This month, I'm delighted to introduce you to Lucy from LucyLu Dreams for our Meet The Maker interview.

Lucy has one of the most uplifting Instagram feeds, a beautiful and gentle mix of crafting and seasonal living, particularly inspiring as she lives in London and embraces seeing the seasons from within a big city.

Learn more about Lucy and her love of crafting below...

How did you first get into crafting?

My Mum taught me to sew and my Aunty taught me to knit when I was young, but it is as an adult that my love (obsession!) with crafting really began.

When my third child was still a toddler, I felt I wanted to do something creative. I had seen my cousin crocheting and I loved the look of the gentle process and the wonderful things she was making. She convinced me it was easy so I bought some wool and a crochet book for beginners and I was off!

I found it really hard but I persevered and was soon hooked (excuse the pun!). My crafting journey since that point has been a bit like a snowball, gathering pace and momentum as I’ve excitedly tried craft after craft.

Although there are more crafts I would love to try, much of my creative time is now taken up with hand embroidery, which I adore!

Can you remember your first project? How did it go?

I believe my first project was a little crochet purse and to be honest I can’t remember if I finished it! I know I found it hard.

The project called for a crochet flower as an embellishment and I enjoyed doing that so much, I started crocheting different kinds of flowers which I made into brooches or stitched onto headbands. Granny squares soon followed!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My biggest source of inspiration is definitely nature. I go out on walks, often by myself, but always with my camera and I observe, learn about and absorb the wonders of each season.

Ideas always flow when I am out walking and I often come home and sketch those ideas, some of which have developed into embroidery patterns and tutorials.

I am also inspired by my rich mixed race heritage. I spent my teenage years in Kenya and I have so many memories and images that I hold in my heart, which I would love to turn into embroidery patterns.

What do you love most about embroidery?

I love that hand embroidery slows me down. It is a wonderful craft, because it is gentle, peaceful and calm.

Life can get so busy and overwhelming and I find nothing more therapeutic and soothing than simply sitting in my favourite spot on the sofa, picking up my hoop and quietly stitching for a couple of hours.

What would be your best advice for those starting out?

There are so many crafts out there so it can be difficult to choose, but my advice is to just start!

Go with a craft that you love the look of, find a tutorial or a good craft book, make sure you have everything you need and dive in! Start slowly and simply and be kind to yourself - it can take a while to really get the hang of a new craft.

What’s next for you, any upcoming projects?

My plan is to continue writing posts for my blog, which is full of seasonal inspiration and creativity and reflections on the creative process. I’ll be designing some new embroidery patterns for Spring, which is my favourite season.

But I also want to create some textile based products as an offshoot of my embroidery designs and I have some reclaimed wood that is calling out to be upcycled into jewellery!

My challenge is to find the time, but I’ve learned that progress cannot be rushed!

You can see more of Lucy's lovely work on her website, Instagram and Pinterest pages, and find her embroidery patterns through her Etsy shop.

Come and join Craftiosity!

Each month, we design a limited edition craft kit for you.

Beautifully packaged, your box will arrive full of inspiration and all the materials, tools and instructions to make a complete project.

This month’s project is to make two orange scented candles in these brushed matte, copper-coloured tins.

Your kit includes all you need; you’ll just need scissors, a saucepan to boil water in & some kitchen roll.

Ready to come on a creative adventure?

£24.95 | Free UK Delivery | Cancel Anytime

This kit will be posted on Monday 16 March.

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