Hatched and Patched

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks

Look what just arrived in the post! How I love getting mail! I was asked a while ago to submit a design for this mag, and it was accepted! You'll find my block in this issue, Volume 7, Summer 2013.

Since I had just completed the 'Love to Garden' range when I was asked, I thought this would be the fabric to use for my block, so TA DA! ....
Of course I HAD to do some applique! I hope you like it.

I promise my next post will show you what was made in the workshops over in New Zealand! Thanks for being SO patient ;)

Until then
Anni

New Zealand in a Nutshell

...in a nutshell, Pete wants to move there! What a FABBO place!

As you probably know I had two workshops lined up in New Zealand, but instead of just rolling in by myself, we turned it into a holiday, and a holiday we had!!

First things first though. I landed in Rotorua in New Zealands north island, and was greated by the lovely Jill Brake of Cottage Flair, who took me out to the peaceful Lake Okatina Lodge where we had a blast for the weekend!

Jill (left) with her paymates Cindy & Shelly at Cottage Flair who help at her shop

It was hard to leave this view from my room to teach - luckily everyone was SO gorgeous, I was tempted into the workshop to teach for awhile ;)

Here's the group who made my weekend even more enjoyable!

The following day we visited Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings saga, which was AMAZING! There were 47 hobbit holes as well as the tavern - SOooooo well done! Tim was in HEAVEN and didn't want to leave - his feet aren't quite hairy enough to be a hobbit, so onwards he had to go.

While in the North Island we also did a night kayak near Tauranga which was spectacular - we paddled to a gorge which was full of glow worms - magical. If you ever go to New Zealand you have to do that!

We flew over to the south island, with the first stop the glorious Akaroa - raining slightly, but a serene and picturesque village.

The following weekend we went to visit Rachel Maw at Annie's Country Quilt Store in Ashburton in the South Island. Rachel wined and dined us (my family), showing her amazing cullinary skills - I think maybe a cafe on the side of her shop is in order - yummo!I don't know if my son looks too impressed about visiting a patchwork store...

I'm afraid my photo-taking took a dive around this stage, so no pics of the great crew in Ashburton (very bad bad bad)- ran off my feet, but a great time was had here too.

My family then continued south going to Lake Wanaka, the Queenstown area, and Milford Sound where Pete and I had done a treck over 20 years ago - it was great to see it looking as beautiful as ever. My photos just don't do it justice. I had my small basic camera which I will blame for the sad photos - couldn't be my skills at ALL!! ;)

Now we are home which is sort of nice, but I think New Zealand will always be beckoning me back - SUCH an amazing country.
Until next time
Anni

My NEW Fabric!

Woohoo! I'm SO excited!!! I have just received a parcel in the mail. I couldn't wait to see what was inside, so it is now slightly ripped - yes, I'm one of those people who ALWAYS rips my presents open, MUCH more fun ;) - and inside was the first strike-offs of my new fabric range '12 days of Christmas'!!!

This is my second Christmas range and I can't wait to start designing with it. The fabrics won't be hitting the shops until May/June this year, so you will have to hold your breath for a little while yet. I only have VERY small pieces, so I think it will be planning in action rather than making, but HAPPPPEEEEE AM I!!!!

This is the panel - the theme was based on a long stitchery wallhanging I did in my book 'A Christmas Story'. I think it was the most popular project in this book, so made it into fabric for everyone to use. I think the first thing I'd like to make is a garland, or maybe a quilt, or maybe some Christmas bags, or a table runner, or.... hmmmm.... my head is spinning!

Until next time
Anni

Simply Vintage

Woohoo!! look what just came in the mail. I LOVE this magazine, and now I am featured in it!

Simply Vintage is an all French mag, so hmmm, a little hard for me to decipher - hopefully my French-learning daughter will be able to help soon - but it is OH SO GORGEOUS!!! IF you haven't seen a copy before, it is from the makers behind Quiltmania, another magazine I am totally addicted to. As far as I know, Simply Vintage is not around to buy in Australia, BUT, Quiltmania DO come to the quilt show in June at Darling Harbour where I bought a previous copy last year - FABBO!
So you want to see the project I did??

I used some of my favourite things in this design - delicious linen, hand-dyed thread and woven wool.

For all of you who have the same dialect problem as me (hohum), I WILL be making a pattern for this soon, and yes, kits as well. When I say soon, they won't be ready until May I believe - just too much to fit in before then.

Stay tuned!
Anni

...Stitching Continued...

Here are some more peeks of one of the projects for my New Zealand workshops...

There are lots of components in this project, but not all have to be used... just a medley of my favourite techniques!!

I am having HEAPS of fun with this. I just wish there was more time to SEW!!!

Until next time...
Anni

Stitching Away for a New Zealand Adventure!

Well, it's official! I'm flying to New Zealand in April to do some workshops YAYAY!! I have been working away on some projects which incorporates much of what I know, so am doing a sampler of sorts. Here is a sneak peek of SOME of the components.... I am in love with the vintage style fabrics around at the moment, so HAVE to use those - YUMMO!

I can't wait! The last time I visited New Zealand I had just completed University, now THAT was a long time ago... sigh.... I wonder how much it has changed...

If you were wondering, I am doing a workshop at Cottage Flair in Rotorua (North Island) on April 12 & 13th, and one at Annie's Country Quilt Store in Ashburton (South Island) on April 20 & 21st. Hopefully I'll see some of you there!!

Happy Stitching!
Anni

Cornflower Needle Roll

While I'm hitting myself over the head for my tardy efforts at posting on my blog, I should also mention ANOTHER new pattern I worked on at the end of last year, and didn't say anything about.....

'Cornflower Needle Roll' is for my Quick & Easy range - it includes a pre-printed stitchery panel ready to stitch, plus a very easy needle roll to put together, using a soft blue check on the outside, and inside, my very own fabric from my Love To Garden range....

....of course, you can use ANY fabric you want!

Hopefully there are patterns in shops near you NOW, as it was released as a pattern in late November (whoops to me for not saying anything earlier). In saying this, it is only NOW that I have FINALLY created kits for this pattern.

If you didn't know, Margaret, my wonderful friend and co-worker, left for retirement at the end of last year. Margaret worked in my shop and spent most of her time cutting kits. Now, at the moment, I am doing much of the kit cutting myself, so everything is slower in being released in kit form.... ho hum.... the good news is I have a couple of newbie's in mind to help me soon - YAYAY!

Happy stitching
Anni

Where was I??....

Hmmmm.....I'm feeling sheepish again for the lack of blog post.
I have actually had a couple of very caring people email me because of my lack of communication, worried because of the fires and floods which seem to be engulfing parts of Australia with such force.

Now, the reason for my sheepishness? I have actually just come home from a relaxing holiday, which I sorta feel a bit guilty about as I know so many people have had such a hard time (and because people have been worried about me! - oops). My failing to blog is just called time out, sewing (of course), and spending a little time with my kidlets - actually starting to teach my daughter to drive EEEEK!!!!! By the way, she is WAY too young. It's like having a 5 year old in the drivers seat, well, not really, but from a mother's point of view....!!

OK, now sorry for the rambling. Last year I created a new pattern which I haven't aired on my blog yet, so here it is.... I am calling it Sewing Day Angel, and had much fun putting it together. The stitchery component was along the same lines as my other two latest patterns - New Day Stitchery, and Flower Basket Sampler, but I decided to do something different in the way I completed this one, by creating a pieced border using hexagons and fabric overlays. Below is me just playing with the concept, throwing things down to see how they looked....

I love all the slightly quirky fabrics that are coming on the market now, so included a few of those as well as some of my favourite oldies. I went with a really soft palette this time which I am loving for a bit of a change.

...and then the completed wall hanging ready to hang...

Fingers crossed I will post again VERY soon ;)

Until then
Anni

Christmas is HERE!!!

Can you believe it??!?I still have SO MUCH to do before Christmas. If only I was like my sister-in-law and had my presents wrapped months before! But no, I still have a couple of presents to add under the tree, didn't send ANY cards (sorry friends!!), and I still have much to prepare! Maybe next year I'll be more organised, but I say that every year, so hmmm.....

I thought I would share two gorgeous things two gorgeous stitchers sent me (the pic not the real thing haha) using my Christmastime range.

Patricia Benavidas from Spain sent this wonderful photo of a quilt she made. I LOVE IT!! So creative! I love the words, and how the image has been enlarged and appliqued, I love the borders, and I love how the panel images have been used.

M a Carmen from France (I hope I have your details written correctly. Please forgive me if I have not) sent this amazing photo to me - what a great use of the panel! If only I had thought of it ;)

There certainly are some very creative souls out there huh? Just to let you know too, one of the tasks set aside for the Christmas break is to FINALLY add a gallery to my website, so these pics plus more can be seen by everyone. Fingers crossed it will be soon!

To all of you, I wish you a wonderful and safe Christmas - let it be with family and friends and delicious food!

And Audrey, if you are out there reading this THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the VERY generous gift you sent. I couldn't resist - as soon as the parcel came, I had to dive straight in and gobble one up (chocolate-coated raspberries!!! DELISH)

Best wishes for the New Year
Anni

The Contented Gardener

Who here likes gardening? I ABSOLUTELY do, not that you would know at the moment, looking at my far from beautific garden-scape. The sun is hotter than hot at the moment, and a sever lack of rain, along with my tardy efforts to keep the water up to the plants, has resulted in some wilting wonders. Oops! MUST make more of an effort!

One thing I am in the garden is content! I love to be at one with nature where my thoughts can roam. Again using my new 'Love to Garden' range of fabrics is this new pattern 'The Contented Gardener'.
Included in the pattern is an apron, some gloves with extra long sleeves, and a seed store.

Now just in case you were thinking I was far too clever for my own good, NO, I did not make the actual gloves. They were a cheap pair purchased from a shop. I simply removed the band, embellished them a little to make the arms extra long (plants often make my arms itch!), and put on a wrist-band so I could tighten them to keep them on.

This is the Seed Store which was SO simple to make. How easy it was to just find an images from my fabric, cut it out, and applique it on to the front!! Just to let you know though, I do have some images in the pattern to stitch, just in case you can't get your fingers on any of my fabric. Here's hoping this is not the case!! ;)
This is the inside of the store - five pockets, one extra large for those bigger seed packets.

Until next time....

Anni