ATTENTION!! Anyone want to help DU friends wiped out by Katrina?

[Generic Other]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I am wondering if you would be interested in a DU fundraiser
for our friends who have been wiped out by Katrina. We know
there are many DUers who need help. I am trying to get a complete
list of those who need help. Please PM me with names of any one you know.

Skinner has okayed the plan and has offered to help collect the money.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

Here's what I suggest we try: An auction of DUers
handmade Mardi Gras Masks.

We need VOLUNTEERS!!

You can help in two ways, either by helping organize and make masks or by bidding on the finished creations!

You can buy blank forms at most craft stores and eyemasks are
very inexpensive and easy to find at this time of year. You could even deface a Bush mask!

Sequin and sparkles...a dash of style...I can just
imagine what SOME DUers would come up with.

We would all be able to bid on the masks, and the winner would send the cash through DU to make sure those in need got it. The
seller would contact the buyer through PM and mail the item.

We'd all have fun and we'd end up helping our pals in need.

Anyone willing to take on such a project? PM me if you are interested in helping organize this event or if you would like to donate a mask.

We have a few weeks to organize and publicize. All ideas, advice and help appreciated!!

COME ON DUERS!! I KNOW we can do better than FEMA.

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. What a great idea!!!

I have absolutely no artistic ability but will be happy to bid.

And a big thank you to Skinner!

[crispini]

2. I'm in.

I'll be happy to donate a a mask.

[Generic Other]

4. Thanks

I put your name on the list! I can't wait to see your creation!

[crispini]

6. why not crosspost in the artists group?

[Generic Other]

16. good idea!

Will you do it? I am as disorganized as an embattled FEMA head...LOL.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

3. BTW, I am offering my services - free of charge - to get DUers, and their

family's, computer(s) going.

[Generic Other]

5. Some need a LOOOOONG extension cord for now!!

and a plug with electricity.

What a generous offer.

:you rock:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

7. As the power comes back on in the nearby states it'll be needed.

[merh]

8. Thanks Generic Other.

:hug: As a survivor - I send you my love and thanks for your support and concern. :hug: :loveya:

[liberaltrucker]

49. Hi merh.

:hi: Thank God you're OK. Have you heard from Maddy?

[xmas74]

9. I'll look around at masks and see how much they are.

Might have a craft project for my daughter and have her decorate the mask instead. She'd love it and I could explain to her why we are doing this.

[mirandapriestly]

35. That's a good idea to have kids make some! nt

[xmas74]

38. She's excited about it.

We've already talked about it.

[elehhhhna]

10. Im in!

[Taverner]

11. Sounds cool, but I can just send $$$

Im good for that...

[Generic Other]

17. Bidders are the most important part of this project!!

You are our patrons!!

[redwitch]

12. excellent idea!

I'm in- not sure if I'll make one, but I will bid for one.

[WilliamPitt]

13. I can't make masks

but I'll help any way I can.

[Generic Other]

15. You can deface a Dubya mask

Even a paper plate with two eye holes in it with the Will Pitt signature will start a bidding war!!

Trust me!

;)

[tavalon]

56. That is true actually

Come on Will. You're our rock star.

[Generic Other]

61. I'm hoping matcom will make a giant yellow butt mask

The fashion statement for the next DU meet-up!

[tavalon]

57. You can autograph as Generic Other mentioned

You are our rock star, after all. ;)

[ronnykmarshall]

14. I'm in!

I'll have to think of something that fits my rather ..... off the wall personality.

[khashka]

18. I'm in

My artistic ability is nil, but I'll bid.

Actually xmas's idea of getting her daughter to do it is a great idea. I'll talk to my nephew....


Post this around in other groups, Generic Other! It's a great idea and there are a lot of other people who have talent or just want to help who would be interested.


Khash.

[troubleinwinter]

20. Post in GD!

[Generic Other]

21. done!

We have eight masks pledged already...

[xmas74]

45. I think maybe post a pic of her wearing it over her face

would be really good. She still has her face covered (sometimes you can't trust people looking around on message boards) yet you can see how excited she is to put the time in on the project.

[troubleinwinter]

19. I'm in for a mask!!!! I'm in, I'm in!!

[cfield]

22. I'd definitely be willing to offer some $$

but I doubt the little bit I could bid would win anything. Will you have a seperate donation fund for those of us who can't afford much but want to contribute what we can?

[Generic Other]

24. Yes, of course!!

The mask thing is just a way to give us a focus to gain attention. I hope other donations will come in as well!

I am sure any amount will be appreciated by those in need.

[AlamoDemoc]

23. I think it is an excellent idea

lets make sure we organize it properly and diligently.

[Generic Other]

26. Are you volunteering??? Oh please please, help me organize!

I am one step more organized than FEMA which aint saying much.

What are the priorities for making this thing work?

Skinner has agreed to handle the money. We might be able to get grovelbot to be our auctioneer. Do you hear that Grovelbot??

We need to have the masks finished by a certain date so they can be viewed and so others can make bids. Everyone who makes a mask should PM me so we can collect the pics. They should describe their project as well. We can post them all together and people can make bids for a few days.

The auction should end at least 2 weeks before Halloween, so masks can get to bidders.

Please add anything else that needs to be organized!

[AlamoDemoc]

33. Here's what I had in mind

First, I think we should create DU group site for the project

Second, we should start communications link between organizers and the volunteers (collecting names, emails, etc)

Once we create a meeting spot and communication link, then we can then further discuss how we can organize everyone to participate and get the project off the ground

[Catchawave]

25. Count me in.....

Wonder if The Nation would let us use this for a paper plate mask and "worry" button ?

[Generic Other]

28. You're right! That would look great glued onto a paper plate mask!

With eyeholes in place of those beady little pupils. And maybe some chickenhawk feathers?

See how easy it is?

:rofl:

[Catchawave]

48. I don't have a printer, but anyone is welcome

to use the idea! I'm good at ideas, but lousy at executing them. Great at bidding though :)

[Generic Other]

67. I found a way to incorporate this into my mask!!

Thanks for posting it!!

[WCGreen]

27. I was also thinkng of a kind of bridal registry...

You know, people put down what they need to start over and we could get that stuff to them.....

Some of us are low on funds and rich with stuff.....

Maybe we could do that....

[Generic Other]

29. Cool idea!

I'm uncertain how it could be organized but there are others who might be able to help.

Maybe start a thread with lists of donated items available? Have DUers in need PM you to get on the registry.

I think many DUers will feel much better if we can directly help in any way.

Let me know if you decide to pursue this idea. I have lots of "stuff."

[WCGreen]

32. I was thinking ...

Get the displaced people to say what they need...

Either we purchae the item or we get it from the mountain of stuff that we have....

I am relatively new here....

I am going to talk with someone who has been around for a while to see what she has to say about that....

[In_The_Wind]

43. excellent

:thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

47. Now that I can do too....

I have stuff, boy do I have stuff. I can furnish a small home :)

[VelmaD]

30. You know I'm in...

I'll do my best to be artistic. :)

[crispini]

31. Ya'll, please RECOMMEND this thread!

:kick:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

34. Nominated!!

[babylonsister]

36. What do you know? We collect masks! I'm in for

a purchase! Great idea!

[katinmn]

37. Great idea, GO! I'm in. Love masks.

[Vincardog]

39. N. TX folks PM me and we can have a Mask Party.

I have a LOT of feathers to pitch into the pot.

[Generic Other]

40. Oh yeah. Feathers are good!

As in tar and feathers! LOL.

[In_The_Wind]

41. You got my bid !!!

I think this is a wonderful idea !!! :thumbsup: !!!

[bertha katzenengel]

42. I'M IN and so is Mrs. V., tho' she doesn't know it.

Great idea.

[Generic Other]

44. Yeay!

Thanks!!

[bertha katzenengel]

51. Let me describe the project I have in mind. It may not work for your

purposes, so please shoot me down (gently) if necessary.

Long ago I was at a choral retreat - far, far more fun than it sounds. On the big everyone-do-whatever party night, one of our members made masks.

If you wanted a mask made, you sat in a chair and had your neck swathed as if you were about to get a haircut. Your hair was tied back and your face rec'd a gentle plastering. I don't know where she got the stuff but the materiel this woman used was thin gauze caked with plaster of paris. It was the kind of thing from which they made casts for broken bones when I was a kid.

She plastered the entire face, making a full mask in the form of YOUR face, from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin, across your jawline, up to just in front of your ears, across your nose and lip, and around your eyes.

When the mask dried she gently peeled it off of your face, and when it was fully hardened, the REAL fun began. You could paint it any way you wanted, glue on sequins or buttons or paste jewels or feathers or hang things off of it -- use your imagination.

There were some awesome masks. That's the kind of thing I have in mind. One from my face and one from Mrs. V.'s. Now, it wouldn't be for someone to know WHOSE faces they were made from. Just that they would be unique.

Would this kind of mask work?

[Generic Other]

53. I have made these masks before with a whole class of 4th graders

And yes, it was fun. Insane but fun. I love to make masks.

I make them with strips of brown paper bag (lunchbag size is best weight)and elmers. The first strips can use elmers to make a frame work: headband, nose, under chin straps with dots of glue (don't glue it to your face). Once you have a basic frame, then start filling it in afterwards. I have made some really tough masks this way. And they cost nothing.

If you can't stand the idea of getting glue on your face you can use a balloon as a frame. Even a hard plastic mask will work.

[bertha katzenengel]

63. Cool. So: would it be appropriate for this fundraiser?

If not, we'll get plain hard plastic masks and make 'em up.

[Generic Other]

65. Of course it would be appropriate!! Heavens yes!!

I can't wait to see them!!! Be sure to use vaselene so they don't stick to your face.

:)

[Aunt Blabby]

46. My artistic talents are completely absent, but I would be glad to bid

on the finished masks.

[Generic Other]

54. You are a patron of the arts, m'dear!

The artists will strive to please!

[greatauntoftriplets]

50. I haven't seen ronzo around lately.

Before the name change amnesty he was ronzoNOLA and lives in New Orleans. He was a moderator for several terms. I hope that he is safe somewhere.

[wovenpaint]

52. I volunteer!

:yourock:

Just posted in Artists group, too. I'm a fiber artist and this is right up my alley-I'll make a couple of masks and will take commissions for personalized masks also-for a good bid that is. :P Just let me know and I'll get busy!
BTW, photobucket has changed its terms of service today...no altered photos, no objectionable, etc. Hmmmm, I guess Big Brother is keeping busy with the "important" stuff.

[Generic Other]

58. They are going to dump our photobuckets?

What a steaming mess of Bush bashing mine will be. :)

Can't wait to see your creations! Wow. The competition heats up! You actually SOUND like an artist!

:woohoo:

[tavalon]

55. I'd rather just contribute

I am not of the artistic bent.

[Generic Other]

59. We depend upon the kindness of patrons of the art

So far we have a dozen artists pledged to take part in this DU extravaganza!

[Lilyhoney]

60. I will make a mask!

I will make atleast 1. Thank you for the oppertunity.

[NMMNG]

62. I have a few craft stores in my area

I'm sure I can find the supplies to make some masks. Count me in!

[finecraft]

64. Count me in

I'd love to make a mask. I'll PM you too.

[Generic Other]

66. 24 + DU artists are now signed on to this project!!

I have heard from some interesting "celebrity" DUers who are busy making masks even as we speak!!

Razzledazzle! Lollapallooza!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: