JAPAN

Last Oct. I had the chance to go with the CQI gals on their retreat in Colorado.
At that time I had a chance to meet with a lot of gals who I knew from the lists and from Omaha retreats. One person I had never met and that is because she lives in Japan. Our good friend Hideko came all the way from Japan for this retreat.
We talked but I had no idea what part of Japan she came from. It turns out it she is from Sendai where the worst of the earthquake hit damaging the nuclear reactors.

Well Hideko and her immediate family are safe and they live about 100 km (60 miles) from that area. The gals in CQI have organized and are making crazy quilts that in future will be sent to Japan and auctioned off there and the money to go to funds where needed.

The following info I took from Leslie's blog. If you are interested in helping out the info is as follows:

I am coordinating a project to raise funds for the recovery of Japan. The quilting community as a whole is welcome to participate! Traditional and crazy quilt blocks will be accepted! I am posting the guidelines below for those that are interested in joining in. Please contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to working with everyone! I know this will be a fabulous project upon completion! Stay tuned here or at the CQI blog for updates on blocks as they come in!! Please feel free to utilize this post on your own blog to help in spreading the word!!!

Hearts and Hands For Sendai

This project will be dedicated to helping those affected by the earthquake tsunami disaster in Japan. Per Hideko Ishida's request, all quilts will become a part of an exhibit in Japan where money will be raised by viewing the quilts. Ultimately, these quilts may be auctioned and the proceeds given to a charity designated by Hideko Ishida, our Japanese CQ Sister! We will keep everyone informed as time progresses. This project is open to the quilting community at large! You may track details on the Crazy Quilting International blog, http://crazyquiltinginternational.blogspot.com or the ICQA Facebook page http://tinyurl.com/4h3x28a .

Guidelines are as follows:

Theme: Friendship and re-building of a country

Finished block size: 8 inches

Colors: Jewel Tones

Style: traditional or crazy quilt blocks will be accepted

For traditional quilt blocks, there are no pattern restrictions. The only requirements are the size and the colors. Finished size is to be 8 inches (20.32 cm). Please allow a half inch seam allowance. Colors are jewel tones. No restrictions to the type of fabric used.


For crazy quilt blocks:

_ Cut foundation at 9 inches (22.86 cm), piece the entire foundation.

_ Baste a line at 8 inches (20.32 cm) to stop embroidering

_ Do not add beads or charms past 7 ½ inches (19.05 cm)

_ Zig zag edges to prevent edges from fraying.

_ Add your name and address on the back of the block.

_ Mark the block with “UP” to show which side is the top

_ Prefer all fabrics used be “fancies” (ie: silk, satin, taffeta, velvet) but if you have

some kimono fabrics or other oriental themed fabrics in your stash you are

welcome to use them.

_ All beading MUST be double stitched and knotted with BEADING THREAD!!!

NO exceptions!!! These items will be handled a great deal and beads, buttons,

charms are among the first to begin to loosen. Embellishments – may be done

by machine or by hand.

_ Lace and other motifs are acceptable and must be securely attached

_ Trims are acceptable and must be securely attached

_ SRE is acceptable

_ Tatting and crocheted butterflies and dragonflys, etc are acceptable and must

be securely attached

_ Please sign the back of your block

Please refrain from using any reference to the rising sun as this has political connotations in Japan.

If you have any questions, at any time, please just email me or call me; Leslie pinyoncreekq@q.com . All completed projects will be mailed to me no later than June 30, 2011. Please contact me for mailing address information.

We are asking for an entry fee of $10.00 dollars for each block. This fee will be accrued and forwarded to either Hideko or a charity of her choosing. This is to generate funds to help Japan as much as possible.

Funds can be sent vis a vis check, money order (payable to ICQA) or Paypal, icqa4u@yahoo.com. Please check gift for the donation. I appreciate everyone’s participation and look forward to seeing all the fabulous creations!