Are you there?

I have sadly neglected following the Bloggy Blanket Chain and this is just a call for an update on its whereabouts. I think it's with Fran of Frantic's Antics but it may have been passed on. Fran was finishing off the 4 corners. Fran if it's with you please get in touch and if it isn't can you please tell me where you sent it. Was it to Peg? I hope the chain is not broken. 

I think it is time for the edge of the blanket to be completed (if we find it). If you are interested in crocheting round the edge and then donating the blanket to a worthy cause please leave a comment and I'll try to marry you up with the Bloggy squares.

xx

PS Welcome to another new follower. Love the name!

Edit: I've just had an email from Peg who says she is willing to finish off the blanket. Yeah! Thanks Peg.

Thank you

Botswana (a friend's home made
card)

New followers - hello there.

Helpful comments - I'm going to have to tackle the pumpkin.

Bloggers who joined in with the Sunshine Award.

Everyone who helped with the Bloggy Blanket Chain. It's now back with Peg, who will then send it back to me to add the border. (Unless anyone would like to finish it off and donate it to a good cause.)

xx

Bloggy Blanket Update

Peg has now completed her squares for the Bloggy Blanket Chain. Click on the BBC page to see her contribution and the squares from our latest helper. Wow that was the fastest turn around yet. Anyone else ready to receive the blanket and help increase its size?

xx

Bloggy Blanket Chain update

Peg from Blondie UK's Stitching room has been in touch and has showcased her 8 bloggy squares on her post today. She's added these to the Bloggy Blanket and so a new destination is now sought. This blanket needs a wonderful, caring, crocheter or knitter to help it grow bigger. To view her squares click on the above link or look at the Bloggy Blanket Chain page. Now who would like to nurture this blanket and help bring it to maturity or shall we leave it small and just add a border to make it a lap blanket? Full size or small? It all depends on the 'creative bloggers' out there. Blondie, if we don't hear from anyone in the next fortnight get in touch and the blanket can be sent back to me to add a border and find it a new home.

Here's hoping there are a few more volunteers to keep this blanket out there. Even if you can only add one square your help would be appreciated.

Thank you to all who sent me 'get well' wishes. I'm nearly back to normal. (If I was ever normal in the first place!)

xx

Bloggy Blanket update - again

The lovely Joy has added to the Bloggy Blanket Chain and sent it on to Peg for her to add her squares. Thank you Joy.

Read all about the Bloggy Blanket journey on the Bloggy Blanket Chain page. Peg will need to send the blanket on again after she has added her square(s) so if you have any spare squares you are willing to add please leave a comment or get in touch directly with Peg.

xx

Where is it now?

Calling all crocheters, calling all crocheters, be on the look out for the Bloggy Blanket Chain. Last seen on JuliaB's blog in March. Report back to Mum on this frequency. Over and out.

xx

Share the Bloggy Love Around

Yeah, yeah, the Spring Fest is on and thank you to all who left a comment yesterday. I'm frantically thinking what I can take pictures of to celebrate this season. And talking of 'frantic' ...

... I've just been on FM's blog and read this post. In the comment section I see that we have another blogger who is willing to crochet some squares for the blanket. Many thanks to Frantic's antics. Do pop over and visit her. I really enjoyed reading her blog. She's certainly contracted the crochet bug.

As FM says 'Share the Bloggy Love Around'.

Let's share - yeah yeah
the ups, the downs, the laughs, the frowns
Let's share the Bloggy Love Around.

Let's share - yeah yeah
the thoughts, the skills, the stories, the thrills
Let's share the Bloggy Love Around.

Yeah, yeah - I'll stop now!

Friends' Bloggy Blanket Update

Alison has been busy again crocheting squares for the Bloggy Blankets. Here's her email. (Hope you don't mind me putting it out here, Alison. Just say and I'll take it off pronto.)

Hi again Mum

Sorry to have been a while, but we have been up in Norfolk setting up the campsite for the start of the season, not that anyone wants to go camping!!  We had a few hardy souls over the Easter weekend, but mostly they were in campervans. 

Anyway, have finally got round to crocheting some granny squares for the next Bloggy Blanket.  I played around and managed to get the 4ply wool to work up to a 12cm square, which I was really pleased about.  I had brought quite a few different colours from Mum's attic, and thought it would be nice to crochet some stripy ones, using light and dark contrasts in each colour.  Once I started I got quite carried away but could not complete the set as I had no light green on board.  The set did not look right without a green so I cheated and went out locally to buy some light green DK wool; I have also been seduced into making more innocent hats (for the Big Knit 2013) so will use my extra DK wool for that.  We are on the north Norfolk coast which is not particularly well served with craft shops, but can get cheap King Cole and Cygnet DK in Wells, which I think is fine for this type of project.  I was very pleased with the result and even remembered to take a photo to send to you this time.  I am sure there is a design for a bigger afghan using the same technique of contrasting shades in one square, but I am no good at designing. 

Well, thank you once again for organising the project; like you I have a few projects on the go now (not sure how that happened, I had become quite disciplined about finishing one project before starting another) but if the blankets are still being made in a few months time I am happy to contribute some more squares, just keep updating the pages on the blog.

I hope you are ok, I have noticed you do not blog quite so regularly at present, although many bloggers seem to be less active - as many have admitted, there does not seem to be too much 'new' stuff to say!! 

Thank you for joining in with the Bloggy Blanket. I hope more people will be inspired to join in. I just love those 2 tone squares. Your last paragraph has kick started my brain into creating ideas for new posts, one of which involves more 'joining in' from other Bloggers. Stay tuned!

Bloggy Blankets

Hopefully we now have another volunteer for our Bloggy Blanket. Thank you, Compost Woman. There is information on the Bloggy Blanket pages but I'll just summarise it here. 

1. Bloggy Blanket Chain. This is the blanket that I was referring to in my post. The idea was that the blanket started out as one square which was then sent to another blogger. The second person added a second square then sent it on to another blogger and so on. Some bloggers wanted to add more than one square which was great. Knitters can add on a knitted square if they wish to. As the blanket travels around Blog Land it gets bigger and bigger. Once it reaches a suitable size the last person donates it to a  worthy cause or deserving person. eg. Retirement home, hospice etc. In order to join in you just have to show interest via a comment. If this is the blanket you are volunteering for please get in touch with JuliaB over at Peacock Blue and exchange details. She would then send the blanket on to you for you to add your squares. From there you would keep hold of it until we find another volunteer. Details of the size of square are on the appropriate page. I log all the Blanket activity on a separate page so that everyone can see the blanket grow.
Pros = fun watching the blanket grow

no stress or hassle because there is no time limit

Cons = cost of posting the growing blanket on to the next person

2. Friends' Bloggy Blanket. If you wish to join in with this blanket all you do is crochet as many squares as you wish and then send them off to Fostermummy at My Beautiful Life who stitches them all together and donates them to charitable causes. Fostermummy also shows off the finished blanket on her blog posts.
Pros = fun noseying other bloggers' creativity
no stress or hassle because there is no time limit
Cons = cost of postage

3. The squares that I have been crocheting together are sent over to India via a contact I have in a second hand shop that I frequent. She has a few old ladies who knit squares for her but they cannot see closely to join them together. Whenever I call in I sometimes receive a bag of assorted squares (most are different sizes!) which I join together in my spare time. When I have completed a blanket I just take it back to the second hand shop and my contact takes them to her church to hand over to a doctor who goes over to India regularly to tend to some of the poorer people in different areas. These little blankets are destined for cots for the poorly babies. If you wish to knit or crochet some squares for this, or indeed sew or crochet them together yourself to make a cot blanket then you need to contact me for my details.
Pros = fun working out colour combinations and which squares will fit together

no stress or hassle because there is no time limit

Cons = none for me but postage cost if you wish to send me some squares

4. If you don't want to do any of the above due to cost of postage then I'm sure that there are places in your area who would be willing to receive your squares. Only recently I was given an article about a local hospice who wanted colourful homemade blankets for the ends of their beds. Local Old Folks' Homes also use lap blankets for their clients.
Pros = fun organising your own squares or blankets
fun organising other people in your area to contribute their crafty knowhow

no stress or hassle because there is no time limit

Cons = none really

Hope this helps and thank you again, Compost Woman, for your generosity. You should be able to get to my email address through my profile page if you have any more queries. Just let me know which blanket or blankets you wish to join in with. (Whoops! Never end a sentence with a preposition!)

Welcome to my new follower - a very talented crafter (including knitting and crochet!)

xx

Added later. PS If you don't know how to crochet and would like to there's plenty of tutorials on the web or why not look at Mum's Granny Along lessons here.

xx

Number 13

I think this charity cot blanket destined for India is another Noddy themed blanket with its red and yellow colours.

It's an avy wavy pattern!

Our Bloggy Blanket is also destined for a deserving cause and Julia from Peacock Blue has volunteered to add some more squares to it.  (See Bloggy Blanket page.) Julia, have you been in contact with Mummy Hen yet?

I'm sure that when Julia has added her square(s) she would like to pass it on to another crotchety (or knit witty) blogger. Don't be shy, why not have a go! Just leave a comment or get in touch via email.

Hi, just popped back again to add this pic of our grumpy cat! He's not as grumpy as some (look up Tard the grumpy cat). Let's hope he wakes up in a better mood.

Welcome new follower. I'll pop by your blog this evening.

xx

PS I've just read Mummy Hen's blog post and the blanket is on its way to Julia. Yeah! See the Blanket page for a pic.

Number 12

It didn't take very long to dc all the squares together as this is the quickest way to join them. These blankets are given to a lady who knows a doctor who frequently travels to India to help the poorer families. The blankets are destined for the babies' cots.

Talking of blankets Mummyhen still has the 'Bloggy Blanket Chain' blanket ready and waiting to pass on to another knitter or crocheter. This blanket travels round the blogosphere increasing in size as it goes along. Eventually it should reach completion when it can be donated to a worthy cause - retirement home or a deserving person. Please read the Bloggy Blanket Chain page to see its journey so far. It would be a shame if it has reached a standstill. I know that I have gained quite a few more followers (welcome to the latest) and if you would like to participate in this bloggy adventure please get in touch with Mummyhen. The blanket will grow and of course it requires a small amount of money for postage for it to be sent on to the next person.

If you volunteer you only need to do at least one square and it doesn't have to be fancy, so beginner crocheters here's your chance to try out your skills. Please, please, please consider being a part of the blanket and if you do keep us informed so that I can update the page. 

Here's to hoping our blanket will grow again this year.

xx

PS If you've already had the blanket and would like to add to it again please feel free to volunteer for another go.

Mum's Advent Calendar 5, Days Left 20

Decorations out of the loft time. I think you could call this a collection. It's very difficult to throw any of them away.  I'm putting them up bit by bit as and when the fancy takes me.

Now what shall we have on the juke box?

Ah yes!

Lights up in the kitchen and ...

... a garland for the bannister.

Looking a little bit festive now. Off to order the tree later.

xx

PS The Advent tree was on the right hand side of the last pic yesterday. The was only a tiny bit of it showing.

Alison, hi, get that blog started. Make it a New Year's Resolution! Not too sure of Bloggy Blanket  whereabouts at the moment. MummyHen was trying to find another contributor. MummyHen are you out there? Foster Mummy is still up for more squares. All contributors welcome. Please read the Bloggy Blanket pages and volunteer.

Reminders

1. Mum's Virtual Tea Party 

- Sunday 28th October - all welcome. If you wish to take part and have not yet left me your blog name please leave a comment and I'll add you to the list. All you have to do is prepare a post for your blog on the 28th about anything to do with a tea party. See the Virtual Tea Party label for more info. I'd love it if you could get involved in some way.

2. Bloggy Blankets 

- Fostermummy, I know has completed one blanket. Has it been sent to a new owner yet? Do you need more squares for more blankets? Please could you give us an update.

- Mummyhen, how is the Bloggy Blanket Chain going (or not going)? Do you have another person it can be passed on to or do we need to ask for another volunteer?
xx

Crocheting knitted squares together

These rectangles I joined together this way.

It took a while but I was happy doing it and pleased with the result. I suppose I could have edged each rectangle then joined 'on the go' but this way was quite relaxing.

I did Bunny Mummy's edging (Welcome Bunny Mummy). What a coincidence!

It sat frilly because the treble shells were close together but it looks OK and I like doing the edges this way.

Teddy was kept warm until I delivered the blanket to the organiser.

So I make that now India Blanket Number 5.

I've updated the Bloggy Friends' Blanket. I think you'll like the first finished blanket.  Thanks Foster Mummy. (There's rather a lot of Mums around here today!)

Learn as you go along

I've got the hang of weaving my joining wool in and out now. Instead of weaving the ball of wool under and over as I go along ...

... I just thread the wool through first and leave the ball of wool at the end of the line. It's much easier and less faff.

Talking of blankets, do you think that this would be OK for a Bloggy Blanket button/logo? I was asked for a button by Amanda, from Crafty in the Med, to put on participating blogs.

I'm not very good at designing. 

Bloggy Blanket Chain update

The blanket is on its way again back to the UK. Mummy Hen - prepare to receive. See it in all its glory on the BBC page. Please leave a comment if you wish to be the next recipient.

xx

Blanket update

Thrifty Mummy Hen has crocheted these beautiful squares for the Bloggy Blanket. There's no stopping her! I'll add them to the Bloggy Blanket page. Thank you so much.

If you wish to crochet a square or more for the blanket please read the Bloggy Friend's Blanket page.

Royal visit in July

One Nativity figure made each month and this month it's the turn of Balthazar. Balthazar in the song 'We Three Kings' carried myrrh. My Balthazar carries an awful lot of myrrh in a very ornate package.

It started out as an earring. Teddy is modeling this beautifully for me.

As I couldn't get the beads off easily I just bent it around and around until I could easily attach it to my figure. His beard is rather full aswell as it was crocheted in very curly wurly wool 

He joins the other King, Melchior. Gaspar took off on his travels with the Bloggy Blanket Chain so I'll have to do a Gaspar 2 one month.

Please click on the Nativity label to see more figures and to find a link to the pattern for this set.

Update BBC

The Bloggy Blanket Chain page has been updated with a superb contribution from Arwedd.

xx

New volunteers

Hi Amanda and MummyHen. I thought I'd answer your queries here in a post. Firstly the Bloggy Blanket Chain - this will require people to post a growing blanket on to other bloggers so only volunteer if you are prepared to do this. I envisage a smallish lap blanket, hopefully, at the end which can be donated to a suitable recipient. I'll put both your names on the Chain Blanket page and if Arwedd is prepared to send it to Amanda then Amanda can add to it and send it on to Mummyhen. I'll leave you to get in touch with each other.

Now to the Friends' Bloggy Blanket. This is not as complicated. Any squares you make you send to Fostermummy who will sew them all together to make a blanket. Again this or these blankets can be donated to a worthy cause. Squares should be 12cm x 12cm and either crocheted or knitted.

Again, look at each page for details.

Happy hooking and clicking.