Author: Rag Tag Magpie

et me introduce myself, my name is Nic and I love to spend my free time drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, in fact trying anything that lets me experiment and explore my creativity. My love of all things arty started when I was a child, my dad was a printer so there was always lots of paper in the house and things took off from there. I stopped drawing when I went to university and didn’t feel I had time when my career took over but rediscovered my love of all things creative about 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back. Since then I’ve taken life drawing classes and started painting again and then a couple of years ago I took an evening class in pottery. This re-sparked my passion for trying new things. My husband and I set Rag Tag Magpie up to share ideas and inspiration with like minded souls. Our mission is to get people to do something that makes them happy. THIS BLOG IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT SOME INSPIRATION AND TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES – AFTER ALL A CREATIVE MESS IS BETTER THAN IDLE TIDINESS!

Art and Drawing, General Craft

Day 1, 30 Day Collage Challenge

So, with COVID-19 dominating the news and all of our lives at the moment I find myself with a lot more time at home which is actually rather nice. However, I’ve been struggling to get into my art so I decided it was time for a new art challenge but this time thought I’d just do 30 days. I actually decided I wanted to do … Continue reading Day 1, 30 Day Collage Challenge

Rag Tag MagpieApril 1, 2020March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing, Free Printables, General Craft, Holidays, Home

April Calendars

Hope you haven’t fell for any April Fools gags this morning! So aside from the jokers delight what else is happening this month? Well its the start of my next art challenge but this time just a 30 day one so much more manageable. April also offers up some bank holidays with Easter breaks; the 22nd is National Stationery Day – a great excuse to … Continue reading April Calendars

Rag Tag MagpieApril 1, 2020March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Children's Crafts, General Craft, Holidays

Stay at Home and Craft Part 1

With everyone pretty much on lock down other than a daily burst of exercise and Easter just around the corner thought I’d share some craft projects that could keep you entertained for a few hours. Separated from loved ones? Why not brighten someone’s day with a handmade Easter Card. Over the past few years I’ve created a range of cards from the simple ones you … Continue reading Stay at Home and Craft Part 1

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 31, 2020March 31, 2020Leave a comment

Home

House Renovation

Well one good thing to come out of the isolation we’re all experiencing is a bit more time to work on the house so an update and this time instead of holes in walls and clutter everywhere we have some finished rooms. Our upstairs living room is almost finished. Just roman blinds to go up once this craziness is over and a new sofa to … Continue reading House Renovation

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 31, 2020March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing

Stay Home and Draw

With the UK on a bit of a lockdown I took part in a live online drawing class hosted by Raw Umber Studios. It was a one hour portrait drawing class and definitely worth checking out on YouTube if you’re missing out on your daily/weekly art fix. Format wise it pretty much follows a live drawing class – a 5-10 minute warm up followed by … Continue reading Stay Home and Draw

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 30, 2020March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing

Daily Doodle

I need to stop reaching for the paints at night. The light in the living room doesn’t give a good enough indication of the colours – everything is a bit too yellow and eyes definitely aren’t right – not one of my favourites! But love the process and with everything going on at the moment its a great way to switch off and relax. Continue reading Daily Doodle

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 29, 2020March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing

Train Travel

Since the move I get to spend a lot of time on trains travelling the length of the country – although clearly not at the moment! Whilst a lot more relaxing than international travel it can get a bit boring, especially when I have several trips in one week so alongside working, some TV viewing on the ipad I’ve also started to doodle on my … Continue reading Train Travel

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 28, 2020March 23, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing

Wear a Hat Day

Hopefully you’ll have the opportunity to get outside even if just for a very quick walk. We’re trying to get some fresh air each day with a walk on the beach, yesterday we walked the length of Long Sands which was lovely but also freezing cold, despite the glorious sun. The sea fret was quite thick which gave the beach an eerie feel and the … Continue reading Wear a Hat Day

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 27, 2020March 27, 2020Leave a comment

North East, Other

Reasons to be Cheerful….

I was up early this morning so got to watch the sunrise which was beautiful…and a great reminder that despite this craziness we’re currently living through its not all doom and gloom. Sadly the photographs never do it justice but the shimmer of the sun on the North Sea looked like an image from a holiday brochure. Also made me smile to see a couple … Continue reading Reasons to be Cheerful….

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 27, 2020Leave a comment

Art and Drawing, General Craft

Camera Series No.18

Back on track today with drawing and have to say it makes me feel so much better when I do something creative even just an hour sketching. It just stops me thinking about all this craziness, and it helps that the sun is shining – stay safe! Continue reading Camera Series No.18

Rag Tag MagpieMarch 26, 2020March 26, 2020Leave a comment