My regular readers are probably sick of this quilt but as it's my biggest (and only) claim to fame and I've just finished a second one (which as we speak is either being judged or packed ready to hang at Western Australia's state quilt festival which starts Wednesday), here it is again for the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side.Last year I was asked if I worked to commission and if I would make a 'Chinese year of the Rabbit baby quilt in pink'. After a lot of brain-wracking and sketching and banging my head against the fabric cupboard door, I came up with a design that would allow me to practise a few techniques I really wanted to learn - raw edge free-motioned applique and trapunto. And it ended up looking something like this...
I say 'something like' because when the original went to its new owner, I decided I wanted one myself to hang on the wall and to enter in QuiltWest - just so I could say I'd entered a quilt in a show. So this is the second Rabbit Tree.
The other part of this story is that when I originally showed it on my blog, I received so many lovely comments, including from Rachel in California who went out and bought the fabric to make a blue version, that somehow, I had the audacity to send a picture off to Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine. The took an entire 3 minutes to email me back and say that they'd love to publish the pattern...
So Rachel pattern-tested it for me and I wrote up my first ever original pattern. AP&Q then asked if they could write a profile on me, I had some pictures taken (including one ridiculous one of me pretending to be naked behind a quilt which my readers suggested - which raised quite a few eyebrows when it actually was published), and lo and behold, in March this year I became a magazine cover girl. :)Even better, my free-motion quilting and design confidence have increased and I'm looking forward to seeing my quilt on display next Saturday at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Which is slightly more scary and intimidating than the Bloggers' Quilt Festival!
If you've stuck with me this long, I'll leave you with a laugh and THAT photo!
24 comments:
Congratulations! I love the way you represented the Chinese Rabbit year. Gorgeous!
Awesome story and beautiful quilt. Good luck in the show!
Very lovely quilt - the bunnies turned out really great!
Hi Laura! I'm so happy to hear that your amazing quilt is in a magazine!!! You have done so great job and the result is the most beautiful and sweet quilt!
Sorry that I haven't been much around lately - I have missed you and your lovely way to write! x Teje
Any excuse to get your kit off!!
I still LOVE this quilt. You did an awesome job on it and it deserves every award it will get. Both versions are amazing!
Congratulations on being published. I'll be at the craft fair on Friday and am looking forward to seeing your fabulous quilt in real life.
:0)
Wow, what an amazing story ! Congratulations !
And that last photo is funny !! lol
The challenge within a quilt always makes it more precious. I love how you quilted this one. Great finish!
I don't know what I love more, your amazing quilt or the story behind it. Love the "naked" photo, too.
wonderful quilt!
Check out my blog if you can...
Margaret Gunn
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
Yep. I realized the second I opened this post that I didn't get back to you about the quilt, but this is the one I would have chosen too. It's great. You SHOULD be proud of it. But now would be a good time ti stop showing us pictures. Unless, of course, it wins at QuiltWest... then you can show it to us one more time.
I lover his quilt no matter how many times I see it. Good luck in the show.
I found you from the Festival. I am not a quilter, but this is stunning.
Great story and your quilt is beautiful!
Congratulations! I'm not surprised your beautiful pattern was snatched up immediately by the magazine! Well done (and super fun nudie shot, too).
Never get tired of seeing your quilt...no matter the excuse. Great to see the story all put together... but there might be another chapter?
I love this quilt! I'm a recent follower and saw you reveal this one-- but I didn't realize it had such a backstory. Wow! This is such a special quilt on so many levels. And it has bunnies. What is not to love here? Thank you so much for sharing! :)
Just beautiful! I have been thinking about making something for my bun in the oven for the year of the dragon, if you come up with a great idea for that too, let me know!! :)
It is lovely and the quilting is so great. And your "naked" photos always make me laugh ;)
The end photos was totally funny. :)
Anyway this is so pleasant and I can get why you had to make a second one for yourself!
I love the detail and the colors...even the colors of the bunnies.
Nicely done.
wow!! it's just fantastic. love your quilt. thanks for sharing and have a great day
Just awesome--hope you win!
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