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 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

I’m Back Behind My Sewing Machine

Hi everyone,

At last I’m back where I feel most comfortable…… behind my sewing machine getting relaxed by stitching.

I always roughly draw up a design and plan……..however 9 times out of 10 it never looks like the original idea 🙂

I’m focusing on landscapes at the moment …. so I’ve started stitching, with plenty more to do.

It’s been a hectic few weeks as Derbyshire Open Arts took place and the shop became a gallery…..

I’ve been busy preparing for the Midlands Textile Forum exhibition at Bishops Castle in August. The subject is ‘Lie of the Land. My piece in the exhibition is called ‘Mother Earth’. It still needs mounting and framing though…….

Some extra news –

I will be exhibiting at Melbourne Festival, Derbyshire in September which I’m very excited about. It’s a fantastic festival.

Melbourne Festival

and i’ll also be at Bank Mills Studios in Derby 24th – 26th November

http://www.evolvederby.co.uk/os2017

I’ve managed to take some time off this week and carrying on with the landscape theme I decided to go a walk in the woodland national forest close to our house. I’m not the best at drawing without a visual example so it best for me to take photo,s……..

I’m planning on having a calmer week next week so I can get plenty of coursework and stitching done……..fingers crossed. I’ll let you know how I get on 🙂

Thank you for reading

Ami

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