"Anabelle the Flower Child"	"Bring on the Frosty Paws"

Artist: Judy Dwiggins
Media: Machine Embroidery (Anabelle the Flower Child)
          Machine appliqué (Bring on the Frosty Paws)

Anabelle the Flower Child
(block on left)

This block depicts four-month old Anabelle's first afternoon with us in her new home. Anabelle loved playing tag in the backyard with her new Airedale brother, Beau. She especially enjoyed the fact that she could run under the deck and around the bushes much faster than him. Much to Beau's frustration, Anabelle could fit into smaller places where he couldn't go. Anabelle would dive behind the Hydrangea plants, race under the deck and come out around the other side of the yard. Poor Beau, ever the gentledog, would never think of trampling Mom's plants.

When Anabelle was finally worn out, she flopped down in a shady spot. The spot just happened to be on top of my carefully planted Impatiens. I remember the sweet, angelic expression on her face as she stretched out, smashing all the colorful plants. Anabelle was oblivious to the havoc she wreaked in our backyard.

I knew that day that Anabelle was going to make her own place in hearts. She was going to be a joy and help Beau fill the huge hole in our hearts caused by the loss of our sweet Airedale Bonnie four months earlier. Several months have past since that day in the Impatiens. Anabelle is still wreaking havoc and doing her best to make us laugh. She brings smiles to our faces every day. Isn't that what Airedales do best?

Block based on a drawing by Judy Dwiggins

Bring on the Frosty Paws
(block on right)

Bonnie's 11th Birthday party (May 1999) was celebrated with her typical Airedale gusto. Bonnie always loved to laugh and be the center of attention. She was a born show girl. I don't mean a show girl in the show ring. Bonnie just loved to show off. She enjoyed being dressed in costumes and thought she was human. Actually, I think Bonnie thought she was a step higher than human -- she was an Airedale. Sadly, this was Bonnie's last birthday party before she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Picturing her that day, with her crooked hat and her saucy attitude makes me smile. I always smile when I think of her naughty antics and stubborn determination. Bonnie was a character and my best friend. Bonnie's responsible for starting my love affair with Airedales and for being my inspiration in three of six quilt blocks I've contributed to the three rescue quilts we've created. I'm proud to have been her friend and companion for nearly twelve years. She was an Airedale with a great heart. I take my hat off to you Bonnie! You deserve it!

Block based on a drawing by Judy Dwiggins