Sharing the Love!

Last Friday I had the privilege of visiting Middle Kinglake Primary School which was one of the schools that was burnt down in the recent Black Saturday bushfires here in Australia. I was there with my son, Sean, to photograph some of the students who had just been given some of the gorgeous quilts that have been made and donated to the victims of this devastating bushfire.


It was a delight to meet the students who were all so bubbly and sooooooooooo excited about receiving their very own quilt which had been donated by quilters from all over the world. They were all so thankful and you could just tell that those quilts are going to be absolutely loved. Every single student and teacher at the school received a quilt.

They wanted me to tell you how thankful they all are for the lovely quilts and other handmade stuff that they have received.

Here are a few of the photos , you can see the rest over here - maybe you might see your quilt that you donated.

Sad and Helpless

is how I feel right now. The tragic bushfires have affected our community badly - we live about 10 km (less than 20 minutes) away from some of the worst affected areas - we are all walking around as if we are in a daze. I can't imagine what it must be like in the actual burnt out areas and refugee areas. We know many who have lost their homes and have been left with nothing - but thankfully they are alive - we are still waiting to hear on many others, though. Many are living in the surrounding houses in our neighbourhood now. There are going to be many stories told of this dreadful time.

My childrens' lives have been affected as some of their friends come from those areas - a teacher lives in Strathewan, where there is a really heavy death toll, but thankfully, his house and family have been saved, but many of his mates didn't make it. Out of a township of 150 - 30 have perished. Other friends of theirs have told the fire stopped at the end of their street!

The enormity of the tragedy that is unfolding is hard to envisage - I know it will take years for the communities to recover. I feel so helpless - the coming weeks and months ahead are going to be so difficult for so many people - communities will need to be rebuilt - schools and homes - we are all going to be needed in some way.

Just going down to the local supermarket this afternoon, meeting friends and the stories of what people have been through is horrendous.

We can't do much on our own, and the Red Cross organisation and others like it are doing a wonderful job. I am cooking meals for people and taking them to where there are extra people staying in the area. It's not much - but it might help.

And in the blogging world there are so many out there already doing their bit. Here are a few of them Grandy & Baa, Beyond Pink & Blue, and Curly Pops has a big list on her blog on where you can help. And Melly & Me have an auction of handmade goodness for you.