Quilting “Goes to the Dogs”
August 13, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Arts & Crafts
Our theme for Promo Day at the Lifestyles Channel is “The Dog Days of Summer,” a time in July and August, when the weather often is steamy, humid and lazy. A warning I recall from childhood was, ”Be careful around the dogs because they can get irritable during this weather.” I don’t know how true it is, but it seemed best to heed it. In ancient times, this also was considered the time of the “dog star.”
However, let’s see about quilting that “goes to the dogs.” Are there quilt patterns out there with dog and pet designs? These would be wonderful for pet lovers, for children with a favorite puppy pet.
Here are ideas for quilts with dog/puppy designs. You could alternate different dogs in various size blocks. Depending on the size quilt you want you add multiple borders.
Also, look for fabrics that have dog/pet designs printed on them. These make delightful crib or lap quilts, whereby the top (and back, too) consists of the printed fabric.
What have you designed using dog/puppy/pet designs?
(Amazon images; click on them for details)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Quilting Through the “Dog Days” of Summer
July 21, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Arts & Crafts
Sometimes it’s difficult to become inspired about quilting during the sultry days during July and August, especially when humidity is high, along with the temperature. Many of us don’t have air conditioning, so plan our days to work at our projects in early morning or the evening.
The Dog Days of Summer….this was an expression of my childhood during the lazy, hazy days of languid, humid heat and still seems to be a saying or description of this time of year from about July 3 to August 11.
The term seems to go way back to mythology and the conjunction of Sirus (called the “dog star”) and the sun, which occurs in mid summer. Also, some people connect Dog Days with a hot time of year when dogs can become irritable.
“Dog Days of Summer” is the theme this week at another of my blogs, One Book Two Book .
For more information about Dog Days:
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
