Derbyshire Open Arts…… This Weekend

Good Morning Everyone,

So it’s finally here……Derbyshire Open Arts starts Saturday and runs until the 4th June.

Its been manic preparing for the events but I’m finally near the end.

Saturday the shop will be open 9-4pm unfortunately I won’t be there for most of the day. However I’m here Sunday and Monday -10-3pm to meet visitors to chat about my inspirations, methods and techniques.

Hope to see you there..

…

Doodles

So this week I’ve carried on with the inspiration from the garden centre….

A lazy afternoon pottering around a garden centre has been so inspiration to me.

I find that doodling out designs and ideas really help me to decided which processes will work…….however it doesn’t work at all the time 🙂 and I’m not great at drawing.

However I try my best and here’s my version ……

Drawing it out also helps decided where to stitch and how to stitch.

Using Calico I thread sketch the outlines of the design and then I rummage through batik and hand dyed fabrics to audition them.

Freemotion embroidery, raw edge appliqué, thread painting, quilting and six hours later……

It still needs a frame before it goes on display at Derbyshire Open Arts on the 27th May until 4th June.

My work will be displayed at Simply Needlecraft Haberdashery, 64-66 High Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

For details are on my website and http://www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk/

Sometimes I admit it’s nice to spend some time stitching smaller projects and having a doodle with stitch. So for a break I made some greeting cards and using scraps of fabrics …….

Last weekend I exhibited at Belper Art Trail….

I had a perfect spot on the trail with the lovely ladies at the White Wardrobe.

This week I’ve also had chance to sit down with my diary and plan more workshops in the Sewing Studio at Simply Needlecraft. The workshops cover June and July and offering a various range of processes including quilting, free motion, hand Embroidery and art canvases.

We are very lucky to have another guest tutor with us too.

Rachel Patrick is joining us for a Lace course- a three part Course for beginners.

All details of the workshops are available to view on http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Thanks for reading.

Ami

xxx

Shiny New Blog…..

Hi everyone,

Yes this is a new blog, I’m still blogging over at Simply Needlecraft a Haberdashery but I felt as I’m progressing more as a Textile Artist I really to keep you updated.

So here it is…..

If you don’t already follow me I better introduce myself.

My name is Ami (obviously). I’m 36 years old and live in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire with my hubby, son, Rowley the Beagle and Olivia the Pygmy Hedgehog.

I own Simply Needlecraft Haberdashery and Sewing Studio and I’m a Textile Artist.

My creative journey started in 2011 when I learnt to sew and became addicted to quilting.

Since then I’ve gained City & Guilds certificates in Hand Embroidery and Machine Embroidery – both techniques I use quite heavily in my work.

But at the moment I’m currently heading towards the end of a level three City & Guilds in Design and Stitch with Sian Martin.

I’m part of Midlands Textile Forum, which is full of very talented ladies. I’m honoured to be part of the group and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Art Quilts are my passion and I tend to stick to it but have been known to try different techniques.

All of my past work can be found on http://www.amijamestextileart.com

However now my blog is up and running I can now keep you updated with projects on the go, inspiration, methods and of course the parts that didn’t go to plan.

So this week my inspiration has been…..

Over the weekend we had a visit to Staunton Harold and Ferrers Centre and popped into the garden centre too.

I couldn’t help myself so I ended up taking lots of pics. So this was one of my favourites, the colours and textures are fascinating.

I really find drawing and painting the design out roughly really helps me to think of techniques and steps I need to take to get the design I want……

Two days of fabric dying, cutting and stitching I finally ended with an art quilt I’m happy with…..

I have lots of doodles in my sketch book to plan further floral quilts but time is short at the moment. But it’s definitely something I’ll come back to at a later date.

This week I’ve been in the Sewing Studio teaching Free Motion Embroidery for Beginners.

This is a great class. We start by making samples of different designs using straight and zig zag stitches. At the end of a two hour session they have created masterpieces to take home and gained experience and techniques that hopefully they will go on to use…..