Hello ladies and gents! The outpouring of love and support we have received is nothing short of incredible and we are overwhelmed with it. There aren't words to describe how we felt knowing that this sort of atrocity happened in our backyard and now, no words to describe how supported and loved we feel with the help of all of you. Let me start by saying a simple Thank You. When I try and look for words that are better than that, I cant even come up with any because none would suffice.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.





I know there have been a ton of questions asked and I've waited to answer some of them because honestly i didn't have the answers. Or I had the answers but was waiting to double check them, or get an answer from someone else, or was busy at work. I had to work at my salon all day yesterday, so was fleshing out the details between clients. But the good news is a LOT of details have been decided and figured out. Any other news will be posted here so please stay tuned. Any questions you have after this post please ask. I'll answer anything I know and get the answer to anything I don't.





1. Where do I send this stuff?





All mail will go to my salon. Its a commercial address and that mailman will probably hate me a bit since he's a walking mailman, but he's super fit and may just like the extra weight in his mailbag ;) Please send all mail to the following:





Alissa Lapinsky

c/o A List Hair Salon

106 South Woodland Blvd

Suite B

DeLand, FL 32720





Please include a full sized piece of paper with your name, guild if a member (even not modern guilds!), what you've sent, and location so that I can (attempt) to keep track of everyone who helps.





2. I'm not a member of a guild, can I still help??





Ummmm....YES! This is a project that I started so that anyone who isn't scared of a sewing machine can do. I didn't want it to just be our guild, as a matter of fact I'd love any and everyone who could possibly help, to do so.





3. What if I can't make a whole quilt?





Than make a block, even one block will help. Send in some binding, send some backing fabric, send some money (we will need it for postage as some victims families aren't in the area), just repost or share in solidarity, give us a virtual high five or hug. It all helps.





4. I already have a quilt that is rainbow-y and made with love, can I send it?





Do you seriously think I'm going to say no, don't give me a quilt??!! Because I won't. Send it. Please send it, we need a lot of quilts. While I offered a specific block, it was mostly bc of its size and simplicity so more people could take part in this.





5. Can I use a block other than the one you showed?





By all means, do your thing. I chose the block so everyone could take part. I know there are plenty of heart blocks out there and feel free to use anything you'd like. I only ask that your quilt includes a heart or hearts of some sort, and that its mostly brights and/or rainbow. I chose brights and rainbow to represent not only the LGBT flag, but also ALL of the different people affected by the event. I also want them to be cheerful, and want the recipients to know that these are created with love, given with love, and in using them, they will be covered with love. I want them to be comforted knowing that even strangers care and that they did not go through this without the support of others.





6. How big should my quilt be?





I'm asking for quilts no smaller than 48x60, and no larger than a twin sized. If you're off a smidge, please don't worry. The quilt police wont throw your quilt back at you and tell you you're horrible. We will accept them all. I just don't want some people to get small lap quilts, and some to get queen sized monstrosities.





7. Whats the due date?





We are asking for blocks to be sent BY August 15th. We will need what is most likely a LOT of time to sew all these blocks together, so the sooner we get them, the better! Finished quilts obviously take a bit longer and we are asking for those by September 15th.





8. Where are these things going?





My original thought was to the survivors in the hospital. Than it grew and I thought maybe to the victims families as well. Now I think we will have enough to even give to first responders that were on the scene, police officers, nurses, doctors, hopefully anyone that wants one. If there are leftovers, they will be given to either The Center, an LGBT community center who is pretty much ground zero for the help, and also the Zebra Coalition who focuses their efforts on LGBT youth. Hopefully any and everyone affected will receive a quilt if they want one. We are still making contacts, so if you are personally affected by this please email me at alissalapinsky@gmail.com so we can work to get one to you!





9. Anything else I should know??



Please tag your completed quilts or send a tag with a completed quilt top! I'd like each quilt to have two tags, one for who created it, and one for the general quilty movement :)

Our mothership, The (national) Modern Quilt Guild has compiled a nifty information page for us that they have shared with all their members, and it includes some other blocks that may inspire you as well as a few forms. One form is to fill out if you're planning on sending so we have at least a vague idea of how many blocks/quilts we will be receiving, and one is a form that you can fill out to send in with your submission.









Also, know that you are making a difference! Each stitch gives someone a bit of love, and even one block helps. Keep on stitching and I can't wait to show everyone all of the quilts!





-Alissa :)







