Beautiful blocks made by Caroline Rohner-Preston

The Engineer and I have been out of town (and out of internet access) for almost two weeks while helping our daughter move, and we got in late last night – way after the post office had closed – so as soon as we get by there to fetch the mail, I’ll sift through it, take stock, and we’ll review week #44. For today, let’s take a few items from the Mail Bag . . .

Dear Jeanne:
Why do you only allow two red X’s on each block?
Love,

Someone Who Can’t Make Just Two Red X’s

Dear Someone Who Can’t Make Just Two Red X’s:
You can make more than two red X’s . . . you just have to make each pair of red X’s their own block to call home. Assessing physicians of Aktion T4 based their evaluations not on the person in question and how they presented, but on their medical records. Yes, that’s right: assessing physicians only read words on a page, and the white base represents that piece of paper. Once two of the three assessing physicians placed a red X on the bottom of the form, the person was sentence to die, so the two (not one, not 50, not 9, not 12, but 2) red X’s represent the death sentence. Each block with its white base and pair of red X’s represents a life that is commemorated. Feel free to commemorate as many lives as you will by making one block (white base, two red X’s) for each life.

And only pairs of red X’s are allowed because text (letters, initials, words, numbers, names, etc.) distracts from the emotional impact. The brain focuses on letters, words, and numbers, and this is a heart-based project.

Thanks for your question. I look forward to receiving a lot of blocks from you!
Jeanne

Dear Jeanne:
What will happen to the quilts once they’re all made?
Love,

Safari Girl

Dear Safari Girl:
Another good question! Quilts of The 70273 Project will spend the rest of their lives traveling the world, commemorating the 70273 disabled people who were murdered; celebrating the countless number of people with special needs who live among us today; and educating others about not just tolerating differences but embracing them. This is a big project with a three-fold purpose, and I want quilts of all sizes so we’ll have something to fit in any venue/exhibit space that will have us, be they traditional exhibit spaces or no. If you think of places we might inquire about exhibiting The 70273 Project quilts, please let me know. 

Thanks for your question and for scouting out places!
Jeanne

Dear Jeanne:
How can I help?
Love,

Someone Who Believes in The 70273 Project

Dear Someone Who Believes in The 70273 Project:
This is my favorite question! Here are some ideas of ways you can help with The 70273 Project. If these ideas spark other ideas, please contact me, and let’s talk.
~ Make blocks.
~ Tell others about The 70273 Project and encourage them to make blocks.
~ Make a Family Quilt or a Group Quilt.
~ Volunteer to piece tops.
~ Volunteer to quilt quilts.
~ Make a financial donation and/or encourage others to do the same.
~ Let me know of upcoming exhibits to which I might submit a quilt.
~ Let me know of places I might submit an article or make myself available for an interview. Think magazines (print and online), organizational newsletters, newspapers, guest blog posts, podcasts, etc.
~ Mention The 70273 Project in your blog posts, and send me a link so I can add you to the Clarions page.
~ Post photos on Instagram and tweet about the project, using #the70273project.
~ Let me know about places, events, organizations that might be interested in having me do some storytelling for The 70273 Project or make a presentation about The 70273 Project or even talk about creativity and how The 70273 Project came into being.
~ Send me an email or Facebook message as other ideas for how you can help come to you.
~ And hey, remember to subscribe to the blog ’cause I have some things coming up after the first of the year you won’t want to miss!
Let me know if there are other ways you’d be willing to help, and thank you for your commitment to The 70273 Project.
Jeanne

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