WINNERS - SmoothFox - Online Angels Charity Square Drive

$100.00 INDIVIDUAL WINNER -
KITTY JOHNSON -
SHE SENT 1,276 SQUARES AND EARNED 2,392 TOTAL POINTS
 

Hi Everyone!

I am thrilled to have won the SmoothFox - Online Angels Charity Contest. I didn't learn to crochet until I was 30. After making everyone I knew blankets I found a charity to send blankets to and also gave some to the church for their fund raiser. I stopped crocheting for several years. Having a break between careers I decided to pick up my crochet hook again. That's when I stumbled onto this blog and became totally "hooked" on Donna's patterns. Crocheting for Online Angels really helped me in between jobs. I'm so glad I could give back.

So, thank you Donna for your beautiful patterns that keep me crocheting and Mary for your great Charity Organization!

Kitty

$100.00 WINNING TEAM -
THREE STRANDS TOGETHER

THEY SENT IN 376 SQUARES AND EARNED 1,062 TOTAL POINTS

Our family has a number of talented crafters so last year we decided to start an Etsy store called Three Strands Together (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThreeStrandsTogether) that would showcase lots of our hand-crafted items. Originally we were three strong, Donna, Kelly and Dawn and were lucky enough to have Stephanie join a few weeks later. Combined we have close to 75 years of crochet and knitting experience. We are geographically scattered, so we really enjoy being able to bond and admire each other’s work through our Etsy store. Initially we sent a lot of emails back and forth but soon decided maybe a blog would let us share some of what we were doing with the rest of the world. We launched our blog - http://threestrandstogether.blogspot.com/ on April 23, 2011. We post a lot about the projects we’re working on, book and product reviews, needlework events, or anything else we’re doing at the moment. It’s proven to be a great way to stay updated and share tips, tricks or discoveries with everyone.

Charity drives have always been part of our crafting and we’ve been donating hand-made hats, scarves and mittens to our local community for a couple of years now. As a family, we also make a large food donation to an area food bank and were able to do that a number of times last year. The Smooth Fox Charity Squares drive seemed like the perfect way to continue giving back our time and talents to a very worthy cause. We are proud to have been named the Team Winners.

Random Drawing Winners -
SHARON BUSCHETTE - $25.00 GIFT CARD 

My mom taught me the basics of crochet when I was a teenager.  Over the years I picked it up and put it down to one degree or another, but about 3 years ago, I picked it up again and it suddenly became a passion for me.  My favorite thing to make is afghans, and I usually have a couple of those on the hook at any one time.    Although I occasionally make something for a family member, nearly everything I make gets donated to the local county hospital - from there it goes to the homeless, people in need, shelters for abused women, or wherever they think it will be of most use.  The thing I am most grateful for regarding crochet though is that it has given me a closer relationship with my mom - we go yarn shopping together all the time and can sit and talk about about projects and patterns for hours at a time.  Crocheting has really been a blessing in my life.

CHRISTINE CLYBURN - Web Cam for chatting (donated by Lori Cheney)

I first learned how to crochet by my grandmother when I was 4 years old. Crocheting is a part of my life now and I find time every day, whether early in the morning or in the evening, to crochet for at least one hour. I only crochet for charity which I find very satisfying. I wish I had more time, and hands to make more hats, scarves, blankets, etc. for those in need.

Thank you,
Christine Clyburn

GLORIA SCOTT - Assortment of 5 skeins of a recent new line of yarn from Red Heart called "With Love" or a gift card.  She chose the Gift Card from Hobby Lobby

My name is Gloria Scott.  I have been crocheting for the past 40 years on and off.  I love to crochet for charities and just for fun.  I have taught many people of all ages to crochet and hopefully we will have more charity squares to do this year. I can't wait to see. The photo is of me and my grand daughter and my son..

Thank you .

Lavina Chaffin - Susan Bates crocheted tote bag, "F" hook, 3 Skeins of Fun Fur (donated by Lori Cheney)
I have notified Lavina that she is a random winner but have not heard from her yet.  She is dealing with a very difficult situation in her family and my prayers go out to her.

UPDATE: FROM LAVINA

I have been crocheting since I was a teenager. My sister taught me and we were the only ones who did any crafts. I learned to knit in the 1960 when a co-worker taught some of us during the lunch hour. I also sew, do bead work and try to quilt.

Enjoli Pruden-Roberts - Mystery Yarn Assortment grab bag or a
Gift Card

My name is Enjoli. I currently reside in St Petersburg, FL. I am a wife and a mother to two wonderful, crazy kids. I learned to crochet when I was in High School. I’ve crocheted on and off ever since but just recently got back into crocheting with a vengeance. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have a lot of free time on my hands and have turned to crocheting as a therapeutic hobby. In my search for new patterns to try, I came across Donna’s blog and saw that she was hosting a Squares for Charity drive. I have always thought about doing it but didn’t know how to get the information, so finding this was a wonderful discovery. Each square I have made, I made with love. I hope whomever was blessed to receive the blanket built with some of my squares likes them as much as I enjoyed making them. I look forward to doing future Squares for Charity

Last push to get your squares in

There is still a chance you can be a random winner in the drawing for $25.00. All it takes is one square sent in with an entry form.  To receive an entry form, email  SmoothFoxHelperCindy@yahoo.com

The SmoothFox - Online Angels charity square drive contest ends on the 15th.  All squares must be in Mary's hands before midnight on the 15th to be counted towards the contest.    So please get those squares mailed in.  Mary sent me a few more entries today that she has received recently but I haven't updated the listing on the blog yet.

Thank you so much for your generosity everyone.

Donna

I couldn't have said it better Lori

Lori posted the following comment and I thought I'd share it with all of you incase you don't read the  individual comments on the blog. 

Dear fellow. SmoothFox Crochet & Knit followers all 100,000+ of you: Please get your squares in NOW! Christmas depends on us! Many people could take a few min. Of their time and make a 6x6 square And send in tomorrow using a couple stamps.

OnLine Angels is a wonderful nonprofit org. That will be donating blankets for those that need warmth or a hug from one of us! You never know when you might be in a situation that you JUST MIGHT need their help....Thanksgiving morning I had a 7week premature Grandson born who as of 12/14//2011 is still in the NICU in Yakima,WA. I certainly never planned on Jacob being born so early & sick! I never gave anyone a clue; however, my Grandson receives 3 handmade hats, blankets etc. Per day! Imagine yourself as a Grandma who hasn't even seen but 2 pics of the little guy. OnLine Angels has been providing the help for my grandson and all the other babies (12) in our NICU and all over U.S.! Blankets for needy mothers


Babies, Veterans....etc. We all have a yarn stash send some love for Donna aka SmoothFox & all the Angels! One square x 100,000 plus followers = 1. You feeling good! 2. Lots of happy people & kids who may not have a warm blanket and MOST of all a BIG THANK YOU to Donna aka SmoothFox for all the free patterns etc. She has given to us all! Get those needles clickin!

Lori Cheney

Naches, WA

Here is the original posting regarding charity squares.

I'm so afraid that the charity square drive will suffer due to how long it will take the mail to be received during the holiday's. So rather than waiting until too late in December to send in your squares, please begin sending them in now. I'll add your counts together plus you'll get more entries in the random drawing. Let's get some participation going!


Online Angels, Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901

Charity Squares for December

I'm so afraid that the charity square drive will suffer due to how long it will take the mail to be received during the holiday's. So rather than waiting until too late in December to send in your squares, please begin sending them in now.  I'll add your counts together plus you'll get more entries in the random drawing.  Let's get some participation going!

Online Angels, Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901

Begin sending in your November squares for the charity square drive

If you need an entry form to include with your square or squares, email Cindy at SmoothFoxHelperCindy@yahoo.com    and she will email the free pattern and the form.


Please send in your November knit or crochet squares for the charity square drive now.  So far, we are really running low on squares.  It looks like we have only have about 20 entries into the drawing.  Those 20 entries have pretty good odd's of winning the random prize drawing.  It would be nice to get a larger participation as the charity really needs your help.

Maybe people aren't aware that each month the square totals for your participation are added together to form your grand total to decide the winners of the larger prizes.  Remember however, that just sending in a couple of squares also enters you into the random prize.  The more entries you send in, the more times your name goes in the drawing. 

If you need an entry form to include with your square or squares, please email Cindy at SmoothFoxHelperCindy@yahoo.com and she will email the free pattern and the form. 

Donna

Knitted 6"x6" squares

These sites were recommended to me for those of you knitters looking to participate in the charity square drive.  I'm sure there are other sites out there with lots of patterns.  Just make sure they aren't too stretchy like a square that is knit one row and purl one row.

http://www.halfknits.com/knitting-6-inch-block-patterns/

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/motifs_squares.php

Donna

The more the merrier

UPDATE FOR THE CHARITY SQUARE DRIVE

A knitter asked me if she could send knitted squares so I have added points to the charity drive for those sending in knitted squares.  Your knitted squares do not need to be complicated.  They can be very simple.

UPDATE:  According to Barbara she said to mention not to make garter stitch squares as they stretch too much and are too hard to put a sc border around them.

UPDATE: Someone suggested this site for knitting patterns::
http://www.halfknits.com/knitting-6-inch-block-patterns/

Donna

Show some Love - Your help is still needed

Thank you very much for participating in our charity square drive.  It was such a huge success and we will do another drive in the future.  I had no idea that we would reach the first goal of 500 squares so quickly.  After achieving the goal we raised the goal to 1,000 and we also beat that goal.  During the 2 month span so many of you generous people sent in afghans, booties, squares, hats and more that our count ended at over 1,500 squares donated.  They will all go to good use.  From the bottom of my heart I wanted to thank you one and all.  I look forward to our next charity square drive in the future. 

As the SmoothFox charity drive comes to an end, your help is still needed.  Mary with Online Angels has notified me that they still are in desperate need of crocheted or knitted squares and afghans due to the Tornado damage and so many families who are homeless across the United States.  They have more requests than they can possibly fill. 

If you are interested in helping them out, here is the mailing information and Mary's email address so you can ask her your direct questions.  Remember you MUST put a note in with your items with your email address if you expect to be emailed that your items were received. Don't forget the Presidential Awards you can earn but you must let Mary know you are interested in having her track your donations towards a Presidential Award.

MAIL YOUR SQUARES, AFGHANS, BOOTIES ETC. TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:
Online Angels, Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901

Once again, don't forget to include your email address so that Mary can let you know your squares have been received. Her email is the only notice you will receive.
onlineangels@verizon.net is Mary's email address

BOOTIE CALL

BOOTIE CALL

BOOTIES AS IN BABY BOOTIES --- LOL

Mary over at Online Angels notified me of a need right now for Booties.  All sizes would be appreciated, Preemies, Newborns and 3 to 6 months size or 6 to 12 months. I'd say that the newborns and larger sizes would be in greatest need however, that is just my opinion. 

Both knit and crochet booties are great, however, don't use wool or cotton.  If you're in a position to help by making a pair or two or more, Online Angels would greatly appreciate it.  There are a lot of needy babies out in the world!

Once you're ready to mail them - please send them to 
Online Angels: Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901

Here is the link to CrochetPatternCentral under their bootie category:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_booties_mittens.php

For all you knitters out there - here is the link to KnittingPatternCentral under their bootie category:
http://knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_booties_mittens.php


Here are a few sites that have free easy bootie patterns.

http://glowcanpick.tripod.com/caddy8.html

http://www.coatsandclark.com/NR/rdonlyres/18DC34D7-C8DC-40E5-B711-558CA075659D/147067/LW1822.pdf

Here is Ravelry's link to some cute Booties
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/crochet/popular/booties

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-booties

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bevs-very-easy-newborn-booties

YOUR NAME WILL BE MENTIONED IN THE SPECIAL KUDO'S AWARDS SECTION IF YOU CROCHET AT LEAST 10 PAIRS OF BOOTIES OR KNIT AT LEAST 5 PAIRS OF BOOTIES