Airdalennium: Keeping Us in Stitches for 100 Years

"Defending Our Countries"

Photo of Quilt Block

Artist:    Nancianne Nowlen

Media:   Machine Appliqué and Embroidery

Artist's comments:

My block is inspired by an out of print book called "Jeeps, A Dog for Defense" written by Sylvestre C. Watkins and illustrated by Don Nelson in 1944. One of the major events of the 20th century was World War II. Airedales were one of the dogs used in the canine corps at that time. My block is a depiction of helmeted solder being led from the jungle while propeller planes are flying over head. Are they enemy planes? Our playful Airedale does not look worried.

"Defending Our Countries" is machine appliquéd, with a touch of hand embroidery. Gracie Allen Airedale supervised this project.

Artist's Bio:

I became an Airedale owner with Gracie after returning to the Midwest (Wisconsin) from the most gorgeous state of Oregon where my son still resides. My daughter is in Philidelphia. I have renovated and updated my traditional Milwaukee bungalow with the help of my brother(owned by Riley Airedale) and with Gracie's supervision. Gracie is now two years old. She has become famous at the local farmers market where she eats her veggies. I can not go to the market on Saturday without Grace or I will hear about it. Gracie is also the inspiration for my small yard. The cutting garden is fenced and bordered with nasturtiums, which Gracie loves to eat. I constantly patch my lawn, though this year Grace has her own spot for digging. Grace and I go on one or two walks each day to Lake Michigan, where Grace would like to control the squirrel population. She gets lots of compliments during our walks.

I am presently teaching fifth grade. But my passion is weaving. Now that the house is done I have my studio ready to do just that. I have made some quilts, my most recent was a project planned with my mother. We both made angel of the month quilts from a pattern. I think it would be fun to design the pattern for Airedale of the month. Making these blocks 1999 and 2000 has been a great way to add to my enjoyment of these wonderful, busy, bossy furkids we all love.

Nanci Nowlen, Milwaukee, WI
Gracie Allen Airedale