Modern Relief - Japan

   


I haven’t posted about the situation in Japan until now, simply because I was speechless, utterly wordless in fact.  It’s estimated that rebuilding will take a minimum of 5 years and over £145 billion  … yes, I’ll just say that again … £145 billion.


I have so many connections with Japan through friends, colleagues and students past and present, let alone, from the quilty side of life, all those wonderful Japanese fabrics that make my life sing at the sewing machine - so I can’t just sit and do nothing.


So, I’ve signed up to create a quilt to be raffled for modern relief japan.  Raffles start 4th April, rolling weekly till 9th May. 


My first thought, last week, was to adapt the dresden from Lily’s Quilts QAL to a 21 blade red dresden on a white background, with some whizzy hand quilting of some sort … Sashiko style most likely, with added sashing to make a rectangular lap quilt.


… So, imagine my delight when the modern reliefers posted their blog button!  Now I have inspiration for the surround too!   I might make it a bit more Gee’s Bend-y just to add a bit of interest …


This modern relief project is being organised by Amy from  Amy's Creative Side, Erin from Two More Seconds and Heather from { House } of A La Mode.


If you’re interested in getting involved head over to the modern relief japan website.  All money raised is going to Mercy Corps, who have direct on the ground connections through their partner Peace Winds.


Please watch this video from Peace Winds, shot on 18th March.

No emotive music.  No dramatic voiceover.   Just a 2.5 minute drive through devastated towns  …  in case you needed a reminder of the scale of this country’s need for help. 








What are you waiting for?  Click the button
… or email modernrelief(at)gmail(dot)com
for more info …

   

Good Intentions

I’ve had it with the whole New Year’s Resolution thang.  No more, all that inevitable self hatred and disappointment a few weeks minutes into the year.


I start this year with a much kinder list of Good Intentions and a Quilt for me, to help reinforce them.


So, here they are … in no particular order

	Let go   Of course I’m not going to forget all the people who I’ve lost in the last year, but I am going to try to focus on remembering their vitality, not their demise. Grieving must end.  Mourning can continue awhile.
	Read more … and I don’t mean blogs!  I’ve found it very difficult to focus on a whole book this year.  I used to get through a book a week.   Time to buck up.
	Learn More From free motion quilting to writing new training courses via a bit of embroidery and painting.  It’s time to learn and hone and share. Pop over to Kellie @ 74 Lime Lane to participate even more by joining the Creative Collective ... (button on side bar -->)
	Procrastinate Less We all know it’s much less painful just to get on with the boring stuff.  I’m going to make this a mission.
	Nurture Nature I actually started blogging a couple of years ago to document my wonderful little front garden and all the veggies and fruit I grew, but this year, when my brother got ill, it all went tits up.  This year will be a bumper crop.
	Persevere Need I say more?!
	Commune Be it on or offline, I need to participate more and spectate less.
	Frown less, Laugh more (once the ribs have healed a bit!)

And here’s a sneak peek at a couple of blocks from my Quilt of Good Intentions:

Fresh and zingy and very loosely based on a Yellow Brick Road pattern … In fact, I'm intentionally being unintentional!  yum!

So, what is your No.1 Good Intention for the coming year?  Do share …