BLOCK - CARMEN MIRANDA

BLOCK MAKER: CAROLYN FINLAYSON

ARTIST: PATTY EISENBRAUN

Original Drawing

Quilted Block

Carolyn said she got the idea for this block from her son.  It was probably the most intricate the blocks for this quilt, but fortunately Carolyn has lots of experience and did a fantastic job.

Here  are some before photos:

Headpiece

Closeup of fruit in headpiece

Closeup of Maracas

BONUS WALL HANGING - "SAXON AMONG THE BLACK EYED SUSANS"

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE EARLY 'DALE NO. 8 DRAWING TONIGHT!

#8A - TOY AIREDALE

LINDA BUONAURO OF PARK RIDGE, NY

#8B - BLACK & TAN AFGHAN

LYNN O'SHAUGHNESSY OF HOWELL, MI

THANK YOU BOTH FOR SUPPORTING AIREDALE RESCUE.

Made by Candy Kramlich and adapted from a photo taken by Virgina Slowik

Inspiration Photo

Finished Wall Hanging

When I said I would do a bonus wall hanging (my second), I wanted to use this photo of Saxon that Virginia took of him laying out in his garden hiding behind the flowers. It’s one of my favorites of him. This was my second attempt at a wall hanging and this year I actually had to create a pattern from a blowup of the photograph with the help of a light box. I used hand applique for the Airedale, raw edge applique using a sewing machine for the leaves, and sewed the flowers by hand anchoring them w/a small black puff in the center. Since this is a stand-alone piece made by one individual, I was able to add embellishments to add dimension and interest such as the loose flowers which give it movement and the face furnishings made from unraveled yarn.  After it was all finished and I looked very closely, I realize there were some things I should have changed.  He looks like he is wearing a hat of leaves on his head, and I wish I had positioned the leaves a bit differently in that area. I wanted to make this wall hanging to honor a very special Airedale and his owners. This wall hanging measures 23 1/4 inches x 18 inches.

Saxon's story is below the progress photos.

Here are some progress photos:

Auditioning Fabric

Placing Pattern Pieces

Close up of leaves

Another close up

Close up of flowers

Saxon was almost a year old when I received a phone call from a woman in her mid-70’s who needed to give him up. She had bought him as a puppy from a Midwest breeder who told her the dog did not need much space or exercise! She had a postage-size back yard (literally) and was not able to walk him. She loved him dearly but realized he deserved more in life than she was able to give him. I visited w/her and Saxon in upstate NY initially to get a sense of what he was like. He was a sweet, typical young male Airedale with a lot of energy and full of mischief. I spent several hours with them and took him for a walk around the neighborhood to see how he was on a leash (not too bad) and everything was new to him, but he seemed to adapt to new things well. I agreed to come back in a few weeks to pick him up once I had gone through my file of waiting applicants to see who might be a good fit.

Virginia and Stephen Slowik had applied for a rescue Airedale about 6 months prior to that. Until Saxon came along, I didn’t have any dogs come into Rescue that I felt were appropriate for them. When I got home after my visit w/Anne and Saxon, I called Virginia to tell her about him and see if they were interested. They were, so we set a date and a couple of weeks later I drove upstate again to pick him up from Anne on a Saturday and I kept Saxon overnight delivering him to his new home the next afternoon. He had been updated on all his inoculations by his owner and was already neutered before coming into Rescue. One big joke was that he came with LUGGAGE – two large suitcases full of toys and his own pillow! I nearly died laughing when Anne presented me w/his luggage!! He was fairly well behaved at my house, sleeping by my bedside during the night. The next day while I was getting dressed, he stole one of my knee-high stockings and led me a merry chase up and down in my townhouse! Fortunately I was able to corner him and retrieve the stocking before he devoured it. It was just a game to him!

I delivered him the next day to his potential new home with Virginia and Stephen out on Long Island. This was their first Airedale. Virginia came from a family of Bull Dog breeders and had shown them and other breeds in Junior Handling and later helped some well-known handlers. She fell in love w/Airedales through a family friend and Airedale breeder. Stephen had never had a dog so he was a little more cautious. But they greeted us with open arms and lunch and I spent several hours w/them making sure that they were comfortable with him. They had a huge fenced yard for him to run it, but Virginia was also an avid walker so he would be getting daily walks morning and night – we’re talking several miles each time. Also Stephen came home every day for lunch so the “boys” bonded over slices of cheese. Virginia was the trainer and disciplinarian and Stephen was the playmate. I couldn’t have asked for a better home for this boy. And since I always keep in constant contact with adopters for the first month, we developed a friendship and Virginia and Stephen became very good friends and like family.

Virginia worked with Saxon in Obedience and Rally, got a Therapy Dog title on him and took him every month to a nearby nursing home where he entertained and shared his loving with the patients. He was always well received there. He also loved to dress up in the costumes Virginia would make for the yearly NEAR costume parades at Barktoberfest that we all attended each year. He made a couple of commercials and was also in several print ads for Cole Hahn and some other designers with the name of “Airedale” in their company. He wore a Quilting Bee sandwich board at Montgomery one year drumming up business for ticket sales for the quilt. He was a pretty well-rounded boy and had a very full life and was very well loved.

Saxon died a couple of years ago at not quite 10 years of age, but the friendship continues. Virginia took over coordination of Airedale Rescue for eastern and southern NY after I moved out of the area. They now have a second Aire boy named Basil and have visited Pinky and me several times in Maryland.

Early 'Dale Drawing No. 8 ends TONIGHT at 8 PM EDT.  #8A is the Toy Airedale with heart in its mouth and #8B is the Black & Tan hand knitted afghan measuring 52" x 60".

VAL OF NEVADA/SWAT

This is sweet Val. She was found by a rancher out in the middle of nowhere covered in ticks. She has an inoperable tumor that is cancerous (but she doesn't know it and is living her life out with Rusty LaFrance's gang at the her ranch).

I asked Rusty for an update on Val and she wrote: "She looks a bit pathetic right now, although she isn't behaving that way!!  But she is losing hair in big spots.  She really doesn't know she is sick right now and is enjoying life with the other old Airedales here.  She LOVES her food and treats !!!"

Here are some recent photos of sweet Val hanging out at Rusty's ranch.

Val on the left

All dressed up

Snoozing...life's good

I can attest to the joys of taking care of an old and sick Airedale having had one or two such cases during my years coordinating Airedale Rescue for ATCMNY. They aren't really easily adoptable and yet they still are full of life and deserve a safe and loving place to live out whatever time God lets them have.  I always say that those who adopt or foster one of the older sick dogs are "AireAngels". It never ceases to amaze me how much these dogs give back to us. And although you might think it is sad, it really isn't a sad experience because they are so joyful - enjoying each day they have left and the love they give back to you is overwhelming.  At the end, you aren't sad, just happy to have had that time with them because they enriched your life immensely and you enriched their last days with lots of love and a safe place to rest their heads. 

Thank you, Rusty, for giving Val a safe and loving home with you and your gang.

Remember Early 'Dale Drawing No. 8 runs until Saturday, 8/30 at 8 PM EDT.  8A is the adorable Toy Airedale with Heart in its mouth and 8B is a Black & Tan hand knitted afghan measuring approximately 52" x 60".

EARLY 'DALE DRAWING NO. 8 & WHIMSIDALE HAS A FOREVER HOME!

IT'S OFFICIAL - THE WHIMSIDALE IS GOING TO ITS NEW HOME WITH LYNN O'SHAUGHNESSY OF HOWELL, MI.  LYNN'S GENEROUS DONATION THIS MORNING PUT US JUST OVER THE $5,000 MARK!  HOORAY!  THE FIRST BIG MILESTONE HAS BEEN MET.   THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS GOTTEN US TO THIS POINT!

For those of you who read to the end of yesterday's blog and left a comment, there was a special prize picked by Dave, the teeth cleaning model.  Virginia Slowik was the lucky winner of the prize. Virginia won a pack of 'Fancy Dress' cards by Ann Curran.  You can see them here  

http://ragtail.co.uk/xmas.htm

  Congratulations, Virginia, and thanks for your comment and thanks to everyone that takes the time to leave a comment.

EARLY ‘DALE DRAWING NO. 8 BEGINS TODAY!

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PRIZES.

Anyone who makes a donation between Thursday, August 28th at 12:01 AM PST and Saturday, August 30th at 8 PM EDT is eligible to participate in this drawing.

NO. 8A - TOY AIREDALE WITH HEART IN MOUTH
WINNER: LINDA BUONAURO OF PARK RIDGE, NJ
Donated by Southwest Airedale Terrier Rescue (SWAT) & Sidney Hardie

Little toy Airedale holding a heart in his mouth. He is 7 inches from floor to top of head and 9 inches from head to the end of his (rather short) tail.

NO. 8B - BLACK & TAN HAND KNITTED AFGHAN
WINNER:  LYNN O'SHAUGHNESSY OF HOWELL, MI
Made and donated by Candy Kramlich

Folded showing bottom border and close up of stitch  pattern

A closer view

My older digital camera isn't playing nicely with my new laptop, so difficult to get a good photo of the entire afghan.

I laid this on top of my full size bed and it just covers the top of the bed.  Measuring approximately 52 inches wide x 60 inches long, this hand knitted afghan is made with Lion Brand “Homespun” yarn (98% Acrylic, 2% Polyester) with a luminescent Black 6-inch ribbed border top and bottom and an equally luminescent Rococo or Tan colored yarn in the “Moss” stitch.  I had attempted to outline an Airedale silhouette in the center with black wool, but unfortunately the concept didn't translate very well in the loose weave of the Moss stitch.  So it is just a plain Black and Tan afghan. Over the years, I’ve knitted afghans for family members and friends as gifts using this yarn, and they love the warm, cuddly feel of it. The Moss stitch is a fairly simple one consisting of 4 rows (K1,P1 for 2 rows and P1,K1 for 2 rows). I picked these colors to represent the Black & Tan of an Airedale and  because I felt it would be more universally usable in any décor. I hope the winner will like and enjoy it.  It will keep you warm while you are reading or watching TV on the sofa.

Don't forget that the little Whimsidale is waiting to go to its new home.  If your donation puts us at the $5,000 mark, it goes home to you!

BLOCK - NURSE

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EARLY 'DALE NO. 7 WINNERS:

#7A - "AIREDALE LOVE" TABLE RUNNER
WINNER: CAROL RAISBECK, SAUSALITO, CA

#7B - "THE FACE OF AIREDALE RESCUE" TEAPOT
WINNER: BARBARA FRUCHTMAN OF HUNTINGTON, NY

Thank you both for supporting the 2014 Airedale Rescue Quilt Fundraiser!

BLOCK MAKER: JEANETTE GRANTNER
ARTIST: JANE MILLER

Original Drawing

Quilted Block

Quilted Block back

Jeanette wrote: “I chose the nurse’s cap as my ADT, Maggie, is my therapy companion.” 

Here are some of Jeanette’s progress photos:

 

 

Unquilted block back

 

REMEMBER EARLY 'DALE DRAWING NO. 7 ENDS TONIGHT AT 8 PM EDT!  If you donate by 8 PM EDT tonight, you could be the proud owner of the "Airedale Love" Table Runner or "The Faces of Airedale Rescue" Ceramic Teapot!

To keep with the 'nurse' theme---

Dogs need their teeth cleaned just like humans.   Sometimes just providing them with raw meat bones to chew on does the trick and sometimes they need more help. Every dog is different, but keeping up a good dental tooth cleaning and check is imperative to good health.   

Part of your dog’s grooming time should include checking the teeth and gums and cleaning if necessary.

Things needed—

Toothbrush (manual or electric)

Toothpaste(optional-I don’t use it)

Scaler and pick   (look for dental equipment online)

Plaque remover commercial brand(be sure it doesn’t contain xylitol)

OR

Use a doggie herbal mouth product(purchased or homemade)

The procedure- 

Dip the toothbrush in the herbal mouth rinse(you can make your own—see below*) and brush the teeth with it.

Then I use the dental tools and scale the teeth of visible build up.  

Use a very wet wash cloth or cotton swabs (diluted with the herbal mouth rinse)  to wipe everything off.

Depending on the amount of plaque build-up determines the frequency I clean the teeth.

*herbal rinse    5 drops of grapefruit seed extract to 8 oz of filtered water

Dave is ready to have his teeth scaled, he likes to lie down for this procedure.

Tools of the trade

some plaque build-up starting

scaling

now clean

and now BITEYFACE ready!

**if you leave a comment on the blog TODAY only --

 you will be eligible to win a special prize.  Dave gets to choose the winner and the prize for you!

Virginia Slowik is the Winner of Dave's tooth prize!  She won a pack of Fancy Dress cards! see them here 

http://ragtail.co.uk/xmas.htm 

 Thank you, Virginia, and all that left comments and 

 for reading to the end of this blog and leaving a comment!  You never know when Lydia or me is going to throw something in at the end of a page.

JILL OF OKLAHOMA

Jill (approx. 6 yrs old) was a loved Airedale, who was turned into rescue when the owner decided that she had too much going on in her life to take proper care of her.  Jill had escaped the yard a few times and ended up at a vet clinic when we were called.

Here's Jill

She is now living with a brother (also an OKAR alumni) and a Mom and Dad who love their dogs very much. They go on daily walks and get to hang out at dog friendly events around town, where they are complimented for their beauty and excellent behavior!!

Jill with her new family!

Rember Early 'Dale Drawing No. 7 runs until Wednesday, 8/27 at 8 PM EDT. #7A is the "Airedale Love" Table Runner made and donated by Kathy Patterson and #7B is "The Faces of Airedale Rescue" Ceramic Teapot made and donated by Carol Domeracki.

And don't forget that the Whimsidale statue by Wendy Hodgson is waiting for its forever home with the person who puts us at the $5,000 mark.

EARLY 'DALE DRAWING NO. 7

EARLY ‘DALE DRAWING NO. 7 BEGINS TODAY!

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PRIZES.

Anyone who makes a donation between Monday, August 25th at 12:01 AM PST and Wednesday, August 27th at 8 PM EDT is eligible to participate in this drawing.

NO. 7A - “AIREDALE LOVE” TABLE RUNNER
WINNER:  CAROL RAISBECK, SAUSALITO, CA

Made and donated by Kathy Patterson

k-patters@1scom.net

Fruitbowl not included

This is a table runner named “Airedale Love” (Fruit basket not included). Valentine's Day was in my mind when it was made, but it can be used all year long. It's 100% cotton fabric and it is not quilted. It measures approximately 15 inches X 43 inches. Made by Kathy Patterson, Fort Worth, Texas. Airedale drawing done by Sadie Moore of Oklahoma and used for Airedale fundraising purposes with Sadie's permission.

NO. 7B - "THE FACES OF AIREDALE RESCUE" CERAMIC TEAPOT
WINNER:  BARBARA FRUCHTMAN, HUNTINGTON, NY

Made and donated by Carol Domeracki

anythingairedale@aol.com

This unique teapot was inspired by the dozen rescued Airedales that the artist has loved and lived with over the past 30 years: Maggie - Dana - Sparky - Abby - Farley - Teddy - Jenkins - Josie - Rory - Skippy - Stella - AnnieThe handmade pot features multiple Airedale portraits. Each one catches a different view of our favorite breed. No wonder we all love these dogs so much! The images were hand-painted on the teapot using ceramic underglazes. A few coats of clear satin glaze were applied. Then it was fired in a kiln at 2000+ degrees for several hours. The teapot is 8.5" high and 9" wide and has a capacity of 18 oz.

Support this fundraiser and you may be lucky enough to pour your next cup of tea from this pot.

Donated by the artist Carol Domeracki of AnythingAiredale.com who is honored to support the AWESOME Airedale Quilting Bee.

BLOCK - RED HAT LADY

BLOCK MAKER: SUE SENERCHIA
ARTIST: LINDA HOBBET

Original Drawing

Quilted Block

Sue wrote: “I chose the Red Hat because it seemed like Maggie was always a member of the Red Hat Society. She never objected to anything that I placed on her head. My Senior AireGirl was the best and she always will be ♥.

Here’s Maggie, Sue’s inspiration.

Maggie

Here’s the Red Hat block in progress:

Hat Closeup

Pearls

Don't forget that there is a Whimsidale up for grabs for the person whose donation puts us at $5,000!