Friday, March 18, 2011

Thank you very much for your concerns.

*This article is translated by my friend, Hiro, who always supports me. I hope my message will reach your heart million times more clear than usual.



Dear my friends,

Thank you very much all your kind comments and encouragement. I apologize that I was not able to reply each of your comments.

After the quake, Japan is facing a lot of difficulties. In order for people to maintain a peaceful life, we need to make so much effort by working together. I believe we can do it, because we won’t give up.

However, right at this moment, there are people who need immediate help. They are the people who were living in the area where the quake hit. There are so many people who are still looking for their families, lost their houses, suffering from cold and hunger. It is not helpful that each individual goes to the disaster area and uses the resource and sing loud songs of encouragement. Right now, professionals should bring help and goods to the victims. We are making effort for that. I would also like to ask for your help. Please give a donation.

Other than asking for the donation, I have one more thing to ask of you. If you donate, please also leave your comment here. Your comment will be the raffle ticket. I will pick one person on 26th/March/2011 and give away my favorite sewing notions. I will make one package and mail it to you.

==My favorite tools==
1) Tool for opening and pressing the seam. It is convenient to use it for the area you cannot press with iron.
how to use a seam opener


Seam opener
2) In centimeter, I use this when hemming, adding seam allowances, checking button sizes...and, actually, all the time.
Sewing Gauge
3) This is good tool for those who use rotary cutters. You can grip the ruler/template tightly. This does not stick to the tool permanently. You can remove it and use it to other tool as well.
how to use a sticky handle for ruler
Sticky handle


***
For donation, you may use JustGiving. The donation will be used for Japan earthquake and tsunami help through Civic Force.

Besides, Tamanegi-Kobo is also planning charity sale. They are going to sell 2000yen worth of points for 1000yen, and they are going to donate all of these proceeds to Japan Red Cross. You can only purchase these points during the charity sale time and only 70 purchases are available while they last. They accept payment via Paypal and credit card through Paypal.
   Tamanegi-kobo charity sale
   Mar.21(Mon) 11:00am(JST)~
   Mar.22(Tue) 11:00am(JST)~

Of course, if you have already donated to other organizations, please also leave your comment here. This is my personal appreciation to all of you.

Again, thank you very much. I hope you understand how much encouragement I have received from you all.
Please also pray for me so that I might start feeling like I want to sew again.


Much love,
yoshimi



=update 2011/March/28
Kristen was picked in the raffle as the winner.
I am very thankful to you all for your kind concerns.
yoshimi
=

30 comments:

  1. Donated to American Red Cross with funds earmarked for Japan earthquake/tsunami. Our hearts are breaking for you here in the US.

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  2. Thank you for offering this opportunity (and incentive) to help out. My donation was to the Red Cross. My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible disaster.

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  3. I donated to the Japanese Red Cross via google, but I may make additional donations, such as to Direct Relief International, which is a great organization.
    Yoshimi, gambatte ne.

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  4. I have donated via the Japanese Society and and the American Red Cross and asked that it be earmarked for the earthquake/tsunami victims. I am getting the folks in my apartment building to make donations of clothing food, diapers, etc. so we can have them shipped over to help. I will also glady contribute via the Japanese Red Cross. This is truly devastation as I hope the healing begins soon. (Do not enter me for the giveaway of the sewing notion.)

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  5. I donated via the Red Cross earlier this week. I know that you will all survive this terrible event, but my heart goes out to your wonderful country.

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  6. My thoughts and prayers are still with you and your country. Please do not enter me in the drawing, although I am touched by your generosity. I made a donation last week and plan to make another on 3-21-11. Thank you so much for checking in with us.

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  7. Of course I've donated - wish you all the best,
    Liese

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  8. Please do not enter me in the giveaway, but just a quick note to let you know that I have donated through a few different organizations. The world is praying for Japan and hurting for your pain and devastation. Sending you my friendship and hope that you will be able to feel like sewing again soon.

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  9. We have donated to the Red Cross. I think your give-a-way is such a nice idea. I'm glad you and your family are well. My heart goes out to your countrymen.

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  10. Dear Yoshimi, my heart goes out to you and your country. I have been praying that you and your family will stay safe and keep well during this time. I will donate to Red Cross. Do not enter me in the raffle. Your beautiful sewing has always inspired and encouraged me.

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  11. Yoshimi, I have also been concerned about you and your family, as well as for your country. Such a terrible series of events. I have already donated to the Salvation Army and to an organization that will be helping to rescue animals in the disaster area. Do not enter me in the raffle, just know that we care.

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  12. Dear Yoshimi, of course you and your countrymen have my thoughts and best wishes always. I have donated to the Red Cross here already, who have sent supplies and funds over to Japan and are continuing to do so. I am happy to donate to the Japan Red Cross also. No need to enter me into your draw.
    Thank you for your continuing friendship,
    Carolyn

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  13. Dear Yoshimi, we are all very concern about what is happening in Japan and to the quake victims. My family and I have sent our donation to our friend in Japan who will help buy supplies and also through the Red Cross Japan directly. Please do not enter me in the raffle as I'm no good with sewing. So please leave them for someone more worthy. On the other hand, hope you'll feel better soon and start sewing beautiful things again. Otherwise, you might want to knit something! We see in the news that the quake-affected area is very cold. If you know any organizations near you collecting warm clothing/ items like hats and scarves, I would love to contribute.

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  14. Yoshimi, I have been devastated by the images I see in the newspaper and tv, yet also feel admiration and hope when I see the determination of the Japanese people to pull through this. We have donated to the Red Cross and are sending all our thoughts to Japan.

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  15. I donated to American Red Cross Japan earthquake/tsunami via Paypal. You and your great country are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. Yoshimi,
    God bless you all. My prayers are with you all. Stay safe and know you are thought of. I just donated to JustGiving. Please do not enter me in the raffle. I just want to help.

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  17. Thinking of you and all those affected by the earthquake. Sending you lots of positive energy.

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  18. I have donated to the Red Cross earmarked for Japan. Please allow me to say how greatly I admire the dignity, grace and strength of the people of Japan during this crisis. My thoughts are with you.

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  19. Dear Yoshimi, I haven't left many comments on your blog but I'm a faithful reader. My thought are with you and your beautiful country. I'm very impressed with the japanese people's courage and determination through this disaster.
    I just donated via the red cross but please do not enter me in the drawing since shipping to my country would be expensive.
    Sending you my frienship,
    Blanche

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  20. We have donated food, clothing, blankets and coats that were taken by helicopters from our base to the relief sites. We Americans love our host nation Japan and we grieve with you. Thank you for keeping us updated. (Please do not enter me in the giveaway) Ganbatte kudasai.

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  21. I prefer to make donations and do my good deeds in secret. There is no ego or bragging in what I do.

    However, I want you to know that I am thinking of you and all your countrymen. I have made a couple of donations specifically for Japan. I am low on food money right now, so it will be a few weeks before I can make more donations.

    Also, please don't enter me in the give away. I would rather send anything you may need that I can to you.

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  22. I donated to Just Giving. Am glad for the opportunity to help what little I can. You and your country is always on my mind. I hope for the best recovery. I've so enjoyed reading your inspirational blog.

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  23. Dear Yoshimi, please don't enter me in the raffle. Ganbare!

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  24. My prayers are with you and your countrymen. Please be strong through this time. I made a donation through the Red Cross locally last week. Please do not enter me in the raffle.

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  25. I wanted to let you know that I donated what I could (no prizes necessary) and that the high school students at the school I worked at today are also donating. I'm sure we all wish we could do more!! xoxo

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  26. our prayers are with japan. we are foreigners but living in tokyo now. working hard to rebuild our new home! gambatte, japan! :)

    we've given to japanese red cross and will keep giving in whatever ways we can. please don't add me into the draw. i just wanted to send my love..

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  27. Hi Yoshimi, please take care. I made my donation via the Canadian Red Cross (earmarked for Japan aid). I really hope that things get better soon.

    I love that little hem doohicky!

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  28. Beth (Sunnygalstudio)March 24, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    Yoshimi - my thoughts and prayers are with you and all in Japan. We here in California know that someday it could be us in this situation, it is time to prepare but hard to know what to do. I donated to Just Giving. I know your country will overcome this disaster. Take care and I hope you and your family are well.

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  29. I have just donated to Civic Force through Just Giving--but please do not enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to thank you for the suggestion of which charity to choose, as I was having a hard time knowing what would be best.

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  30. Dear Yoshimi: I have donated through the American Red Cross earmarked for Japan. I admire all of those who say not to enter them in the raffle, but I would like to be in the raffle. I almost never get anything in these kinds of contests, but the idea of possibly winning something from you--the same tools that you use to make your beautiful sewing projects--makes me very happy even if I don't win anything. I am praying for people to stay strong and for things to improve, and for you to feel like sewing again soon.

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Thank you for your comments!!