Helmet Liners for Soldiers

National Helmet Liner Day will be December 29, 2009, knitters and crocheters all over the United States will knit or crochet Helmet Liners for Soldiers.

This project began last April when Tarie Dillard-Williams owner of Yarn Heaven, a local yarn store in Arlington Texas, organized dozens of friends and customers to reach a goal of making 5,500 helmet liners. By November they had completed 3,000. After the recent announcement that 30,000 new troops will be deployed, Williams contacted local yarn stores across the US to help by distributing her free knit or crochet pattern and becoming a drop off location for the finished liners.

The free patterns have been critiqued by the military, the yarn must be 100% wool. Acceptable colors are Black, Grey, Brown, Dark Tan, Navy or Army Green.

Marr Haven Wool Farm will provide the free patterns and be a collection location for the finished helmet liners to send to the Arlington Tx. Group. The free patterns will be available at the Marr Haven shop, 772 39th St., Allegan Michigan 49010 beginning Friday the 18th. The patterns are also available with web links, for the knitting pattern or the crochet pattern.

Soldiers who have tried these designs say they are more comfortable and safer than the issued items. If you know a serviceman or woman, make one for them. You can also bring or mail them to Marr Haven, we will send them all to Tarie the end of January. You may send them direct to her shop at 1300 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76013

Allegan Spirit of Art

We had a great time last night at the Spirit of Art in Allegan. We exhibited a few handmade gift items at Baker Allegan Studio. Deb and Joe Leverence are great hosts and have created a wonderful art environment in this 100 year old building.

Michigan Winter Wonderland

I would post a picture but you can visualize a big, really big marshmallow and see it all. We have had blizzard warnings since the first of the week, it was supposed to start Tuesday eve and be over at 4pm today.... but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that she was on a time schedule.

We did get a little snow Tuesday am but that turned to rain, a little more snow on Wed. which put a nice layer of slush on all the drives and roads. Last night it started in ernest, the noon report said we had 8 inches of snow but it is now "lake effect" which is dry and blows all over. Visibility is about 1/4 mile. Why am I giving such detail? Those of you to the west of me have already experienced your first snowstorm of the season and those to the east are going through it with me. Just file this under misery loves company.

I do love snow and winter but would like to leave the winds out of it.

Allegan Spirit of Art

This coming Friday, Dec. 11 is the 2nd annual winter Art Hop for downtown Allegan. Over 34 artists will be exhibiting in 20 plus locations, my exhibit will be at the Baker Studios in the Mill District. Even more fun is possible this year with two horse drawn wagons, one will take shoppers to the various locations and the other will be giving a tour of the town.

Pastor Jim made more shawl pins from exotic woods that I will take Friday. He really surprised me with two single piece pins one topped with a bouncing lamb and the other with a lamb head, plus the 2 two piece pins shown here. Notice the little sheep on the top of the stick pin. They are great to wear on a sweater, too... ask me how I know this.

Fingerless Mitts - Great Gifts

Just finished the 5th pair of Fingerless Mitts. I am using the Kalamazoo Knits pattern, the rib design fits various hands so well, plus it is fast. I love wearing these and keep thinking of others who would enjoy them; a lady from church who reads much of her day and evening, a friend whose office is on the too cool side, another knitter, crocheter - even my husband knit a pair for himself.

We had our first snowfall beginning Thursday evening and have about 4 inches on the ground. We were lucky this time, the 'lake effect' went north of us, folks about 50 miles north have over 16 inches of snow. That first snowfall does wonders for invigorating the Christmas spirit.

Wooden Shawl Pins and Felted Soaps

I am so excited about the handmade gifts we have this year. They are so appropriate for knitters but also for anyone who wears shawls or scarves whether knit, crocheted or woven.

I have to say the Beatles song, "I get by with a little help from my friends", is my theme for now. The lovely shawl pins are designed and cut by my pastor, his wife hand sands them to a silky finish.
He also made the drip free soap dishes for the felted soap gifts. The soaps are made by my very good friend, Fran; I did do the felting.

I love to give and receive one of a kind gifts and hope others enjoy giving original, unique and yet useful gifts.

Men's Knitting Retreat

The Men's Knitting Retreat group stopped by on their way for a fun weekend of knitting. We had a great time with them, so many gregarious personalities.

Someone mentioned that the photos taken by different people will all be posted in one spot. My link right now goes to a couple more close up pictures that Gene took but I hope to add a link to all their pictures. Bob from Chicago brought a sweater that he knit from our yarn (and pattern) about 10 years ago. I didn't think to get the camera out then. One of the men flew in from Atlanta GA and another from Buffalo NY. I don't know the home locations of the others except for our great knitting "neighbor" Tim from Zeeland MI.