A Shawl Story...............

Quotes from an email received today.
A shawl was sent to Hideko in Sendai, Japan -- where the earthquake and tsunami did such horrific damage.  A friend, Lynn, in Temecula, California sent me the yarn to make a shawl.  At the time neither of us knew where the shawl would go.

".......... My family and me didn't get much direct suffer in March. But there are still too many people (including relatives and friends) who haven't got back their normal life. I am busy working to help them. But I am very well.  In these days suddenly it's become a bit cold. Your shawl is keeping me warm and I am oftenly thinking of you and Lynn. Take care of yourself. I hope you have nice days.
With very best regards,  Hideko in Japan" 

Also, we have been exchanging information on the Friendship Doll Exchange between Japanese and American children -- beginning in 1927.

You will find some very interesting links here -- (and all the additional links you will find here):
http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/dolls/japanese/index.htm

Hideko commented on the Friendship Doll information as followe:

"It's wellknown story about this friendship dolls. It was just before the war. Lots of dolls were sent to Japan from US as a symbol of friendship then too. But we had very sad history after that between your country and mine. Isn't it amazing news we have got still those dolls remained even after such unhappy years? I wish our friendship would be forever in future."

I felt sure you all would appreciate reading this.

J

New Shawls Donated to Sherman Hospital

Here are a few of the new prayer/comfort shawls
donated to Sherman Hospital.

Lovely -- what a comfort each of these will be to someone.

Thanks, Barb, for the photo -- the shawls are great.

September meeting of STM Prayer Shawl group ,,

 

Another wonderful meeting with a fantastic group of ladies.  In addition to our regulars, today we welcomed three new people to our group and loved having the little guest who came with her Mommy.  What a perfect angel the little one is.  A delight to have her with us.

 

   
     

Also there were four more gorgeous shawls added to be distributed. You can't see in the photo, but the top left shawl has wonderful tassels only on the four corners. Very nice.

Prayer Shawls: St. Thomas More - August 4, 2011

August 4th meeting at St. Thomas More

More lovely shawls

Even though it is the middle of summer, there was still a nice group at the gathering today.

More lovely shawls finished and more in progress.

Click on photos to enlarge

Come join us when you can -- we meet the first Thursday of each month 

at 9:00 am at St. Thomas More Church

Westminster Room

Three Beautiful Shawls From Kathy

Kathy from Sherman has donated three beautiful new shawls to the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Lovely colors, beautiful work.

Thank you, Kathy,

You are a dear and your
gifts are treasures.

(Photo courtesy of Barb L.)

Gift of a prayer shawl .....

The gift of giving and receiving.

I recently received the following email from a dear friend.

A special family member of hers has been undergoing treatment and our friend accompanies her on her trips by train to the city for treatment. Our friend had made a lovely shawl -- and, well, the note says it all.

..............We had a lot of time to talk AND she brought the blue prayer shawl I made for her - she gets so cold on the train and in cold air conditioning - she had it wrapped around her arms.  Made me feel special - as well it should the two of you for getting me started on it.  With the meaning behind it and the prayers I said for her while making it - just know the good man upstairs feels that way too..........

Thank you, N, for allowing me to share this note with the Prayer Shawl groups. I think it is good to share notes like yours -- often the maker of a shawl has no idea (and that is OK) who the shawl went to or why -- it would be hard to keep track, but when we do know, and we see how important the shawls are to the receivers and the makers,
it is good to share these thoughts.

Almost finished.......

Another prayer shawl almost finished. 

Pattern for a Sweet and Simple Shawl

Bizzy Crochet: Sweet and Simple Shawl: "Sweet and Simple Shawl by Elizabeth Mareno 2008 Skill: Beginner Finished Size: 24'W x 60'L (sample size-this pattern is designed to accomod..."

The yarn recommended for this shawl is sport weight (#3) Patons Astra Yarn. A soft 100% acrylic DK/sportweight yarn. 

Two More Lovely Shawls

Received a note and photo from Paola (from Sherman Hospital)

Her mother in law has created 2 more lovely shawls.

Notice the fantastic scalloped edging on one of them.

Thank you so much for the joy and comfort you have brought 

with the many lovely shawls you have created.

(Photo courtesy of Paola)

Third Meeting at St. Thomas More

(If you click on any of the photos, you should get an enlarged version of the photo)

Some of the hands of the lovely ladies who created these 

comforting shawls.

Thank you one and all -- what beautiful work you do, 

what loving hearts you have.

This morning was the third meeting of the Prayer Shawl Group at St. Thomas More.  There were twelve present.  A good gathering for summer vacation months.  I am amazed at the work these wonderful ladies have done.  I have posted photos of some of the beautiful shawls that have been completed.  Thank you one and all.


My apologies to Sharon Hall who left before photos were taken -- next time Sharon :-)


It was also good to hear that one of our group is working with friends from the Del Webb Subdivision to start a group there that will support Sherman Hospital.


You are all welcome to join us at 9:00 AM on the first Thursday of each month at St. Thomas More Church, Elgin, IL.