PESSIES FOR FLOOD VICTIM HELEN IN QUEENSLAND

Hello Everyone,

Back a couple of months ago a friend in Texas sent us a video of the devastating Inland Tsunami in Toowoomba. I could hardly believe the horrible photos this video relayed. I email my friend Di in Toowoomba and asked her if this really happen in Toowoomba and she told me yes. 

Di then related to me a story of a quilter whose home was washed away by this Inland Tsunami and they had lost everything. So I decided I would make some things for Helen that would hopefully bring a wee smile to her face again.  I worked on creating these pressies as quickly as I could.  Di kindly said she would give these gift to Helen for me.  

Helen came back to attend a luncheon given by the, "Toowoomba Quilter's Club"!

Please click on (Toowoomba Quilter's Club) to see more photos of the wonderful gifts they gave her.   Di sent me some photos of her presenting Helen the pressie I made.  Thanks Di for these photos.  They made me happy to see Helen happy.   

Di with the two packages I sent to Helen.

This is the Embroidery Envelope I made for Helen. The pattern is by Crab-apple Hill.

I also made Helen a crochet Cupcake Pincushion.

Helen looking at the Inside of the Embroidery Envelope.

This is an up close photo of the Cupcake Pincushion.

This is a up close photo of the inside for the Envelope.  The blue wood piece is called a "Laying Tool" made by My Sweetie for Helen.  Another name for it is called a Stiletto.

This photo is an up close of the embroidery on the pockets. The flower is a Pink Lavender with some Hearts. I made the "Stick Pin" that is closing the flap.

In the middle of the Envelope I added a "Hand Dyed Hummer with beads and a wee Heart.  I hand dyed the Hummer some time ago.

This is a photo of the front of the "Embroidery Envelope".  I embroidery Helen's name on it to make it special for her.   The wee charmed say, Handmade with Love.

Here is a photo of some of the goodies I added inside the Envelope.  I bought two Uptown Japanese Ladies scissors from "Anita Little Stitches" in Texas and gave the Yellow one to Helen. I wanted to have one too to remind me of Helen. I thought they were soooooooo cute. I added some floss even thought I was not sure if she did stitching or not. 

 I also added some pretty fabrics and lots of needles.  Di told me that Helen really loved the"Tea Cup" fabric.  It was a pretty recent purchase and because I know "Aussie Ladies" love their Tea I thought she may like it. 

Before I wrapped up the gifts I thought to myself what else could I include in the Envelope.  Then I looked up and saw my "Thimble Collection". I knew I had a couple duplicates so I took one of these and wrapped it and tucked it in one of the pockets hoping it would not break during its long journey.  

Di told me that Helen was really touched when she unwrapped the "Thimble".  Helen said, she had a collection of thimbles and had lost all of them in the flooding. She did retrieve her Thimble Case but No Thimbles were found.  So this thimble is the first to start her new collection.  

Di told me Helen was very overwhelmed and touched by all the wonderful presents that everyone gave her. 

I think the "Greatest" Healing Therapy for anyone is "Friendship" and "Love".  I truly believe that on this day Helen felt the healing powers of Friendship and Love.  

During the last couple of months you have heard me crumbling about our very long and blustery Winter.  Yesterday was a sunny day and so we went for a drive to our favorite Ludington State Park.  Here we found the Ice and Snow receding. You could finally see the wonderful sand dunes emerging again. The river was flowing and the Iced Lighthouse a month ago was now ice free.

But the most glorious sign of Spring was found in my wee garden along side the house where the sun hits all day when it is shining.  VBG  Yup I found three wee crocuses trying to bloom.  It was so wonderful to see and it certainly made me smile. 

My thoughts and Prayers go out to all the victims of the Japanese Earthquake. Also to all those effected by it in Hawaii, other islands and along the West Coastline of the USA.

My thoughts and prayers also go out to the Earthquake victims in New Zealand!

 I am hoping my blogging friends can advise me.  I am interested in learning how to do Japanese Kumihimo Braiding.  Could anyone recommend a good book to learn this technique?  Thanks for your help.

Hugs