Busy Times !

Hi everyone,

It’s been such a busy time for me recently, with lots of things going on.

So a quick catch up with you.

I went live on the Sewing Quarter a few weeks ago. A big thank you to Derek and the team for making me feel so welcome.

A few days after it was time for the Festival of Quilts. Absolutely amazing, thank you to everyone that came on my workshops and came to say hello. I’m looking forward to next year already 🙂

And then some of my favourite Quilts …….

Then I went on a relaxing holiday to Cape Verde. A stunning island with a beautiful sunset and friendly people 😍

I arrived home to a delivery of the Autumn edition of Art Quilting Studios magazine from America, with my rags to riches article in ….

My workshops and classes start again on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to seeing the kids. I’ll be planning the rest of the years workshops next week so I’ll keep you updated.

I’ll be exhibiting at Melbourne Art festival so please come and say hello if your nearby.

Also the tickets for the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show have now gone on sale. You can book entry and workshop tickets here…..https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/harrogate/

That’s it for now,

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

Busy Getting Ready For The Festival of Quilts

Hi everyone,

I’m busy preparing for my workshops for the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham’s NEC in August. There’s still time to get tickets Here

The workshop will be about Botanical stitching using vintage fabrics and trimmings …..

I’ve been busy organising Swadlincote Art Trail but event time is finally here….if your near by make sure you come and visit…

But I have been working on a few bits in between.

Free Motion and raw edge appliqué……kit coming soon……

And thread paintings which have just gone off to be framed ……

Ive also had a trip over to Birmingham to visit the Sewing Quarter. Watch this space ……

And a lovely surprise from Madeira Threads, a big box of threads. I always use Madeira threads in all of work, the quality and colour ranges are the best, so a big thank you.

Anyway that’s it for now. Thanks for reading

Ami

Xxx

Teaching, Competitions, New Work & a Skydive 😬

Hi everyone,

Again it’s been a busy time and i’m just constantly playing catch-up BUT I have finally got around to organising future workshops at the Sewing Studio. All dates are now online Here

Theres lots of the regular workshops plus some new ones as well.

I just love teaching and I’m really looking forward to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC Birmingham this year as I’m there for three days teaching. You can book via ticketmaster https://www.theticketfactory.com/thefestivalofquilts

I’m please to say I’ll be teaching at the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show in November too. I’ll let you know the booking info as soon as I have it.

So the last bank holiday (the extremely hot bank holiday) I took part in Belper Art Trail. It’s always a great event and again I met lots of lovely people and talented artists. Thank you to everyone that came to see me.

My new kits are now available on Etsy. Both have been tested rigorously to make sure they are easy to understand and produces great results. My art quilt hare is a great way to use up scraps and a project you could adapt to put you own stamp on it. The memory box kit is a relaxing project which get addictive.

My Etsy shop

At the moment I’m just finishing quilts to enter in the Festival of Quilts competition.

Lastly, something very close to me.

I’m doing a skydive in July along with a friend. We’re are raising money for Mind, a charity that continues to help and highlight mental health issues.

I don’t like asking for money but please sponsor us 😘

Skydive for Mind

Thank you for reading

Ami

xxx

Times flies……and then you realise you haven’t blogged for a month.

Hi everyone……..I’m still alive.

yet again it’s been a busy time, lots going on and by the time I come to blog I’m either to tired or just sleep 😂

Anyway at the moment I’m stuck upstairs whilst we have a new floor fitted downstairs (long story……huge leak) so now it’s the perfect time to sit and tell you what I’ve been up to.

Since the last blog post I’ve been exhibiting with the Midlands Textile Forum back in March at the Sewing for Pleasure Show at Birmingham’s NEC. The theme……’Equality’

I’ve been busy in the Sewing Studio with different workshops taking place.

patchwork cushions….

Rag bags….

And the Free Motion Workshop…..

I managed to fit a bit of coursework time in along the way…..

I’ve also had time finally to write up the instructions for my art quilt hare, these aren’t on my website as yet but will be very soon.

It’s was the Quilt and Stitch Show last Sunday. We went along because me and two other friends entered the themed category. We didn’t win but I’m very proud of them…..

Being so busy it’s nice to go somewhere nice on our day off. We’re lucky we’re on the edge of the national forest and also some many National Trust sites.

So this month we’ve made it to Sudbury Hall and Haddon Hall. Both in Derbyshire, both stunning and very inspiring….

So so what’s coming up next……

we’ll firstly it’s Belper Art Trail https://www.belperarts.org/ Continue reading “Times flies……and then you realise you haven’t blogged for a month.” →

A Grey Day Again :(

Hi everyone,

I’m really looking forward to the warmer weather now…..Winter seems to have been so long this time.

On the plus side it’s perfect weather to stay at home and sit behind the sewing machine.

My current project is a kaleidoscope quilt that has been ongoing for a few months. It’s all on my design wall but still needs to be pieced together…..

I’ve been working on it in between other projects. I’ve been thread painting on my new machine to see how it copes, plus I find it very relaxing and addictive……

If you’re visiting the Creative Craft Show – Sewing for Pleasure at Birmingham NEC this week, I have a few bits on display as part of the Midlands Textile Forums exhibition. We’re on stand L30, I’ll be there on the stand on Sunday morning. If your there please come and say hello 😘

I’m excited to say I’ll be teaching at the Festival of Quilts this year. I’ll be there for three days – Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets go on sale on the 9th April for guild members and the 16th April for non members….

I’ve had some lovely feedback about my memory box kits and photos of finished boxes……

My kits are available from my website – https://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/store/p53/Memory%2FTrinket_Box_Full_Kit_.html

and also all of my workshop dates in the Sewing Studio- https://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

Thank you for reading, I hope to see you when I’m out and about.

Ami

xxx

Grabbing 5 Minutes Whilst Poppy is Sleeping!

Hi everyone,

I’m taking advantage of Poppy sleeping as she likes to type 😂🙄

Its been a busy time here as usual with lots going on.

Workshops over the last couple of weeks have included beginners sewing, Free Motion Embroidery and Vintage Botanical Fabric Journals…….

All of my workshops dates and craft groups info are available Here

My new kits have gone on sale. They contain everything you need to need the trinket box. Here….

I’ve been really busy in my new sewing room at home. It’s taking some getting used to having a space to sew however it’s getting in a creative mess already.

I finished my entry to the Uttoexter Quilt Show. The themed category is Myths and Fantasies and mine is named Excalibur …..

I’ve also finished my fabric, stitched collage called Northern Lights…..

And I’ve made a start on the quilt entry for the Festival of Quilts in August…… only made a start though…..

In between all of that I’ve dropped of a few bits of work to Banks Mills Studios Enterprise Centre for their new exhibition…..

And I’ve updated my exhibition dates on my website ……http://Www.amijamestextileart.com

I’ve got a fab competition running over on my Facebook page. I’ve got 5 tickets to give away for entry to the Knitting and Stitching Spring Show Competition

thanks for reading a very rushed blog post …….

Ami

xxx

A Good Start To The Year!

Hi everyone,

It’s the second week into the new year and things are already getting busy.

Workshop bookings are coming in fast which is fantastic. I’m adding new workshops all of the time and you can find them all listed on http://Www.simplyneedlecraft.com

The Knitting & Stitching Show have also released all of the workshop details in March at Olympia Stadium…… so excited to be doing this I’m there for three days now with three workshops times.

https://www.theticketfactory.com/theknittingandstitchingshow-spring/online/?_ga=2.212526684.93495661.1515745898-1140815537.1506413652

My Etsy shop has a sale on throughout January with 15% off everything so please take a look….

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/textilesandyarn?ref=profile_

I’ve found time over the Christmas and New Year break to get stitching.

This first project is an experiment, not only experimenting to techniques but it’s about experimenting on mounting work too. It’s no easy to display textile art so I’m really just playing to see what works best for me…….it’s not finished yet so these are just progress photos…..

The second project I’ve been working on……Trinket/memory boxes made up of uses fragments of vintage materials and threads. I’ve loved making this and I’m turning them into kits for people to try at home…….and Poppy helped as well

Now for some exciting news…

I’m delighted to say I’m an organiser for the new art trail coming soon. Swadlincote Art & Architecture Trail is a two day event taking place on 21st&22nd 2018 in the town centre. We have just put our call out for artists to join us….

Please join us on Facebook to get all the details ……..website is currently being designed.

https://m.facebook.com/Swadlincote-Art-Architecture-Trail-2018-120826111951567/

It’s a busy start to the year but a very exciting one.

Thanks for reading,

Ami

Well What A Year 2017 Has Been For Me !

Hi everyone,

As we’re fast approaching 2018 it’s been nice to sit down and think about my last blog post for the year.

Its been such a fantastic year for me as a Textile Artist. I’ve been busier than ever.

This year I have taken part in Belper Art Trail, Derbyshire Open Arts, Melbourne Festival and Winter Open Studios at Banks Mills Studios in Derby. It’s been a first for me as I’ve have applied to be part of an art event.

I’m looking forward to being a part of these events in 2018

Another first for me is being part of a textile art group. Earlier this year I applied to become part of the textile group – The Midlands Textile Forum. I travelled over to Birmingham for an interview and a few weeks later I became a full exhibiting member of the group.

My first exhibition with them was themed ‘Lie of the Land’ and went on display in Bishops Castle back in August. We have various exhibitions coming up in 2018 …….

I put forward my art quilt – ‘Mother Earth’

In September this year I became the Area Representative of Region 10 for the Quilters Guild. I’m honoured to be part of this and really looking forward to organising and planning events for next year.

Another first for me is being interviewed for a podcast. I delighted to take part in an interview with the lovely Susan from Stitchery Stories. It’s an interview about my whirlwind of a year, confidence issues and what’s next for me http://www.stitcherystories.com/amijames/

The workshops I run in the Sewing Studio have been so busy this year. I’m overwhelmed how quickly the places get booked up. I’ve got so many found memories of them all.

My new dates are available on the website http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

I’m still working on my coursework but not too much more to go. It’s been hard work trying to fit it in but I’m getting there and more importantly I’m really enjoying it.

Everything that has happen this year has opened doors for me next year.

Im really excited to be traveling around to teach. I’ve got some many brilliant venues coming up. Next year starts again with me doing something for the first time but this time it’s…….😊

I’ve really had a fantastic year, everything has been so overwhelming and unbelievable.

Next year looks like it’s going to be just as good.

Thank you for following and reading.

Merry Christmas to you all

Ami

xxx

A Quick Catch-up!

Hi everyone,

Its been a hectic few weeks with events and workshops.

I released some of my new dates for next year last week and I’m amazed how quickly to places are being booked. To see the workshops and dates please go to http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

We’ve had a couple of workshops running this week for botanical stitching and art quilting. I’ve had a wonderful time and I’ve met lovely people. Everyone’s left with a work of art…..

I spent last weekend at the Bank Mills Studio Winter Art Event in Derby. I met so many talented artists and artisans throughout the weekend.

The event ran from Friday night to Sunday and featured 100’s of different types of art. I was absolutely shattered but I loved every minute of it…..

Next week I’ve got a couple of workshops running for hand embroidery and vintage decorations. We’ve got the Making Memories Quilting Group running on Monday evening and the Craft & Chat Christmas meal on Thursday…….

But I’m still managing to work on my coursework……slowly but surely.

I’ve got a busy week coming up but I’m looking forward to every minute.

Thanks for reading ……keep warm.

Ami

xxxx

It’s All About Getting Organised !

Hi everyone,

Its been a hectic few weeks but now things have calmed down and the Haberdashery has closed it’s now time to focus on my work.

I’m about to sit down and plan workshops in the Sewing Studio for next year. I’m also heading out around the country and dates will be announced very soon. I’m really excited and honoured to be attending big events …….watch this space

To make sure you don’t miss out on any workshops at the Sewing Studio please visit http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

On here you’ll be able to join my mailing list by filling in the subscribe box at the top of the page. I promise I do not spam or sell your details. This is used to send you the list of workshops.

Now talking about the Sewing Studio. Since the haberdashery closed its doors the Sewing Studio to me moved around and revamped to fit in everything needed for the workshops.

Luckily I’ve had the A Team to help me. Friends and family have helped me paint, move furniture, hang quilts and organising stock and spaces. Now the Sewing Studio is ready for its new chapter…..

In the middle of all the upheaval I took part in an interview/podcast with Stitchery Stories.

Stitchery Stories is owned by a lady called Susan who is passionate about textile arts. Each week she invites a textile artist to join her in an interview to share their experiences.

You can find my interview here http://www.stitcherystories.com/amijames/

It’s not long now to my last art exhibition of the year.

This time I’m not far away from where I live. It’s the Winter Open Studios at Bank Mills Studio in Derby https://www.banksmill.co.uk/

So I’ve been busy making things small items to go alongside my art quilts……brooch’s, notebooks and Christmas decorations….