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