Socks for Japan



I gather the raw materials





Each bag is labeled and filled with a pair of socks and an origami crane

 



Now it is time to print the notes

 



Printing half a page at a time allows me to work around the chrysanthemum motif

 



My rotary cutter works for paper too (although I may need to change the blade) :)

 



Some socks look better with the chrysanthemum paper

 



Others shine with the rose paper

 



Eventually all 69 pairs are ready to go

 


Uh oh, will they all fit??




The box is bursting at the seams, but it's good to go!





http://jasonkelly.com/helpjapan/ to help

Hearts for New Zealand

From the eQuilter newsletter on 3/2:

I would say that those affected by the earthquake need money to rebuild their lives and repair their homes, but here is an additional way to send your healing thoughts to those affected:

Hello from New Zealand!

We are asking for Hearts for the thousands of Christchurch earthquake victims. Not the usual hearts, but "Hanging Hearts." Two pieces of heart-shaped fabric sewn together, lightly stuffed, and with a hanging loop of ribbon. These can be any size, any fabric, any style!

We will be arranging a venue where they can all be hung and people can come and take whichever one they like. If you would like to take part could you please send your hearts to [address]

Here are the ones I made. I made a heart template out of cardboard, then traced the shape on the wrong side of a piece of fabric. I sandwiched that with a second piece of fabric and then stitched directly on the tracing (leaving a small opening so I could turn it right side out later). It works very well. Actually takes longer to stuff the thing than it does to machine sew it :)