1. It’s January; it’s time to remember to write ’09 instead of  ’08.

2. Blogging inspiration is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like Oreos and milk.

4. Hot soup on a cold day is so nourishing.

5. Let us dare to …...

6. There’s lots of love in my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching movies with the hubby, tomorrow my plans include some much needed housecleaning and Sunday, I want to see what the wind blows in!

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We left our house around 9:30 in the morning, excited about what was ahead of us! We traveled down a looooong dirt and gravel road to get to Camp John Marc. We were wondering if we’d ever arrive when around a curve stood their welcoming gates! After signing in at the office, we waited for Shelly and her crew to arrive, which they did shortly after. It was a pleasure finally meeting Shelly in person. We had talked on the phone and email, but this was our first meeting!

We were invited to have lunch with the campers and I don’t think a sandwich has ever tasted so good! Watching the kids in the cafeteria was a pleasure, the laughter was flowing and our little table was beaming!

After lunch we separated into two groups to pass out the afghans and bags. Miss Priss, Shelly’s sister, Bernice Renice and I went to one end of the cabins while Shelly, her husband Eric, and Rebecca headed to the other end. Now, here’s where I just can’t put into words what it felt like to see those kids faces light up when they saw the afghans and bags. It was a sight that will forever be branded in my memory and heart. As we passed out the afghans and bags, I told them about the hundreds of people who worked so hard to put them together, and how each square was made by someone different from all corners of the world. They were amazed. In one cabin Miss Priss had passed out all the bags and a little boy came running over to her and hugged her while saying thank you over and over again! I was so happy to have my daughter with me to share in this experience.

When we got to the older boys, I wasn’t sure how they would take to the afghans to be honest. Teenage boys can be harsh. But not these guys!!! Hearing this melted my heart as one teen boy was sitting on his bed, rubbing the afghan I hear him say, “It’s so freakin’ soft! Cool!!”   It was the small whispers, the hugs, the looks of wonder on the kids faces that made working on this project so awesome.

We met up with the other team, and shared with them the last cabin of girls…these girls loved the squares and reading where each one came from! They loved the bags that so many of you put so much work into! Two of the counselors from this cabin are from my town, (hi girls!) and they want to learn how to crochet now!! Watching these girls admire the afghans and  bags was so much fun, but it was their rest time and we needed to let them rest…but to honest, I don’t think they did!

We had time to kinda come down off the buzz we were on by our hosts giving us a tour of the camp. There is an outdoor chapel that was so peaceful. The feeling there was pure serenity. 

Morning Star Chapel, when the sun rises, it shines through that opening!

We left the chapel and headed to “The Silo”  which is a rainy day building….they really want a rainy day and I saw why! This building was amazing.

The “Silo” an amazing activities building!

You walked under the silo and looked up and they had wall/rock climbing in there!

Care to try?

When you walked into the front doors it was easy to see why this was a favorite area at camp! In the lodge area all along the wall told the story of Camp John Marc, which was named for a young boy who loved the outdoors. There was a costume room, a teaching kitchen that was wonderful, a dark room with all the equipment, library, and even some creepy crawlies…..some in cages, some not!

The amazing murals throughout the building were done by a former patients sister who came to camp. It’s the pay it forward of the camp!

The story of Camp John Marc

Creepy crawlie walking across the floor!!

This camp is gorgeous and has so much to offer it’s campers! Miss Priss is thinking about volunteering next year after this experience.

I didn’t cry till I heard one of the camp volunteers tell us what an impact this would make on these kids. That every time they look at and use these afghans they will remember their week at camp, and all the people who made it for them. It was then the impact hit….we did it. Thanks to all of you who helped, crocheted, sewed, donated time and money. It wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you all!

Here’s the link to my Flickr, if you want to see the photos of our day at camp you must view them through Flickr.  If you have a Flickr account, you have to be my “friend” to see them. Setting up an account is free, and only takes a couple of minutes. Sign up for an  account, then go to my Flickr page and make a friend request. We have to protect the kids first and foremost.

We did it, and it was amazing!!! I still can’t believe it’s over! I’ll post more about the day at Camp Sanguinity later, right now, I’m exhausted and Shelly said it best, “it’s a good exhausted!”

Here’s the link to my Flickr, if you want to see the photos of our day at camp you must view them through Flickr.  If you have a Flickr account, you have to be my “friend” to see them. Setting up an account is free, and only takes a couple of minutes. Sign up for an  account, then go to my Flickr page and make a friend request. We have to protect the kids first and foremost.

Til later….

It’s been a year in the works. Many hands have been involved from around the world. The day has finally arrived, we deliver the 140 Share-A-Square afghans to Camp Sanguinity!! I’ve been working all day on getting the bags all together, putting little goodies in them and making sure everything I was responsible for will not disappoint Shelly or the campers!!! (I tend to obsess, just ask Shelly!   )  I’m so excited and I can’t wait to come back and share with you all! 

If you want to see what all the excitement is over, take a look at the afghan gallery on Flickr! It’s a beautiful thing!

1.  I’ve been talking about the “Share A Square“ project for a year now, which means it just celebrated it’s One Year Anniversary!   There has been such a huge outpouring of love for this project that it has been exciting and a privilige to be a part of it!

2.  Along with “Share A Square” we had the “SAS Bag Project” and just like the afghans, people stepped right up and answered the call! Today’s 13 I wanted to share with you photos of those bags that were made to go with each afghan. Each bag will hold the tags that hangs from each square from the one who made it. Once the child who receives their afghan, they will be able to keep all their tags in a cute bag as a wonderful keepsake thanks to all the great volunteers.

3. 

Miki M. - Japan

4. 

K.D. – Tennessee

5.

Linda M. – Florida

6.

Mandy L.  – Texas

7.

Sherry L. – Texas

8.

Mandy L. – Texas

9.

Mandy L. – Texas

10.

Sherry & Mandy L. – Texas

11.

Cindy D. – Texas

12.  I have another five bags on their way so as soon as I get them I’ll post a photo of those too! Shelly, the creator of SAS has made some bags also.  Barbara who had the task of getting 70 bags also has reached her goal. So all that’s left…getting it all together and delivering the afghans and bags to the kids of Camp Sanguinity!

13.  You know I absolutely love the idea of Share a Square, and the reason for the afghans. But I really wish kids didn’t have a need for these afghan’s & that there was no cancer in the world.

Thanks to everyone for your help and support for SAS and the Bag Project!  

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If you have ever visited my blog in the past year, you have read something about the “Share A Square” project. I have been honored to be a part of this amazing project since the beginning. It’s creator, Shellie has reached in every corner of her heart and she’s reached others from all corners of the world! The finishing touches of the afghans are being done now! There will be some very happy children this year!

The one thing I know we haven’t reached our goal with is the “SAS Bag Project.” Barbara and I are heading up this project to give Shellie a little break, but time is growing near and we are getting in need of bags!! Barbara is ahead of me by a long shot, she is only needing 22 bags to complete her total of 70 bags! I need 46 to complete my 70!!! Now I am not beyond begging, but I’m not going to “beg” just yet….I’m going to plead to my readers to reach into their big, warm, fluffy hearts to participate!

Please, if you would like to participate in this wonderful project email me: yrgarden AT gmail DOT com, if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them!!

And let me just add this, you don’t have to crochet to participate with the Bag Project! Any handmade bag will do!! Use your imagination, creativity is the key! Here’s some examples…

For more pictures and ideas visit Barbara at The Purple Moose and Shellie at This Eclectic Life!!

We did something yesterday that, well I haven’t done in years! We went bowling! We went to one of those mega complexes, bowling alley, game room, laser tag, billiards, etc. I have to admit, I just wasn’t getting the neon colored bowling balls, the feeling that you had no space in your own lane because they cram you in like sardines and all the cotton pickin’ parties! The constant announcements over the intercom announcing “Party So-So report to Blah-blah” was annoying. It was like bowling on crack.

I miss the old bowling alley’s where you have a lane to yourself and you didn’t have to sit on top of twenty other people. I also missed the lane etiquette, where the person beside you waited till you threw your ball, didn’t run up and throw their ball when you were standing there getting ready to throw. So rude and it threw me off every.single.time!!! I could never find a decent ball, of course all the balls were either neon green, neon pink or neon purple but the holes were funky…do you remember the old bowling alley’s, all the different balls there were and there was always one that was perfect for you.

Plus I must admit, I love kids, I really do. Can’t wait to have my own grandkids one day in the far future. But some people do not control their children!! We had several experiences of kids wandering over to our lane about to throw their ball down our lane, or even walking in front of one of us as we were about to throw the ball. Where were their parents?? The absolute worst was the young couple who came to “share” our space so to speak, they had two little ones, one that was a crawler. Miss Priss was up, the woman just let the crawler loose and the crawler was under Miss Priss’s legs!!! The woman just stood there watching!!!! Miss Priss is looking back at the woman like, “I’m trying to bowl here lady, take your kid”, but the woman was the type who thought her child was so precious that we all should share her opinion! I was furious. Not only was she endangering her child, but she showed that she did not value her job as a mother for keeping her child safe. Thankfully, we were on our last frames, so we packed it up and left.

But, for the general event of bowling it was fun. I beat everyone the first game! Huge surprise! My future DIL, almost beat me, but I pulled it out in the end! Big D was the winner of our last game. I’m sore today, used some different muscles. I’m looking in this area for a good ol’ bowling alley, we’d like to bowl more often but I won’t be going back to one of those mega lane places any time soon.

And just alittle friendly reminder –

I’ve been asked by the creator of Share A Square to be part of this exciting endeavor along with Barbara of Purplemoose Gazette. The story goes that the first young man who received the first SAS afghan didn’t want to remove the tags that are attached to each and every square identifying the maker of that square. He was finally convinced to remove the tags so not to tear them, but this sparked an idea of SAS creator, Shelly of The Eclectic Life, to let’s include a small handmade bag with each afghan to hold all the beautiful tags!

Thus birthed the idea for Share A Square, Bag Project! This is where you come in! We need your help, and you can be as creative as you like! Oh, did I hear you say you can’t crochet? So what! We are looking for bags that kids would love, so sew it, bead it, crochet it, knit it, felt it! Creativity is the key!

Just a few guidelines for the Share A Square, Bag Project

1. We are limiting how many bags each person should make to 5. Why? To have large variety, and to let those who were not able to participate in crocheting for SAS to participate.

2. Email me at yellowrosesgarden AT gmail DOT com to let me know you are participating. Also to get the address as to where to send the finished bags.

3. How big should the bag be? Remember this bag is to hold 48 tags, so a 6 inch drawstring bag would be ideal! But then again, creativity is the key! Make them fun, colorful but durable!

If you need a pattern or just some inspiration, check out some of these links for ideas and patterns. (I’ll add more when I come across more and if you have a pattern you’d like to share, please let me know!)

Crocheted Drawstring Bag

Jewel Bow Drawstring Bag

Sew a Drawstring Bag

Simple Drawstring Bag

Sewn Drawstring Bag

Little Beaded Bag sent in by Linda in FL

Want to help? Here’s how:

Advertise Share A Square, Bag Project on your website.

Link this page!

Spread the word!

Post one of a button or banner on your Blog: