For the love of our pets

I did this project as a commission for a dear, dear friend.  Initially she wanted another CatNip quilt and I was going to make it 36" square. 

When I make CatNip quilts for people as custom designs, I spend much time viewing their blog and read posts and get a feel for their cats.  What they are like; what personality I see, what colors their environment is typically; and what colors may make the kitties furs pop!

Since we tend to outlive our beloved companions, I've been told that those cats who had custom CatNip quilts have kept them.  They have placed them in areas of honor with the remains of their beloveds.  I am so touched by this it's good I'm writing and you dear readers can't see the tears in my eyes.  

My friend had also discussed the possibility of commissioning a large Art Quilt from me at the same time.  (like 5x7 feet or so)  We discussed her interest in Native American folklore and the idea of animals as Spirit Guides.  Then as conversations do we agreed to 'put a pin in it' for some time in the future. 

I knew I was making a CatNip quilt so I set out to review her blog to see what her brood has been up to.   I reviewed old posts and it didn't take long to get back to the heartbreaking one over her Angel Cat Squashies.  Squashies ended up having a rare blood disorder and because there is nothing we won't do for our pets; they put out a call for Squashies rare blood type so tranfusions could be done.  Where they live there were no donors.  If ever you may 'tut-tut' social media like Facebook or Twitter, I urge you to see the bigger picture.  After putting the 'call' out on FB within days they had blood donors for dear Squashies from across the US!

Squashies had a charmed and exceptionally loved life and it was devastating when she eventually passed.  I remember the day I read that sad, horrible news.  I wept as if Squashies were one of my own.  I'm sure you all have stories like this.

Squashies was a 'cow cat' and she had the unique marker of a giant upside down heart on her shoulder. And not just a 'if you squint you can see it' kind:

 It was then I knew what I wanted to do. And so in attemtping to create a folksy tribute to Ms. D's beloved; here's how it came out.

"Not gone... Just gone on ahead"

Squashies is nestled in couched fancy yarns and those same yarns outline the stars.

Surrounded my love; she waits among the stars. 

The basket strips are fused but they have been carefully woven first.

Laura Wasilowsky hand dyed floss for the French knots.

The floss used for the radiating lines is actually Sashko thread that came dyed. Love it! 

When my good friend Vickie saw this she said 'Rainbow Bridge!' which was certainly NOT my intent but I suppose that's what can happen sometimes in art.  The discussion you have with your viewer may not always be what you intended; and that's okay too. 

I hope she likes it.  I've mailed it out to her today (along with a CatNip quilt for the kitties!) .