The 2013 Pets on Quilts Show is open for entries this week - voting next week!

Jacque at Lily Pad Quilting has officially kicked off the 2013 Pets on Quilts Show.  Entries can be submitted at the show post (click here) thru Saturday, August 17th. Voting for your favorites will be open Sunday, August 18th through Saturday, August 24th.  There are wonderful prizes, donated by very generous sponsors, and many ways to win a prize.  But this show is really all about having fun, showing off our pets, or how much we love pets in general.  Even if you don't have a Pet you can enter.


While SewCalGal is sadly "pet-less", I do so love all sorts of animals.  And, I love EQ7 so I decided to play around with this software to create a whimsical cat design to share with you today.

I call it "Cats playing on the grass at night".  What do you think?

Pop on over and check out all of the super cute and fun entries in the Pets on Quilts Show.  They make me quack up!

While SewCalGal is copyright protected, if you would like a copy of the quilted duck (above) you are welcome to take a copy and use as you wish.  I hope it quacks you up too!

And, I'd love to hear you have an entry in the Pets on Quilts Show this year too!

Pets on Quilts Show starts August 11th

Jacque at Lily Pad Quilting is getting ready to kick off the 2013 Pets on Quilts Show.  This fun event starts August 11th.  Time to grab your camera, your quilts and get your pets to pose?  Don't have a pet?  How about an animal theme quilt?  Heck, you even have time to make a bed for a pet living in your local animal shelter where you can get an extra entry to win prizes in the 2013 Pets on Quilts Show.  Consider photographing a pet in your local shelter on your quilt when you drop it off!  Not only would you be helping a pet get a comfy bed, while living in a stressful situation, you might even be able to help with PR to find it a forever home!



Visit Lily Pad Quilting for more info on this fun annual event, as well as to see the entries as they come in on the 11th of August.

Pets on Quilts Show 2012

Welcome to SewCalGal's entry in the 2012 Pets on Quilts Show.  


For my followers that may be visiting and are not familiar with the Pets on Quilts Show, I want to start off this post with sharing some "set the stage" information:




Jacque (Lily Pad Quilting) is hosting the 2012 Pets on Quilts Show.  The show starts today and goes thru August 10th.  The Pets on Quilts Show has been a fun event that allows us to show off our love of quilting, as well as our love of pets of all types. And, to also promote adoption of homeless pets!   As the show owner, Jacque has full rights to put what ever spin on this event that she wants, to make it her own.  

While SewCalGal has hosted the 2010 Pets on Quilts Show and the 2011 Pets on Quilts Show, I realized with the 2012 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge and other commitments, I could no longer continue hosting the Pets on Quilts Show.  This is a fun event, so I was delighted  when  Jacque volunteered to become the "owner" of this show and host it in the future.  She has been working hard to get some wonderful sponsors lined up and help increase awareness of this event.  I hope everyone will pop on over to her delightful blog and have fun viewing all the delightful entries in the show this year.    

This is my first year to actually enter anything in the Pets on Quilts Show.  And, I'm not actually certain I qualify to enter, but I still wanted share a pet theme insights with you today.

To start off, I want to make a public service announcement for cats.  I also want to apologize to my four legged friends called "dogs", "rabbits", "lizards", and other names that I I do not have a special announcement for.  But, I hope you forgive me and know that I'll gladly provide public service announcements that may apply to you, if you help provide appropriate insights to give me a kickstart.

Ok, back to my PSA -  I hope every quilter with cats will take time to remind them how lucky they are to live in a loving home with a quilter. And, I'm sure you appreciate how much they help you with your quilting.   And, I hope everyone will consider adopting a homeless pet from their local shelter, when they have an opportunity to provide a loving home.  Of course, shelters are also always in need of donations, as well as pet beds, so you may want to periodically use your scraps and make a pet bed to donate to your local shelter.  After all, four legged ball of fur certainly sleeps better on a bed than concrete or a metal cage. And, if they have a good night sleep they'll present themselves cheerfully and have a better chance for a good adoption the next day!

You may also want to tell cats, living in shelters or non-quilting homes about  "Career Counseling for Cats"

to help them learn about the "purrfect" job opportunities for Cats.  Of course, we quilters with cats know what those opportunities are.

Note:  The above image was created using MyMemories software, assisted with their easy to use "QuickPage" called Kitty and Tweet.  While my blog is copyright protected, if you would like to download and use a copy of the above image, you have  my permission to do so.  Enjoy.  

But, please remember to ask for approval before using any other image, text, tutorial, etc. on my blog (thank you).

I want to confess, that sadly, SewCalGal is currently petless.  But, I'm always willing to give a four legged person a good body massage or hug. And, I love to pet sit.  I do feel fortunate that I have a neighbor kitty that loves to come visit when I'm gardening.  So, on a recent visit I asked this cute kitty to pose on a quilt I just made.  It was an interesting challenge for me, as I learned that a cat may want to walk on a quilt, or play under it, but when the camera comes out they really don't want to pose.

I also want to confess that the inspiration for this quilt came from a post on Quilting is My Therapy, where Angela Walters shared insights on some free-motion quilting she did for a quilt for Robert Hoffman.  Her quilting was spectacular and the "banner quilt" was made using beautiful Dr. Seuss fabrics that Robert Hoffman will be introducing this Fall.  I definitely had fun making this quilt and want to make it again, using the Dr. Seuss fabrics, when it comes available.  

I wasn't certain I'd be able to share this quilt with you, but I did work with Angela Walters and Robert Hoffman Fabrics to obtain approval, given I was inspired to make this quilt based on sneak peak insights shared on Angela's delightful blog (Quilting is my Therapy).  Thus, I want to thank Angela and Robert Hoffman Fabrics for all the beauty and inspiration that they provide to quilting and sewing enthusiasts!  

Oh, and should you be interested in having fun creating with the MyMemories Software, I think you'll like it.  Very easy to use and while it is commonly used for scrapbooking, it is also a great tool to create images for blogs, blog headers, greeting cards, and much, much more.  I use a variety of digital editing software packages, but truly do enjoy MyMemories software.  It is purrfect!

MyMemories software is so reasonably priced at $39.97. They have also offered readers of SewCalGal a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the My Memories store - $20 value! Just copy and paste the code STMMMS74482 and enter it during checkout to receive your discount!

Use Code STMMMS74482 at checkout!

www.mymemories.com

http://www.mymemoriesblog.com/

Again, I hope your click on over and check out all the entries in the Pets on Quilts Show, hosted by Lilypad Quilting.   Entries are also accepted thru August 10th, so keep coming back to this show to see "all" of the entries.  And, I look forward to seeing you entry in this fun show too!

 

Love Your Pet ?

Do you love your Pet?

Source: theconfusedquilter.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

Do they have a job in your home? Possibly they help you quilt?

Source: litandlaundry.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

Maybe they test your quilts to make sure they are comfy?

Source: allpeoplequilt.com via Carol on Pinterest

On the 4th of July, there was a fun Pet Parade in Rancho Bernardo, a community in Southern California.  It made me smile and I wanted to share this video with you:
 San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Don't forget, that The 2012 Pets on Quilts Show will be hosted by Jacque of Lilypad Quilting, August lst-10th.  I'm certainly looking forward to it.

And, don't worry about the pet hairs or nose prints.  This event is all about our pets and having fun.

Source: gottoast.com via Bonnie on Pinterest

Flip Flap Bag, by Whistlepig Creek

Whistlepig Creek Productions (WCP) is one of my favorite design houses that has fun designs for purses, totes, quilts, wallhangings and more.  Their welcome greeting on their site reads "With our whimsical patterns, our goal is to make you giggle!".

Sue Marsh, the very creative designer behind WCP, is also a fabric designer with RJR Fabrics.  Her current line is the very popular "Caterwauling Tales" fabric line.

I had fun making WCP's Flip Flap Bag.

Instructions contain fabric requirements, good cutting visuals, sewing and assembly instructions. SewCalGal views this pattern to be an excellent pattern for intermediate and advanced sewing enthusiasts, or a highly confident beginner.  I did learn from the designer, Sue Marsh, that they are working on on-line step-by-step tutorials which I think will really help beginners with learning to make beautiful bags using designs by WCP.  Customers can also contact WCP's Customer Service, should they have any questions and they will help walk you through any steps needed, as well as provide additional photos, as appropriate.

I certainly had fun making this cute Flip Flap Bag, using batiks from Hoffman California Fabrics.

I'm planning on ordering these "new" buttons from ButtonMad, as soon as they are available.  I want to embellish the flap of this bag with a "school of fish".  The design of this bag could work well without any embellishment, some machine embroidery, buttons, lace, or where ever your imagination takes you.


ButtonMad, aka Incomparable buttons, has many wonderful buttons that make for excellent embellishment of purses, totes, jackets, quilts and more.  These purse just seemed to be perfect for a school of fish buttons from ButtonMad. 

With, or without embellishment, this is a cute bag with oodles of pockets.  It works well with fat quarters, or pull 3 coordinating fabrics from your stash.  You'll have this project finished in no time at all and want to make more!

I'd sure love to see some quilts entered in the 2012 Pets on Quilts Show using some of Whistlepig Creek patterns.  This "Cattitude" wallhanging is purrfect!  But Whistlepig Creek has many wonderful Pet theme designs, along with other wonderful whimsical designs too!



You should be able to find WCP designs at your local quilt shop, or you can order directly from WCP via their online store.
http://www.wpcreek.com/
http://www.wpcreek.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WhistlepigCreek
http://pinterest.com/whistlepigcreek/

Winners of the Pets on Quilts Show

The 2011 Pets on Quilts Show is officially over, but you can still view all the entries at your liesure.
There were 109 entries this year (66 entries in the 2010 Pets on Quilts Show).  And, we had  5,000+ visitors to the show this year!

I want to recognize and thank all of the sponsors for this show and I hope you will also thank them and support them too, when you have the opportunity.  They've been very generous donating wonderful prizes.

• Fabric.com
• Fat Quarter Shop
• I Have A Notion
• InchWorm Fabrics
• Jane's Fabrics
• Java House Quilts
• Little Windows
• Martingale & Company, home of That Patchwork Place
• One-Stitch Off Jewelry
• Patterns to Quilt
• The Quilted Kitty
• The Rasberry Rabbits
• Sherrod Studios
• Sulky of America
• Two Wacky Woman

Thank you to everyone that entered this show.  You are all truly winners and the show wouldn't have happened without you entering!  We had a large variety of entries from dogs, cats, fish, birds, llama, EQ designs, and art quilts and everyone was delightful.  But, for added fun, like many shows, we have the Winners of the Viewer Choice Awards, which were based on nominations of viewers.  They are:

• Dog on quilt/Dog theme: My Life in Quilts
• Cat on quilt/Cat theme: Cats on My Quilts
• Other pet on quilt/other pet theme: Happy Cottage Quilter
• Best EQ pet theme quilt design: Southern Styles
• Best Art Quilt: A Creative K

Other winners were randomly drawn based on a number of categories (e.g. PR Angels,  those that entered the show, those that came to the show to have fun and view the show, those that took time to view all the entries and leave a comment on the post of the entry, those that voted for Best of Show, Best of show winners, etc.).  And, as there were a few winners of last year's show where a particular sponsor never did ship the prize, when those winners came back to participate in this show, they were automatically given a prize.    Once all the names were identified for the 26 prizes, I did my best to match winners up with the prizes that some of you expressed an interest in.

Congratulations to all of the lucky winners!  I'm sending out emails to all of them today, to let them know and confirm they want to claim their prize.  If they do not claim their prize within 3 days I will draw another winner. 

Sponsor	Prize(s)
	Prize #1 One very lucky winner will receive a $150 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop winner: Hand Wash Only
	Prize #2 One lucky winner is going to have fun making a cute quilt with this very cute Muchas Poochas quilt pattern, from Java House Quilts. To clarify, this prize is a full pattern set for the Muchas Poochas BOM. winner:  Stormy Days
	Prize #3 One lucky winner will receive a beautiful stitchery "kit", created special for this winner.  This special prize will  include a hoop, embroidery needles, floss kit, fusible interfacing, and The Rasberry Rabbits new Christmas pattern called "Birds on my Berry Tree's"   Winner: KdQuilts
	Prize #4 One lucky winner will receive a kit to make this cute "Sienna" bag:  Winner: Pigtales and Quilts
	Prize #5 One lucky winner will receive a Kona Fat Quarter Set, 7 spools of Presencia Perle Finca Thread and one yard of Marcus Super Softly Flannel to use for their embroidery stabilizer.  winner: What a Hoot
	Prize #6 One lucky winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Quilted Kitty. Winner: Seriously..I think it needs stitches
	Prize #7 One lucky winner will receive a $100 shopping spree at Fabric.com Winner:   Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
Two Wacky Women	Prize #8 One lucky winner will receive a Two Wacky Women welcome package (given to all participants at their Award Winning Quilt Retreats).  Package contains fabric and notions.  winner:  Chris (Cats on my Quilts)
	Prize #9 One lucky winner will receive a fat quarter bundle of the new Sapphire Collection by Skipping Stones Studios from Clothworks. Winner:  Happy Cottage Quilter
	Prize #10 One lucky winner will receive the book "Snuggle and Learn Quilts for Kids" by Chris Kirsch, a pattern called "Whiskers" by the Ginger Cookie Company (It has cats on it) and a charm pack, called Grand Finale from Moda Winner: Jo's Country Junction
	Prize #11 One lucky winner will receive a Little Windows brilliant resin  photo jewelry starter kits (retail $48). Winner: Vroomans Quilts
SewCalGal	Prize #12, 13, 14 Three lucky winners will receive a 2012 Pets on Quilts Calendar (12" x12" wall calendar), estimated value $25 each winner #12: tpott winner #13: Apple Avenue Quilts winner #14: My Life in Quilts
	Seven lucky winners will receive a copy of one of the following books: Prize #15 - Strip-Smart winner: Joy Prize #16 - Stash Magic winner: Hillbilly Handyworks Prize #17 - Fancy to Frugal  winner:  Chatterbox Quilts Prize #18 - Heartfelt Giving winner: Nanbon's Corner Prize #19 - CopyCat Quilts winner: TBD Prize #20 - Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie at Play  winner: TBD Prize #21 - Out of the Box with easy Blocks  winner: Needle, Thread, Happiness
	Prize #22 One lucky winner will receive: A Sulky kit that contains:  A concepts in Sulky Book, a randomly selected solid color sample spool of Sulky's NEW 60wt. PolyLite Thread, a randomly selected multi color sample spool of 60wt. PolyLite, a randomly selected color of Sulky 30wt. Cotton Blendables, a 1yd package of the NEW Sulky Soft 'n Sheer Extra, a package of 12 precut sheets of the NEW Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy, and a Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pen, with a Total Retail Value of $40.92. winner: A Creative K
	Prize #23 and #24 Two lucky winners will receive: one(1)  e:patterns from  Patterns to Quilt.  winner #23: Legarthiclass winner #24: TBD
	Prize #25 One lucky winner will receive a Wonderfil Thread pack of 7 InvisaFil threads Bold-n-Bright donated by I Have A Notion. winner:  Southern Style
	Prize #26 One very lucky winner is going to win a beautiful handmade necklace (design of their choice from current selection ) from "1 Stitch Off", which makes jewelry handstamped with mixed metals embellished with charms, crystals and vintage beads.  They also specialize in personalized ordres.  Email One Stitch off for special orders.  They also specialize in necklaces for Quilters and have also created some necklaces with blog names. winner:  And Sew On

 I hope you will come back and participate in the 2012 Pets on Quilts Show, or come back and have fun viewing the entries. 

Please remember that there are pets living in shelters that need good homes.  If you have room in your heart and home, I hope you'll consider adopting one.  You may also want to consider making a quilted pet bed, or quilt, for an animal living in a shelter to have a cozy home.  But do check with your local shelter to see if they have any special bedding requirements before you do sew.