Knits For Sanity

Thank You Angie!

I'm reminded everyday of what a great family I have.  I really would be in a tough place emotionally without so many shoulders to cry on.  I couldn't be luckier.  I received another reminder of my great support system in the mail on Friday.

While I was on my little vacation last weekend I visited a lot of family.  Some of them I had seen recently and with some of them it had been at least 2 or three years.  It was so great to see everyone.  It was especially great to see my cousins Jennifer (27), Angela (25) and Valerie (23).  (the girls)  I hadn't visited with them since Valerie's wedding I believe two years ago but it may have been three. 

I was very disappointed that I was not able to really hang out with the girls.  I was actually quite heartbroken that I was physically unable to participate in most of the activities with them like going to the beach, swimming, fishing and boating.  I think the family may have sensed the fact that the weekend wasn't going so great for me.  I tried to hide it as best I could but probably didn't always do a great job.  I was touched that my cousins went out of their way to try and include me in the cabin activities.  Actually I was overwhelmed that the whole family tried to include me as best they could.

Anyhow on the trip I discovered that my cousin Angie is a knitter.  I had no idea and was so excited.  I had wanted someone to gush to about knitting for such a long time.  If you haven't noticed already, I tend to be extrememly long-winded.  As such I think that everyone else in my life has probably had enough of my knitting talk.  When I found out and started to go on and on about knitting, Angie went to get hers.  I thought, "Great, I'm not the only one!" 

We spent one evening sitting in the cabin, knitting and gabbing.  Meanwhile my mom was knitting and teaching my aunt to knit at the same time.  I've been dying to attend my local knitting group but missed the meeting when I left for this trip.  We ended up having our own little knitting party instead.  I had the most fun of the whole trip that evening. 

It was truly wonderful to be able to relate to someone in person who is also my own age.  The fact that it was a family member was even better.  Knitting has been my main, well actually pretty much my only, interest since my surgery August 13th, 2004.  I haven't been able to do the things other 20 somethings are doing.  This frustrating fact has kept me from really relating to other women my age.  I really needed it!

So on Friday I was surprised by a package in the mail from my cousin Angie.  I woke up late and had to rush to a physical therapy appointment.  (Oh but trust me it doesn't look like rushing.  lol!)  I didn't have time to open the package until my appointment was over.  I didn't expect this:

I spoke at length the previous weekend about The Preemie Project.  I thought maybe she had sent a yarn donation or something.  This gift was totally unexpected and so sweet.  Thank you Angie!  Stitch 'N Bitch has been on my wishlist for so long.  I've also secretly been wanting a knitting journal.  Angie, you read my mind on this one.  I love it!  Thank you for being so supportive.  I'm very lucky to have you as a cousin and a friend.

It was great to see you: Heather and Greg, Michaela, Marin and Molly, Mary, Patti. Angie, Valerie and Jenni.  Hope that it's not so long between visits next time!

Finally a Sock!

I've been wrestling with what patten to choose for my sockapal-2-za socks.  I purchased this yarn a month ago:

It's gorgeous in color and texture.  I've been diligently reading my sock pals blog and really enjoying it.  She hasn't been posting as much as I'd like but I'm well, greedy!  No really, I just really like her. 

Anyway, I think from reading her blog that she will hopefully like these colors.  I hope they're not too bright!  Are they too bright?  Oh no now I'm all worried.  I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and hope that she likes it.  I'm admittedly a total worry wort.  I agonize over gifts, which makes something like this difficult.  Wait, I thought I said I was biting the bullet.  Ahhh! 

Since "Knitting on the Road" was recently added to my knitting library I decided to choose a pattern from it.  I found one I really loved but was unfortunately on size US0 double-points.  If that wasn't enough it also started on only four needles.  This was new to me and I found out quickly that I hate it.  Yes, Hate It!  It hurts my hands.  I know it doesn't help that I knit extrememly tight.  (just wait until you hear the story I have about that!)

After about 2 rounds I decided against the original pattern.  I found another cute pattern that I really like, titled Conway.  This pattern is done on 5 size US 1 double-points.  Unfortunately I was delayed in my sock knitting yet again when I only had a set of 4 in this size.  So yesterday my mama took me too Ben Franklin where we, well no she, purchased a set of 5 US1 brittany birch double points.  After using the Brittany Birch for the first time I was in love.  They became coveted.

I casted the first sock on when I got home.  I'm wondering, is it cast or casted in the past tense?  Anyone know?  Hmmm...anyway it was going really well at first.  I finished the 10 rounds of ribbing and started the twisting cable patterns when suddenly I __.  Most people carry tension in their shoulders, right?  Well I've always known that I knit very tight but I found out just how tight when I suddenly snapped one of my coveted Brittany Birch US1 double-points.  AHHHH!  Yep, I screamed and moaned and cried.  Just look at it...

Pitiful!  Elisabeth, I feel your pain.  I may try to buy some glue to fix it.  I'm not really sure what to do.  For now it's sitting at a safe distance away from me on my dresser.  Let's hope the cats don't knock it down like they do everything else.  Maybe it would be safer in my jewelry box.

Does anyone know how to fix these?  Let's just say that I've become a lot more careful at how I use my remaining needles.  I replaced the pitiful one with a metal one from the set of four.  It's just not the same.  Between The Preemie Project knitting and my super secret project I have managed to get some progress made on the first sock.

Finally there is some sock knitting on my blog!  It has been so long since I finished my very first pair.  Oh, I hope she likes them.  (That's me stressing again.)  It's difficult to see the detail in this picture.  I'll hopefully get a better progress pic out on the deck sometime soon.  The dark purple tends to look blue if I take a picture indoors.

In other crafting news I'm still plugging away on items for The Preemie Project.  Mama and I picked up the sewing machine yesterday and it should be ready to go.  Now I just need to wash all of the fabric we purchased and work on those blankets.  The donation date is quickly approaching and 9/1 is going to be here before I know it.  Exciting!

I'm going to use some green Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora from my stash to knit a Tivoli T-shirt.  There is even a knit-along in the works that should be starting mid-august.  So I'm going to wait until the mid to the end of August to start one.  I need to finsh my sockapal-2-za socks, my super secret project and my items for The Preemie Project's first hospital donation first.  Plus I still have my Branching Out on the needles too. I almost hate to wait too long because the summer will be fading away by the time I finish it.  I suppose it will always look good under a nice cardi.  I have too many projects and not enough time.  If I could just go without sleep!

So Nice to be Home

Ah, it has been SO nice to be home.  I've always felt that there is just something so soothing about sleeping in your own bed.  Last night was the best sleep I've had in days.  It felt GREAT!

I'm disappointed to say that I do not have any pictures of my little vacation to share.  Oh yes, I did manage to remember to bring the camera, but the batteries were dead after taking three pictures.  I really wanted to take a picture of the view of the lake from the back of our cabin.  The change of scenery was really nice but it was SO hot the whole weekend that I wasn't able to really get out much.

I was really afraid that the drive was going to be terrible for me.  It was only 2.5 hours which I pretty much slept through.  I was a little sore but it went fairly well for the most part.  It was very surprising and encouraging.  I wasn't able to do a lot of the things the everyone else did but I'm trying to look at the positives from the trip.  I couldn't have traveled three months ago.  That is one major positive!  Now I hope to travel to see family in Topeka, KS. sometime in August or September. 

I did manage to get some knitting and crocheting accomplished.  My bereavement gown set total is now up to 3.

The white one is bigger than the other two and will probably fit a 3lb baby.  It was crocheted out of the Bernat Softee Baby.  The other two are crochet from Plymouth Dreambaby DK.  They much more precious and delicate which is exactly what I was going for.  The purple one will be for a 1lb-2lb baby and the pink one for a baby under 1lb.

As you can see, I have not finished booties for these sets.  I've been trying to crochet 3 pairs of booties, but I'm having a heck of a time.  I've been getting stuck on every bootie pattern I try. 

I enlisted the help of my wonderful Bears and Blankets friends today.  As I've said in the past, they are a wonderful group of charity crafters.  Now with their help, I think that I finally have it figured out.  I'm going to try again this evening and I will hopefully have three pairs of booties to show off by wednesday.  I really hope that is not wishful thinking.

With the help of Linda, my wonderful mama, I have more hat and bootie sets to show:

The booties were knit by me and Linda knitted all of the hats.  She finished three of them while we were on vacation.  I was so jealous that she was able to knit in the car.  It allowed her to accomplish a lot more than I did. 

I have to sit in the back of the van sideways across the seat.  Sitting in the back made me become carsick everytime I tried to knit or crochet.  However. I did get a lot of sleeping accomplished in the car.  That's a plus!  Although it wasn't the most comfortable sleep.

These 8 sets make a total of 26!  Mama, thank you for your help.  You even sewed most of the seams!  You're the best!

Thank you to Cindy for her belated birthday gift.  I would post a pic but my digital camera died again.  Once I get batteries I will post that pic.  Thanks Cindy!  It's so great to have you back.

If I can get ahold of some doubel-A batteries, I will have knitting pics to show tomorrow.  I tried to start my sockapal-2-za socks but decided that I do not like the pattern as much as I thought I would.  It made me angry and insane!  That's definitely not good. 

I was able to find suitable pattern in my new Knittign on the Road book.  Now I will need to get US1 double-points for this new pattern.  Tomorrow will have to include a trip to Hobby Lobby or Beads and Beyond.  Fun fun!

I'm still working on my super secret project and it's coming along  I probably will have mostly Preemie Project knitting and my sockapal-2-za socks until my secret project is finished and gifted.  I apologize if my blog is boring until then.  Sorry!

It's so great to be back!

I was RAOKed!! Tomorrow I'm Missouri Bound

I have a much delayed thank you to post.  I've had numerous problems with my internet connection over the last week.  It has hardly been working during the day and it's rather spotty in the evenings. 

That said, I apologize to Caitlyn for not posting the RAOK I received two days ago sooner.  I apparently cannot live with technology but definitely cannot live without it.  I never actually realized how much time I spend on the internet until I was unable to use it.  It's driving me crazy not being able to be on the computer during the day.  That's when i get cauht up! 

Caitlyn, your RAOK was very touching.  Thank you for thinking of me.  Just like all of the other wonderful RAOKs I've received, this came at a perfect time.  Your package really put a smile on my face.

Thank you for this!  Your card was really very touching inside, and out.  The blue refrigerator magnet is inspiring and I've been looking at it at least once each day. 

For those of you who can't read it, it says "just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."  That's something that I'm keeping in mind. 

I also love the little notepad and the sweet coin purse.  I think that I may use it to store some of my stitch markers.  I have quite a collection going with all the stitch marker exchanges I've taken part in.  Caitlyn, thank you so much.  I must say that Random Acts of Kindness are the very best kind.  Thank you so much!

Well, I'm headed out of town for a little 4-day vacation tomorrow.  My parents and I are headed to the Mark Twain lake in Missouri.  I believe that it is approximately 30 minutes away from Hannibal, Missouri.  We are meeting more family members there too. It's going to be a family reunion of sorts but with only half of my mother's side of the family.  We're going to be staying in cabins by the lake, which I think sounds like a blast. 

It may be a tough weekend for me but I decided weeks ago that it will be so worth it.  I'm so extremely excited to get out of this house for a whole 4 days.  I will no longer be a caged animal!  Even with pain it's so completely and totally worth it.  Plus I'm going to see my family who I have missed dearly.  Remember my three little cousins who were here for my birthday?  I'm going to see them too!

Unfortunately, I do not have any knitting pictures to end this post with.  I've already packed my knitting things up and don't have time to stop and take pictures.  (I know...BAD BLOGGER!)  I have been somewhat productive and I finished 2 bereavement gown sets.  I used this pattern and crocheted one in white Bernat Softee Baby, which I posted about the other day, and the other was done in purple Plymouth Dreambaby DK.  The Dreambaby gown set turned out much better because the yarn is more delicate.  I hope to have pictures of these sets and another one in pink Dreambaby when I return on Sunday.

I am, of course, taking knitting with me too.  There is no way that I can survive on crocheting alone.  I'm taking a skein of Bernat Softee Baby for hat and bootie sets.  I'm also taking the yarn for my Sockapal-2-za socks.  I really need to get going on them.  I should have a ton of knitting time, especially without the computer to distract me.  I should have a lot to show for my weekend when I get back.  I hope to have pictures of the vacation too. 

I apologize to anyone who emailed me and hasn't received a reply.  I just couldn't get caught up this week with all of the internet connection problems.  I promise to email you on Sunday evening on Monday afternoon.   Oh yeah, I'm going to take everything in my new felted tote!  Now that it's dry I really love it.  It's a lot larger than I thought it was going to be. I'm so happy that it turned out the way I wanted. 

Have a great weekend!

Lots of Fun Mail

I love days when I get more fun stuff in the mail than bills.  Yesterday was one of those days.

First, some donations for The Preemie Project arrived. YEA!!! It's starting to look like setting a donation date was the way to go.  I'm hoping that helps motivate the volunteers to get those needles clickin.  I know that it hs definitely done that for me.

These preemie hats came from Preemie Project volunteer, Tracy from Texas. Oh aren't they just adorable?!  My mom loved the little square ones so much that she started one tonight.  Here's the pattern for the little square hat.  I will have to make a couple too.  So CUTE!  Thank you Tracy!  Everything was perfect.

   

These two preemie hats came in the box with Tracy's but were from her friend Linda.  They are SO precious!  Thank you Linda!

I had yet another box in the mail yesterday.  I received my final package from my ICK secret pal.

Thank you Kelly!  You obviously know me well b/ this package just screams "LAURA!".  I've already looked through the magazines and marked the patterns I want to try in the future. 

Kelly, you said that I could never have too many water bottles and you're very right.  I was just thinking about how I could use another one.  That needles organizer is so cool.  I've always wanted a sewn needle organizer like this.  I'll post a pic with it open and my needles all organized once I do so. Oh I just love it!

The two small packages in the middle held these goodies.  Some very cut ekitty beads and sun tanning charms on the left.  Some great homemade stitch markers on the right.  I just love everything Kelly.  Thank you for being my ICK SP!

 

I received this wonderful RAOK from my friend Annie.  Thank you so much.  It came all the way from New Zealand.  You were so incredibly sweet to think of me.

Everything was inside the little coin purse with the star.  Did you sew it yourself, Annie?  It's so cute! 

I am going to have a lot of fun with the beads and beading wire.  I really need to fit in some beading time soon.  I'm going through beading with-drawl.

Great News!: My back has been feeling fantastic the past week.  I haven't felt this good in three or four months.  The spine therapy must really be working.  I've getting up and around twice as much as I aws before last week.  I can't possibly express how good it feels to be a bit more mobile.  It's an excellent natural mood elevator!   

This means that for once I'm actually feeling like I can bead without pain.  It also means more computer time.  If I feel like I'm getting enough work accomplished for The Preemie Project I should have some beading to share very soon.

Thanks again Annie.  I appreciate you thinking of me.  As I said Thursday I was having a tough couple of days.  The letters, emails and giftie definitely help keep my chin up.  Thank you!

More Knitting Progress:

I've been knitting like crazy on my felted tote bag.  Grandma, thanks again for sending me that gorgeous yarn.  Anyhow I started the straps yesterday and finished them this evening.  Next it was time to felt.

Here's a pic of the tote bag pre-felting.  It was so huge!

 

Here's a pic of it the tote shaped and drying.  We placed a piece of covered cardboard in the bottom and stuffed it with plastic bags.  Hopefully having done so will help to keep its shape. 

It only took one 15 minute cycle in the washer to get this result.  It's been a long while since I last felted.  I knitted myself felted clogs this winter that I absolutely LOVE.  I didn't remember them shrinking this much so fast.  Does Lamb's Pride felt more quickly than Cascade 220? 

Pattern: Two Old Bags, Felted Tote Bag (large)

Yarn: 3 skeins + a couple yards Lamb's Pride worsted

On the needles: 6/29/2005 - 7/16/2005

I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.  Although I think I would have liked it to be a bit bigger.  I suppose I can always knit the next one a bit larger.  A girl can never have too many bags!

I'll have a finished bereavement gown set pic tomorrow.  I just have to crochet the booties.  I also hope to start my sockapal-2-za socks this week. 

Have a great weekend!

Happy 28th Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I want to wish a very happy anniversary to my parents.  It's been 28 years.  I'm so glad they found each other.  I wouldn't be here otherwise!  All kidding aside, I wish them another 28 years of happiness together.

I'm so blessed to have the mom (mama) and dad (daddy) I do.  I would be completely lost right now without them.  They're always there for me no matter what I need.  They're my shoulder to cry on and my rock to lean against.  It's been a very long year.  They've both been right there holding my hand the whole time.  I would be a complete mess without them. 

Thank you mama for getting me out of the house and for all the shopping therapy!  I would be totally insane without you.  Thank you Daddy for taking me to all my physical therapy appointments and being a soft place to land.  I can't express how wonderful it feels to know that there are two people in my life who will always be there no matter what.  There are so many things to thank them both for...to much to even list so I'll just say thank you for everything.  I couldn't have made it through this past year and especially this past month without you both.  I love you!  I wish you a very happy anniversary and many more to come!

Progress on My Preemie Project Donations

Here's a progress report on my donations for The Preemie Project.

I finished the bereavement gown I was crocheting:

Pattern: link It's on bevscountrycottage.com

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby in White

On the needles:7/11/2005-7/14/2005

This is the front view.

Here's the back view.  As you can see from the purple ribbon, this one will be for a girl.

In the future I am going to use other colors of ribbon, such as pink, blue and yellow.

I'm going to crochet a hat and booties to go with each gown I make.  I really love how fast the crocheting went.  I was really slow at first but got much faster after the first day.  It would have taken me a week or longer to knit one this size.  It was so great to get this done in three days. 

I'm happy with how this gown turned out but I'm planning on using a lighter weight yarn on the next set.  The Bernat Softee is a light DK and may be a little heavy for this pattern.  I would like my gowns to have a soft lacy appearance.  For the next one I am going to try some Plymouth Dreambaby DK that Beads and Beyond donated.  It should be perfect for this pattern.

  Here's the hat and bootie sets I've knitted to date.  There are 15 here and many many more to come.

Here are 5 more sets that still need some finishing touches like seams sewn, pompoms and ribbon. 

Together with these sets I'll have a total of 20 sets finished.  Thank you mom for knitting at least 5 hats to contribute to these sets.  My mom is really helping me get these fininshed.  There will be many more to come including some in green, white and varegated yarn yarns.

Here's a pic of the brand new donation tags for The Preemie Project volunteers.  One of these will be attach with ribbon to each item donated with the donators name printed on them.  My hope is that this personal touch will make the families feel like someone is really cares.  This way they'll also be able to personally thank the volunteer if they wish.

Thanks to Janette, the Michigan chapter coordinator, for making these great tags.  Thanks!

Having nothing to do with The Preemie Project, I would like to thank Agnes for the heartfelt card I received in the mail today.  I was having a particularly rough day and this really helped more than I can possibly explain.  It's extremely interesting to me that these things always arrive when I need it the most.  Thank you so much.

Thank You

I want to thank a couple of people.  I apologize as some of these are way over do.  I'm such a scaterbrain right now!

This postcard came from my wonderful secret pal.  It was postmarked from Canada.  Now I'm wondering if she is actually from Canada or if she was just visiting.  I'm intrigued.  I was too excited when I received my last package to pay attention to the postmark.  My detective skills are definitely lacking...

I received this thank you note from my Iowa Chicks Knitting secret pal.  You're welcome Adie!  I'm so glad that you enjoyed the packages.  I loved being your pal.  I hope you can make some cute socks out of the sock yarn.  I love the Geisha yarn I sent you.  It's so SOFT!

I received this in the mail today from Dani, my sunshine.  The baby yarn is just gorgeous.  You really made me smile today.  I'm going to put this yarn aside to make items with for The Preemie Project.  When I opened it I told my mom, "I call this!"  I especially like the one in the middle.  Thank you for being such a ray of sunshine Dani.

Well I'm off to watch TV and work on my burial gown.  I need to get to bed early as I actually have to get up in the morning.  I have an early physical therapy appointment.  I cannot let myself stay up till 4am tonight.  So I have to get off the computer now.  Yes, step away from the computer... 

Thank you again ladies!

My Current Sanity

My current sanity has grown so large that it's beginning to make to a bit crazy.  I somehow managed to get a bunch of projects going.  I usually only have many three max.  My growing number of projects is starting to stress me out!  My knitting time is supposed to make me sane, not stressed.  Actually it's not the number of projects I have going, but the unusual fact that I'm working against deadlines for most. 

The good news is that I will have one project going towards to FO album very soon.  Oh and even better is the fact that I can't wait to finally use it.  So, here is my progress on my felted tote:

This was going to be a great pic until the Big Toby decided to flop down on top of my tote.  Of course I had to stop and give him lovies before getting a good pic.  Hey believe me it could be worse.  At least he wasn't attacking the tote!  Toby has a strange habit of randomly attacking either skeins of yarn or items on the needles.  He's more likely to attack yarn that's not moving than yarn that is.  Strange kitty!  He's pulled many skeins out of my knitting basket next to my bed.  Gotta love the little monster!

Here's a proper pic.  I've really made a lot of progress since I posted about it last.  I have around 25 rows left on the tote.  Then I have to knit the straps.  Next comes the stinky part, felting.  Anyone who has felted before knows that it's literally a stinky progress.  I'm not a huge fan of the smell of wet wool.  It smells like wet dog to me. 

It'll be great once it's dry!  I'm planning on taking it with me on vacation late next week.  I hope that it'll be the perfect bag to tote my knitting around in.  It should be big enough.  We will see...

A lot of packages came in the mail last week.  You've already seen the donations so here's what arrived for me:

Thank you secret pal!  I ordered these from Amazon.com with the gift certificate my SP sent me.  It took me long enough to decide.  I've be lusting after the Vintage Knits book forever.  I'm not planning to knit anything from it soon.  I have marked at least half of the patterns as something I would liek toknit in the future. 

I've really enjoyed looking through Knitting on the Road.  There are so many cut esock patterns in there.  I was finally able to choose a pattern to use for Sockapal-2-za. 

Here's two hanks of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock yarn.  Oh the first Lorna's I've ever had in my possession!  Love it! 

I originally ordered this yarn with a pair of socks for myself in mind.  I had to face facts.  I do not have enough time to knit a pair of socks for myself right now.  I have too many projects going on at once. 

I decided instead to use this yarn for my Sockapal-2-za pal.  This is one of my projects with a deadline.  I figure that getting started early means less pressure in the end.

  I hope she likes this yarn as much as I do.  Who wouldn't?!  It's so pretty!  (Has anyone notice all of the pink and purple in my life?  This situation is getting serious.)  So I should be casting these on soon.  Stay tuned...

I have another project that I started recently.  It's super secret so I cannot divulge any info about it.  Sorry!  I'll will keep you posted on the progress.  When I say progress I mean how much of it is finished.  That's all I can say without giving something away.  I will have plenty of pics once it's safe to post about it.  I promise.   

I'm still working on donations for The Preemie Project.  I haven't finished putting sets together.  I'll hopefully have updated totals soon. I did start my first burial gown.  I'm using this beautiful pattern.  The gown is crocheted.  So it took me last night and tonight to really figure out the pattern and get it going. 

I'm using Bernat Softee Baby in White.  I just started the skirt.  I'm crocheting really slow right now.  I just don't quite have the hang of it yet.  I definitely prefer knitting to crocheting.  I couldn't find a knit burial gown pattern that I like better than this one.  It's so beautiful.  Plus crocheting goes much faster than knitting.  The more gowns I can make beofre 9/1/2005 the better. 

I really want to make a large contribution to our first hospital donation.  It's very important to me that I can contribute a lot.  It's stressing me out a little.  I might have to put all my other knitting projects aside in the last few weeks before the donation.  That way I'll be able to get as much finished as I want to. 

The Preemie Project volunteers are doing such a great job.  I appreciate every last one of them.  We're up to 47!  I still can't believe it.  This is just so wonderful!

Been Busy

I've been so busy lately.  (If you can believe it!)  Hence why I haven't posted in three days. (Sorry Patty!)  I kept wanting to, but something was always in the way!

I've been very busy with The Preemie Project this week.  This is actually GREAT news.  When I'm busy with the project it means that things are happening!  So, the busier the better.  I can't believe the way this project has grown lately.

The first bit of good news about the project is that I received three, count 'em, three donations this week.  Two donations came in the mail on Thursday and one came in on Friday.

Here's what came from Preemie Project volunteer, Jan:

Here are two beautifully crocheted preemie blankets.  I'm so happy to be receiving some blankets.  Thank you Jan!                                    

Here are two beautifully crocheted burial gown sets.  I really want to crochet sets out of the same patterns.  I believe that this is the gown pattern.  Jan, where are the patterns for the hat and booties?  I can't seem to find it! 

These are also the first gowns I've received and they're just gorgeous.  They really pulled at my heart strings and even made my mom cry. I know the burial items are difficult to make.  Still, I can't begin to stress how important the gowns and other burial items are.  Unfortunately it's the grieving families who are often forgotten.  The babies are often so small that it's nearly impossible to find something for their burial.  I'm so happy that The Preemie Project volunteers are as willing as I am to fill a need for burial garments.  Thank you Jan, they're beautiful.  Now if I can just figure out how to crochet these I'll have some of my own to post.

Jan also sent some hat and bootie sets, plus more single hats too.  These are so perfect.  Thanks again Jan!

I also received this package postmarked from Jan.  The items were knit by a friend of hers.  Thank you Sheri for these great hats!  I appreciate your support!

 

Then I received this package from my friend Laura on Friday:

Look at all the yarn!  Thank you Laura for your generous donation.  This yarn will definitely be put to good use.  I appreciate your support!

I've also had another generous donator to the project.  This special donator is Linda Aker, my mother.  If it wasn't for her I don't know how I would have started this project.  She donated a lot of time and a countless amount of materials.  Thank you mom for teaching me the joy of giving! 

Here's some of her recent donations:

This is just a fraction of the yarn my mom has donated.  Everything I've used to knit items was donated by her.

Some light flannel.  This will be sewn, by me, into preemie blankets and angel pockets.  (Just need the sewing machine fixed first!)

Some colored printer paper for flyers and colored cardstock for donation tags.  Thank you mom for all of your contributions!

I finally updated the flyer for the Iowa chapter.  We also have donation tags now too.  I'm very pleased with them.  I'll post a pic of a donation with an attached tag tomorrow.   Thank you Janette for the cute tags!  I appreciate all your hard work.

(Volunteers- Once the tags and flyers for both chapters and for everyone else are finished I will be posting links to them on the website.  Stay tuned!)

I went to my favorite LYS, Beads and Beyond, on Thursday evening for Knit Night.  Since I had finished the Iowa Chapter flyer that morning I used this chance to take updated flyers to Beads and Beyond.  So I printed out flyers in five pastel colors.  I also printed out donations tags in four pastel colors and cut them out.  I punched holes in the tags and attached ribbon to each one.  Then I attached three tags to each flyer and left the extras with Beads and Beyond.  I hope this helps to catch the eyes of some new volunteers.  Thanks again Dawn and Sandi for all of your support!  You have really helped me get The Preemie Project going.

Now I'm in the process of writing names on donation tags and attaching them to each item.  I really like this personal touch.  I hope the families enjoy putting a name to the person that lovingly knitted/crocheted/sewed an item for their little one. 

I also finally set The Preemie Project's very first donation deadline!  Oh I'm so excited!  I'm planning on donating to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU in Iowa City, IA on 9/1/2005.  Thus I asked the volunteers to please get their donations in the mail by 8/24.  This way I'll have plenty of time to get everything ready. 

If you're thinking of volunteering for The Preemie Project please know that we're looking for more volunteers everyday.  We currently have a chapter in Iowa and we're starting one in Michigan too.  Most of our volunteers are from all across the country.  Everyone is welcome! Please come help us make a difference!

If you would like to help just visit the website and click on the "yahoo groups join now" button at the top right corner.  This will take you through the sign-up process.  You will have to sign-up for yahoo groups first if you haven't before.  Please feel free to contact me at thepreemieprojectATyahooDOTcom if you have any questions or would like to start a chapter in your area.   

I will have all kinds of knitting pics tomorrow!  I've even decided on my Sockapal-2-za socks.  Off to watch a movie and knit!