Thursday, October 20, 2016

Island Batik Pumpkin Fest


This month the Island Batik Ambassadors are having a Pumpkin Fest! First of all, who doesn't love pumpkins? Their size, their unique shapes, their colors are just too much fun!






I personally love pumpkins especially pumpkin lattes, pumpkin scones, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie (I think you get the idea). So I was delighted with this month's theme.








 


I used wonderful fabrics from Island Batik
that just scream pumpkin. Look at all these beautiful shades. 



I thought of a lot of different designs, but decided on this one! It is called
 "Gibbs in the Pumpkin Patch."



Here is a closer view.


And still another view. Don't you just love how all the pumpkins are not only unique in size, but in color as well?

There is one other thing that is unique about this picture and that is Gibbs, my cat. Do you see that his left ear is tipped?
This is Gibbs and he is a feral cat. His left ear has been tipped which told me that he had been fixed as  eartipping is an effective and universally accepted method to identify a spayed or neutered and vaccinated community cat. He just appeared in my neighborhood one day. I have been working with him for a year. 

It has been very trying at times because he has been very slow to trust me, but he is slowly coming around. 

I thought he would be a "Purrfect" addition to my Pumpkin Fest design as it would be just like him to be in the Pumpkin Patch at night under the full moon.

I haven't quilted this yet as I really like it and I want to make sure I quilt it the right way. Getting ready for International Quilt Market in Houston next week hasn't given me much time and I don't want to rush. So I will share when I do get it quilted later this year.

I hope you will share your favorite pumpkin treats and also tell me any stories about your kitties.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful fall!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Piece for Shelter Pets



October is national Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month and some quilt industry professionals are partnering with the Petfinder Foundation to create awareness of Shelter Dogs (and Cats) that need “ furrever” homes. It is an unusual combination but one that is working beautifully to help our furry friends.  

Armando from Missouri
These quilters are animal lovers and are helping shelter animals in ways that are new and unique.  

So join us in the October Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month and see how we are helping and how you can help. 

We invite you to
 “Piece for Shelter Pets”





It all began with The Quilt Pattern Magazine (TQPM) who partnered with the Petfinder Foundation to form the TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team after Hurricane Sandy. TQPM helped animal shelters in New York and New Jersey affected by disasters by sending Kennel Quilts for the displaced animals. Since then the program has continued to grow and over 8000 Kennel Quilts have been sent to shelters all over the US and Canada. There are over 900 members on the TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team.  Join our Team here!

 

Our little “SpokesKitty”  Pretty Girl is an HSPPR (The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region) adoptee photographed on her Kennel Quilt during the 2013 Colorado fires! Who could resist that sweet face?







There are so many stories about Kennel Quilts and I wish I could share them all but you would be reading forever. The Kennel Quilts bring joy not only to the furry friends, but to the shelter staff and the volunteers. They see warm comfy bright “spots” all around during traumatic times. It also lets the shelter staff know that they are not the forgotten victims as sometimes animals are. Making the Kennel Quilts brings joy to the quilters as they are joining a larger effort to help their animal friends in times of need by doing what they love. 

Toby from Colorado

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are some that show Kennel Quilts and the happy recipients from shelters all over the United States. These are just a few of many.


Eunice from New York     
Onyx from Missouri



Socks from New York











Pug from Texas  

Ori and Ziggy from Louisiana
                           






 Puppy from Pennsylvania
  












 


To help with this endeavor, Aurifil Theads became the first partner and offered a Small Kennel Quilt Thread Kit with Pretty Girl on the cover. The threads are all pet colors which are neutrals. 






 They will be introducing two more Thread Collections at the International Quilt Market in Houston this month. A portion of sales goes to the Petfinder Foundation.

Holly from Canada
Gary from Italy










Bernina of America  was the next partner and created a special edition Best Friends sewing machine featuring paw prints on the face plate. They have donated $30,000 to the Petfinder Foundation from the sales of the machine.







Island Batik has joined  in the partnership and is introducing two new animal fabric lines at International Quilt Market. A portion of their sales will go to the Petfinder Foundation.








 Fifi and Fido Kennel Quilt






 

                 


        Happy Hounds Kennel Quilt
                                             






 


Quilty Box  is  making up special TQPM Kennel Quilt boxes and the Petfinder Foundation will be the recipient of a portion of their sales.



 






Benartex  has jumped onboard and will introduce new fabrics at International Quilt Market which will benefit the Petfinder Foundation. 


                                                         The Joey Collection






All these companies are sending the same message that Shelter Animals need our help and we can “Piece for Shelter Pets” to bring them some peace during a tough time in their life. 


There are so many shelter animals that want a home. This is a great time to check with your local shelter for your “furrever” friend or you can check out Petfinder.com. However if you can’t adopt at this time, there are numerous other ways to help as you can see by our blogs Please join us in this effort and Remember to Adopt –don’t shop!





We hope you will read all the stories from the different companies.

The schedule is below:

Blog Hop Schedule:
10/5 – The Quilt Pattern Magazine/Nan Baker of Purrfect Spots
10/7 – Aurifil 
10/12 – Island Batik
10/14 – Quilty Box (instagram)
10/19 – Benartex 



We are offering some great giveways, so don’t miss a single one. Thank you for stopping by and please support "Piece for Shelter Pets"!