Small Joys for Japan... update

Lexi over at pottymouthmama did an update post on the toys collected so far. My three crazy sock softies are in the photos. They look like they have great company : )

Collection closes at the end of April, I can't wait to see the final lot!

Sock softies marathon this weekend

 

For the Small Joys of Japan toy collection, I am donating these handmade sock softies. As hubby went away for work for the weekend, I thought I would make a softie or two... I promptly invaded the coffee table area...

First one done! I think he looks a little like a ninja... these sock softies are inspired by the Stray Socks Sewing book. 

Taa Daa! Finished them just before earth hour, hence the candles in the background... and messy table

I wish I could do animation because I imagined these creatures dancing in a circle...

Then stepping in single file move... 

Going off the stage... 

Close up!

Close up!  

Take a bow - Thank you, thank you very much!

Initially I was going to give away two softies I had made a long time ago and maybe make one new one. On closer inspection, the two softies I had in mind wouldn't be that suitable for children, I don't think. They had small plastic beans as eyes so they are not safety eyes and they were my earlier softies so the stitches weren't very nice and neat. Anyway I thought sock softies would work up quickly, I would make a couple and see how I go.

Before I knew it, I had three made up and the tips of my fingers were starting to numb as I hand stitched all of these. I didn't mind though cause I like practising my needle work and they have turned out pretty good.

So I will mail them off to Calico & Ivy at Balmain tomorrow : ) I don't think I can get there until next weekend and I can't wait to drop them off!

I am so honoured to be able to help out just a little bit!

xx

Save the Children Australia

I just want to mention Save the Children Australia as well. They are identifying partners in and around the impact zone in order to assess the services available and to efficiently meet the needs of children and families. They are working tirelessly with relief agencies and authorities to ensure children's rights are protected.

This is what they have done for the Japan Earthquake Appeal efforts so far:

• Set up two child friendly spaces in Sendai City servicing six evacuation centres. Two more child friendly spaces are due to be established soon.
• Distributed a range of essential items, such as warm clothes and blankets, to 615 people in five locations in Ishinomaki City.

Small Joys for Japan...

 

This is awesome - I just discovered that Lexi of Pottymouthmama and Jac of Operation Angel have started a Toy Collection.  Why don't I have initiatives like this? This is so inspiring!

I am hoping to participate and wrote to Lexi to find out more details...

Lexi said this and more updates here too.

PS - thank you Lisa of the red thread for directing me to Pottymouthmama!!

Help Japan - recap

It has been 10 days since the really bad earthquake and tsunami hit Japan and a few generous people have gathered and started fundraising to help Japan. I put forwarded what I had for the QLD Floods Appeal so I thought that least I could do is spread the word and have a go at bidding for some of the auctions! 

Here is a round up of what I know:

Melanie at Kimono Reincarnate listed two auctions for Japan Relief via the Red Cross. See this and this. they are so pretty. Very generous of Melanie.

Japan Quake Appeal - a great list of auctions co-ordinated by Jo at a bit of this and a bit of that

Handmade for Japan & Arts & Crafts United for Japan

Poppytalk has also posted a list of artists on their "Love for Japan" list too

Check out Toni at Make it Perfect has an amazing auction to raise funds for Save the Children

I know there are many more but these are the ones I have come across so far. What an amazing bunch of generous people!

Help Japan

It has been a heart wrenching weekend for Japan and well, all mankind I think...  I was on my way home from work last Friday afternoon when Terry told me by phone that Japan was hit by a 8.9 richter scale earthquake. My first thought was my friend Belinda and her husband as they were holidaying in Tokyo at the time. I proceeded to contact them via sms, whatsapp, email, viber... all without any success. I must have a trace of hysteria in my voice as my husband kept telling me not to panic as communication network there was down.... When I got home our telephone screen was filled with the devastating images.

My next thought was this is the last thing Japan needs....

Then I thought, ahmmm, I have booked flights to Tokyo at the end of May. My mum turned 60 in January so I had planned to take this trip with her as part of her birthday present. I have been doing a lot of research on places to go while we are there, onsens and ryokan to stay at, craft shops to shop at, ramen places to eat at... well all these seem so insignificant now... when so many sufferings are going on.

Anyway eventually Belinda and David made contact on Sunday at 2am - I was so relieved! They were both fine, just couldn't make contact easily as expected. They are now back home in Hong Kong.

The Japanese people's resilience is truly amazing but how will a country rebuild from such damage?! I have seen heard some inspiring stories via Twitter and FB, how people are band together and helping one another.

I believe the only thing we as fellow human being can do is to help in any way possible. Unlike the QLD Flood Appeal, I have not worked out if there is a dedicated charity set up by the Japanese government but there are a few fund raising going on, just to name a few:

• Handmade for Japan
• A bit of this and A bit of that
• Life Support Japan