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

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

No Stitching Time For Me :( !

Hi everyone,

Its been non stop since I got back from my holiday, hence the lack of blogging.

Two days after I arrived home it I was straight off to Gotham for the Quilters Guild Regional Day. An amazing day filled full of quilting, demonstrations, talks and shopping……… I came away with lots of goodies.

I also become an Area Representative for Region 10. I really excited to part of the guild and it’s an honour to be a representative for them.

Following that I’ve set up a new quilting group in Swadlincote. The Making Memories quilting group will run on the first Monday of every month…..

Shortly after that I joined Sue from Stitchery Stories in a lovely interview which is all about what I’m up to, confidence issues and what the future holds. My podcast will be available from the 4th October and I’ll post the link as soon as I can.

The weekend after I took part in Melbourne Festival. A weekend with artists from all over the country. I met lots of inspirational people and artists. The hosts house was absolutely stunning….

I was joined in the Sewing Studio this week by lovely ladies wanting to master the art of free motion stitching. I’m extremely proud of this workshop and the popularity.

I’ve managed to grab a little bit of time to start updating my Etsy shop….. and I mean a little bit of time as there’s still not a great deal on there but my shop is ……….Textile and Yarn

but here’s a little look what’s available

So after all of that I’ve had no time to sit down and get creative…..I’m feeling that needs to change quickly. This is a far as I’ve got …….. I didn’t even thread my machine but at least it’s ready to go ……

Thanks for reading me waffling on, I really appreciate everyone’s support.

Ami

xxx

Bishops Castle Lie of the Land Exhibition

Hi everyone,

Yes my first exhibition with Midlands Textile Forum started yesterday at Bishops Castle. I’m so excited to be part of this and I’m hoping to get to see it soon….

I had such a fantastic week last week. On Thursday we made the journey to the International Festival of Quilts where two groups of my sewing students entered.

I’m pleased to say both groups did amazingly well, the theme was ‘free’. The younger primary school aged group made a quilt of hot air balloons and kites and named it ‘Up, up & away. They received a highly commended.

My older group of secondary school ages made a 4 panelled quilt called ‘ Natures Wardrobe’. They won 3rd place.

I’m so proud of them ❤️

I’ve been busy hand stitching recently. I bit different for me and a break from machine stitching.

Thread painted landscape. This is a hand stitched version of my machined landscape.

And I finished my botanical fabric journal. I’ve loved making this sample book ready for my new workshop dates. Made from vintage fabrics, lace and threads and inspiration from garden centres and countryside.

All of my new workshop dates are now on the Haberdashery website, all dates, times, details and booking is available to see. Places are filling extremely quick…….Please see here

Its been a busy time and I haven’t managed to catch up on coursework so that’s the next task……hopefully.

thanks for reading

Ami

xxx