Crafty Update

Hey all my Crafting Buddies
Sorry I've been a bit slack with the blog for a couple of weeks. Truth is I have been in bed rather poorly and have been diagnosed with glandular fever ! ooops - the disease of the young ! well I'm still young enough to catch it then !!

Well the excitement of the week is that the new website is due to go live next week ( keep looking for all those special offers ) and as it is the school holidays in Northants next week, our kids craft playscheme starts on Tuesday morning.

Even though I'm sick, any enquiries about last minute places for this can be directed to Davina and Jan at the shop on 0845 362 8511 -

happy crafting

Nat x

Patchwork Day with Dawn Cameron-Dick !!

.... was a HUGE success and a great time was had by all. Thanks to all the ladies who attended Saturday's workshop, and an extra big thank you to Dawn herself for a truly inspirational class on Foundation Paper Piecing. We had a highly successful day learning new and innovative methods to achieve perfect points in our foundation piecing. I particularly enjoyed piecing the New York Beauty Block ( which we are all holding in the pic )

Pictured here are all the ladies including myself and of course Dawn Cameron-Dick: Author, Quilting Teacher and Lecturer. We are hoping to re-book Dawn for a future course later in the year and are now proud to stock in the shop and online a range of Dawn's brand new "Dawn Cameron-Dick" branded patterns.

I particularly love the "Vegetarian Chickens" - watch this space I may even attempt to pieve one !

thanks again to every one for a great crafting day this weekend ! ( especially Jan, who worked in the shop all day for me so that I could attend the workshop !)

Nat x

New Website Launch !!!

Hey Crafting Buddies

sorry the blog has been a little quiet this month !! I must confess I have been working constantly on the product listings and pics for the new website - which hopefully will go live at the end of this month !!

In the meantime, exciting news: we have the New Crafters Companion Rock a Blocks in the shop along with the entire range of Jayne Nestorenko Cute Companions unmounted stamps. If you print this page off the blog and come in before end April 2008 - you can claim 10% off the price of the new stamps ! ( one only per customer please )

Our April Newsletter and workshop list is now out, so if you are not on the mailing list and want a FREE copy please email us at sales@nimblefingers.biz

Thanks - hope you enjoyed a Crafty Easter.

take care

Nat x

The 2nd Fab thing that happened today !

... and the second thing is that the Workshop this afternoon, Keepsake Boards Medley - was a stirling success.

Not only did we sell out and have a waiting list for places, but the medley workshop idea I had of combining the Keepsake Boards to create new and exciting cards, went down a storm. I'm not saying this hasn't been done before.. but it was a new lesson for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety !

Every assured me they had a fantastic time - between us we produced 12 stunning and all very different creations. We had everything from good old Bookatrix to using the new Celebration Board and more.

I am already now taking bookings for the next Keepsake Medley afternoon, which will also include using the BRAND NEW Love Story Board which was launched today !! This workshop is on the afternoon of Wed 20th February from 2pm - 4.30pm and costs just £10 including all materials. If you don't have any keepsake boards of your own, you may borrow some of the many we have instore and still have a fantastic time !!

Happy crafting - and thanks again to all the lovely Ladies who made this afternoon so much fun !

Natalie xx

NEWS ... from Nimble Fingers Shop

Hey Crafting Buddies

Yes Traci from tjc Designs is quite right - I do have lots of news. Sorry, I'm just lacking the time to admin everything and with the main server down in Canada hosting my shopping cart at the moment, believe me I would love to be in a position where I could be up until 2am posting new products !!! he he.

Well today at the shop we had two exciting things happen.

Firstly - oodles of new fabric arrived from Makower - some of it is soooo yummy I've just got to get some to take home a stroke periodically !!

I will be running a basic workshop in a couple of weeks using some of the new fabrics - on stitching a drawstring bag for Easter - the perfect gift for any child or relative - whether you are filling it with eggs or a different pressie. Watch this space for more info on when this will be.

Nat x

SALE...SALE...

Don't forget .... the sale starts Wed 2nd January !!!

Save up to 30% on leading brands.

We have savings on Joanna Sheen stamps, Crafter's Companion CD Roms, Heaps of Peel-offs on Buy-one Get One FREE !!! 15% off on selected DMC Cross-stitch kits and we even have a selection of Red Rooster Fabrics at only £ 3.50 a metre !!!

Get it while it lasts !! - even if you just call in to find our selection of un mounted rubber stamps all reduced to less than £ 1 !!!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone !!

Hello there Crafting Buddies;

Well - there we go. We have made it through another roller-coaster of a year. Hope you all had a fab Xmas, we certainly did. Katie quite got into the old opening pressies lark. One thing I am itching to share with everyone, which has nothing to do with crafting I'm afraid ; is that I bought a brand new game for my Mum as her pressie and we played it all over Crimbo.

I have to tell everyone, as a good friend of mine brought it to me at the shop as it was her son that designed it. I would really love to help him out and recommend the game to as many people as possible.

Do you love SUDOKU ? Have you ever played Yahtzee ??

then you will LOVE this game

DICEOKU. - the ultimate SUDOKU challenge. Only £11.99, great instructions and the bonus is that everything is made from recyled and bio-degradable products.

I do have a couple of sets in the shop and online, but I must stress this has nothing to do with Nimble Fingers profits and so if you would prefer to visit the Diceoku site direct to find out more you are very welcome : http://www.diceoku.com/

Any way - Happy New Year to all and look forward to sharing oodles more crafting tips in 2008

love Nat x

All Gift Bagged Out!!

Well what terrific day !! Traci came to the shop today and ran a workshop on this wonderful Xmas range from Bo Bunny. I made a beautiful gift bag and my friends went on to make a gift tin, cards and more... A massive thank you to Traci, and can I just plug her stock and remind everyone that TJC Designs still have an excellent range of Scrapbooking supplies franchised within the Nimble Fingers Shop. As well as many of the 12x12 paper double sided card stock as used in the workshop, we have the new shade range from Bazill Basics, heaps of delectable DCWV Once upon a time range and essential designs from Basic Grey and MAMBI.

You may also be excited to learn that Traci has also bought over new stocks relating to the Bind-It-All supplies !! LIMITED stocks country wide has made this item VERY desirable indeed !!

Thanks again Traci - I lurve the bag !!! Merry Christmas

Bo Bunny workshop !!

Great news crafting buddies - for anyone who wasn't able to squeeze in on a space for the TJC Designs Bo Bunny Christmas workshop recently - an extra date has been realeased ans we are sooooo lucky that Traci is going to hold the workshop at the Nimble Fingers shop ! It's an all day course, lunch and all materials are included. The kits that arrive are jam packed with stuff and you will be making 2 beautiful Xmas gift bags, some cards and an altered tin all for your £25 !! to book now ring me at the shop or go to my website and follow the online shop links to the Workshops & Courses page. http://www.nimblefingers.biz/ If you can make it, I guarantee you a fabulous day !!!

WOOL'd you believe it ?? !!!

Hi Crafting Buddies

Yes... its true... its finally here. We now have knitting wool at the shop !!!! Hurray I hear you shout. We have been hearing requests for wool everyday since opening the shop, but crikey has it been an uphill struggle to get contact and finally delivery from a supplier !!

We haven't got tons, and have gone initially for good old Double Knitting, but we do have a wide selection of shades and have 5 colours in a luxury baby wool. We now stock knitting needles as well and I hope we shall continue to grow this element of the business further into the new year.

In the meantime, a good friend of mine is also looking for help to knit for the special care baby unit at Kettering General . If you do knit and would be prepared to give up a few hours to knock up a little outfit from this very special pattern, then please ring me at the shop or email me so that I can put you in touch with Ann.

See you all soon

Nat x

New Stitching Club for Desborough !!!

Hi Crafting Buddies,

Now in the 3rd week of the shop, things are going well despite my latest bought of head cold !!

Last week we had the first meeting of the new Stitching and Cross stitch club in Desborough - it is held in the workshop room at the shop: warm, comfortable and friendly.

We meet at 7.30 on a Tuesday evening, pay £3 each and enjoy a social get together. I am looking for new members, please call me at the shop on 0845 362 8511 or just turn up on the night !!

Natalie

FREE Crafting Demo from Create & Craft Presenter - Kay Rutter

Just a quick reminder, that tomorrow, Saturday 20th October, we have TVs Kay Rutter as seen on Create & Craft in store giving a FREE all day demo for SAKURA.

As many professional crafters will echo, using the Sakura pens is easy when you know how !! - come along and learn the best ways to get the right results with your glaze pens; souffle; stardust ; moonlights; permapaques and more !!

With many great demo day offers on - you could save £££s

See you there !!

Natalie

Opening Hours

Thanks to Rachel for jogging my memory regarding shop opening times... We are open in Desborough, Tues - Fri 10-5 and Saturday 9.30 until 4pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Hope to see you there soon.

Nat x

A Mega Week at the Shop, thank you !!!

Hey Crafting Buddies

Jan & I have enjoyed an incredible first week trading in the shop. We have met many many wonderful people who have been more than happy to offer thoughts, tips and friendship. Don't forget though that we are relying on you all to let us know if there is something you would like to see in the shop but can't ... except wool . Yes believe it or not we have definitely got the message there, we WILL be stocking knitting wool as soon as I get the catalogue listing through from Sirdar.

Anyway, the Crafty Laughers have now had their first Monday evening meeting at the workshop room which was a fantastic success ... any prospective new members should ask at the shop and we will put you in touch with Kay Rutter.

The raffle listing will be posted here tomorrow as suggested by Rachel and don't forget, leave me a comment if you want us to consider stocking something else.

Have a good week

Nat x

YIPEE !!! - we're open for business

Hey crafting buddies !

A massive thank you to all who turned out on a Sunny Saturday afternoon this weekend to share in our excitement over the shop opening. Jan and I were completely dumb founded by the growing queue of people at only 11.45, and by the time we were letting the first customers through the door at Midday, you couldn't move in the aisles !!

We had a fabulous day, took £65 on my charity raffle and will be publishing the winners on the shop notice board by Tuesday afternoon.

Don't forget to bring those Wish List forms back soon though .... you want to start the ball rolling for worth while birthday and Christmas pressies as soon as possible.

See you in Desborough !!

Nat x

Thanks everyone !

OK - so you guys do read my blog !! thanks for leaving all your comments, it means a lot.
Exciting new tutorial coming very soon ...

Nat x

We're getting there ! the shelves are filling up ...

Nearly there ... less than 10 days to go and the shelves are nearly full. The slat walling is doing its job and Jan and I are itching to get playing with our new till !! he he .... did I tell you I was opening a shop !

Please leave me a comment if you read this, sometimes I worry that no one does !

Nat x

New Workshop Christened!!

Yipee - This weekend, I have christened the new workshop. 3 lovely friends and customers, joined me at the shop for a special Keepsake Bookatrix workshop. We made the classic card, but used a beautiful water colour effect with Boxford Board for the top.

We had a lovely afternoon and I would like to thank Sandra, Ann & Lisa for helping me to enjoy the new space so much.

Only 2 weeks to go .... did I tell you I was opening a shop ?? he he

Nat x

Can we fix it ? Yes we can !!

Have just returned from a marathon weekend in shop fitting and sorting at the New Nimble Fingers shoppee ... did I mention that I'm opening a shop ??? he he.

Well had to share this pic with you. Today would not have been the same without the help of my wonderful hubbie and of course our very own little "Bob the Builder-ette" Katie. She spent endless hours fiddling and playing with the broken cordless screwdriver... the cutest thing was that she kept putting the screwdriver into the pilot holes on the IKEA unit, and then making a lovely whirring noise as if the electric screwdriver were actually working !! She had us in hysterics.

Bye for now - got to get me into my bed. Yawn.

Nat x

Bookatrix with Water colour - workshop for September

Hi Crafting Buddies !

Hope you've had a good week. This is just a reminder for those of you who haven't secured your place yet - I am running a Bookatrix workshop this Saturday ( 22nd Sept ) at 1.30pm in my brand new workshop in Desborough. This a Bookatrix Card with a difference though ... I have used traditional water colour card for the top layer and combining several techniques have actually painted my top design.

With the right tools, this effect is easy to achieve, with no artistic talent required !!

The Bookatrix board is included in your workshop fee as well as the famous glitter ball embossing tool - hence the price of £25 for the afternoon. Refreshments are provided as is good company and plenty of inspiration !!

To book, ring me on 0845 362 8511 or visit the Workshops and Courses section of my online store : www.nimblefingers.biz

thanks - happy crafting

Nat x

Hey everyone !

Hope you had a great crafting week ! I have been mega busy again, getting things ready for the shop. Only 5 weeks to go now !! can't sleep, getting excited and above all am getting very confused. How on earth am I supposed to work out what ft square thingy I need to read to get the right type of fire extinguishers ? and will the council ever let me know about the business rates ??? and worst of all - who let mindless idiots loose on the streets of Desborough this weekend to slash and completely deface my brand new sign ? ! (clearly not happy about this one) answers on a post card please ....
On a slightly lighter note, Katie had been learning more arts and crafts this week. I have introduced her to stickers !!! yes foamie stickers for Christmas. Now she won't stop crying for them and is completely addicted. Pictured above, she is well into making her stash of christmas cards, although I'm not sure if she really appreciates the quality of the Joanna Sheen Victorian Christmas backing paper she is using there !! he he.
Please leasve me a comment if you visit my site this week !!
take care
love
Nat x

Spiral Bound - Wedding Guest Book

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the fabulous weather for the bank holiday. I had a family wedding and my darling daughter was bridesmaid on Saturday so I am still up in the clouds ! I simply had to show you all this Spiral Bound altered art book I made for the Bride and Groom to pass round as a guest signing book at the reception. Not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but it's the first one I have made and am really rather chuffed with it. The Animal print theme derives from the fact that the couple have just returned from Kenya where they tied the knot and then celebrated their reception in Corby on Saturday at The Holiday Inn.

I love the giraffe print paper, it is from craft creations and I will be stocking it in my shop -it is soft and tactile to the touch - gorgeous.

Now I must thank Traci from TJC Designs who has taught me everything I know about making a spiral bound gift book. Hats off to her for inspiring me to make this. In case you are interested, I am lucky enough to have Traci booked to run a workshop on the very same theme at my shop on 17th November. We are still taking bookings for this via my website online shop if you are interested ! http://www.nimblefingers.biz/

Anyway - ta ta for now. Happy Crafting

Nat x

How to Make a Quillow

Hello Crafting Buddies !! back from holiday now. Have just spent a week in Yorkshire with my parents which luckily included a trip to the seaside for my 19 month old daughter ( latest pic below ) I simply HAVE to find time to work out a scrap booking page for this pic - its adorable !

One thing I did get chance to do whilst relaxing, was to spend a nice lot of time finishing a lap quilt I am making in co-hoots with my sister in law. We have thoroughly enjoyed making a "Rumble in the Jungle" lap quilt, quillow for our other sister-in-law who was married on Safari in Kenya last week. The design has been achieved with stip work into a version of rail fence blocks.

"What is a quillow?" I hear you shout - well a quillow is a quilt with a pocket on the reverse into which you can fold the whole quilt and make a pillow !!!

How to make a quillow

The general rule of thumb is to measure the length and width of your quilt; divide these measurements by 3 and that is the size of pocket you need. Add the pocket in the middle of one of the shorter sides, against the edge of the quilow. I always bind my pocket to match the rest of the quilt, but it important to remember not to bind the side that will run along the edge of the main quilt. You can tie this into the overall main binding to get a perfect fix.

The other tip when making a quillow, is to ensure that you afix the pocket initially on 2 sides only. You will always need to leave an opening for folding the rest of the quilt into !!!

This is the characteristic that makes a quillow pattern unique - you have to be able to fold the quilt in a triple way fold into the main quillow pocket.

If anyone wants to know any more, please leave me a message or email me via the main website : http://www.nimblefingers.biz/

How to make a quillow pattern and tutorial will be available on my website next month.

Have a good week !

Nat x

Kona Bay Fabrics !! yummy yummy

Hi Everyone !

For those of you who are following the progress of the new Nimble Fingers shop in Desborough - this week I can officially report selecting and ordering a rather large and expensive quantity of Kona Bay and Red Rooster fabrics.

Spending the afternoon walking through the warehouse and selecting bolt after bolt, was like letting me loose in a sweetie shop !!!! it was an amazing experience and I am so excited by some of the wonderful prints I am going to be able to bring to the shop.

I am obviously trying to come up with attractive and effective ways of showing off some of the designs, so if anyone has any ideas as to how I could use a metre or 2 to dress the window or hang on the wall - pre quilt ( I think some of the Kona Bay prints look stunning before being made into anything !) please let me know.

Hope you all have a productive week in your crafting !

Natalie x

10 weeks to go ! Craft Shop Countdown

Well with now only 10 weeks to go until "The Ultimate Crafting Experience" opens in Desborough, life at Nimble Fingers has certainly picked up the pace !

The great news is that I have secured even more great stock to arrive for all areas;

Tim Holtz ink pads, Fantasy Film and an extended selection of mounted stamps for all you papercrafters out there.

PLUS - I am in the middle of securing an interesting order of Kona Bay and Red Rooster patchwork and quilting fabrics.

Am really hoping my choices are well received, but if anyone can think of anything they would like to request that we stock - please leave me a comment and I'll check if its already on the list !

Mega tips for perfect scoring on the Ultimate Crafters Companion.

Hi there ! Just returned from Monday night craft club in Desborough. What a fun evening ! Loads of giggles and lots of inspiration.

I was tasked with running the workshop and managed to take a selection of the Nimble Fingers stock along with me. Kay Rutter of Create & Craft fame, had asked me to run an Ultimate Crafter's Companion evening.

All the ladies took to the techniques really well and I love the way that every one has their own style and method so the variety of ways in which the scoring board was used was a real eye opener !

The one tip that came up however, and I realised that I needed to share with everyone is;

How to ensure that your card fold is perfectly square and even on both sides.

After watching many of my friends at the club hold their basic card blank up, after scoring it on the Ultimate Crafters Companion and saying - "theres a little gap at the back" or " my sides don't meet"

Now the really easy answer to this is DON'T TAKE THE CARD OFF THE BOARD BEFORE FOLDING AND CREASING.

Basic steps:

1. Butt desired size of card stock up to the handle side of the Ultimate Crafters Companion.


2. Scored chosen fold line using the flat end of the scoring tool.


3. Hold the card flat and butted up against the handle edge whilst using the other hand to fold the card over at the scoring mark.


4. Use the butt point as a guide to slide the folded side of the card up to.


5. Hold both layers of the card, snug butt up to the side and NOW use the scoring tool to crease.


6. You should have a much neater and more professional card blank.

Launch of the Nimble Fingers Blog !

WELCOME ! Well here we, finally the launch of the Nimble Fingers blog spot ! I am pleased to be able to use this zone to announce many developments in our business, and to update you with the latest additions to our online a mobile shop.

The most exciting news has got to be the ongoing updates surrounding the new Nimble Fingers shop due to open in Desborough, Northamptonshire in October 2007.

Seems a long way off ? - the 11 week count down begins !

Saturday 6th October will be opening day and we are planning to organise a fun afternoon and party.

We will be having LIVE demonstrations of many top brand products;

• Joanna Sheen


• SAKURA pens


• Crafter's Companion


• Basic Grey Scrapbooking


• Stamps Away


• Creative Expressions


• and much more...

If you are keen to attend the launch party or wish to receive your complimentary discount voucher set ( for use online, mail order or in the shop) then you can always email me http://nimblefingers.biz/