Information about SIBOL 2017.

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to 'SIBOL' Challenges.
Thank you so much for popping in!

Donations of Sunshine Blankets and Shawls can be sent to me between these dates.
1st March to 30th November 2017.

For your information here are some Links.

'SIBOL' -  ( Main Blog)

'SIBOL - The Archive' (Do you want to try a new Square?)
Flickr - Our visual record of Squares and Blankets.
RAVELRY   Why not join our SIBOL Group?

Would you like my address or have any enquiries?

Please email me on

sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com (Sue)

Our 'SIBOL' project started in January 2010 in Memory of my Grandmother who lived to the fine age of 103. She was very fortunate indeed she never had to go into a Home but I realise there are many people who aren't so lucky and it is to these people our 'SIBOL' project is aimed at. We have made well over 1000 'Sunshine Blankets' for the Elderly in Care and Nursing Homes now not to mention special Blankets to raise money for worthy causes namely Marie Curie, Breast Cancer Care, Mencap and others.

You've visited this Blog because you are thinking about helping us. So please read the information below and if there is anything else you'd like to know please feel free to email me. 

I have made many friends in the Crafting Community since I started back in 2010 and the kindness of many always amazes me. I receive Sunshine Blankets from as far as Singapore and Europe and Ladies too in the UK have always shown a massive interest. Everything I receive is welcomed and I always do my best to hand deliver them to Care Homes as soon as I have enough for a Home. I hate leaving anyone out. The Blankets and Shawls give a great deal of comfort to Residents and they certainly are talking points in the Homes for many days afterwards.

So....if you have some spare time and want to help me here are some ways.

1.  'Make your own 'SIBOL' Blanket Challenge'. (Squares)

Why not make a 'SIBOL' Blanket yourself?

Our usual 'Sunshine Blankets' comprise of 25  - 6" Squares. (15cms x 15cms)

With a border of 1 to 2".

Crocheted or Knitted

Any colours.

2. 'Make a Large Granny Square Blanket Challenge'.

Why not put that un-wanted yarn to some good use and make a Large Granny Square Blanket.

It doesn't matter what colours you have left over in your stash. I can assure you an Elderly person

would receive a great deal of comfort from a warm Blanket.

Please make your Blanket over 36"

3. 'Do you have a Blanket sitting at home - not used?'

Sometimes we make Blankets to practice our Skills and then they end up sitting in a plastic bag  not being used. Why not donate the Blanket to 'SIBOL? 

4.  Why not make a Butterfly?

We use Butterflies to decorate our Blankets and these are always needed. I am often asked where   the pattern can be found. Why not pop over to Netties Blog in Australia here's the Link. ~For above Butterfly~  She has made a wonderful video tutorial and it's very easy to follow. (Crocheted Butterflies).

Of course if you are a Knitter you could make a Knitted Butterfly. Why not use Google to find some Knitted Butterfly patterns? For example here's a pretty one! LINK.

I really don't mind where you find the pattern for a Butterfly but they are always very useful for our Blankets.

We also have a Butterfly Club where we talk about Butterflies over on RAVELRY.  You may like to see the ones already received.

5. Make a Shawl for the Elderly.

I wonder.......... if you would like to make a Shawl for a Resident?
Shawls have become very popular and the ones we have already made and distributed have definitely made a difference.

Here are a few Links for you.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-shawl-2

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-square-wrap

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/groovy-granny-wrap

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wrap-em-quadradinhos-de-croche

Just to give you some ideas.


A nice size for a Triangle Granny Square Shawl
would be 124 cms across
and 65cms top to point.
It could also be smaller or larger I'll leave it to you.

There is no pressure at all to take part in this idea.


6. Donating Sunshine Blankets to other parts of the Country/UK.

I am often asked if there are ‘collection points’ around the country. Some Ladies find the cost of postage too expensive. Why not make your Sunshine Blanket and donate it to your ‘local’ Care Home? If you want to contact me for a a pdf ‘label’ I will willingly send it to you. You can do this on behalf of our Group ‘SIBOL’ if that would help you. On the understanding that you would send me a photo of your blanket and the name of the Home where you have donated it to. I can then count this in to our totals.

When donating a Blanket to a local Care Home could you please make a Knitted or Crocheted Butterfly which should be attached to your Blanket as well as the Label. I usually tie the Blanket up with Ribbon too which finishes it off nicely. 

Lists of Care Homes are available by contacting me. 
This would be a great way of getting Sunshine Blankets to the Elderly in other parts of the country and not just ‘Birmingham’.

Of course if you are abroad and think that you can do the same to some organisation near you why not contact me. Postage costs escalate all the time.

If I can help you please contact me 
I’m Sue on sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com 
or RAV mail me.

Thank you.

                                                                  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It is so important to enclose your details with your donations whether it be a Blanket, Shawl or Butterfly. I always acknowledge receipt by email and it is so frustrating when I have to go searching
for a contact email address. This would save me a lot of time. Thank you.


Name
Address
email address
Rav Name if possible
Flickr User Name if possible
Blog address if possible

                        

'SIBOL' relies on donations to keep our project running and if you feel you can help in any way please contact me.  I'd  be very happy to accept un-wanted yarn, Ribbons (any width). Ribbons are used for tying the Blankets up and also for attaching the Gift Cards. for our 'Sunshine Blankets'.
I have been asked how much Ribbon would be used on one Blanket. Well it all depends on how thick the Blanket is but roughly just over a metre.  Small bits of Ribbon that you might  get on Gift Sets etc., would be useful for attaching the cards to the Blankets. I really don't want anyone going out and buying Ribbon especially for SIBOL. Thank you!

Our 'Sunshine Blankets' are very well accepted in the Homes. They are a nice lap size and are also useful for wheelchair use and they give a great deal of comfort to an Elderly person.  I have seen first hand how the Blankets have been used in the Homes and I know it's a very worthwhile project.

My aim is to give an Elderly person a little comfort. 'Sending a little ray of sunshine into their lives knowing that someone may be hundreds of miles away has been thinking of them.'  Lots of Elderly people in the Homes do not have many family and friends visit them and it's so nice that we can brighten their day.  With your help I know we can continue doing this.

Donations of Sunshine Blankets and Shawls can be sent to me between these dates.
1st March to 30th November 2017.

 I hope you will join us! Thank you!

Any queries please contact me
I'm Sue on sueatpigsty@virginmedia.com

x Sue x