We’ve had a particularly long and snowy winter here in Canada but the signs were slowly appearing that Spring was around the corner. The geese came back, the snow melted (with the exception of some stubborn snowbanks), the garden showed signs of coming back to life and there is even a duck nesting in it. And then yesterday it snowed. AGAIN. Will winter ever end, I wondered?
Then I checked out the April challenge on the KAS forum, Colour Collision. Could anything be more right to combat the white fluffiness of never ending snow? I’m lucky enough to have a large stash of yarn, balls given to me from here and there or picked up from a sale I couldn’t resist. I raided my stash last night for the most colourful yarns I could find and worked them up into the most colourful square I could think of.
The sun was shining on my square when I woke up this morning. What a difference a day makes! The morning was bright, the snow was melting despite the below freezing temperature and my square appeared even brighter than it did last night.
I know winter can’t last forever but it certainly does feel like it sometimes. Working on this square lifted my spirits and I hope it will lift the spirit of a little one when they receive it in a finished blanket.
Here are some photos of other members’ Colour Collision squares, and what an amazing job they’ve done!
Anneke
Lisa Marie
Elaine
Mary Anne
Lisa Marie’s Go-Over
Andrea Squared 
Isn’t this Colour Collision challenge just perfect after such a drab, snowy (USA & Canada) and storm tossed (Europe) in the Northern Hemisphere! The children are going to adore the mixture’s of colour! Good to see the migrant birds return to raise their own ‘children’ and the spring flowers! Thanks Andrea, for reminding us how blessed we are.
I am so pleased that working a square for the Colour Collision challenge lifted your spirits Andrea. It’s amazing how colour can affect our moods – the world always seems a better place when the sun is shining and the daffodils are out – even if it’s not particularly warm. I was really thinking of cheering up the children and volunteers in South Africa as they head into their winter, but it seems just making the squares is having a beneficial effect on those of us emerging from the snow and rain!
Andrea, you have hit the nail on the head! There is no sweeter sound than the honking of the geese overhead as they head home in spring. My newly bared garden, brown and messy as it may look, holds a promise and those of us on “white overload” find it has a beauty of its own. Even the kids have had enough… my grandson, a winter-lover, is quite ready to trade the snowboard for a skateboard and the snowmobile for his bike.
The Colour Collision challenge has been the perfect antidote as we wait impatiently for colour to return to our part of the world.
I found KAS last year and was excited to make squares for a good cause. I was able to make a big dent in my stash of yarn scraps. I made enough squares for 2 blankets and I also made several stocking hats. I got everything packaged and labeled properly. I headed to the post office. Boy was I surprised to find that it would cost me $150.00 to ship the squares! Unfortunately I am on disability and am not able to send the boxes off. I still have the boxes (2) stashed with my yarn. I was unable to find someone to pay for shipping. I really think that you should have some kind of warning on your website regarding the cost to ship.
Where are you in the world, Michelle? I know that shipping from Canada gets expensive when you choose air mail (from $70 CDN to over $400 CDN!) as opposed to sea mail ($31 CDN).
A great alternative would be to find some place locally that accepts squares. Here in southern Ontario, the craft store Michaels does the same thing as KAS by taking 8″ squares and sewing them into blankets, which then get distributed to people in need in the community.
Is there anyone in your community who you can team up with for shipping? Do you go to church or know anyone who does? Churches love to get involved in charitable causes and could raise funds for postage.
I know it’s frustrating but please don’t give up. Knit-a-square is such an amazing cause and has been able to help so many children in need.
I too was amazed the first time I went to mail my parcel. Since then I’ve learned several tricks relevant to the Canadian postal system. I get chinese take-out every once in a while and the brown bag when filled is exactly within the size requirements for the small parcel surface mail price. I weigh the pkg first and try to fit in as many as I can squeeze so I don’t go over the 2 kg which is the best price. I can usually get 50 to 60 squares in. I might tuck in some add-ins if I want to reach the 2 kg. I used to think that it would be cheaper to just send the money to buy blankets but I don’t think that option is even available compared to what it costs us to send them. Besides, think of all the love and comfort in the handmade squares and bright colours that are sent from loving people around the world. We Kasers also get much joy and satisfaction from being involved.
Well said, Christine! 🙂
I love your bright blanket square Andrea. It will be easy to spot on the blankets album.
When I was in Canada in April/May last year I found it fascinating to watch the late snow fall and then eventually the melt. The one thing that stays in my mind it the long wait that Ontario people give to lawn mowing. They are so excited to see the green grass and the spread of the bright dandelions that mowing is way off in the future until the lawn is about 6-8″ high. Now everyone is waiting for the green again. My profile photo was taken in our son’s back yard after the tulips bloomed.