With a Song in your Heart Top Talent

Welcome back to another Top Talent spotlight at Our Creative Corner!

This month we are shining the spotlight on the winner of the 'With a Song in your Heart' Challenge that was hosted by Alison!

Our Creative Corner is so pleased to be welcoming Nikki from A2A-Addicted to Art.  Nikki won the challenge with her beautiful altered bottle and at the same time gave us a wonderful trip down memory lane with a brilliant song!
As usual, before we show you Nikki's stunning creation - let's just spend some time finding out a little bit more about this talented crafter.......


1. Where do you live?
 
     I live in Basingstoke, Hampshire (UK). I have been here for 14 years now although I originate from the Midlands.

2. How/when did you start crafting and blogging?
 
     I started crafting in November last year (2013) and blogging in January (2014) – actually I think my first post was right at the end of December. I remember thinking it strange that I was writing something and no one would see it. I don’t have lots of ‘followers’ but that’s the great thing about challenge blogs like this one, it invites people to see what you do.
 
Although my craft only started a few months ago I have done different forms of art over the years – so I wasn’t new to everything – although I confess I didn’t know what embossing or die cutting was or hadn’t heard of Tim Holtz! I was introduced to it all through a friend I play badminton with when I visited her house to borrow a Halloween costume! Don’t you love how good things come out of the unexpected.


3. Are there particular crafters who inspire you?

    When I started it was the ones on TV – Barbara Gray, Hels Sheridan e.t.c. – then I discovered Tim Holtz and lots of the crafters on blogs like this one. I am always discovering new people but my early inspiration came from (it’s true) Laura Bomber, Alison Bomber and Astrid Maclean. I prefer Vintage, shabby chic, grunge and altered art. I want to start journalling, but have yet to find time. I think Linda Ledbetter put it really well recently on a blog when she was talking about Tim Holtz. This describes wonderfully the sort of craft that inspires me ... 

‘There's such beauty and inspiration in the distressed, 

imperfect, DO-ABLE projects he shares, and for those 

of us who are somewhat cute-impaired, it's incredibly

 freeing to let loose and -- quite literally-- color outside

                                               the lines. I love his grungy, badass aesthetic.’


4. What other things do you draw inspiration from?

    I don’t think I have done anything wildly original yet – I take inspiration from other crafters and merge them together. I would like to think I could be inspired by art. I love (abstract expressionism for example) and nature (I love old trees - their twisted roots and fabulous textures).


5. What's your crafting work area like? And do you work best in clear space or chaos?
 
    It is relatively tidy – I like to keep some order around me – although after a session crafting it tends to end up a little chaotic. I do try to tidy up regularly though and am definitely more comfortable with some sort of order.


6. We would love to know what craft items you can't live without and the items that you wish you had never bought
 
    I cannot make anything without distress inks. I think I would also struggle without some form of embossing / texture paste and a couple of fantastic butterfly punches and matching stamps I have. When I started crafting I bought some cheap stamps, some adhesive, girly ribbon strips and some geometric, brightly coloured patterned papers – nothing wrong with any of them, but probably not my style.


7. How do you spend your time when not crafting?
 
    I work, play badminton, go to the gym and run a little (although it takes a lot of motivation to do either) and the normal things: friends, family and housework (when I have to!).

Nikki is a star in the spotlight today creating such a treat for us all to be inspired by! Take a look..... 

This is amazing Nikki! Such a beautiful work of art and creativity with so many gorgeous rustic details. It has been such an honour to feature you today at Our Creative Corner. 

Thank you for being such a wonderful Top Talent in the spotlight!

     If you want to see more photos and details of this gorgeous creation and how it was made, then please go along to Nikki's blog  A2A-Addicted to Art and say "Hello" - I am sure she would love to see you there!

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Would you like to see your work here in the 'Our Creative Corner' Spotlight?

You could be here as our 'Top Talent' with the spotlight shining on something you have created! 

All you have to do is enter Julia's 'Flaming June' challenge. Dive into bright colours this month and discover the joy of orange!

You could also be one of our Top 3 and there is even the chance to be 

the winner of a super prize kindly donated by Tando Creative... 

  
There is one more week of Julia's challenge left, so why not have fun creating!

    

Happy Crafting!

Laura xxx