An interview with Amanda Jane Butler by Cross Stitch Collection magazine. Amanda has been designing for maia and Anchor for the last six years.

When was the last time you looked at a cross stitch design (or artwork) and thought “I wish I’d done that” and what was it?
The last time would have to be at the start of my designing career where things tended to be more trial and error. 

Which designer (or artist) from outside the needlework world influences you the most and why?
The artist which has influenced my the most would have to be my Great Grandad Albert Holt, I was surrounded by his paintings growing up and always wanted to paint as wonderfully as he did.  I also feel my style of designing has been influenced very strongly by not only his style of painting but also from his use of detail to the natural way he used colour to reflect a realistic landscape.

Where do you get your best work done?
In the Anchor/maia design studio.

Desert Island Stitch – you’re allowed six items to help you keep designing/stitching to keep you busy/sane – what are they?
Battery operated radio, tea, pencils, paper, aida, a selection of Anchor threads that I use the most.

Who’s the most important person in the cross stitching world and why?
The Anchor/maia team in general are the most important within the cross stitching world as they successfully contribute to the process of developing a design to maximize its potential to attract the consumer whilst following a traditional and inspirational path.

Tell us about your worst ever design (or painting) or designing disaster?
I do not really consider any design or painting as being the worst ever just that with the more detailed designs there is always something you want to improve upon or maybe change.

What’s the one thing about the cross stitch world you wish you could change?
The fact that it takes so long to do. 

What or who can you not live without when it comes to designing or painting?
I could not live without my contact with the outside world in the form of a radio whilst designing or painting as this not only provides you with up-to-date knowledge of world events but also is a constant supply of different types of music.

What foodstuff is mostly likely to accidentally get dropped or spilled on to your designs or stitching?
A cup of tea, although this would be kept at a substantial distance away from any design or stitching to avoid such accidents.

When did you last stop and think “Wow, that’s amazing!” and what was it that made you do so?
The last time I had to stop and think “Wow, that’s amazing!” was my graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall, June 5th 2009, it signified the end of my Open University degree studies.