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

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

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….

So that’s it for now. Lots more planning and exciting news to come.

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx
Continue reading “It’s All About Getting Organised !” →

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

Busy Behind The Scenes!

Hi everyone,

I’ve not had chance to blog for a few weeks, things have been a bit hectic here.

My son started the summer holidays by dislocating his knee. He been very brave and in a lot of pain, so everything else took a back seat.

The Lie of the Land exhibition start on the 16th August so my piece has been packed and shipped to join the exhibition at Bishops Castle. I’m slightly nervous as this will be my first exhibition with the group. If your near or passing pop in and have a look.

I’m also getting ready for Melbourne Festival which takes place 16th and 17th September. I’ll be located at 52 Blanche Croft. I’ve still got a few pieces at the framers but a couple have already been returned ….

At the moment I’m concentrating on my hand stitched botanical fabric journal.

im using upcyled and vintage fabrics, lace and threads. I’ve still got plenty to stitch but I’m making good progress…

My latest workshop in the Sewing Studio was the extremely popular, free motion for beginners workshop. I was joined by four lovely ladies who were eager to get to grips with free motion stitching.

I love this workshop, it’s fun, creative, inspiring and everyone leaves feeling very proud and rightly so……

I organising more workshops in free motion and many more in textile art and quilting very soon.

I promise to blog more often, I’ve got to learn time management I think 🙂

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

Learning is always my therapy!!!!!

I love coursework……. learning new techniques and methods is a great way to stay intrigued.

At the moment I’m nearing the end of a City & Guilds Level 3 in Design and Stitch with Sian Martin at Distant Stitch.

The module I’m working through at the moment is named Textures in Landscapes.

I’m working my way through stitching textured samples which is great fun and addictive.

But I’m also taking part in the new course, Exploring Textures with Sue Stone. I’m finding this very relaxing and therapeutic. Using basic hand stitching and threads to make samples………….

On a personal note, I’ve been stitching and thread painting landscapes…..

still needs to go off to the framers

hopefully over the next week or so I’ll be planning which pieces are coming along to Melbourne Art Festiva.

have a lovely weekend

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

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..

…