Sunshine from Tanya S.

Our Vice President & Gratitude Ambassador, Mary Ryan, wrote the following:

"A friend of our guild, Tanya S., has been at it again and created this beautiful new knit blanket as a donation for a special someone at Seattle Children's. Tanya is very humble about her knitting talents and always graciously brushes off any compliments with a quiet smile and gentle laugh.

"The yarn she chose for this cuddly project is so soft to the touch and the color is a cheery sunshine yellow that is just as soft spoken as Tanya. I'm sure the child who receives it will feel the warm hugs of each and every stitch! Thank you so much, Tanya, for your thoughtful, comforting gift!"


...and thank you, Mary, for delivering this beautiful blanket to 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!

A Package of Coziness from Elsie

Several years ago, our guild was blessed by a donor named Elsie W.
Several years went by without hearing from her, and then, a surprise message came for us through the Guild Association office: would I call her, please?
Yes, I would - and I learned that Elsie had moved from the west side of the state to the east side, and that she had not forgotten Katie's Comforters.

Elsie wanted to know if she could send me some blankets which she wanted to donate to Seattle Children's Hospital through our guild.
Yes, please!

Today, I opened a box and found these two soft, cozy knitted blankets inside:

The yarn is super fuzzy: thick, yet light, and feels a little bit like holding a favorite pet.

Elsie asked if we would like her to make more of these for our guild to donate.
Yes, please! - so she has already started to make more.

We are grateful to Elsie for remembering Katie's Comforters, after a huge life-change like a big move, and for her generous desire to donate comfort to others. Thank you, Elsie!

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!

Gratitude for Gifts from Joanie R.

We recently received a surprise: the gift of six warm, soft, knitted blankets from a generous local donor named Joanie R. These are beautifully knitted with great precision and care; the colors are as soft as the yarn she used. The children who receive these will be wrapped in comfort and tender caring.

Thank you, Joanie!

Free Yarn Offer!

Would you like to receive the gift of FREE YARN to make it easy for you to knit/crochet blankets for Katie's Comforters Guild at Seattle Children's Hospital? We've received a very kind offer and would love to put it into the hands of people who can transform it into comforters!

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!

Lucile & Noble Donate Quilts & Yarn

Lucile & Noble came through town this week with a batch of 16 new quilts! Here are eight of them...

 They also delivered two BIG bags of yarn: some of Lucile's own, and some from their neighbor.

Are you a knitter? Do you crochet?

If you'd like to make blankets for patients of Seattle Children's Hospital, we can provide the yarn!

Thank you, Lucile & Noble!

A Family's Gift

Last week, I had the privilege of receiving a multi-generational donation from a dear family. Bev and her mother, sister, daughter and grand-daughter have all worked with loving hands on this batch of blankets. These four generations of ladies knitted/crocheted, and tied fleece, to create seven lovely blankets for Katie's Comforters to donate to patients at Seattle Children's Hospital. Here are their gifts:

Cozy, soft and cheerful = warmth and comfort.
THANKS to Bev, Grandma Icel, Aunt Barb, Angela and Olivia!

Lucile & Noble

I've written about Lucile and Noble before.

They are a dynamic and attractive couple in their 80s who inspire me.

Lucile sews, knits and crochets. She is very, very active and talented.

Today I met them in town, and picked up a donation of 13 quilts and one blanket, all made by Lucile. The variety of fabrics is going to please a lot of children!

Lucile also donated three enormous bags of yarn that she received from a neighbor.

If any of you needs yarn in order to make a blanket for Seattle Children's Hospital, or knows someone who needs yarn for making blankets, please leave a comment here.

It's all free.

Thank you, Lucile and Noble!

BernatCares

The Bernat yarn company has launched a new charity knitting website called www.BernatCares.com. The site includes free patterns and charity information.

On the search page, you can type in Katie's Comforters Guild, and a paragraph about us pops up, including contact information: 
http://www.bernatcares.com/charity_search.php

Thank you, Bernat! We know you do care!

Free Patterns and Lots of Ideas

This is Liger, one of our two cats. He is cuddling with a beautiful prayer shawl that was made for me by my friend, Angela, years ago, using Lion Brand Homespun Yarn.

Every so often, I receive a newsletter, via email, from Lion Brand Yarns. Here is a link to the one I recieved today: http://www.lionbrand.com/Newsletters/55357.html .


It contains free patterns, and articles about knitting and crochet. If you'd like to receive the newsletter, you may sign up on the Lion Brand Yarn Website: http://www.lionbrand.com.