JANUARY 2011 EFA CHALLENGE: WiNTER WONDERLAND

Hey Team!

Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!!

It's time to enter our new challenge for the new year!! Yeah!

For January 2011, we have a great season-inspired theme called-- (drumroll please)..."Winter Wonderland"!

Depict your favorite, cute white winterland animals or flowers! Think... tones of white ! Think... cold, think... warm, think... adorable furries! Think of... lovely winter landscapes or create a wonderful snugly indoor craft!

Theme is open to artist interpretation so use your imagination!!

Share your wonderful talents with the world, or at least our team, and promote your store!

Need more inspiration?

Try poetry...

Winter garden

by Matsuo Basho

"Winter garden,

the moon thinned to a thread,

insects singing."

or

The Snow Storm

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,

Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,

Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air

Hides hills and woods, the river and the heaven,

And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.

The sled and traveller stopped, the courier's feet

Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit

Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed

In a tumultuous privacy of Storm."

If you are an EFA member &

would like to submit an entry...

click HERE for instructions !

THANKS

Heather of thebluewindmill

EFA 2011 CHALLENGE THEMES-at-a GLANCE

A new year is almost upon us !

Below you will find the new themes

for EFA's Monthly Challenges...

We look forward to seeing your entries

on the Challenge blog throughout 2011 !

2011 EFA CHALLENGE

THEMES-at-a GLANCE

January 2011

"Winter Wonderland"

... depict white winterland animals or flowers.

Tag your listing with: teamefawinter

February 2011

"Companions Corner"

... pay homage to your non-human companions and family.

Tag your listing with: teamefacompanion

March 2011

"Sweet Shelter & Cozy Comforts"

... depict 'homes' or things for the home, us or 'theirs'.

Tag your listing with: teamefashelter

April 2011

"Raining Cats and Dogs"

... rain rain rain... things to do with cats, dogs & lots of rain.

Tag your listing with: teamefaraining

May 2011

"Flora and Fauna"

... show off your regional wildlife: flowers and/or animals.

Tag your listing with: teamefaflora

June 2011

"Off to the Beach"

... show us a day out at the beach !

Tag your listing with: teamefabeach

July 2011

"In the Deep Blue"

... a great month to display Oceanic & Sea-fluenced products

Tag your listing with: teamefadeepblue

August 2011

"Reptiles Rock!"

... its time for the reptiles to come out.

Tag your listing with: teamefareptiles

September 2011

"On The Farm"

... feature farmland or animals that can be found on the farm

Tag your listing with: teamefafarm

October 2011

"Things that go Bump in the Night"

... Creatures of the night unite !

Tag your listing with: teamefanight

November 2011

"Thanks for the Smiles"

... products that have humour & make one smile :)

Tag your listing with: teamefasmiles

December 2011

"Treats and Toys"

... what the animals want for the holidays !

Tag your listing with: teamefatreats

Click HERE for directions on

HOW TO ENTER a MONTHLY CHALLENGE !

HOW TO enter EFA's Monthly Challenges

Entering the monthly Etsy for Animals Challenge is a fun way to participate in the EFA street team !

Every month there is an opportunity for EFA's members to submit one of their product listings to be featured on the Challenge Blog. Each month has a specific theme which the listing must reflect in some way.

EFA has a blog that is solely dedicated to our Monthly Challenges. Our Challenge Blog provides the perfect venue and setting to display our monthly entries... not only does it make for a festive display of goods but it's also a wonderful marketing opportunity for EFA's artists & suppliers to introduce themselves and talk about how they help animals !

If you are an EFA member & would like to submit an entry, please convo our Challenge Blog Leader, Jess of jessicalynneart, with the following information:

1. PROViDE the link to an item in your shop that fits the theme or has been created for the theme.

2. EXPLAiN how you think the item fits the monthly Challenge theme

3. TELL US a bit about your work/donations/volunteer work with animals or animal charities

4. TiTLE your convo with the name of the MONTH and the word CHALLENGE, for example: JANUARY CHALLENGE.

Two more important steps:

5. TAG your Etsy listing with the monthly Challenge theme tag (see the Themes-at-a-glance list) and be sure to ALSO keep your regular team tag in place, either 'team efa' or 'team efa cotm'.

6. Renew your listing !

Remember, when we've received sixteen qualifying entries... these will be featured in a Treasury and in our Challenge Competition, where the winner will get a free etsy mini 1x1 advertising slot on EFA's Challenge blog the following month.

Challenge entries are also promoted on Etsy Teams, EFA's Yahoo Groups, Twitter and Facebook... so get your entries in asap !

A BiG Thank you to our Challenge Leader: Heather of thebluewindmill & Jess of jessicalynneart who serves as our Challenge Blog Leader.

Comments ? Suggestions ? Feel free to contact us !

Little Deer Notecards by thebluewindmill

This entry fits the challenge by using the definition of old that means "previously existing" or "former" as these cards were made from an already-existing image, the "Little Deer" watercolor painting in my store.

I volunteer as challenge promoter for the team and routinely donate to EFA's COTM!

Dog Collar Clip On ChristmasNAUGHTY bottle cap charm by Shaggychic

Recycled bottle cap (flattened) turned into a dog collar Christmas tag. This cute collar decoration matches our "Naughty" shirts. Same graphic in a flattened bottle cap, covered with a resin dome;two Swarovaski crystals and a bead dangle from bottom. The extra large clasp on top will attach to D-ring on dog collar. I currently have a holiday challenge in my blog (www.shaggychicpetz.com) for everyone who comes by and leaves a little note about a pet, or just says leaves a message, I am putting one of my catnip Fortune Cookies in a jar. Then on Christmas Eve I will take it to our local animal shelter and give all the collected catnip toys to them for the kitties that are there. The jar is filling up fast, first week over 30 cookies in the jar!

Victorian Vintage Dove Pin by mvegan5

Vintage/recycled findings come together in this unique pin, measures about 2" across. 10% of shop sales go to the EFA Charity of the Month; http://efaartistshelpinganimals.org/charities.htm
or to the Tel Aviv SPCA http://www.spcaisrael.org

Billfold Wallet / Jeans by AubreyMade

The jeans fabric was actually a huge pair of pants (xxxxl) probably for a big man but it was not worn because it still had its tag when I found it. I washed it and kept it in my closet full of fabric for a long time. Someone asked me to make a wallet for a preteen and remembered I have this pair of jeans which is perfect for this project and this is what came out of it.

I give 15% of the purchase price on selected items to the COTM. I love to feed stray kitties.

Knit Catnip Mouse is Bright Rosy Pink by VivaLeChat

This mouse fits the theme because I made it using up the last of the pink yarn (that's why it is slightly smaller and has a blunter nose than my normal mouse pattern). Whenever I use up a skein, I allow myself to buy a new skein--so it's time to go shopping!

I donate a third of my profit to imom.org, a charity that fundraises for families that cannot afford needed emergency vet expenses for their companion animals

Warm Wishes Mug - Handmade Card by fairycardmaker

It's no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of pink. On top of that, I have 3 nephews and no nieces, so very little use for pink papers, really. Those are the reasons why this pretty pink paper has been in my stash for about three years! Well, OUT WITH IT now! I decided to use a monochromatic colour scheme and suddenly, this two-toned pink paper came in very handy!

15% of the proceeds from the sale of this Winter Wishes mug card will go to SOAR: Southern Ontario Animal Rescue. It is a small, registered charity out of Brampton, Ontario, Canada that arranges for the rescue, foster care and adoption of dogs from all over. This September, one of their principal volunteers lost her battle with cancer so the charity has been hit hard. Every little bit will help!

This year, my creative crew and I made over 40 handmade cards for SOAR to use for the 2010 holiday season!

New York City Token Pendant

Out with old. In 2003 New York City discontinued the use of subway tokens when they introduced the "metro card." In a recent clear out of some dresser drawers I discovered some tokens. No longer "good for one fare", they make great jewelry.

This necklace, as well as other items in my shop, supports EFA's charity of the month program with 10 to 50% donations. The sale of our "Matthew and Me" paintings support rehabilitating turtles since the BP oil spill.

Husky Kisses Embroidered Pillow Cover for Christmas by FaerieGood

I had fun creating this OOAK design by combining and reversing these motifs and choosing the colors to sew it out. I then matched some different Christmas prints and used a log cabin quilt piecing design to complete this fun pillow for the Husky lovers out there.

10% of this sale will go to help the dogs at S*N*O, http://www.siberiansneeding owners.org
go there to read some of these dog's remarkable rescue stories and how this rescue is making a big difference in the lives of these Northern Breed Dogs.

Christmas Kitty Coasters 2 by Catcalls

These bright cheery coasters are made from OLD cotton fabric that has sitting idle for years! But it now has been reincarnated into four sweet Christmas kitty coasters, purrrfect for the holidays.
A portion of every month's earnings goes to support my local rescue for cage sponsorship. I am also very fond of the Feral Cat Rescue, last month's charity, and send catnip toys for the kitties to play with.

Apple Wood Brizel Brigid Cross by Brizel4TheAnimals

Brizel’s Brigid Crosses are handcrafted & individually unique, made from apple wood and sewn together with colored hemp cord. They are an original adaptation of a very ancient pre-christian Celtic tradition.

Brigid Crosses are solar symbols, equal armed and stretching in four directions, which symbolically encourages the strength of the Sun through our front doors and into our homes. It is a talisman, usually hung above the inside of the front door or near the hearth, and it is believed to bring protection, blessing, fertility and prosperity into our households.

On the eve of St. Brigid’s Day. Crosses from the previous year are burned & replaced with new ones affirming the old saying: “Out with the old, and in with the new”.

***

Brizel, aka Nicole, owns some 20 acres up in the mountains of no. Cal where I have planted orchards and floral gardens. This habitat attracts birds, butterflies, bees, bats, hummingbirds... and it is also a seasonal mating ground for dragonflies ! Twilight is part of a 2000 acre ranch out in the chaparral wilderness where wild animals still roam. I work to provide a safe loving home for my animal rescues; I participate in EFA's COTM program; and volunteer as Co-Secretary & Blog Mistress for TEAM EFA.

RECYCLED CIRCUIT BOARD POOCH BROOCH by DebbyAremDesigns

This pooch brooch has been made using all recycled items - a recycled circuit board, recycled scrap brass, recycled scrap copper, recycled cabochon

When I'm not on Etsy , I volunteer with 2 local dog rescues - one is an all breed rescue and the other is Samoyed rescue. I do vet checks, home visits, transport if possible,and adoption shows. My husband ( who works with me in the Etsy shop ) does most of the photography for the all breed rescue of the dogs or puppies that come in before going to their foster homes. We also donate money whenever possible.

TaDa! The 2011 Challenge Themes are Here

Mucho gratias to Brizel4theAnimals, Catcalls, FairyCardMaker and JFIllustrations for their ideas for the 2011 Challenge themes. January's challenge choice was easy. Three of our list makers suggested it! Amazingly many of the themes were combinable. Similar ideas have been blended so that there is more of a group consensus for several of the months. I'm thrilled when this happens. It makes my choices easier. To see the 2011 list check out Themes-at-a-glance.

Thanks, again, to our entrants whose keen wit and sharp thinking have provided us with our next twelve thought provoking EFA Challenge themes.

LolaLynn - EFA Challenge Blog Administrator

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - SAGE SNUGGLE SACK - Ultrasuede and Minky Fleece Lining - WOW FACTOR MEETS EASY CARE - Embroidered Personalization by Rendachs

Primmie is celebrating a bountiful harvest with her pumpkin. Now that Halloween has come and gone - she'll ready her pretty pumpkin for her Thanksgiving Feast. My love of animals goes back to a childhood filled with slurpy memories and happily wagging tails. My house is still filled with happy tails from my rescued dumpster kitties to a recalcitrant aging English Setter and a puddle of Dachshunds. I am so privileged to have close contact with exotic wildlife on a regular basis. Cairo, my "grandcub" has stolen my heart. Prince, a rescued lion, fills me with wonder as he carefully puts his paw to my daughter's hand. They share a very strong bond - one few understand. EFA and Etsy have thrown me in the eye of the storm for animal charities. I donate a percentage of all my sales to the charity of the month or outside charities who contact me for help. I enjoy creating items to benefit specific groups. And...I still pick up a stray or two occasionally. Some things will never change!

Pumpkin Fleece Jacket with Cat Buttons/RESERVED by Catcalls

This pumpkin fleece jacket is the both the perfect color and the perfect warmth for autumn weather. Made with light weight soft fleece and the cutest cat buttons, this is the purrrfect style for fashionable cat lovers! A portion of every month's earnings goes to support my local rescue for cage sponsorship. I am also very fond of the Feral Cat Rescue, last month's charity, and send catnip toys for the kitties to play with.

Sitting Hen by Aubreymade

Cluck, cluck... It's a hen keeping your bread warm on the table. Or sitting duck on eggs for kitchen decoration. A unique gesture to gift your Mom, Aunts, Grandmas or for someone who hovers the kitchen a lot. Hmmm. The hen is accompanied with a bamboo plate.

I love animals especially cats. We have lots of strays in the neighborhood. I regularly give them cat food. I give 15% of certain items that is connected with the team EFA COTM.

Autumn Leaves Doll Clothing Set for American Girl by Chicadolly

This is an OOAK pull over sweater hand knit by me from an original pattern to fit an American Girl Doll or other 18in. doll of similar build.It has three small antique metal buttons on the left shoulder for closure and elastic in the neckline for a perfect fit. It is made with worsted weight acrylic in varigated earth tones and matches the included maroon lightweight ultra suede pants with elastic waist and decorative embroidered trim back pocket.

This item is for an older girl because it requires skilled coordination to put on the doll and would prove frustrating for a younger child.

10% of this sale will go to http://www.seashepherd.org, our EFA charity for the month of November

Apple Harvest Kitchen Towel by faeriegood

I love helping the animals in any way I can and also enjoy using my creative talents and participating in each month's challenge.This item will benefit http:www.seasheperds during the month of November.

My special local charity is S*N*O, http://www.siberiansneedingowners.org
and on a larger scale it's Defenders of Wildlife: http://www.defnders.org

Thanks for shopping for the animals and buying homemade!!

Autumn Wolves, 8x10 Fine Art Photograph by thebluewindmill

I’m Heather of The Blue Windmill and help animals by donating to a variety of animal organizations, advocating for animals through written articles on the EFA blog, participating in EFA’s charity of the month, and volunteering as challenge promoter for our team.

For our lovely “Bountiful Harvest” theme, I decided to enter my photo of Mexican Wolves. When I first heard of this month’s theme, I kept trying to think of a way that it pertained to animals. Instead of thinking how humans harvest food, I instead thought of how animals harvest food. One definition of harvest, which I found at www.thefreedictionary.com, is “To take or kill (fish or deer, for example)“.
Well, that fits with the theme, I thought.
“Mexican wolves eat white-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, javelina, beaver and other small mammals, with elk being the preferred prey.”
http://www.fieldtripearth.org/article.xml?id=1112

Another reason why I chose this wolf photo as my challenge entry is because not only do I hope our wolfy comrades have a happy harvest this thanksgiving, I hope they have a happy wild harvest for this is where they truly belong…in the wild.

In Feb. of 2010, Defenders of Wildlife, one of the nation’s leaders in conservation, reported that Mexican wolf numbers are down.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that the Mexican wolf population plummeted by 20 percent in 2009, according to its annual year-end survey of the recovery area spanning New Mexico and Arizona. This recent survey counted only 42 wolves and two breeding pairs brings them closer to a second extinction in the wild.
“The following is a statement from Eva Sargent, Ph.D., the Southwest program director for Defenders of Wildlife.
“’Mexican wolves are in big trouble. With numbers so perilously low, every single wolf in the wild counts toward the animal’s survival. Turning this dire situation around will require every effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to craft a science-based recovery plan that pays careful attention to genetic issues. The Service must also make a renewed commitment to keep wolves on the ground.’"
http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2010/02_05_2010_mexican_wolf_numbers_down_to_42.php

Here’s to a happy and bountiful harvest for our wild brethren!
As for the rest of us humans...who’s up for some Tofurkey?

Pewter Button Signed Squirrel by theanimalsmagicshop

For the EFA November Challenge, presenting the animal I would most like to be if I could walk in another guy's paws for just one day - the fabulous squirrel! The squirrels here at Faerie Crossroads have been taking advantage of the bountiful crop of acorns this year and harvesting them right and left. No one works as hard at being prepared for hard times as Squirrel. Knowing one has a plentiful supply of food for the winter is a comforting thought. But they balance their work with lots of play in between and I just think they're the best!

Sky says, "Ever since I was a young pup, I've wanted to be more than just a dog. I'll never stop dreaming and trying to be more. As far as I'm concerned, the sky's the limit and I'm enjoying every minute of the trip!" Sky and his person work together to help make the world a better place for animals. Their favorite charities are Patriot Siberian Husky Rescue and Defenders of Wildlife. A portion of all the sales in TheAnimalsMagicShop also benefit the EFA Charity of the Month.

unique Silk Tapestry Box stash keeper Autumn Squirrel by brizel4TheAnimals

Presenting... Autumn Squirrel... a small unique handmade decorative Silk Tapestry Box... a soft vibrant fiber arts container featuring orange & red upcycled silk sari yarn paired with chocolate rainbow rayon. It has a lid of its own which is embellished with a gorgeous carved blue adventurine squirrel.

Autumn Squirrel got her name because she has the best reputation in her neighborhood for gathering the most acorns during the fall season. She happily keeps her bountiful harvest in this colorful stash keeper.

Nicole of Brizel4TheAnimals donates to various animal charities including EFA's charity of the month and Defenders of Wildlife and is EFA's co-secretary and blog mistress to the EFA blog.

3 Thanksgiving Baby Turkey Cards by mvegan5

3 Blank 5"x 6.5" cream colored, recycled card stock cards. Cover features a print of close up view of an oil pastel mural I did in RI.

Individual card available for $3, any amount of 2 or more can be requested for $2 each and may also be mixed and matched with the other images in my shop. 8"5 x 11" print available for $12. 10% goes to the Charity of the Month.

California Golden Poppies, 4x6 photo on a 5x7 notecard by LolaLynn

When I'm in San Francisco visiting my daughter and her family, I love to walk around the area taking pictures of all of the plants and flowers. This was taken during the latter part of the summer but the colors are very "fall like."

50% of all my sales go to either EFA's charity of the month or to LMMSTRP, a turtle rescue in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea Turtle Pendant with Green Glass Bead by JFillustrations

I decided to go with the sea turtle pendant - their eggs were "harvested" by poachers until almost extinction (on top of other man-made causes) and now researchers are scrambling to harvest the eggs in the same way but for a different reason - to save them. They keep them in safe areas and release them once they hatch. So, here's to a successful harvest of eggs, which may lead to the bountiful numbers of hatchlings and releases into the ocean for many, many years to come until sea turtle populations are back in strong numbers!

At the moment, I am working with an AR organization on a fundraiser. 50% of sales from this dove pendant http://www.etsy.com/listing/59404268/dove-pendant-with-clear-glass-bead will benefit NARA Campaigns (National Animal Rights Association, Ireland www.naracampaigns.org) and their work to educate the general public on the plight of animals.

Snuggly Pugkin Head Hat for Dogs by jessicalynneart

This item is not only a costume for Halloween, but also a celebration of fall in its entirety. Pumpkins are rich in the colors and flavors of fall, and this sweet little hat embodies the whimsical nature of autumn. Everyone needs a little pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, so why not have a hat that makes your pooch the talk of Thanksgiving, too?

My shop, All You Need Is Pug, creates items for pets and the people who love and cherish them. I am inspired by my own pugs and the animals that I encounter when I volunteer at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). This shelter is important to me because I get to interact with animals and help shelter sweethearts in a way that feels more personal to me than sending money along. I do also donate $1 from every purchase from my shop to either the MSPCA or the Pug Rescue of New England, which is the rescue that I adopted my pug, James Dean, from.

I have also donated one of my photographs to the Fabulous Animal Rescue Project, which uses artwork that artists from around the world have donated in order to create items whose profits will be donated to shelters. Several of my items have also been donated to pug rescues across the US to raffle off at events and fundraisers.

Fields of Gold - greyhound photo greeting card thedoghouse

Although not strictly 'harvest', the dominant colour palate in this print reminds me of harvest, & it was taken in Autumn!

I am passionate about greyhound rescue, have 2 rescue greyhounds of my own, & work with my local greyhound rehoming charity, Gracehounds, to whom I donate a portion of the profits from all my sales.

Lavender sachet / embroidered witch and cat familiar by AubreyMade

When I think of a witch, I picture an old crone with a black cape and a pointed hat. She'd have a broom stick and a cauldron. Of course a witch goes with a familiar and for me that would be a cat. Oh and she'll be making potions and will be casting spells. Well, isn't that scary enough?

I love cats and would like to help our growing problem about them in my area. I'm making lots of cats items and 15% of the purchases goes to the local charity. But this month since we have the feral cats as the charity of the month, I've decided to give whatever purchase was made in my shop.

Cat Girl Halloween Costume for American Girl Doll by chicadolly

Carol of faeriegood and chicadolly says:I love helping to support the various efa rescues every month and thought this little outfit was in perfect keeping both with our "scarry" challenge theme for the month and also for The EFA October Charity of the Month which is Feral Cat-Kitten Rescue Project http://feralkittens.org

Beaded Red Bat Stamp Pin by thefrogbag

Bats are usually associated with Halloween, but I love bats so I decided to go with cute instead of creepy. I also love upcycling, so this is one stamp that is not going into the landfill!

I help curate the EFA facebook page and I donate 20% of every sale in my shop to the Tapir Preservation Fund: http://tapirback.com

Tapirs are very important for rainforest ecosystems. Supporting tapir conservation preserves the rainforest! My shop has raised over $550 dollars for the tapirs so far.

EyePod Handmade Lampwork Bead Pendant FOR JENNY by rosebud101

These "eye pod" beads are truly fun to make and will add a distinctive look to any piece of jewelry you make. They can be used as a pendant or added to piece of wearable art to give it a distinctive look. I love to add something truly unexpected to a necklace or bracelet.

My daughter, Jenny, was recently diagnosed with cancer. I will be offering ten items in my store FOR JENNY to help her with her living expenses as medical bills add up. Tell your friends.

As a member of Team EFA Mallory of rosebud101 has designated at least one item in her store for an animal charity. She plans to donate 100% of one item in her store to the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society. Check the listings to find out which one it is!





A note from LolaLynn: Any prayers, good thoughts and healing vibes for Mallory's daughter, Jenny, are much appreciated.

Sophia and Friends - Hand embellished ACEO by LolaLynn

Sorry, but no scary faces when Sophia is around. Sophia makes friends with everyone even the ghosts and goblins and in the process brings a smile to their faces.

This is a print of my original ACEO entitled "Sophia and Friends." Each card is hand embellished making it an unique work of art. The one you receive will be slightly different than the one pictured here. Every 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch ACEO comes in a protective plastic sleeve. 50% of the purchase price will be donated to EFA's charity of the month.

Sales through LolaLynn's etsy shop support either EFA's charity of the month or turtle rehab off the coast of Lousiana.

Trick or Treat Husky Towel by Faeriegood

Get your Boo face on, it's almost time for Halloween. Here's a little something to decorate for the occasion. This cute embroidered towel made from 100% cotton homespun muslin fabric has a tab on the top corner for easy hanging. It measures approx. 20" square and is machine wash and dryer safe for easy care. 10% of this sale's profit will go to the EFA October Charity of the Month which is Feral Cat-Kitten Rescue Project http://feralkittens.org, chosen by our Twitter Volunteer, Patty, ofhttp://catcalls.etsy.com.

Licorice Spider - Hand Knit Organic Cotton Spooky Toy by Yarnmiracle

He's completely spooky. And he wants your candy. Come to think of it, I want your candy too...If he sits down beside you, don't run off! This spider is a gifted conversationalist and will keep you entertained for hours. You can't judge a book, you know. We've got a house guest at the Miracle Residence. We picked up a little black and white short haired terrier looking dog girl on the uninhabited portion of a county road. Our city's brand new shelter is already over crowded, so she'll be staying with us until her people come looking for her (which I hope they do, all the vets/shelters/animal Control people know where she is) or we can find her a new home through our local humane Society, BARC. I am very glad that we have an office off of the main house to use as her apartment - a couple of the permanent cats don't appreciate the merits of canines and this Little Girl is the kind of canine who likes to chase cats all around.

Halloween Wall Hanging with Cats Spider Skulls by Catcalls

OoooOOooOOOOOOOooooo...spoooooooky! Kitties out on a dark Halloween night stumble upon a gargantuan spider and images of skulls suspended in the night sky! Purrrfect for The Halloween season! Created especially for this month's challenge with high hopes of many sales for the Feral Kitten-Cat Rescue!

A minimum of 10% of all sales from both of my shops will go to the rescue this month. Of course, I will still be donating to my local shelter as well.

Skull Charm with German Ground Glass Glitter by Scrappyrat

Not only is our little skully friend creepy, the addition of a smidgen of ground glass glitter adds to the poisonous theme. Whether you or your pet like to show off your spooky side, this is the pendant to do it with. I always participate in the EFA monthly donation program via my cook book for dogs (the proceeds from Yummy for Dogs always go to animal charities) and a selection of items that are also sold with 100% of their price going to the charity of the month. In addition t the EFA program, I am also pretty much constantly working on donation items requested by animal charities that contact me directly for card sets and pet items for their fundraisers. I also work directly with rescue animals as a foster "mom" for Carolina Pet Rescue.

fabric Skulls n Roses rose tattoo 1 yd one yard by Brizel4theanimals

One yard of destash novelty fabric: Skulls n Roses, 'The Rose Tattoo' by Alexander Henry Fabrics, 2005 Smiling skulls happily entwined with rose blooming thorns and crowns... macabre enough for you ? Brizel, aka Nicole, owns some 20 acres up in the mountains of no. Cal where I have planted orchards and floral gardens. This habitat attracts birds, butterflies, bees, bats, hummingbirds... and it is also a seasonal mating ground for dragonflies ! Twilight is part of a 2000 acre ranch out in the chaparral wilderness where wild animals still roam. I work to provide a safe loving home for my animal rescues; I participate in EFA's COTM program; and volunteer as Co-Secretary & Blog Mistress for TEAM EFA.