Warm Fuzzies...get 'em while you can.

The Quilt of Belonging

While in Nova Scotia, it was decided that we would visit Halifax’s Pier 21 – Canada’s version of Ellis Island. Note I say “it was decided” because it was not MY decision. It turned out to be a really interesting place, rich with history and fascinating stories. Extremely well done.

But when we first arrived, my parents were already there and my mom said to me “You have to go into this room, they have the World’s Largest Quilt on display.

Whoopee, I thought. The world’s largest quilt.

Like a good daughter and mommy, I took the kids in to see the World’s Largest Quilt. I bypassed all the information of course so it took me a little while to figure out what it was all about. It’s called the Quilt of Belonging.

I am not a crafter. I do not knit; I can sew a button or fix a seam, I do not crochet and once, for a brief moment while watching H&G TV, I thought “I should take up quilting!” and then realized that would result in a box full of quilting stuff sitting around the house unused, dusty and inspiring guilt. Ain’t no way in my current life I’m ever going to make a quilt. I recognize that about myself.

But the Quilt of Belonging…wow. It is a moving and inspiring piece. Made up of 263 squares, each one representing a nation or aboriginal culture found in Canada. The whole *is* greater than the sum of its parts.

From the website: "The project was designed to create a better understanding between Canadians of all origins. Our vision statement reflects this purpose: Our vision is to create a collaborative work of art that will recognize Canada's diversity, celebrate our common humanity and promote harmony and compassion among people."

It’s a staggering testament to the people of Canada. Celebrating the diversity that makes it such a wonderful place. We had a wonderful time in that room, walking around looking for the bits and pieces that make up who we are: England, Russia, Austria, United States, Lakota (Sioux), Holland, France, Germany. The quilt is organized into sections by background color: Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Caribbean, Central and North America, Europe, Oceania and other Ocean Islands, South America.

I was lucky to catch the showing at Pier 21; it moved on just a few days later and goes next to Newfoundland, I believe. They had a book on display, with a picture of each square and the story behind it – a beautiful book. I ran to buy the book but they were all sold out. I’ll be pre-ordering the next printing.

You can look through the 263 textile artworks here, and read the stories behind them.

What an amazing project.

Today's Fragrance: Chanel No. 22, parfum. This is a somewhat soapy and yet smoky, incensey sophisticated scent. I prefer to spray on my fragrances rather than dab and this was dabbed. But I've had it on now for a couple of hours and it's still there. Less soapy now than on initial application, more incensey. I like that better. I don't know if I'll need a full bottle of this one, but it wears well and is not so sophisticated that it can't be worn in the daytime.