Kindle or Nook .... I'd still rather a BOOK

When they make the Kindle smell and feel like a real book, I may be tempted to purchase one as it certainly would make moving easier (last time I moved, some 20 boxes were just books alone) and free up a lot of shelf space.

.... then again, maybe not. There just isn't, and never will be, anything like holding a book in your hand. The smell of the pages (especially that wonderful perfume of age), the feeling of them flipping through your fingers, the sound the pages make as they are turned .... nope, nothing can ever replace that.

Boogie woogie bugle boy ...

I have been really into the 1940's for some reason these past few months. Swing music, flouncy skirts and headwear have taken center stage and I've channeled this into my knitting, crochet and even sewing.

I have some new items that I've put up for sale (with more coming) ...

And then some that I'm not sure I can part with, like this hat:

All were made from this wonderful 1940's crochet pattern book. I'm eyeing this sweet pair of gloves to tackle next.

Swing on!

And now back to our regular scheduled program ....

Back in step with the theme of my blog .... I have found a new love : Electro-swing!

Take the foot tapping big band swing sound, add some modern touches and voila.

This explains it very well ....

http://motherjones.com/mixed-media/2011/06/caravan-electro-swing-boom-steampunk

Once you hear it, you're gonna get hooked for sure - I know I am!

Happy dancing!

Cranes and bracelets and Japan relief ... oh my!

The cranes event was amazing and wonderful! Hundreds of cranes were folded and so far I have about 700 strung. I will be collecting more cranes today and finishing the senbazuru this weekend with plans to ship the package out early next week.

With my attentions so focused on the cranes these past 2 weeks, I've taken a short hiatus from the Japan relief bracelets. But today I finally had a few spare moments to myself and sent another donation to the Red Cross Japan disaster relief fund

..... The total amount, as of today, donated from AmiKami sales is : $1,030 !!!!

This has been a wonderful experience for me to be able to do so many things, include so many people in efforts for helping a country so very close to my heart. Thank you so much, everyone, for all your support!!

Operation : Senbazuru of Hope

I've been so busy this past week getting ready for the big day! Operation Senbazuru of Hope - 1,000 Cranes for Japan is underway and we have already made hundreds of cranes.

The community support and efforts for this non-fundraising relief effort for

Japan has been wonderful. The grand finale will be on Tuesday, May 3rd when people and kids from all over Big Bear are coming together to make cranes, write messages of hope and string the senbazuru. Then, the package of love and prayer will be shipped directly to people who survived the earthquake and tsunami.

It is going to be an amazing day!

Amikami Japan Disaster Relief Fundraising UPDATE .... and more!

Elementary school children together for the
first time since the March 11 earthquake.
(AP Photo/Yomiuri Shimbun, Miho Ikeya)

I can't believe it, but I have just received enough bracelet orders to exceed the $1,000 donation goal! But I've decided I'm not stopping now, and I am not making any more goals ... the sky's the limit!

I've been so deeply touched and encouraged by the phenomenal response I've received since I began my fundraising efforts. I'm am also so inspired by outpouring of support all over to help Japan in this desperate time.

I am currently working on a new Japan project, but not a fundraiser this time. I am working with my friends, students and community in the small town where I live in to make 1,000 cranes to send to Japan. I'm not certain of who the recipients will be exactly, but I'd like to send them to a school I recently read about - Okawa Elementary.

This small school was in a town completely destroyed by the tsunami. Only 34 of the 108 students and 1 teacher out of 12 survived. The school year is beginning in Japan and on April 21, the remaining students will be using classrooms in another school to start their year as the rest of the country does. It made me so sad, but to think of their courage and strength to continue on is so inspiring. I would like to send them something to show them that even 5,000+ miles away, there are people thinking of them and praying for them.

I'll post more on this as it starts coming together. I have already had such an enormous response to this plan, I know it will be a wonderful thing!

Another donation made today!!!

I am so excited to announce that I made another donation to the Red Cross for Japan disaster relief today in the amount of $280!!

That means the total donations from the Japan relief bracelet sales is $520. Yes, that means I've met my goal .... but that was the OLD goal. New goal is $1,000 and I already have enough orders to put me well on the way of achieving that.

100% of the sale price of these bracelets are being donated to the Red Cross. The bracelets can be purchased through my Etsy shop at www.amikami.etsy.com.

Also would like to thank Shino for posting my Japan relief bracelet on her blog: http://beautifuladdiction-shino.blogspot.com/ where she is showcasing relief efforts and showing support to Japan. Beautiful!

Thanks to all for support of this cause and keep praying for Japan!

In the local news

There is a wonderful article in the Big Bear Grizzly today about the bracelet sales for Japan disaster relief. A huge thank-you to my wonderfully supportive friends and coworkers!

My goal is $500, but I'd be thrilled to see it go beyond that. The bracelets are $10 each and 100% of that will be donated to the Red Cross specifically for Japan disaster relief.

The bracelets can be purchased at www.amikami.etsy.com.

The quarter million people - elderly, children, broken families - that have been left homeless because of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami are still living in makeshift shelters and struggling not only for survival, but with the emotional scars left from this horrific disaster. These are strong, hard-working and were self-sufficient people who have lost everything. Every bit of support we can show from outside Japan helps bring hope for the future of these people.

Thank you and keep praying for Japan. ♥ 日本のために祈る ♥

Red Cross Donation!

I am very happy to announce I made my first donation to the Red Cross for Japan disaster relief since starting my personal campaign making bracelets to support this important cause.

I have never done anything like this before and was apprehensive in the beginning as to how effective I, as a small individual, could be. I woke up on the morning of March 17 with this idea and a week later have donated over twice what I thought I'd be capable of raising.

I have an enormous amount of gratitude for all those who have supported my efforts and purchased bracelets. There are about a quarter MILLION Japanese people who have lost everything (family, property, livelihood) and are currently still, after 2 weeks, living in makeshift shelters with little hope for their future. 10,000 bodies have been recovered, about that many more are still missing. They are proud and strong, but still at this time are in need of help. Let's all do what we can and together help them to recover.

Bracelets are $10 each and 100% goes to the Red Cross for Japan disaster relief. Bracelets can be purchased HERE. You can also follow the fundraising progress on the AmiKami Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/AmiKami/111971105499272

Thank you and keep praying for the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami!

Please help support Japan earthquake relief!

It has been a very very long time since I've blogged .... wow, I hadn't realized HOW long until now! But I am back and with a very important message.

I am trying to help raise money to donate to the Red Cross to help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Japan has a very special place in my heart. I have family and friends there and my children are half Japanese. I was horrified at the devastation and deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of lives.

I cannot write a check for $1m, or join the rescue efforts over there, but I want to do what I can. Even if it is just a little bit, I think it is every little bit that makes a huge difference.

So, I started selling these bracelets in my Etsy shop for $10 and will donate the entire $10 to the Red Cross.

I have sold 12 ($120) . . . but my goal is to sell 50.

The bracelets are crocheted from a vintage lace pattern in 100% cotton thread and is secured with a sparkly Swarovski crystal button.

A tiny red glass heart is attached with a jump-ring as a reminder to keep praying for the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Red symbolizes courage, the heart is for love and your donation brings hope.

These bracelets can be made in a variety of colors to suit your taste and in a size to fit you perfectly.

Please help me reach this goal - purchase a bracelet, spread the word and together we can make a difference!

Thank you and keep praying for Japan!