you are still having fun with your group, and please don't be strangers here on Bridge and Beyond. We look forward to see you and your other members again, Soon!

2012 Donations:
Hats: 472
Scarves: 252+6=258
Slippers: 121
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 24
Mittens: 257
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 198
Cotton Washcloths 369
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc).

**Have you all read about the contest, have you taken advantage of all 3 opportunities to get your name in the hat....gotta get in it to win the give away. What are you waiting for. Annoucement and details found on July 1st post.**

***Did you read The Please Do's and Please Do NOT Do's?***

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!

Veterans Served Us, It's Time for US to Repay the Service

(I borrowed this post from my last 4th of July post, the sobering facts remain)
This isn't a current flag, it's hoisted and proudly flown at Fort McHenry in Maryland. I took this photo a few years ago, while hubby and I were touring. Look at the size of this flag. I wanted to share it with you today, July 4th as we celebrate our Nations Birthday. It's a day to be proud, a day to remember how we got here, who's sacrificed for us.

Sadly, many of those who did serve and protect us, who fought for our freedoms probably aren't celebrating today, not with a family picnic and fireworks. Why? Because they are homeless! They live hand to mouth, out in the elements, in unsafe conditions, wondering in some cases if they'll make it through the night. Wondering if they'll ever be dry and warm again. Yes, it's summer across the country and they currently are going to freeze at night; but the warmer months pass all too quickly. Soon, they'll be huddled against the wind, the rain, the snow and sleet.

Accordingly to The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 1/3 of all adult homeless people are Veterans. Half those homeless Veterans served during the difficult Vietnam Years. While the bulk of homeless Veterans are male, about 5% are female, and that number is rising with more females in the service of our country. Most homeless Veterans are single, and live in an urban area. Many have health issues, be they mental illnesses, alcoholism and or drugs; or a combination thereof.

As you celebrate with a good meal and fun times with your loved ones today, make a commitment. A commitment to make something for the homeless. Making one thing can be HUGE. Knit or crochet and make a difference. Make a hat, a scarf, a pair of slippers, a pair of mittens, a cotton washcloth, or a square. They've given so much, let's say Thank You and serve others through our yarn.

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!

**Read about the contest and giveaway...CLICK HERE**

New Helping Hands from The Bay State

Say hello to our newest pair of helping hands, Rose M, from the state of Massachusetts; The Bay State. We're thrilled to have you join us Rose. Thank you for your thoughtful donation of hats (17), slippers (38) and mittens (1). I'm particularly thrilled to get that number of slippers from. Awesome. All the folks, men, women, and children use those at the various Family Shelters.

Look at the great variety of sizes and colors Rose made. Special thanks too Rose for pairing up and joining your slippers.......such a nice time saver for me. Can you tell us what pattern you used? I think maybe you used more then one, but it appears one was pretty prevalent. Our folks are always intersted to know what pattern people use...particularly for slippers and mittens.

2012 Donations:
Hats: 455+17=472
Scarves: 252
Slippers: 83+38=121
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 24
Mittens: 256+1=257
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 198
Cotton Washcloths 369
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc).

**Have you all read about the contest, have you taken advantage of all 3 opportunities to get your name in the hat....gotta get in it to win the give away. What are you waiting for. Annoucement and details found on July 1st post.**

***Reminders of Do's and Don Do...some might be new to you, PLEASE read***

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!

Donations from The Golden Gate Bridge State

Wave hello to our good friend James folks. He knits so beautifully and has been such a long time supporter of us here at Bridge and Beyond. Thank you James for your thoughtful donation, and for your on going support.......all the way from California, The Golden Gate Bridge State. We sure appreciate it.

James knitted 4 hats, a cute pair of slippers, 4 pairs of mittens and a darling little mitered square afghan. The afghan will be so appreciated by some little boy. Hey Jim, I loved how a couple of cotton washcloths came out using the mitered square method. How did you figure out how many to cast on? Did you wing it, or have a pattern?

2012 Donations:
Hats: 451+4=455
Scarves: 252
Slippers: 82+1=83
Shawls: 2
Sweaters 3
Vest 1
Afghans: 23+1=24
Mittens: 252+4=256
Squares: 345
Socks: 116
Rain Poncho's 198
Cotton Washcloths 369
Misc Items are not counted individually (such as personal care items, headbands, gators, yarn, wrist warmers/fingerless gloves, facemasks, neck warmers, t-shirts, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes etc).

**Hey Folks, scroll back to yesterday's post if you missed the announcement about the Give Away/Contest**

***Check out the working calendar, it's current through the end of the year***

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!

Team Work is Awesome...Announcing A Contest-Give Away

Below in no particular order you see afghans made from your thoughtful donated squares. There are many different colors, many different sizes, many different types of squares (rectangles) which make many different types of afghans. Some are traditional in design, some have a definite pattern, some come together without a pattern. Some squares were knitted, some were crocheted. Some afghans where assembled with squares from lots of different hands, while others were made with squares from the ame volunteer. Please share with me the joy at seeing what the beauty of team work can do. Each thumbnail is clickable and will link you to the blog post to see the afghan picture larger as well as details about the afghan and sometimes who the squares came from (when I could remember, lol).

Please take time and look through these and see how many of your squares you can find. PLEASE leave a comment stating you found your squares in afghan #..As you can see there are 5 afghan pictures per row . If you can point out your squares even better, which square in which ghan.? You may also leave comments on the actual post that highlights the afghan made from your squares. Enjoy and please be chatty. Let's see how many comments we can get.















They say a picture is worth 1000 words, well how bout 22 pictures! Give yourselves a pat on the back. And remember I still have plenty of squares here (in case you don't see some or all of yours). I have ghans in que that have been designed waiting to be assembled, AND I have squares waiting to be designed. Stay tuned. I'm feeling itchy about designer more.

AND....I think it's time to have another contest. Why..? I like to to for One, for two comments have really died down which is a negative for the blog, and 3 I have goodies to give away.

Soooooooooo, to get your name in the hat leave a comment here stating which ghan is your favorite and why, get a 2nd name in the hat when after leaving a comment here you leave a comment on at least one of the above ghan posts (tell me which one please so I can keep track).

Want another chance to win, sure you do. Blog about it with a link here; or post a facebook link, or tweet about. Be sure and let me know if you blogged, tweeted, or facebooked. You have the full month of July to get your 3 opportunities to win goodies. It's a win win, you support each other by commenting on people's work, you get to reflect on the value of team work when you look at the pictures, and you get the opportunity to win. (Squares will NOT be collected until late this year, PLEASE hold off sending any for the time being).

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!

Please Do, and Please do not Do

Been awhile since I've posted reminders of what to do, and what not to do. And while all is listed on the specific tabs on the top of the blog, I feel the need to post again here. I know not everyone is a blogger, but I do hope those who aren't still read things here to help us along the way.

Please DO include your name, your email address, your blog url, your profile page url from Facebook, Ravelry, Crochetville and the like so that I might make contact. I am sorry but truly do not have the ability to notify everyone via snail mail that their donations have arrived. Please DO include this, even if you wish to be anonymous here on the blog. I can honor your request to be anonymous here on the blog, but...when you don't include a note, or when the name on the box is your husbands, or when I know you by a nickname different then your real name or screen name etc. I spend lots of time trying to figure out who you are. I really like to let you know your items have arrived safely so you're not wondering.

Please DO attach things that are suppose to be pairs, like mittens and slippers. Sometimes you send multiple items in the same color and I have to measure, and or try on to determine what goes with what. Please save me time, it's so precious.

Please DO label items like hats, mittens, slippers....things where size is an issue. I don't know what size you made, or what size the pattern said they were suppose to be. The little paper tags attached with string work super well. Not only does it save me time measuring, trying on, guessing, and or comparing to others.............it saves time when they reach the shelters. Save precious time so we can get these items in the hands of those who need them quickly.

Please DO use ONLY washable fibers (wool and acrylic).

PLEASE, Please DO remove pet hair/fur and laundered if item has odor of animal and or smoke.

***********
Please, Please DO NOT use suede with your knitting and crocheting. It does not hold it's shape, wear well, or hold up when laundered.

Please DO NOT use open airy lacey stitches with your knitting and crocheting. If you can see your hand through the item, or easily poke your fingers through; it is too lacey and therefore not warm enough.

Please DO NOT spray donated items with perfume, if you're trying to cover pets odors, please launder instead.

Please DO NOT tie a knot and cut. This will never hold up. ALWAYS (no exceptions) leave tails when you join a new piece of yarn/or change color. AND ALWAYS work your tails in (except the last round of square). Please leave that tail. Sincere apologies folks, I know this takes your time when you make your items, but if you don't do them; I lay them aside until I have time. It truly takes more of my time then yours when you consider the number of folks donating.

Please DO NOT use white, ivory, or off white. It's also best to avoid pastels. The Darker colors are more versatile for both adults and children...be they male or female AND they don't show the dirt.

Please and thanks!

**Details of Contest/Give Away Tomorrow, July 1st........Don't miss it**

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!