The Home At Last Quilt- a special opportunity!

UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The quilt has been SOLD for $1,500, and it all goes to National Airedale Rescue to help the Airedales that we all love so much. 

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a handmade quilt to benefit National Airedale Rescue.   100% of the sale price goes straight to helping Airedales in need.

As most of you know,  the Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee is not making quilts any longer.  So, this is your chance to own a piece of history.
This beautiful quilt was made by many members of the Bee and so much time and love and effort and energy has been put into it.  It takes a year from concept to a finished quilt.  The size is 65 1/2" X 86".


You can purchase this quilt, Home At Last, on the National Airedale Rescue site.
The total purchase price is $1500.00     SOLD
This includes shipping anywhere in the world.


A little history of the quilt:
The Home at Last quilt was won by Sue Senerchia, in October of 2011.  It was originally won by Carol Elsworth in 2003.   Carol donated it back to the Bee for another raffle for National Airedale Rescue and Sue won this special quilt.    This quilt has always been owned by members of the Airedale Quilting Bee.   Sue is now generously donating it back to National Airedale Rescue in hopes of raising more money for Airedales in need.

Sue says;   I have had it for 8 years and 99% of the time, it's been put away in my closet for safe keeping.   It's in pristine condition, just as I had received it.    It has spent too much time in the closet wrapped in tissue paper and it needs to be seen and enjoyed by a new owner.

  Lovingly made by hand by the members of the Airedale Rescue Quilt Bee.

See it on a bed in the photos below.

 This is the quilting detail along the sides and the bottom and the top of the quilt.

This is the back of the quilt with a sleeve if you would rather hang it than put it on your bed.

 This is a queen-sized bed.  The quilt measures 65 1/2" X 86".  

A close-up of the labels~

This quilt comes with a notebook full of details about the making of this special quilt.

Here are a few extra details about the quilt.

The gorgeous center medallion was made by Karen Brown.  When the Bee decided to use Christie Williams' wonderful artwork of the "Home at Last Dog, for the center medallion, Karen wanted four botanical panels that would represent the seasons and contribute to the sense of comfort and serenity created by Christie's Airedale blissfully sleeping on a favorite quilt.   The panels were inspired by an applique pattern book titled "Little Brown Bird" by Margaret Docherty.

Detail of the leaves and flowers~

Karen began the first panel on Valentine's day 2002.   Two days later, her beloved six year old female, Hyla Grace, was diagnosed with Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.  She lost her battle on February 27.  Barbara Curtis, who is chairperson of the rescue branch of the Airedale Terrier Club of America, sent Karen a note that she wished that every Airedale could be loved as much as Hyla was.

Karen is a gardener and Hyla delighted in plunking herself in the middle of whatever part of her garden was the most gloriously in bloom so that she had brilliantly colored "crop circles".  She was often in Karen's thoughts as she fashioned leaves and flowers for the gorgeous center medallion.

One of the Summer blocks was created by designer Judy Dwiggins.

Beauregard, her seven year old Airedale is at the beach in his rain slicker.  Judy says that Beau's most favorite place in the whole world, other than home, is visiting the Oregon beaches.

Another one of the Summer blocks was made by Nanciann Nowlen of her Airegirl Gracie, and drawn by Gena Welch-Booher.

Nancy says that she and her family have owned box turtles for over 30 years and that in the Spring, the turtles become their most active as they come out of their hibernation to mate.  This block celebrates Gracie and her turtles.

One of the Autumn blocks was created by Julie Mellecker of her Airedale Abbey.

Her block depicts Abbey with a large pumpkin pie, which she enjoyed eating two Thanksgiving's ago.  Julie had baked all of her pies the night before and had been keeping a close eye on them as they cooled.   She turned her back for a few seconds and sneaky Abbey took a big bite out of one of them!  Judy says that it didn't slow her down a bit.  She just cut that section off the pie and swerved it along with the rest of them the next day.

This quilt is truly a work of art and very colorful to brighten up any room in the house and is absolutely gorgeous.

  If you would like the be the next owner of this outstanding beautiful quilt, click on the Home at Last photo on the blog sidebar and it will take you to National Airedale Rescue where you can purchase this wonderful piece of history.

THE END!

After raising approximately $252,200 over a period of 17 years, the Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee is officially disbanded.  

Thank you to everyone who helped us surpass our goal this year and end on a super high note raising $26,660!

HOW MUCH HAS THE QUILTING BEE RAISED IN 17 YEARS?

The offical amount raised by the 2016 Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee "Leap Y'Aire" Quilt is $26,660! 

The Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee started in 1999 and to date has raised a total of $252,200, which includes this last fundraiser!  All the money has gone to National Airedale Rescue. The end of this major yearly fundraiser is a HUGE loss for National Airedale Rescue and we'll all need to brainstorm and come up with a new super fundraising event for the future.

I think I speak for all the Bee members in saying it's been an honor and a privilege to work with this wonderful and creative group, who brought 17 years worth of Airedale-themed quilts to life.  I've only been a member since 2011 starting with the 2012 Quilt, "Garden Party".  I knew nothing, and I mean nothing, about hand applique and quilting.  I am still learning. But a Bee member, Marianne Perry, lived about an hour away and was my mentor.  Others around the country shared their tips and fabric to get this neophyte started.  I don't envision myself ever making a large quilt, but I do want to continue the craft of making wall hangings a few times a year. 

When I first heard about the Bee, I was amazed that a group of women and Airedale lovers, many who have never met each other, came together to create such beautiful works of art, all through the use and community of the internet. I was National Airedale Rescue Treasurer then and I was stunned and very grateful at what was raised.  

Now that the Bee has dissolved, we need to brainstorm and figure out other ways to generate income each year to benefit Airedales in need.  National Airedale Rescue helps those regional rescues who don't have the time, an affiliation with a regional Airedale club or the ability to raise funds on their own.  Often these groups are in areas of the country that have an enormous amount of Rescue Airedales needing help.  How can we help these groups still continue to Rescue Airedales and give them the medical help so many of them very often require before going on to their new homes?

If you have any ideas, please forward them to the Treasurer of National Airedale Rescue, Rusty LaFrance.  There is a huge need for rescue volunteers on all levels - in the trenches physically rescuing the dogs, good foster homes, transportation, interviewing and assessing potential homes, fundraising, both the creative side and the managerial side of fundraising.  All of these are ways YOU can contribute to Airedale Rescue.

PICS OF QUILT DISPLAY AT ATCA HOSPITALITY LAST EVENING

Here are some great photos of the Quilt Display taken by Sheila Tay Radcliffe at last evening's ATCA Hospitality Room.  Thanks, Sheila, for the wonderful photos!  Thank you to Lori Taylor and Cindy Johnstonbaugh for bringing the Quilt Display to the Hospitality Room.  As you can see, that's a lot of work to set up and take down, plus driving several hours to and from the headquarters hotel and then standing on their feet for several hours! 

Lori Taylor and Cindy Johnstonbaugh w/"Straw Hat Girl" in foreground

"Leap Y'Aire"

"Dive Bombing Swallows"

"Table Runn-Aire"

"Aire Leaps Through the Seasons"

"Straw Hat Girl" winner, Cathy Gaidos with Lori Taylor

Rescue Banner and view of Quilt Display table

Quilt Tickets waiting to be drawn!

Linda Baake Jarvis mixing up tickets while
Lori Taylor observes

Linda Baake Jarvis picking the winning quilt ticket!

Lori Taylor announcing the winner!

AND "LEAP Y'AIRE" GOES TO...

"Leap Y'Aire" was won by
Donna Cardamone of Kent, OH

"Straw Hat Girl" made by Marianne Perry from a drawing by Patty Eisenbraun was won by
Cathy Gaidos of Manhattan, KS

"Dive Bombing Swallows" made by Karen Brown from a drawing by Mary Blood was won by
Lynn Mathers, Arlington, WA

"Table Runn-Aire" made by Carolyn Finlayson was won by
Helena Epstein, Pearl River, NY

"Aire Leaps Through the Seasons" made by Candy Kramlich was won by Charles W. Jones, III of Smyrna, GA



And the biggest winners of all, are the Rescue Airedales who will be helped by your donations! Thank you everyone who participated in this LAST Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee fundraiser.  It was a great way to end a 17-year run!

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!

Last chance to get your quilt tickets tonight at the ATCA Hospitality Room of the headquarters hotel in Plymouth Meeting, PA. 

Lori Taylor will have the Quilt Display set up and will be taking donations for quilt tickets between 6 and 8 pm tonight. How great to be able to see "Leap Y'Aire" up close and in person!

The drawing for "Leap Y'Aire" and the 4 bonus wall hangings will take place at 8 PM at the end of the evening.  

This is the very LAST Airedale Rescue Quilting Bee Quilt.  It's the end of an era and a part of Airedale history. 

This year has been the most successful quilt fundraiser in it's 17-year history raising over $25,000 for National Airedale Rescue this year alone.  Thank you for supporting us all these years.

Check back tonight or tomorrow morning to learn who the quilt winners are.  If you donated for quilt tickets, it could be YOU!

JUST ONE MORE DAY UNTIL THE QUILT DRAWING

There is just 1 MORE DAY until the Leap Y'Aire Quilt drawing takes place!  Lori Taylor and Cindy Johnstonbaugh will have the Quilt Display at the ATCA Hospitality Room in the headquarters hotel between 6 and 8 pm, tomorrow, Oct. 6th.  If you haven't gotten your quilt tickets yet or want to increase your odds by getting more, you can get them between 6 and 8 pm tomorrow. The actual quilt and wall hanging drawings will take place close to the 8 pm hour.

Stay tuned.  Once the winners have been notified, I will post the names of the winners on the blog and on Facebook.

Here are a couple of Arizona Rescues - from this to this pictures .- Curly, Sweetie Bird, Pancho and Polly