Hello all!

For anyone who knows me, I don't drive [yet!] so my bicycle has been somewhat of a lifesaver for getting out and about and to work on a daily basis. Cycling through the winter months is pretty tough, so my bike usually gets relegated to the garden in favour of lazy train rides! The last winer took its toll on the old girl, so I was inspired to give her a makeover this summer!

Regrettably, I didn't take many shots of the process given that it was a very spontaneous process! I replaced the chain, the grips, brakes and gave her a lick of paint! Here's a before and after shot of my bike who I have now christened Tango!

I've learnt a lot from the process...

1. Spiders enjoy making a home in the most usual nooks and crannies.
2. A £20 budget can go a long way to give a bike a new lease of life.
3. And most importantly, that spray paint sure can travel... it. got. everywhere. 

I hope you like Tango! Since this picture i purchased a gel seat to guarantee maximum butt comfort!

xoxo

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Hello blogsville,

I'm excited to finally share some handmade crafts for our upcoming wedding! 

[53 days and counting...]

I wanted to use my skill set to add that special touch to a few details in the wedding scheme, so far I've made my invitations, handmade custom decorations including a 3D guestbook and I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve...

It's in this very overdue post that i'd like to share my hand-embroidered table numbers! The 6" hoops have been sprayed gold, I freehand embroidered the numbers in coral and embellished with sparkly thread to make the numbers pop! I finished each hoop with gold and coral sequins and backed with white felt for a professional finish. 

[Note to self - hot glue guns and wine aren't a winning combination]

Here's the full collection together, shot by my very talented friend Nat, and some close ups to show the some of the detail. I hope you like, I can't reveal how I'm presenting them until the big day!

Keep your eyes peeled for more wedding spoilers! 

N x

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Good evening all!

It's safe to say we are well into Autumn, which i think is my favourite month! So far we've had many days of early morning sunshine and a touch of frost in the air which is a winning combination when walking to work!

A lovely colleague gave me a ball of Mondial Express wool in a stunning mustard blend, the concept being that you knit the snood or scarf with your arms!

As always, I broke the rules and decided to knit the yarn with my biggest needles for a closer knit. I like the 'baggy' snood look but really wanted something closer to the neck. I took a gamble and knit the full ball on size 20 needles starting with 7 stitches wide... then soon realised that it would end up looking more like a pillow front!

*Unravel*... Restarting with only 5 stitches gave me the extra length I needed to complete the snood! I decided to finish the snood by darning the opposite ends together to give a natural fold in finished piece. I do love a project that comes together in an evening.

Ta Da! I hope you like :)

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Happy Saturday!

This weekend, i'm devoting my time to the boring things in life.. spring cleaning, washing and bill paying - so i thought i'd write a cheeky post to keep me sane!

Over the past few weeks, me and a few friends have decided to start looking into selling on Etsy, the plan is to sell digi's and a few cards. It's not really about the money, but a reason to motivate me to be create - like this blog!

About a month ago we attended a seminar about how it all works, we got so much helpful advice and met some lovely creative people! We are officially NEWBEE's! In terms of the shop, i've managed to secure a name, and from here it's all about research and the artwork.

Here's me, looking rather unattractive... I guess this is my 'thoughtful' face...

Last Thursday I attended the Etsy Manchester Supplies Swap - which was really good! I recently cleared out my craft stash when i revamped my craft space, so i didn't think i'd have much to swap - but boy was i wrong! I had bits of yarn, fabric and mainly card blanks etc. that were neither use nor ornament and i think they went down a storm!

Here are the bits and bobs that i managed to get my mitts on, I'm not entirely sure what to do with the fabric or feathers for that matter... i love a challenge!

I'm off to make a card with my lovely new Amy Tangerine paper stack! <3

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After a rather stressful trip to IKEA and several nights of intense organisation, i can proudly say that my new creative space is here!

There's still work to be done [some things have literally been lashed in a draw] but i'm positive that things will find their natural order.

Drum roll please...

Ta Da!
This setup is a custom desk built from two ALEX drawer units, with a super-long table top. Plus two thin BILLY bookcases either side for my ever increasing book collection.

The actual units were too long to fit in the car... and Helyer [Mon cheri] cut himself and bled all over the boxes.. i then had to schlep them back in and pay for home delivery. I then had a fight with a screwdriver during assembly... he won. Hence the title of this blog!

The desk seats two - so me and my better half can work together... until he gets sick of me asking him to pass me things from the draws. The plan is to use the right side for crafting, and the left for design / editing computer nonsense!

I've strung some twine between the bookcases to act as 'a washing line of inspiration', if you will...

My snug book collection..

My not-so-organised drawers...

And finally a little something i made for my new space using new scrapbooking papers I got from Hey Little Magpie!

Let the crafting commence! 

N x

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I well and truly caught the sewing bug some years ago. As my Grandma is an accomplished seamstress and my mum is a casual sewer there was little chance that i wouldn't follow suit.

I studied textiles at college and made a few pieces of clothing here and there. It's something i always come back to when i have time!

Tuning in to the sewing bee with a few rums was the catalyst for starting this blanket! Although to be fair, there's not a lot i won't do after a few rums.

I've since bought fabric and wadding to finish this beauty - and i have a special little lady in mind to give it to!

Let's hope i finish it within the year...

N x

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Evening all,

The best thing about working in a crafty environment is working with some truly lovely creative people. I think I certainly learn more nattering to my friends and colleagues than watching TV...

My lovely new friend Aimes, *SHOUT OUT* introduced me to a stamping brand very dear to her heart, Clearly Besotted! And i soon learnt how amazing the owner & creator Stephanie is!

I'm besotted, and whenever i get chance to make a cheeky card, i find myself reaching for their stash!

I hope you like my latest make - Patterned papers + Clearly Besotted + Wink of Stella <3

Planning to attack IKEA at the weekend for my dream craft space... wish me [+ my credit card] luck!

N x

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My bad... it's been rather a few days since i last posted anything.

I promise i was off being creative elsewhere! I'm actually in the process of designing some digi stamps so i've been drawing [like a 7 year old child]

This evening i decided to have a play with my IndigoBlu metallic paints and the end of a pencil, trying to create unusual textures, and this is what happened.

I think this card is a perfect quick fix [minus the time it takes to dry!]

I hope you like!

N x

p.s Day 16 without sugar in my tea.. still missing it.

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Here is my first creative entry, a cheeky little card made with a Unity stamp set which has been sat in my draw for months! I am happy to say that my more recent card makes have been more colourful, as a bit of a goth colour can be a scary thing... Hope you like!

Toodle pip!

N x

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...Me!

I am Natalie, a so-called creative who has somewhat fallen off the wagon.

I shall keep this short and sweet - I haven't blogged since i finished Uni a few years ago *insert excuse*.

This is my vow to immerse myself in as many arts and crafts as possible no matter how obscure to feed my creative soul!

Prepare your eyeballs for photography, card making, painting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, up-cycling!

*famous last words*


N x

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