A Bit About Me

I'm planning on interviewing some crafters for this blog in the future so I thought where better to start than either me. I know it sounds odd interviewing myself but I have set some questions to answer for future interviews so here are my answers to those questions.

What inspired you to start crafting, and how did you discover your favourite medium?

I have always crafted in some way. I remember my gran teaching me to knit as a child to start with. I've dabbled in a lot of things over the years. In 2004 I hurt my back at work and was off for quite a while. I was channel hoping one day and came across create and craft. It was back in the days of Alan and Barry. I was inspired to buy my first card making kit and the rest they say is history.

Can you share the story behind one of your most meaningful or memorable projects?

The memorial scrapbook i am making for our dog Star. She was a very special dog full of unconditional love. She passed away in 2023. I can only work on the scrapbook a little at a time because it still upsets me.

What does your creative process look like, from idea to finished piece?

I get inspiration from all over. I usually start with a kit and decide what to make from it, then it's just a matter of sorting out the papers, embellishments etc before I put it all together.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs or projects?

All over. I find things on the internet that inspire me. I like to travel and take inspiration from places I have visited. You may notice from my kits I am hugely inspired by my love of Italy 🇮🇹 

What tools or materials could you not live without in your crafting journey?

My Brother Scan and Cut

How do you stay motivated and overcome creative block?

When the ideas just won't come i go for a walk. A beautiful walk in the countryside never fails to clear my head.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in crafting?

Go for it

How has crafting impacted your life, either personally or professionally?

In the past few years I have suffered quite a bit with anxiety attacks. I have had periods where it has been difficult to go out of the house because of this. Crafting has helped me enormously. It has helped me to escape my worries for a while. 

Do you have a favourite crafting technique or style that you always return to?.

I quite like doing 3D decoupage. I like cutting out the pieces and seeing the end result when they are put together.

What trends or innovations in the crafting world are you most excited about right now?

Well as a Digital crafter I have to say digital crafting. I mean it's eco friendly because you only print what you need and if you run out of a paper you can just print another. I have all of my kits in USBs so the storage is minimal as well.