365 questions - number one

I'm a believer that we need to keep asking questions, it's the only way to learn (as well as observing and listening). And I like learning. And searching. I like challenging myself and exposing myself and finding a moment to see the possibilities.

I have 365 thought provoking questions to ask myself this year, and I'll endeavour to answer one a day. Some will be lengthy in response, some will be minimal. Let's get started.

1. When was the last time I tried something new?
I craft. I enjoy crafting, and I find the more you do it, the more you want to learn and challenge yourself in new techniques. I scour the internet for beautiful and inspiring patterns and tutorials, and it was by this method that I found instructions for a lovely Larksfoot Blanket, provided in turn by the lovely Pip Lincolne, on her blog, Meet Me at Mikes.

I've done a lot of crocheting; I prefer it to knitting as the results are somewhat more immediate. Lately I've been wanting to expand upon my craft repertoire, so I've decided 2012 is the year of the embroider. I've turned through pages and pages of Etsy wares, finding patterns such as the ones below. I guess if i was to respond to the above question in about a week, I would have answered 'I am learning to embroider'.

Buy here

Buy here

I have also been trying my hand at running at the gym. Although I am not new to running (having learnt the art almost 28 years ago), I assure you I found it repulsive as my gangly awkwardness clustered my ambition to be gracious. Nevertheless, in the vain hope to carve out some sort of Summer physique, I jumped on the treadmill on a quiet Saturday morning not so long ago, and decided to try my hand (or feet, as it were). I lasted 13 minutes.

Since that day, I have increased my speed and length; now I run for about 30 minutes, my last efforts tracking 8.3kms. I was a proud girl. And the best thing, I felt like I could come home and eat anything I wanted. I conquered that fear, because it definitely was a fear.

It's come up roses

Just finished my lovely petal cushion, magnificently excited! It's a medium sized pillow, that was crocheted in Debbie Bliss cashmerino and wool. It's such a bit of a knockout piece, if I don't say so myself.

Not the best picture given it's from my iPhone, though it's Friday night and I'm beat.

It'll be on The Owl Space very soon, along with some other lovely crocheted ditties.

Watching last season of Friday Night Lights makes me very happy on a very sad day. It's a year tomorrow that I left London and I'm a bit teary.

The Owl Space

I've mentioned the impending ETSY store for a little bit now, and finally it's breathing!

Called The Owl Space, come and visit us!

It's not complete yet as we need an aesthetic, though the core of the products are on there. this includes baby afghan blankets, crochet cushion covers, which have been crocheted (obviously), sewn and hand stitched, plus crocheted rose and petal brooches. We'll be adding more products as and when we produce them, as we're constantly challenging ourselves with new and exciting projects.

Here is a work-in-progress sneak peak of my latest work, the petal cushion. This is the front, with the rear being flat treble crochet (not a petal design). The finished product will be a round cushion, though perhaps not something you'd lay your head on. This piece is decorative; comfortable as it will be, it'll stand out on your couch/bed/chair.

We also have fascinators, which are super flattering and exciting. They're not your typical spring-racing tat, they're an100% wool, hexagon-shaped headpiece. Priced at $20, they're a bit of a bar-gain.

We're able to make bespoke pieces as well, with all the colours listed on the product descriptions.

So jump on board and take a look. They make a pretty swell Christmas pressie; we can even deliver in time if you order up to one week in advance.

Hoot, Hoot!

Etsy Vintage

I did a post not so long ago about my favourite ebay vintage stores.

As it becomes more popular, I thought i'd replicate that post, but with Etsy instead. Similarly to Ebay, you can get lost in time and space in Etsy though the below is by no means comprehensive. It's merely a beginning as clicking into Etsy is almost like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel- take one path and bam, there's another opportunity. Take another, then another, and boom, a different shop catches your eye. You'll get to know your own bam's and boom's.

So here are a few that I enjoy.

The Pigeon Chest

Does she take her vintage seriously? Of course she does! The deer's head in the background is testament to that.

Retro Threadz

Wide variety of true vintage and stocks a lot of shoes. Can be very hit and miss.

Thrush

I've posted about this gorgeous shop before, though they do remain one to peruse. The name still leaves a lot to be desired though.

Noble Town Vintage

Cute pieces here and there. Pretty affordable for most currencies.

Graybird Vintage

'Functional' vintage, and more of it.

Vintage the Denver way

An unfortunate name, though not an unfortunate Etsy store is this little beauty.

Coined 'Thrush', she hails from Colorado to sell cute vintage clothing to all. Unlike ebay, you don't have to compete for her wares- just choose (this is difficult, given the 16 pages of wares), couple of clicks, pay and it's yours!

Peruse now!