Happy New Year

I hope you all enjoyed some festivities over the holiday period. A new year has arrived, and I have welcomed lots of new Cherry Blossom registrations. Since I last wrote to you we have another new fabulous venue to exhibit this installation at.

NEW venue

I am excited to announce that the Cherry Blossom project will be launched at the prestigious Garden Museum in London from 28th April – 21st May 2026.

The Garden Museum is housed in the former Lambeth Palace Church; St. Mary’s just along the river Thames from the Houses of Parliament. The installation will be installed over the former baptistry and can be viewed from above and below. This has a special poignancy for me as it was the church I was christened in when my family lived in London. A big thank you to Emma House, Curator at the Garden Museum, for making this happen.

A full list of venues and dates is at the end of this newsletter.

Current number of participants

The project now has 456 participants and a total of 473 people involved in the project with more coming in each day which is fantastic. Everyone’s contribution is valuable.

I would like to thank the following group coordinators for supporting the project since I last wrote to you in October 2025.

Seams Right, Anne Haughs UK
Irish Guild of Embroiderers, Jenny Donohoe, Ireland
Purple Heather Patchwork and Quilting group, Rachel Likiss, UK
Norwegian Quilt Association, Nina Fosse, Norway
Asian Pacific Island club, Anne Claifin, US,
Singapore Stitchers, Autumn Brown, Singapore

Workshops

I will be offering free workshops for the following organisations this spring.

TiN, Trust in Nature run by the National Trust that provides opportunities to engage with mindful activities by engaging with the natural environment.

Esteem a charity working with young adults to build lasting self-esteem and stronger communities.

Youth Arts based in Brighton.

I will also be offering low-cost workshops at Sew Fabulous a community Interest Company (CIC) whose aims are to increase sewing skills, and knowledge of sustainability and textile waste through creative, affordable and accessible classes and events for children, adults and communities. See their website for more details.

Time to start returning your mandus

Thank you to everyone who has sent back their kits. Please return your mandus in a small box that fits them comfortably—no flat pack packaging. I always enjoy receiving your excellent work.

Remember to add your numbered label to your string of completed mandus and your name.

Please let me know if you'd like to share the message inside one of your mandus—whether it's a personal goal, a note of gratitude, a hope for change, or a piece of wisdom.

Email me at saracook7777@gmail.com

Send them back to Sara Cook, 43 Hamilton Road, Brighton, BN1 5D

Installation: Dates and Venues

Garden Musuem London — **Garden Musuem**

5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB
28th April – 21st May 2026

**Phoenix Arts Space**

10-14 Waterloo Pl, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 9NB
27th May -7th June 2026

**Oriental Musuem**

Elvet Hill Rd, South Rd, Durham DH1 3TH
April -May 2027 (Final dates TBC)

Please spread the word about this exciting project. Not regsitered yet then follow the link to the Cherry Blossom page now.