Bridge and Beyond, Behind the Scenes

Bridge and Beyond Behind the Scenes.  Lots of B's in the title, after all today is April 2, the day for a B post for the A-Z Challenge.

As of the writing of this scheduled post, there have been 1448 published posts here on Bridge and Beyond.  The blogs mission is caring for the homeless through knitting and crocheting.  The first blog post was written on December 2, 2008.  A few days later, one of our original participants, sunniefairy (Andrea), made our logo for us.  The logo has remained these 9 years later and will continue to be our blog badge.

Originally I titled the blog as The Bridge Project, homeless living under the bridge was the first focus.  As donations grew, which they did quickly...we were able to care for a shelter.  As time went on, we continued to grow and added other shelters in need, schools in need and more.  The name was change to Bridge and Beyond.  We were helping those beyond the bridge, so it seemed appropriate.

We supplied knitted, and crocheted items such as hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers.  Again with growth we added the personal care items, cotton washcloths, rain poncho's, afghans, and socks to our our donation list.

This is the first scarf I made and donated back in 2008, using up odds and ends of yarn in my stash.

Bunny (Lynda G) was the first person to donate.  Her donation was received on December 9th, 2008.  So, in a matter of 1 wk, we were on our way to being a "group".  The power of one is truly awesome, and when people join ranks, great things can be accomplished.  Bridge and Beyond has been a grass roots charity now for 8 years.  If you knit or crochet, please help us.  If you don't, tell a friend about us.  AND, you can help without knitting or crocheting by donating personal care items and store bought socks.  Each item we collect has a tab across the top of the blog with necessary information.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 179
Scarves 67
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted


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.

Afghans, Family Heirlooms

 Meet Great Aunt Viola and her husband Harry.  They were married back in 1932, 83 years ago.  Notice the afghan to Viola's right...the left side of my old picture.

 This is Great Aunt Viola's Mother, Mary Florence, my Great-Great Grandmother who was born 4 days before the start of The Civil War in 1861.  Mary Florence crocheted that afghan.  Likely 83 years ago as a wedding present for her daughter, Viola.  Though it's possible, she made it before or after that; that's a logical conclusion given family history.

That afghan was made by my Great-Great Grandmother, used by her daughter, my Great-Aunt, given to my Dad and used alot!  And now I have the honor of owning it.

Though it's in need of some repair, it's still around and is probably at least 83 years old!  Afghans, knitted or crocheted are family heirlooms and carry a-lot of sentiment and meaning.  We here on Bridge and Beyond knit and crochet afghans to bring meaning, and hope to those less fortunate.  We donate our Afghans to Homeless Families Foundation as a way to say congratulations and best of luck.  Congratulations because they have moved forward, they are transitioning from shelter living to their permanent living situation.  That's certainly something to celebrate and commemorate.  We also hope these afghans we make and donate give them hope for a brighter future, to know someone cares for them, and made something special for them.  We hope the afghans we donate carry a special meaning to those who receive them, must like this special afghan does for me and my family.

Today is the first day of the annual A-Z Challenge for the month of April A=Afghan.  Welcome to those in the challenge who may be seeing this blog for the first time.  The blog is dedicated to helping the homeless through knitting and crocheting.

**We call this project, "Welcome Home", you can use those words and or afghans in the search box to see some of the afghans that have been donated in the past.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 179
Scarves 67
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

This is the starting portion of the 2nd square to "Learning Logs", my regular readers will remember the fits this ghan has given me, but.....I can say things are improving with the various changes I've made to the pattern.  Comparison to square #1 is HERE

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.

Blue Horizon

When last I posted an update of Blue Horizon it was 21 inches, it's now 26...seems like it's growing slowly, but it is growing and it is now officially over the half way point.  The brown stripe is the middle and so we've moved onto the large aqua section, followed by the small salmon stripe and are now on the light blue band.  It's folded over as there are too many stitches on the needles to stretch it out without fear of losing stitches off the ends of the needles.

Nothing fancy in this all garter stitch afghan, but I love the colors and it's quite soft.  Am using donated yard that is Bernat Satin.

For any new folks to blog (possibly a-z challenge folks), these afghans are all donated as a welcome home gift to families leaving shelter living and moving into a permanent housing situation.  The project is called Project Welcome Home.  If you'd like to see some of the afghans (ghans) donated in the past, simply type the word afghans in the blogs search window and you'll see some blog posts and pictures.

**Tomorrow will be the first official A-Z challenge post, see you then.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 179
Scarves 67
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.

Welcoming More Helping Hands for Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Lizzy S for this sweet and thoughtful donation.  Knitted hats in a variety of sizes and colors, a cute springy scarf (flowers), and 2 gorgeous peacock blue scarves.  I love that color.  When I was a kid and had a fountain pen!!!! I know giving away my age again, lol.  Used to love to buy peacock blue ink, thought I was soooooo cool to have it, instead of regular blue or black.  Oh my, true story.

Lizzy is our newest pair of helping hands.  Always thrilled to have more helping hands.  Welcome to the group Lizzy, hope to see you here often on Bridge and Beyond and please keep up the good work!

Just 2 more days until the April A-Z Challenge begins, hope all my regular readers will enjoy the slight change of blog posts and welcome to all new readers.  Please leave comments so we know you visited.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 174+5=179
Scarves 64+3=67
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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 a necessary Item for Homeless

Thank you Janis F for this wonderful donation of crocheted hats.  All so nicely made, and all with size tags!  LOVE it.  I think I'd have to pick the blue as my favorite, click to enlarge folks to see the texture detail...really nice.  Janis 5 heads will be warmer because of you and your talents.

Many thanks, and please keep up the work of caring for others.  It is so needed and truly appreciated.

**Just a few days before the A-Z challenge kicks in, but I'm happy to say we've been getting some new visitors to the blog, hopefully you regulars have noticed a few new names in the comments.  And for all my A-Z visitors who leave comments, please notice you're blog link is added in the right side bar where I have a listing of A-Z folks.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 169+5=174
Scarves 64
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.

Knitted Scarves for Those in Need in Ohio

Thank you Edith D for these lovely knitted scarves.  Folks, please click the picture to make it larger (remember this is always something you can do).  If you click to enlarge, you'll be able to see the nice cable down the middle of the gray scarf on the left.  Such nice work!  Edith, these scarves are so nice and soft, whomever receives them will be very happy.

Thank you for helping Ohio's Homeless, together we all do make an important difference.

Keep up the good work Edith, look forward to seeing you here often on Bridge and Beyond.

**Just a few days before the A-Z challenge kicks in, but I'm happy to say we've been getting some new visitors to the blog, hopefully you regulars have noticed a few new names in the comments.  And for all my A-Z visitors who leave comments, please notice you're blog link is added in the right side bar where I have a listing of A-Z folks.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 169
Scarves 62+2=64
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 109
Afghans: 6
Socks: 126
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

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.