Wow!!!

I got the most amazing donation for Central Ohio Binky Patrol the other day!  Let me give you a hint.....it came in a big box from Accuquilt!  Any guesses?  YEP!  They donated a Go! Cutter and lots of dies.  The actual kit they sent is called Go! Mix & Match 12" Block Starter Set.  Here is a picture of the machine.

There are 8 additional dies and two additional mats that come with the Go! Cutter.  Here is a picture of all the dies and the mats.

They also considerately included a BIG bag of precut fabric shapes from a recent trade show.  I can't wait to sort through all of these and start playing with the different shapes!  Here is a picture.

With my parents here visiting, I haven't had a chance to play with any of this yet.  I can't wait though!  I am so excited that Accuquilt decided to donate this wonderful product to my charity.  It is going to make the binky making process so much easier!  Thanks so much Accuquilt!!

Also, if any of you have any suggestions or tips on using my new cutter that would be awesome!  I know there are lots of other dies available so I'll probably be wishing for them soon, but for now I want to get comfortable using the machine.  Plus, the dies that are included in the kit seem to be very useful and interchangeable.  Anyhow, send me your tips and tricks!

Bye,

Polo Shirts

I received yet another awesome shipment from Crooked Brook today. This time it was custom embroidered polo shirts and they sure do look nice. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest things to have for promotion of Central Ohio Binky Patrol. Although any clothing or accessory with an embroidered logo is excellent way to promote your business or cause, promotional polo shirts are so popular because they are more casual than a woven button-front shirt and dressier than a t-shirt.


The Central Ohio Binky Patrol polo shirts are very professional looking and the embroidery work is perfect. Crooked Brook can also decorate polo shirts with appliqué, tackle twill, embroidered patches, screen printing, direct to garment printing

Here is a picture of the shirts they sent.

Polo shirts are also called "polos" or tennis shirts and they became so popular on golf courses, people started calling them golf shirts.  The words "polo shirt" and "golf shirt" are used interchangeably, and in the sport of polo, polo shirts are called polo jerseys.

Even though Crooked Brook has been so generous with their donations, I could see where there would be lots of opportunities to actual place orders with them too. Their embroidery work is exceptional and the choices for colors and text are great. Plus, there are a wide number of choices as far as what items to have embroidered. I could see quilt guilds wanting to have polo shirts with their name or logo embroidered on it. Quilt shop owners could get polo shirts made for themselves and their employees. Even kids sports teams could order polo shirts for the coaches.

If you already have a logo or design that you would like embroidered, just 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.

There are endless possibilities for using embroidered polo shirts.

Visit Crooked Brook for promotional products or custom embroidered polo shirts, button down shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, jeans, patches, hats, aprons, fleece jackets, fleece blankets, sweatshirt blankets, baby blankets, tote bags, t-shirts and custom t-shirts.

Bye,

Lots of fleece

I have been receiving so many wonderful packages that it is difficult to keep up with the paperwork. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying every minute of it but it sure is keeping me busy too! I received two different packages of fleece within the last few days. The first is from Cheryl in OH. She send two big pieces - a "boy" piece and a "girl" piece - along with a smaller bear piece. They will come in very handy! She also included a pattern of baby clothes and blankets. I don't know if I'll attempt any of the clothing but maybe one of my volunteers will! Here is a picture.

My parents are here visiting from Florida for a couple weeks. They brought along another package of fleece for me. It was from my sister in law, Tammy, and her two children. The kids, Alex and Madi, are so cute and really wanted to make a blanket with "Aunt Lisa". Unfortunately they are in Florida and I'm in Ohio. Maybe on a visit though! Until then, the fleece, which is solid pink, will be great for a binky. Here's a picture.

Bye,

Cotton yarn is the best!!

I love knitting with cotton yarn. My daughter, who is now 17, has a "bee" that her great grandma made for her when she was first born. It was basically a great big dishcloth because it was made from that pattern and out of cotton yarn. Ashley loved that "bee" so much, she took it everywhere with her & slept with it every single night. She pretty much loved it to death because it is now mainly just strings.

A few weeks ago I sent a donation request to Peaches & Cream to see if they would donate some cotton yarn. The owner wrote back and said that they would be happy to but that I needed to pay for the shipping. I ended up paying $16.00 and it was worth every single penny!! When my box came this past week there were 21 one pound cones and 2 four pound cones!! Isn't that awesome! My personal opinion is that cotton yarn makes the best, softest and most cuddly blankets in the world. Plus, the more you wash it the better it gets! Thanks so much for this wonderful donation Peaches & Cream!!

Bye,

Fabric and batting!

Goodness, I am overwhelmed with the generosity of people when it comes to charity work!  I received a box in the mail the other day and it was from a person that found me on Volunteer Match!  What a surprise to receive the box of fabric that Marsha in TN sent.  She had read about my charity on the volunteer site and decided to send some great kids fabrics.  Here is a picture.

Also, I received two boxes from Fairfield batting.  They each contained four queen sized battings for a total of eight battings!  WOW!  Queen is as big as any binkies we would make, plus I could always cut them down to get more children's sized binkies out of them.  Awesome!

Bye,

Yarn and gift cards!

I received a couple awesome boxes in the mail the other day but waited until today to open them up.  See, a week or so ago I discovered Ravelry.  Have you been there?  It is a fantastic community that is completely dedicated to knitting and crochet.  One of the groups that I located is called "Yarnstormers".  Basically people donate their unwanted yarn & boxes are put together and sent out to recipients.  Normally you need to be nominated by someone, but charities can also request a box.  That is exactly what I did for Central Ohio Binky Patrol and here is the box I recieved a few days ago.

I knew my parents were coming up soon (they are here now for two weeks and it's awesome!) so I decided to nominate her for a yarnstorming.  Her box arrived the same day as mine but I didn't open them until yesterday so we could enjoy them together.  She was so excited!  There are lots of fun & different yarns!!  So, here are the contents from her box.

Also, yesterday I received a gift card in the mail from Staples.  I'm excited because now I can get some office supplies to help me run Central Ohio Binky Patrol better!  Everyone has been so generous and I feel very blessed!!

Bye,

Embroidery

I received another wonderful donation from Crooked Brook today. They sent me a bunch of embroidery blocks to use in my quilts. Some of the blocks are 6 inch and some are 12 inch, white,100 % cotton gabardine fabric and the embroidery work is beautiful. Here is a picture of the praying hands embroidery blocks, both with and without the Bible verse.

Now here is a picture of the flower blocks they embroidered for me. I think these are so pretty and perfect for this time of year!

I feel as though these blocks will be a great addition to my quilting plans. I could use a number of them together to make the pattern of the quilt or wall hanging.  Another option would be to showcase one or two as the central point with other pieced blocks surrounding it. Oh, another idea would be to take a few of them, add some pieced blocks and make a tote bag. Wouldn’t that be great?

Not only has Crooked Brook been extremely generous with Central Ohio Binky Patrol, but they are very easy to work with as well. I highly recommend you visiting their website and trying out some of these embroidery blocks. There is a wide variety of coloring of thread colors, fonts, stock and custom embroidery designs to choose from, plus you can have your own design or logo digitized .Your wish is their command! Not to mention, the quality of work is very high. Contact Crooked Brook for custom embroidered, shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jeans, patches, hats, fleece jackets, fleece blankets , tote bags,  aprons, sweatshirt blankets, buttons, fabric, t-shirts and custom t-shirts.

Bye,

American Idol!!!

I have got to tell you......I really, really, really think that Lee Dewyze is going to win American Idol this year!  He was amazing on tonight's show.  He's just getting been getting better and better every week.  I love his voice so much, especially when he lets it get raspy.  So great!!  I can't wait until the finals next week.  I guess I'm getting alittle ahead of myself and I suppose it is possible he could get voted out tomorrow night, but I seriously doubt it.  He was the best by a long shot tonight!   Awesome!!!!!

Bye,

I've been knitting!

Well, I've been bitten by the knitting bug and I can't think of much else....except for Central Ohio Binky Patrol!  Of course, that is what got me started thinking about knitting.  I just figure if I'm the "leader" of this charity and we accept blankets that are knitted or crocheted, I should know those techniques too.  Makes sense, right?

I know how to knit but I'm not very confident in my abilities.  I just decided to jump in and pick up those needles.  I started a cotton dishcloth a couple days ago and actually finished it today.  I'm proud of myself!  It's alittle wonky because of the tension but I'll get better with practice.  I bought some really soft yellow yarn and am planning on starting a baby blanket soon.  Right now I'm in the process of finding the perfect pattern - quick, easy but looks fantastic!

Bye,

Lots more donations!

Even more donations showed up in the mail yesterday and today!  I am amazed by how generous everyone has been.  I received two HUGE bags of quilt fabric scraps from Crooked Brook.  Some of the pieces are pretty small, but some are pretty big too.  They are going to be great for making scrap quilts and will make fun binkies!  If any of you are interested in receive some of these scraps from Crooked Brook, just email them.  If you are going to be using the scraps for charity, they will ship them out for free.  And if you are going to use the scraps for personal use, they only ask that you pay for shipping.  Great deal, right?!  Here are a couple of pictures of the big bags...

Have you heard about the latest sensation in fleece blanket edging?  It's new to me, but there are people out there that have been edging fleece blankets with crochet stitches.  Such a great way to finish off the blankets and it adds a pretty edge!  Skip Stitch is a company that makes special rotary blades to make this process easier.  Just replace your blade on the rotary cutter with the special Skip Stitch blades, run the cutter down the edge of your fleece and it will cut perfectly spaced holes for you to crochet through!  Joyce, the company owner, sent me a set of all three blades yesterday as a donation.  I am so excited to try them out!  Here is a picture of the cute little envelopes they came in to keep me safe...

An email friend, Ila in IL, sent me some fleece yesterday too!  These pieces are going to go together perfectly with some other fleece to make beautiful tied binkies!  Ashley, my daughter, can't wait to get done with school to start working on them.  I love that she wants to be involved and that this fleece is inspiring her!  Here is a picture...

On to Binkies......I received two deliveries of binkies today in the mail!!!!  Isn't that great?!?!?  The first box came from Dorothy in NY.  She sent me two quilts that are so pretty and adorable.  And she has already said that she'll be sending more to us!  Awesome!!  Aren't the cute....

Also in the mail today was a package from Kay in GA.  There were a total of three binkies in that one!!  Two are completed and ready to be donated.  They are both knitted and beautiful!  Then the third on is a quilt that just needs alittle more quilting and the binding attached.  I'm going to get it finished up and it'll be ready to go too.  They are so pretty and cuddly!  Here are some pictures..

 

Raw Honey

I received another donation yesterday for Central Ohio Binky Patrol.  The package came from Mohawk Valley Trading Company.  They sent me some varieties of raw honey, as well as maple syrup, to use as door prizes.  The honey flavors they sent are Wildflower Honey (both Summer and Autumn varieties) and Blueberry Blossom Honey.  Also available from their website are Orange Blossom Honey, Apple Blossom Honey, and Buckwheat Honey.  Please check them out when you are in the market for some natural raw honey or maple syrup!

Knitting or crocheting?

Since I've started Central Ohio Binky Patrol I have been feeling like I want to do more than just quilting.  Now, don't get me wrong....quilting will always be my first love!!  But I just think it'll be fun to have a handwork type project going as well.  I have been trying to decide which to tackle - knitting or crocheting?  I know how to knit although I'm not real confident in my abilities, but I don't know how to crochet at all.  I really want to learn how to crochet, but I'm thinking maybe I should just stick with knitting for now.  I bought some really soft and pretty yellow yarn yesterday and I'm itching to get something started.  First, I'm going to make a few dishcloths to get used to knitting again.  They are quick and easy, plus very useful.  So, the plan is to work on those for awhile then move on to the blanket.  Any ideas for easy baby blanket patterns?  Oh, and I still want to learn how to crochet!  So, any great links or books for learning to crochet?  And now I'm going to have to work on building a stash of knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn.....lots and lots of yarn!!!!!

Bye,

Crooked Brook is so generous!

I got the delivery for Central Ohio Binky Patrol today from Crooked Brook.  Wow!  They are so generous!!!  Check out these pictures...

You can read more if you head over to my Binky site.  Thanks so much Crooked Brook, you are so generous!!

Bye,

Too much computer time?

With all the work I've been doing setting up Central Ohio Binky Patrol, I feel like I've spent all my available time on this laptop!  Don't get me wrong, I love playing on my computer.  Plus I am thrilled with all the volunteers and donations that I've been able to gain from working on here.  The internet is an amazing tool to connect all of us!  Even as I type I am awaiting a big box from Crooked Brook full of their donation of fleece blankets.  I can't wait for it to get here!

But, with all this time spent online, I've been thinking that in general I just have way too much computer time.  I should be with my family more!  I should be sewing more!  I should be reading more!  I should be out in the yard more!  I should even be sleeping more - lol!  Instead, whenever I have a block of free time, the laptop is the first place I turn. 

The amount of available information is overwhelming!  From patterns, to tips, to blogs, to email lists.  I could easily sit all day and still not get everything read.  And that is just talking about quilting, what if I started research other interests, like gardening or books?  The problem is that I don't want to miss out on any of that great information.  I enjoy seeing what everyone is working on, I love finding new projects to attempt.  It's fun for me but it is stealing too much of my time.  So, I decided to start making some changes to try to get my computer time down to a more reasonable amount. 

For one thing, I unsubscribed from a lot of my yahoo email groups.  It seems as though I'm always behind on reading the messages anyway.  I stayed subscribed to a few that I really enjoy but got rid of the excess ones.  Also on the ones I stayed subscribed to, I deleted all the old messages that I hadn't gotten around to reading yet.  I figure that if it is an important topic it will be discussed again eventually.

Secondly, I decided to give Google Reader a try.  Do any of you use it?  I just got it all set up yesterday but it looks like something I'm going to like alot.  It's for reading blogs and websites that are often updated.  Usually what I would do when I wanted to read blogs was go through my "Blog List" here on my blog.  I'd click on each one and read their post.  That was fine but then I'd end up following links from their site and before I knew it I'd have lost an hour just on one blog.  With Google Reader, I can "subscribe" to as many blogs as I want and they will all show up in one place.  It keeps track of what posts I have or haven't read.  Also, the post itself shows up in Google Reader so I'm not tempted by all the additional links and so on.  I just love it!

Finally, and of course this is the hardest one, I have decided to try very hard to limit myself to only a predetermined amount of time on the computer.  I haven't come up with that amount of time yet because every number I think of just seems like it's too little!  See, I really do have a problem here!  LOL!

Bye,

Binky Sponsor

I just wanted to share a wonderful company that has become Cenral Ohio Binky Patrol's first official sponsor....Crooked Brook.  Have you heard of them?  They offer tons of different custom products including hats, fleece pullovers, tote bags, blankets, custom t-shirts, and so many more things.  You have got to check out their site.  Plus they also do a wide variety of embroidery work including logos, customized embroidery and even embroidered patches.  They are sending my chapter a box full of fleece blankets, as well as some embroidered quilt blocks.  I can't wait for them to arrive!  Please, please visit this website and give them some business if you can.  They have been very generous with my Binky chapter and we need all the help we can get right now!

Bye,

Awesome fundraising event!!

Scentsy, the hottest new thing in candles, recently discovered our chapter and decided to do a fundraising program. Sherri Burton, who is an independant sales consultant, is starting a Car Freshener and Travel Tin program with her Scentsy Business. The program is simple and easy. There are lots of options to choose from -

1. Simply purchase either a Car Freshener ($3.00) or Travel Tin ($5.00).  You can buy one or as many as you need!

2. Commit to buying a monthly Car Freshener ($3.00) or Travel Tin ($5.00).  Be sure to let establish how many months you want to purchase.

3. Sign up for a YEAR of awesome Car Fresheners or Travel Tins. 

4.  If you sign up for a YEAR, and also find 5 friends who are willing to do the same, you will receive a FREE Scentsy Plug-In as a thank you gift.

Please visit her website and considering purchasing a monthly subscription of either a Car Freshener or Travel Tin. Not only will you be receiving a great product but you'll be helping out Central Ohio Binky Patrol too. Sherri has graciously offered 80% of her commision on either of these products. Please visit Scentsy today!!

Thanks everyone,