Tickets to win the “12 Dog Days of Christmas (with plenty of cat faces) Quilt” will be available at various locations with the proceeds benefiting Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

Chris Kroot, member of the Shady Ladies Quilting group, and Joan Gilliland who is one of the Liberty Lane Quilters, have created a batik and cotton quilt for the holidays and beyond.

“When we told Russ Adams of Back Porch Quilters in Murphy that we were creating this quilt to help Sarge’s with their mission to save adoptable animals, he gave us a discount on the blocking,” said Kroot.

“My husband drives some of the transports from Waynesville to the Northeast so I know how hard the volunteers work to save dogs and cats from being put down at the shelter. Joan and I wanted to do what we could to help,” continued Kroot. “Quilting is what we knew we could do.”

“We worked a long weekend at the Shady Ladies Lake Logan retreat.  We found fabric with paw prints, dogs’ and cats’ pictures and all fabrics included red and green Christmas colors.  It worked out that we were able to make one side all about pets including a clever, illustrated Christmas poem and the other side is a beautiful design that depicts just the colors of the holiday season. In fact, Joan and I called the it the ‘I Spy' quilt because there are so many pieces that, when you look at them individually, you see little dog and cat features you didn’t notice before.”

The quilt measures 69” x 49” and is suitable for a lap quilt, sofa cover or hanging from a decorative ladder.

Tickets for the quilt will be $1 per ticket or 6 for $5.  They will be sold at Sarge's events beginning June 14, at Dogs & Suds at Frog Level Brewing Company, 56 Commerce St., in Waynesville; Fourth of July on the courthouse lawn, at the Stars & Stripes Celebration; Aug. 4 at the Waynesville Downtown Dog Walk; and at the adoption center, 256 Industrial Parkway, in Waynesville.  Other venues will be announced.

“Sarge’s is thrilled that Chris and Joan took the time to make this lovely quilt to benefit the dogs and cats of Haywood County,” said Rosa Allomong, marketing coordination of the quilt. “We look forward to making sure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to see it and buy  tickets for chances to have it for their own.  If there are any organizations that would be willing to help us showcase this quilt,  let me know by calling 246-9050.”

Final tickets will be sold Oct. 4 at Sarge’s Furry Friends Benefit Bash.  The drawing will also be done that evening. More photos of the quilt can be seen at www.sargeandfrineds.org.