Knit Your Square to Give Your Share - PART 4

mioliere

Hi everyone

Ginnyknit - your DH is in my thoughts; what a worry for you.

Mrs MP - so glad that the little one is out of IC. She's a fighter, isn't she?

Mrs Twins - I'm so glad you've been fully refunded at last; it's great news.

Jean - hope you are keeping well, and that the plans for your UK trip are still going ahead.

Chalky - we should be around at the end of June, I think. Even if we get a buyer this week, it will take time to go through the process! You'll be keeping in touch while you're in Spain, won't you? The house looks stunning, and well worth all that hard work!

ISOM - glad you've got that first week back at work out of the way.

Well, the viewers who should have turned up last week, didn't! It's quite typical here, and no-one ever lets you know, which is very irritating. I know estate agents in the UK have a pretty poor reputation but they are so much worse here! They just never communicate; they'll make appointments to bring prospective buyers around to view and just don't let you know if they cancel. If you ask them why they don't at least phone up, you get that oh-so-famous Gallic shrug! Grrrrr; no wonder I just want to go home!

I think I mentioned before that my online work seems to be picking up; well, I've been really busy all this week for three separate people, and they all want ongoing work, which is great for me and for the bank balance! I'm just getting into a sort of routine, and trying to treat it like a real job (which I suppose it is, without the commuting!). It's a bit pressurised because they want a quick turnaround, but I quite like the challenge, and I'm really enjoying the work. Over the last couple of days I've had to do a 1650 word article, and three press releases (all about website building and online backups, so I'm learning a lot!). There's always a bit of research, and I've had to teach myself how to do screenshots (because I told them I could do them when they asked if I could!) but, so far, it's all going very well.

DH has been out quoting on work all week, so that's a good sign. For one job he needs scaffolding and, would you believe it, there is only one (expensive) scaffolding company within about fifty miles of here? In desperation I went online and found some in Grimsby (yes, the UK) that we can have delivered; it's second hand, and DH's customer will buy it for the work he needs, then either sell it here, or hire it out, because it's in such demand. With the cost of the scaffolding, plus the delivery, it works out at £2,000 cheaper to buy than it would to just hire it here!

I've just read in the papers that they reckon that, if Hollande beats Sarkozy in the final round of the general election here today (and it looks like he will), loads of French people will be heading for the UK; I just hope they leave one little house in Hampshire for us to buy when we have sold here!

Anyway, I'm off for a shower. I'll catch up with you all later; I still have some posts to read that I've missed over the last couple of days.

KathyXX

chalky_75

Good morning one and all and lots of love tucked in xx

What a lovely surprise to wake up and find the parcels from "Operation Stitch Up" 2012 have arrived on Mrs Twins doorstep.

I thought of the idea in dreary January 2010 and that first year we made enough squares for 8 Lappycuddlyghans. 2011 I think it was 9, and this year we tpped that off with 11!!!!! That really is wonderful

I have kept 1 back in case we get a sudden " shout"

Maybe this would be a good time to go over the idea of Knit Your Square to Give your Share Emergency Squares or Kiss the Geezers squares as Roamin declared them!

Over the years some of our members have been touched with tragedy,sad times, illness or just general " overflowing hands"
By sending a blanket or Lappycuddly we feel they can wrap themselves up in all that woolly loveliness and at least know that their "friends " here are supporting them and sending lots of love.

Then along came Mrs Twins who does the most amazing work supporting the elderly in care homes. The blankets brighten the lounges and comfort the elderly. So for the last 2 years we have sent blankets to SIBOL ( Sunshine International Blankets of Love)

SO ALL IN ALL IT IS A WIN WIN SITUATION. WE SUPPORT BOTH OUR MEMBERS AND OTHERS.

If you are new or browsing or just want a reminder this is how it works.

1. You keep squares in sets of 4 tucked away.You can make as many sets as you like.

They need to be 6" square. The importance of this is amazing with the appearance of the final blanket. However please don't worry if yours are a little out as I have become very adept at a little tug here and there.

They can be knitted or crocheted and decorated in any way you would like.

It helps me with the placing if the 4 squares are either the same colour or shade. Again though please don't worry if your squares are a part of stash busting and all different.

Acrylic makes for easier washing and laundry care.

2. A call goes out for the squares at times of need. Having them all ready means we can respond straight away. A parcel can be with someone within a week or two.

3. Each January the years operation Stitch Up will be announced and a whole set of blankets can be made. This generally clears everyones store of squares so the process can begin again.

Please don't worry if you are a new crafter or an accomplished one. Your squares all blend to make beautiful blankets and I know they are appreciated by the person who gets them.

I used Parcels To Go Collect+ service this time to send 8 to Mrs Twins for under a fiver. You book online and then just drop the parcel off at your nearest corner shop. It was so easy and saved waiting in all day for the parcel to be collected.

So please join in the fun if you would like to and have a look here to see the blankets we have made in 2012.

http://sunshineinternationalblanketsoflove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/yummy-blankets.html

Kathy -- What a lovely lot of news -- fingers crossed for you x

Have good days everyone x

In_Search_Of_Me

morning lovelies!
Firstly welcome Sammy! Which Valley are you in?! I love the valleys and get quite envious when I visit! As others have said squares are good; I donate to a cat charity locally and would happily deliver any you make...you basically just do a big square! Not sure if you crochet but crochet granny squares with double thick wool are much appreciated by the puss cats!
Chalky cant believe the time has come for return to spain already!
Ginny my thoughts and prayers are with you and OH...so hard to see someone you love being ill. Please keep us posted.
Socky hows the dizzyness?
F1 poor you having to move again...
Miol great re the online work. Fingers crossed re the house selling. You can then sigh a big sigh of relief and move on to the next phase.
All well here...am on the edging of my blanket which has taken a few months. Will have a look on lh for some inspiration on next project...work was ok but I was shattered by the end of the week but will just have to push through as got a concert in St Davids hall soon so extra practices to go to...

mioliere

That's a great post about the squares, Chalky! I meant to say in my last post that, if it works out, it would be LOVELY to see you and your DH on your way back up through France!

I also meant to welcome Sammy Kaye! Glad you have joined us and I hope you like it here!

ISOM - thanks. I just want all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place!

KathyXX

Mrs_Twins

Thanks for the post Chalky!
The Ladies absolutely love the Blankets and I had such fun yesterday searching out my Butterfly and Embellishment Stash! I shall be delivering these Blankets in a few months time, when my Olympic work is finished. Only two Blankets to go now. The Biggy ones have to be done 230 Squares in all!

Mind you I only have the borders to do.
Thanks for the post Chalky.
love Suex

chalky_75

Oh how I wish the new boiler was not leaking oil--- or should that read gold dust all over the garden!!!

sock-knitter

morning all,
chalky, really hope the leak can be fixed as soon as possible
big hugs to all the poorlies, or those with their hands overflowing, or anyone who just wants one
my dizzyness is staying away for now, fingers crossed and still taking
m the meds.
been having a couple of days finishing things off
update
1 teen jumper
2 baby jumper
2 baby cardigans
2 bags (occ)

my mums update
5 baby hats
2 adult hat and scarf sets
1 oxfam jumper


love to all
shaz xxx

Pippa.S

Afternoon all
We had a great time with DGS Friday and Saturday, we were lucky with the weather on Saturday, we took him to visit my Mom for an hour she gets tired if we stay any longer he is such a live-wire never still. Arrived home got changed and were outside in the garden for hours mowing, diggin, planting, getting soaked :rotfl:Then a quick bath before Mummy and Daddy came for Tea.
I slept like a log Saturday night zzzzzzzzzz

jean - hope all is well with you and yours
f1 - great news about the house it sounds just the job for you all
kathy - how annoying the least they could have done is ring and let you know...
shaz - glad the dizzy spells are calming down a bit
chalky - lovely pics of the house, good post about the Geezer squares, any lurkers will understand what they are all about now
Ginnyknit - I was so sorry to hear your OH is so poorly, its nice to know that he has friends who will keep an eye out for him so he can go do his own thing sometimes, then you can do yours knowing he is ok
sammy_kaye - hello and welcome, you will love it in here everyone is so friendly, there are quite a few tutorials on You Tube, I went into netspets.blogspot the other day for the butterfly tutorial and noticed she has quite a few tutorials down the right hand side. Have fun learning, it all comes with practice and we all had to start somewhere

Finished the edging on a blanket last night, not finished knitting the baby blanket as my hands are a bit of a nuisance at the mo but for some reason crochet is ok, so I swap between the two.

Well better go I am supposed to be packing, we are off on holiday on Wednesday.

Love to all
Anne
x

roamin_in_the_gloamin

Sorry I have been missing due to OUTLAWS....they have now gone, then Bob dog got really sick (me crying thinking I should be digging the big hole) some sort of bacterial infection, he is on the mend now but slowly.

I depart tomorrow am at crack of dawn for THE LH TOUR OF BRITAIN returning on the 5th June, so when I get time to log on from where ever I happen to be I will try and keep up and give you little updates.

Sending you all lots of love and tons of kisses and I will wave to you as I pass by your area........you all take care.
xx

psso

:wave: Hello eveyone, I`m still here.

Been doing my hamster on a wheel impression again and don`t have enough hours in the day to do eveything I want to do.

Just had a quick skim through and delighted to see Chalky has a `new` house ! Countrystyle certainly has oodles of STYLE now :T Do you want a lodger - I don`t take up a lot of room.

Sorry to read about poorly people/rellies. Hope you all feel better and brighter soon. Big hugs for you all.

Hello to any newbies I`ve missed. Whether you are experienced or absolute beginners you`re all welcome.

Well, I`m desperately trying to get all my bits and bobs finished off before we go to the knitting only show at Perth this weekend but my hands won`t go quickly enough so Lou (LH) might be getting some buttonless cardies when we meet up.

Will be raiding the piggy bank before we go in case there are some serious bargains to be had. Mind you, I`ve been rescuing some balls from Poundstretchers lately. It`s a bit like the Magiknit from James C Brett only not so OUCH ! on the purse and it looks very pretty.

DD and little J will be coming with me so I`ll need to give them the slip for a while otherwise she`ll be doing her `wooly rottweiler` impression and telling me I do not need it. Course I do daughter dear, wouldn`t be good to run out of wool now would it :eek: Unthinkable !!
Looking forward to meeting up with our Roamin Jean again and all the rest of the LH crew. There`s going to be quite a large gang of us there at the show this year and we are all meeting up for dinner on Saturday night as well so should be fun.

Off to get the sausage casserole in the oven or the young `uns will be moaning that they are hungry.

Bye for now.