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

: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:

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

And a big thank you to Skinner!

I'll be happy to donate a a mask.

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

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

family's, computer(s) going.

and a plug with electricity.

What a generous offer.

:you rock:

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

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

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.

We've already talked about it.

Im good for that...

You are our patrons!!

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

but I'll help any way I can.

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

Trust me!

;)

Come on Will. You're our rock star.

The fashion statement for the next DU meet-up!

You are our rock star, after all. ;)

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

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.

We have eight masks pledged already...

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.

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?

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.

lets make sure we organize it properly and diligently.

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!

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

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

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

See how easy it is?

:rofl:

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

Thanks for posting it!!

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....

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."

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....

:thumbsup:

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

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

:kick:

a purchase! Great idea!

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

As in tar and feathers! LOL.

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

Great idea.

Thanks!!

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?

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.

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

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

:)

on the finished masks.

The artists will strive to please!

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.

: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.

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:

I am not of the artistic bent.

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

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

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

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

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

Razzledazzle! Lollapallooza!

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