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!

Balmain markets - this Saturday!

Here's a little teaser for what's literally in store this Saturday at Balmain Markets!

Pop down and say hello; we'll be under the gazebo, selling crocheted cushions, baby blankets and brooches. We can do bespoke pieces in a variety of colour choices as well - just ask us! Makes a great christmas present...

Prices start at $10 for a rose brooch, $40 for a cushion, and go to $70 for a baby blanket. They are one-of-a-kind pieces, with a lot of time and energy (and love) put into each creation. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

If you're not in Sydney, we'll have all our wares on our Etsy store this week. Another post shall follow with URL and details.

Balmain craft stall, 19 Nov

Feeling so ridiculously happy of late, I think due to being purposeful.

I have a new job starting very soon in my dream company.
I have a new bicycle that is so beautiful to ride.
I have a spanking new MacBook Pro transferring info from my 'cough' PC 'cough', as I type.
I have a couple of new projects, one of which I'll happily discuss...

Housemate and I will be holding a market stall at Balmain Markets on the 19th Nov. We're been busily crocheting and sewing cushions, necklaces, brooches and table runners to sell in a variety of beautiful colours. Off the back of this project, we'll be selling bespoke pieces though our Etsy store (details to follow).

So if you're free, come down and check out our little stall. We're also raiding our wardrobes and being RUTHLESS. I'll be selling things from Zimmerman, Sisley, Topshop, H&M, Reiss (the posh UK store, not the cheap Aussie one), Uniqlo, plus loads of vintage.

Christmas is coming up too, and that means summer, which means margaritas and BBQ's by the kiddy pool in the backyard with 2CH providing the tunes.

What is not to love about this time of year?

Look what I can do!

Check out my new skill! It was my aim to learn to crochet this year, and true to my word, here are the spoils.

I took a class on Thursday in central London, which taught me the basics of how to make a 'granny square'. I can now follow a pattern and understand the basic stitches, which in turn will make it easier to understand the extended stitches such as triple crochet.

I am not one of those terribly co-ordinated people I have to say, though I wasn't going to go into this experience thinking that I couldn't do it. After almost dropping the f bomb a couple of times in class, my teacher patiently guided me through the loops and hooks that makes a stitch, reaffirmed that I could do it, and told me not to worry. By the third 'round', I was understanding that crochet is basically a formula, and by following that formula (i.e. the pattern), you'll get the desired design. So dense I no longer felt; instead, pats on the back all round.

With no wool on Friday, I was on edge. This morning, almost timing it to perfection, the God's of retail had blessed today be the start of the summer sales, therefore I bought 20 reams of wool for 50% off.  Nice one.

So here I am on a beautiful London Summer's day, enjoying the breeze, whilst watching Nadal at Wimbledon, and crocheting my granny squares.

Today is bliss.