Hello! I'm one of many deeply inspired by matsu's original entry about Peace for Cranes.

With finnian's permission, I have created the Peace for Cranes blogspot:

http://cranesforpeace.blogspot.com

This is to provide a shorter, simpler link for people to reach the entry, especially for those of you who want to link the whole original entry in an "Open Me" crane, poster, etc. to the original post. I am going to add a YouTube video on how to fold paper cranes soon.

Since I'm not much of a writer, I didn't put much in "What Can I Do?" So, any suggestions for that would be highly appreciated! I know a lot of you members can produce some really moving words!

Tell me if you have any more suggestions! I don't know how to make layouts either, so sorry for the plain backdrop.

Thanks for your time :)

I was talking with a friend (from Osaka) last night and the subject of origami came up. :)
He told me that when making Senbazuru, the cranes' heads should be pointing upward, not down. Normally, he said, when making a paper crane the head is pointing down. For Senbazuru only, the heads should be looking up. Otherwise the downward heads signify "the condition gets worse".
I was a little surprised to hear that and he said it's not necessarily common knowledge but it's the traditional way to do it.
I'm a little anguished over it because I've got 7000 cranes hanging in my room who are all looking down. o_o. hahahaha

Hey all! Been a loooooooong time since I posted anything here. But I've made a desktop wallpaper calendar just for this comm, but I am going to share it with others! After all, that's what peace is about. I hope you all have a great holiday~!!

Please go here to view and download if you'd like! I will be doing them in other colors (right now it's just green), so keep a look out there if you'd like~!

That's right, Cranes for Peace began one year ago this month! We still have a few more weeks before the actual anniversary, October 24th, but I want to get everyone started on the great, super-duper anniversary event! Everyone already knows that with cranes for peace, one of the big things to do is write secret messages in cranes and leave them for strangers. But this time, let's do it a little differently: let's all leave secret messages in cranes for people we know.

They don't have to be people you know intimately. They don't even have to be friends. But whoever you choose, it's up to you to leave them a kind message in a crane. Maybe a confession, a secret, a compliment -- whatever you want. Then, let them know what's up! Refer them back to Cranes for Peace, and let's see if they can pass their own messages on to others.

The anniversary activity ends on Cranes for Peace's actual anniversary, October 24th. On that day, no matter what timezone you're in, post the best story you have of leaving messages for other people. For example, maybe you told a coworker to cheer up and how cool you thought they were, and a few days later they came in to work all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It can be anything! It's not a competition; don't feel like your story won't be good enough.

Alright, I think that covers it! If you don't get it (I know I don't explain all that well), don't be shy to ask me! I can clear it up for you. Otherwise, let's all have fun for the one-year celebration of Cranes for Peace!!

I dunno if I'm allowed to do this, but I figured of all the places I could ask, this would be it.

A friend of mine -- she's older than me, but I've known her since I was very small -- has ovarian cancer. Her daughters and I are planning on bringing her as many cranes as we can get together and can make when she has her surgery in what looks like the beginning of October (or possibly sooner).

We're only three people, and we work most days, so we'd like to enlist the help of as many people as we possibly can. If you'd be willing to help us by sending cranes to add to the strings -- or strings of tiny cranes of your own -- we'd be really appreciative.

Just comment here with your e-mail address and I can give you the mailing address to send them to.

And, thank you in advance.