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Heritage Quilt Crochet BOMB Project

Gift for the Innisfail Historical Village

Jun 11, 2024 | 11:26 AM

After moving back to her home town of Innisfail, Alberta, in 2023, entrepreneur and artist, Karen Scarlett launched both the Crochet Heart BOMB Project and the Poppy Project last year and now Scarlett has a new project for the community for 2024.

Installation Party Innisfail & District Historical Village (IDHV) (5139 42 St, Innisfail, AB) Sunday, June 23, 1-4 p.m. Officials say the Heritage Quilt Crochet BOMB Project is planned to adorn the fences of the IDHV, a place that is near and dear to the artist’s heart, they point out.

Scarlett’s grandfather, Jack Scarlett, was one of the founders of the Village and Scarlett’s father, Edwin, served as a past president. Officials note this project is meant to wrap the IDHV in a big cozy hug.

“The Innisfail & District Historical Society is pleased to support and collaborate with Karen Scarlett bringing joy and color to our community and wrapping the Museum in love,” says Anna Lenters, Board President.

For this project, officials say Scarlett offers a free download of a granny square in crochet but all fibre arts are welcome to be part of this project. The squares will be turned into open square looking quilts and then attached to the chain link fences with the plan that they will LOOK like heritage quilts and add to the decoration and character of the Innisfail Historical Village. Hundreds of squares are said to have arrived at the Historical Village already.

Scarlett is offering a free crochet pattern to download on her website karenscarlett.com/heritage-quilt/ for this community project.

Officials say there is no financing for this project and crocheters who are participating are doing so from the kindness of their hearts. Many people who have made hearts, poppies and granny squares have thanked Scarlett for creating opportunities to help them feel like they are participating in something wonderful for the common good, say officials.

A fun day is now planned for the installation party. Refreshments will be served, and there will be 50/50 tickets for purchase to support the “Raise the Roof Campaign”- as a new roof is needed for the Bowden Train Station. One of the prominent buildings on the site. The project launched at the Innisfail & District Historical Village at their Snow and Tumbleweeds, community event, on January 20, 2024.

Karen says she was thrilled last year when over 3000 hearts came in for the Heart BOMB Project from all over the world, for fences at the Seniors Lodge in Innisfail. She launched a second project for the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 in the summer when embarking on painting the Legion murals on their exterior, called the Poppy Project. The community was invited to stitch poppies that would be attached to a curtain. Over 1800 poppies came in from around the world again and that poppy curtain was on display at the cenotaph during Remembrance Day celebrations.

Scarlett says he feels like there is a need for people to feel connected and these community projects are providing the opportunity.

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