Focus On... Laura Amiss! {And A Giveaway!}

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Laura Amiss is a purveyor of magic. In her shop, she stocks a world of whimsy and color, texture and fun. Her work ranges from large, stitched canvases to very affordable prints. Laura has so graciously agreed to an interview and giveaway, so read on to enter!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

My name is Laura, I am English but I have called Amsterdam The Netherlands home for the last seven years, I live here with my husband and two children. I studied Textiles in London and I now work as a freelance illustrator and maker.

{city living - stitched print}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

 I mainly use textiles, producing appliqued illustrations and drawings. I suppose I draw with my sewing machine. I have always enjoyed mixed media art work. It was quite early on in my studies that I really became hooked on textiles. I love the physicality of working with textiles and have always been interested in it's language and history. 

{canal houses stitched print}

What made you decide to sell on etsy? 

A friend told me about Etsy two years ago. I was trying to find a way I could make and sell the work I wanted to make. I had children aged one and two and also wanted the flexibility of working from home and just being a little more available for them. I LOVE Etsy, the past year has been amazing, it was a bit of a step in to the dark and I still work very hard at it, but I found it very rewarding. 

{never enough print}

Where do you get your inspiration?

 I really enjoy putting colors together, often a piece can begin with color rather than an image. I love 1950s fashion illustrations and have recently been interested in exploring old proverbs and poetry and seeing how I can translate them visually. The titles of my pieces are important, I sometimes think I should stitch them on to the canvas. Drawing forms a crucial part of my work and inspiration, I have been trying to dedicate half an hour to sketching before I go to bed. Above all, for my most recent set of work I wanted to make people smile and be able to relate to the image easily.

{scattered showers A4 print}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

 I usually listen to BBC Radio 4, not living in my native country I some times makes me crave very English things which radio 4 is! If it is music I am listening to band called The XX, also very English ;-)

{paris, latin quarter A3 print}

When it's cold outside... 

I like a hot cup of tea.

{happy tears}

When I'm hungry...

I like carrot cake.

{this way and that}

When I need a boost... 

cafe late (I am a coffee junky)

{little house on the hill A3 print}

I wish I was/were... 

a little closer to my Mum who lives in England.

{teapots A4 print}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... 

'When I was young', childrens poetry by A.A Milne.

{bloemgracht stitched print}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... 
Frida Kahlo.

{when will it stop?}

If you were an animal, what would you be?
A cat.

{down my street stitched print}

What's your favorite piece of your own?
One of my 'But I was different'

{i was different}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?
I really like 'Smile and Wave', with two children the same age as Rachel I can relate to her. I enjoy Loveology (a Dutch based blogger) and I am a bit addicted to Bloesem (also Dutch!)

{doily dreaming}

You can find Laura Amiss
on facebook, 
on her website,
and on etsy!

Laura has graciously offered up any print in an A2 or A3 size for one lucky winner!
{This is up to a $70 value with shipping!}

{windy day}

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. - 

First entry (mandatory):

- Visit Laura Amiss, select your favorite item and tell me about it.

Extra entries (optional):

- Like Laura Amiss on Facebook.

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link. 

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time February 9, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on February 10, 2010 and will be emailed promptly.