New Leash on Life

If you remember from these posts, earlier this year I started a program called Creature Comforts to make pet beds using quilters scraps that would benefit the Forsyth Humane Society and its related programs. Last Tuesday my sons and one of their friends went with me to the New Leash on Life graduation ceremony in Winston-Salem. New Leash on Life, or NLOL, is a program where qualified inmates in the NC prison system are paired with dogs who need training. Working with volunteer professional trainers, the inmate trainers work intensely for 8 weeks teaching the dogs basic training, agility, housebreaking, and socialization skills. At the end of the training period they celebrate their achievements with a graduation ceremony and the dogs who have found forever homes are presented to their new owners. A few days later a new class of dogs comes in and the training begins again. This local chapter is sponsored by FHS, and there are about 20 other NLOL programs throughout NC.

There is a great video about the program here.

At this session's ceremony I was honored to present  NLOL with 5 large pet beds for their ongoing use! It was so inspiring to see the work that goes into training these dogs...I asked one of the trainers how long each day they spend with the dogs and would you believe the answer? 8 - 10 hours a day! And let me say, these dogs are smart and well behaved...the perfect fit for a new forever home.

I love this program and how it fits so well with the mission of Creature Comforts. Everything - dogs, inmates, and yes, even fabric scraps  - finds new purpose. Like I said in my presentation, I truly believe that everything - and everyone - has a purpose. Nothing is just for throw away.




photo courtesy of S. Belcher

Here we are unloading the pet beds! I'm so excited to be making this delivery!

Program coordinators and a trainer greet the new owner of one of the dogs :)

The trainers showing off the dogs' new skills...they were really good!

Gifts for some of the program coordinators, made by an inmate. These were carved out of soap and are really neat. I wish I could show the face of the trainer who was presenting them...he had the biggest smile!

A lot of work from a lot of people went into making these first 5 beds. Even my oldest pitched in helping chop up scraps for the filler! Knowing that there will be that much less stuff in the landfill and that what would have been thrown out has now been put to a good use makes it all worthwhile. It may be a small thing, but just think what would happen if more people did something, even if it's just small?

The next production focus will be beds for use at the FHS adoption center. Stay tuned! :)

Hannes, the Amazing

What a wonderful surprise this morning to read this post by Hannes. He is truly handsome...and he has a big heart too. Thanks Hannes!

:)

Creature Comforts workday

Yesterday the lovely and talented actress and comedienne Sarah Barnhardt of The Dueling Butter Knives virtual comedy blog joined me and my CSE (Chief Sorting Executive) Holly during our workday for Creature Comforts. We had a great time, well...cutting up!

Thanks Sarah, for helping get the word out! You are now a rotary cutting expert. :)

A new class has started with New Leash on Life and I'm behind on production! My goal is to get 5 beds to them ASAP. The chopping-fabric-by-hand-thing is quite time consuming and slowing me down. I know they make industrial fabric shredders but that's not financially feasible, and I've already tried using my paper shredder. That didn't work! Embossed the fabric, which might come in handy at some point for an art quilt, but it was no help for the task at hand. So, if any of you out there have ideas, I'm listening!

A special thanks to Sew Original for hosting this first open workday and being a scrap collection center, to Shelby, the most beautiful Shih Tzu ever, for modeling the pet beds, and a HUGE thanks to my bee-mates from Miss Bee Havin for having not one but TWO chopping parties for this project so far!

The next workday is scheduled for April 15, 10-12:00 at Sewingly Yours in Lewisville. It's tax deadline day...bring your rotary cutter and mat and take out your frustrations! Or, celebrate, if you happen to be getting a refund! :)

The Ultimate in Scrap Quilting...

In every quilter's life there comes an end to the fabric food chain, whether your style is coordinated or scrappy. Those last bits and scraps usually end up in the trashcan but now you have a chance to recycle them and help abandoned animals in need!

I am starting a program called Creature Comforts and am asking for your throw away scraps! As long as it is washable and without paint, fusible web, etc., no size is too small. In fact, small is good! These will be collected and used for stuffing in pet beds which will be donated to the Forsyth Humane Society, and if we get more than they need we will continue to find NO-KILL shelters and foster care providers who can benefit from having them.

So be green and start saving those scraps‼ If you are local to my area you can bring them to Sew Original on Robinhood Road in Winston-Salem, bring them to any Forsyth Piecers and Quilters Guild meeting, or email me to arrange delivery karen@kfridy.com . We will also accept yardage donations of muslin, denim and twill for making the linings and outer covers.

If you live too far away and don't want to mail your throw aways here, then please consider starting a program where you are with your favorite quilting group! It will help our furry friends and it will keep stuff out of our landfills.

Plus it will make you feel really good inside.

:)