Finding out the news that you have any kind of illness or even worse cancer, is never an easy thing. When a fellow crochet designer, Miss Sandy Powers of Sandy's Cape Cod Originals shared the news that she found out that she had breast cancer, the idea of making squares and sewing them together to make her a big hug from all of us was thrown out there. When I was asked if I would like to help, I offered to be the one to sew them all together. I had never done it before but it just felt like something that I needed to do. We got sneaky on trying to get some of Sandy's favorite color combinations, we were trying to not give anything away!! "I do like a cream/pink/baby green combo and purple/green combo and turquoise/bright green/white combo.These are some of my favorite color combos"
When the first package arrived I was so happy, you could see the love that was put into the squares and I knew I it was going to be an amazing journey. Each day more and more squares arrived, and I started to be a bit overwhelmed because I was not sure how they were going to come together. The squares just kept coming and coming. We ended up with 60- 6 inch squares and 15- 12 inch squares after they all arrived. They came from all over the United States and even a few from Canada!!
When the first package arrived I was so happy, you could see the love that was put into the squares and I knew I it was going to be an amazing journey. Each day more and more squares arrived, and I started to be a bit overwhelmed because I was not sure how they were going to come together. The squares just kept coming and coming. We ended up with 60- 6 inch squares and 15- 12 inch squares after they all arrived. They came from all over the United States and even a few from Canada!!
My goal was to have it assembled and shipped off before Christmas, but of course with the holidays coming and the rush of everything at the time, I was taken off the path I had set for myself. The 2 year anniversary of my grandmother passing was approaching, that is always a difficult day for me. But I did not know what I was in for when I woke that morning. I got a phone call from my husband telling that his aunt had passed away that morning. An unexpected trip would put the square assembly on hold. After we arrived home, Christmas was drawing closer. I had to finish up gifts of mine and I had a few orders also. SO, the hope of getting it mailed out before Christmas, slowly disappeared.
Sandy had mentioned a surgery date of January 7, so that was my next goal. To get it mailed out by that day!! As I laid out all the squares, I began to worry that day to would come and go and I would still have them all at my house!! There was still so much to do and the afghan was going to be HUGE!!
Sandy had mentioned a surgery date of January 7, so that was my next goal. To get it mailed out by that day!! As I laid out all the squares, I began to worry that day to would come and go and I would still have them all at my house!! There was still so much to do and the afghan was going to be HUGE!!
I had to sc a border around each square, then I decided to sew the 6 inch squares into 12 inch squares. The lay out could not have been more perfect. I only had to make ONE extra 6 inch square (I had made 2 to add to my own personal touch in already, so one more was not bad!!) out of all that had arrived to make it perfect!! I put forth to finish it within the next few days!!
I have made many granny square blankets over the years but I had never used the "flat braid method" to join them. once I got going with that, it was so EASY, each square was being added a lot faster then I had anticipated!! As I finished adding one, I couldn't wait to add the next!! As I joined each squared, I said a few prayers for Sandy. January 9 I FINALLY FINSHED!!
I have made many granny square blankets over the years but I had never used the "flat braid method" to join them. once I got going with that, it was so EASY, each square was being added a lot faster then I had anticipated!! As I finished adding one, I couldn't wait to add the next!! As I joined each squared, I said a few prayers for Sandy. January 9 I FINALLY FINSHED!!
This blanket was so heavy!! And so big, I laid it on my King size bed, and it fit perfectly!! It was amazing to see it laid out and it could not have turned out more perfect if we tried!! Does it not look fantastic and warm? Definitely accomplished what we had set forth to do, make a Hug big enough for her to wrap herself in!!
Next bump in the road, we dropped to sub zero temps (our lowest temp was actual temp -29 feels like -42) and it got so cold outside. We dealt with everything, kids not having school, car not starting, I had no way to get to town to get to the post office (we live 30 mins from town and we only have the one vehicle, it is already hard before the mess arrived).
Finally January 14, the box was packaged up and ready to go and my husband ran it to the post office the next day!! We shipped it 2 day priority with expected delivery date for Friday, January 17. I sat on the edge of my seat all day watching the tracking!! I could not wait to see when she would get it!! Once it said "Delivered" I started to worry that it was the wrong address and all the bad things (I have had problems with the mail before).. Then I got the notification on my page that she had received the package!! My heart just smiled!!
What an honor to be a part this whole journey!! I am so happy to each and every lady that sent one square or a bunch of squares, and the donations to get the yarn to join and mail the package out!! Can you believe it weighed 7 pounds 7.6 ounces?? But just to see all the love that was put into the whole thing, and the wonderful reaction from Sandy, she said forget wrapping her in a hug, it can wrap her whole family <3 !! I would do it all over again, maybe with a few less bumps in the road!!
Continued prayers for Miss Sandy, We ALL love you!!!
What an honor to be a part this whole journey!! I am so happy to each and every lady that sent one square or a bunch of squares, and the donations to get the yarn to join and mail the package out!! Can you believe it weighed 7 pounds 7.6 ounces?? But just to see all the love that was put into the whole thing, and the wonderful reaction from Sandy, she said forget wrapping her in a hug, it can wrap her whole family <3 !! I would do it all over again, maybe with a few less bumps in the road!!
Continued prayers for Miss Sandy, We ALL love you!!!