Blankets, Blankets and More Blankets.

What a great turn out for the Bluffton Self-Help blanket making project!  Thank you ladies for your time and creativity.  Below are a few pictures capturing the process from beginning to end.

Tudy Newlin cutting the selvage.

Lisa Daniels working diligently.

Nancy and Darlene work in tandem.

Gwen instructing Sue Burden and Jan Spears in the fine art of blanket making.

Getting down to business.

14 beautiful blankets!!

Make a Blanket, Help a Family

Seeing that one of my Italian grandmothers was a seamstress in New York City, one would believe that the sewing genes would have rubbed off on me.  However, this was not the case.  So when I heard about the "No-Sew" fleece blankets that were made on January 31, I was a little disappointed that I missed it.  Fear not because this upcoming Wednesday, there will be a repeat gathering at the Conservancy to make even more of these useful and colorful blankets.

Handmade by Maria Brittis

Handmade by Gwen Lyall

Taught by Gwen Lyall, these blankets took about an hour or so to make.  Aren't they fantastic?  When Joan dropped the blankets off at Bluffton Self-Help, it was in the middle of that cold snap we just endured and they couldn't have been more appreciative.  So we decided to go ahead and schedule another "class'; this time, the materials will be provided to make a total of ten blankets.  All you need to do is bring your scissors and show up next Wednesday (February 22) at 2 pm in the Conservancy where the tables are perfect for spreading out the fabric.  We are looking for twenty people (2 per blanket) so that we can complete our goal of ten.  Please come and learn a new skill as well as helping those in need.

Introducing the Board of Directors

Today, the Board of Directors met at Joan Lancaster's house to plan for the remaining season.  Pictured above, in clockwise fashion, are Joan Lancaster (president), Gwen Lyall, Nancy Waterhouse (treasurer), Pat Cole, Margie Backaus and Lee Mohan.  I begged out of the picture as the secretary/photographer.

We think we put together a fun yet informative agenda for the remaining 2011/2012 season.  In fact, keep next Wednesday afternoon open between 2 and 3 to partcipate in our latest project to help Bluffton Self-Help.  I will post again shortly with all the details....and pictures to whet your appetitie.

Bluffton Self-Help Receives Our Help

It was right after the Christmas holidays when an urgent cry for help was heard throughout the Bluffton community.  One of our relied upon non-profit organizations was urging residents to help supply the shelves with non-perishable goods and blankets. Bluffton Self Help had depleted their supplies and was unable to provide to those families and individuals that desperately needed food assistance.  The cry was heard and, without any hesitation, we gathered together bags of food to restock their shelves.

At our January 2012 meeting, our members brought over 23 bags of food to be delivered to Bluffton Self Help.  Pictured above is our president, Joan Lancaster and our January hostess, Jan Spears.  We could not have done it without all your help!  In fact, we will continue our efforts at each meeting to ensure that those shelves will (hopefully) never look as empty and hopeless as they do in the above picture.  Thank you ladies!