ACEO Quilt Auction Is HERE

Don't miss out! It's finally time to release this beautiful handcrafted ACEO Endangered Species Quilt into the world. Without further ado - here's where to go to bid on the quilt and save some endangered rainforest land and species at the same time:

ACEO Endangered Species Quilt

"Giant Panda" - twinsplus1

TITLE: Giant Panda

ARTIST: Tracey Kahtava

EBAY ID: twinsplus 1

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I was honored to be asked to participate in the endangered species quilt. I painted a Giant Panda to bring attention to this gentle giant. Panda bears are peaceful and unique animals and these beautiful forest dwellers are becoming fewer because of poaching and the fact that their habitat is in danger.

These shy and solitary pandas live in the cold, wet mountain bamboo forests and as bamboo growth is diminished the panda has less food and fewer places to live. I am inspired by the simple beauty and sweet personality of these creatures and by working together with other artists I hope we will make a difference and help restore some of the endangered forests.

"Harbor Seal" - Gwen, age 10

TITLE: Harbor Seal
ARTIST: Gwen, age 10
EBAY ID: lala15108 on behalf of Gwen

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I think saving the rainforest is important because all the things that live there can make an impact on lots of lives.

"Mr. Toucan" - Janeen, age 10

TITLE: Mr. Toucan
ARTIST: Janeen, age 10
EBAY ID: lala15108 on behalf of Janeen

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I think that saving endangered species is important because animals deserve to have a home. And out of all of them, I love toucans.

"Cheetah Babies" - Madison, age 11

TITLE: Cheetah Babies
ARTIST: Madison, age 11
EBAY ID: lala15108 on behalf of Madison

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

Cheetahs are so cool, they are my favorite animal, and I would hate to see them go away.

"Manatee Family" - Emily, age 12

TITLE: Manatee Family
ARTIST: Emily, age 12
EBAY ID: lal15108 on behalf of Emily

Why I'm usig my creativity to save the rainforest...

I think saving endangered species is important because once they go extinct there will never be anything like them again.

"Dad & Jr. Go For A Walk" - Carly, age 11

TITLE: Dad & Jr. Go For A Walk
ARTIST: Carly, age 11
EBAY ID: lala15108 (on behalf of Carly)

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I created an Endangered species ACEO because penguins are one of my favorite animals and I don't want to see them disappear forever!

Why We Support WLT-US Cosanga Valley Project

We've chosen the Cosanga Valley Project to support with our ACEO donation to save the rainforest. The Cosanga Valley area is located in Ecuador. Ecuador ihas one of the richest biodiversity nations in the world!

Many of the Cosanga Valley plant species are restricted to this area. Some of the plant varieties include a rich array of orchids, ferns, bromeliads and trees. Some of the animal species of the Cosanga Valley region include the mountain tapir, ocelot, puma and spectacled bear.

Cosanga Valley is also home ot more than 30 species of hummingbirds. This area of Ecuador is also home to 310 unique bird species, some of which are very rare. Two of the rare bird species are the Peruvian Antipitta and the Bicolored Antivireo. the Cosanga Valley is also home to the "San Isidro Owl" that is regularly found only this specific region of the world.

This is an area of rainforest conservation identified by World Land Trust as a great need. We hope that by contributing our creative and monetary efforts, our group of wonderfully dedicated ACEO artists will be able to save a large parcel of this endangered land, and it's many unique, beautiful and endangered species. Watch for news of the Quilt auction, and you can bid to help our cause while acquiring a beautifully handcrafted one of a kind fine art quilt.

"The Panther" - julesstudio

TITLE: The Panther
EBAY ID: julesstudio
ARTIST: Cheryl Ann Buckman

Why I'm using my creativity to save the Rainforest:

It is so hard to put into words the emotions that are felt when you see and hear about animals losing their habitat due to the growth of man. If I can do anything to counteract the damage I am doing to our planet then I have to do it. I, along with everyone else, have done something that has caused the changes in our system. From not recycling, to using to many non recyclable products, I feel it is every ones responsibility to do what ever they can in order to make a change before it is to late. I am happy that one small thing I can do will contribute to helping the Rain Forrest to survive a little longer.

ACEO Group Raises $455 Cash Donations for Rainforest Land

Well, Starr just updated us with the most recent count, and our little group of ACEO artists has raise a whopping $455.00 toward purchasing Rainforest land in the Cosanga Valley, Ecuador through World Land Trust - US.

What started as a simple idea is turning into wonderful, evolving creative charitable action beyond our initial hopes. Our current goal is to raise a grand total of $500 to purchase 5 acres of endangered rainforest land for conservation so we can actively contribute to preserving the world's biodiverse rainforest lands, plantlife and animal species!

Thank you to all the ACEO artists who have individually contributed cash donations to our growing fun. Know that you are creating change!!

"Scratchboard Drawing Of An Elephant" - art-by-darla-h

TITLE: Scratchboard Drawing of an Elephant

ARTIST: Darlene

EBAY ID: art-by-darla-h

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I am a self taught artist who has been an animal lover all my life. Most of my art is animal art. I belong to A4C a group of artists who sell there art to benifit animals in need so the idea for this quilt just fit what I believe in.

"Grevy's Zebra" - purplehorse75

TITLE: Grevy's Zebra
ARTIST: Kim Loberg Doffin
EBAY ID: purplehorse75

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

I decided to enter an ACEO of a Grevy's zebra in the Endangered Species contest because zebras are among my favorite African animals. Many people think that there are an abundance of zebra herds in Africa. True, the plains zebras are plentiful, but there are also zebra species that are endangered. The Grevy's zebra is one of those species. By creating the card, I was able to show that zebras are endangered, too.

I am honored to be a part of the Endangered Species Quilt. It has been a project in which certain artisans have selflessly given their talent and time for a worthy cause. Many acres of rain forest are destroyed daily by logging and climate changes. With the sale of the Endangered Species Quilt, we, as ACEO artists, will be able to save some of the rain forest from destruction and give back to the public for all of the appreciated support they have shown us and continue to show us by collecting our ACEO cards. Kim

"Manatee" - whimzicals

TITLE: Manatee
EBAY ID: whimzicals
ARTIST: Jo Lynch Whimzicals

Why I'm using my creatvity to save the rainforest...

Saving the Rainforest is important to all of us whether we are aware of it or not. Making this quilt with the many endangered species on it is just a small way in which we can help make a difference, bring awareness to the Rainforest plight, and become a part of the healing. Like the spreading rings on a pond from a single drop, we must all try to do whatever we can to save both our Rainforest Lands, and the endangered species. We must continue to spread the word.......

"Endangered Legend" - Artschtick

TITLE: Endangered Legend
ARTIST: Deb Keirce
EBAY ID: Artshtick

Why I’m using my creativity to save the rainforest …

In a former life, I was a biochemical engineer, helping to bring manufacturing processes to life, to create newly discovered or synthesized pharmaceuticals. A very scary fact is that we are fresh out of ways to develop new antibiotics. This is scary because bacteria are NOT out of ways to mutate, and become immune to the antibiotics we can produce. Vancomycin is our last resort antibiotic - when bacteria are immune to all the others. Vancomycin resistant strains of common bacteria are on the rise. Patients who harbor vanco-resistant infections cannot be imprisoned in hospitals, so when they are feeling better, they are out and about in the general population, and those bacterial strains are going global.

What does all this have to do with the rainforest? There are a few undiscovered places we have access to, that may hold the key to finding new pharmaceuticals, and the rain forest is key to those discoveries. The oceans and space would be the other two. Anything we do to destroy the rainforest is potentially destroying products that could be discovered and developed to reduce human suffering in the future. It takes a lot of money and manpower to launch research programs in a rainforest. Some pharmaceutical companies have started the effort, but it will be generations before they will recover their research expenses, so we need those rainforests around for a VERY long time!

"American Bald Eagle" - artistnannie

TITLE: American Bald Eagle
EBAY ID: artistnannie
ARTIST: Fran Brooks

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

Whenever I see a movie or read a book where an animal is killed for sport or no valid reason, I am brought to tears. When watching TV programs where wolves, for example, are being saved from extinction and reintroduced into areas where they can run free, makes me happy. I enjoy painting animals and started adding them into my landscapes several years ago, then progressed to painting bird and butterfly portraits as well as wolves and my favorite dog breed, our Border Collies.

I entered my painting of the American Bald Eagle in the Endangered Species contest as it too was once on the brink of extinction, but has now made a triumphant comeback in the wild and is close to being taken off the list of threatened species. I was curious as to how this came to pass, so researched the bald eagle and came up with these facts. The decline in the eagle population was due to several reasons. Humans moving into territories with deforestation causing eagles to die off due to lack of food and shrinking habitat. Pesticides used on mice and other small animals, and then eaten by eagles who would ingest the poison caused sterility and death in eagles. Power lines placed too close to high tension wires would electrocute eagles when wings touched both wires at the same time.

Over the years power lines were replaced and spaced further apart, pesticides have also been banned from use and laws were passed to preserve eagles in the wild. Eagles were also hatched in captivity and then reintroduced into the wild. The eagles have begun to flourish again on their own and the American Bald Eagle continues to thrive because people decided to do their part to save these magnificent birds. I decided to participate in the Endangered Species Quilt project as my small part in helping to make others aware of the habitats that are endangered and the creatures that live within. I am thankful and humbled to be a small part of this project with many talented ACEO artists.

"Golden Lion Tamarin" - carolynn.mc

TITLE: Golden Lion Tamarin
EBAY ID: carolynn.mc
ARTIST: Carolynn McDade

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest...

Earth is blessed with beautiful wilderness, rugged mountains, sparkling water and the life that abounds within. We all belong to this exquisite planet, and each life given is precious. Whether it's the massive blue whale, a timid wren, or the insect in your garden, these remain our fellow, earthly residents.

As the human creatures of this planet, we seemed to take advantage of what Earth had to give us in ways which has destroyed natural home grounds for many of our fellow creatures. I don't think we did it on purpose. Perhaps it was because we thought Earth would give endlessly.

In the past few decades, however, we have come to realize Mother Earth can't always replenish herself... environments are unwittingly destroyed, and animals lose their comfortable, flourishing homes.

Today, governments around the world are making the move to guard species which are dwindling. Preserved wilderness areas are being set aside for much of earth's wildlife, on land as well as in the waters.

The Golden Lion Tamarin ACEO is a good example of an animal which may not be able to survive the wilds of our planet much longer. Their habitats in Brazil have been invaded by logging and farming/agriculture. The once beautiful canopies are all but lost - 1-3% remain. These canopies were the Tamarin's source of food and shelter. Sadly, the remaining 400 or so Tamarins are in grave danger of extinction.

I am pleased to be a part of the Endangered Species Quilt project as a contributing artist. I urge everyone to re-use, recycle and take care of our planet.

"Golden Tamarin" - roadmaster6767

TITLE: Golden Tamarin
ARTIST: Mack Buroker
EBAY ID: roadmaster6767

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest:

Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered species must be protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value. The way I see it, I can't paint a picture of a gorilla if they no longer exist.

"Slumbering Dormouse" - Gougepaintings

TITLE: Slumbering Dormouse

ARTIST: Julie Gouge

EBAY ID: Gougepaintings

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest ...

As earthly guardians of this world we must tread lightly, or else all that we will be known for in the future are the deep, destructive, ugly footprints we have left behind. Down through history, species have come and gone. This is normal. It is the natural cycle of life on earth. However we, mankind, should not hasten this natural progression through our thoughtlessness and greediness.

If we are not careful we just might end up hastening our own destruction. Unlike other animals of this great, green planet, we alone have the ability to destroy our world. We are intelligent. We have the capacity to reason. We alone have the ability to recognize our careless destruction and strive to reverse it. We should not be the cause for the extinction of other species. Nature will see to that. When we are gone, our footprints on this earth should be no deeper than any other species that have passed into history.

This is why I am proud to be an artist whose work is represented on the Endangered Species Quilt. Hopefully, the beauty and symbolism of the quilt will encourage others to tread lightly and to strive to bring healing to the earth.

"Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly" - jazmin112-2008

TITLE: Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly

ARTIST: Susan Jane Smith

EBAY ID: jazmin112-2008

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest ...

I've worked for more than 35 years in Nature Conservation in Africa , as an amateur helper, and belong to the International Wildlife Association plus our local Alabama Wildlife Association.

My Grandfather went on an Amazon Expedition from 1911-1915. He told me many wonderful stories about his adventure and this has made me an adventurer too. When he was there the Rainforest was virtually untouched. Today it is endangered and faces terrible destruction every day because of greedy rich businesses robbing it of the wonderful trees.

We have to help all we can to save this habitat. Not only for all the flora and fauna that depend upon it for survival but also because the Rainforest supplies an incredible amount of oxygen that all the people in the World depends upon for life itself. You can imagine my reaction when Starr suggested raising money to buy a piece of the endangered Rainforests . I jumped at the chance to help.

I was so excited that I could help in a small way towards this incredible project. Hence I made my ACEO of the World's largest butterfly, which faces extinction due to collectors.

"Red Panda" - maryhelen22

TITLE: Red Panda

ARTIST: Mary Helen Epps

EBAY ID: maryhelen22

Why I'm using my creativity to save the rainforest ...

Once, when I was young, I watched a documentary of a film crew that had happened upon an indigenous tribe, living deep in a rainforest near the Amazon River. The film makers called the tribe the “flower people” and continually compared them to early man, stressing that this was the tribe’s first encounter with “civilization”.

They were a beautiful people, decorating themselves and everything in their village with a multitude of tropical flowers in all shapes and colors. Their main diet was the pulp of a certain tree, which after the pulp was removed, the hulled out trunk became a canoe, the branches a hut or fire wood. They would celebrate the harvested tree, placing flowers and a new sapling in the spot where the tree had been taken.

They smiled and laughed a lot. They were friendly and more than hospitable to the strangers who had come to film them. It was like a Utopia. I longed to live with the “flower people”. Some time after, I saw “The Medicine Man” and realized that the “flower people” probably no longer existed.

Oh sure, there may still be a tribe, although they were probably relocated and are wearing tee-shirts with words and logos they don't understand instead of flowers. Trying to make whatever money they can, to feed and shelter their children and pay for medicines for their new illnesses. Everyday watching as more of the beautiful trees and flowers they once called home disappear. And knowing their children will never have the chance to experience the beautiful existence that those before them had.

I hope that my participation in this quilt and the money made for the Rainforest fund, will aide in making sure that the Utopia that is the rainforest, never disappears. In a world where so much is taken, we each must strive to give back.