Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Three Muses. Legs. Kitten Art Quilt.


This is my entry for this week's theme of "legs" at the Three Muses.
For over 8 years now, we have fostered kittens for the Seattle Animal Shelter.  We do not do this all year round, just during kitten season.  I thought I would honor all the four-legged creatures who have passed through our home and blessed us with their presence.



Hand dyed fabric, photo transfer, vintage charms, stitched transparencies, stamping.

It's so much fun to watch the really tiny kittens find their sea legs. Their legs are so tiny that we have to teach them how to use the litter when it is in an old cookie sheet on the floor - they can't handle anything higher. The bottle babies have to practice just walking at first.  And they walk through everything, litter, food, water, it's pretty messy for a while. Pretty soon, though, they figure it out and start tearing around the room we reserve for our fosters, and then it's just crazy fun to watch them slip and slide on the hardwood floors.

Our family came to this choice after losing our 17 year old brown tabby, Alu. She was really my cat - I got her when I was in graduate school. I really did not want another animal, but my children really did want a pet, so we compromised and decided to try fostering, and it has worked out wonderfully well for us. To see one of our foster babies, see this Monday in Seattle post.

19 comments:

  1. What a great entry and a wonderful thing that you do! I volunteered for 6 years at a wildlife rescue center and fostered squirrels and owls and all sort of creatures. I know how rewarding and sometimes difficult it can be. Cheers to you!

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  2. Wow... this is sweet. Wonderful quilt!

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  3. oh so so cute!!! wonderful piece....cute little kitty cat!!!

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  4. Awwwww. I love the story, I love the art! Who can resist kittens?!?!

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  5. Yes, a great story and thank goodness for people like you and your family. (My daughter fosters rescued dogs so I know that it is hard but rewarding work).
    Your quilt is exquisite. Beautiful work.

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  6. What a treasure you are fostering the kittens, your piece is a beautiful tribute to both you & the kittens!

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  7. What a dear idea and it is so pretty!!!

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  8. Beautiful kitty legs...great idea, gorgeous quilt.

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  9. Gosh this is awesome.
    Really delightful.

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  10. really super cute!! I adore the stitching and the kitty too

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  11. How wonderful that you foster these tiny bundles of fluff... we could all do with a kind start in life and I love your art quilt!

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  12. Very beautiful and so sweet.
    Love the kitty-legs.

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  13. extraordinary quilt piece, love it so much! cats are so special! she looks so sweet!!

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  14. Aw - I feel all soppy now. One of my cats is very comfortable on my lap. He's nearly 11 now... how time flies :)

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  15. A gorgeous quilt! Cats always look so cute, even though I'm a dog person. Love the paw marks!

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  16. Wonderful story and beautifully crafted quilt anyone would be proud to own. Applause from me.

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  17. a standing ovation from me! fostering kittens is such a wonderful thing to do and your little quilt is fabulous!

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