ELAINE ROSE
Editor
Elaine Rose has worked behind the scenes at Express Publications for more than six years, editing projects in Patchwork & Stitching and some for AP&Q. Before becoming the editor of AP&Q, she did most of the technical editing on the magazine’s projects, checking the instructions for accuracy – a task for which you need to enjoy maths.
It’s almost a year since Elaine stepped into the role of Deputy Editor, before becoming the official Editor in September 2008, with issue Vol 17 No 7. Marianne Roberts, who filled this role for four years, is now Deputy Publisher of the Express Publications’ patchwork related magazines.
Elaine’s job entails finding the wonderful projects featured in each issue and ensuring that all the steps it takes to put the magazine together happen in a timely fashion including photography, design, project instructions, advertising and the abundance of stories. Elaine says, “A lot of people are involved in the process of putting together the best magazine possible – many of them behind the scenes – and it’s very rewarding when I see the latest issue on the newsstands. It’s a real team effort!”
“It’s a busy job, but when you get to work with so many talented people and wonderful quilts every day, it hardly seems like work. Our contributors never cease to amaze me with the variety of designs they constantly come up with.”
“Often in the past I’d said, I should be an editor” smiles Elaine, “never imagining at the time that it would happen. I’m one of those people who can spot a spelling mistake a mile off and I don’t enjoy reading something that’s badly written or doesn’t make sense.”
She was a purchasing manager for 15 years before working at Express, so the world of publishing was very new. “I’ve enjoyed learning every step involved in putting together this wonderful magazine and I’m honoured to have this opportunity,” she says. “I’ve never forgotten the day I was first interviewed; walking into the office was like walking into Aladdin’s cave, with quilts and all manner of crafts everywhere. I could have stayed all day!”
Elaine enjoys all styles of patchwork and quilting, her favourite being needleturn appliqué. She’s always got more than one project on the go and a lot more ideas spinning around in her head. Too many ideas, not enough time!
Like Marianne, Elaine began her real journey into quilting with a class at a quilt shop taught by Val Nadin. The class was for a sampler with some pieced blocks and others appliquéd, many of which were completed on the train on the way to her previous job.
Patchwork and quilting mean so many different things to so many people, be it the making, giving or group friendships formed – it’s a great community to be involved in.
Happy Patching,
REBECCA WARE
Editorial Assistant
Rebecca is the newest member of the AP&Q team, and she joins us after recently completing a Bachelor of Media and Communications majoring in Journalism. While at university, she also did a minor in Japanese and is very interested in the culture.
Although she’s not a craft addict – yet – she has a lot of knowledge about it passed on to her by her grandmothers, both of whom were very involved in it. She does have a love for knitting, however, and while she’s not quite a professional, she hopes to upgrade from scarves to something more challenging soon.
At the weekend, you’re likely to find Rebecca at a concert or two, seeing one of her favourite bands. “Music is something that I am extremely passionate about,” she declares, “and hopefully, in the future, I’ll be able to pursue my goal of becoming a music journalist.” At the moment however, she is very excited to be working with the friendly crew at AP&Q. “Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful,” she adds, “I can tell it will be a great place to work!”
