Cami & Liberty Bay Books

Living in a small town can be a wonderful thing, especially when you have a local, independent bookstore like Liberty Bay Books as a keystone on the main street.

Liberty Bay Books is owned by Suzanne, who offers many groups a place to gather in her cozy, welcoming store. A variety of book groups, free game nights, authors' events and the Liberty Bay Books Knitters are just a few of the community events hosted at LBB. The knitting group has been a long-time supporter of Katie's Comforters Guild, and they just contributed six blankets, two hats and a quilt. We don't often know who knit/crocheted which blanket, but in this case, one of them came with a label from Nancy Brennan, so we want to say "thank you" specifically to Nancy, and generally to the Liberty Bay Books Knitters. If you are ever in Poulsbo, stop in and check out the shop!

Nancy's soft and fuzzy knitted blanket

Suzanne's good friend Cami is one of our dear neighbors. Cami is a busy world traveler who still makes time to do things for others; she recently donated 32 fleece blankets in various themes (including University of Washington Huskies, Washington State University Cougars and Seattle Seahawks designs) which are sure to please sports-loving patients and their families! Thank you, Cami!

Thirty-two fleece blankets from Cami, ready to delight sick children!

We are grateful to our local community for its caring and support of Katie's Comforters Guild!

Yarn Donations

We are always grateful to receive inquiries from people interested in donating to Katie's Comforters Guild, whether it's time, talent, treasure or materials they have to share. Recently, we received two offers of yarn, which we truly appreciate.

In some cases, we can coordinate donations so that the materials go directly to our guild's friends or members who need them for making quilts or blankets. We've done this with fabric, and are about to do it again with a yarn donation from Mandy L.

Sometimes, there is too much material for us to take (storage space is an issue), or there isn't a specific need to coincide with the timing of a donor's need to move materials. In that case, we give our thanks, and ask that another charity be the recipient.

Mandy L. is sending her yarn directly to Liberty Bay Books' Knitters. Here is a photo of her son with the yarn she is donating,

and here is one of her son with his own beloved, knitted blanket. His sweet smile confirms that blankets really do bring comfort!

Thank you, Mandy! ...and thanks to all who offer donations to Katie's Comforters Guild!

Liberty Bay Books Supports Katie's Comforters Guild

I stopped into our local "Indie" (independent) bookstore, Liberty Bay Books, and the owner, Suzanne said that she had a donation for us. Suzanne's bookstore is a hub of activity in our little town (I just typed "hug of activity" - it feels like that in the store: warm, inviting and enriching). Suzanne and her staff host book signings, book clubs (cookbook groups even get to sample recipes), game nights and a knitting group, among other things. The Liberty Bay Books Knitters have kindly donated a fleece and two knitted/crocheted blankets, which you can see here:

Something for everyone here - variety of color, material, design and texture

Thank you, Suzanne, 

and Liberty Bay Books Knitters! 

Katie's Comforters Guild 

appreciates your support!

Four New Blankets

Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo is one of our beloved, consistent local supporters. We are grateful to them for so many things they do, for example: their knitting circle, which provides a variety of hand-knit squares, patiently knit into blankets for our guild; sharing our message with their clientele, and occasional delivery service of blankets. Last week, without fanfare, employee Nathaniel H. kindly showed up at our door with these two FUN knitted blankets.

Some of these squares are made of super-soft, fuzzy yarn, and some are made with tickly, shag-style yarn. Both of them will provide warmth and sensory stimulation for patients in the hospital.

Thank you, Liberty Bay Books Knitters

& Nathaniel!

Katie's Comforters Guild's Vice President, Mary Ryan, and her daughter, Briana, are also great helpers in our work. In addition to bringing the attention of their church's youth group to our mission - and enlisting the group's support - they contribute their own time, talent and materials to the hospital. The two soft, cheerful blankets pictured below were donated by Mary and Briana in memory of Mary's mother-in-law. Don't you just love the shamrock theme as we draw near to St. Patrick's Day?

Thank you, Mary and Briana!

Linda W. & Liberty Bay Books' Knitters

I just opened a bag and found these treasures inside. Linda W. has made a variety of quilts with her creativity which will delight each recipient in the hospital! Also included was a darling knitted blanket from the Liberty Bay Books' Knitting Group.

Check out the upper right-hand corner of this close-up photo and see what Linda included with the quilt:

a pair of ballet slippers, to match!
Slippers are always welcome in the hospital - what a great idea.

Linda is a talented quilter, and you can see that she has a real eye for design, color and pattern.
Thank you, Linda W. and Liberty Bay Books' Knitters!

Gratitude for Support from Liberty Bay Books

We are blessed to have an independent, locally-owned bookstore in our town. Liberty Bay Books may be located in a small town, but it has a HUGE heart! The store hosts a knitting group which kindly supports Katie's Comforters Guild with their time and talent. Here is their latest donation:

four knitted and crocheted blankets in a variety of colors and textures, all warm and cozy.

Thank you, Suzanne Droppert and 

Liberty Bay Books Knitters!

Liberty Bay Books Knitting Group

The lovely ladies of Liberty Bay Books' Knitting Group have done it again! Here are their latest contributions to Katie's Comforters Guild:

We give thanks for the knitters, and for Suzanne, owner of Liberty Bay Books, who welcomes their group to her independent, local bookstore in downtown Poulsbo, WA!

Knitted With Healing Intention

Our kindly neighbor, Nathaniel, of Liberty Bay Books delivered this soft, delicate blanket to me over the weekend. It was made by one of Liberty Books' knitting group.

It arrived in a pretty gift bag, with a tag which says:

"Healing Energy to you from Diane."

What a lovely gift, and what a blessed intention!

The good folks at Liberty Bay Books posted a photo on their facebook page, showing Diane holding the blanket with a copy of my book:

Photo credit: Liberty Bay Books' facebook page

Thank you, Diane, 

and 

Liberty Bay Books' Knitters!

More of Linda's Spirit of "Aloha"

Living in a small town has its joys - like a local, independent bookstore such as Liberty Bay Books. 
LBB is a sort of "town hall," where people gather, not only to purchase books and gifts, but for book clubs (including wine & book club), knitting circle, author's events, to buy a hot or cold drink, and to drop off/pick up items left for one another. In other words, it functions a little bit like the post office or telephone switchboard did in days of yore. We are thankful for LBB!

We just received a donation of four more lovely Hawaiian-themed quilts from Linda K-H, which she dropped off for us at Liberty Bay Books. One of the employees, Nathaniel, delivered them to me on his way home from work. Now THAT's service, above and beyond the call of duty! Thank you, Nathaniel!

Here are Linda's latest creations, filled with "Aloha" spirit:

I LOVE that flower-and-leaf-printed flannel which she used for three of the quilts - how great that it comes in a variety of vibrant colors!

Thank you, Linda, Nathaniel and Liberty Bay Books!

Great Gifts from Great People

We've received some great gifts this month from cherished donors. Lucile & Noble have done it again - she has made 34 new quilts and blankets for our guild!

I want to show you each beautiful quilt and blanket Lucile has made, but they are so well packed that I hesitate to remove them. Believe me when I say they are a veritable rainbow of delightful designs!

And we have a new friend, Linda W., who is one of the Liberty Bay Books Knitters. Linda is also a quilter, and a talented one at that. Here is her latest creation, guaranteed to warm the heart (and hospital bed) of a young patient:

Thank you, Lucile & Noble and Linda!

Two New Quilts

We've just received two beautiful new quilts from different sources. One came from Linda W. of  Liberty Bay Books' knitting group, and its rainbow pastel colors and Winnie-the-Pooh theme are going to make a little child very happy.

The other was created by Megan M. as her senior project - she just graduated from high school. Congratulations, Megan! Here she is, holding it.

Her quilt is larger, and will bring great delight an older patient.

If you know a senior in high school who needs inspiration for a graduation project, please consider suggesting a quilt or blanket-making project to him/her. We have lots of fabric and pattern resources to share, and will be happy to provide information to make it easy.

We are always happy to support people who want to organize a blanket-making event or fundraiser for our guild. We also love to welcome new members, whether adults or junior members. If you know someone who might like to join us, please give them a link to this blog, our facebook page, THIS LINK to sign up directly at Seattle Children's Hospital's website, or have them email me directly. You can help us keep comfort flowing to sick children by helping our group to grow, and by making blankets with us! It's fun, and it feels great to bring comfort to a child in the hospital.

Thank you, Linda and Megan!

Happy New Year 2013

Today, I had the pleasure of a meeting with Lucile & Noble. I was able to give Lucile three bags of donated flannel fabric, and she & Noble gave 22 beautiful, new quilts to our guild so that we can give them to Seattle Children's Hospital:

Here are 10 of the 22 Lucile made recently

Suzanne Droppert gathered and donated a batch of knitted/crocheted blankets from her Liberty Bay Books store's Knitting Group. Our guild's friend, Cami, delivered them to us:

Cozy and attractive blankets from Liberty Bay Books' Knitting Group

Thank you, Lucile & Noble!

Thank you, Suzanne, Cami and Liberty Bay Books' Knitters!

 You are helping us to bring comfort into the hospital room of a sick child, and we appreciate it. We can't do it without you!

Thank you, Liberty Bay Knitters!

Our guild's friend, Suzanne Droppert, owner of Liberty Bay Books, sent a message last week that she had some new blankets for us, donated by the Liberty Bay Books knitting group. These kind ladies work quietly and with no fanfare, donating blankets here and there through out the year to comfort children. This batch, delivered by friend and neighbor Cami, is sure to please.

Those three fleece blankets are cozy as can be, and will be perfect for little babies in the NICU. The crocheted blanket is so soft, it feels like cashmere!

Thank you, Liberty Bay Knitters!

REMINDER:  I have boxes and bags of beautiful, brand-new fabric for those of you who wish to sew. Please contact me so that together, we can turn it into comfort for patients at Seattle Children's Hospital - the need is great!
 Thank you!

Fleece & Knitting

Last week, our planned "Stitch 'n' Bitch" had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Because I had already set the day aside for the activity, I got out the fleece which has been donated and started cutting fringe! I was able to finish 13 fleece blankets for the hospital.

When added to a batch of five fleece blankets made by Cami,

and two knitted blankets from Liberty Bay Books' knitting group,

we were able to donate 20 blankets to the hospital! Our friend (and Seattle Children's Hospital R.N.) Tracie made the delivery for us when she went in to work.

Thank you, fleece donors, 
Cami, 
Liberty Bay Books' Knitters, and 
Tracie!