Animals charities looking for donations for Fundraisers.

As a member of http://etsyforanimals.com/ we often get requests for items to be donated to different animal charities and causes. I found it difficult to keep up to date with the deadlines, and missed some that I would have liked to send something to. so, i decided to get organised, and keep a list, roughly in date order, of the places that have sent requests and their deadlines and any other info! Should be helpful!

When sending donations don't forget to include a few business cards or flyers on who you are and what you do. Most organisers want to know value of item to gauge their auction/sale. I have included all the info I have to date, and will update this list as I gather more info. If you have an event that is looking for items to be donated to an animal fundraiser, please email me at: midnightrabbits@ntlworld.com or convo me at http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/Please note that I have no involvement with any of these Animal Places/Charities and do not endorse them, the details are added on trust from info submitted by EFA members. If in any doubt, please check out them out.

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****Alaska SPCA needs ongoing donations for their thrift shop.In return for donations to their thrift shop, they will add a live link to their site. Include some business cards with your donation. Send items to:Every Dogs DelightPO Box 91934AnchorageAK 99509USany questions convo Andrea at http://everydogsdelight.etsy.com/
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From EFA member Amanda of http://awbar.etsy.com/I am having AWBAR's 3rd Annual Gift Basket Raffle! If anyone would like to contribute the baskets, please send me a convo or email for my mailing address! I will need to know a value on your items you send so I can keep tally on how much goes into what basket! I ask that all contributions be mailed before October 31, 2008.There will be a first place prize worth $100 second place prize of $50 and a third place prize of $30. Tickets will be $1.00 per ticket, or 6 tickets for $5.00, to be returned by I November 14, 2008. You can buy as many tickets as you like, even if you contribute to the basket(s)! The drawing will take place in November 15, 2008. I will post the photos of the baskets, as well as the names of contributors in AWBARS Blog! For last year's winners and basket photos please check out AWBAR's blog at http://www.awbar.com/
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.******* S.O.A.R. (Southern Ontario Animal Rescue ).
Further details can be found at http://www.soar.designimpact.ca/They are hosting a silent auction at their Christmas Party on 29th November 08. It is going to be like a kids party only for dogs. (sounds like fun- ) and would like items to auction. They would like anything with a DOG or CAT theme.Also they have a small online store and would appreciate donations with a DOG theme for the store.Your donation can be sent to:Southern Ontario Animal Rescue c/o 14 Bingham Road, Brampton, ONL6V 2K1 Canada ON
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Stray cat part 2

Have you ever seen such a sweet sight, mothercat feeding kittens, who are just about getting to big to be feeding. Tabby is such a baby!

Well, it's been nearly six weeks since mothercat gave birth. It's been a long six weeks, with many questions, and discussions, about what to do next. Here is plan A.

We will get mothercat neutered early next week. Take her home and keep her separate from the kittens. After a few days when she has recovered and shows no sign of infection or illness take her back to where she came from, where she can live out the rest of her life kitten free. Since she obviously managed pre-kittens to find food and shelter, she should be able to pick up where she left. My mother has agreed to put food out for her if she's around. Probably at night. The vet will de-worm her, de-flea her as well as spay her, so she'll go back in good condition. She can't be homed as she's not a tame cat. Yikes, we sure know about that. she's a firecracker and won't let anyone near her.

She's quite happy to let up play with the kittens, who are now weaned and use a litter tray, and very full of life.

Once that is done we can put all our efforts into taming the kittens as two of the five are still a bit timid, and finding them homes. We've got a home lined up for Tabby. In fact there's two homes lined up for him, it would appear that people like tabby's better than black and white or just black. Which is a shame as there are 3 black ones. they each have different personalities. The tabby is a typical tabby, a bit clumsy, but loving and cute. the black and white one (a girl)is very confident and loves being fussed and the centre of attention, she's not afraid to use her voice! Now the 3 black ones- one is very curious about everything and likes playing and is confident, it's a boy! the other is a girl and is quite shy but will play a little, after loads of encouragement, the other (who's my favourite) is a fat black one, male I think. He's BIG compared to the others. He's also not too friendly. He continually hisses at me if I even look at him from afar. But i find this cute, His eyes look a bit dozy, so with the hissing and the dozy eyes, he looks like the devil's cat (whatever that is). he makes me laugh, although I dare say as he gets bigger, I'll not be laughing if he's no tamer! he's gonna need a lot of work! here are some pics:

Aborable black kitten.

Look at the black ones face! he's the devil's cat :)
very sweet Black and white kitten we've named Eva.

Taking in a homeless cat

1. Hey

A long story, but I took in a mothercat that had just given birth to 5 kittens. Now bear in mind that I already have 7 cats and 3 dogs, and live in a small house, I cannot keep these.

background info:

telephone call from mother, a cat had given birth in her greenhouse, what to do.

Call me.

So, i borrowed a trap, went along, did a survey of the situation (oh yeah!) and laid the trap int he greenhouse . waited hours, mother cat had disappeared, kittens were just a day old, oh how tiny :)

Set upthe trap and waited, nothing. Mothercat did not return. OK so 9pm call it a night, pack up trap, and bits and pieces, call it a night, tired, hungry, and wondering what the f**k we're gonna do.

Next day:

i said i'd call at mothers to assess the situation, and re-evaluate. My mother was not there( had prior commitments- prob just as well), let myself in, pacified her dogs, and went to greenhouse. Set the trap. looked where they were the previous day and voila! mothercat ran out and straight into the trap! easy peasy- I know I shouldn't gloat- wish they were all this easy- but this time hey I'm a hero!. She's spitting and hissing, scratched my finger, but of course , since i'm such a hero, i feel nothing, prob adrenalin had kicked in! Put her in the trap in the car. Go back to kittens and pick them up one by one, OMG they're tiny, and could be anything,not just mini cats! put them in a basket and go home. Now the fun begins.

My back bedroom (a spare? i don't think so!), has been set up for mothercat and her kittens.

to cut a long story short, the next 3/4 weeks are filled with, oh my, I'll have to post later because i so desperately want to get these pics up!

lets just say tonight I went into the room to find a lot of little, little bodies all over the place, mother an kittens doing well, and kittens growing daily. actually I ran back out to get my camera, so not as many kitties in photo as I saw!

You can almost hear her say run for cover!

Banner Ad Bag

I came up with this idea of making Banner Ad Bags. here's How it works. I selected 8 banners from Etsy shops. I chose mine, of course, then I wanted the EtsyforAnimasl to be the top banner, as I wanted to sell it in their shop to raise funds for their charity of the month. Then I more or less randomly chose 6 other EFA supporters shops. Not entirely ramdon, as I wanted the colours to look good together, and used EFA supporters that I'm familiar with, as I wrote to each one asking their permission to use their banner as a sample tote.

Here's the idea:

The sample is made up (see pictures), with banners front and back , 8 banners in all. Then anyone who has an Etsy shop can 'buy and replace' banner space. they will go to the top slot of banners, and the others move down. they will be sent a tote bag with the banners, including their own on. Then where ever they go, they are advertising themselves and anyone else on the bag. The next person buys a banner space, so they go to the top slot and the banners get moved down one. the new persons banner is added to the toe and they are send a tote bag. this means that they not only get their own banner out there, but the others are shown too. Get the idea? Of course if someone buys more than one bag, they receive duplicates of the bag with their banner at the top. It has the potential that each Banner Ad Space bought will be sent out to at least 6 other people, anywhere in the world, since Etsy is worldwide. Of course even more, is someone buys more than one bag (say for their friends etc). not bag for a $15 space of advertising. For more info check out the link to the Etsyforanimals shop.

The bags will always have the 'etsy.com All things handmade at the top' followed by an etsyforAnimals banner on one side.

Apart from the original sample made up (which I sent to a very helpful EFA members Mishkat, as a thankyou for all she does), this is the next one made up . I'll post the Banner Ads as they are made, it'll be interesting to see if this takes off!

Etsy for animals Quilt Project

Etsy for Animals has a quilt project. members can participate by making a quilt square with thetheme of Bold and EFA must be on it. this is my quilt square

The front my quilt square.I used green and cream gingham fabric, a sheet of A4 printable cotton, then designed a sheet of Etsyforanimals banners all blended to fill the sheet. On top of this I have added brads, buttons and beads and a charm of :- an owl, a bird, a dragonfly, a paw print, a cat, a lamb.i beaded the letters EFA on the side, and added my midnightrabbits label to the other side with the same turquoise beads around the label.The back is an animal (leopard?) print fleece fabric, with cotton printed banners of etsyforanimals, midnightrabbits and a made up one for Etsy.

Stray cat gives birth

Donations

This bit is to show my donations to various animal charities and causes, mainly so that i have a place to keep them all in on spot :)This little bag was made for SASHA Farm Auction.

I've not kept up to date with my donations, but here is my latest:

http://itsmeowornever.etsy.com/
**Its Meow or Never are holding an Online Auction which is to take place on 2-9th August

Why Vegan

I am always amazed at 'peoples' reaction to me being vegan. So I have decided to write about my journey to veganism, and where I am today.

It all began way back in the 80's. I'm not sure exactly when, but somehow becoming aware of what I was actually eating- a dead animal, so i became vegetarian. this lasted a few years, and as I learned more, about the dairy industry, the woollen industry etc, it seemed like a natural progression to go Vegan. It felt like a natural choice. i only knew of one vegan at the time, so got as much info from them as I could. I went away to college. i remember eating mainly chips and beans from the college canteen, and making soup at my lodgings. there weren't any ready made meals or soya foods around in those days. Tea and coffee was drunk black (no milk), I used sugar to take the edge off it. I gradually learned of more and more products that I could have, such as soya milk.
When I finished college, having studied fashion and textile design, i returned to my home town. I looked up my only vegan friend and became her lodger. This made veganism a lot more inviting, as she lived quite well and introduced me to 'luxury' vegan foods, such as soya cream 'cheese', pate etc. I was then working, so able to be more adventurous in my diet. Over the years I had discarded any animal goods that I had, when they were worn out, for instance shoes, clothing, replacing them with non animal alternatives. I splashed out and bought a pair of Vegan DM's. i got involved with the local animal rights group, and went on demos, met more vegans, met interesting, caring people, many of who I still see and keep in touch with occasionally. I worked in the costume department of a local theatre. I refused to work in leather or fur, it may have annoyed them, but they kept it quiet, and I made wonderful costumes in non animal fabrics. the costume department often had fur coats donated to them, as more and more people became aware of the the cruelty involved and wanted to dispose of them. I think (if my memory serves me well), that I persuaded them to donate a few to the local AR group to use in displays against fur. I made the group a banner. I was happy to be involved with them.

hey, making my blog more visible..........

I think it's about time I wrote more regularly in my blog!
this section is all about how I make use my blog more often etc etc etc.watch this space.
hey that was short lived :) I tried to sign up to google adsense but nothing has happened, I've read stuff, but none of it makes sense, this will be on hold for now :(

Monthly Challenges

This is where I have chosen to display my entries to Etsy for Animals monthly challenges. for those 'not in the know' about challenges on Etsy, they are , oh heck, read the EtsyforAnimals blog and get the idea :)
My entry for march is this adorable mini shopper. The the is Green- recycled or colour.
I made a gorgeous acrylic felt mini shopper in green, decorated with 3D appliqued daffodils and daffodil and ladybug buttons. I also made Scoubidou yellow and green handles. A perfect example for St Davids Day, my entry to the Green challenge, and a handly little shopper.

All challenge entries will be for sale in my shop, with 10% to going to the cause that prompted me to make it, in this case Etsy for Animals charity of the month.
Photos to follow!



My April entry was a sweet little felt coin purse with an appliqued hedgehog.

My July entry is this bright bold beach bag!

My August entry:

C is for COW! it was difficult to decide on one C, but I think all the posts about moos swayed me, and Voila! here is my entry. A beautiful Cow on a coin purse.

20% of the price of this item will be donated to the etsy for Animals charity of the month.
The link to the item is:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13363328
my shop is: http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/

St Davids Day and daffodils

I am Welsh. Although not usually patriotic, there's something about the 1st March, that brings out the 'welsh' in me :)
The Etsy for Animals monthly challenge (for those of you that are not into etsy and challenges, it's too long to explain, but briefly each month a theme is set and an item made for that theme and posted on their blog- wow, there's a whole new post for my challenge entries!)
for march is 'Green - recycled or colour. so i decided (with a prompt from my good EFA friend Mishkat), to use st davids day as inspiration and of course the national flower of wales the daffodil! Yay!
So her is my latest creation- a mini- shopper made of acrfylic felt and decorated with 3D appliqued daffordils, daffodil and ladybug buttons, and green and yellow Scoubidou handles.

MidnightRabbits Logo

Well, I finally had the inspiration that was staring at me for quite some time! Images of my MidnightRabbits Logo on my creations. So here is my first offering. A small bag with the image made with black and white acrylic felt. Gorgeous heart embroidered ribbon on the strap. I love this bag, and i'm excited about seeing my other items develop!

Valentine's Day, find a heart - take a look

Here are some of the donations for the Valentines Gift basket:


Donated By http://lolalynn.etsy.com/

Donated By http://StarsDreamsandJewels.etsy.com
Donated By http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/
Donated By http://midocean.etsy.com/

My effort at being a promoter or in other words How I did The EFA Valentine Contest

Having written a rather long post for my blog a few days ago, only to have it vanish in cyberspace, I have been a little bit hesitant to start this again, but hey-ho, here I go!

Recycle, re-use, mend etc

I cannot claim that this was my idea, because it is not! While browsing books in Borders, I came accross a book about craft ideas, that were a bit 'home-made' looking but really nice. One article particularly caught my attention: how to make a bathmat from old t-shirts. the idea is simple, when you outgrow or outwear your t-shirts, give them a new lease of life by turning them into bath mats. How - I hear you asking!- Cut strips of the t-shirt, knot together and sew a square, it makes a really nice, unusual, absorbant mat. Now I am not a good knitter,I can't read patterns, can only do plain and purl, and straight pieces, get bored with it if it doesn't grow quickly enough (hence my love of big needles and chunky yarn), also with a bit of athritis is my hands, my hand/finger joints ache very easily, so can't spend a long time knitting at one time. So what better project than chunky needles, strips of t-shirt and aiming for a square.

I casted on as many stitches that the needles could comfortably hold, without bunching them up too much, and looked decent enough for my mat. 33 stitches.

To date I have had strips from 3 t-shirts and ongoing

I actually only took a piece from the bottom half of the tishirts as the rest went as bedding for the cats! (doubling up on their recycleability).

The strips were not cut perfectly equal, but about an inch wide, and the knots are left visible, at least for now any way. here is a photo of my progress:

My bathmat has not grown! I haven't disposed of any t-shirts lately, although I need to sort out my clothes soon!

Aha! i've been busy cutting up some t-shirts that are no longer wearable, also a fabulous pair of pj trousers that were cut way too low for my likeing, and never did feel comfortable, and they are made of a lovely stripped fabric, yay more jersey strips for my mat!

Ihave, I have, I have actually finished my mat! I'm using it in the bathroom, and lovin it! will get a picture up as soon as I can!

Valentine's Day, find a heart

Find it in your heart to help the animals and win the heart basket!!
Some EtsyForAnimals supporters donated wonderful gifts to a Valentines Prize Basket. All of these supporters of http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com/ help raise funds for animal charities by donating a proportion of their sales, to the Etsy For Animals chosen Charity of The Month or donating goods to the http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com/ shop.

Amazing FREE PRIZE DRAW- Valentines Day Contest for Etsy members
Would you like to win a wonderful Valentines Gift Basket, filled with fabulous handmade goods from talented Etsy Artists?
Take part in our contest to enter the FREE PRIZE DRAW. That’s right, IT COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO ENTER!!!!!!
Imagine winning a wonderful assortment of gifts ALL FOR FREE.
The Artists, all supporters of http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com/ , listed below, have all donated a prize to the gift baskets and you could be in with a chance of winning!
To enter, visit the shops below,( by clicking on the links), or accessing them through http:etsy.com and search usernames, and look through their three featured items. Read their descriptions. One of the featured items will contain the symbol ♥EFA♥ in the description
You must make a note of the number of that item, located at the right (under additional item info). When you have collected ALL 22 item numbers with the ♥EFA♥ convo http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/ with your answers. That is the shop name and item number that contains the symbol.
The Competition is open until 6pm(GMT) 14th February 2008.
All correct entries will then be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW and the winner will be selected at random at 7pm (GMT) 14th February –Valentines Day!!!!!!!!!!!!
The lucky winner will be contacted by ‘convo’ on Etsy and the results will be posted in the forums.
GOOD LUCK and remember “YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT” J


http://thefrogbag.etsy.com/
http://rescuemetugz.etsy.com/
http://starsdreamsandjewels.etsy.com/
http://recycledideas.etsy.com/
http://midocean.etsy.com/
http://mvegan5.etsy.com/
http://mycatlulu.etsy.com/
http://gingeroni1.etsy.com/
http://lolalynn.etsy.com/
http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/
http://theknottysheep.etsy.com/
http://chambers.etsy.com/
http://tackybackintime.etsy.com/
http://sandydogbakery.etsy.com/
http://organidog.etsy.com/
http://bohogoods.etsy.com/
http://angelq.etsy.com/
http://creaturecomfort.etsy.com/
http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com/
http://kraftykateskreations.etsy.com/
http://uniquelyyoursnyc.etsy.com/
http://elephantdance.etsy.com/


A list of competition rules are available from http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com/ . Any queries should also be addressed by ‘convo’ to the same.

My attempt with ploymer clay

For the EtsyforAnimals challenge for January I decided to have a go at making clay beads. The photos are the results, with the help of someone special (who made the pig and gave it to me!). It was fun and interesting, and a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I definately need a lot more practise!

The next time I had a go at polymer clay, I made these cats and a bat:

and finally I made the clay beads into a bracelet, but I had to add a few wooden beads, as there was not enough to fit on my wrist!:

Large Catnip Cats

I love making Catnip toys. I love to see my cats playing with them , or indeed any cats. My latest catnip toys have been made as a Large Cat, out of Acrylic Felt and appliqued, and stitched. They are big enough for a cat to really get hold of and attach/roll/play/lie on!

This is Billy and Ruby playing with two of them!

How Midnightrabbits began...........

While walking my dogs one day, in our local park, I noticed a lot of rabbit droppings. They were in clusters all around the place. It looked as though several rabbits had stopped in one place. I imagined the picture of them gathering around, stopping for a chat, eating grass, and of course doing their little poos. They would come out at midnight, and hop around from group to group, and sing and dance, and jig about. How happy they all are, and how safe it is, for the rabbits to come out at midnight. They have such a busy night, and as dawn breaks, they scurry back under the bushes and into the woods, and they are gone before daylight.You would never have known they were there, unless of course you look very closely and see the little piles of droppings

My Treasuries from Etsy

These are screen shots of my Etsy treasuries - such fun to do!

Many thanks to Mishkat for sending me the pictures of the treasuries to upload.