KNIT A HAT, SAVE A LIFE

I just received my winter 2008/2009 Knit Simple magazine and ran across this interesting article:

There's still time to contribute an infant hat to Save the Children/Warm Up America's "Knit One, Save One" campaign, which has extended its deadline until January 31st. To download a hat pattern, visit www.savethechildren.org/knitonesaveone.

If you are looking for a charity project, this one is well worthwhile.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FINALLY

I have finally made myself get the scarf for the 2009 Special Winter Olympics ready to be mailed. I don't know why I haven't taken care of it before now - maybe because the deadline isn't until January and I had so many other things to do first. Well, now that packages are wrapped, the tree is up and cards are mailed, I guess it was just the thing to do. Also, I think I kind of thought it wasn't that great to even send, but hey - I made it by hand - which was the main requirement - and I made it with love. The excitement of sending something handmade to these athletes in hopes that one of them might wear it and one of them might just feel a tad better after receiving something from a total stranger because that stranger wanted to make a difference.....on that note...................

If you missed the first post about this....The Special Olympics World Winter Games Scarf Project got its start at the 2008 Special Olympics Invitational Games - held last February in Boise to test-drive various sporting venues - when organizers decided to give out hand-stitched scarves as gifts to the athletes. The first goal was to provide the athletes with a memento of the occasion.

The second goal was to encourage involvement and support for the upcoming games across the host state. They locally asked for 600 scarves and received more than 1,000. The 2009 goal is 5,000.

You are requested to place your finished scarf (made with Red Heart Supersave Yarn in Delft Blue and White - colors of the Special Olympics) in a plastic bag along with a card with your name and address. You also need to include a second card with an inspirational message for the athlete. Package this up and mail to:

2009 Special Olympics Scarf Project

3150 West Main Street

Boise, ID 83702

Deadline is: January 15, 2009 - GET THOSE NEEDLES CLICKING.

OUR HOLIDAY GATHERING

Yesterday, the Knitting Souls Together group met at Ren's house for a holiday gathering. What a gracious hostess Ren is and what a beautifully decorated home!!!! She is definitely the hostess with the mostest!!!!!!

All brought finger foods and a knitting project and gathered cozily in Ren's absolutely wonderful sunporch.

What a view - we all basically decided that we were just going to stay and would be perfectly happy to just stay in this room - of course the wide array of finger foods displayed made it an easy decision.

We played, under Ren's direction, number bingo and ALL ended up winning and picking a gift from the enticing gift basket.



All games and knitting aside, prior to eating, Ruby was presented with a birthday surprise goodie, including a chorus of "Happy Birthday". Ruby's birthday is actually next Thursday, the 18th, and was totally surprised. I won't reveal her age, I'll just tell you, she has definitely aged with total grace and beauty - oops the secret is out - the picture reveals all!!!!!!


AND, speaking of birthdays, I made a PROMISE YESTERDAY that I would not say a thing, however, I DID NOT promise I wouldn't say something on the blog. Sorry, Ren - you are just too nice to let this pass. I would like to wish Ren a very, very Happy Birthday from yesterday!!!! Yes, you read that right. Yesterday was Ren's birthday and we did not know it. Later in the day, I was standing in the kitchen door talking to Ren and her daughter, Lindsey and spotted a slew of birthday cards displayed in the dining room. When I asked Ren if she had just "HAD" a birthday, she shushed me quickly and made me promise not to say anything because it was on that very day. She did not want to take away from Ruby!!!! That's how Ren is - thoughtful of all around her all of the time. I know the others would want to say this also - again - HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE KNITTING SOULS TOGETHER GROUP!!!!!!!!!

Moving right along, we had a very special, renowed visitor - I shouldn't say visitor, as this is his abode. FONZIE!!!! What a delight to meet Fonzie in person after following his antics on Ren's blog. He made sure to make everyone feel welcomed as he checked us out individually. He is definitely a cutie.


It has been a great joy knitting together as we did throughout the summer and fall. Ren and I both hope that everyone joins together at the H.B. Stamps library in January 2009. The new librarian has graciously invited us to knit together on Friday mornings and hopes to see our group grow. Currently, there is a new knitting group at the library on Tuesday evenings. Perhaps those knitters might visit us on a Friday and us visit them as well on a Tuesday evening. The possibilities are endless. All we know is we want to knit, as I'm sure every knitter feels the same and wants the camraderie of other knitters.

By the way - I know I haven't been posting very much on this blog - I will try to do better after the holidays. What I would really like is for some of our knitters that are online at home - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - to email me some of your projects that you are working on. It's not just about me!!!!! So, think about it and let me brag on your projects. Have a subject you want to know more about - email me and I'll definitely do my homework and see what I can find out. I'm sure there are others out there that have the same questions. So, let's all try together to keep this going.

THE KNITTING SOULS TOGETHER GROUP WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE OUT THERE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR. ALSO, KNOW THAT WE MISSED THOSE SPECIAL MEMBERS OF OUR GROUP THAT COULD NOT JOIN US ON THIS DAY - YOU WERE WITH US IN OUR HEARTS. RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE SEVERAL FAMILIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH A CRISIS IN THEIR FAMILY - PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.

GATHERING

Knitting Souls Together Christmas Gathering
Friday, December 12, 2008
At the home of Ren Tolbert
165 Forest Hills Road
10:30am – 2:00pm
Bring your favorite finger food and a knitting project
423-272-7241
RSVP
Directions from Rogersville:
Take Hwy 66 South driving past Pizza Plus
Turn on the third road to the right after Pizza Plus
This is Forest Hills Road
There is a navy blue Day Care building
Drive to the very top of the hill
We are the only brick house and have double blue doors

Directions from Persia:
Take Hwy 66 North
Cross the Holston River
Turn left at the second road on the left
This is Forest Hills Road
Follow above directions