Hey there, can you introduce yourself?

I am the author of My Handmade Wedding. I currently work as a Graphic Designer and have a keen interest in crafts such as knitting and paper craft.
I hand crafted several items for my wedding in 2013 and was approached by Search Press to write a book about all the items I created for the big day. I wanted to bring to life a simple and personal day that was like a 1950's Summer fete.

Tell us a bit about the book?

The book is a comprehensive guide to creating your own special day. It covers the planning and time management of the whole process as well as how to approach a hand crafted day.
The projects cover all aspects of the day from the invites right through to the reception decoration. You can create your stationary, accessorize your bridal party as well as decorate your ceremony and the reception. It includes projects such as paper invites, fabric hair flowers and veils, paper bouquets and button holes, bunting, paper flowers, paper pom poms, candle favours, confetti and much more. All of the projects have hints and tips on how to keep costs down and how to recycle scrap items into beautiful decorations.

What was the inspiration behind it?

My inspiration was to create a really unique and personal wedding. We both loved friends weddings that were really low key and had a relaxed home made feel to them, under marquees in the garden, with bunting, picked garden flowers, hog roasts and salads.

I am a graphic designer for Search Press so I am surrounded by beautiful crafts all day long. This too provided lots of ideas and inspiration to hand make many items. I would sit at lunch times and open out pom poms and print out invites and orders of service. It fascinated people with what I was doing and how I crammed it into my spare time. It was often joked about doing a book but it wasn't until a few colleagues came to the wedding and saw the effect I had created on the day that they seriously thought about the book potential - a few months later I was commissioned.

Which is your favourite project?

The pom poms. They are super simple and have soo many variations to create different effects. They are versatile and fill large spaces really quickly and cheaply.

What is your craft space like?

My craft space at home doesn't exist. Everything is in boxes as I don't have the space to have it out all the time!

Have you always been creative?

Yes. I did lots of drawing as a child and have quite a creative family. My dad is incredibly creative and will put his hand to anything - he helped to make many items for the day, including the tin lanterns. My mum is also very crafty and does a lot of sewing and patchwork. She made the fabric items for the day.

When did you first start crafting?

I think I starting seriously crafting after joining Search Press. Craft is so addictive when you are surrounded by it so much. I started with knitting and my first item was a baby blanket for my niece.

Who are your crafty heroes?

I not really sure I have any. I love colour so that is generally what draws my attention. I really want to start crocheting at the moment as we have some really beautiful blankets and hats going through at work.

Where do you find inspiration?

I love pinterest, but again I am surrounded by craft all day long at work, so I get to see all the new trends come in. The publicity manager shares my love of colour so she often comes over with the latest craft magazines that have something gorgeous in them.

What's next for you?

Well, again there have been several jokes about a little series of 'My Handmade' books - but nothing confirmed. I need some time to rest after such a mammoth project. I am happy working hard and crafting lovely items for my home.