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TORONTO: Giving is good. With
that in mind, the exhibitors and crafters filling the halls at Toronto's
Creativ Festival,
which takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South
Building from October 17 to 19, will literally be lending a helping
hand to several worthy causes. Armed with sewing machines, scissors,
knitting needles and crochet hooks, and other tools of the creative
trade, they'll be enthusiastically knitting, quilting, scrap
booking
for such worthy charities as Crafting for a Cure, The Toronto Humane
Society and The Quilt.
Charity crafting events have always been a big part of the
Creativ Festival
and this year is no exception. At the Krafty Kids Zone,
teens and children ages 3 and up can draw dragons, create a quilt
block, paint a pot or design a doll or puppet with help from players
and cheerleaders from the Toronto Argonauts (including Andre Durie),
Doo Doo the clown and the stars of YTV's
King of the Camp.
Ticket proceeds will go to
Crafting for a Cure,
an organization dedicated to raising funds for children's hospitals across Canada.
On the fabric front, Sew Be It Studio will be teaching animal lovers
how to sew as they stitch up cozy dog or kitty beds for the
Toronto Humane Society.
Quilt fans can also get in on the fun by participating in or sponsoring
a quilter for the Festival's
Quilt Marathon,
which will be raising funds for
The Quilt,
a non-profit group dedicated to providing emotional, informational
and physical support for people living with cancer. Works from the
The Quilt Project Toronto collection will also be on display.
Several silent auctions will give those more comfortable perusing
than participating the chance to help out as well. Top designers
have turned jeans from the closets of celebrities into wearable
works of art, giving festival goers the opportunity to bid on the
dazzling denims
of CTV newscaster Tom Brown, hockey star Shane Corson, Canadian Idol
judge, Zack Werner, Toronto Radio host Erin Davis and WWE star Bret
Hart. For the Festival's Pillow
Talk Challenge,
exhibitors, designers, and celebs have transformed plain pillows
into eye-catching artworks. (Those interested in creating their
own pillows can shop the show floor for fabrics and bring them back
for a hands-on sewing experience with slipcover guru, Karen Erickson).
Other items up for bid include a one-of-a-kind quilt from star designer
Kaffe Fassett, a Daniel Swarovski designer handbag and a Serengeti
quilt by Isobel Dunnet. Proceeds from all auctions benefit
Crafting for a Cure.
All this is just a fraction of the creative happenings that will
be taking place when the
Creativ Festival doors open at 10:00AM each day. Classes and workshops with experts
in the industry, incredible shopping and endless opportunities to
give everything from appliqué and bear making to scrapbooking and
stitching a try... all under one roof.
Tickets are $15 adult; $12
senior (60+); $4 youth (8-17).
For a complete list of exhibits,
events and classes visit
www.creativfestival.ca
or call 1.800.291.2030.
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