'Rainbows' Preemie Project 10th October 2012 Update

I am very happy to be writing the 'Rainbows Preemie Project' update post this month.  So happy I am staying up a bit late to write it!  I will regret the late night in the morning but happy posts just have to be written.  I tweak the 'Rainbows page' throughout the month but write an update/progress report once a month.
          First I have a brand new 'Logo' designed by Euan.  My very own 'Preemie'.  Now he is a big fella and out growing everything really quickly.  He enjoyed designing this colourful logo and he felt it was a very important job.  I think it is rather perfect.
           I am also delighted to share the contents of a package that journeyed all the way across the pond from the USA.  Lacey who writes the blog Minaandme sent me a lovely parcel of 15 warm, little hats.

Five pink, five blue and five white.  I love them.  Lacey also popped a lovely note in the parcel and spoiled me with goodies.  Some gorgeous handmade soap and some pretty crocheted blue bird stitch markers.  Lacey and I have been 'Blog Buddies' for ages now.  Thank you Lacey you are a star!  xxx
              Lacey also recommended the pattern Teresa's Ten Minute Preemie Hat.  They take me about twenty minutes but it is a great little pattern.  Here are some of the hats I have been working on:

  I don't go anywhere without a ball of yarn and a crochet hook.  These work up very quickly and are great to make if I am waiting in the car for children have a spare five minutes.  I really want to start working on cardigans next.
             My Mom's friend Joan has also been busy this month and has kindly donated more items.  Joan's knitting is beautiful and there will be some happy Mom's dressing their babies in these beauties.  They really make me smile:

Don't you just love the little Pom pom and tassels?

The pink flower is very pretty too.  (Oh dear I did not realise collecting 'preemie' clothes would make me broody)!  I must banish these thoughts and wait patiently until I am a grandmother!  I can wait!!!

The little hats have matching teeny tiny cardigans...this cardigan is dinky.

This cardigan matched with the little pink hat is going to make somebodies 'little princess' as pretty as a picture.  It is also tiny and the knitting is fine and lacy.
             As you know I have two boys but I was desperate for 'girls'.  I tried very hard not to be disappointed.  I wasn't disappointed for long and soon got to name construction vehicles and parts of trains.  I can actually dribble a football too.  I rebel in an 'all male household' and try to buy 'pink' things and flowery things.  My partners Grandmother had four boys and was desperate for a girl.  Her fifth pregnancy blessed her with twins. . . boys!  I will stay happy with my two boys. . . twin boys would rock my world!  The dog is female and I also have the 'girls' up the garden to keep me happy!
              Healthy happy children are a blessing.  I know there are some 'Blog Buddies' that have some 'Rainbows' work in progress and I look forward to sharing more over the coming months.  I would be delighted to receive any items you wish to donate or I would love to share photographs of your 'work' if you choose to donate to a hospital local to you.  I am also grateful for any links to useful preemie patterns.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.  The Rainbows collection is growng really well.    XXX

'Rainbows' September 2012 Update

You may remember I posted back in July about my youngest son being born premature in 2004.  He is now 8yrs old and a big strong fella for his age.  I was really grateful way back when he was born over 8 weeks early to have hand knitted hats and cardigans in tiny sizes available on the Maternity ward.  I have always wanted to 'payback' the kindness.  My Blog Buddy Teresa suggested I ask for help from my Blog Buddies to build a collection of items to donate.  Another Blog Buddy, Claire suggested the name 'Rainbows' for the project.  I know people are busy and there is no pressure as I am looking to donate in July 2013.  I am really happy with the work that has been going on so far.  Some people have decided to make items to donate to their local hospital and others have decided to send the garments to me to donate to the hospital where Euan was born.   It brings a great big smile to my face.  I will update on the project as near to the 10th of each month as I can.

Lacey has been busy Crocheting hats and has blogged a post about them over at 'Mina and Me'.
Lacey has been using this pattern Teresa's 10 Minute Preemie Hat.  Very cute.

Teresa Kasner is responsible for this Bloggy Idea and has got busy making tiny hats to donate to her local hospital.

Linda from Chalky's World sent me a fantastic parcel.  It was really lovely to see so many items that will help so many babies and their families.  I was really touched.  Linda and her Mother in Law do lots of 'Charity Knitting and Crochet' for various worthy causes.

Lots of tiny white hats. . .

Little tiny pink hats. . .

Lovely little blue hats. . .

I photographed this tiny hat next to a CD so you can get an idea of the size.  While you are making these hats it is easy to think that they are just too tiny.  These early babies can be like little pixies and hats are quite crucial even in the middle of Summer.  Preemie babies have difficulty maintaining their body temperature and all need warm hats.

I love this tiny cardigan and hat set.  I was so grateful to have cardigans that fitted Euan nicely, without having the sleeves rolled over lots of times.  I would like to make tiny cardigan like this one.  I need to find a good pattern and get going.

These are simple 'Garter Stitch' knitted 'Angel Pockets'.

These are crochet 'Angel Pockets'.  There is a sad reality that 'Angel Pockets' are used on all Maternity wards as not all babies make it.  They are wrapped in these 'hand made with love' pockets.  Bless them.

  My Mom told her friend that I was doing this on my blog.  So her friend kindly donated these two hats too.
                   I think you will agree there is a lovely growing collection here.  I am really pleased and happy.  I am fully intending to get cracking and make more items as soon as possible.  I have posted a 'Rainbows' page at the top of my blog and there are some links now to patterns.  If you have any to add though I would appreciate it.  This is a long term work in progress and it is a real joy to know I can payback the kindness.  A big 'Thank you' to everyone for your kindness so far.
XXX

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

What a lovely version of this song.

I am letting the weeks run away with me.  Today my oldest son, Henry, did his first days work.  It is casual work, but it is a taster.  He was Gardening at a large store for the whole day.  It was hard work, lots of weeding and carrying.  He is very tired and I think the true value of a pound maybe finally sinking in.  He will go again tomorrow courtesy of 'Mom's Taxi'.  He complained that he got his brand new 'work' gloves filthy.
                I met my friend this morning to walk our dogs.  Our dogs have never met before and are both a bit iffy about other dogs.  Our previous dogs were the best of buddies...well my sausage dog, Josh, liked her spaniel, Blue, much more than she liked him...it was a highlight for Josh to see his friend Blue.

Josh and Blue are no longer with us but they were very loved and I know Josh gets talked about in this house all the time.  We have lots of funny happy memories of him.  He really was my soul mate.
           We enjoyed our walk over the meadows this morning.  The dogs met, they had one noisy spat, then they proceeded to ignore each other for the rest of the walk.  I think that is some kind of result.  Not quite the best of friends though.
            I have got the 'Rainbow Theme' for today's post because do you remember An Idea Is Born?  I have been meaning to update.  I have not forgotten or shelved the idea.  I fully intend to make crochet/knitted hats and maybe cardigans for premature babies.  I asked for ideas for what to call this project and 'Rainbows' was suggested by my Blog Buddy Claire. I am aiming to donate a bundle to the hospital where Euan was born next year, near to his birthday, July 10th.   Some of you have already kindly pledged and blogged about your makes too.

Lacey over at 'Mina and Me' has been busy making tiny pink hats.

Teresa has also been busy and has pledged to make five hats for her local hospital.

Between us we should be keeping these teenie preemies warm in crochet and knitted lovliness.  If I have forgotten anyone please let me know because I will set up a 'Rainbows' page to keep track of our work in progress.  If you make anything please share and I will include it, with links,  in the 'Monthly' update post and on the 'Rainbows' page.
                I would like to have one post a month to update this project and it will be as close to the 10th of the month as I can manage.  My own progress has been rather slow...I have 'made' but frogged two more hats.  One step forward two steps back.  I am still searching for good, workable patterns.  All suggestions gratefully received.  I hope to have more to share with you next month.
XXX