A Benefit for our Canadian Branch

Hi Northeasters,

I received this message from the Western Canada Oddball KAL group, and am happy to share it with you:

"Our little branch of the Oddball KAL has grown so big that we have had to incorporate it as a Charitable Society. We are raising funds to do this by holding an online auction June 15-19th which can be found at http://wcobbs.auctionsalacarte.com/babyblankets."

Info is also available on their blog: http://wcobbs.blogspot.com/

Best,

Spikey

News from the Hospital

I received a lovely letter from Bridgeport Hospital yesterday.  It's a wonderful reminder of the simple yet profound influence that we are having on the little ones in the greater Bridgeport, CT area.

"Thank you and all the members of the Northeast Regional Group for your recent donation of 14 hand-knitted baby blankets for our P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center. As you know our young patients and their parents truly appreciate them. Rest assured that the children definitely feel the "love and good wishes" of the talented individuals who make these beautiful gifts possible." "Please thank all of your fellow knitters for continuing to think of our littlest patients and thank you for taking the time to send them to us. We deeply appreciate your generosity." "Best wishes to all involved for a very happy and healthy summer."

Congratulations to all who have helped enliven the Bliss!

Memorial Memories

During this long weekend of beautiful weather, family gatherings and the beginning of summer, I hope everyone finds just a quiet moment to reflect on why we celebrate Memorial Day. Remember those who have served our country, past and present, and hold those memories in your awareness.

And like that, take time to remember the role you have played as a co-creator of our Oddball Baby Blankets. Whether you've contributed to the larger worsted weight blankets or the smaller preemie blankets (or both!), your energy, talents, and focus have continued to make the Northeast Oddball Baby Blanket Group very active and very successful. You have enlivened the bliss of so many families and little ones in the Philadelphia and greater Bridgeport, CT areas. Thanks to your efforts, the recipients of our blankets will have nothing but good memories when they receive and take home our Oddball Baby Blankets.

To date, deliveries of worsted weight blankets to Bridgeport Hospital's Pediatrics Unit are as follows:

1st delivery: November 26, 2008 - 6 blankets (with 3 others added from other sources)

2nd delivery: February 26, 2009 - 12 blankets

3rd delivery: May 24, 2009 - 14 blankets for a grand total of 32 worsted weight baby blankets delivered to Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT since we began this project in August, 2008!!

Here is a quick summary of the fourteen (14) worsted weight blankets currently in circulation as of May 25, 2009.

Completed, but not received:

It's a Girl and Cupcakes

Nearing completion:
Neon Fun and It's a Boy


Our Newest - and Current Blankets include:

A Whole New World (blues, yellows, reds, purples, whites, etc.)
gmmarton (done)
hamham (ready)
SuzieHM
sugarmagknowya
justbeth
bobi1218
gmmarton (Border)


Under the Sea (bright pinks, yellows, blues, greens, etc.)
gmmarton (done)
hamham (ready)
kellee0302
sugarmagknowya
justbeth
bobi1218
gmmarton (Border)


Blissful Blues (various shades of blue):
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
robkat317 (ready)
justbeth
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Tropical Plantation (tropical colors):

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
knead2knit (done)
colbysmimi (waiting?)
#6 slot - open
gmmarton (Border)

April Showers (rainy day colors):

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (working)
justbeth
SuzieHM
knead2knit
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Sherbet (pastels)

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
justbeth (done)
MGM (working) (will also do the border)


Marshmallow (all white: pure/soft/off white):
gmmarton (done
sugarmagknowya (done)
missyjoon (ready)
hamham
colbysmimi
mdc550 (will also do the border)


Dogwood (pinks, peaches, soft greens, soft whites) (think dogwood tree!)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
robkat317 (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
bobi1218 (working)
knittinginhudson
sandycloset (border)


Lollipop (bright shades)
gmmarton (done)
SeeRosieKnit (done)
sandycloset (done)
missyjoon (working)
hamham
MGM (will also do the border)


Flower Power ("gardener's choice)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
justbeth (done)
sandycloset (working)
skein123
sugarmagknowya (will also do border patrol)

The Latest Delivery...Part II

Part II of the latest delivery to the Pediatrics Unit at Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT includes these worsted weight baby blankets:

Leprechaun:

  Created by gmmarton, knitterluvspurls, justbeth, knittinginhudson, kellee0302, mdc550 (who also did the border).

Circus Circus (in honor of Bridgeport's very own Phineas T. Barnum):

  Created by gmmarton, missyjoon, knitterluvspurls, mdc550, Spikey, suzieHM, and MGM (border).

Hues of Blues:

  Created by gmmarton, missyjoon, kidpal51, robkat317, GinnyG, and gmmarton (border).

Spring Fling:

  Created by gmmarton, sandycloset, knitterluvspurls, hamham, sugarmagknowya, missyjoon, and gmmarton (border).

The Big Apple:

  Created by gmmarton, missyjoon, knitterluvspurls, suzieHM, knittinginhudson, colbysmimi and gmmarton (border).

Banana Split: (I love the cherry look on top!)

  Created by gmmarton, hamham, knitterluvspurls, missyjoon, sugarmagknowya, colbysmimi and gmmarton (border).

Vanilla Creme:

  Created by gmmarton, missyjoon, knitterluvspurls, suzieHM, GinnyG, kidpal51 and gmmarton (border).

The Latest Delivery...Part I

At long last, push has come to shove, and the fourteen (14) worsted weight blankets sitting on my daybed have finally been washed, dried, checked, labeled and packed up for delivery to the good folks at Bridgeport Hospital's Pediatrics Unit.  

This is the first of two deliveries (7 blankets listed) I organized this Memorial Day Weekend for the little ones.  

Thanks, everyone, for your support.  Please know that your efforts are well received.

Candy Cane:

  Created by gmmarton, Spikey, missyjoon, justbeth, bobi1218, mdc550 (who also did the border).

Creamsicle:

  Created by gmmarton, missyjoon, kidpal51, GinnyG, knitterluvspurls, threesmom, and gmmarton (border).

Seaside Park (in honor of Bridgeport's most famous park):

  Created by gmmarton, kidpal51, colbysmimi, justbeth, bobi1218, robkat317, and MGM (border).

Northeast Rainbow II:

  Created by MGM, threesmom, gmmarton, robkat317, kidpal51, bobi1218 and gmmarton (border).

Crayons:

  Created by gmmarton, sugarmagknowya, missyjoon, bobi1218, justbeth, robkat317, mdc550, Spikey, gmmarton (border).

New Year's Parade:

  Created by threesmom, bobi1218, missyjoon, gmmarton, hamham, knittinginhudson and mdc550.

Butterfly Kisses:

  Created by gmmarton, Spikey, colbysmimi, justbeth, bobi1218, and sugarmagknowya  (who also did the border).

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day!

And what a happy day it was as the mail brought me two more worsted weight blankets that are just waiting for their crocheted borders and finishing touches. Congratulations to all of our northeastern knitters and crochet folks who have been working so hard all year on our Northeast Oddball Baby Blankets. Whether you've contributed to the preemie collection or the worsted weight blankets (or even both!), please know that Spikey and I truly appreciate your creativity, time and energy in making our baby blanket project such a resounding success.

Here is a quick summary of what worsted weight blankets have been completed, are nearing completion, and are yet to reach the "completed" stage.

Completed Worsted Weight Blankets include:
Leprechaun

Northeast Rainbow II
New Year's Parade
Vanilla Creme
Candy Cane
Butterfly Kisses
Hues of Blues
Crayons
Creamsicle
Circus Circus
Seaside Park and
Spring Fling

Completed, But Not Yet Received:

It's a Girl and Cupcakes

Nearing Completion:
Neon Fun, It's a Boy, The Big Apple and Banana Split


Our Newest - and Current Blankets include:
A Whole New World (blues, yellows, reds, purples, whites, etc.)
gmmarton (done)
hamham (ready)
SuzieHM
sugarmagknowya
justbeth
bobi1218
gmmarton (Border)


Under the Sea (bright pinks, yellows, blues, greens, etc.)
gmmarton (done)
hamham (ready)
kellee0302
sugarmagknowya
justbeth
bobi1218
gmmarton (Border)


Blissful Blues (various shades of blue):
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (working)
robkat317
justbeth
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Tropical Plantation (tropical colors):

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
knead2knit (ready)
colbysmimi
#6 slot - open
gmmarton (Border)

April Showers (rainy day colors):

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (working)
justbeth
SuzieHM
knead2knit
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Sherbet (pastels)

gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
justbeth (done)
MGM (will also do the border)


Marshmallow (all white: pure/soft/off white):
gmmarton (done
sugarmagknowya (done)
missyjoon (ready)
hamham
colbysmimi
mdc550 (will also do the border)


Dogwood (pinks, peaches, soft greens, soft whites) (think dogwood tree!)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
robkat317 (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
bobi1218 (working)
knittinginhudson
sandycloset (border)


Lollipop (bright shades)
gmmarton (done)
SeeRosieKnit (done)
sandycloset (done)
missyjoon (working)
hamham
MGM (will also do the border)


Flower Power ("gardener's choice)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
justbeth (done)
sandycloset (working)
skein123
sugarmagknowya (will also do border patrol)

Happy spring, Happy Cinco de Maya, and most of all, Happy Knitting!!

Spring Has Sprung...and Two New Blankets Are in the Works!

I hope this posting finds our Northeast Regional knitting and crocheting friends basking in the bliss of spring-like weather. It has been a long time coming here in the northeast, and I am grateful for every moment of warmer weather.

It has been quite a productive week as eleven worsted weight blankets are now ready for delivery to the good folks at Bridgeport Hospital's Pediatrics Center. Cupcakes and It's a Girl have recently been completed and are on their way to my address for a total of thirteen completed worsted weight blankets. Wow!

These blankets include:

Northeast Rainbow II

New Year's Parade

Vanilla Creme

Candy Cane

Butterfly Kisses

Hues of Blues

Crayons

Creamsicle

Circus Circus

Seaside Park and

Spring Fling

I will be starting two more worsted weight baby blankets in the next few weeks, A Whole New World and Under the Sea. Slots are available on both blankets, so feel free to send me a PM if you are interested in working on the above.

There are still a few open slots for other worsted weight blankets, including Tropical Plantation (2 slots open) and Marshmallow (1 slot open). Again interested knitters can send me a PM and you will be added to the list.

The updated list includes the following:

A Whole New World (blues, yellows, reds, purples, whites, etc.)

gmmarton

hamham

SuzieHM

sugarmagknowya

Under the Sea (bright pinks, yellows, blues, greens, etc.)

gmmarton

hamham

kellee0302

sugarmagknowya

Blissful Blues (various shades of blue):
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (ready)
robkat317
justbeth
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Tropical Plantation (tropical colors):
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (ready)
knead2knit
colbysmimi
#6 slot - open
Border - open

April Showers (rainy day colors):
gmmarton
missyjoon
justbeth
SuzieHM
knead2knit
sandycloset (will also do the border)

Marshmallow (all white: pure/soft/off white) :
gmmarton (done)
sugarmagknowya (ready)
missyjoon

hamham
colbysmimi
mdc550 (will also do the border)

These are the Northeast Oddball Worsted Weight Baby Blankets currently in circulation:

Neon Fun (bright colors)
Spikey (done)
hamham (done)
knittinginhudson (done)
suzieHM (working)
colbysmimi
gmmarton (will also do the border)

It's a Girl ("girl" shades)
gmmarton (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
hamham (done)
justbeth (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
sandycloset (done)

It's a Boy ("boy" shades)
gmmarton (done)
sandycloset (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
sugarmagknowya (done)
knittinginhudson (done)
stevedallas (ready; will also do the border)

Leprechaun (shades of green)
gmmarton (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
justbeth (done)
knittinginhudson (done)
kellee0302 (done)
mdc550 (working; will also do the border)

Banana Split (think "Banana Split!")
gmmarton (done)
hamham (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
missyjoon (done)
sugarmagknowya (done)
colbysmimi (working)
gmmarton (border)

The Big Apple (shades of red)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
knitterluvspurls (done)
suzieHM (done)
knittinginhudson (done)
colbysmimi (done)
gmmarton (waiting)

Sherbet (pastels)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
hamham (done)
knitterluvspurls (working)
threesmom/justbeth
MGM (will also do the border)

Dogwood (pinks, peaches, soft whites) (think dogwood tree!)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
robkat317 (done)
knitterluvspurls (ready)
bobi1218
knittinginhudson
sandycloset (border))

Lollipop (bright shades)
gmmarton (done)
SeeRosieKnit (done)
sandycloset (done)
missyjoon (ready)
hamham
MGM (will also do the border)

Flower Power ("gardener's choice)
gmmarton (done)
missyjoon (done)
justbeth (done)
sandycloset (working)
skein123
sugarmagknowya (will also do border patrol)

Great thanks to the many volunteers who have been working on the Northeast Regional Oddball Baby Blankets. Your focus, creativity, energy and commitment have made a world of difference to so many little ones and their families in the greater Bridgeport community.