my place and yours :: my pincushion

At my very first crafternoon, I made this pincushion. I ran my eye over a few tutorials, grabbed some Japanese fabric scraps and sewed them in a circle. I grabbed a couple of buttons and some embroidery floss on my way out the door and shoved them in my bag. I was a bit nervous turning up at Bec's house. I didn't know anyone there... and I hadn't made anything in ages! I was still working from home as a sock designer then, but making stuff with my hands was something I'd not done much of since uni. When I arrived, I felt like I walked into a bunch of people who had the ease of a group who'd known each other for a long time... well, they had. But they were welcoming, and lovely, and I made that wonky looking pincushion that day.

Now it sits next to my sewing machine where owlets pull the pins out and group their colours, or organise them by shade, use them to count and spell out words. But it's a good size, super handy and I love the wonk factor. My pincushion often joins me on outings too. Especially Brown Owls where I'll be heading next Saturday. If you're in Hobart, perhaps you might come too? Even if you don't know anyone there and haven't made anything for the longest time... Maybe you might like to make something as simple and perfectly wonky as my pincushion?

I'm playing along with Punky & Me today. Head over to there to see more pincushions. xx

PS. If you're in the Geelong area, you may want to check out the brand new Brown Owls group Vic's setting up. I bet it will be super awesome!

my creative space...

Getting there... slowly. Grabbing snippets of time, with Big Owlet by my side, sewing Ric Rac dolls. Craft spells nurture for Big Owlet, so I'm making time for this when I can. I'm also looking forward to Brown Owls kicking off on Saturday week! I wonder what I'll take to work on?

Visit some more creative spaces here.

how now brown owl?

Years ago, when I hadn't lived in Hobart long, didn't know many peeps, felt like I was on holidays... I missed creating with people. Having just left a design studio to work from home, suddenly creating was a whole lot quieter. Then I discovered blogging and found my way to Pip's. Not long after, she began a craft group called Brown Owls. I was sad that it hadn't been around when I was in Melbourne. Sad that it wasn't in Hobart... I joined up as a Faraway member. Pip sent me a kit with some stitchy work to do. That's it in the picture above. I never started it, but I liked the idea of it and I lived vicariously through the blogosphere...

Then I discovered Crafternoon. I think one afternoon a friend mentioned it and I googled and found Bec who invited me along for a crafternoon or two at her place and a gallery exhibition and some things thrown on a table at a market and before long here I was with regular market stalls and an etsy shop..! I think craft groups are good. They're an excellent way to meet other creative types, learn new things, multitask... See? I can talk and create and drink tea and eat cake! They're great for building community and making sure you set aside time to do something you love.... So Crafternoon ended and I miss it. And other crafty groups haven't been on at a time suitable for me, with three owlets in tow, or a tiny owlet needing me nearby at night... And many of my friends are in a similar boat. So, Hobart. We are about to have our very own Brown Owls group. Yay!

I've found us a perfect little clubhouse with space for a sewing machine or three and room for sitting and knitting, or crocheting, or whatever your thing is. It's located in a playground so if owlets need to tag along, they can, and they'll have a lovely time too. Our first meeting is at the end of the month. It's all just a little bit exciting!

If you'd like to join in too, check out the facebook group for Hobart Brown Owls here.
Or the Brown Owls Worldwide Clubroom here.
Or the Brown Owls Members Blog here.
Or follow the Brown Owls Twitter account here.
Or you can send me a message and I'll let you know when and where.

If you're not in Hobart, maybe you'd like to look up your local Brown Owls? Or do you have another crafty group you're part of? Or maybe craft's not your thing at all....