Hi group, It's been a long time since I posted here, but I've been keeping up as best I can. I had an interesting afternoon today, caused by Kat's posting of the ferret auction. Some of you may remember a long while back I posted a link to some ferret artwork I did here: http://www.geocities.com/lothruin/art.html I've gotten many requests to use the artwork for fundraisers and have always said yes. But imagine my surprise when I saw my "Peeking" ferret on that beautiful jacket in the SOS raffle! After contacting both Kat and Lee Julian, and proclaiming my love for the jacket and happiness to see my artwork being used for such a great purpose, I have also discovered that an unknown person STOLE my artwork, transformed it into machine embroidery patterns and SOLD it on her website (now defunct) with no credit given and no compensation made. So I'm asking all you fellow crafty ferrety people out there... If you bought a package of machine embroidery patterns and recognize any of the images on the above website, please understand that they are not copyright free. They are my hard work, AND they are images of MY ferrets, Cael, Booboo and Mira, all at the bridge. As I said, with a simple request and credit given I will grant permission to use even these ill-gotten patterns for fundraising opportunities for shelters and organizations. I also respectfully request that if you've seen these designs ON anything for sale, and happen to remember where, you let me know. I have reason to believe the embroidery patterns weren't the only way in which this person used my artwork and I live in an area FAR away from most of the major shows and other opportunities to see vendor-wares for myself. I also want to say that I HATE if my posting this effects the raffle in any way. I have now given Lee full permission to use the designs for fundraising and I absolutely LOVE what she's done with them. If I can get my butt in gear I may be contributing some matching items myself for that very raffle lot. (Otherwise, I'm planning something new and special for the Christmas raffle!) I just don't want this to detract in any way from Lee's beautiful work, but really felt that with so many on this list I might be able to protect myself and others from unintentional copyright infringement. So, thanks for listening. Melissa Rotert Samurai and Mina the Puppy. [Posted in FML issue 4961]