A community art project with heart hits Innisfail, Alta.

Local entrepreneur and artist Karen Scarlett started working on the initiative this past January, in partnership with the Innisfail Welcoming and Inclusive Community Committee as well as the Innisfail Art Club.

Handmade hearts lined the chain link fences between the Autumn Grove Seniors Lodge and the hospital in Innisfail, Alta., on Saturday.

That was thanks to something called the Crochet Heart Bomb Project.

"Wouldn’t it be nice if a few people joined in on sharing some love and joy with the seniors at the Autumn Grove Lodge and hospital?" Scarlett said was her line of thinking at the time.

The community is welcome to swing by and lend a hand. Also, to help care for the hearts after they're up.

Turns out she wasn't alone -- others thought it would indeed be nice.

On Saturday, Scarlett said around 300 volunteers showed up, including volunteers ranging in age from eight years old to 90.

"It was a spectacular day of community gathering," Scarlett said, in an email to CTV News. "Even the mayor posted about how great the event was."

"Our free pattern has been downloaded hundreds of times from locations around the globe and now thousands of hearts are arriving in time for our install party," said Wilma Watson, Innisfail Art Club president.

A release to media explains the hearts "consist of handcrafted crochet, knit, quilted, macramé and all manner of hand-stitched items," and "will be installed on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m."

The community is welcome to swing by and lend a hand.

Also, to help care for the hearts after they're up.

Local entrepreneur and artist Karen Scarlett started working on the initiative this past January.

"I will be leaning on the community to help,” Scarlett said.

"If the community keeps an eye out for damaged hearts and continues to care for the fence and ask for new hearts to be made, we may have a love-filled fence for years -- maybe decades -- to come."

She says she's doing this for Grandma.

A release to media explains the hearts 'consist of handcrafted crochet, knit, quilted, macramé and all manner of hand-stitched items,' and 'will be installed on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.'

Ethel Scarlett was a founding member of the original art club and toward the end of her life, a resident at the original seniors lodge where she was still known for a creative endeavour or two.

All age groups helped with the Crochet Heart Bomb Project. (Photo courtesy Candice Hughes)

"I feel like she would be pretty thrilled with this project," Karen Scarlett said.

More information is available at innisfailartclub.org/crochet.

A release to media explains the hearts 'consist of handcrafted crochet, knit, quilted, macramé and all manner of hand-stitched items,' and 'will be installed on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.'

Calgary Top Stories

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Thousands of premature cancer deaths in women could have been prevented: researchers

Prevention could have prevented nearly seven in 10 premature cancer deaths among women worldwide in 2020, new research has found.

'Continuous' masking returning to B.C. hospitals, clinics, care homes

Some health-care workers in British Columbia have started receiving notification that they will once again be expected to wear masks in medical settings, but the language is ambiguous about what exactly will be required and for whom.

Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.

3 killed in shootings and an explosion as deadly violence continues in Sweden

Three people were killed overnight in separate incidents in Sweden as deadly violence linked to a feud between criminal gangs escalated.

1940-2023

1940-2023 Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, best known to global audiences for playing the wise professor Albus Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' movie franchise and whose career was launched by his mentor Laurence Olivier, died aged 82 on Thursday.

PM Trudeau apologizes for Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran during Zelenskyy visit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered 'unreserved apologies' Wednesday for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War and said the Canadian government has reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the wake of the incident.

Man charged with second-degree murder in 2022 homicide

A man has been charged with the second-degree murder of a woman in central Edmonton in December 2022.
Alta. premier, health minister non-committal on getting COVID-19 shot this fall

As COVID-19 cases in Canada rise and updated vaccines make headlines once again, Alberta’s premier and health minister were non-committal about getting the shot this fall when speaking on Wednesday.
Thousands of premature cancer deaths in women could have been prevented: researchers

Prevention could have prevented nearly seven in 10 premature cancer deaths among women worldwide in 2020, new research has found.

Vancouver

'Continuous' masking returning to B.C. hospitals, clinics, care homes

Some health-care workers in British Columbia have started receiving notification that they will once again be expected to wear masks in medical settings, but the language is ambiguous about what exactly will be required and for whom.
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
B.C. First Nations, commercial fishers and tourism groups urge federal government to phase out salmon farms

A group comprised of First Nations chiefs, leaders in the commercial fishing industry and tourism associations came together Wednesday to encourage the federal government to move ahead with a plan to phase out open-net pen salmon farms on the British Columbia coast by 2025.

Atlantic

Hurricane Juan: the most powerful and deadly storm to hit Atlantic Canada in 50 years

It's been almost 20 years since hurricane Juan slammed into Nova Scotia's coastline, beginning a loud and destructive journey that few will forget.
N.S. drivers opting to pay for repairs rather than shelling out for a new vehicle

N.S. autoshop owner says it's the busiest it's been in 25 years, as customers are choosing to keep their older cars on the road instead of trading them in.
Will they or won't they?: Speculation grows over the possibility of a fall election in New Brunswick

It's a question of will they won't they when it comes to calling an election this fall in New Brunswick

Vancouver Island

Developers and advocates weigh in on B.C.'s housing targets

B.C. cities aren’t in the business of building homes; that’s what private developers do. And those private developers are preparing to get to work.
Bylaw change could allow physician assistants to work in B.C. emergency rooms

The B.C. Ministry of Health says a proposed bylaw change by the body that regulates doctors could allow physician assistants to work in provincial emergency rooms.
Vancouver Island water restrictions lifted after 'significant rainfall' helps restore fish habitat

After significant rainfall in some regions of Vancouver Island, the British Columbia government is rescinding water restrictions for the Koksilah and Tsolum river watersheds.

Toronto

Homeless Ontario amputee seeks 'financial miracle' after finding out $60K prosthetic won't be covered

An amputee living out of his car in Oakville, Ont. fears he may have to forfeit the ability to walk after finding out that the prosthetic he requires will cost him tens of thousands of dollars upfront, alongside a lifetime of maintenance expenses.
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
NEW
NEW 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

Ajay Sood and his family bought their dream home in Oakville this past July, but they say a contractor destroyed their house after refusing to finish the work despite being paid in advance.

Montreal

Road worker struck and killed by unoccupied heavy truck in Pointe-Claire

A road worker was struck and killed by an unoccupied heavy truck early Thursday morning on Highway 40 in Pointe-Claire, Que, near Saint-Jean Boulevard.
Man, 30, arrested in deaths of Longueuil mother and daughter

The man arrested in connection with the deaths of two women in Longueuil will appear in court Thursday morning to face unknown charges.
WATCH LIVE @ 1:15 p.m.
WATCH LIVE @ 1:15 p.m. Quebec to give update on COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Quebec officials will provide more details on the fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign today at 1:15 p.m.

Ottawa

Woman suffers serious injuries in Centretown apartment fire

Ottawa fire says 9-1-1 received a call at approximately 2:25 a.m. Thursday reporting smoke visible from the basement of a three-storey building on Frank Street, between Metcalfe Street and O'Connor Street.
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
Police closely monitoring potential for vehicle-based protest in Ottawa

While police say they do not have any "specific information" about a large demonstration in Ottawa, officers continue to "closely monitor the potential for vehicle-based protests" happening in or travelling through the capital.

Kitchener

Melinda Vasilije's family speaks as killer sentenced to 16 years

Ager Hasan, the man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend Melinda Vasilije to death in 2017, will spend 16 years in custody before becoming eligible for parole.
Driver in fatal hit and run confessed to daughter in conversation taped by police

A driver convicted of killing an Ont. teen then fleeing the scene told his daughter he “would have done the exact same thing” even if he had been sober.
Woman stabbed in Waterloo

A 27-year-old Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a 57-year-old woman.

Saskatoon

'They called me racist': Saskatoon guard saw life 'nearly collapse' after arrest video

The security guard who arrested a woman outside a Saskatoon grocery store says he watched “his life and livelihood nearly collapse,” after the altercation was caught on camera and shared online.
Saskatoon shelter's move to bar drug users increases chances of 'people dying,' advocate says

Saskatoon harm reduction advocate Kayla DeMong says the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s decision to force high-needs drug users from its shelter increases the odds that people will die outdoors this winter.
Saskatoon councillors clash over final vote to rename John A. MacDonald Road

Saskatoon city council finalized the street name change from John A. Macdonald Road to miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road Wednesday.

Northern Ontario

Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
NEW
NEW 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

Ajay Sood and his family bought their dream home in Oakville this past July, but they say a contractor destroyed their house after refusing to finish the work despite being paid in advance.
1940-2023
1940-2023 Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, best known to global audiences for playing the wise professor Albus Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' movie franchise and whose career was launched by his mentor Laurence Olivier, died aged 82 on Thursday.

Winnipeg

New blockade leading to Winnipeg landfill set up

Another blockade leading to the Brady Landfill in Winnipeg has appeared as conversations around searching the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women continues in the province.
Winnipeg police looking for man accused of committing an indecent act at an elementary school

Winnipeg police are looking for a man who investigators say was committing an indecent act at an elementary school.
Manitoba Progressive Conservatives 'pulling out stops' with attack ads: analyst

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives are continuing to be dogged by mounting disapproval for taking out billboard and newspaper ads that highlights the province's decision not to search a landfill for the remains of two First Nations women.

Regina

'I expect more': Why some Indigenous people in Sask. want land acknowledgements to change

It has become common to hear a land acknowledgement at the beginning of any event or meeting. However, some people believe it is time to put the words into action.
'Bunny Hug' trademarked by Sask. vendor

Saskatchewan has its fair share of slang, and one phrase synonymous with our province: Bunny Hug. While this term is common phrase to most Saskatchewanians, it is apparently still fair game to be trademarked.
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold

The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.

A community art project with heart hits Innisfail, Alta.

1940-2023 | Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

1940-2023 | Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

NEW | 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

WATCH LIVE @ 1:15 p.m. | Quebec to give update on COVID-19 vaccination campaign

NEW | 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

1940-2023 | Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

Stay Connected

1940-2023 Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

1940-2023 Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82

NEW 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

WATCH LIVE @ 1:15 p.m. Quebec to give update on COVID-19 vaccination campaign

NEW 'A nightmare': Ontario family sleeps in car during botched $58K renovations

1940-2023 Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore, dies aged 82