Sara Smiles Project

Didn't make the goal.

2011-07-06T14:47:00.004-05:00

Sorry, I've been away for awhile. Still plugging along on squares and lapghans here and there in between other gifts and such. You'd think I'd have a ton done with being off work the last 6 months but when your in a personal funk it's kinda hard to do things you find enjoyable.

In coming on here to put this update on I noticed we missed Sara's goal of 2010. Oh well, better late than never. Please know if you have donated, your lapghan is safely tucked into tote waiting to be delivered. I have about 30 or so, honestly I haven't counted.

I did hit the mother load at a yard sale recently. My loving husband in fact called me to "get over here quick". He had stopped at what he thought was a yard sale, come to find out it was an estate sale. I got 5 huge bags of yarn for $15. This will keep me going and out of trouble for quite awhile. Been winding and making squares and going thru patterns to switch things up a bit. Hope to include photos next time I'm on. Promise it wont be this long!! I have a new office in the new house. So I'm on the computer a bit more!

Till next time Happy knitting!

New inspiration

2010-04-21T09:24:00.003-05:00

I was surfing some knitting blogs and stubled upon Spud & Chloe. I love Susan Anderson's baby hat designs from when I was making the hats for Preemie Project. I haven't stumbled upon her yarn anywhere yet but I have heard its really nice. Plan to get some as soon as I can. Not many yarn shops around, I hope to be able to get to a few while in Boston.
Anyway- she has shared some great knitted square patterns to be used with her yarn. I've tried two of the square patterns and I love them. They are a great size, knit up quick and look great. Fabulous textures and the patterns are really easy. I have been using the donated yarn and will try to do several squares from each skein.
When I find her yarn I will buy some to make a baby blanket for my sister who is now expecting in the fall!.. Yeah - Connor will have some one to grow up with! Her oldest son is graduating high school in a month. Connor was 1 in February hard to believe already.

15 years ago this angel was born.

2010-03-12T15:04:00.005-06:00

15 years ago I got an early morning phone call. It's a GIRL! I was so excited. We had been "thinking pink" for as long as we knew my sister was pregnant. We needed a girl. Up to this day we had only had boys in the family. You have to understand Sara was the first GIRL in our family since her mother was born. We knew on that day she was special. Just how special we had no idea at the time. As she grew we learned. She had so many plans so many things she wanted to do and see. She had visited many places and made friends everywhere she went. She was the sweetest girl with the most amazing smile. Everyone remembers her smile. When she did, her entire face smiled.

I haven't been as diligant as I should be about completing her project. I have had projects to get done for work and home. It's funny how easy life can get in the way of our best intentions. I promise Sara to get this project complete. I've been working on squares in hope to sew them into many different lapghans. I'm doing this to honor you. To make the one last thing you asked for me to help you do get completed! Love you and miss you angel. Aunt Sue.

Been busy just not on here!

2010-02-03T09:44:00.002-06:00

I've been busy but blogging. I don't have a photo to share but I have been busy making squares. I got 2 big bags of acrylic yarn from a good friend and have been using alot of that to quickly crochet squares so my mom and sister can start sewing them together!

Sorry I've been lax in posting but work has been extremly busy then of course the holidays. Finishing up some UFO's and working on squares in between it all. I will post a photo of the progress soon!

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Oh almost forgot. The Yellowbook ad lady dropped off a square to my office. She felt bad because she promised me some but had severly injured her wrist and is just getting back to her needlework. Crochet granny squares in an awesome blue color that is good for men or women.

Sara's Plaque

2009-08-05T15:58:00.002-05:00

This is the plaque that is in the ground under Sara's tree. I finally got over and had a camera to take a picture. I love how it turned out.

A new one- by me.

2009-05-05T12:04:00.003-05:00

I recently finished this lapghan. I used the left over yarn from Connor's baby blanket. It is nice colors and a larger size good for a man. The colors I made my first lapghan from are kinda bright and girly so I had to even things out a bit. I've been having a hard time making lapghans.. not sure why . I know I need to get going again. During the move my hubby had the totes full of lapghans donated to date and that kinda sparked me to finish this one. Thank you to everyone who has helped me. I'm still here and still plugging along. Please note the new address on the blog. I'm still accepting donations of any kind. Still hard at work trying to get Sara's goal accomplished but I think she was right 2010 is realistic. Lil bugger was a smart one for her age. I still miss her everyday. Hard to believe she would be graduating 8th grade next month if she was still with us. Aly keeps me going we will enjoy her school successes. But thought of Sara are always right on the edge of the surface.. the what if's. They can make you crazy, in good and bad ways.

Yesterday was another reminder.

2009-03-13T15:48:00.004-05:00

I really wanted to do a post on here yesterday. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Sara would've turned 14. With all the happiness around the family with the birth of Connor we still paused to remember we should be celebrating Sars's second year of being a teenager. She was just heading into womanhood when she was taken from us. I was looking forward to so many things with her getting older. School dances and such. She so enjoyed going to see plays in Chicago. Wicked was her favorite. I never got to see Wicked but she did!! Twice I believe.
Happy Birthday Saraboo. Aunt Sue loves and misses you, thank you for helping your mom and dad and the rest of the family heal by picking out Connor for us to love. God must have great plans for him. We know you helped send him to us.

Happy Birthday!!

2009-02-24T08:32:00.002-06:00

Connor William came into the world this morning at 2:06 am. He weighed 8lb 10 oz. Mom and baby are doing great. Mom also said he doesn't look like his sister or brother. I can't wait to go see him this afternoon. I will post pictures asap.

Still here... hope you are also.

2009-02-18T12:00:00.003-06:00

Well this new baby has taken my free time and will probably continue to do so once he arrives. Sara's new baby brother is due to arrive at anytime! His blanket has been very time consuming but my sister loves it and is so grateful. I will post a photo once it's complete.

I think of Sara all the time and know how excited she would be about the new baby. That reassures me that she is ok with Aunt Sue taking a little break from making our blankets. I have a bunch of squares to sew together. I have them in a box ready to go. I also have a good supply of left over yarn in (male) colors I plan to use soon.

I thought Sara was way off with her 2010 target date. The more I think about it she was right on target! Miss you sweety.. I know you are watching over us all!!

A year ago today.

2008-11-24T10:25:00.002-06:00

It's so hard to believe a year ago today I was on my way to the hospital full of hope for a recovery. I remember driving hoping to see her sitting up in her hospital bed and seeing her beautiful blue eyes looking back at me. But that was not the case. A few hours passed and she was gone. Our beautiful baby girl was on her way to heaven. We still miss her everyday. It gets a bit easier to handle as time passes by and now with the upcoming arrival of a new baby it helps make it a bit easier. I have ahd several "strange" occurances in the last year to let me know she is still a big force in our lives. My dog Zoe is a prime example. Sara knew how upsetting it was for me to give our dog Diamond away when we moved into our old house. She always thought it wasn't fair but like me tried to understand that she is with DH's aunt and will be well taken care of. Diamond is crrently spoiled and loving life in Michigan. It's hard to give away a part of the family. Well I have wanted another dog for a long time and figured not until we move. Then along came Zoe. She was a surprise anniversary present from DH. Zoe is our first "Yellow/blond" lab mix. We have always had black labs. I remember calling my sister to tell her our news and to ask to borrow the small crate from her. She asked me if I had named the puppy yet and I said no we have no idea.. she said how about Zoe? She also said she had no clue where that name came from it just popped in her head. Saraboo in action. :) Last weekend I was collecting some t-shirts from my sister so I can make her a t-shirt quilt made up of Sara's t-shirts. I turned around and there is a framed poster of "yellow lab puppies" and mom said oh that one looks like Zoe. Then I knew - Zoe was meant to be my baby. Thanks Sara! I'm hoping to get your quilt done for your mom for Christmas! I think even tho she is going to have this new baby she is going to need your quilt to have a memory of you to hold also.
I have never made a quilt like this so I hope Sara will be my little helper on that project. I feel her around me alot, she was a one of a kind girl and I will miss her until we meet in heaven. I also had an ironic twist. The knitting needles I helped Sara purchase are now mine. My sister doesn't need them or want them so I have them now and the yarn she had just purchased to start a scarf for the nursing home. That yarn I think will be used to make a few square for lapgahns toward Sara Smiles Project. That way I can spread her love around into more than one lapghan. I have been lax in the last few months on the Sara Smiles Project. Lost my mojo. I'm hoping to get it moving again. Missing her helps to get me moving. I have a bunch of squares to get sewn together. I think I will start with that to get me motivated again.

New Lapghans!

2008-11-09T19:06:00.001-06:00

Last Monday my hubby and I were going to the "old house" to pack up some of the last stuff at the house. We found a box on the front porch. It was two beautiful lapghans, pictured above. These were donated by Nancy L. from Sterling, MA. Thank you Nancy! They are beautiful!

IT'S A BOY!!

2008-10-22T11:28:00.002-05:00

I got the call with the news from my sisters first official ultrasound. The tech is 99% sure it's a boy! We are all convinced Sara has a big part in this baby. She heard my moms and my prayers for a boy. We just feel it will make this easier for everyone not to be tempted to compare this baby to Sara. The tech also found her to be a bit further along.. so his new due date is March 2nd. That works out well with everyone! We aren't worried about when he arrives just as long as he is healthy and happy!

I'm also more convinced that Sara's original date for delivery of the lapghans to the nursing home of 2010 is becoming more practical. After a rough summer and now a move I finally am getting back in the spirit to make more lapghans. I will also have to start a new baby blanket for "Him". No names picked as of yet. They only had girls names! They can save those for "next" time :)

Congrats again Heather & Al! I know Sara is thrilled also!!

She must be jumping up and down in heaven!

2008-08-01T10:31:00.002-05:00

Sara's mom made a big announcement on her own birthday. She is expecting a baby in Sara's birth month of March! Sara always wanted to be a big sister. I have a feeling she had a hand (from heaven) in the timing of all of this!! Congrats little sister, another baby will help fill the void of Sara's absence and bring happiness to the house and family again. She is smiling down on this news I'm sure!

I also received another beautiful lapghan from Karen. She was Sara's reading tutor and had Sara's big brother in her preschool class. I will post a picture asap!

Karen please accept my apologies!

2008-05-26T15:15:00.005-05:00

Thank you for your understanding and patience Karen. These three beautiful Lapghans were made by Karen in St. Louis, MO. We finally got to meet when she came to town to see her mom and brought these along. I enjoyed meeting your family and wished I could've stayed longer. Also thanks Karen for bringing some of your other projects to show me. Loved seeing them all. Thank you again.

Dedication to Our Angel in the Outfield!

2008-05-21T14:58:00.005-05:00

Angel in the outfield
Hornets dedicate tree in memory of their departed teammate
05/21/2008, 12:40 pm

Melissa Garzanelli, melissag@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4049
Photo: Doug Larson

The Hornets girls fast-pitch team gathers around a tree planted in memory of teammate Sara Treest, who died in November. A ceremony to honor Treest was conducted prior to the team’s first game of the season by coach Joel Hambleton (far left) and manager Jim Thrush (second from left) on Tuesday.

A framed uniform with Sara Treest’s number, signed by all her teammates, was presented to Al and Heather Treest in memory of their daughter.

Running from first to second base during a softball game last year, Sara Treest was struck in the back by a thrown ball. Hard.
Jim Thrush, manager of the Hornets' girls fast-pitch team, recalls hearing the crack when the ball hit her and watching as Treest went down face-first and crying. But he had to laugh when even as she wept through the pain, her foot wiggled out from under her to touch second base.

That dedication was so typical.

"She was always the first one there," he said.

Thrush, along with all of Treest's teammates on the Hornets, gathered prior to their first game Tuesday to plant a tree in her honor at the girls softball diamond at Peck Park.

Treest died last November in an accident at her home. When softball season started, her teammates still were thinking about her, missing her in her spot in left field. Uniforms were ordered with wings and a halo around the name "Sara" to commemorate their friend.

Last year, Treest was No. 2 and this year no one else was given that number. Instead a shirt was made for her, each player signed it and the framed shirt was presented to her parents, Heather and Al, during the dedication.

Heather recalled how scared her daughter was when she moved up to the Hornets last year, being the smallest girl on the team.

"She was so happy to be part of this team," she said. "At first she was so scared because she was so much littler. But everyone treated her like a big girl. She was really honored to be part of this team."

Thrush was amazed at how the older girls "took her under their wings." He credited Treest's positive attitude. Other parents, also gathered at the dedication, noticed it too.

"She was the sweetest little thing ever," said Karen McCormick. "She loved being part of this team É Her personality made her belong."

Her teammates remember Treest most for her bubbly personality and commitment to others. Lauren Funk recalls one team meeting when bickering had erupted. Treest stopped the argument by offering to play only two innings so someone else could play more. That selflessness and team spirit was a spark for the rest of the team.

"She was always happy. She was always in a good mood," remembered Samantha Daugherty.

"She was the most positive person on the team," agreed Megan Beard. "She knew when we were low how to keep us up and positive. She was the most spirited."

"I couldn't look at her without smiling," said Funk.

Thrush also praised Treest's attitude and her dedication, always the first to volunteer to help and to cheer on other members of her team. With the season kicking off and the Hornets striving to win their third championship in a row, he said Treest will be missed.

"Sara will be our angel in the outfield," he said. "This is something that we all believe."

We made it onto Lion Brands Charity Page!!

2008-05-07T10:31:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about it and thought I would look to see if we were accepted. I hadn't heard anything so I checked, Click here to see. Scroll down to Sara Smiles Project. I'm thrilled to be on such a well known/viewed site. A BIG thank you goes to Virginia for suggesting I put try to get us on there. Please check us out!

Signed up on Lion Brand

2008-04-11T09:34:00.002-05:00

Virginia S. emailed me with a great suggestion that I didn't even consider. She suggested I get on the Lion Brand website and sign up to be listed on the Charity page. Virginia, I did it immediately after reading your email- Thank You. I will have to check back to see if the editors will list us. Everyone keep your knitting needles or fingers crossed that we are accepted. Thanks again Virginia! You've been a wonderful help.

Virginia - This is beautiful!

2008-03-27T14:34:00.002-05:00

This fabulous lapghan was sent by Virginia of Depew NY. The picture doesn't do it justice. I love the pattern. Thank you for the time , effort and love you obviously put into this. I'm positive Sara is smiling.

Also again my apologies for being so tardy at getting this photo posted. I went out of town with my mom and sister to "escape" right after Sara's birthday. She would've been 13.

Lapghans have arrived!

2008-03-07T09:03:00.009-06:00

This it the lapghan that I have been working on. I have to admit everything hit me again after the holidays so I took a break for a little while but I'm back up and running and have been going like gangbusters to get lapghans made. This is the most recent lapghan received. This is from Michele in Hendersonville NC. She is a part of the Nascar Knitters Group and the wild thing about Mish's lapghan is I actually sent her this yarn in a swap last year! I forced myself to send her this yarn..didn't want to but so glad I did because this is a beautiful lapghan. Thanks Mish!!

The following "lonely" squares and four - yes 4 lapghans came across the Pacific ocean from Carol in Honolulu, Hawaii!! She had sent me an email saying she sent them by boat and it would take a couple of weeks. Carol they were worth the wait!! They are all beautiful and very much appreciated.

Thank you again ladies for your beautiful work and generous giving from your hearts.

Squares received!

2008-02-07T14:45:00.000-06:00

These beautiful squares were donated by Judy C. from Iowa City, IA. Thanks Judy!

These squares were donated by Jan B. from Calendonia, MI. Thanks Jan!

All of the squares Sara would've loved. The colors the softness, everything. My mom loved the colors and is anxiously waiting to start sewing these together. She is amazed by the generousity of people who've never met Sara. I just keep telling her that all the people I've met thru my groups are wonderfully generous people.

I also received a lovley pattern from Virginia S. of Depew, NY. She sent a note promising to send a blanket later. Thank you very much Virginia, the pattern is great. I will probably make that one next.

My mom and sister are in the process of picking out wording for the labels that will be sewn onto each lapghan (blanket). I will post about them when they do decide.

My first lapghan in progress.

2008-01-14T15:48:00.001-06:00

My first lapghan in progress. I'm making the log cabin design baby blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting book. The size was about right for what this is for. So anyone not sure what size to make...a larger baby blanket size will work. Some will be bigger than others but people are different sizes so we will work with whatever is given to us. The colors don't look right on here. That big blob that looks blue is actually purple. If you haven't guess yet Sara's favorite colors were purple and green. Both colors are in this blanket and the mixed and pink add other colors.
Thank you again to Barb for her generous donation that was used to purchase the yarn for this ghan.

I have space ready for any donations. We appreciate any and all donations. Finished lapghans, squares, yarn or monetary. Thank you from all of us.

We've received our first donation.

2007-12-27T08:48:00.001-06:00

I got a lovely card from Barb F. in NY. She sent along $10. to make something (knit or crocheted) Sara would like, I'm assuming for the project. I took the money and bought 5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Brites. Of course in shades of purple and green. I also got a multi color and a pink. I've started a log cabin blanket (the baby size) as the first blanket. DH got me the MasonDixon Knitting book for Christmas so I have to try the pattern. I thought it would be a unique way to incorporate the different colors of yarn. I will post pictures as I go.

Just talked to the Nursing Home!

2007-12-06T12:38:00.000-06:00

Just got off the phone with Carol at the Nursing home and she is thrilled that we are trying to complete this goal of Sara's. She had heard about Sara like most through the newspaper articles and is amazed at what she wanted to accomplish. Carol thought at first we could go ahead with the scarf idea until I advised her that a scarf is what ultimately took Sara's life, then she agreed with me on the change to lapghans. We are thinking approximately 3 ft x 5 ft or 36" x 60 ". I told her I would make one about that size and we can see if it works. We are going to need about 100! So anyone that can help please get your hook or needles going. I'm hoping to be able to present the home with the afghans about a year from now.. close to the anniversary of Sara's passing. Sara wanted to wait until she had enough for everyone before she went over to the home.

Thanks you to everyone who has offered to support this in Sara's memory. She would be thrilled that it is going to be done.

The Project

2007-12-01T16:46:00.001-06:00

This is the last photo taken of Sara Jo. On Thanksgiving 11/22/07 by my 7 year old son Michael. He adored Sara as most everyone who ever met her. She was known for her smile. She was taken from us in a terrible tradegy that happened the next day and took her life on 11/24/07.

This project is in her honor. It was one of Sara's goals to provide "scarves" for the seniors at a local nursing home. She had just completed her first scarf and wanted to share her new talentwith people she felt would use and appreciate her work. I was planning to show her how we could make "Lap Blanket or Lapghans" instead as they would be a bit more useful for seniors who really don't venture outside much once a resident in a nursing home.

How can you help?? Many ways, donate finished lapghans, yarn, squares or pieces we can sew together into a lapghan. I will have more size details soon.

Send them to me:

Sue Bates

Sara Smiles Project

840 Hitt St. #2

Ottawa, IL 61350

All lapghans will be marked as a Sara Smiles donation. We are working on those details.

Please leave a comment if you have questions. I will answer as soon as possible.