2009 Exhibit Participation Prize Winners

Every year the participants of the exhibit have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes donated by very generous artists and businesses. Everyone who participates has her name put into a hat and winners are randomly drawn.

I'm very pleased to announce that the following participants of the 2009 exhibit are the lucky winners!


Handmade pottery bowl donated by Lynn Krawczyk & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Carol Bruce, Anne Louise Mullard-Pugh and Debi Bright


Handmade teabag saucer donated by Lynn Krawczyk & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Laura Krasinski, Mary Andrews, Jeanette Thompson, Jeanne Turner McBrayer


Handmade dragonfly plaque donated by Lynn Krawczyk & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Wendy Starn


Puppy Pawprint pendant donated by S.J. Engraving - Claudine Intner



"Fabric Art Collage" book donated by Rebekah Meier - Sherry Boram


Hand-dyed fabric donated by Gail Forces Fabric & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Wendy Ferguson-Whitehead and Anne Copeland


Hand-dyed fabric donated by Gail Forces Fabric - Jackie Kirner and Judy Carpenter


Mini art quilt donated by Jan Johnson & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Judi Corrado


Fabric postcard donated by Jan Johnson & funky hand-knitted pouch donated by Vickie Boteler - Janet Bonarski


Fabric, thread & embellishment pack donated by Carol Ann Waugh, Edna J. Patterson Petty & Peggy Trickler - Vickie Boteler, Catherine Evans, Laura Sonntag, Rhonda Baldwin and Jennifer Solon




Bali fabric donated by Laura Krasinski - Nikki Wheeler, Valerie Stiles, Robin van Boeschoten, and Cathy Ortelle



"Love a Dog" paperweight donated by Fred Parker Pottery - Jeanelle McCall




CONGRATULATIONS everyone and a HUGE thank you to all those who generously donated items to the wonderful artists who gave not only a donation to A Place to Bark but have shared their beautiful artwork.

Looking forward to a fantastic exhibit in 2010!

"Home" debuts at the American Sewing Expo

The 2009 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit, "Home", is now hanging at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. The expo runs from September 25-September 27.

The exhibit features 84 art quilts honoring the qualities and special moments that define what a home means. Through the hard work of the 73 artists involved, $795 was raised for Bernie Berlin's A Place to Bark, an animal shelter that helps find forever homes for abused and abandoned animals.

Every year I am honored and privileged to curate this exhibit. Its amazing to see the same artists year after year and meet new ones. This exhibit and the artists involved bring me a tremendous amount of joy.

I hope you enjoy it too!

2009 Exhibit Favorite

2009 Exhibit Favorite

Rooted IX
Kristin LaFlamme

Waipahu, Hawaii

I am very pleased to announce the 2009 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit. This year's artwork comes from Kristin LaFlamme in Waipahu, Hawaii. Congratulations Kristin! As the exhibit favorite, Kristin will receive the following Prize Package:

A copy of Jane Davila & Elin Waterston's new book, Art Quilts at Play

A package of TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) from Lesley Riley

Stewart Gill paints from Artist Cellar

The Exhibit Favorite will be featured on the print catalog for the exhibit

And I'm also very pleased to announce the Totals for this year:

73 artists
84 art quilts
$795 raised in donations

The money will go toward ensuring a loving, safe, secure future for abandoned and abused animals taken into Bernie Berlin's shelter, A Place to Bark.

Many, many thanks to everyone who participated! Winners of the Participation Prizes will be announced here in the upcoming weeks so check back often. Catalogs (both online and print) are in the works and will be announced soon.

Details are currently being worked out for the 2010 exhibit and will be announced by the end of 2009. We hope you will join us again next year!!!

"With One Voice" at the Saline District Library

The 2008 Breaking Traditions exhibit is currently hanging at the beautiful Saline District Library in Saline, Michigan for the month of August.

Many thanks to the library for hosting us and to Kat and Carol for helping hang the show!

The exhibit is hung on either side of the main desk. Below show how the exhibit was distributed around it:








Please stop in and see the show if you are in the area!

"With One Voice" at the 212 Arts Center

The 2008 Breaking Traditions exhibit, With One Voice, made its third stop on its tour during the month of July at the 212 Arts Center in Saline, Michigan.

212 is a very inviting cozy house that has been converted into a stellar arts center. They offer classes and host exhibits. The center is run by incredibly generous and art loving individuals and it was a huge honor to have the exhibit hang there for a month.

The lower level is split into two rooms. Below are installation shots of the exhibit in these rooms:






There are two rooms on the second floor where classes are also held. As students go up the stairs, they were greeted by one of the exhibit's panels:


And the hallway on the second floor was also host to two panels from Breaking Traditions:


In addition to Breaking Traditions, six local artists exhibited work (click on image to view larger):

From left to right: Entwined by Jacqueline Lams, The Edge of Spring Series by Joan Potter Thomas, Deb Kolar with her beautiful fiber art, work from Sidney Savage Inch & Leann Meixner and The Woven Seasons series from Lynn Krawczyk.


A huge thank you to 212 for having us and also to Leann and Kat for helping to hang and take down the show.

Below are the local artists that showed up to the opening reception:

From left to right: Deb Kolar, Sidney Savage Inch,
Leann Meixner, Lynn Krawczyk and Carol Schindler.

You're Invited - see With One Voice at the 212 Arts Center!

The 2008 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit is currently on exhibit at the 212 Arts Center in Saline, Michigan for the month of July.

From 212's website:

The mission of Two Twelve Arts Center is to provide a creative hub offering visual and performing artists the opportunity and working space to come together to work, create, and teach.

The Center also contributes to the cultural life of the residents of Saline by supporting a full schedule of classes, programs, performances and exhibits. We look forward to providing a framework for a vibrant and supportive arts community with varied opportunities for artists, students and audiences.

Breaking Traditions is very honored to exhibit in this stellar center. The exhibit hangs on both levels of the center and is accompanied by additional artwork from local Michigan artists that participated in the 2008 exhibit.

You can also see work from Jacqueline Lams, Sidney Savage Inch, Leann Meixner, Deb Kolar, Jean Canavan, Joan Potter Thomas, Kat Campau and Lynn Krawczyk.

There will be an opening reception on Friday July 17 from 7pm-9pm.

We hope to see you there!

New Beginnings Sunday

Cathy Neri's tale of the kitty cast that fills her home with excitement and love:

Sir Edmund Hillary

Just before Christmas 2002, my husband and I were "owned" by a pair of brother-sister kitties. Hillary is a tuxedo cat with extra toes, named for Sir Edmund Hillary (we originally thought SHE was a HE). Tipper was a gray tabby without extra toes but with an exceptionally large personality (he ran to answer the doorbell and loved our UPS guy). He was officially named for Tip O'Neill, the late Speaker of the House (my DH once caddied for Tip).

Anyway, during the summer of 2002, a family in our NY neighborhood was losing their home to foreclosure and they abandoned their house and their thirteen cats under cover of darkness. A few days later, animal rescue people were called, and they came in and scooped up twelve of the kitties. One, an orange longhair, eluded them and roamed our neighborhood for months. Many of us fed him. We called him the Mayor. Eventually he came to be known as Julius (after “Orange Julius”). He certainly knew how to cozy up to people, but he didn't want to be adopted, at least not just yet.

Then, winter came. It was a late seasonal arrival in our corner of NY, and most of the local humans were keeping an eye out for Julius. He hadn't been around for a few days and we were all worried.

Maybe he got himself trapped in someone's garage or shed, but Julius started making his rounds again just before Christmas. In fact on 12/22 he walked up *our* front stairs to *my* studio window and knocked. Yes, he knocked. (He couldn't reach the doorbell.) By now Hillary and Julius were almost officially senior citizen kitties, and we were all coping with the onset of an autoimmune disease in Tipper. So while we were thrilled to see Julius, we couldn't just throw open the door and put out a plate of salmon.

Fast forward: we caught Julius. We brought him to our vet and he was given a clean bill of health (remarkable, actually, since he had been on the street for months). Gradually he won our hearts as well as Tipper's companionship (we think Hillary has always secretly wanted to be an only cat). He recognized that even though he weighs in at sixteen pounds, he was the junior member of our feline contingent. Julius was an excellent addition to our family.

Julius

Then, in 2004, we moved to NE Pennsylvania, and not long after, Tipper lost his battle with IBD. We were all heartbroken but Julius really missed his pal. Fortunately our home overlooks some wild open spaces, so Julius occupied himself watching the deer and the bunnies and the bears which roam our property. But he was lonely.

Thus, I segue into my second rescue story. In the years Julius has lived with us, he has been an indoor cat. (He doesn't ever want to be an outdoor cat again.) So last summer, when he accidentally got out onto the back deck and was mesmerized by some activity along the rock wall twenty feet below, I paid attention.

It was a mama cat and her litter. How Mama saw the neon sign (visible only to itty bitty kitties) indicating that this home was a Cat House, I'll never know. Mama bore a strong resemblance to Hillary. It was such a strong resemblance that Julius came running inside, went upstairs to make sure Hillary was snoozing in her usual afternoon sun puddle, then ran back down to watch Mama and her kittens. It was a routine which was repeated many many times over the coming weeks.

Naturally, we started feeding Mama (who was apparently ready to wean The Kits). Mama was never ever going to be domesticated, but I held out hope for The (three) Kits. I spent many happy hours watching the little cat family cavort in our weeds and get more comfortable with human interaction.

Soon I was able to capture Mama and have her spayed (I wasn't planning to run a kitty commune, after all). By now The Kits were weaned and were almost friendly. By the time I was packing to go to Houston for Quilt Festival in October, The Kits were indoor Kits and had been spayed (all were girls) and Julius officially had His Hairem. In the meantime, Mama took off for parts unknown.

Oreo, Lil Bit & Moo

So, now, our Cat Census is officially four. (One of the Kits, Lil Bit, succumbed to a respiratory ailment in December. But at least she experienced the joys and comfort of living as a kept kitty for a chunk of her little life.) Now Julius struts around with Moo (like her Mama, she's another tuxie with bovine-like spots) and Oreo (mostly black with a strategic white stripe—my DH works for Kraft Foods, which makes Oreo cookies?) and Hillary watches all of their craziness from atop her seven-foot cat tower.

It's almost a feline version of West Side Story, I'm not kidding.




New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

New Beginnings Sunday

Toni Mitt's tale of the cocker spaniels who taught her about the joys of having dogs in her life:

Gracie

My husband and I got our first dog from a shelter in Illinois called Orphans of the Storm. We went down there on a Sunday, and found this poor little scared cocker spaniel that had been found wandering in a neighboring forest preserve. She was a beautiful buff color, and was cowering in the pen that she shared with a very gregarious beagle. We took her out into the yard, and were surprised at how proudly she walked on a leash. We think she was being groomed as a show dog, but for some reason was just dumped in the woods. Since she had just been found a few days before, we had to wait until the following Wednesday to adopt her. What torture!

Wednesday came, and I drove down with my daughter, Erika, who was in high school at the time. The gate was closed, as we had gotten there a few minutes early, and I spotted another car with several kids in it, also waiting for the place to open. I got a funny feeling in my gut, and I knew they were there for the same dog. When they opened the gate, I literally shoved Erika out of the car and told her to RUN to the door and tell them we want the cocker spaniel. I was right—one of the kids from the other car got to the door a second after Erika, and they, indeed, also wanted the spaniel. *Whew*

We named our new dog Gracie, after Gracie Allen, to honor her husband, George Burns, who had died just a few weeks before. Gracie was around 18 months old when we got her. She had a few health problems and went blind in about her 9th year, but she taught me a lot about second chances. She was a great dog and was loved and spoiled until she was 13.

Because of her, we bought another cocker spaniel from a puppy store when Gracie was around 5 years old. Beau, a stocky, playful sport spaniel, took over as the top dog in the house. He was a great help to Gracie when she went blind, leading her around the house and down the stairs to get out the door. I learned all about dogs from Gracie. I had never had one before, and I was surprised at their diverse personalities. Just like children!

Gracie had been gone a couple years, and Beau, who had a case of doggie glaucoma in both eyes, is now the old blind dog of the household. So, last September, we decided to get another rescue dog. We found our second buff cocker spaniel from Canine Rescues in Illinois. He had just gotten to his foster house on a Friday, and we picked him up on Saturday afternoon. He was about 11 weeks old, and just a little pistol.

Georgie

We named him Georgie, again to honor George Burns, and he is now 8 months old. We've started puppy school this week, and he, of course, is the problem child of the class. But I love him to death and he'll have a long and happy life with our family.





New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

New Beginnings Sunday

Wendy Starn's tale of the many kitties in her life that inspire not only her heart but her artwork as well:


In early 2000, we acquired litter mates Boris and Natasha. While not strays, they were the babies of a stray kitten adopted by friends. Sadly, Natasha died of feline cancer in 2006.






Meanwhile, in 2005, a stray mama cat and her just-weaned kitten showed up on our back porch. We sat outside and talked to him as he gradually got closer and eventually let us touch him. Once mama found Moose a good home, she disappeared. Outdoors, he pretends to be feral, but when he comes inside, he's a teddy bear.






In August of 2008, my son found a tiny kitten under the hood of the car, covered in grease and fleas. He cleaned her up and she won his heart, as well as the scorn of our other two cats. Boris the black cat is determined to be Alpha male, and is also proud of his prowess at catching (catnip) mice, while Moose the orange cat is the mighty hunter of lizards and bugs (and a few real mice) who’s afraid of everything. Oslo the kitten sleeps in the dirty laundry, dreaming, no doubt, of how best to annoy her big brothers.



And here they are in my quilt, Cornered! (2009). All are based on my photos, and constructed of fused fabric with threadpainted fur.

Boris the black cat

Moose the orange cat

Oslo the kitten

You can see the full view of Cornered! here.







New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

2009 Participation Prize Showcase

For those who are new to the exhibit, a Participation Prize is just that - something you have a chance to win simply by participating in the exhibit.

Prizes are donated and everyone's name goes into a hat and the winners are randomly drawn. This is one of the things that makes this exhibit such a joy to organize and be a part of. It feels as if we have all become one big happy family.


The photo above shows the wonderful Fabric and Embellishment kits that were put together with the generous donations from Carol Ann Waugh, Edna J. Patterson-Petty and Peggy Trickler.

There are five opportunities to win one of these fabulous packs!

There are many more prizes being offered this year. They will continue to be showcased on the blog in the upcoming weeks so stay tuned! (Also, all the prizes shown on the blog can be found in a link list on the right hand sidebar under the title Check Out the Prize Opportunities for 2009!)

New Beginnings Sunday

Shoshana Edwards' tale of the little lady who lights up her life:


I never thought I would be a dog person, even though I have always loved dogs. We always had cats. However, recently both of our cats died within a month of each other, and for the first time in my life I found myself without an animal in the house.

The call came in the early evening about three weeks ago. Would we be willing to take Bailey. She is a dachshund who had been given to a friend of ours by a rescue organization. She had proven too much for our friend, who is extremely mobility limited and has a very tiny income.

When Bailey first came into our lives she was listless, had difficulty moving, and cried out in pain or fear whenever someone tried to pick her up. As soon as we could we took her to the vet, where we learned that she had serious dental problems. Surgery and a huge bill later, she was without 17 of her teeth, and abscesses had been removed.

Already, three weeks later, Bailey is running, jumping, leaping and loving life. Not only does she not yelp at being lifted; she wants up all the time. She has totally bonded with us and appears to have many years left of happy play. Now we are looking for a second dachshund to give her a lifetime friend -- a rescue, of course.




New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

New Beginnings Sunday

Johnni Mae Schell's rescue tale of the lovely Lucy Lou:


My husband and I moved to Hardin County, Tennessee in 2007. I have been amazed at how many stray dogs there are in this area. Some of them in fact do have a home and are 'cared for' and fed - but their owners just let them roam free.

We have 3 jack russells - I just love this breed! On one of my walks last summer with my smallest jack, Skittles, I saw a broken coat jack russell standing in the front yard of an empty house. I spoke to her with a friendly voice and she RAN to me - then followed us home, no more than 3 feet from my side at any time.

She was full of fleas and ticks so we dosed her with Frontline and let her spend the night on the back porch. By this time we had named her Lucy Lou.

The following day I scouted the neighborhood for an owner - but no luck I am happy to say. We could easily tell by how she reacted to any quick motion that she had been abused and smacked around.

We took her to our vet - got her vaccinated and medicine for ear mites. The vet figured she was about a year old and in good health otherwise.

Unfortunately we could not keep her. We found that owning 3 jacks is not a lot more work than 2 - but for some reason, adding that 4th jack, the work load suddenly quadruples. And Lucy Lou was becoming possessive of me - pushing the others out.

But this story has a happy ending - by posting notices about her in town, we did find her a home where she is loved and cared for as a member of the family.




New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

New Beginnings Sunday

Lynda Thompson's tale of Catie, the kitty that loves to sing along with water:

I got Catie from our vet in Texas when she was a little kitten. I had told our vet to call me when someone dropped off a litter that wasn't wanted at his office. This kitten was the runt of a litter and she didn't look very good health-wise. She was white and a long hair and I had hoped for a Maine Coon. The vet wasn't sure what she was.

We took care of her and our son trained her with tricks he had seen on the Russian cat circus on TV. She's a very smart cat, a little too smart at times with her antics. She was a good cat but had a double personality, she could turn on you in a second. After our older Maine Coon died, she was in her own element and has been very loving. It turns out she is an unusual white Maine Coon. She loves to hear water (dishwasher, shower, etc.) and she will sit and sing a high melodious song, sometimes chasing her tail. That's the only time we hear her at all (she doesn't meow) and the only time she chases her tail. She loves to play. She hates to go anywhere so she hates the vet.

She is a lot of fun. She has an uncanny ability to know when I'm not feeling well and comes to see me and get in my lap. One time she came running at me and jumped in my lap and I later had an episode with my health. It was like she knew something was wrong with me.



New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

2009 Sneak Peek

Here is the second Sneak Peek for the 2009 Exhibit!

This is "Faithful Pup" by Jeanelle McCall. Her artist statement is a quote that embodies the emotions of every pet owner:

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be your's, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -Unknown

Stay tuned for previews of more work as they come in!

New Beginnings Sunday

A tale of the Mini Pinscher with big heart that unexpectedly landed in Kat Campau's life:


I was a reluctant dog owner. My dog, Buddy, came to me from my son, Zach. He adopted Buddy from a Mini Pinscher rescue group. They lived happily for two years, until Zach got a third floor apartment. This was difficult to manage for sanitary purposes. So he asked me to take care of Buddy while he searched for a new home.

Its been almost six years now. Since Buddy came to live with us, my husband is more cheerful. He gets down on the floor and talks baby talk to the dog. He cuddles the dog while surfing the internet. He takes Buddy to the bank, so he can get a treat from the teller. He bathes the dog every week to stave off my allergies. He covers Buddy with a quilt, because he's a cave dog.

Buddy keeps me warm while watching TV, in our chilly family room. He hops on my lap at the same time my seat hits the cushion. He follows me into every room, and sits at the stairway crying for me to stop sewing. Buddy is blind now, and can't smell anymore. But he listens carefully to hear his treat hit the floor, and swoops in circles until he finds it. He always lets me know when a car pulls into the drive. I like having him around.





New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

New Beginnings Sunday

Nuala

A tale of the kitty trio that stole Roni McCullough-Sheppard's heart:

My neighbor runs a Feline Feral Rescue operation. When one dog and cat weren't enough she helped me find my little raccoon cat Nuala (pictured above). She loves to hang her paw in the water as she drinks and, frankly, she looks a little raccoon-ish. She was about 1 lb. and 5" when I got her - at 8 weeks. She is still very small.

Several years later I lost the dog and cat and one cat wasn't enough. My DH had no problems with another cat, so I went to my neighbor. She had a beautiful little golden girl kitten at 9 weeks old. She was rescued with her mother and brother but they had found a home for mom. So I went over to look and curled in one ball were two kittens -the little golden girl and her white and gold brother. So cute.

That night I took my husband over. They were still sleeping together. I pointed out the girl and said, 'And that is her brother.' And then I shut up. He looked a while, turned to me and said, fine, get them both.

Five years later my golden girl, Orla, is an adventurous lady. She hunts all matter of lizard, bug, rat and more.

Orla

Her brother, Desmond, has become the Warren Sapp of cats. He has grown to an almost 20lb. ball of long white and gold fluff. He is all love and sweet - until he gets in the game at which point he can bat his target around pretty good.

Desmond

Yes he is big but he gets lots of exercise and can still climb a 6' wood fence. And when he purrs? My heavens - it's like an 8-cylinder engine. And he purrs at anything.

Those are my three rescue kids. And though they shed like crazy, whine and moan for attention, I love them all and would be lost without them.




New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

2009 Participation Prize Showcase

For those who are new to the exhibit, a Participation Prize is just that - something you have a chance to win simply by participating in the exhibit.

Prizes are donated and everyone's name goes into a hat and the winners are randomly drawn. This is one of the things that makes this exhibit such a joy to organize and be a part of. It feels as if we have all become one big happy family.

We are very lucky to have another generous donation from Gail Myrhorodsky of Gailforces Fabrics. There are four opportunities to win some of her fabric.

2 participants will get a one yard piece of Gail's gorgeous hand dyed fabric show above.

2 participants will receive a set of two fat-quarters of awesome coordinating fabric.

There are many more prizes that will be shown here on the blog in the upcoming weeks so keep a lookout for them!

New Beginnings Sunday

A tale of finding her doggie soul mate from Robin Koehler:

I have been married to a military man for 20 years with 2 lovely daughters. As children do, we were begged mercilessly for pets and in 20 years we have owned 3 fish, 1 ferret, and 5 dogs (some adopted -some purchased). All of these pets were short lived in my house. It is exhausting to raise the kids' pets if your heart isn't into it: I would get frustrated with all the broken promises and find a new, better home for the pet.

The last time we went through this same 'we promise...pleeeeease' dance, the family (husband included-he always sides with the kids to out vote me) was looking at a Great Dane/St. Bernard mix who was absolutely adorable and HUGE! I stood my ground but secretly snuck to the shelter to visit, Thunder, which eventually got me a nice toe fungus after he tripped me once-by accident. I finally put my foot down and said 'no'. I would be taking care of him and he was against everything on my "LIST": small, short hair, female, quiet with manners:) The family relented about Thunder but didn't give up the fight.

One January day when my husband was off, he talked me into a trip to the shelter. Don't ask me why I kept going. They all look so cute and helpless and I do want to help them, but I know it isn't possible and my heart can't take it. Once there, my husband told me he had found 'my' dog, as if they were doing all of this for me. I must be lonely since I work at home, right?

I walked down the corridor to see the sweetest little face looking up at us. She was terrified, anorexic, wore a thick black utility collar and was in quarantine since she had just been brought in the day before as a stray. Nothing was known about her except approximate age (10 months) and that she was a full breed beagle. While reading the card, her name was my deciding factor--Schmoopy. I agreed to go through the paperwork and the family was not allowed to change her name if we got her. I didn't think we would once they read our pet history. We had to wait 11 days before even holding her. My husband and I went back to see her again and she was so sweet that your heart melted.

When we got the call that she was ours, I was still very hesitant. Beagles are hunting dogs that chase animals and howl. She would be loud and not mannered. After her spaying surgery she came home to all the necessary dog stuff. The girls begged to let her sleep with them those first few nights while she got used to us....I agreed. Then came time for kennel training. I had never had a dog react so awfully to a kennel before. She howled and cried and I worried that she would tear her stitches out. We tried keeping her in the laundry room but she scratched the doors and I wasn't going to have her wrecking the house. Within the first week we learned that she was terrified of my husband and had severe separation anxiety, but she seemed housebroken and knew right where to go to sit for going out. Within 2 weeks we figured out that someone hadn't been very nice to her but she was an absolute doll who just wanted to be loved and snuggled. I found myself falling in love with her sweet face more and more everyday.

Schmoopy has been with us for 5 years now and I can't imagine not having her. It is like I hand picked my perfect dog. She is not a howler at all and when she wants something (water/bathroom), she sits quietly by her bowl or the door waiting patiently for someone to attend to her. Schmoopy is quite the nudge, finding every opportunity to place her head on someone's knee until we rub her ears. My husband is HER MAN too. We all knew how wonderfully lovable he is and it didn't take her long to figure it out. He can get her tail wagging like no one else. Schmoopy has been on family vacations with a scrapbook just for her as well as worn costumes for me and been in a dog parade or two. She buries bones in the carpet because we can't see them-Ha. She likes to be tucked into bed at night...with a blanket. She is my last baby and I love her.





New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

First Sneak Peek for 2009!

View From My Front Porch
Jan Johnson

The first quilt for 2009 has landed! Just like last year I will post Sneak Peeks of the work as they come in. Once its closer to the exhibit and pieces are coming in on a regular basis, the Sneak Peeks will become a weekly series but as we are just beginning, they will be whenever work comes in.

This beauty is by Jan Johnson and is titled View From My Front Porch. From Jan's artist statement:


"Three seasons of the year I can come home after a day of teaching , put my feet up, and relax on my front porch. Living in the country is a quiet place affording fantastic views of the changing colors of the landscape during the different seasons and lots of wildlife that doesn't hesitate to enjoy my yard in one way or another."


What a wonderful piece to kick off this year's exhibit!

New Beginnings Sunday

A tale of dog rescue from Barb Pozek:

Babe was a puppy when we got her. Her mother had been killed so we cared for her when she was a bit too young. She was supposed to be a rat terrier, but she grew to be a mid-sized terrier mix. She quickly became a very important part of the family and the neighborhood.

She was a happy and energetic dog who was friendly to everyone. We often called her the neighborhood welcome wagon because she had to greet not only everyone who visited us, but everyone who visited the neighbors as well. People often knew her before they knew us. We would be introduced to people as "babe's family".

She loved to run and her one bad habit was chasing cars, liking teen drivers more than sedate ones. She would also chase deer, entertaining the neighbors numerous times. She did not, however, like swimming. She would wait, on shore, for us to get out of the Lake.

My youngest daughter visited the retired neighbors often and I always knew where she was by whose door Babe was sitting outside. If my daughter left without her, she would fuss until she was let out and track her. She slept with my daughter every night until she was asleep, then would sleep with my husband.

I can't repeat too many times that she was energetic. I don't think she slowed down to "normal" speed until she was 7.

She passed away this year at age 11 after a short illness, despite the concerns of everyone who met her that she'd be hit by a car.

We are waiting to consider getting another dog. It will be hard to top how loyal and smart she was but her energy level was exhausting at times. If you are considering getting a terrier or terrier mix, keep in mind how busy they are.






New Beginnings Sunday is a weekly series featuring the story of a rescued pet and the ways in which the life of the animal and person has changed. This series will run through the end of 2009 in conjunction with Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit’s fundraising efforts for Bernie Berlin’s animal shelter, “A Place to Bark.”

**If you have a story that you would like to share, please email it along with a picture or two of your pet to BreakingTraditions@earthlink.net

Early Bird Incentive prize

With the first submissions for the 2009 exhibit on their way, I wanted to post what the Early Bird Incentives (EBI) look like this year.

Each year, the first ten artists who get their work to me, receive an exclusive piece of artwork.

This year the EBI are made by me and are mini 5.5" square art quilts. The fabric is monoprinted and painted and the little works have been hand stitched. There is a word bead in the center, making each one unique.

There will be more photos of the prizes posted over the next few weeks. There are a lot of fabulous opportunities to win things this year!

2009 Exhibit Details are up on website!

I am pleased to announce that the details for the 2009 exhibit are up on the website.

This year's exhibit will benefit Bernie Berlin's A Place to Bark, a non-profit organization that works to find permanent homes for abused and orphaned dogs. In keeping with Bernie's mission, the theme this year is "Home."

Here is a video showing the wonderful work that Bernie does:

All the guidelines for participating in the exhibit can be found here.

We also have many wonderful prizes available again this year for all those who participate in the exhibit. Details on all these can be found here.

The blog will feature regular updates of photos of the prizes as they come in as well as more information about Bernie's work.

I hope you will join me in making this another fantastic year!!!