It's December!

So, it's officially December and I'm thrilled about it!  The snow even came today.  I just love this time of year!!  I know that a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't have to drive in the bad weather if I don't want to.  I"m very thankful for that!! :)

It's a busy time here at our house.  I've been working on getting all the incoming deliveries processed for Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  I am so blessed to have such generous and wonderful volunteers!  Of course, there are all the other typical December/Christmas activities that take my time.  Plus, my parents are coming to visit for Christmas.  I can't wait for them to come though!  It's hard on me with them living so far away.  I miss them!

Bye,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you all how thankful I am to have such wonderful volunteers! Central Ohio Binky Patrol is a true success and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you!! I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. We’ll be spending the day with my younger brother and his family. Unfortunately, my parents, my other brother and his family all live in Florida so I won’t get to be with them. They’ll be in our hearts though!

I need to apologize to everyone that has sent items recently. I’ve been sick again and gotten behind on all the paperwork. I’m hoping to get caught up in the next few days so keep your eye out for tax receipts. I really am sorry that I keep getting behind!

If anyone is still working on items that you’d like delivered by Christmas, please try to have them in the mail by about December 10. That way I can receive them and get them delivered to our grateful recipients. You’ve been a huge blessing and I know that we are going to make a great number of children very happy this holiday season!! Thanks again for all of your hard work and dedication!

Bye,

My granny stripe!

I've been working hard on my granny stripe blanket.  I really, really love this pattern!  It's so fun and easy to do in front of the television.  I've just finished my 58th stripe of color.  I was going to make it to snuggle under in the living room but my husband has talked me into making it bigger to put on our bed.  I love that he likes it that much!  So, I'm going to make a total of 100 stripes of color and then 3 borders.  Should be nice and big for the bed!  I'm really hoping to get it finished by Christmas!!  I suppose that will be an excuse to just watch tv and crochet for the next few weeks....I like that idea! :)

Bye,

Six months of COBP!

Today, October 20, is the six month anniversary of Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  It’s hard to believe that we’ve only been functioning for six months!  I feel like it’s always been a part of my life.  So far we have donated 117 binkies, 40 pairs of baby booties and 89 hats!!!  That is amazing and I have all of my wonderful volunteers to thank for these numbers.  I sure couldn’t do any of this without you! :)  I’ve also received a wonderful response to my goal of another 75 binkies (and any other items you want to send) for House of New Hope foster care agency.  I think we are going to make the goal by the middle of December!  Yay!  Thank you all for your wonderful support!

Bye,

Custom Hoodies

I haven’t posted about Crooked Brook for awhile and thought I needed to get back to telling you guys how great they are. When I started receiving some different embroidered clothing from them I got into my head that I really wanted a custom designed hoodie sweatshirt. I knew I wanted it to be green and had a good idea of where I wanted the logos placed. I mentioned it in and email to Li and before I knew it we were planning my hoodie! I got to pick the color, style & size of logo, and placement of the logo. It was so fun! And when it arrived I couldn’t believe how wonderful it looked. Now, I’m just anxiously waiting for the temperatures to drop low enough here in Ohio for me to wear my awesome Central Ohio Binky Patrol custom hoodie!

Visit Crooked Brook today for promotional products or a custom embroidered golf shirt, button down shirt, polo shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, vest, jeans, patches, hat, apron, fleece jacket, fleece blanket , sweatshirt blanket, baby blanket, tote bag, t-shirt and custom t-shirt.

Bye,

Deliveries and a plea for help!

I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It’s finally cooling off here in Ohio and I am loving it! I think this might be my favorite time of year….beautiful leaves, sweatshirts, bonfires, football games! It’s also the perfect weather for crochet, knitting, or quilting!!


First off, I am so proud to have such a wonderful group of volunteers. I made some awesome deliveries today and I couldn’t do it without all of you! I attempted to deliver 10 binkies and 6 pairs of baby booties to Heartbeats but they were closed. I’ll be going there again on Monday as they are closed on Fridays. I also delivered 17 binkies to Gracehaven House. Now, this is the wonderful agency that is helping the teen girls who have been victims of sex trafficking. I have already received a ton of blankets for them and I know some of you are working on more. That’s great and keep up the good work! My contact told me that they can use anything we are able to offer.

Finally, I made a big delivery to a new recipient. I’ve discovered a foster care agency locally that needs our help. Their name is House of New Hope and they would like anything at all that we want to give them. I found out that they have approximately 110 children in care right now. This is where my next plea comes in!! :) I would absolutely love if we would be able to provide each child in their agency with a binky of their own for Christmas. I know it’s a huge undertaking but I figure we should dream big! Today, I delivered 35 binkies as well as 89 hats. That leaves 75 binkies that I’d need for them by about the middle of December. They have children of all ages…birth to 21 and both sexes. In general, I’d say it would be best if the binkies could be at least 45x60 to cover most ages. Of course, some smaller ones would be fine and any bigger ones would be awesome.

Now, I would like for you all to really think about helping me to meet this goal. For the ones of you that are working on binkies for Gracehaven House, if you want to use those binkies for House of New Hope instead that would be great. Of course, if you’d rather them still go to Gracehaven that is alright too. Just be sure to let me know when you send me anything. Also, if you have any ideas of other items you’d like to make for the foster children at House of New Hope – maybe toys, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, slippers and so on – that is great too! I’d love to hear any of your ideas. If any of you have access to quilt/knit/crochet guilds or church groups that might want to help us meet the goal that would be great too.

As always, I’d love to hear your input and any questions any of you have. Thanks again! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of you!!!

Bye,

Special project for COBP

Hi everyone,


I’ve received a request for binkies and want to do this as a special project. There is a new shelter opening in Central Ohio for girls that have been victimized by domestic minor sex trafficking rings. Unfortunately, this horrible crime has become a problem here in Ohio and many teen and young adult women have been affected. Gracehaven is a new shelter opening to help some of the victims to regain their lives. The shelter will be opening in January 2011 and will be able to house up to 10 girls at a time. Here is a link to their website if you’d like to read more about them … http://www.gracehavenhouse.org.

I would love to furnish Gracehaven with at least 10 high quality binkies, possibly even 15. Because they are a long term rehabilitation facility, there will not be a constant need for binkies. Just this one time bigger supply and possibly others as the girls move on and new ones arrive. I’d like to have these specific binkies in my possession by December 15 to give me time to deliver them to Gracehaven before their opening in January.

The size needed would be lap size quilts or larger. I’m thinking at least 45 X 60 but really as big as you want to make. Please make them in “girl” colors as all residents will be female. Quilts or knit/crochet afghans would be perfect! I think it will be wonderful to provide these girls with some special binkies that are beautiful and cozy. Maybe having a cuddly quilt or afghan to curl up with will help them move on from all the tragedy they’ve experienced.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know. I appreciate all of your help and know that we can easily meet or exceed my goal of 10-15 binkies for the girls of Gracehaven!

Bye,

New family member....

We have a new family member.....a 2 year old black lab named Junie!  She is so pretty!!  She's a big girl though, she weighs 90 pounds!!  We adopted her from the local animal shelter.  They have an awesome program where inmates at various prisons train dogs in common commands.  She knows sit, stay, down, leave it, and lots more.  She's completely house broken too which is great.  I still miss Daisy something terrible but I think Junie is going to be a good replacement!

Bye,

Deliveries are the best!

I absolutely love making deliveries for the charity! It is my favorite part of the job! Today I delivered 20 binkies and 34 pairs of booties to Heartbeats. They were so thankful and appreciative. She really, really liked the booties too. Good job girls!! She said that she is hoping to see me again very soon, so keep those crafts going! I've also got a call in to Licking County Job and Family Services for a delivery I'd like to make to them. As soon as I hear back from her I'll be delivering 20 binkies there as well! You guys are so great and I sure couldn't do this without you!! Please keep up the great work! :)


Bye,

Lots of gifts and a granny stripe update

I have been very blessed the last week or so!  So blessed that I have gotten very behind in making my posts, as a matter of fact.  LOL!  I've received a ton of great gifts for me personally as well as donations for Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  People are so generous!  I'm going to post about the personal stuff here and will post about the charity stuff on that blog.  I'll also be posting pictures for the charity there as well.  Come check it out at http://www.cobp.org/!

So, I've received lots and lots of packages of yarn for my Granny Stripe blanket.  The variey of colors and textures is amazing!  I got boxes from Launie in UT, Danielle in MA, mscynical81 in NC, proddy in Ca and Jill in CA.  Some of the yarn is acrylic, some are natural such as cotton and wool, and some are not labeled.  By the way, is there a test I can do on the yarn to tell what the fiber is?  Here are pictures of all the yarn...

 

Not only have I received shipments of yarn, but I've also been blessed with some awesome books and magazines about crocheting.  That is so awesome because I am literally crazy about crochet anymore!  Linda in OK and Carol in DE  both sent me boxes of fantastic reading material.  Here are some pics...

And last, but not least, I have been hard at work on my Granny Stripe blanket.  It is so much fun!  I'm really coming along too.  I'm just starting my 29th color stripe!!  I'm thinking I'll make 100 or maybe alittle more color stripes so I'm alittle past a fourth of the way done.  I really would like every stripe to be a different color but I don't know if I'm going to be able to do that or not.  Oh well, if not then I'll just repeat some of my favorites.  This is such a fun pattern and I highly recommend it to anyone that crochets!  I do have to say that it is getting pretty heavy now.  That will be great for this winter but right now, with it being 90 degrees outside, it is alittle hot to work on!!  Here is a picture...

Custom Sweatshirts

I don’t think I’ve told you about the awesome custom sweatshirts that Crooked Brook sent for Central Ohio Binky Patrol. They are so nice. It used to be that sweatshirts were all the same and you didn’t have much variety. But now, they can be long sleeved, short sleeved, no sleeved, tons of different colors, fabrics and weights. Plus, you can choose between men’s or women’s and there are a large variety of sizes. If you want to advertise your business, group or organization then custom sweatshirts from Crooked Brook are the way to go!


Visit Crooked Brook today for promotional products or a custom embroidered golf shirt, button down shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, vest, jeans, patches, hat, apron, fleece jacket, fleece blanket , sweatshirt blanket, baby blanket, tote bag, t-shirt and custom t-shirt.

Bye,

New website for Central Ohio Binky Patrol!

One of my volunteers, Randi, has donated her time and technical expertise to make a fantastic new website for our charity!  It's awesome!!!  We have a chat area, message boards, our own photo gallery, and tons of information about what we need donated.  Please come and check it out!!  I know you are going to love it and probably decide to stay for quite a while!  The link is http://www.cobp.org/ !!!  See you there! :)

Lots of squishies!

I have been so fortunate to receive lots of squishies in the mail the past few days & they've all been for my Granny Stripe blanket! :)  I'm so lucky to have met such great friends on Ravelry.  First up is a ripple afghan from Carol in DE.  The colors are so bright and pretty.  She said that her grandma made this afghan and it hasn't been finished.  If I want to finish it for Central Ohio Binky Patrol I can or if I want to rip it out for the yarn that is alright with her as well.  I'm thinking of attempting to finish it but I've never done a ripple pattern before.  We'll see!  Here is a picture..

Next is some more yarn from Robin in IL.  She had already sent me two packages and this is the third one.  So generous!!  I'm going to use some of this in my Granny Stripe for sure.  Here is a pic..

Third, I received a package from Jennifer in TX.  She sent me quite a few balls of yarn in some really pretty colors.  I'm sure some will end up in my Granny Stripe and the rest will go in other wonderful afghans I'll crochet later.  Here's a pic..

Finally, I received a box from Maria in AR.  She included a project that she started but didn't love enough to finish plus all the yarn to complete it if I chose to do so.  She also said  that if I wanted to rip it out and use the yarn for a different afghan that was alright too.  I haven't decided yet but I'm leaning towards ripping this one out for the yarn.  It's so bright and fun - it'll make an awesome binky or some fun granny squares!  Maria also included some really pretty yarn in greens & burgandy.  The colors are going to be perfect for my Granny Stripe!  Here is a picture..

Now, after all that bragging on my wonderful Ravelry friends and their generosity, I have an update on my Granny Stripe blanket.  I am really, really loving this pattern from Lucy at Attic24.  It's fun and easy!!  This weekend I worked a lot on it while I caught up on back episodes of "The Next Food Network Star".  What a fun weekend!  I've just finished my 12th stripe of color, that is 24 rows done!  Wow! :)  Here is a picture of my progress...

Bye,

Promotional Products

I just wanted to take a minute to discuss Crooked Brook with everyone. They are a fantastic company that I came across when I first started Central Ohio Binky Patrol. I am overwhelmed with the amount of support they have shown me in the last few months! They supply a wide variety of promotional products that can be helpful to a great number of people. Whether you’re advertising your own business, charity, sports team, church or whatever else, you will be happy that you used Crooked Brook to create the promotional items that will get your name out there and draw the attention you crave! Visit Crooked Brook today for promotional products or a custom embroidered golf shirt, button down shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, vest, jeans, patches, hat, apron, fleece jacket, fleece blanket , sweatshirt blanket, baby blanket, tote bag, t-shirt and custom t-shirt.


Bye,

Granny Stripe progress

I am absolutely loving this blanket!!!!  It is so easy and fun.  Since the blanket is going to be so big (I chained 300 to start!!) it takes me about 30 minutes to finish one row.  That means that the two rows it takes to make a color stripe takes me about an hour.  Of course, I suppose I'm pretty slow at crochet since I just learned a few weeks ago.  Still, I'm pretty proud of myself and I absolutely LOVE the way it is turning out! :)

Guess what else....I put a post on Ravelry about making the Granny Stripe blanket & asked for scrap yarn.  Lots of people have offered to send me their scraps!  I got my first delivery today - two envelopes from Robin in IL.  The yarn is awesome and will add a lot to my blanket.  Here is a picture...

Bye,

Granny Stripe has been started!

I went through my yarn last night and picked out some more colors.  I'd love to hear what you all think!

I've decided to stick with just acrylic for this blanket intead of combining fibers.  Then I'll make a strictly wool one later.  That just seems best!  I've already received some offers of yarn so I sure can't wait for them to arrive!

I started my blanket last night.  The first few rows were kinda hard and I'm not 100% sure if I did it right.  The edge looks alittle funny but hopefully it'll smooth out later.  The good thing is that now I have the pattern set up so it should be relatively quick and easy going from here on out.  I can't wait to get back to working on it!!!  Here is a picture...

I ended up chainined 300 to start so it is going to really be big.  Perfect for cuddling under!!!! :)  Gosh, I really am crazy about crochet right now!

Bye,

Crazy about crochet!!!

I have recently become completely crazy about crochet!  Seriously, I feel like it is all I think about!  I have to admit that I'm proud of myself because I learned completely from library books and youtube videos.  It feels good to say that I taught myself!  Of course, my poor husband was probably ready to strangle me at times but he was patient and I figured it out. Yay!

So, I've got one blanket started that I'm making from Peaches & Cream cotton yarn called Pink Lemonade.  It's pretty and going to be big.  And I am starting to work on joining squares that I've received from volunteers for Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  But, just like with quilting, I can see that I'm going to be starting lots of new projects as well, especially since I'm beginning to visit differnt crochet blogs and have gained lots of inspiration.

Which brings me to my next project!!!!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it!  I'm going to make a Granny Stripe blanket like I found on the Attic24 blog.  Lucy made this blanket and I am in love with it!!!  Actually, I love her whole blog.  She has the greatest ideas and I will probably end up wanting to make one of everything she designs!  But for now I'm starting with the Granny Stripe blanket.  Here is a picture of Lucy's, isn't it fabulous?!?

Right now I'm working on choosing the yarn to use.  I'll be needing lots & lots because I want this blanket to be BIG!  I'm thinking it will make a perfect blanket for cuddling under and watching tv.  Or even napping, lol!  I can't wait to dig through my stash and see what I can come up with.  I doubt I'd need much yarn for a two row color stripe so it'll be a good scrap user.  Plus, I figure, the more different colors the better! 

Today we were out killing time while we waited for our carpets to dry from Tom cleaning them & I wound up in the yarn section of our local Meijers store.  They had Vanna's Choice on sale so I talked him into buying me 9 skeins.  The colors are so pretty and are going to be a great start for my blanket!  Lookie...

Originally, I was thinking about trying to combine two different weights of yarn - worsted and fingering - but I've decided that is just going to be too difficult!  I've decided I'm going to stick with worsted weight but I will include both wool and acrylic, maybe even through in some cotton.  Should be alright, don't you think?  So, if any of you have a little spare yarn you'd like to contribute to my super big Granny Stripe blanket I would love it!  I figure it shouldn't take much to complete a two row color stripe.

Bye,

More charity info!

Goodness, it seems like all I think about anymore is Central Ohio Binky Patrol!!  Of course, it's a very worthwhile cause so I suppose that it's a good thing it is always on my mind.  We seem to be growing every day & I praise the Lord for that!  I have lots of links to share with you so let's get to it, lol!

First, I started a Ravelry group for our charity.  I think it'll be a great way to get the word out even more.  Maybe even gain some more knitters/crocheters to help out.  If you are a member of Ravelry come join our group!  And if you aren't then maybe you should join because it is a great site!  Here is the link to our group http://www.ravelry.com/groups/central-ohio-binky-patrol .

Second, I also started a Yahoo group for us.  We had one before and I closed it.  I'm regretting that decision so I've decided to start one up again.  This group is for all my wonderful volunteers.  I'm hoping that we can really support and advise each other!  It'll be a great way to get to know everyone too since we are scattered throughout the country.  Here is the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_ohio_binky_patrol .

And finally, I posted another post on the Binky Blog.  I've received lots of packages the last few days and I'm trying to keep everybody updated.  Always remember to check that blog first for all info regarding our charity!  Here is the link again http://centralohiobinkypatrol.weebly.com/binky-blog.html .

I can't begin to tell you how much everyone's support means to me.  I sure couldn't do this without you!  Thanks to each and every one of you!!!

Bye,
Lisa

Custom tote bags

The other day UPS brought me another awesome package from Crooked Brook. This time inside the box there were custom tote bags with the Central Ohio Binky Patrol logo on them! They are such a nice size and the logo looks so great. I love tote bags and these are easily going to become my favorite ones! Here is a picture of what they generously sent to me.

Since Crooked Brook already had my logo on file, all I had to do was decide on the syle of tote bag I wanted. If you have a logo or design that you would like embroidered, e-mail Crooked Brook the artwork and they will give you a free estimate of the onetime cost to digitize it, and the estimated cost each time they embroider the design. These costs will depend on the design's size and complexity. If you do not have a logo, but would like to create one, you can do so by choosing an embroidery font, embroidery thread color and combining them with a stock design from Embroidery Island. Crooked Brook also has some of their own embroidery designs to choose from.


With so much focus on a greener Earth, tote bags have really gained a great deal of popularity. There are so many different styles & colors available that you will be sure to find at least one, and probably lots more than one, that you just can’t live without! With all of the different brands, styles, fabrics and colors to choose from, finding the right tote bag to customize can be overwhelming; but with Crooked Brook’s assistance you’ll be sure to get exactly what you want. Visit Crooked Brook today for promotional products or a custom embroidered golf shirt, button down shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, vest, jeans, patches, hat, apron, fleece jacket, fleece blanket, sweatshirt blanket, baby blanket, tote bag, t-shirt and custom t-shirt.

Bye,

Lisa

P.S. If you or anybody you know, is in the market for high quality chef wear, contact Crooked Brook. Each one of their chef coats, chef jackets, and aprons is made to order, and their women's chef coats are awesome.

Busy here!

I feel like I've been so busy the last few weeks.  I need to slow down some and try to get caught up on everything!  I'm working on catching up with my postings for Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  I'd love for you to head over and read the latest post on the Binky Blog!!  I've decided to keep the posts there for the most part - unless there is something super exciting that I wnat you all to know about.  I'll let you know whenever I've made a post though so you can stay aware of everything that is happening with the charity!

I've been knitting some and actually finished a blanket.  I got the pattern from a volunteer who sent me a binky.  I loved the one she made and wanted to try it myself.  Well, I don't know what I did wrong but mine turned out MUCH smaller than hers!!!  I used the same size needles, followed the pattern closely and tried to knit loosely so I don't know what happened.  The pattern does call for Vanna's Choice yarn but I just used Red Heart.  They are both worsted weight though so you wouldn't think that would make much difference.  Oh well, it'll still work for a baby I suppose!  Here are a couple pictures...

I hope everyone has a great day!  It's still hot here in Ohio. I'm so ready for cold weather and snow!!!!! :)

Bye,

Meeting went great!

The meeting went great last night!  The women were so nice and seemed really interested in Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  Hopefully some of them will start volunteering for my charity!  I sure was stressed yesterday, but I think it went well.  Next time I have to make a presentation it should go alot easier!

Bye,

Stressing out today!

Well, I'm stressing out pretty bad today!  I have a meeting tonight with a local church group who is interested in helping out with Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  They invited me to speak and then join them for a potluck dinner.  I'm thrilled about getting some volunteers that are local, but I'm really freaking out over having to talk to the group!  Please pray for me to calm down and do a good job.  I really want this charity to succeed and spreading the word is the best way.  I need to get over this fear!

Bye,