This past November our grandson, Zachary, who is in the army and stationed in Afghanistan was in a bad explosion. He came out with a concussion, a hurt back, loss of hearing in his left ear and some memory loss. Some of his injuries have healed. His buddy Kevin wasn't as lucky, however, Kevin is healing from his injuries. Zachary was taken to the military hospital where the personnel had to remove his clothes to treat him. They cut them off. Needless to say Zach needed his backpack with his belongings. Thanks to Soldiers Angles (www.soldiersangels.org) they provided him with a backpack full of the necessary items, such as tooth brush, tooth paste, underwear, sweats, and a blanket called "Blanket of Hope". This blanket was made by someone here in America and sent to Soldiers Angels to put in a backpack. This was very touching to me. I wanted to know how I too could make these Blanket of Hope. I emailed soldiers angles and received an email back with all the
instructions.
The blankets can be made in 2 different sizes 45" x 65" or 60" x 80" of fleece. I buy 2 1/3 yards of fleece. one print and one solid. I cut the corners 4" x 4" and then cut strips and tied each strip together. The back side of the blanket is the solid color. I tied the plaid over the solid color and then come back and tied the solid over the plaid thus putting the solid color on top.
I find the best way to work is on my floor. Far more room and makes it go fast. Put on some
music or a video (if you have your TV in the same room) and work away!
I find I have to change position and get on my knees to cut the strips. When I'm doing the
blanket by myself I like to cut a section of strips and tie them and then move on down the row
until each side is completed. It took me 1 hour and 2 potty breaks to make this blanket today.
Now I've had a little experience as I've made many of these blankets for family and friends. They
are a big hit and very popular.
These are my 5 completed 'Blankets of Hope' I need now to roll them up and put a ribbon around
each of them with a note. Then Monday I'll go to the Post Office to find out about mailing them
to Germany to the Soldiers Angels. This is an on going project. The Soldiers Angels have no blankets to add to the backpacks. They are so in need. If you can find the time and would like to make some
of these Blankets of Hope please send me your email address in the comment section and I'll be happy to forward all the information (guild lines) to you. Our soldiers are worth it and when it's a wounded soldier he/she needs to have something around them that is as warm as someone's arms, letting him/her know that we are proud of them and are praying for them!
Today let Freedom Ring!!!! Tomorrow we will be celebrating Memorial Day and will be honoring the veterans of past wars, those men and women that chose to give their service and their lives in some cases so that we here in this great country of the United States of America may enjoy this great gift called FREEDOM!!! This is our grandson, Zach, he just stepped off the plane in Dallas Texas and was welcomed and thanked by a group of people that visit the air port every time soldiers fly in just to thank them and welcome them home to their native country. I've shown his picture before in my blog after he had been injured from an IED in Afghanistan where he has been serving for the past 9 months. Now this is the happy part of the story coming up...Zach will be home today for some very needed R&R....we will be going over to the Spokane airport to greet him later this afternoon...
Zach's mom made a 'welcome home' sign when we went to meet him the first time he came home for a visit, that was after his training and before his deployment. Each time he comes home more is added to this sign. Last night the girls got together and with my very BFF in the world (my cricut expression and the Stand and Salute cartridge)we went to work. 
We cut, placed, laughed and visit and with excitement we added to the sign.
Ah, the sign is completed. Now you're probably wondering what the 'Batman Logo' is doing on this
Tomorrow Zach will be honored along with other veterans who have served and given their lives for freedom. He along with his father, Erik and his grandfather, Paul will have a their names places in honor in front of our city hall to be remembered in the present and in future generations.
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