Be sure to visit Maria Hrabrovsky's blog to see her Christmas pot holder pattern and recipes for some yummy cookies. Click here for all the details.
Next Sunday I will have a pattern for a Christmas wall quilt that holds a favourite photo. I will also have an easy Cranberry relish recipe that I have been using for years. Be sure to come back on November 20!
Showing posts with label Canadian Aid for Chernobyl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian Aid for Chernobyl. Show all posts
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Quilts for Belarus
Be sure to have a look at this post by Eric McKenzie. http://www.canadianaidforchernobyl.com/home/2011/04/07/1972/
The Canadian Aid for Chernobyl volunteers from the Brockville area have been in Belarus for the last few weeks. Eric's post shows pictures of the children from the orphanage after they were presented with their quilts. Most of the quilts came from the Chernobyl quilting group and members of the Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild who meet every Monday at the Brockville Public Library. Congratulations to everyone involved in this very worthwhile project!
The Canadian Aid for Chernobyl volunteers from the Brockville area have been in Belarus for the last few weeks. Eric's post shows pictures of the children from the orphanage after they were presented with their quilts. Most of the quilts came from the Chernobyl quilting group and members of the Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild who meet every Monday at the Brockville Public Library. Congratulations to everyone involved in this very worthwhile project!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
More Quilts in Chernobyl
Here is another excerpt from Eric McKenzie's Blog. He has just distributed the last of the quilts, many of which were made right here in Brockville.
Murray and I went to the Chausy Orphanage today for a few last items on our list. We were the lucky ones who got to present more of the quilts created by a group of Quilters in Brockville. We let the children pick out their own as it means a lot to them to get to choose. Here are some of the childen making their selections.
And here is a small group of the children with their new quilts.
It is so rewarding for us to see that our quilts are truly appreciated in the orphanages and homes in Chernobyl. Thanks, Eric and all members of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl group, for a job well done!
Murray and I went to the Chausy Orphanage today for a few last items on our list. We were the lucky ones who got to present more of the quilts created by a group of Quilters in Brockville. We let the children pick out their own as it means a lot to them to get to choose. Here are some of the childen making their selections.
And here is a small group of the children with their new quilts.
It is so rewarding for us to see that our quilts are truly appreciated in the orphanages and homes in Chernobyl. Thanks, Eric and all members of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl group, for a job well done!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Quilts for Chernobyl
Here is an excerpt from Eric McKenzie's Blog. Eric is in Chernobyl with the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl group.
Today is the first day of school after the spring break. Cathy Boone and I headed to the Kostukovichi Orphanage to deliver a few boxes along with quilts made by local quilters, many of whom belong to the 1000 Islands Quilt guild. It is about a two our drive that took us through the exclusion zone created by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
Speaking with the Orphanage Director, Valleri, we discovered that more and more children are being taken in foster care and the population of the orphanage is decreasing in this region. One result of this is a disproportionate number of boys in the orphanage. Families tend to prefer to take in girls over boys. One of the classes that we met had 11 boys and no girls!
Here a group of boys each select a quilt.
These quilts are lovingly hand-made by a group of quilters in the Brockville area. Every quilt is unique just like the children that receive them and we explained this to the children before they picked their own. Here a group of boys proudly display their selections. Living in the orphanage environment these children have very few personal belongings, but these quilts are theirs to keep forever. A treasured gift as evidenced by the smiling faces.
We also delivered quilts to a daycare in Gorbavichi. Again, these quilts were lovingly hand-made by a group of quilters in the Brockville area. We managed to arrive at naptime and all of the children were sleeping. I have no idea how they can get this many children to sleep at once.
We managed to sneak in and place a quilt on a sleeping child for this photo op.
Today is the first day of school after the spring break. Cathy Boone and I headed to the Kostukovichi Orphanage to deliver a few boxes along with quilts made by local quilters, many of whom belong to the 1000 Islands Quilt guild. It is about a two our drive that took us through the exclusion zone created by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
Speaking with the Orphanage Director, Valleri, we discovered that more and more children are being taken in foster care and the population of the orphanage is decreasing in this region. One result of this is a disproportionate number of boys in the orphanage. Families tend to prefer to take in girls over boys. One of the classes that we met had 11 boys and no girls!
Here a group of boys each select a quilt.
These quilts are lovingly hand-made by a group of quilters in the Brockville area. Every quilt is unique just like the children that receive them and we explained this to the children before they picked their own. Here a group of boys proudly display their selections. Living in the orphanage environment these children have very few personal belongings, but these quilts are theirs to keep forever. A treasured gift as evidenced by the smiling faces.
We also delivered quilts to a daycare in Gorbavichi. Again, these quilts were lovingly hand-made by a group of quilters in the Brockville area. We managed to arrive at naptime and all of the children were sleeping. I have no idea how they can get this many children to sleep at once.
We managed to sneak in and place a quilt on a sleeping child for this photo op.
Thanks, Eric, for a job well done! Thanks also to my fellow members of the Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild for your continuing support of this worthwhile project!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl
You will notice that I have added a link to the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl site in the Favorite Blogs section of this Blog. This organization is based in my city of Brockville.
Here is their mission statement:
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl is dedicated to providing humanitarian and medical aid to those affected by the world’s worst nuclear disaster. Our primary focus is on the most vulnerable victims - the children - offering a healthy respite and dental and medical care in Canada to those who continue to live each day amidst the extreme radioactive pollutants.
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl is dedicated to providing humanitarian and medical aid to those affected by the world’s worst nuclear disaster. Our primary focus is on the most vulnerable victims - the children - offering a healthy respite and dental and medical care in Canada to those who continue to live each day amidst the extreme radioactive pollutants.
My Guild, The Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild, sends over 100 quilts every year to the children in the Chernobyl area.
This picture shows some of the 152 quilts made by members of our Guild and the community as they are being presented to Eric McKenzie (far right), President and Communications Director of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl.
Eric is part of the delegation that is in Belarus now and is the author of the CAC Blog. I hope you will enjoy reading about this amazing organization!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Maryna, the Newest Quilter in Belarus
Tomorrow, Maryna is leaving for home in Belarus. She has been here in Brockville for the past 6 weeks as one of the interpreters for the 20 children from Chernobyl who have been staying with local families. I met Maryna about 4 weeks ago and although she had not done any sewing since her school days, she expressed an interest in learning to quilt. Maryna has been the most amazing quilting student! I just showed her a technique once and she could do it.
She has now completed 2 of my Little Picture Quilt patterns and a tote bag. While I was away last week, she sewed the background for Christine Baker's "Home Sweet Home" pattern and this morning I showed her how to do fusible applique and finish the edges with a blanket stitch. She also had a pattern for a table runner, which is a little complicated for a beginner, but we started on that as well. Before she left my place today, she chose a selection of fat quarters from my stash to go with all the other equipment she has gathered up in the past month - rotary cutter, board, rulers and, of course, more fabric.
My fellow pattern designer, Nellie Holmes, gave her an extra machine she had, but Maryna will have to wait until March to actually receive it. That is when the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Foundation ships their containers of goods to Chernobyl.
She has now completed 2 of my Little Picture Quilt patterns and a tote bag. While I was away last week, she sewed the background for Christine Baker's "Home Sweet Home" pattern and this morning I showed her how to do fusible applique and finish the edges with a blanket stitch. She also had a pattern for a table runner, which is a little complicated for a beginner, but we started on that as well. Before she left my place today, she chose a selection of fat quarters from my stash to go with all the other equipment she has gathered up in the past month - rotary cutter, board, rulers and, of course, more fabric.
Maryna's husband called from Belarus while she was here, but like any true quilter, she continued choosing her fat quarters while talking to him!
My fellow pattern designer, Nellie Holmes, gave her an extra machine she had, but Maryna will have to wait until March to actually receive it. That is when the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Foundation ships their containers of goods to Chernobyl.
Here is Maryna with her bag of fat quarters and her latest table runner project. She thought she might have to leave her summer clothes here so all the quilting supplies could go in her suitcase!
You can read more about Maryna and our sewing adventures by clicking on the "Canadian Aid for Chernobyl" label at the bottom of this post.
Have a good trip home, Maryna. It has been a real pleasure getting to know you. I am really looking forward to seeing pictures of all your quilt projects. Next year we will start quilting as soon as you arrive in Brockville!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl
On July 30 a fund raising dinner and auction were held at the Brockville Country Club. This very successful event attracted almost 200 people and the donations were given to the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Foundation. You can read more about this important organization at the following links: Canadian Aid for Chernobyl and Eric McKenzie's Blog.
Eric McKenzie is on the board of directors for CAC and has travelled to Chernobyl 3 times to help deliver humanitarian aid. This past year, his 18 year old son, Alex, also joined the delegation. Eric and his wife, Peggy, (a fellow quilter) have hosted a child from Chernobyl for a six-week summer vacation for the past 6 years. This year, the McKenzie family are also hosting Maryna, one of the interpreters for the children. I have written about Maryna in previous posts. She is learning to quilt and has already completed 2 of my Little Picture Quilt patterns.
Interpreters, Olya and Maryna, in traditional dress with one of the children, are greeting the guests as they arrive.
Table decorations at the fund-raising dinner. These are traditional Russian wooden dolls, each holding several smaller dolls inside.
Some of the children waiting to sing for us after the dinner.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
More Quilts for Maryna!
Maryna has already chosen her next project. She is going to make my Little Picture Quilt #4 pattern. When I went to Maryna's place for her second lesson, she had already cut out all the pieces. This is work from someone who started quilting one week ago!
Maryna, Kristina and Maggie have also visited one of our local quilt shops and chosen fabric for another project. They are going to be making beach bags from this great fabric they found at Picket Fence Fabrics.
Maryna and Kristina will only be in Canada for 3 more weeks before they return to Belarus and Chernobyl. I think we are all going to be very busy getting all these projects completed! What a thrill it has been for me to see the excitement these little projects have created!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Quilting Lesson #2
Yesterday, Maryna and I got together to finish her little picture quilt. Marina has never done any quilting before, but she did an excellent job of machine quilting and sewing on the binding. Another quilter joins the ranks!
Even the cat wanted to be part of the adventure!
The binding is almost finished and ready to be hand-sewn. 
Here is Maryna with her almost-finished picture quilt. Of course, we couldn't wait to put in the picture of Maryna's son!
Even the cat wanted to be part of the adventure!
The binding is almost finished and ready to be hand-sewn. Here is Maryna with her almost-finished picture quilt. Of course, we couldn't wait to put in the picture of Maryna's son!Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Maryna's First Quilting Project
Last March and April I wrote about the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl project and the quilts that my Quilters' Guild made for the orphanages there. For the past 17 years, families in Brockville have hosted children from Chernobyl for 6 weeks during the summer. Kristina (age 13) has been with my neighbours, Peggy and Eric, for the past 6 summers. This year they are also hosting Maryna, one of the interpreters who is here with the children.
Peggy is a quilter too, and after seeing some of Peggy's and my work, Maryna thought she would like to try making a small picture quilt. Yesterday was our first quilting lesson. Maryna has not done any sewing since her school days, but she is a very fast learner! After 2 hours, she had learned how to use a rotary cutter, cut strips and sew a 1/4 inch seam. She also finished the top of her little picture quilt made from my Little Picture Quilt #1 pattern. She is going to put a picture of her 5 year old son in this quilt. On Friday we are going to get together to quilt the first project and sew on the binding. Now she is ready to start another little quilt!
Peggy is a quilter too, and after seeing some of Peggy's and my work, Maryna thought she would like to try making a small picture quilt. Yesterday was our first quilting lesson. Maryna has not done any sewing since her school days, but she is a very fast learner! After 2 hours, she had learned how to use a rotary cutter, cut strips and sew a 1/4 inch seam. She also finished the top of her little picture quilt made from my Little Picture Quilt #1 pattern. She is going to put a picture of her 5 year old son in this quilt. On Friday we are going to get together to quilt the first project and sew on the binding. Now she is ready to start another little quilt!
Quilting Lesson #1
Eric has a wonderful blog that is full of information about the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl project. He has also just posted pictures of all the children arriving at the Ottawa airport after their 28 hour flight from Chernobyl.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl
In my post on March 18, I mentioned that our local Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild has sent hundreds of quilts to the Orphanages in Chernobyl, the site of the nuclear disaster in 1986. The Canadian delegation is in Belarus now, delivering supplies of all kinds, including more quilts from our Guild. My neighbour, Eric McKenzie, is part of the delegation and has been there many times. This year, he took his son, Alex, with him for the first time. Eric posts stories about his visit on his web site on a regular basis. I'm sure some pictures of our quilts will show up soon!
Eric's blog is fascinating to read. It certainly makes us realize how lucky we are to live in this country!
Eric's blog is fascinating to read. It certainly makes us realize how lucky we are to live in this country!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Quilts for Chernobyl
For the past several years, the Thousand Islands Quilters' Guild has been making quilts for the orphanages in Belarus, the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster in 1987. 102 quilts were made in 2006 and 115 quilts in 2007. These quilts are distributed to the orphanages by Canadian Aid for Chernobyl which is based in Brockville, Ontario.
Most of the quilts are made from a simple design that is machine pieced and quilted in such a way that each quilt is reversible. Here is a picture of one of the recently completed quilts.
Most of the quilts are made from a simple design that is machine pieced and quilted in such a way that each quilt is reversible. Here is a picture of one of the recently completed quilts.
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