Hatched and Patched

Some projects from The Simple Life

... as promised, it is time to reveal some of the projects from my new book... hope you like them!! This is the main quilt in the book which uses all 13 images. It was a breeze to put together too - not too much thinking involved!!

I wanted to make a bag that didn't sing too loud, but I did still call this bag 'Sing Bag' haha. I found these great buttons which have some amazing images on them and just HAD to use them!

I have labeled this 'Zippered Bag' as it can be used for anything, not just pencils!! I had fun using slightly brighter fabrics with this...it is still subdued though, I guess because of the linen fabic.

This is one of my favourite projects in the book. It opens up to reveal a bag which is great for storing your tape measure, project, threads, scissors or any othe bulky item. On one side flap of the bag are pockets for pens, scissors needle packets etc; and on the other flap, a needlebook for pins and needles.

There are more projects too, a wall hanging, bookmark and turtle pincushion, but I guess you'll just have to buy the book to see those wink wink.

 

Christmastime here we come!

OK, I know it's only May, but really, Christmas will be here before we know it! I have been designing like crazy, and have almost completed a few new Christmas patterns using my latest fabric range 'CHRISTMASTIME' which you can view on the Henry Glass website, along with a few free patterns! As far as I know it will be released in Australia in August, and in USA stores very soon!

Below is a taste of what I have been designing...

..These photos aren't brilliant due to horrid weather ... it does give you an idea though... and one more...More will be revealed when I return from America, which is where I am at the moment, attending the American Quilt Market in Kansas City.
Best wishes
Anni

... and The Simple Life is ready to roll....

Yet again I have been living in Lala land trying to complete everything in time to take to the wholesale Quilt Market is USA. Every year I think I have more time than I do, so I end up with no sleep, a messy house, and an uncared-for family!

Is it worth it? I ask myself this constantly when I'm up to my ears in chaos. But then, I end up with the finished product and think YES! Looking back it was loads of fun... just have to pace myself better next time heheh... if only!

Finally I can reveal the book - well, some pics at least. It is now at the printers and am hoping it will ready for release at the beginning of June.

.... and just a few more close-ups....

There are 13 images in all, and 7 projects. I was hoping it would all fit in a smaller format, the same as my Simple Pleasures book, and, although it turned out to be a whopping 38 pages, it is nice and compact!!

I will reveal some pics of the projects within soon.

Now to complete some patterns using my new Christmas range of fabric 'Christmastime'  -stay tuned!

...and The Simple Life continues....

I am stitching away madly and am getting closer to completing the projects for my new book 'The Simple Life'. Here is a bit more of a taste...

...I'm having much fun, and will reveal more soon!
Until then,
Anni

The Simple Life .....

Sometimes I am just in the mood to create and I keep on creating without finalising anything. The four stitcheries I was working on are now sitting on my desk, idle, half done, and I so want to sew them, but I want to CREATE. So, instead, I have started ANOTHER new project. I must stop, but I think I have my mojo back, and it is coming back in a wave (sort of good, but my fingers are so itchy wanting to create, that I have to stop myself and do the horrid housework or homework with the kidlies instead..sigh...). If only I didn't have to sleep or eat. I must try and complete something, but....

I have started work on a new small book which I am hoping to have ready for the wholesale show in USA in May. I have designed 8 blocks so far, but am hoping to have a few more. I can't wait to show you everything, so here is just a small taste....

..... hope you like...

Until next time
Anni

Chocolate Wheel

I have been trying for days to take a photo of my latest quilt Chocolate Wheel, but RAIN!!!! It doesn't seem to stop! To think, last year we were in drought....

I don't know if you have ever tried to photograph a quilt before, but I find this one of the hardest tasks, probably because I can never find the right setting. I walk past Miss Trail's house every morning, and at last found the courage to ask if I could photograph there, as there is a brilliant old wagon just right for Chocolate Wheel. This is an historic house in town with gorgeous gardens and is only 2 blocks from my shop, so perfect for a quick photo shoot between storms. Thankfully the carers said YES, so ....

...and some close-ups....


The patterns are FINALLY ready....aaaaaahhh....now it's time to partake in the REAL chocolate.... a fitting way to end the writing of a new pattern ;)

Just a quick note too, thanks everyone SO MUCH for your words of wisdom in regards to helping me decide how to package the new stitheries I am working on. There have been a few mixed views, but I think it was overwhelming the support for tracing yourself. I was very surprised, as I was ALMOST going to go down the path of pre-printed, so THANK YOU. At this point, I am thinking of doing transfers for those who can't stand tracing, but have a hard copy of the pattern (like I do in all of my stitchery patterns) for retracing.

Until next time,
Anni

 

 

Stitching ...

I have been having SO much fun designing four new stitcheries, and last night I began stitching away. This is all I have done as yet, so still have quite a bit to sew, but it is good to finally have something small I can take around with me wherever I go again.

I do have a dilemma though, and am hoping you can all make the decision for me, as I do what I do best and just sit on the fence and get nowhere!

I have finally found a screen printer who can screen-print the designs onto fabric for me, but if I do this, the pattern price will markedly increase. I want them printed on linen, so hmmmm... Otherwise, I can have transfers made, but these do move sometimes when they are ironed onto the desired fabric. It does mean though, that you can choose which fabric you want them ironed onto, and the pattern price will be more affordable.

Decisions decisions... hmmm.... I am just jumping from one side of the fence to the other on this one (surprise surprise). I am SUCH a PROCRASTINATOR!!

 

Life.....

How in the world does time travel by SO FAST!!???! I have been having a few of you contact me lately wondering what rock I have been hiding under, so I guess I have a lot of explaining to do.

Last year was horrendously busy for me. I started designing fabric, a new learning curve. I designed, and wrote a book for a publisher in another country which, even though it was still the English speaking country of USA, there were still many language barriers in the workings of things, funny huh? As well, I had many workshops I had to design for and run off to do, not to mention the every-day running of my shop and my family. Tim, my son, also started a new school, and with the learning difficulties he faces, this too was an added bonus to the stress pile that was consuming me. It's funny - I went into designing, as it is my absolute passion, but last year I was SO stressed, I ended up no knowing which way to turn. I was very fortunate though that everyone around me was so supportive and remained healthy!

So life.... it took on a chaotic quality. At the end of the year, I decided I should take a step back, look at what I was doing, and made a New Year's resolution to work harder at working a little less. In saying that, I have already worked on another new fabric range and have done a project for the Christmas in July edition of Homespun using some of my Christmastime range (ie the 5" strike-offs I was sent for approval). BUT, I have also had time with friends and family, and have tried to plan my year with a little less running involved. Do you ever get to that stage where you just say "ENOUGH", and go into hiding for awhile?

OK, so many of you wrote to me pleading with me to let you know the winner of the Henry Glass Jolly Holiday Christmas Giveaway I was remiss not to post earlier. The winner of the Henry Glass fabric pack and giveaways from all of the designers (including my Christmas pack) was Julie Little of Roy, Utah. I am hoping most of you turned to the Henry Glass blog to find this out rather than relying on my blog - oops. So sorry for not posting this earlier.

Some of you also had spied a quilt that was hanging in my booth at the Melbourne Wholesale Show and wanted to know what it was. It was a very unfinished quilt - again, oops, but I have FINALLY finished it! I love hand quilting and I had the urge to handquilt this one, so it took a little longer than it should. I have named it Chocolate Wheel.... mmmmmmm...... chocolate......

I loved making this quilt. I have been wanting to make a quilt for awhile using the darker shades of those gorgeous Japanese woven fabrics, and decided to make something that was a little more traditional, but with a slight modern twist. I used an eclectic range of blues, browns and greys for the main contrasts using reproductions, retros and other bits and pieces, and then found a striking red to give it all a lift. Now I just have to write the instructions....hmmmmm ...... maybe some real chocolate should be eaten while I do that......

Here's hoping for a great 2012 for everyone, and here's hoping we all have a FUN year and a more RELAXING year. I do apologise for writing WAY too much  - just too long between posts!

Until next time (and I assure you next time will be much sooner than the last time!!)
Anni

 

Notepads galore

I was looking at all of my painting supplies while cleaning up (yes, occasionally it just HAS to happen), and the urge took me to create some notepads using some of my applique and stitchery images. I used to paint quite a lot waaaay back when.., but then of course, patchwork took over my life somewhat.

I have created 8 notepads - 3 small, 4 medium and one large - I hope you like them!

Hopefully you'll be able to find them in your local patchwork store now!

Best wishes
Anni

 

Shows and Other Things

Close to the end of every year, the Melbourne Wholesale Show for patchworkers is up and away. I was very bad this year and TOTALLY forgot to take any form of camera. Pete, my techno boy was able to take a few on his phone, so weyhey - some great photos are in store for you! The night before set-up day we ventured over to Foothill Fabrics for a show-and-tell.

The shop, run by Lesley (left) and Sandra (right), is gorgeous and has the work of many of the Australian patchwork designers on show. Of course, I had much fun shopping (now just need that spare time to stitch hmmmm...) There were two girls in the back row looking rather cheeky - maybe too much champers - were they plotting to steel all of my samples sitting on their laps?? So nice to see Karen Martin from Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop, and Gail Pan of Gail Pan Designs, plus many other familiar faces, not to mention new faces!! A great night! Thanks so much Lesley and Sandra for inviting me along, and thanks everyone who came along!

I caught up with so many others at the show. It was yet again a fun show, and yet again, I spent waaaaaaay too much haha. Thanks everyone who came and supported me. Pete and I are now back in Bathurst and are thinking it is probably now time to think of Christmas which is only EEEEEEK 26 DAYS AWAY!!! Crazy times!