Artist: Christie Williams
Media: machine appliqué and embroidery

Rigel, my first Airedale, was quite a character. He was confident, exuberant, pushy and knew what he wanted in life. My quilt block depicts one of Rigel's antics that started when he was about 11 weeks old... Apparently, Rigel could tell time. When he perceived that it was dinnertime, he would pick up his dish and bring it to me. He perfected that look that is a mixture of "I'm starving, pity me!" and "You should know better than to ignore me!" If I didn't leap up immediately to feed the little brat, he would fling the dish at my feet, demanding to be fed. One time when Rigel was about 6 months old, I left him overnight with a friend. When dinnertime came, Rigel's dish was not yet out. So he grabbed the huge stoneware dish belonging to the resident Airedale, marched into the living room, gave my friend the "look" and tossed the dish on her feet! That made quite an impression. OUCH! Rigel's "look" reminded me of the scene where Oliver Twist looked up at the cruel head master of the orphanage, held our his empty porridge dish and said "Please sir, I want MORE!" The real Oliver didn't go so far as to fling the dish, however!

While constructing this block and the quilt top, my two Airedales Erin (a Rescue) and Argus were very curious and wanted to be involved in the project. They were extremely helpful...Erin did some of the sewing and made sure that we weren't late for the deadlines, while Argus helped with cutting the fabric and recommending block placements. They also provided comic relief, lots of sloppy slurpy kisses and snide comments.

Artist's Bio

Christie Williams lives with her husband, Greg, and two Airedales, Erin and Argus, in West Lafayette, IN. She started quilting about 12 years ago. She has been involved in designing and assembling the tops of the Airedale Rescue Quilts since the first one in 1999, and really enjoys interacting with other creative sewers in the group whose assistants are Airedales.

Christie and Greg adopted Erin, the wild child, from ATRA 2 and a half years ago and have become enthusiastic supporters of Rescue organizations that take such care in making the perfect match between dog and person. They have rescued Airedales and Airedale Mixes for ATRA from the local shelter.

Erin and Argus compete with Christie in AKC Agility Trials. They are very entertaining and challenging team mates. Christie also helps teach agility at her dog club, wanting to pass on the gems of wisdom that Erin and Argus have taught her. She is also an Entomology professor at Purdue University.

Photo of Rigel Playing "Oliver Twist"

Webmaster's Note: Christie, along with Mary Kihlstrum, assembled both the "Airedale Antics" quilt and the "Faire Seasons" quilt