MODERN QUILTS & GIRLYGEEK GADGET GEAR: Patchwork For Paws

We are group of quilters called Patchwork For Paws that are donating sewing time/quilting time to make 16 queen sized quilts for K9’s For Warriors new home called “Camp K9.” K9’s For Warriors rescues and trains dogs to help a veteran with PTSD/TBI/MST and other needs. My husband was fortunate enough to be the recipient of K9‘s For Warrior’s: Charlie, his 90 pound Giant Schnoodle who has given him back is independence and a sense of daily accomplishment. Because of that, I wanted to say thank you to Mama Shari and the rest of Her Crew, hence Patchwork For Paws.

These Warriors (and Shield Maidens as I like to call the Lady Warriors) have sacrificed a lot to help our country, and even though they are back home sometimes they need a bit of help. Soft isn’t something you would normally think about when you think "solider," but even soldiers need a bit of softness in their lives. This is where our quilts come in. The new housing for Camp K9 will have 16 rooms with queen sized beds in them. As much as I’d LOVE to be able to donate the money to get each room a designer bed set, I just can’t. But, I do know a wonderful quilting community that usually has a huge fabric stash and needs to get rid of it so more fabric can be purchased! Am I right? Plus when you stop and think about it, we make our quilts with a purpose and intention. Why not give that to a solider who really needs that softness, kindness and loving intention!

Keri Foreman
Bozeman (Gallatin County) Montana

Quilt 1: "Why Be Normal?"
Pattern/Block: Wonky star adaptation from V & Co's "Hopscotch" pattern.
Size: ~108" x 90" (still working on it!)
Notes: I didn't want the stars to be perfect. Perfection is overrated. Instead just aim for Being. Each star is unique, just like each Warrior Team at K9's. Besides, normal is boring, exclusive is a lot more fun! It takes all kinds of strange angles to make this life work, and if you look at it as a negative, such as "different," then you don't see the beauty of the whole picture. Step back and look at the forest, My Friend. That strange angle makes a pretty unique Whole.

Quilt 2: "Little Steps"
Pattern: Boardwalk from Cluck Cluck Sew
Size: 85.5" x 95"
Notes: Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time. - Lyndon B. Johnson
Not every day is going to be a battle between dark and light. Most days are interesting shades of gray. Some days, the gray is bright heading fast for titanium white. Some days, the grays are an inky dark and heading towards the rotten days. The only way you are ever going to see the shades of various grays, whites and blacks is if you move forward. One step starts the whole process and you've done so by talking to Mama Sherri and K9's For Warriors. The real difference starts when you and your Battle Buddy start taking the steps together. You don't have to take many...at first. But as as long as you keep climbing together, you will see less of the dark grays inky black and more of the light grays and brilliant titanium white.

Quilt 3: "Prism Cadence"
Pattern: Adaptation of a strip pieced quilt.
Size: ~108" x 90" (still working on it!)
Notes: Life has a cadence; all of life. You can let that candace take to you the darkest parts or you can allow it to take you forward to the most amazing adventures of your life. Think of it like the beats of your favorite music on your EQ. The only time those bars are ever still are in between songs, and how boring is it to be in between songs all the time? Same with Life. You must to keep moving towards that next beat! Your Battle Buddy will rock out with you, all you have to do is turn up the music, count off your cadence, take that first step together and start dancing! The two of you together will be the most AMAZING team yet!

Jessica Plumeau

Wendell (Wake County) North Carolina

Quilt: "Dream of Angels"

Pattern: Spiderweb Block
Size: ~108" x 90" (still working on it!)
Notes: I chose the spider web block because the pattern reminds me of dreamcatchers, which according to legend, will filter out bad dreams and only let the good dreams enter the owner's sleep. To me, the quilt symbolizes the warrior's new service dog. As the team learns to work together, the warrior can begin to sleep more soundly knowing that his dog is watching over him. The quilt is named in honor of my mother in law.

Amanda Wright

Radcliff (Hardin County) Kentucky

Quilt 1: "Focus"

Pattern: Giant Dresden
Size: ~108" x 90" (still working on it!)
Notes: Very easily our plate can become full. Things can become very overwhelming and extremely stressful. Like all the pieces of the "plate" on this quilt, it can all blur together into a chaotic mess and we can lose focus. We need to remind ourselves to step back and take a look at the little things. Focus on the individual task and work on that. Little by little that big chaotic mess will become more manageable. I wish you the best as you start on your next journey with your service dog at your side.

Quilt 2: "Scrappy Heart"

Pattern: Scrappy Heart by Cindy Carter
Size: ~ 52” x 68”
Notes: Coming soon!

Kathleen Parker

Burnsville (Dakota County) Minnesota

Quilt 1: "String Theory"

Pattern: Strip piecing
Long Arm Artist: Joan Mumaw from Burnsville, Minnesota
Notes: We're all connected in this World, with links to family, to friends, to coworkers and the larger community. This quilt is to show how diversity unites us to a cohesive unit, that no matter what our ethnicity, education, life experiences or difficulties, we are here in this life to be supportive and uphold each other in The Light of Creation. Be Blessed, and know that you are honored.

Quilt 2: "Compass Quilt"

Pattern: Amazing Jelly Roll by 3 Dudes
Long Arm Artist: Tina Kelly from Elcho, Wisconsin
Notes: The compass print is composed of paw prints, to show that no matter which direction you go, with your Service Dog at your side, it will always be the right direction. To sleep under a quilt, is to rest with the best wishes and love that went into each and every piece of fabric held by the quilter, each stitch that holds the fabrics together. Together is the theme. That together, you and your dog will take new steps, and that no matter where the Path of Life takes you, it will be a positive journey.

Quilt 3: "Bound By Service"

Pattern: Picture Frames by Daniela Stout

Long Arm Artist: Tina Kelly from Elcho, Wisconsin

Blessing: May your heart know Peace, may your soul know Joy. May you have restful sleep, pleasant companionship, and strength to steady you on difficult days. As you were bound by your Service commitment, may you find the bonds of acceptance, support and unconditional love of your Service Dog not binding, but a giving of Freedom to enter all that life has to offer. Be Blessed.

Joann Dandurand

Albany (Linn County) Oregon

Quilt: "Race Ya!"

Pattern: Queen Jelly Roll Race
Notes: I am a fellow K9's For Warriors graduate with my dog, Lily. We both wish you many "heeling/healing"moments ahead!

Cindy Borders

Oregon City (Clackamas County) Oregon

Quilt:

Pattern: Traditional Log Cabin
Long arm Artist: Pam Rockwook from Camby, Oregon
Notes: