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

 

Comments

[Koala (Natalia)]

It's great to hear you, Anni :-) Please, take care and have more time for your-self, we'll be patiently waiting for your new projects :-)))
Your new quilt is gorgeous! Will there be a kit for this one?

[Kris Young]

It's good to have you back, Anni!! I truly know how hectic life can get!!! Hope 2012 is your best one yet!! Kris

[Terry]

It's hard to slow down when life gets crazy like that, but finding a balance is so important. I'm glad you're able to do that. And I love the new quilt! :0)

[Tatkis]

Your year was certainly very busy!
And this Chocolate (mmmm :) )quilt is so beautiful!!

Hugs,
Tatyana

[Leeanne]

Hi !!! Your quilt is so different from what i am use to seeing you make, but it is lovely.

[Maria do Carmo Pezzuto]

FELIZ ANO NOVO!!!FELIZ ANO TODO!!!É isso mesmo às vezes temos que retroceder,e ou pisar no freio devagar,não parar,diminuir no engarrafamento,seguir com confiança e perseverança.Fique com DEUS.Beijos.

[Heather Brown]

Understand....high achieving women have a habit of setting the bar very high for themselves in terms of achievement..... fabulous it it but it is very tiring when it all catches up..... good on you that you've done that thinking about direction....you now have to be strong and say no to yourself and others when there is the temptation to revert to those same busy doing things....that don't fit the new direction..... we are sometimes our own worst enemies whilst being our own best friend.

[Ondrea]

Annie, please take time to smell the roses this year. We cannot care for others if we do not care for ourselves. Having said that, I do love your fabric range which I recently purchased and am so glad you took time to get that designed, printed and released. Same with your books. Enjoy this year.

[Jo in Tas]

Sounds like 2011 was choc full for you, and it sounds like 2012 has kicked off very busy too! I hope you get time for yourself this year Annie, you deserve some "ME" time just like everybody else.
HUgs
Jo

[SandyN]

Anni... You deserve a break and time out. Hope you start to feel "human" again...

Hugs...

Sandyn

[Satu]

Hi Anni, you have given to us (atleast to me) so much in these past few years... I think YOU and just YOU really deserve some ME time! Enjoy this year more than the last one;o)

[Patricia]

Oohh! This quilt is spectacular, grandiose, awesoome...

[pauline]

Hi annie.I hear you when you say step back..but its not always easy is it? as we get older, it is sooooooo important....love your new quilt and all you do..but please do what Ondrea says..take time to smell the roses..if not..its all in vain...have a great 2012..but please slow down..we want to see you here for a few years yet..even if its a while in between....lol...

[Sue from Cyprus]

Glad you are back Anni. Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers! Just make sure your feet touch the ground this year and don't commit yourself to too much.

By the way Anni, I thought the Henry Glass giveaway was a separate giveaway. Each designer was contributing to that giveaway, but each designer was having their own personal giveaway aswell. Maybe I got it wrong but I when I read the other designers blogs, they had separate ones aswell.

[maree]

Lovely to hear from you and Glad to hear you have taken a step back us Mum's and Business Woman need to do that from time to time..
Love your New Quilt..
cheers

[Deb R]

Great to hear you have taken time for yourself, Enjoy it for as long as you can...love the colours in the new quilt. Keep smiling
Deb :)

[Le rat des fils]

"Chocolate wheel" that is a delicious name for a beautiful quilt, and a guarantee of no calorie.
A style and colours different from your usual patterns but I love it.
Snowy kisses from France.

[Cardygirl]

Love that choccy delight! Take care of yourself... X

[audrey]

Hi Anni,
I am sooooo glad all is okay; I was one of "those" people who had every intention of emailing to see how you were but just didn't quite get there - I think I am at that point when you said "enough"!! Some major changes need to be made... looking forward to a wonderful year of your creations (feel free to take your time, I need to catch up!) Smiles x

[Roslyn]

Dear Anni - your designs and patterns provide so much delight and inspiration for others it is only fair that some of that joy comes back to you..so enjoy a year of happiness with your family and friends, and rest assured that all of us fans of your work will continue to appreciate all the love and perspiration that goes in to your wonderful designs (:>)

[Lenna Green]

We all need to remember from time to time that life is not an emergency.It should not be a race to the finish, even though it feels like it at times.Take time out for yourself and your family, because that is the really important stuff.
Hiding under a rock for a while is good for the soul.

[Sheila]

Missed you on our annual trip to Bathurst. Hope 2012 is more relaxed Take care
Sheila

[chris Klein]

Hi Annie, so glad your still in the land of the living (just !!). Us girls just have to learn to say NO! Not easy though when you want to please everyone. Hope you can slow down. Wish I could send you my cleaning and ironing fairies but they've been very slack-you just can't rely on them. You have to laugh. Love your choc quilt,yummy. Keep smiling. XX Chris Klein

[Helene Glaes]

So wonderful.... You are so fantastic...

[Chookyblue]

love this quilt Anni........goodluck for 2012...........hope things settle down for you........but you never know what is around the corner so enjoy each day for what it is........