Cookin With Gas.....

Or should I say Embroidering with my machine - finally.  I am so excited to have this added capability to embellish the binkies and make them even more special.  The possibilities are just endless and my mind is buzzing with ideas!  Now....I have to stop playing and get down to business - Binkies for Boys Business!

We received so many wonderful blankets this week and we are getting them ready to deliver to DSS/Foster Care on 4/1.  There are all types, sizes and shapes - so exciting!  I am working on pictures to post and believe me you will be inspired by these creations!!  Thank you so much Susan, Andrea, Anita, Nancy, and Diana for participating in this drive.  We still need more so don't stop now.  We always need boy blankets because we just don't receive as many suitable for them as we do for the girlies.

We also have a new group we will be providing items to - The Boys Home of the South.  Take a look at this wonderful facility - they are doing such wonderful things here.  The sweet thing is that their administrator, Lori Griswold - tells us they like to receive girl blankets as well, to be used as gifts for their sisters.  What a wonderful gesture.  Sooooo keep sending in those binkies - we need and love all sizes, types, shapes - they will be used and loved!

Please let us know if you have ideas, suggestions, or just want to join our little group - believe me you learn more and gain so much more than you give.  Email us at Binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our web site at scbinkypatrol.com.

Got Fabric........................

Spring is here and what a wonderful week - oh my the colors, textures and the dreams of what can be.  We received a large donation from one of our good friends at the Creative Sewing Machine Center , Sonya.  It was incredible and we are still going through the pieces!   Also included were beautiful bibs, sweet little baby pants and a wonderful little spring overall set with a bunny applique - all handmade.  I know these items will be so appreciated by Foster Care and God's Tiny Angels.  We will get new pictures loaded up to Flicker as soon as we can.

We have so many projects in the works and there is something for every type of crafter and every interest!  We have uploaded our calendar for 2011 which gives you a list of the events we are committed to for this year.  Check it out at http://www.scbinkypatrol.com/uploads/5/5/4/9/5549888/bpsccalendar2011.pdf  .  But...remember...you don't have to be a crafter to help - there are many things to be done and there is something for anyone interested in helping!

One of the Binky Patrol chapters has a connection that will fly a supply of blankets into Japan and deliver them.  We will be shipping some to this chapter by mid May.  Let us know if you would like to send one.  Any type, any size will be fine.  They can be sent to us and we will ship to the chapter in one bundle.


If you haven't been to our web site lately, be sure to visit often.  We have added more information and listed more free patters under the pattern link.  Check back often to see what is new at http://www.scbinkypatrol.com.  We also have more pictures loaded at Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkypatrolsc/.  As always - let us know if you have questions, need more information or just want to join in.

Is Your Fabric Speaking to You.......

Wow - this is just a sample of the items we have received in the past weeks.  Needless to say we are so thrilled and we are working to move them out as they come in.

Andrea and I were discussing how our stash of fabric and yarns can actually become so intertwined in our lives that they hold very strong memories and feelings.  As we have been going through my personal stash collected over the past 25+ years, I remember the purchase and the intended purpose of almost every piece.  As I came to the realization that I would never be able to complete all of the projects or use it all up, I found the most grand purpose of turning all of these colorful memories into lovies that will comfort and help a child in need.  I am not saying it has been easy - we all let go of things in different ways and for different reasons.  But, having said that, I can tell you that it has been extremely cathartic to see these glimmers of my past life turned into useful items and passed on.

The beautiful floral I purchasde for a dress to soothe myself after a miscarriage is now something most beautiful and useful, the scraps that were a part of my boys rooms are off to bigger and better things, the fabrics purchased for my youngest son - now 15 - are finally being made into Binkies for Boys.  If you have a stash of fabric, yarn, threads, etc, that are calling you to put them to use, think about donating them or creating something that will show love to a child who so needs something to hold and know that he or she is thought of, something to be with them when they are alone or away from their loved ones, sick or cold....think of giving your stash a higher purpose.  Believe me - it is a wonderful thing and it will free you in so many ways.  Give it a try - I highly recommend it!

We have many projects going on right now - jump in anywhere --- Binkies for Boys, Charity Mystery Quilt Contest, T-Shirt Quilt Project, and coming Be Square and Help Build a Binky.....something for everyone and every stash.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.

Binkies for Boys.....

We work on lots of Binkies, for lots of reasons, and each and every one is beautiful in it's own unique way!  We have a big project ahead of us now and a deadline.  We need to create 19 binkies for boys and we need to try to have them completed by the end of March.  These will be donated to boys in Foster Care and they range in age from 2 months through 14 years.  This is a very important project for us, as they all are.  We have noticed that most of us, for whatever reason, seem to create things that are more on the girly side - maybe because we are girls and we are more naturally attracted to the pinks and flowers and frills.  But --- even before the challenge came to us, we had realized that we had to focus on more blankets for boys!  That means more plaids, more trucks and cars, more sports and just more blue.  Whatever boy means to you is just fine - what ever your definition of a little boy, a teen boy, a baby boy, or anything in between.  We want to show these young men that we care and we want to make something to make them feel special and loved as all Binkies are meant to.

If you are interested in helping with this project, please do contact us.  We can use finished blankets, fabric, thread, etc - anything needed to complete a blanket.  Just email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com  - we are hoping to hear from you!!  ;o)

Two Anniversary Celebrations.............

What a wonderful and exciting week!  The Binky Patrol SC has reached the one year milestone and we are so excited to celebrate.  Our sponsor, Creative Sewing Machine Center is also celebrating an anniversary - 10 years in business in West Columbia, SC.  As I have stated before, this is the go-to place for anyone who sews or would like to learn.  I just can't say enough about how exciting, creative and just plain good fun a visit to this store is!  The ladies who work there truly enjoy their work and they show it.  They take the time to provide something that you don't find in retail much any longer - true friendly personable customer service and guidance.  Believe me - I have tested it time and again - I am one of those customers who loves to look, asks lots of questions and wanders around touching and feeling everything.  I hang out way too long and walk the isles until my legs can't drag me along any longer and I never encounter sighs or those glances that say "just buy something already" - not even a little bit!  They are genuinely excited about what they do and it shows.

We spent the day today, Andrea and I, in this wonderland of fabric and patterns, dream machines and more ideas than you could cram into a week much less one visit.  I always leave this shop with a sense of awe and excitement about what is possible.....what I might be able to do.  I can touch and feel all of the things I spend hours looking at online and the atmosphere is contagious.  Peggy and the staff had a sweet basket of goodies for us, made in the hoop in their "Make it and Donate" class - they are the most wonderful little soft textural lovies for the babies in all shapes, colors and sizes.  We can't wait to send these off to God's Tiny Angels.

We also received two beautiful handmade quilts that are perfect for the Dickerson Center from our newest member Kristen when she stopped by for a visit.  Check her out at Etsy - she is a very talented quilter!  We are so excited to have her join us!!

It was a very exciting day and we made lots of new friends and we are fast spreading the word about the mission of the Binky Patrol South Carolina!  We are so hopeful - and so thankful to the Creative Sewing Machine Center for providing this opportunity!!  Pictures to come!!

It's National Craft Month.......

March is National Craft Month and we are hoping that many will think about crafting for a cause!  If you make something, consider making a second something and donate it.  There are tons of free charity/donation patterns online for just about every craft you can imagine and all they ask in order to use the patterns, is that you make one to donate.  Most charities will also provide a receipt for taxes so that you can deduct the cost of materials. 

This brings us back to the Binky Patrol SC and there are so many ways you can help - you don't need to be able to sew, knit or crochet.  We can always use simple items such as thread, batting, fabric, yarn, and more.  Our complete wish list is on our web site at http://www.scbinkypatrol.com as well as on this blog.  If you do craft, let us know if you need a pattern - we have patterns for sewing, knitting, crocheting, our Baby Binky Bunny and more. 

Think about creating something to donate - even if it is not for the Binky Patrol - choose a charity or cause you feel good about.   One of our sponsors, Creative Sewing Machine Center, has come up with a wonderful idea - "Make One ~ Donate One".  Believe me, you won't be sorry you did and don't be surprised if you get hooked - it is contagious!!