Welcome to Blanket the Globe We're two years old now!
With a simple mission we continue to grow
“To build awareness, give voice to the environmental concerns of children and, through creative expression, empower them to participate in protecting the earth’s natural resources for their future.” With a theme of "Connections" the Blanket the Globe project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is creating a montage of one-foot fabric squares of artwork thoughtfully designed by children 0-18 years old, showing how they feel connected to nature. Kids definitely care!
Once the blanket is big enough that it will make a powerful visual statement (or even fill a stadium!) the Blanket the Globe project will put it on display in appropriate settings to share your voices with others. Fun and good purpose!
Note, that the slideshow of panel 10 is up and these squares are mostly from Albuquerque, NM, Washington State and Lynn, MA. Check 'em out. They're absolutely gorgeous. Earthfest and City Year squares are in production so stay tuned.
Earthfest 2009
Earthfest/BTG Square makers
Special thanks to Matt Nash from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation Resources who brought the tables, the tent, the flyers, supplies, and got the display together. My volunteer family and friends worked so hard and my friends who stopped by made it even more fun. Because of you, Blanket the Globe's time at Earthfest was an incredible success. Hundreds of kids made gorgeous squares. Blanket the Globe will be busy sewing your artwork together (once the school year is over) so keep checking in. What a perfect day!
Stay tuned for announcements of future BTG events at the Revere Beach Sandcastle festival and The Franklin Park Zoo.
Blanket the Globe invited to a press conference at The Mass State House
BOSTON | Casey Ehrlich, founder of Blanket the Globe, was invited by the Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi to display her project at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008.
Representative Frank Smizik and Senator Pamela Resor, Chairs of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, emceed a press conference to express their appreciation for the children's artwork. Many other legislators were on hand for the event. Casey was also greeted by children from the Hyde Park Arts Camp who brought squares for the blanket that they had worked on for days before.
Immediately following the press conference and display Casey was recognized by the Speaker before the fully assembled House of Representatives.
photo courtesy of The Boston Globe's Michele McDonald: Kendra Abbott, 9, (left), Kiah Friedman, 10, and Maya Newell, 11, all of Hyde Park, waited with the quilt pieces they made before hearing Casey Ehrlich, founder of the project, speak at the State House. The Blanket the Globe project is a quilt made by children from all over the world, with the theme of how children feel connected to nature.
"As a 15 year old who won't be able to vote for a few years, I was looking for a way that my voice, and the voice of other children who care about the environment, could be heard. If all goes well, this project should be very hard to ignore!" --Casey Ehrlich, (she's now 17!)
We started small with just one square a short time ago and have already outgrown my back yard. Be sure to see the **slide show** for close-ups of individual squares. Then click around for tips on making your own. This is a great arts and crafts project for large groups, too. Square by square, voice by voice, we are building a beautiful blanket that will express our concern that our environment urgently needs care and attention.
On April 18th, Blanket the Globe was at the Marblehead League of Women Voters' Living Green Green Fair. A small section of the quilt was on display and dozens of squares were created.
Plans are in the works for a summer time event with the children at the Lynn YMCA during a theme week. Keep checking in for details.
And we're already looking towards September 12th for the Goldfish Pond "Fun & Flea" event in Lynn for display and square making.
Blanket the Globe Recycles!
The BTG Create page is loaded with ideas, materials, and tips on making your squares but here's another fun option. Instead of going to the fabric store and buying new fabric, rummage through your drawers and find an old beloved but outgrown shirt or fleece out of which you can get a 12 inch square. Old sheets, carefully measured, can yield tons of squares if you have a class to supply. Avoid stretchy jersey or lycra.
The Blanket the Globe Project runs on 100% renewable kid power!
