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.
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 QuiltMarket. 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 blogsPlease 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