Hi, my name is Carrie.

What can I tell you about me then? I have been married to Steve for 23 years this December and he is my best friend.  We are lucky enough to have two amazing grown up children, Isobel and Harry; they make me laugh, cry and happier than I can put into words !

We also have Herbie our cheeky lovable cockapoo and since 2024 we have had the gorgeous Treacle, our labrador. Treacle came to live with us last year after we very sadly lost my mother in law after a very short battle with MND.

As well as my love for Stampin’ Up! and all things creative I enjoy; keeping fit, adult tap and being partial to the odd G&T with my girlfriends ! In the last few years I’ve also done a charity firewalk for the Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough after they supported my brother and his wife after my niece, Maya, passed away from cancer at just 8 months old. Then this year I raised over £3,000 completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Beaumond House hospice in Newark (near me) and the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust where Maya has a fund in her memory. 

Why do I craft?

It helps me express my creativity which I didn’t think I had in me. Plus it gives me some time for myself away from being a busy woman and my career.  Whether it is 10 minutes or an hour at my craft desk it helps me relax and unwind after a busy day. I also love that it has brought new people into my life and opened them up to a world of creativity !

My Stampin’ Up! Story

In 2012/13 I experienced the world of Stampin’ Up for the first time when one of my best friend’s hosted a party and I placed my first order straight away.

During 2014 after being my friend’s best customer I decided to take the plunge and sign up.  This was so I could benefit from the discount you get as an Indepedent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and the Stampin’ Rewards you earn.

In 2016 I started to offer ad hoc classes to friends and family and promoted to Bronze Elite which meant 25% discount on all my orders – fantastic right? Since then I have had a team (The Inkies) on and off and they are a mix of ladies who do it just for the discount on their hobby and those who offer classes like me too.

At the start of 2020 I didn’t anticipate a COVID-19 global pandemic so I had to stop my in person classes in mid March.  Since then I’ve kept in touch with my customers sending them a card to say hello, a phone call to chat.  I hosted a weekly craft and chat live on Facebook every Wednesday until I could begin my in person classes again during 2021.

Then a couple of years with my children doing their GCSEs and A levels, heading off to uni and starting apprenticeships combined with family illnesses and sadly their passing away, my business had to take a little back seat.

2025 and beyond

As we approach the end of 2025 I’m turning my focus to 2026 and re-booting The Inky Nook’s outlook. I hope you will join me as my journey continues and I hope to inspire you to come and create with me.  Stampin’ Up! has allowed me to meet some wonderful people both my customers and demonstrators.  In addition it has helped my confidence and saved me lots of money on my craft addiction !

I love to show new crafters who to have a great stamping experience and for those experienced crafters amongst you I hope to inspire you in different ways through new techniques and ideas. If your style is simple and pretty then I’m definitely the demonstrator you need in your life.

Thanks for taking the time to read a little more about me.

Inky hugs,

Carrie

 PS If you’ve got any more questions then just drop me a message here