Monday, August 15, 2011

The 2011 Pets on Quilts Show

Those of you who adore animals/pets...and/or those of you who quilt or appreciate the skills of quilting will definitely enjoy the "Pets on Quilts Show" going on now! This fun and unique quilt show is hosted by Darlene at SewCalGal...it is a cyber quilt show running from August 15 - Aug 19th...and what a treat it is to look at all the entries! If you have photos of your pet(s) on one of your quilts...or you have made a quilt with a pet theme...or you have used Electric Quilt to design a quilt with a pet theme - then this show is for you!!...and there is still time left to enter...just head over to http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/08/welcome-to-2011-pets-on-quilts-show.html for all the details (and thanks to some FABULOUS sponsors, there are AMAZING prizes to be won!)... So without further ado, here is my entry:

This is Simba...AKA: Bubby...my little boy. We adopted Simba almost seven years ago from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, here in Des Moines. To be honest, at the time, I really didn't want a dog - I just felt they were a lot of work and responsibility and my plate is usually quite full...but my husband was very adamant about bringing a dog into our household. He actually wanted a larger hunting dog and had been (unsuccessfully) trying to talk me into one for several years. I'll never forget the phone call I received from him the day after Thanksgiving telling me he just rescued a dog - of course I was at work (typical "do it now, ask for forgiveness later"). He told me he was picking me up from work and he would have our new dog with him....and to my surprise it was a Shih Tzu - a much smaller dog than I expected. At that time, Simba wasn't in the best of shape - you could tell he had not been well cared for - but as soon as I sat down in the truck, he curled up in a little ball on my lap and just looked up at me with the most amazing eyes - I was done for! Poor baby was completely shaved, micro-chipped, fixed, and got an array of tests and shots within about 24 hours - plus a brand new home...but he never lost his sweet, calm, and loving demeanor. When we adopted him, the ARL thought he was about a year old, so we celebrate his birthday every Thanksgiving....and although he came to us in pretty bad shape, he now lives like a KING (yes, my friends and family will tell you how much I spoil him!)...

Simba is definitely a lap dog and is his happiest when he can be on mine...in fact, he gets quite frustrated when I am working or in my studio. He has two beds that he will sleep in when a lap is unavailable...and one is right at my feet at my work desk...he is always by my side. Here he is perturbed that I am working...I just love that face...
























Simba loves all the quilts and pillows I sew...he especially loves the pillows! As soon as I lay out a newly finished quilt for a photograph he is circling it and laying down right in the center (of course)...I'm pretty sure he thinks everything I quilt/sew is for him....and if I lay yards of fabric anywhere he can get to, they are his new bed...























Simba really does live like a king...and this will prove it...I actually made him his own pet pad pillow for when he rides with me in my Jeep...and yep, I used my embroidery machine to add his name when I stitched it up...you should see the ladies at the bank swoon when we pull up to the drive through window and he is perched on his pillow - they always send out a treat! Yes, that is how much I am addicted to quilting, sewing, and machine embroidery - I actually made my dog a personalized pillow (he has several pillows and blankets that I have made)...
















I hope you have enjoyed your chance to get to know Simba a little bit better...and I hope you will check out all the other entries in the "2011 Pets On Quilts Show"...and of course, you can always enter - just write up an article following the guidelines and post it on your blog (directions for non-bloggers are given, as well) - I would love to read about your pet and see your pet-related projects and ideas! There will also be voting for the viewer's choice in several categories this weekend...so be sure to give Simba a vote! Get all the details here: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/08/welcome-to-2011-pets-on-quilts-show.html

44 comments:

  1. Belinda, I know how much you love your King Simba but that is what we animal lovers do, love our animals as they are our children. I loved your story-it put a smile on my face and a few tears in my eyes. Thanks. Mary A.

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  2. I think I have fallen in love with Simba from your post. Aren't rescue dogs the very best?!!

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  3. I saw Simba on your site a couple years ago and thought he was adorable. I still think he is and I love seeing him on your quilts.

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  4. Tell Simba he's very photogenic and I say he should have a little treat. What a sweetie.

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  5. OMG, he is so sweet!!! What a cutie pie. I have sisters, they are half shitzu and half bichon :-).

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  6. Simba is a big name for a little dog, but he looks like he fills is.

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  7. Simba is so sweet! How can you resist that cute little face?

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  8. awwww so sweet..i love him so much xx

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  9. What a cutie Simba is! Thanks for sharing a bit on how he came to be part of your family! Super pictures, Belinda!

    Robin

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  10. Simba is adorable! Precious lil face indeed!

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  11. What a wonderful post. I enjoyed getting to know Simba; he is absolutely adorable!
    I think that I would have a hard time concentrating if I had someone that cute and that perturbed staring at me... LOL

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  12. love the story and Simba is so cute, quilts are great too

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  13. Simba is just gorgeous. I am so glad he now has a happy home.

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  14. He is adorable - love how he curls up in a tight donut!

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  15. What a great post about your dog. We've rescued a total of nine dogs, of course we've been married a long time, and always have more than one.

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  16. Have you thanked your husband lately for ignoring your wishes? It looks like you have a wonderful friend there and he's adorable. I love that little face. I think rescue dogs love us just a little more than most, especially when we bring them to a fabulous loving home.

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  17. Simba is adorable!! And was the greatest blessing to you on that Thanksgiving celebration!

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  18. Simba is so cute and thank goodness your husband found him. Great story and love his pet pad!

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  19. What a wonderful heartwarming post!! Thanks for sharing!
    P

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  20. What a lovely story about Simba. Thanks for sharing it with us all!

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  21. How sweet! It's amazing how a dog can win you over isn't it? Your quilts are beautiful!

    Jennifer :)

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  22. Just a wonderful story about Simba. That is a great name by the way! Very photogenic too!

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  23. Wonderful story! So glad that your husband persisted. Simba is one handsome friend.

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  24. Simba is adorable. He looks so happy on the quilt.

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  25. Simba is so sweet and adorable!

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  26. Yep, we love our pets...mine is a bigger dog (slightly) at over 90#, but my chocolate lab is one of my favorite chocolates! And he,, too, thinks he is a lap dog. I love the pictures...such a sweetie.

    sherry :o)
    itsallaboutsherry.blogspot.com

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  27. Simba is a doll. And very photogenic:)

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  28. Simba is so sweet! Too bad this lap dog can't be in your lap every minute! I loved reading your story.

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  29. Ah, what a great story! He deserves every royal treatment that he gets.

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  30. Simba is sooo adorable, and a great little quilt model! :)

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  31. Around here we call that "prepaid". Our darling pets paid, sometimes dearly, for a life of pampering, but now they can enjoy life. Simba is a very handsome boy.

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  32. Simba is a brave looking handsome guy and quilts are fitting for his looks!

    Meet my dog at:
    http://lapis-lazuli-q.blogspot.com/2010/05/zorans-memories.html

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  33. Simba is so cute! I'm so glad he found such a wonderful home with you :)

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  34. Simba is adorable, great pic of his pouty face due to your lap being inaccessible. My dog insist on being right under my feet and chair while I sew. I cannot move my chair, or I run over him with the wheels. I have to spin myself out from the table. It does not mater how many beddies I put around for him to be safely out of my way. I'm entry 33 if you want to see him.

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  35. What a cutie! And I love the quilt!

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  36. Simba is so cute sleeping on that quilt!

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  37. I am a huge dog lover. My Rory is my heart dog. I love reading about your baby Simba. Beautiful story and a very handsome dog. The quilt you made is just gorgeous. Good luck on the contest.

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  38. Who would ever abandon such a sweet puppy? Glad you found each other!

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  39. Isn't it wonderful how they can worm their way into our hearts. He is a lovely boy.

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  40. Simba is adorable! I love his grin :)

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