getting re-stash stuff out there

Just to let you all know a few more stories about getting your donations connected with the right recipients.

Thanks to some volunteer transport (thanks Kirstie) a load of stuff is making its way up to Kinglake next week for a patchworking group starting at the Kinglake Community Centre. It is great to be able to help out this new group.

If you have any fat quarters or backing or binding fabric sufficient for a whole quilt do please send it in to us. Make sure it is clearly labelled KINGLAKE PATCHWORKING GROUP - as we're having quite a job keeping the donations for re-stash a crafter sorted and stored in a way that makes getting them out easy. Your help in labeling would really be appreciated.

In other news we've been contacted by Sarah, who is coordinating some knitting groups in Kinglake and Toolangi looking for extra supplies for her group. In particular Sarah has found it really hard to get a hold of whole jumper quantities of yarn since most donated yarn has been of the oddment or recycled kind. The focus of the group is garment knitting so sourcing larger lots of new yarn is now a mission! They are especially interested in colours suitable for men's garments and any good patterns for men's garments too.

There's also a call from Sarah for machine washable 8 ply pure wool in teddy 'skin' colours (browns, greys, black, cream, beige etc) for the trauma teddy learn to knit group - single balls are OK for this one - and 3.75mm knitting needles.

We've been able to help out with a bit, but not enough, so if you have any of these things we'd love to get them! Again, please make sure they are clearly labelled - SARAH'S KNITTING GROUP so we can make sure they get tot he right place as quickly and easily as possible.

It is great to see some of the goods that have been donated reaching the right people and we look forward to forging more partnerships with people in affected communities.

readmore »»

New Stuff

You may notice things look a little different here. We've got a new header kindly created by Evie of Handmade Romance. And a new button that we're yet to put up (that you can add to your own blog or you can stick with the original button). Evie has also created some posters that you can print out and pin up around your 'hood. You know you want to. Press print and go post them up at your local shopfronts (ask first) so more people can help.

We want to thank Silly Gilly for the first header. She did such a great job - and so quickly - and we're ever so grateful. Thanks Gillian.

Also - if you pop over to say hola to Silly Gilly she's organising the mother of all auctions with all proceeds to go to the relief appeal. Check out all the beautiful goodies flooding in. And she's got the task of sorting it all out. Sheesh! Go over and show your support.

readmore »»

HELP for the BLOKES: Knot That I Can Knit

Hi gang,

We've been thinking a bit about the blokes. You know them. I know them. They're usually the ones that keep things to themselves. Silently. And during so much suffering, it would be extra good to let them know we're thinking of them too.

So this brings me to - crafting for the blokes.

We've come up with some categories that you might be interested in helping with. And as ever, we're open to suggestions. This is after all, all about community, we love to hear from you, dear reader!

- Can you knit? Can you knit socks? If yes (or if no but you're willing to learn) then we'd love you to knit some socks for some fellas. Beanies are good too. It's going to be Winter soon. The big chill. Let's make some beanies too.
- Are you crafty with leather? Does nothing warm the cockles of your heart more than picking up your leather tools (do these have a special name?) and belting out a *ahem* belt, or a wallet? Then we'd love you to help.
- And while we have you - what about a gorgeous masculine toiletry/shaving bag/kit? We've been talking about making some feminine versions, but let's not forget the blokes!
- For further down the track - keyrings. Yes, that's right - keyrings. I read somewhere that these are the simple kinds of things that are needed. Maybe not right now, but soon my friends, soon.
- And lastly (for now) does your man-friend have any spare tools they can donate? Your Dad, your brother, your husband, your lover, or you (if you have your own tool box?). We're talking good quality tools, not some crummy cheap hammers that are going to crumble after two bangs. No.. We want the good stuff.

Please let us know if you can knit up some socks. Belt out some belts. You know the drill! (did you get that crafty pun right there??)

readmore »»

How We Can Help Your Affected Community.

Handmade Help are committed to the long term wellbeing of those affected by last weekend's fires. We have a number of projects in place already - with many more offers of assistance each day. We are also encouraging people to put away $1 a day to donate to the Bushfire Appeal on June 1st - to ensure that there is enough long term funding to rebuild or rehouse those affected.

Ways we can help affected people and communities:

Re-Stash A Crafter - co-ordinating the distribution of craft supplies to those that need them most. This program aims to re-stash crafters who may have lost all their supplies - or to get craft pack to those who are seeking distraction whilst in the relief centres. We can get these out really quickly to a central location if we know numbers, requirements and exactly where to go.
If you need craft supplies, or know someone that does, contact Suzie at soozs(dot)com(at)gmail(dot)com or telephone Pip on 03-9416 3724
Download a flier to post on a noticeboard in an affected area here - it will ensure we can try and meet all crafty needs - direct into the community.

Handmade Donation Drive - we are gathering handmade items from hundreds of crafters worldwide. These items will be distributed directly into the affected communities in a few months time. Items will include handmade toys, quilts, homewares, clothing, accessories and other made-with-love things. We'll be consulting directly with those in the affected areas to determine the best time and place for distribution. Current plans are to literally drive a truck up to a central location which we'll publicize through community channels. Recipients will be able to choose the things they most need or like. If you have information which will help us distribute these things wisely please email meetmeatmikes(at)gmail(dot)com or telephone Pip on 03-9416 3724. Please let us know if you have a particular pressing need and we'll do our best to fill it.

Handmade Horticulture - a team of enthusiasts is gathering relevant seedlings and information for the regeneration and replanting of these areas. More info soon. For immediate advice TO us or enquiries please email nanette(at)eliosha(dot)com

Homemade - The Handmade Help Cookbook - a worldwide fundraising recipe drive. The recipe book will be distributed free as a hard copy to those in affected areas - and also will be downloadable for a fee (all funds raised will go to The Red Cross). If you have any enquiries or suggestions re this (and other food/cooking related things we should be donating) email Gilly at handmaderecipes(at)gmail(dot)com

Handmade Help Craft Sales - a series of online sales and auctions with part or all of the funds raised going to The Red Cross. All goods have been donated by crafters from all over the world. Sales and donations administrated by each individual crafter. For suggestions, advice TO us or information email Cindy at bdesign_cc(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

If you have ANY insight or advice on things we can do to help. Things people need. Particular people (or even just ONE person!) in need. Places we should drive to TOMORROW to drop things off... ANYTHING AT ALL - then email us! meetmeatmikes(at)gmail(dot)com or any of the above email addresses!

Or telephone 03-94163724 (leave a message)

readmore »»