Hi Ananda's Designs!
First and foremost, I must tell you that I absolutely love your appliscape designs, along with your Euro Cafe Collection. Not only are they lovely, they stitch out beautifully too! I'm often told that my Janome 200E and Janome 350E embroidery machines can't do what the faster and larger machines can do. Perhaps far too slow, but I am more than happy working with these machines and as you can see by the photo of the Southern States appliscape (shown on the inspiration page) I can obtain beautiful designs with these relatively inexpensive machines. That's not to suggest that I wouldn't love to own a faster and better machine:), but for now, I'm delighted with the results I can achieve with these machines.
Back to your lovely designs... I have purchased 9 of your Appliscape Sets, your Euro Cafe complete collection as well as a few other designs. Though I haven't found the time to stitch them all out, I am sending a picture of one of the sets that I have managed to complete. This was my first appliscape stitched out. Very little thought and planning went into my fabric and thread color choices... as you can see, it still finished up beautifully.
I hope to eventually complete an entire collection of market tote bags using both your appliscape and Euro Cafe designs and a set of table place mats using your appliscape sets. They are sure to be fabulous conversation pieces at the table and with so many cultural scenes, there will be a place mat that everyone can relate and perhaps bring back fond memories of family heritage, vacations, etc., making for very interesting conversation.
I can't thank you enough for the lovely designs and keep of the fantastic work! My kindest regards, Susan Spatone
Just finished this shirt using the Exotic Birds set and thought I would send it to your gallery for consideration. I started it way back when I first bought the designs then is hung in my unfinished closet until just a couple weeks ago. I love this set and it was a good use for some of the fabrics I have collected over the years. Started out trying to pick fabrics that I thought looked good together but decided that about any combination looked fine once it was stitched. Great set of designs!!!!!!!!! Janet Shurt
I just went on your site this morning to take a peek and I see that you have added a new one, Gardens of India. I just wanted to tell you that you have the most beautiful designs. I just got my embroidery machine last summer and I ordered the Mexican Garden from you. I was really my first design to do on my machine other than just some practice designs to get familiar with my machine. I really didn't know what I was doing but I jumped right in and it came out beautiful. Since then I have ordered several more and looking forward to doing them all. I have finished the Mexican Garden, Waterworld and just completed the Japanese Garden. So far I have made them all into wall hangings. Your designs are very, very beautiful. Your instructions are great. I have ordered some other designs from others on SecretsOf website and the instructions are as detailed as yours. You get a big fat "A" in my book. Thank you so much for all the inspiration. I could do your Appliscapes forever.....so far I haven't done much else with my machine but your artwork. Thanks again, Lynne Rue Fryhoff, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Hello, I bought "Tropical Rainforest" and "Oriental Garden" last month, and I would just like to say that I think they are wonderful. I gave the Oriental garden to my mother for her birthday and she wants to show it at a fair. Everyboy who sees them think they are just lovely. I'll buy more when my april salary comes in and I am really looking forward to the rest of the "Gardens". Best wishes from Randi Hopland, Norway
Thanks so much for creating the new Oriental Garden appliscape. It is absolutely beautiful. Many years ago, my brother visited San Francisco and has been interested in this type of artwork ever since. I will be giving him this made up as a wall hanging for Christmas. I can't believe I have a plan for his gift this far in advance. I thank you. Karen
I would like to contact Ananda Smith in New Zealand to compliment her on her Appliscape designs. I am so enjoying them and wanted to let her know. Please tell her to keep them coming. She does a great job! Judy Klep
Dear Ananda, A few days ago I bought the Oriental Garden Appliscape.It is finished & I had a wonderful time. This is very dangerous as it is so addictive. I just wanted to keep going & forget meals etc. Also they need only a little fabric, just little scraps that most "quilters" have put by. Your digitizing & instructions were wonderful. I just wanted to thank you for doing such a great job. I hope to buy another one soon. Your Fan! Arlene Rose
I am addicted to the appliscapes, they are so easy, and turned out beautifully, any more coming up? Oh please say yes, making some into Christmas gift cushions, they are a total addiction. Jackie
Would you please pass on to Ananda my appreciation of her lovely appliscapes. I recently purchased 4 of them and have stitched out the Victorian and Christmas ones - boy are they lovely. A lot of work but well worth it especially the Christmas one - it is exquisite and I can't stop looking at it! Must have take heaps of time to digitize as it is so very intricate. The appliscapes are just so different from what is currently around and I got a lot of enjoyment out of stitching my first 2. Best wishes to Ananda. Robyn
