Warming Grace

Blanket for Luke

  

When I posted way back at the end of March my original plan was to get the squares in, the blanket sewn up and sent off to Luke by the beginning of May.  Ah the plans of life.....

Squares were so generously sent in (thank you, thank you, thank you) and I had enough squares to begin the sewing by the beginning of May.  The ensuing months of May, June, July and August brought with them all manner of shit for me; health and personally (another post). 

My blogless buddy Carole who has put together a number of the blanket was up to her eyeballs, literally, dealing with the summer long garbage strike in Toronto.

Finally, in September (while in the midst of dealing with the H1N1 - yes, that would be ANOTHER post) I emailed Wannietta in a panic and asked her to sew the blanket together.  My guilt was huge...Luke was doing well but I had put myself out there and felt a tremendous sense of consternation that the blanket still wasn't done.  Wannietta sewed it together for me (beautifully I might add) and got it back pretty quickly - THANK YOU W!

It still took me another 3 weeks to get it sent off.  Finally, it is there.  Luke is in remission (and doing so well after a bone marrow transplant).  And he has the blanket.  And I am indebted to all of you who so generously sent such beautiful squares.

As always I am humbled by your generosity to this ongoing project.  I haven't named names (I was going to post the squares and the donors...and if I can get up the steam to do it I still will - you deserve so many kudos!!!!) but I do thank you all so very much.  Please don't stop sending the squares.  I am working on getting back on my feet (yet again) and plan to get more blankets out (this was blanket number 7 for the Warming Grace Project.  Again, thank you!

Calling for Squares

This is Luke.  He is 8 years old.  Luke was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myelogenus Leukemia) when he was 6 years old.  He had a successful bone marrow transplant when he was 7.  He had been in remission and in doing routine blood work this March it was discovered that Luke's AML has returned.  He is now scheduled to undergo chemotherapy, radiation treatment and hopefully another bone marrow transplant.

The Warming Grace project wants to send Luke a blanket.  I need 63 five inch squares in any shade of blue (Luke's favourite colour) in a soft yarn ASAP.

Calls for squares have been so successful and I thank you all so much.  We have had more than enough squares to complete 6 blankets so far which is awesome.  Unfortunately, many of the squares I have received have been unuseable for the following reasons:

1. Yarn - not soft, some downright scratchy (please rub it against your face or on the inside of your wrist)
2. Size - 5" is 5", not 3" or 6" - it is really hard to put together the blankets if they aren't relatively uniform
3. Quality - it is unfortunate that I have received squares that are so loosely knit they are unuseable, or there are huge holes in the middle or somewhere in the square.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the efforts people have put into knitting and sending squares; however I won't send out a blanket that is not first rate to a child who is putting up such a brave fight.

I am hoping that I can get lots of  5"  squares (and kid friendly colour in a nice soft yarn - please no acrylic), particularly in the blue shade as soon as possible.  If you can help out thank you sooooo much.  Email me at [email protected] for my snail mail address.  Post my request on your blog (there are so many blogs who have a much bigger readership than I do currently).  I thank you so much.  My goal is to get Luke his blanket by the beginning bit of May (taking into account mailing the squares, getting the blanket sewn together and mailed to Luke). 

A Blanket for Alisa

This is the blanket that was recently sent out to Alisa, a young girl who lives in Ontario and is currently undergoing treatment.

As always it turned out so well and I am in so in debt to all the knitters whose squares provided such a wonderful source of comfort for Alisa.  A huge thanks as well goes to my bestest friend Carole (blogless) who once again sewed and edged the blanket - you rock Carole!

Here are more photos of the blanket.  Get well soon Alisa!

A blanket for Megan

Megan is six years old and was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. She lives in Boston, MA and I heard about her through Amanda. 

This blanket was put together by Carole (blogless) just for Megan and sent off.  A huge thanks to both Amanda and Carole.

I know your thoughts and prayers are with Megan.

Happy Birthday Grace!

Grace is seven years old today.  She continues to be in remission and is thriving.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

A Photo of Simone and her blanket

Here is a photo of Simone and her blanket.  I have it on good authority (her mom) that she really loves it, although that does seem pretty obvious!

Unfortunately I am unable to get photos of all the kids  and their blankets.  Given the nature of  their illnesses and the varying prognosis I feel strongly that I will not  pester or harass anyone to give me  photos of their child and blanket. 

The most important thing for me is to simply get the kids their blankies.  They have so much going on that photos seem trivial.  I thank Ashley and her parents for their willingness to share, as I thank my brother, sister-in-law and Grace for their generosity in sharing Grace's story and photos.

I remain committed to the project and hope to have more updates/photos and blankets to share soon.

Grace has moved to a new home

Grace has moved here. Please come and visit.

Grace and her blanket

Grace and her blanket.  I think she really likes it!

Three Glorious, Wonderful Rockin' Blankets

I am back - sort of. I have to be very careful with my energy but Warming Grace is always on my mind and so close to my heart. I wanted to share with you these three lovely beauties (Justin's, Simone's and Grace's blankies from left to right).

This is my Mom and Dad (Jim and Jackie) holding Grace's blanket. Grace is their grand-daughter and I think they are quite pleased and proud to have this honour. Grace's blanket was pieced and edged by my best buddy Carole, who did an outstanding job! The blanket is just so gorgeous in person and oh so soft. There is a square in the blanket that has been knit by Briana who is just 9 years old - Briana, you get a huge shout out and a big thank you from me!

Carole did this fabulous ruffled edge on the blanket which is very girly (Grace will so appreciate that). Carole has been a godsend for me. While I have been MIA this summer she has taken on the task of collecting the squares I get, assigning sewers and working on more blankets herself. I cannot say how much this means to me. Thank you is so very inadequate however THANK YOU CAROLE!

Simone's blanket is above. Simone's blanket was sewn and edged by Ann. Actually Ann did not sew the blanket together; she knit all the squares together. She also knit the edging in this really fabulous manner (I have to get the details because the final result is so lovely looking). I do promise to post some closeups so that you can see the details. The softness is unbelievable. Thank you so much Ann! Justin's blanket was sewn together by a bunch of us at our sewing party way back when. Julia from Village Yarns sewed the panels together and began the edging which Dale finished. The result is wonderful and truly a collaborative effort. Thank you to everyone who helped with this blankie. Again this blankie is so soft and squishy perfect for a little boy!

Of course my biggest thanks goes out to all of you who have knit squares, are planning to knit squares and who have sent so much positive energy, thoughts and prayers this way. I can attest to the special energy the blankets have - they are absolutely wonderful and vibrate the love that has gone into them.

My goal is still to complete twenty blankets (Carole has finished another one which I will post soon I promise - there is a three year old named Hannah who will be the lucky recipient of this blanket - more on that as well). i promise to make sure the posts are regular and you are kept up to date.

Please keep sending the squares and the positive vibes; this is truly a special project!

An Update for Cindy

This is Cindy's husband Ed. Cindy has not been well the last few weeks (her Fibro, CFS and Lead Poisoning) so there have been no posts on Warming Grace. She is on the mend and hopes to be back up and running next week. I apologize for not being able to get back to all those who have sent squares for the project. Cindy will update all the administrative 'stuff' (emails, noting squares received, photos and the June 30th draw) as soon as she is back. She apologizes profusely and hopes to get all caught up soon. She does want you to continue sending squares. Her good friend Carole has taken over keeping all the squares in order and having them knit up so that on this end things are still running smoothly in that area. Grace, Simone's and Justin's blankets are done and will be on their way this week. I don't know how to load on the photos but again Cindy will post the photos as soon as she is back. They do look great. Please hang in there and thanks for your ongoing support of the project.