As with many who follow this blog, I live in Brisbane Qld and although I am safe and dry where I live, there are at the moment approx 20,000 homes in Brisbane alone who have had to be evacuated due to this recent and devastating flood.
Many of my friends and thousands of strangers have lost all their possessions and although they are glad to be safe, the reality sets in that they don't have anything now. Some managed to get a handful of clothes before they left but others are without basics like hair and tooth brushes or clean undies.
The evacuation centres are providing emergency shelter and food but there's a long way to go with clean up and re-establishment of those basics.
My heart is torn for these people who have so little left but exude so much spirit and care for each other. I am proud to be a Queenslander, for it's not just Brisbane that's been so horribly devastated. Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Grafton and so, so many between have been direly affected. These are not small waters. Qld is a large state in Australia. Approx 25% of Australia. A land area of 1, 727, 000 square kilometres. That's an area as large as Texas, or France and Germany combined, Qld'ers are sticking together and buoying eac others spirits where possible.
I love it so much when the crafting community endeavours to join forces and do what they do best. Make. Make to raise money for relief funds.
My largest circle of crafting sisters and brothers is BrisStyle. BrisStyle is a cooperative group of talented Australian artists, crafters and artisans who call the Brisbane area home. BrisStyle formed in March 2008 through a shared love of creating beautiful things, which members sell on Etsy.com. Since then the group has significantly swelled in numbers, and is a happy family for those who understand that little shiver of excitement that comes from producing handmade goods.
As BrisStyle state on the blog:
With heartfelt acknowledgement of our fellow BrisStyle members as well as all the Queenslanders who have been affected by the recent floods, we have put our crafty goodness towards raising funds, as well as awareness of those in need.
We know that we can't stop the rain from failling but we can certainly help make a difference by donating much needed funds to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal by way of BrisStyle's "Handmade Ark" Flood Appeal.
Donating is easy. Simply purchase a handmade item from a participating BrisStyle members Etsy shop and the funds will be donated directly to thePremier's Flood Relief Appeal. The participating BrisStyle Etsy stores will be featured on the BrisStyle blog as well as a tally of funds raised.
Please extend your generosity via our "Handmade Ark" Flood Appeal and know that in some small way, you will be making a difference to the flood affected communities of Queensland.
Kitty Boo Boo will of course be participating and between helping my family and friends clean up their houses I will be listing items in my Etsy store Kitty Boo Boo Design with free postage and 100% donation to the relief fund.
So please, see what BrisStyle has to offer you and know that your money is helping people rebuild their homes, their lives and their spirits.
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