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

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

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….