Make a Difference

I've been up to something that I want to share with you guys.

The last time I cut my hair short (and by short, I mean a long bob) was over 5 years ago, 

just as I left home for University.

Ever since, I've been growing it out, especially once I got engaged 

and went through the standard "brides have long hair!!" stage.

This coming Thursday, I will be donating at least 8 inches of my hair to the Little Princess Trust, 

who make real hair wigs to girls and boys who have had to go through chemotherapy. 

I'm also raising money for Victim Support, 

a charity who provide a massive spectrum of help in different ways 

for people who have found themselves victim of crime. 

This includes emotional and practical suppprt for those who have been raped or abused, 

burgled or intimidated and those who have suffered loss through homocide.

These people and many others would benefit from a donation to the charity.  

Now I know I haven't met 99% of the people who read this blog, 

but I get the impression you're a good bunch.

And if I could be so bold, 

I would be so touched if you could reach into your pocket and support these two awesome causes.

You can give here...

www.justgiving.com/Nicola-J-Campbell

Thank you so much.

Wedding Wednesdays - A Splash of Colour

The one and only downside to being married is not getting to plan a wedding.

What's that?? One of my most favourite friends just got engaged?

How very convenient!

So now that my jewel toned vintage-inspired classic winter wedding is confined to memories and photographs... I now have the pleasure of helping to plan for a beautiful Summer wedding full of fun and games and most brilliantly... an as-yet undefined palette of bold and bright colours!

So what's been filling my secret Pinterest board this week?

Paper Garland by The Little Paper Bunting Company

Pom Poms by Prost to the Host

Cake by Wild Orchid Baking Company

Pink Shoes via Style Me Pretty - Photo Credit: Ashley O'Dell

Foliage Photo Backdrop by BHLDN

Ah it feels good to be spending my spare time flicking through wedding magazines again!

Setting Creative Goals

At the end of each year, I'm typically in the practice of sitting down for an hour or two
with a pot of tea and setting myself some goals for the year ahead.
I find it a really useful practice to reflect on what I've achieved over the past 12 months and to realise how my priorities have shifted as I look ahead to the next 12 and decide where I'm headed next.

The end of 2012, however, was massively consumed by last minute wedding prep
and I didn't allow myself the brain space for any goal setting beyond "Get Married".

So more than a month into 2013,
I figure it's about time to set some goals.


I've always been guilty of being a bit of a creative dabbler...
I play guitar, I sew, I draw, I bake, I sing, I paint, I write.
But sometimes I feel a little like a "jack of all trades, master of none" type.
Sometimes I find myself stockpiling ideas and never putting them into action.
And sometimes I make the classic mistake of comparing myself to the many talented women out there and letting myself feel deflated.
Is it just me?

So... My first goal of 2013 is
to develop my creative self.

And here's how I intend to do it...

1. Commit more time to being creative

[1]

It's all very well knowing that I love to sew,
but when I leave it for a number of weeks between sessions at the sewing machine,
I can often feel like I'm never improving my skills.
I resolve to put time aside for creative projects.

2. Allow myself to be inspired

[2]
Nothing inspires me like music.
Particularly music with lyrics that speak right into my heart.
The above page of my art journal was inspired by a Jason Mraz song that had been buzzing around in my head for weeks during a time when it just felt like those three words summed everything up just right.
So when I'm convinced that I'm running dry and I have no ideas,
I resolve to put on my favourite music, take a walk in my favourite places, read a new book, until I'm inspired.


3. Follow through on all those bookmarks, Pins and scribbles

Hands up who has a "Crafts to Try" board on Pinterest?
Keep that hand in the air if you have ever actually completed any of the crafty projects you've pinned.
Now please tell me I'm not the only one!
I am somebody who ends a week with a handbag full of little things I've scribbled down on bits of paper, a bedroom covered in pretty pictures I've chopped out of magazines and a head full of thoughts buzzing around with no real plan with action.
I resolve to turn my ideas into action.

4. Learn a new skill

[3]
As much as I probably have my fingers in quite enough pies,
I don't think you can beat the feeling of learning how to do something new.
Following blogs like One Sheepish Girl has left me with a real want to learn to knit or to crochet,
so I think that may become the new addition to my toolkit.
I'm also considering finally learning to play the ukulele I was bought when I was 18!
I resolve to do something exciting and new.

5. Don't be afraid of ruining a blank canvas

This is by far the biggest challenge for me.
I have a horrible habit of becoming temporarily paralysed just before I cut into a beautiful piece of fabric, in case I ruin it... or just before I put brush to paper to start a painting, because what if I ruin a page and then have to tear it out or stick something over it, and after all, what a waste of paint!
The thing that has helped me best overcome this so far was to set myself one simple rule for my 2012 journal... to not correct. If a line went in the wrong place, if I smudged something or wasn't entirely happy with the way it looked... tough. It was all part of the process.
And that helped me begin to love every detail.
I resolve to make a mess.

How about you?
What helps you to feel more inspired?
How do you develop your creativity day-to-day?

And where do I find a good learn to crochet book??

Wedding Wednesday - Our Big Day

On New Year's Eve, my (still love using this word at every opportunity...) husband and I finally tied the knot.

After a 3 year engagement, consisting largely of hoarding anything lacey and sparkly and spending far too much time on Pinterest, we said our vows and danced the night away.

We don't yet have the official photos through, but I figured I couldn't wait until then to share some of my favourite parts of the day.

As I lived with one of my bridesmaids up until the wedding, we decided it would be nice to get ready in our house so we had all our home comforts there with us.

Our lovely flower girl is Samm's little sister, who stayed this calm for about the first hour of the day before consuming way too much sugar and eventually changing into a onesie for the evening... I love that girl's style!

The ceremony was held in the Church we attend.

It was a beautiful feeling to walk up the aisle of a building that I feel completely at home in to make promises to my husband in front of my church family as well as all my other loved ones. 

Being New Year, it was already beautifully decorated and a group of our friends pulled together to play music for us.

After the service, we had arranged for tea and coffee to be served inside while we braved the cold to go outside for photos.

However, as we got to the doors of the church, we were warned it was raining fairly badly...

... which turned into a beautiful go-with-the-flow moment of being able to snap a few quick classic-posed wedding pictures inside before being brought a cuppa and spending my time having hugs and laughing with my friends instead of getting numb cheeks from holding a smile for too long.

My fur shrug was a gift from my ever so wonderful mum... who also spent the day before the wedding with needle and thread detaching  my cathedral length veil from it's comb and stitching it onto a different comb that I'd fallen in love with from Etsy...I think she'll forgive me one day!!

As Samm is Scottish and I'm English, I chose a bouquet which combined thistles and cream avalanche roses, with eucalyptus to complement the men's button holes.

After everyone had sipped up their tea, we headed to the reception, and feasted on Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Roast Beef and an Assiette of Winter Desserts (which it transpires, means various sweet lumps of chocolate and cream!! That's one happy bride!) 

The speeches were a perfect combination of laughter and happy tears, as well as the brilliant decision of making the new father-in-law the toastmaster, which he essentially used to make three of his own speeches designed to embarrass his son... all utterly priceless!

And to keep the children happy, I put together some fun little activity books for them, with colouring in pictures, a word search and little games to keep them occupied.

One of my favourite moments of the day was being told by one of the little girls "The boy in here looks like Samm... he even has a dotty hairy face and a skirt on!!"

I'll share this easy little project more fully as well as some of the other DIY elements more another time... because I'm not ok with letting Wedding Wednesdays be over just because the wedding is!

The evening was spent dancing with all my closest girl friends, (after having our first dance song replaced with Gangnam Style without our knowledge!) tucking into a hog roast and enjoying the feeling of really really being married.  

Mrs Nikki Joy

I apologise for how quiet it's been around here lately...

On New Year's Eve, it was finally my wedding day,

so as I'm sure you can imagine, things have been pretty hectic.

I'll be jetting off on honeymoon in just a couple of days, 

after which I have so many pictures and wedding details and stories to share.

For now though, here's one tiny sneaky peek of some DIY details for our day...

Happy New Year everyone!

Nikki Joy Christmas Craft Stall

So this week is the Christmas craft stall!

My room is covered in ribbons and glitter and fabric and glue 

and I'm bustling around trying to do all the last minute bits and bobs for it.

 I figured it's about time to share what I've been up to lately as a little sneak preview of some of what I'll be selling on the day...

Needle Cases

...which would make just the cutest stocking filler, no?

Christmas Pudding Tree Decorations

...I may sneak a couple of these to keep for myself.

Poinsettia Hair Slides

...for the reserved-but-still-a-little-bit-festive Christmas day outfit.

Novelty Festive Earrings

... for those of us who love a little bit of silly!

What do you think? 

Would you stop by for a chat at the Nikki Joy craft stall this Thursday?

Giveaway Winners

Following my recent giveaway to celebrate my 100th post here on Nikki Joy, 

it's time to announce some winners!

The winner of KV's blog design package is...

Alison of Heavenly Handmades

And the winner of this adorable print from cb is...

Polly Davies

Well done ladies!!

I'll be in touch soon to sort out your lovely prizes.

Wedding Wednesdays - An Early Gift

It's getting seriously close to the wedding now, 

so I'm afraid much of the planning is signing cheques and sending emails, 

with not much to share by way of inspiring ideas and pretty pictures.

So thank goodness for lovely friends to save the day with the just the sweetest wedding gift... 

My friend Michelle, who gifted these to us, is pretty much the most awesome woman I know. She has taught me so much of what it means to be a wife, she is generous and caring, she prays with me and cares for me, makes me huge cups of tea and spends hours listening to me. 

As much as I adore these two little cake forks, 

they are only a small part of what she has gifted me with.

We got chatting (over giant caramel hot chocolates, of course) about the wedding and the plans... and it dawned on me that as much as I am hugely excited for the day itself, 

I'm so much more excited to be married. 

So these two sweet forks won't just be the forks with which we'll tuck into our wedding cake. They will be the forks Samm and I bring out on cake date night when we spend our evenings curled up on our sofa together in our house. Not just a wedding gift but a marriage gift.

Speaking of which, I'm off to the estate agents to sign on the dotted line for our marital home!!

Craft Stall Inspiration *plus display tutorials*

I mentioned recently that at the end of this month, 

I'll be doing my first ever craft stall.

So naturally, I've been doing what all good creative minds do when faced with an exciting new opportunity... I put the kettle on and started a new Pinterest board!

Here's some of my favourite inspiring craft stall displays 

(and some everso clever DIY display ideas at the end)

This gorgeous display from Katie Daisy at The Big Crafty (via Going Home to Roost) is simple and sweet. It's easy to see everything on show and I love the subtle details like the little daisies in tiny little vases so the whole presentation is in keeping with her style.

This cute little display from Mrs Jackson Loves is a great example of why consistent colour scheme is key. Everything just looks so homey and gives you an instant impression of who she is and what her work is about. 

So I love Bramble and Oak's styling. I could have told you a Bramble and Oak craft stall would be no disappointment even before seeing the beautiful pictures.

And the most important thing on display here is a smile. I've been to too many markets where people just don't look like they really want you to approach them. 

I love the clear layout of this stall from Miss Arkaya. The vintage trays, cute bird cages and clear price labelling all make for a stall you'd stop and have a gander at.

But what to do when you just don't have the spare cash to invest in pretty hangers and stands and jewellery busts?? Why, make your own, of course!

These clever tutorials are at the top of my to do list...

How to make your own ring display box with just a tray, some foam and a piece of fabric - from Popko

Or do you make chunky statement necklaces but can't afford to buy the fancy busts? 

This "why did I never think of that" tutorial from Stella and Hodge has the answer!

Still not enough inspiration for you?

Here's a few links to check out for even more craft fair inspiration...

1. Even more lovely craft display examples over at Quiltish 

2. 5 Elements of a Seductive Craft Fair Display

from Premier Packaging

3. This incredibly inspiring Pinterest board from Life in the Thrifty Lane

I'm so excited to get my own stall all put together!!

Happy weekend everyone!

Wedding Wednesday: The Boys and The Girls

At the top of my mental list of "things you will need to get married" is a group of supportive, excited and generally brilliant people to help you prepare for the greatest day of your life.

As well as the most wonderful families, Samm and I are blessed with some great friends. So during the decision making for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen outfits, we've tried to keep their likes and what will make them feel fab on the day at the heart of it all. 

So... how do you decide what to dress your dearest friends in when you call the shots for the day?

First, we kept our colour scheme at the forefront of our minds.

The last thing you want is great dresses that don't really look like they belong at your wedding.

Here's our main colour palette...

Together with my girls, I chose these beautiful dresses from Monsoon... 

(no longer available... which is a saga in itself!)

And as Samm is Scottish, his boys will be kilted, flashed and sporraned up in the same shades of green that run through his clan's tartan. 

But what's an outfit without some cute accessories?

As our wedding is right in the middle of winter, I want to be sensible about keeping everybody warm and happy, without losing the overall style.

So the girls will be all wrapped up in gorgeous deep purple pashminas and instead of carrying bouquets, will be toasty warm with faux fur muffs and rose corsages I've made for them. 

The boys will be sporting these gorgeous boutonnieres from Cherubino Crafts and if Samm relents, they'll be treated to a cosy cashmere scarf in Campbell tartan... 

(which apparently is a second rate gift idea compared to knives!)

I'm so excited to see them all dressed up on the day. 

And with only 2 months left, I won't have to wait long!!

P.S. Today is the last day you can enter my 100th post giveaway.

You could win one of two gorgeous prizes from a couple of my favourite bloggers. 

Either a cute art print  from cb or a month's advertising and some blog design work by Kristen Victoria!