Quilty Box Reveal!

Quilt "Leaks"

With the quilt piecing in progress and the quilter waiting nearby, I've been authorized to "leak" a few photos of some of the quilt blocks that were made for this very special holiday-themed quilt. Ratbone produces a quilt just about every year to raffle off as a fundraiser for ratties in need. This one is going to be so different from the others and I am excited to see the finished product.

Memorial Day block (I love this one)

Flag Day

Father's Day

Applique Block for Ratbone

I volunteered to make two of the holiday blocks for the Ratbone raffle quilt. Everyone pretty much makes applique blocks which are NOT my forte. I chose Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras.

If you are wondering what the green blob is at the head of the turkey (assuming you can tell this is a turkey, lol) it is supposed to be garnish. Every blocks is to have some medium green and I thought of something like parsley or kale.

Just as I finished the block and went to cut a thread I accidentally snipped a hole in the fabric! (cue the colorful language response) It's right above the fork. You can probably see my little patch. I need to test it to see if it still shows with fabric behind it (like when it is sandwiched with batting) and if it does I am thinking I will put a piece of "food" on the fork to cover it up. Too bad, the tines of the fork were a lot of work and I hate to cover them up.

One thing is missing from the photo. I have a little knot of fabric that I will tack on the side of Eddie's face so it looks like the bib is tied on him. Looks real cute with it but being a terrible photographer, I don't think of these details when I take photos.

Shamless Plug

Sorry about the long tenured shameless plug for the Ratbone quilt raffle. I'm not ignoring my blog but wanted it to be the lead post for a while :) That quilt is a connection between my old life in Kodiak and my new life in Florida in that the blocks for the top were block-of-the-month squares made by members of the Kodiak Bear Paw Quilters Guild (everyone makes a block and a name is drawn to win them all) and I just think that is so cool!

As you can see by these photos from Pass A Grill dog beach, Woody is doing good. So good in fact that I haven him on a couple home visits for Ratbone. He did really well interacting with other dogs, cats, and kids. The only low moment was diarrhea is someone's house :(

Quilt Raffle for Ratbone Rescue!

Ratbone Rescues big Fall Fundraiser is early this year! We will be selling tickets for this beautiful memory quilt from May 16th through September 15th. Proceeds will pay for spay/neuter, vaccinations, and other veterinary care.

A close up a block showing the quilting.

The quilt border is appliqued with the names of ratties that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and honors their lives.

The quilt top before it was quilted. Notice the "real" rattie in the bottom left corner :)

The back of the quilt showing the hearts & stars design used to quilt the piece.

Quilts, Quilts, Everywhere!

Suddenly, there are three quilts in my life...................

This is the memory quilt I am working on for my Dad. I am going to Arkansas on Wednesday (to see him for his 81st birthday) and I am wishing I had started this a month ago so that I could give it to him then. The center blocks are all assembled. I am waiting on fabric to come in the mail to do the photo transfer blocks - so far I have just printed them on the photo transfer paper. There is also a person or two missing that I would like to include. I have a dark purple for an inner border and the binding but not sewing it on until the other fabrics arrive just in case I change my mind.;)

This is one of two quilts that Ratbone Rescuesis auctioning off this year. They received enough blocks to make two quilts! This one has the four blocks I made. To see more photos or learn more about the raffle, click HERE. I am a volunteer for Ratbone and I got my Eddie through the organization.

And finally, I bought raffle tickets for the quilt shown above. It is from the web page of Rat Terrier ResQ. It is a beautiful quilt and has photos of a couple of my friend's dogs. If I were to win it (I never win anything except jury duty) I believe I would give it to that friend. To learn more about this raffle, click HERE.

A Little Help From My Friend

Trying to layout quilt blocks is an adventure when there are rat terriers in the house!

Ratbone Quilt Block II

You didn't think I would leave out my Daisey did ya? Eddie's block would be lonely without a Daisey block, LOL. I also have two photo transfers of Ratbone fosters but we'll see how much more motivation I have for sewing.

Ratbone Quilt Block

Here's the block I made for the Ratbone Raffle quilt this year; however, I've discovered a problem with it. I made the center image from a photo of my Eddie and skewed the colors into purples but the photo transfer smears if I touch the iron to it. These transfers are the type that you are supposed to be able to make t-shirts and other fabric things with so what the heck??? anyone out there know something about 'setting" the inks? They feel kinda rubbery.

I was cleaning out my sewing area and found my Kodiak Bear Paw Quilters badge. The design of this mini block is called "bear paw" and it was perfect for the guild to adopt for our nametags. Everyone made one in the fabric(s) of their choice and it was interesting to see the individuality of them. I chose my favorite fabric which is blueberries and salmonberries - how Kodiak is that?!?!?! I also added a little embellishment with the minis - tomato pin cushion, embrodiery floss, & rotary cutter. Fun!

Anxious For The News

I am sick of political and financial news - I am ready to hear news of the Ratbone Rescues raffle drawing instead! And a special "good luck" to the folks who bought tickets after seeing my blog - thank you for your support!

**UPDATE** And the winners are:
Harry Campbell - quilt and pillows
Marilyn Young - wall hanging