9 Brilliant Facts All About Me, Gabrielle, Graphic Designer

So, who is Gabrielle?

I thought it would be helpful to share more about myself and my passion for design in a dedicated blog post. I believe it’s important for you to get to know me better, and I hope this post will give you a deeper insight into my creative world.

I know there is a small snippet on my about page, and you can probably get a sense of my personality from the way I have designed my website, but I want to give you all a little more than that, so, lets delve right in so that you can get to know me a bit better.

A Brief Overview For My Love Of Design And Where It Began

As some of you may know, I have always had a love for design. My Dad is very artistic, and I would watch him creating logos, invitations, certificates and so much more for friends and family, and I remember sitting next to him watching him create these amazing pieces, and loved it.

He started teaching me how to use a computer, and then the design software he used at the time (back in the early 2000’s he was using CorelDraw), which enabled me to start designing myself. Once I knew how, I just couldn’t stop. Ever since I have created wedding invitations, small pieces of artwork, posters, party invites, greetings cards and so much more.

As I got older, I went and got a “proper” job, which I did enjoy for a long time. Years on, I decided I am not wasting anymore time, and my designing skills are going to be used, hence, Inkspiration by Gabrielle was born.

I wanted to be a graphic designer, a website designer, a wedding stationer, a card designer, anything that falls under the graphic design umbrella, I wanted to start doing it. I wanted to turn my passion into something special and creative.

I often reflect back to when I was younger and when I started to feel a connection with designing, and it makes me smile. It’s always a passion I have had, as I love to be creative and get ideas into real life designs.

I never thought that I would take it more seriously, and turn my love for graphic design into something more than a hobby. I really am grateful to my Dad for introducing me to the world of computers and design software, as I wouldn’t of had the skill set without him and his influence.

So, I just want to say a massive thank you to my Dad, as this blog post wouldn’t even exist right now if he hadn’t of taught me from the start how to design amazing things. I still love to show him the designs I create today, and he enjoys being involved and seeing the final outcome.

Snippets About Young Gaby

I was born in Somerset, to my Mum Becky and Dad Nick. They are amazing parents and I am so lucky to have them. They split up when I was very young, to the point where I don’t even remember them being together, and my Mum remarried my Step Dad, Andy. I always thought I was really lucky, as all 3 of my parents got on and did the best they could for me, which made me a very happy kid.

I always thought my childhood was brilliant, as when I would be with my Dad for half of the week, I would have his full undivided attention as it was just the 2 of us. We would come up with fun little projects at the weekends to keep ourselves busy. One time, we created a blue glitter fairy castle made from toilet rolls and Pringles cans. We used to do a lot of cycling together as well.

The other half of the week I was at my Mum’s, where I loved that too as it was a family unit of me, my Brother, Joe and Sister, Georgia, Mum and Step Dad. I enjoyed dinner time around the table where we would all catch up about our days and play little games as a family.

Like I said, I was very lucky and I had the best of both worlds having a family unit half the week, and 1:1 time just me and my Dad the other half of the week.

Whilst I am on the subject of my family, I want to say to my Mum, Dad, Step Dad, Sister and Brother, thank you all of you for your ongoing support for my passion, and helping me start up Inkspiration by Gabrielle. Without your time, this wouldn’t have been so easy to execute.

Meeting My Future Husband

So, as some of you may know, I don’t feel I would of had the guts to go forward in pursing my love of design if it wasn’t for my husband Luke. He really is my rock, my partner in crime, and my whole world. My life just wouldn’t be the same without him and he really is one of life’s best people.

He taught me to find the strength and the confidence to grab life by the horns and make happy changes in my life, including following the path with my love for design and doing something with it.

I just want to say a massive thank you to him. Without Luke, I wouldn’t have even thought of creating Inkspiration by Gabrielle, but his love and support got me here. Thank you Luke, for everything you do and everything you have done for me and our family. You truly are my everything, and life is easier because you’re right there with me.

Luke and I met when we were 12 at secondary school in the medical room funnily enough. He was actually unwell and needed to go home, but I didn’t want to go to my math class, and wanted my Mum to pick me up so that we could go to the garden center and eat cake. He didn’t like me at first, as I talked AT him whilst he was feeling really sick, haha.

We then found out that we had both missed the same math class, and actually sat next to each other. You’d think that’s where the love began…WRONG. We couldn’t stand each other! We found each other so annoying. As the years went on, we actually started to form a real connection.

I am now going to sound like I am 13 again, but, he “liked” me for a while, but I had another boyfriend, then I liked him, but he didn’t like me, then we both sort of liked each other. This went on for years! We finally, after several years gave it ago, and we have been together since we were 15.

FND (Functional Neurological Disorder)

Carrying on from talking about my husband, Luke, we then moved in together into our first home. It was a dream come true as for so many years I would speak to my Mum and Grandad all about how much money I was saving, and they would tell me the best places to put my money to allow me to have the best interest rates, and my dream finally came true!!!! It was amazing, my life felt fulfilled…then, several months on, I got unwell.

In November 2019, I contracted tonsillitis. I had an awful temperature, and I was so weak. One afternoon I went to stand up, and my legs wouldn’t move. I was so scared. Luke came home and rang an ambulance. My parents and I were in the hospital and no one really knew what was wrong with me.

I was discharged, and still having issues walking. Months went on, and I decided I needed some aids to help with my walking, so bought a walking stick and a wheel chair. I then went to see a specialist, who did many tests on me.

I explained that since November, I have difficulty walking, my feet turn inwards when I am able to stand, my back was painful, my legs were painful, my feet were painful, and the tiredness was beyond a joke.

I was then diagnosed with something called Functional Neurological Disorder, FND. This is an illness I still live with today. The tonsillitis was such a horrendous infection, that it altered the way my brain sends signals to the rest of my body. I think of it a bit like a computer, the hardware looks as though it is working fine, but when you come to use it, the software is letting it down and not working correctly.

Due to the FND, I then had a fall and twisted my ankle, which I still have issues with today as I tore the ligaments. They never fully heal do they?

I would of had to have moved back home if it wasn’t for Luke. He stepped up and became my care giver during those early days of FND, and when I have relapses now, by where my legs wont work at all, he becomes my full on superhero. He truly is such a fantastic man, and he never complains, and still loves me. Ladies, we all need a man like Luke!

My Son

I have always wanted children. I had been feeling the want for some years, but when I got unwell it put life on hold a little. Between the FND and getting married, Luke and I decided the time was finally right to start trying.

We found out we were pregnant with Thomas, and it was truly amazing. Christmas that year was not fun however, as I was constantly feeling sick, and every time we would socialise with people, I would feel so unwell every time I would laugh! So strange!

The months went on and on, and I was getting bigger and bigger. We just couldn’t wait to meet him, and then, there he was. This amazing little bundle of joy that we fell in love with so easily.

He is my whole world. Everything about him makes life seem a happier place. He is the reason for so many of the happy changes Luke and I have made to our lives, and Thomas is the luckiest little boy to have so many people around him that love him so much, with his Grandparents, Godparents, Aunty and Uncle, and us.

I didn’t realise how much a child can change your outlook on life. Luke and I knew that obviously our lives would change having a child, but the way you think about the world, and yourselves, changes too. He has made our lives complete. Our decision making is so much easier with him, and he really is a gift.

My Bengal Boys

As some of you may know, I have 2 cats. They are called Smokey and Bandit. This is taken from the film, Smokey and the Bandit, featuring the black Pontiac Firebird trans-am. The reason I liked those names, was because my Dad, up until last year, had one of these cars. Luke and I used it for our wedding!

We bought the boys as kittens, and they were so small and sweet (they are both huge now!). We didn’t know which kitten to give which name to, and as soon as we got them home, 1 of the cats came out of the cat carrier, was looking around, very confidently, and was happy to call this place home. We decided this would be Bandit. Smokey decided to be very scared and alert.

People who first meet the boys always say that the names are the wrong way around. Bandit is grey, and Smokey is brown and black, so they always say ‘Bandit should be called Smokey’, but Bandit acts like a Bandit, a little mischievous at times, and knows exactly what he wants.

They are both such mummy’s boys. When I have FND relapses where I am bed bound, they sit with me all day, and don’t leave my side. They are amazing!

It took some adjusting for them both when Thomas arrived into our little family, but they both accept Thomas now, especially Bandit.

I Play Guitar, And Like To Write Songs

A bit of hobby I rarely talk about to people is that I play the guitar. I always wanted to learn how to play when I was younger, especially as my Dad had lots of guitars lying around his house, and I begged my parents to let me have guitar lessons when I was 13. They said yes!

I took lessons for a couple of years, and then decided to go it alone and learn more myself. I used to go to open mic nights and Luke and my family would come and watch me. It was a real confidence boost, and a change from playing the guitar in my bedroom with the door locked, and singing in the shower.

One of the first songs I learnt to play on guitar was Wonderwall by Oasis. A pretty good song to play for a first time guitarist. I learnt songs from Avril Lavgine, Kelly Clarkson, Scouting for Girls, and a lot more. Some of my favourite songs to play tend to consists of Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capadli and Fleetwood Mac (who most people my age haven’t heard of which I fear is a crime to music), and I love to play Jolene by Dolly Parton!

Even though I don’t play half as much as I used to, when I try to play in front of my son, he tries to play my guitar instead which sort of ruins the song really hahahaha.

When I was at college, I took music as an extra curricular subject by where we had to form a band and come up with a song. I wrote a song about Luke, and loved it. We had to perform it in front of lots of people which was really hard, but we did it. It was me singing, then we had a pianist, guitarist and bassist. My Dad came and watched, and he actually cried bless him, he never cries!

I have written quite a few songs, and its just a nice little creative outlet to do from time to time, along with my design venture of websites, invitations, save the dates, greetings card and all of the other graphic design services I offer.

I LOVE CAKE!

Battenberg and Bakewell are my all time favourite cakes! I just love these two cakes so much! Every time I watch the Great British Bake Off I always hope that they will have to bake these two cakes.

When I was younger, I would spend lots of time at my grandparents house. Nanny would always give me a packet of the Bakewells that come in a small packet of two. As I got older, I realised that these were actually Grandad’s cakes, and he was kind enough to let Nanny give me some.

I wonder if thats where my love of Bakewell began?

Christmas Is My Favourite Time Of Year

I don’t know where my love of Christmas stems from (probably my Mum who loves to start signing Christmas songs in September), but I just love it.

I love the food, the thought of being with everyone I love around that time of year, the love of trying to find the perfect gifts for people, the wrapping of the gifts, the music, I just love it all.

I think that my favourite Christmas song has to be ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!. George Michael just makes me feel so Christmassy!

So, That’s Me In A Nutshell

I love my family, I love music, I love cake, I love Christmas, and I love design. I think that sentence there wrapped it all up pretty well.

Seriously though, life is short, and you have to fill it with the things you love and the people you love. Starting my own little business has made me feel more fulfilled in a career than I have ever felt before. It has made me feel free, and allowed me to follow my passion and love for designing all kinds of wonderful pieces.

I get to be part of peoples beautiful wedding celebrations, birthday parties, christenings, business, and all of lifes wonderful events that will always create memories, because I design what is needed for these. Its a tremendous feeling working with such amazing people, and being able to do a job that gives the customers a truly beautiful design.

I would say to everyone, get out there and find your passion, and start bringing it into your life. I am not saying quit your day job, we all need money, but find happiness in more than a 9-5, and that will change your whole outlook, and allow you more room to appreciate the other things you have in your life, like your families and friends.

Bring your passion to life, and don’t waste the short amount of time we have on this earth with things that make you unhappy. Find your happiness, and find your spark.

Thank you to everyone so far who has supported me, and I hope that you all continue to enjoy the designs I create.

To view more of my design work, including greetings cards, invitations, wedding stationery, websites, logos and much more, take a look at my website links below, Instagram or Facebook pages, or my Pinterest page:

Contact Inkspiration by Gabrielle

If you’re interested in having a greetings card, wedding stationery, a website, invitations, branding, logos, or anything else created through the medium of graphic design, please get in touch with me today.