MADE OF HUG – CURIOSITY QUILT THE CAT

Quilts for a cause.

In my 11th Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery Crafty Cat, a central plotline is a group of quilters who are making cat-themed quilts to donate to a cat rescue charity auction. I’ve just discovered that here in Portland, there is a real quilt guild doing something different but similar. The Portland Modern Quilt Guild makes and donates quilts, some of which go to the Oregon Health & Science University’s pediatric Intensive Care Unit to make the rooms of longer-term patients feel less clinical. Recently one of their members, Stephanie Hower Derheimer, created a different kind of work, a one-of-a-kind hand-painted sculpture for Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail, an art project to benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital… and it’s all about cats!

 I caught the exhibit on its final weekend when all the cats were gathered in Director Square, downtown Portland. Though I missed seeking the cats in their natural habitat, it was nice to get to see them all at once. I had many favorites, but one of the most intriguing was Stephanie’s quilt-themed cat. At the time, I didn’t know the story behind her artwork, but when I found out, I knew I had to share it as one of my Crafty Cat launch features. Here were people doing a similar thing to the characters in my book, and though they weren’t quilting cat designs or donating to cat shelters, I would never have known about them had not it been for one very special cat.

About the project, Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail:

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of LAIKA’s debut film Coraline, the studio partnered with the Visit Downtown Campaign, Wild in Art, and OHSU Doernbecher to create a trail of 30 sculptures modeled after one of Coraline’s most memorable characters, Cat. The sculptures, painted by many different artists, were stationed throughout downtown Portland for ten weeks, creating a free art trail for visitors to complete.

About Artist Stephanie Hower Derheimer, creator of Curiosity Quilt the Cat:

Stephanie Hower Derheimer is a Portland-based designer of quilts, art, illustrations, and—most recently—the cat statue that was located on OMSI’s front plaza, Curiosity Quilt the Cat! Stephanie’s quilted cat design was inspired by her work with the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, a nonprofit organization and thriving community of quilters. Part of the Guild’s work includes making charity quilts. Since the Coroline’s Curious Cat Trail project is in partnership with OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, she felt it fitting to wrap this cat statue in a cozy quilt of its own.

Preorder Crafty Cat, the 11th Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery now and get it in your inbox on National Cat Day, October 29th, 2024.

Lynley shifts from quilting to sleuthing when the elder of the guild is murdered and a beloved cat is stolen. Located in Portland. 

(Books need not be read in order.) Paperback also available.

Don’t forget the Crafty Cat Giveaway!  

One lucky person will win a signed paperback copy of Crafty Cat plus a special cat-themed gift, my favorite set of cat-print coin purses. These sturdy zippered coin-purses are made of canvas. 4 adorable cartoon cat patterns. Size: 5 x 3.5 inches. Perfect for little belongings such as coins, cash, credit cards, thumb drives, earbuds, keys, lipstick.

To enter the giveaway, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com with “Giveaway” in the comment line. U.S. addresses only. No P.O. boxes. Drawing for the giveaway will be November 1.