Wanting to Do SOMETHING...
I've been as glued as I can be to the television (ok, that's not much these days with just the local channels to watch), to the news websites, and to NPR listening to everything I can catch about what's happening across the Pacific pond. How much can any one country handle? If someone had said, "Imagine a 9.0 earthquake, followed by tsunami, and then a critical event at a nuclear reactor," would you have said, "that's a bit out of the realm of possibility!" Well, I would have, and I tend towards the "if the worst can happen it probably will" mindset...always have been.
So my heart has been wrenched in two the past week, agonizing for the Japanese people. I knew better than to jump and try to do something to help in a knitterly way, because there's no way anything can be shipped over. I'm one who tends NOT to toss money willy-nilly, too.
For all that I work for a nonprofit, I tend not to donate to large groups with massive administrative components. I usually sit back a bit and wait till the right thing hits and then I make donations carefully...
So this evening, when I dropped in on Bonnie's little corner of the world to see what she was up to and discovered she was starting on the Pacific Shawl and that Michelle, the designer, was donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the pattern to The Red Cross for the Japanese disaster relief, I figured that was something I could get behind.
(I do support The Red Cross, by the way)
So if you've a mind to make a quick little shawl with gentle waves of feather and fan, hop, skip and hurry over to Ravelry and pick this little one up. I haven't decided about the beads, but since DD might be dropping in next weekend and heading down to the bead store with me to come up with some denim and brown leather bracelets a la this (don't ask, it's my newest "crazy compulsion"), we might find just the right beads for me to use for my first beaded lace shawl!
;)
And if you've a mind to, please say a prayer or six for the Japanese people. How anyone can survive such a series of disasters is beyond me...
(((hugs)))
So my heart has been wrenched in two the past week, agonizing for the Japanese people. I knew better than to jump and try to do something to help in a knitterly way, because there's no way anything can be shipped over. I'm one who tends NOT to toss money willy-nilly, too.
For all that I work for a nonprofit, I tend not to donate to large groups with massive administrative components. I usually sit back a bit and wait till the right thing hits and then I make donations carefully...
So this evening, when I dropped in on Bonnie's little corner of the world to see what she was up to and discovered she was starting on the Pacific Shawl and that Michelle, the designer, was donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the pattern to The Red Cross for the Japanese disaster relief, I figured that was something I could get behind.
(I do support The Red Cross, by the way)
So if you've a mind to make a quick little shawl with gentle waves of feather and fan, hop, skip and hurry over to Ravelry and pick this little one up. I haven't decided about the beads, but since DD might be dropping in next weekend and heading down to the bead store with me to come up with some denim and brown leather bracelets a la this (don't ask, it's my newest "crazy compulsion"), we might find just the right beads for me to use for my first beaded lace shawl!
;)
And if you've a mind to, please say a prayer or six for the Japanese people. How anyone can survive such a series of disasters is beyond me...
(((hugs)))
posted by Nana Sadie at 10:00 PM
5 Comments:
Thanks so much for purchasing my pattern. We are well on our way to a nice donation to the Red Cross.
The beads are fun and add a little sparkle, but they are definitely optional. At least you don't have to pre-string them; no commitments here! I like playing it by ear.
As you contemplate beading a shawl, my advice is to use the crochet hook one bead at a time technique. The beads sit perfectly (they "strangle" the stitch they're on) and there isn't the wear on your yarn from threading then advancing many beads.
This disaster has definitely fallen into the beyond-the-realm category. I have waited a bit to see who is having the most direct impact before making a donation; look at what happened in Haiti.
I do agree with Meezermeowy, that using the crochet hook method is THE way to go!
our community here in hawaii has such close ties with japan. it's wonderful to see all the fundraising efforts taking place. i can't attend or contribute to many of them, but i have at least given to the red cross.
what makes me mad are the people who are trying to scam money from people who are sincerely trying to give to charities. there have been reports of emails falsely claiming to be a charity that will send the money on to japan. will the greed ever end?
I am amazed by the resiliency of the Japanese people. They are already moving forward, picking up the pieces. Quietly, with dignity they are getting through the days. It is heart-wrenching to watch the images but it is also an inspiration too. If they haven't given up, no one should. I tear up watching the TV...and hope that the worst is behind them. It's also the uncertainty about the air quality in future etc, that must be so frightening.
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