Hello on the evening of Twelfth Night, the 6th of January, the day when – traditionally – all the Christmas decorations come down. A neighbour told me on 1 January that she always takes her decorations down on New Year’s Day. I was surprised as I prefer to keep them until the last possible moment! Outside our cottage, we had lights along the walls and over the front door.
We also put lights indoors around a window at the front and at the back of the house. Our small Christmas tree (3 feet high) also had lights on. It all looked pretty during the dark evenings of late December and early January.
However, this is now at new season and it’s time focus on new things, so I thought I’d share with you some plans fort this blog in the coming year and then give you a great textiles book recommendation. How’s that for a new start?
2025 posts on Amanda Jane Textiles will include:
- Tutorials for quilt blocks
- Informative pieces about different tools that are used in the sewing room/textiles studio
- Textile exhibitions, including the Festival of Quilts
- Special projects at specific times of the year
- Textiles book recommendations
So let’s begin. In January I am featuring ‘Stitched Textiles: Nature’ by Stephanie Redfern, published by Search Press, published in 2018. You will notice that this is not an affiliate post. I’m recommending it to you because I love the book.
I initially borrowed this book from my local library, as you can see from the photo but I plan to buy it. I have enjoyed looking at Stephanie’s work since she first began exhibiting at the Festival of Quilts . This book introduces the reader to many of her signature techniques. I learnt from the book that Stephanie trained in ceramics; her designs have a very sculptural feel to them. Here is a better look at the piece shown on the cover:
Stephanie is generous with her knowledge and experience as you can see from the extract below.
I enjoyed the glimpse into multi-layered work formed from decorated surfaces (painted and printed) and embellished with stitch and beads. It is a rich and interesting volume: highly recommended.
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Amanda Jane Textiles 