Forsyth Piecers - Charitable Projects Page

Toy Block Ornament

Homespun Oranaments Chain-link Garland

Chain-link Garland

BRENNER TREE PROJECT (2009)

Every year our guild dedicates the months of October and November to participate in the Brenner Tree project for Brenner Children's Hospital. The photos below show the tree fully decorated. Our theme for 2009, the 24th year of our participation in the Festival, is “The Simple Joys of Christmas”. Our Guild promotes an interest and appreciation in piecing and quilting within the Guild and the community.
The Tabor Family
Recently, many of us have been affected by the recession and have sought to trim spending and simplify our lives. In fact, it is good to be reminded of the true meaning of the Christmas season. It is a very special time of year to celebrate love, family and our spiritual values.

Our members have made these ornaments using their sewing machines and stitching them by hand with sewing skills that we have learned and that in many cases have been passed down though generations. It gives us joy and satisfaction to create and give gifts that are handmade with love.

It is our pleasure to introduce the Tabor Family. They won the honor of the second-round pick at The Brenner Festival of Trees. The Tabors chose FPQG's "Simple Joys of Christmas" as their pick.

Brenner Tree 2009

Both Robin Godwin and Carmen Cannon extend special thanks to the entire decorating team: Mary Beth Smith, Ella Nix, Leanne Marshall, Ella Nix, Peggy Bruton and Carol Ford. Thanks Peggy Bruton, for joining all the chain links completing the wonderful garland made by our FPQG members and thanks to Ann Petitjean, for their help in the preparation of the toy block and homespun ornament kits. Thanks to Pat Peacock for her enormous help in the assembly-line construction of the many toy blocks and thanks as well to the "BeeFriended" Bee for their support and assistance on the project. And lets not forget, to all the FPQG members that contributed their personal time, fabric and talents, many sincere thanks. Our tree was beautiful.

The Brenner "Tree Story" for 2009 was submitted as follows:

The ornaments on our tree represent “The Simple Joys of Christmas”. The toy block ornament is reminiscent of the fun and joy of Christmas when seen through the eyes of children who delight in every element of Christmas. The tassels were also made by hand.

Many of you may remember the paper chains that we made as children at school to decorate Christmas trees. You will notice our own version, designed by one of our own members, made with Christmas fabric and fastened together with buttons.

The other four ornament designs are made from gingham and homespun fabric, which is reminiscent of fabric used in simpler pioneer times. Family and home are represented by the house. The star shape is the Star of Bethlehem, which led the shepherds as they sought the Christ child. The stocking reminds us of the joys of giving and receiving gifts that are thoughtful and given with love. And speaking of Love, it is represented by the heart ornament. These ornaments have been embellished with simple, quotidian objects such as homespun bows and buttons.

The tree skirt, which won a blue ribbon at the Dixie Classic Fair, is made of homespun as well. It exhibits these simple, but meaningful designs as appliqués. The skirt is hand-tied, which is an older method of quilting. Even the lovely tree topper bow is handmade with homespun fabric, which has been shaped using wire.

The Forsyth Piecers and Quilters Guild members donate this tree joyfully decorated to the Brenner Tree Festival. We feel it is a wonderful way to give of our time and talents at Christmas time to help children at Brenner Children’s Hospital throughout the year.