Dearest Christchurch....

If I could bundle all your people up in the palm of my hand I would give them a big kiss and a cuddle and tell them everything would be OK. 

If I could rebuild your city like I build Redford's Duplo I would build you the loveliest, brightest city there ever was (complete with a giant Robo-Duck in the centre of town).

If I had a magic wand I would bring back all the loved ones you've lost, find all your pets and clean up your mucky footpaths.

If I had the biggest oven in the world I would make thousands of cupcakes with sprinkles and if I could I would make hot chocolates to go with them with extra chocolate, extra marshmallows and a Whittaker's Sante bar dipped in each one.

If I had loads of money I would give it all to you.

I could go on, but I won't. You get the point. And I'm pretty sure hundreds upon thousands of people not only in NZ but in the world feel exactly the same as I do. And maybe I can't do the things above but I can do something.

Last Thursday I washed and packaged up three sets of big people bedding and four sets of little people bedding, pillows, blankets and two huge boxes of baby clothes, socks, hats and toys and sent them down on a truck. When I delivered my donations to Wigan Street I was totally overwhelmed by the manpower and amount of.... stuff that was waiting to be sent and I was glad I could do my part.

Over the next couple of days I'm going to make some lovely creations to be auctioned through Handmade for Christchurch and then I'm fishing out my most prized possession (my red and gold brocade, fully boned Zambesi dress) and selling it on Trade Me with all proceeds going to Red Cross (I just need to top up my account first, oops!)

And oh! I wish (and hope) I can do more. It just melts my heart to see everyone mucking in and doing their part for a city and it's people who need all the help they can get right now.

What have you done? I want to hear all of it!!

Big snuggles for everyone xx