What a lovely blanket, and what a lovely reception it got.

You can get stickum at the automotive section of Target just for sticking your rear-view mirror back on if it's the kind that sticks to the windshield. It's not hard or expensive.

Now I'm crying...but the good kind of tears.

What a wonderful post.

You're grandma looks great! And your dad is a stitch.

Wonderful! If only I had found you in time to contribute. Thanks to you we can all enjoy.

OMG, that is fantastic! I really believe that most people are really good and kind and only have the best intentions at heart. It's wonderful to see that people really care.

Good tears here too.
Just amazing how beautiful it turned out and how many others will be touched and blessed by the other squares.
You bring such joy to so many, Laurie, I'm so glad that you and your family received joy in return.

I'm tearing up here. Such a lovely thing. I'm so glad your Grandma was warmed by the blanket and the prayers of so many people.

Oh now that's a lovely way to start the day! I'm gonna be all mushy all day. My dog will love it! God Bless you and your family, Laurie.

And here I am, tearing up at work and getting completely overwhelmed. What an amazing project, a wonderful gift, and what a joyful thing to share with all of us.

*sniffle*

I'll have to head to the ladies' to powder my nose....

Oh crap, CAP--I'm sitting here at work trying (unsuccessfully) to not cry. That is SO AWESOME!!! Much love to the grandma!

and I LOVE your parents and their Betty Ford Clinic adventure-the planning on the fly, the execution, the way the story was related. Y'ALL ROCK!

"Grandma, The Internet made you something!" I LOVE THAT.

'twould be a riot to be a fly on the wall at one of your family gatherings!

I am teary too! That is just so sweet. I am glad it made your grandma so happy.

*sniff*

she reminds me of my aunt, whom i miss very much.

I SEE MY SQUARES!!!

Or maybe it's one that looks JUST LIKE my squares.

Either way, I'm supa happa Gma Purl loves her blanket and that you're having a great time with the fam-bam!!

How very wonderful! Your family sounds perfect.

You know - I was just about to leave work and rush home to pick up my kids who are on Spring Break and playing baseball in the house, when , I took the time to read your post, calm down , and most importantly, I will go home, hug my children and not scold them. We all take so much for granted, what a lovely post. Thank - you.

That blanket is so beautiful!

Also, you KNOW what I would call you, and it aint an "old softie"!!!!

Yesterday was my Grandma's Birthday and she always seems to find a way to show me she is thinking of me. Today I see my square and the joy and happiness that little bit of yarn created for Grandma Purl. I am so thrilled to see the happiness on your Grandma's face and although I'm crying right now, they are tears of joy.

Like you, your grandmother seems like a remarkable woman. I'm so glad she was pleased. And the Betty Ford story was priceless.

What a wonderful final photo... now I need to find my tissues because the tears are dripping off my chin.

Her face... makes me smile. What a wonderfully special gift! It turned out so beautiful!

knitters are indeed some of the nicest people i know. i have yet to meet a bitchy knitter. however, i've heard that such a thing exists.

that blanket is beautiful.

I'm crying here, too...

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family, myself. My mom and dad and I are more like friends now that I am in my thirties, and my brother and I have always been extremely close. My mother's mother lives up stairs, and that woman is an inspiration and a riot. I am glad that no matter what, we always have each other.

If y'all are ever in New York, drinks are on me!

What a treat to see pics of your Grandma with the blanket and scrapbook. Thank you for sharing that. And thanks to Kristy for organizing the event.

Gorgeous blanket - I'm sitting here at work crying at my desk! Yes - the good kind of crying :)

YEA!!!! I see my wine glass square, above the flag in the middle!!! But were's the bottle of wine square? : )

I'm so glad to hear that Grandma loved her blanket and surprise scrap book. It just goes to show that there are lovely caring folks out there in the world - even if it's sometimes hard to find them!

Give Grandma a big hug from all of us.

Knitters rock! Crochters too!

This is really awesome. Hi to your Grandma!

Yay! Just yay! So awesome!!! This post is all the thanks anybody will ever need. It's so nice to know when you had a hand in making somebody happy.

This cyberspace community is amazing.
Cherish your Grandma, I know you do. I recently lost mine, and even though she is with me everyday in all I do I still wish...you know.
Her joy is a beautiful and so are you.

I love this! You regularly make us laugh, Laurie, and today you made me cry. But it's a good cry.

Wish I could have contributed. I'll def. put my squares in for the next round 'o goodness, should someone want to coordinate!

Much love to the fam! Your dad's a hoot 'n a half!

Well dang! Now I'm all smooshy with happy.

Thanks for sharing it all (all!) with us.

All warm and fuzzy here! Your Grandma is beautiful and your dad? Wow, he should really be in Hollywood.

Ah man, blubbering into my keyboard is NOT a good look. Sigh. But that blanket is SOO cool. And I am so happy for you and your grandma! YAY Internets People!!!

That is so wonderfully sweet. <3

How awesome! Just what i needed to read today too :)
~laurie in victoria
knit for peace!
http://www.peacefleece.com/knit%20for%20peace.htm

It looks GREAT! I didn't contribute, wish I had, yay for all the wonderful people who did!

(Drew, come visit us. Our time is your time.)

A beautiful blanket for beautiful grandma :-) (misty eyes here too)

yay for the knitters, and for grandmas, too.

Another teary one here... there is good in the world!

Yay!

I'm crying too! What a wonderful thing your internet friends did for your Grandma! She's so lucky and so are you!

The pictures of your Grandma are great she reminds me of my Grandma. So I'm crying because I just realized how much I miss mine! Spend lots of time with your Grandma and hug her as much as you can and listen to all her stories and tell her how much you lover her.

Oh, and your Mom at the Betty Ford Clinic, too funny!

Laurie is soooo easy to love. and Grandma too.

thanks for sharing.

More of good kind of tears from me... I am so proud to have been able to contribute and so happy that you were there for the delivery to share pictures and commentary with us.
One more set of kudos to Kristy too.
You ladies make me want to do more selflessly

A beautiful blanket for your beautiful grandma! Thank you for sharing your story and pictures wiht us, and thanks as well to everyone who knits to warm the hearts of others. (And one last thank-you for including the Betty Ford clinic story in this post, or I might have cried at work, and instead just needed to choke back laughter!)

Laurie -

Your grandmother is so cute I can't stand it. Not only is it special that so many people came together to do this for her but that you have such an amazing gift to tell such a beautiful story that has us all crying into our coffee mugs at work. So glad you posted pictures. That's living history!

I'm so glad your grandma liked the blanket! I helped sew it up one day, with the help of mimosas, brie, and that Kristy, Lori, and Tami. It was fun to get together, meet new people, and make you guys cry!! If my grandma were still here, she would have been so pleased. (the mimosas were my favorite part)

Have fun with your family!! Lucky girl! Life is good!

I think I see my square too! But maybe it just looks like mine--who cares? I'm part of something so cool!
What a lovely surprise--to be honest, I had slightly forgotten. I'm so excited.
So glad the CAP family had fun. What a lovely post to brighten this rainy day.
:)

Good crocodile tears here too. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family moment.

geee...that made a big happy s-i-i-i-igh just well up and spill out. How wonderful this community is for sending love in such a tangible manner. Thank you Kristy for putting feet to the love. I can only imagine how filled up your Grandma is with a family visit AND the quilt. Thank you for sharing your amazing life and family. (p.s. your grandma is beautiful like a movie star playing a grandma...)

This post makes me love the whole world, and especially the interknitters.

What a wonderful, beautiful thing!

This made me bust out laughing:

"Grandma, The Internet made you something!"

And then I continued reading, and started crying. Like the line in Steel Magnolias: "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

I didn't see my squares--they'll be in the other blankets. But I am *so* happy that it's arrived. Your Grandma's reaction is priceless!!

*hugs*

I too am speachless.

Except to say thank you for explaining Drew Emborsky Standard Time; now I know I can blame it all on him!

Awesome blanket. Love and best wishes to your Grandma.

I think I wanna go to Betty Ford next time I have a headache...

Happy to see Grandma is feeling more herself and enjoying her blanket and scrapbook.

"interknitters". I think Uccellina just coined a term!!!!

I wish you would marry Drew!!

What a wonderful post! Sitting in my office all teary and full of happiness knowing there are so many wonderful people out there :-) Are you folks still in town?

Like MonkeyGurrl, I too think I spy one of my squares! It was so heartwarming to be able to knit for such a wonderful person. Just reading about your grandma through your blog has made us all feel so connected to her. I for one, believe the power of prayer and good thoughts can do a lot to help someone through a rough patch in his or her life. And I know she has felt that through the scrapbook and all the hand-knit squares that were so lovingly made. Knitter are indeed a giving bunch!

Oh, that is so sweet. That is wonderful. It made me tear up a little bit too. I so know about the ugly cry and could feel that coming up on me.

Thats just what we had planned! Love, Joy and Prayers from all over!! Now, I'll cry with you.

'scuse me. i think i may have to go ugly cry now.

(also? maybe a project a year? with a wee scrapbook for those that are there that don't have the fabulous you in their lives? might be nice, as well)

'scuse me. i think i may have to go ugly cry now.

(also? maybe a project a year? with a wee scrapbook for those that are there that don't have the fabulous you in their lives? might be nice, as well...'cause this was ten kinds of awesome.)

Sometimes, Blanche, relying on the kindness of strangers works out beautifully.

I wish I had come through this site early enough to get involved. I'm still sending good thoughts and prayers for the whole Purl clan.

Wow, how lucky are you to be swimmin' in that good looking gene pool, girl! Thanks to Kristy for sewing together the squares - it was fun for me to send some good yarn karma out from the internet.

Your grandma is the most adorable person in the world.... I'm glad she loved her blanket.. and ummm love the DEST. HAHAHAHA.

I get a lot of headaches. A lot.
I should go to the Betty Ford. Maybe that's what I have been doing wrong my whole life. Not serious enough meds.
Aewsome blanket, awesome Grandma story. Love it to bits.

Love that story. *sniff*

Harriett -- "Putting feet to the love" -- that's going to be my new mantra. Except for the cats -- as long as I put "feed" to the love, they're happy.

Everything about this story is sooo cool.

I wanted to burst into tears! (But I'm at work.)

Yay! Your grandma is so beautiful and the blanket is so beautiful! I haven't quite started knitting yet but I was more than happy to contribute the scrapbook! I love the pictures of grandma and her happiness.

~sigh~ Makes me feel all warm and gooey ~ :)

And special thanks to Miss Kristy! With everything she's had to go through lately she's done a wonderful job!

MWAH!

Ok.. you made me cry darn it... Your grandma is soooo cute. I wish mine were still here.

Wow--she is so beautiful!

Now you've got this old softie crying. It turned out to be quite lovely, too.

Now I am tearing up too. How sweet to share this gift from so many with so many people.

*sniffle*
*giggle*
*sniffle*
*giggle*

Wow... your dad is one seriously HOT dude! [But then, I'm probably a LOT closer to his age then you kids... LOL]

How nice that Laurie's gramma was so happy! And was that a GREAT pic Laurie took of her when the box was opened or what?

Gotta go blow my nose now.

Ya'all are a great bunch and I'm so glad I can hang with ya.

Laurie, have a wonderful time with your family!

Oh it's just like watching one of those commercials. You know the ones. Where you end up crying even though they are selling you something.
That blanket is beautiful. I know she will feel so much love from it when she uses it.
:)

So symbolic - you wrap yourself in a blanket like you wrap yourself in a family, to keep you warm and safe. And to argue - you argue with a blanket. Oh wait -- Bossy is talking about her family, uh, blanket.

Wow. I just started reading you recently, so I missed out on the project. What a wonderful thing!

That last picture of your grandma warms my heart. That's why I sent in a square. :) Thanks for sharing the unveiling ceremony with us! (I started crying the good kind of tears, too, while reading your post.)

And I'd like to add that the title of this post sounds like it should be the title of the next Harry Potter book. :)

Love to you and your wonderful fambly!

I miss my grandma every day, thanks for sharing another emotive post.

Yippee! I think I see one of my squares! So glad your Grandma enjoys her blanket (also really happy that Mr Hakim will get one, too). Yup! "The internet made you something" and you've made us something, too. Part of a great, big, loving family (of crazy people).

I'm into the ugly cry just reading this, making library patrons wonder about my tragic life. The blanket is a wonderful gift for all of us, even the lurkers!

Betty Ford Clinic has a walk-in ER? And they dole out drugs so freely. Hmmmm, a business strategy to keep their clients coming?

Laurie, those little squares are nothing to the light and laughter you bring into our lives. The blanket(s) are the least we could do to show our appreciation. Thank you for sharing yourself so generously :)

Laurie,
Almost everyday I check in to see what you have written as you always make me laugh. (The story about how your boyfriend's family wanted you to sign your V-jay-jay over to Jesus was about the funniest thing I've ever read!) But today, you made me cry--happy tears. Reading about your family and the quilt was so beautiful. You really are such a talented writer. I was just away on a trip last week and one of the highlights of coming home was that I got to read several of your days in one sitting. Thanks for being you!

Yay! Your grandmother looks so cute!

absolutely wonderful

What a beautiful story and such lovely pictures!! I am so moved by the whole concept of the cyber-group blanket project...and wrapping that around the love of a Grandmother is just wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!!

Interknitters - that be us'n!

And seeing your grammie made me miss mine who passed on in December (All my squares were in honor of my grandparents - you can read about them here http://cattyscorner.blogspot.com/2006/09/of-grandparents-and-squares.html) I'm so glad she liked it and YAY to Kristy for taking on this crazy band of peeps and project!

Stunning colours, Laurie. No wonder there were tears all around. May your Grandma enjoy it in good health.

Hi Laurie, what a lift to a rotten dreary drudgeful day to see Grandma Purl's look of delight opening up her blanket o' love (I think I spotted my square, but it doesn't really matter, 'cause we are all Spartacus, right? Obscure movie reference). So much fun to send our 8" squares out into the world on an adventure, and to be part of the "interknitters" (thanks, Uccellina!) And special thanks to Kristy, Marissa and everyone who organized this project and stitched it all up, y'all rock!

Ohhh...I went from awwww, pass the kleenex gentle tears to be the big old ugly cry at warp speed. The kindness of "strangers" who become some of our dearest friends is the amazing thing about the online world.

This entry is such a joy - priceless!

Family, good friends and some good laughs along the way---that's what makes life worth the living. Thanks for sharing yours.

Oh my lord, now I have a lump in my throat and a bit of a headache from holding back the tears! What an awesome surprise for your grandmother! Really, this blogosphere is amazing, isn't it?

Your grandma is to cute for words. You are right about the fact that there are still some very kind people in the world. It should give us all hope.

I stumbled on your blog and wow, this post just warmed the cockles of my heart. What a blessing to still have your grandmother around, she seems like a wonderful lady.

I am a new ADDICTED reader....and this post brought tears to my eyes.

How wonderful the internet knows your grandmother. We have her to thank for you.

Maxly

I am in tears. Both laughter over your father's idea of a good laugh (also would be mine if ever I had thought of it) and your Grandma's joy. That really rocks.

Grandma Purl's blanket is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us in the Internets. And thanks to Kristy for organizing and executing such a wonderful project!

M

I'm so glad she liked it!
May your grandmother and the others use their blankets in good health for a long, long time.

Way to make a girl ugly cry. Absolutly priceless - thank you for sharing your grandmother's joy with us.

Aw, now I have the boo-hoos goin' on, too. I miss my Gramdmas and my Dad so much.

I love that last picture. I love to see old people happy.

I think your Dad bears a striking resemblance to Willie Nelson. And that is the highest of compliments. And that Betty Ford stunt was a TOTALLY Capricorn practical joke.

I wish I had started reading your blog when Project Grandma started. Can a person still contribute squares for blankets for the other folks there? How big, where to send them?

What a lovely grandma you have! Thanks for the great story and the ugly cry moment ...

Aaaawwww....

So glad that your grandmother is back home and getting around, and that you're getting to spend some time with them. Kudos to Kristy and the gang for literally putting this thing together! Behold the power of yarn...

And who knew the internet could knit and crochet?

Wow! What a great post. Kisses to your grandma.

Your mail thing cracked me up. My mailman showed up at my office one day to tell me to pick up my mail because my box was just too damn full. It was pretty funny.

if there isn't a Saint Laurie...there should be now.

Laurie, I have read this post at least three times - the first time at work - and every time it has brought tears to my eyes. Happy happy, joy joy tears. The pictures are amazing. Your grandmother's excitement for this project . . . it just moves me. And the fact that all of you were there with her, in my opinion, it couldn't have been more perfect.

I am seldom at a loss for words, but in this instance, I guess maybe I am. It has been an absolutele privilege to be a part of this.

That was a beautiful blanket. Your Grandma looks so happy, and beautiful! Good genes you've got there, girl. I'm so happy for you guys! Yes, the Internet has reconnected me to the fact that a lot of people are pretty wonderful. Very nice.

Wow! That last photo of your Grandma is just wonderful!

I so want to meet your dad. Because he took your mom to the Betty? ROFL The kind of twisted thing that my dad might do.

And love that your grandma is loving the blanket.

Holly crap CAP! I am in tears, sniffling and everything!!!

God Bless your grandma!!! Your dad is a riot and very handsome too!!! ;)

I am very happy you are happy matter of fact WE are all Happy CAP is HAPPY!!!! LOL

I'm glad you are back posting your mis-adventures!!! How did the eval go?

What a wonderful, moving story...and just WOW on the blanket! *sniff*

Crafters in general are some of the most wonderful people...when my own Gram was ailing 2 years ago, my online stamping friends got together & contacted others and a flood of homemade angel cards arrived in Gram's mailbox. She was touched and awed by the power of the internet.

So happy your family was there to share in this great gift!

you're not suppose to make me cry before 10am.

I think I love your Dad. And your Grandmother is just lovely.

What a beautiful stunning sweet grandmere you have! I would love to shake her hand and tell her it's a privilege to see her. I wasn't here in time to contribute either - may we have a recap of the story that had such a tender and loving ending? Those are some beautiful squares! (And so neatly put together....I admire that!) Thanks for a dear and wonderful page.

Oh Laurie - you look just like your Dad!

The story is beautiful! How did it all start? Please hook those of us up who were late getting on the Crazy Aunt Purl wagon!
I look forward to reading you and your cat adventures daily!! Keep on writin'!!

It was a pleasure to participate. I've been eagerly awaiting this post, and I am happy to see that your grandma is as excited about it as I wanted her to be. My square is the yellow with green and lavender stripes. It was the first piece of knitted goodwill that I put out into the world. I'm so glad to see it is loved.

*sniff sniff* Didja have to make us ALL cry? ;-)

I didn't participate, as I am a non-knitter, but I am boweled over by the generosity of the folks around here.

I discovered your blog too late to join in, but I think this is a beautiful idea for your beautiful grandma! Give your grandma a hug for me--I lost mine 9 years ago and miss her all the time.

Wow. That's just so beautiful. The InterKnitters never cease to amaze me with their kindness and generosity. I'm so happy that your grandma was the recipient of it this time. She's gotta be fabulous to bring us the Crazy Aunt Purl!

What a wonderful thing everybody involved did for your grandma. I really enjoyed reading all about it and seeing a picture of the blanket..

dd/sandy

I am thrilled by the blanket and your Grandmother's reaction. I knit two squares, with a picnic theme, in memory of my own Grandmother, a knitting maven. I just love random acts of kindness!

*sniffle* happy boogers taste sweet.

i sent in some squares, but they didnt make the final grandma cut. but i am glad to see pictures of it and see how happy it made everyone. talk about a softie, im sitting at my desk crying!

love to you CAP and yer family!

I am so happy your gramma's friends will benefit too!

That is a great story.

This was such a great post! I had tears running down my face! Go Grandma!!!

Krystal

that last picture brought tears to my eyes.

what a wonderful story this is!

Even a cynical, city bred North Easterner like me was moved. Now, excuse me, I need a kleenex.

p.s. Can your family adopt me?

Ok, I'm the lone non-cryer, but my face hurts from the ear-splitting grin I've been sportin' since I started reading this post.

My square was an offering and it'll wind up in SOMEONE's blanket, as it was meant to, and I got to write a note to your super-cool grandmama, and most of all, as those sage girlies in the Shake-N-Bake ads used to say,

"An' I helped!"

Love to you and your kin and your critters. Keep blogging!

tears rolling down my cheeks. that was a beautiful post. thank you.

Oh wow - it's beautiful and I'm sitting at my desk at work all teary eyed.

I love the post, I love the blanket, the scrap book and especially the thought and energy that was put into it.

Very beautiful and inspiring.

Aaaaand now I'm crying, too.

What a great post!

I'm so glad I was able to help out! It's nice to see she enjoyed it.

Okay, I'm a big suck and cried, too, when I read this. Of course I was completely unaware of the project and would have totally knit a square, but maybe for the next project? Thanks for this post!

Just found your blog today (found your roll brim hat tutorial from way back) and now I. am. totally. crying. What a wonderful, beautiful, and inspiring story!!!

I'll definitely be back for more. :)

Dammit. Now here I sit, at WORK, where I am supposed to be a professional (I don't walk into metal cabinets. Oh no. I walk into lab benches and large wooden bookshelves. Go me), and just crying.

I am sorry I wasn't around to participate in the awesome blanket project, but it's just wonderful. My grandma died a month ago, and so it was just so nice to see someone else's grandma treated so well.