Canberra Owls crochet!

Yesterday some of Canberra's Brown Owls braved the wintry weather and got together for an afternoon dedicated to mastering the Granny Square.

Our Crocheter Extraordinaire shows us how its done


Hooray - Naomi's first granny square! Now on to the next!


And Emma (wearing her lovely new hand knitted cardi), also working on her first square:

It was Emma's last meeting with the Canberra Brown Owls - she's moving away soon =(
We'll miss you Emma!!! (And the lovely goodies you bake to bring along too!)
But we wish you all the best, and good luck with your move and new job!!



As well as having excellent help on hand, and Pip's handy dandy instructions from the Meet Me at Mike's book, we had a few other books with us too - our faves that we'd recommend if you're on a quest to conquer the granny were the Happy Hooker, and 200 Crochet Blocks.
If you have any other recommendations we'd love to hear! =)

And finally, a quick reminder that the next Canberra Brown Owls meeting will be Sunday 26 July - we'll be learning about English paper piecing (have a look at the fun the Sydney Owls had with this!!)
We'll email soon with all the details! =)

See you next time!!

Bron xo

Brown Owls Brissy welcome our newest little owl...

Hi All

Just wanted to let you all know that Em (one of Brissy Prefect's) and her family welcomed another beautiful baby boy into the world this week. Elijah John arrived at 10.13am Wednesday 24th June weighing 3355g and 50cm in length. Mum and Bub doing very well :)

Cheers, Bel (on behalf of the Brissy Brown Owls)

Launceston Brown Owls 2 - BYO

We meet again, next month, Island Owls.

Tuesday 28th July, 7.30 pm, Seworld, 88 Elizabeth Street

BYO tea cup and a plate of treats if you fancy.

Same craft time, same craft place. Bring along your own project or if you're stumped granny squares are always on. 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RSVP by leaving a comment below.

And remember to please get yourself here to sign up as an official Brown Owl if you aren't one already.

Oh ... and keep your eye on The Saturday Examiner over the next few weekends for a piece on the Handmade Revolution featuring a few of the Launceston Brown Owls.

Melbourne - 29th June - Gocco and Gluhwein - RSVPs open 8pm Thursday

Edit - to the non-members who RSVPd - I'm sorry but this event is only open to members - but please send me an email and we'll try and include you in a casuals event that I'm planning - it's for lovely girls like you who missed out on memberships. xx

Attending so far we have -

1. Christie (YES bring your GOCCO - Tea)
2. Jacqui S (Tea)
3. Anna J (Gluhwein) - CANCELLED
   
4. Evie (Tea)
5. Danielle (Tea)
6. Joanna (Gluhwein)
7. Sivonne (Gluhwein)
8. Louise (Gluhwein)
9. Lisa (Tea)
10. Steph E (gluhwein)
11. Emma W (tea)
12. Jenny (Tea)
13. Leisl (Tea)
14. Soula (Gluhwein)
15. Mandy (Tea) - CANCELLED
    
16. Sarah W (tea/gluhwein?)
17. Kalliopi (tea/gluhwein?)
18. Kerry F (gluhwein)
19. Jess Mc
20. Jemma J
    

Roll up, roll up. Next Monday night we'll be drinking mulled wine (gluhwein) and I'll be doing a gocco demonstration! Yippee! Would you like to come? Here's what to do::

RSVP on this post after 8pm on Thursday night. The first 20 girls to RSVP are in. PLEASE let me know if you would like to drink mulled wine or if you would prefer to stick to cups of tea. Try to come if you do RSVP because I'll be allowing for you in the gluhwein-catering and also because we want to see you! Here are the event details.

When - Monday 29th June - 7pm til 9pm
Where - Rear of Fitzroy Learning Network - enter via WOOD St - there's a sliding security door
Bring -

• $5 to help pay for the expensive Gocco supplies.
• PLUS $5 if you'll drink Gluhwein. If you'd like to stick to tea and coffee it's $2 for as much as you can drink.
• So that's $10 if you're Gocco and Gluhwein-ing and only $7 if you are Gocco and Tea-Drinking. Got it?
• Bring some dip or snacks if you think you'd like to!

What we're doing - I'll show you how to print with the Gocco printer. We'll make three different prints (and lots and lots of those prints!!) And you'll get to have a go at printing too. PLUS you'll get lots of copies of our prints to take home. We'll put a fun dvd on for you to watch too - last night we watched Gidget, which was cool! I'm thinking we might go for 'The Flying Nun' this time! Truly.

Now, if you would like to print on some cards - bring the blanks along and we'll do them! If you have any special paper you'd like to experiment with printing on, bring that too. They just need to be the size of a regular greeting card/envelope

This is SUCH a great night. You really should come along! It's okay for you to come if you've attended one of the other Gocco nights - I think most people who desperately wanted a spot are in - so this night is available for all members to attend.

Merci! Don't forget to let me know if you will Gluhwein or Tea-Drink!

xx Pip

Leading the felt revolution

Brown Owls Mongolia have been felting again. Yes, again. We love it. So does Mongolia.

Lots of people live in it, others wear it. And you can get your wool from a whole bunch of animals: goats, camels, sheep, yaks (animals are a *big deal* in Mongolia, I don't know in which other countries the annual national livestock census makes national headlines). So here we are, crafting the felt dream ... check it out.

stitchy owl

Sweet embroidery pattern for you owly types. Link.

Melbourne - Let's All Go To The Aquarium

Wow. We had a great time at the Aquarium yesterday. BIG HUGE thanks to Suze for organising it for us. And thank you to all the Owl Families who came. It was so much fun! All the owls and their kids got a little crafty activity to take home - and I think everyone had their socks knocked off by the awesome sharks and rays and adorable penguins! Yay!

xx Pip

Granny Square Romance

Brisbane Brown Owl Sandra whipped up this amazing to-die-for granny square bag inspired by the current Romance Was Born collection for her daughter Myf (who can be found on the cover of this month's Vogue!!!)

Sandra's fabulous creation can be found strutting it through New York slung over Myf's shoulder. Sandra, we are all so envious of your granny square fashionista skills!

Papercrafting in Brisbane

Super talented interior designer and scrapbooker extraordinaire Abbey brought along her paper crafting knowledge, tools and fabulous tag designs to the Brisbane Brown Owls meet yesterday.


Even the crochet gals stopped to drool over Abbey's electronic cutting machine.


Papercrafters gathered down one end of the table to cut, emboss, stick and stamp away.


Granny squaristas, still going strong, gathered at the other end.


Thanks to the lovely Brisbane Owls for braving the rain for a bit of craft and gossip.


A huge congratulations to Brown Owl Gillian who gave birth to a wee owl last week. That makes two little Brisbane owls this year with three more on the way!

Also wishing all the Brown Owls involved in the BrisStyle market on Saturday 4 July the very best of luck in preparing for the big day!

And pop over to this post to lock in dates for the next few meetings.

Meeting tomorrow in Mongolia

The Mongolian Brown Owls will be meeting up again tomorrow for some felt-making at the Woolcraft NGO. Woot! Be there at 10am ... with a raincoat :)

Melbourne - Brown Owls - Brooke W's Exhibition

Attention Melbourne Girls!
Fellow Owl Brooke W has invited us all to her exhibition!
It's on Friday 26th June at Hunter Gatherer on Brunswick Street!
(Click the above image to enlarge and see all the details)
Are you going? Go on! Yay for Brooke!

xx Pip

Sydney Brown Owls - July meeting

Sydney Brown Owl's July meeting will be on Wednesday July 1 at Berkelouw Books in Leichhardt from 7-10PM.

Image from here (follow the link for the pattern to make this pillow!)

This month is BYO craft, so bring any little project that you've been working on. We will also be having a "Supplies Swap" so wrap up a little something for someone and mark what sort of supplies they are. That way, if you get something that you can't use, you can swap with someone else!

Ideas for supplies:

- needlecraft/embroidery

- yarn craft

- fabrics and sewing

- paper craft/ ephemera

- mixed bag

Please RSVP in the comments if you are coming on July 1, and if you wish to bring something to share.

Berkelouw Books

Wednesday July 1

7-10PM

Booklounge Cafe (upstairs)

70 Norton St, Leichhardt

Ph: 9560 3200

To get there by bus, you can take bus numbers: 436, 437, 438, 440. Or if anyone would like to arrange carpooling, feel free to do so in the comments section.

*Just to let you know, there will be a person there taking photographs of July's meeting. We will let you all know more about it on the night!

Adelaide Meet 24th June

Hi Adelaide Owls,

After such a successful first meeting we are happy to announce that Owl meets will now be on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month which means... it’s time to ask for RSVP’s for the next meeting!

When: 24th June 7pm til 9:30pm
Where: Box Factory - Adelaide Community Centre, 59 Regent St South Adelaide
Cost: $2 donation to the Box Factory

Following the latest trends, we’ve decided to have a crochet theme for this week’s meet too. Don’t worry if you’ve never given it ago, there will be lots of lovely ladies there to help.

If you would like to learn how to crochet a very easy cowel [a loose holey funky tube scarf which goes over the head, like the ones here bring a 9mm or 10mm crochet hook AND a ball of mohair wool in a colour which makes you smile (Spotlight's 'MODA Vera: believe. 49% wool. 30% soya. 21% mohair' is perfect!). Great for both beginners and more advanced (you can modify the crochet stitch to suit).

Or perhaps you'd like to try some Granny squares? If so, bring along some 8 ply yarn in some of your favourite colours and a 4 or 5mm crochet hook. Wool or acrylic are both fine but you might find wool nicer to use if you are just starting out on your crochet adventure.

If you’re not sure what you want to try don’t be alarmed, just come along to the evening and be inspired! Like the last meet, we'll do a bit of show and tell too so if you want to bring some craft projects to inspire others please do.

Prefer to bring your own project to work on? No worries at all! We’ve picked a theme of crocheting but we welcome all sorts of crafty projects.

If you would like to bring along supper to share with the group please do!

As with the last meeting to be sure that everyone finds the meeting place please email us at adelaide-brown-owls@hotmail.com and we will email you back a mobile number you can call if you're lost.

Please RSVP by leaving a comment on this post. If you have any questions about the meet email us at adelaide-brown-owls@hotmail.com

See you on the 24th!

Cathy, Tracey & Cherry

Tu-whit Tu-whooo! Launceston Brown Owls is Go!

Well, what a hootin' great start to Brown Owls on the island! 

 

More than 20 lovely ladies came together last night for our very first cosy evening of crafty goodness. Everyone brought their own projects - from Buffy-inspired handiwork to Jane Austen style embroidery, beautiful softies, clever quilts, funky pot-holders and even gosh-darned tricky granny squares were attacked. The tea and conversation flowed and it was worth coming, if just for the delicious tasty treats laid on by the ladies. (Thanks for the T2 tea Suze - it was lush!)

  

Thanks so much to Gabbi for providing such a warm welcoming venue on a cold island night, as well as bubbles and the most precious gift packs for all of us. 

 

Thanks most of all to you wonderful new Launny Brown Owls who came along and shared the crafty love. 

  

There is plenty more to come so stay tuned for details of our next Brown Owls craft-in.

The Launceston Prefects

Georgia, Gemma and Eve

go gocco!

what did you do last night? i visited pip's world of gocco!

it was a magical place of wonder where wormy inky stuff...

got squished in a little blue box with flashy lights...

and out popped adorable prints of audrey the skipping girl, curious forest creatures and a little autumn poem!

we all went home with a stack of prints and dreams of one day owning our own gocco... but i think i might have to wait til i'm a real grown up with a proper job for that one. groceries before gocco, i always say.

i'd highly recommend the next demonstration for any owls who haven't had a go with a gocco yet... the word on the street is that there will be wine at the next one too. the whole process bedazzled me and i still can't really believe it works as well as it does. much the same feeling i had after the granny square session!

if you are looking for somewhere to have dinner beforehand (or before any of the meets at the fitzroy learning network), try 'lentil as anything' at the abbotsford convent, it's not too far away and you won't be disappointed! i'm becoming a regular here, it's all too easy to fall in love with their tasty vegetarian offerings and lovely warm atmosphere. the most amazing this is that you pay whatever you think the food is worth.

many thanks to our ever gracious host pip!

Canberra Brown Owls - Crochet a granny square!

Photo by LidiaLuz

Our next Canberra Brown Owls meeting will be Saturday June 27 from 2 pm to 4.30 pm at Downer Community Centre. We will be learning how to crochet a granny square! Check out Bron's blog post for some more granny inspiration!

So bring along:

* Some 8 ply yarn in various colours that you like! It can be wool or acrylic, but wool (in my opinion) is a lot nicer to work with when you're starting out.

* 5 mm crochet hook, in either metal, wood or bamboo. Plastic can be a bit slippery to use.

* Your friendly smiles!

* Some yummy goodies to share, but only if you want!

* Show and tell from the last Brown Owls!

Take a look at these before you come. We will have a few Brown Owls helping out on the day with the crochet tuition.

How to Crochet A Granny Square - Original Post
How to Crochet A Granny Square - part 1
How to Crochet A Granny Square - part 2

Pip has put the instructions up online too - they are over here. Please print these out and bring them along - they will help you!

If you already know how to do a granny square, and want to do something a little different, check out this link for a flower brooch. You might like to try that instead.

Also don't forget to RSVP to this post. Looking forward to seeing you all again!

And for your diaries, our next meets will be:

Sun 26 July - English paper piecing
Sun 23 August
Sun 27 September
Sun 25 October
Sun 22 November
December to be announced!

Melbourne Meet - Monday 22nd June - Craft, Cheese and Cider Night

RSVPs for this meeting will open at 8.30pm TOMORROW night - Please RSVP on this post - Places for 20 members - the first 20 to RSVP after 8.30 tomorrow night are in!

Where are we? :: Fitzroy Learning Network (in the big BACK room) -The NEW entry point to this room is at the back of the centre - The door is at 3 Wood Street, Fitzroy - It's that little dead end street where the pinpoint is below. As you can see, its off MOOR Street. Don't come to the front door on Napier Street - come to the back door
on WOOD STREET

Time :: 7pm until 9pm

Date :: Monday 22nd June

Bring :: $5 for Cider, Tea and Coffee

Doing :: BYO Craft - whatever you like - (we won't be providing an activity or kits on this night) or just come for a chat! We're putting a cheesy movie on the telly.

Bring :: a piece of cheese and a box of crackers

Apture™

Perth - June meetup - Winter Warmer

Howdy owlettes! It's that time of the month again. Come along to Brew-Ha in Subiaco on Saturday 27 June, 2 to 4pm. See the map below for address. We'll be sitting out the back in the larger area. Crossways is also marked on the map for those of you that would like to do some yarn shopping. It's just around the corner from Brew-Ha.

Limit of 12ish people, so if you could RSVP by 25 June by commenting to this post that'd be appreciated. Jessica and I will be there.

Bring along your knitting or crochet or any other portable craft, we'll have a natter and a tea!

Thanks to to Perth owlette Kylie for running our silkscreening workshop last month. I hear everyone had a blast! Photos coming...



View Brown Owls June 2009 in a larger map

Brisbane Owls welcome new little Owlet

Congratulations to Bel (one of Brissy's Prefects) who gave birth to her 2nd son Xavier Charles on Thursday.

He was a healthy 7pd 7oz and 51cm. All the best and can't wait to see him at future meets!

xEm on behalf of he Brisbane Owls

Brisbane Upcoming Meetings

Lock these dates in now for future Brisbane Brown Owls Meets:

Sunday 21 June - RSVP here
Sunday 19 July
Sunday 16 August
Sunday 20 September

And if you have any ideas for craft-a-long projects leave a comment or have a chat to one of the prefects at the next meet up.

Brisbane Brown Owls RSVP Now!

Brisbane Brown Owls RSVP HERE

Date: Sunday 21 June

Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm

Venue: Same as the last meeting. Recreation Room in Building 7 of Roma Street Parklands Apartments, Parkland Blvd, Brisbane. The Rec Room is on the ground floor of building 7. Building 7 is the end apartment block furthest away from the City. There is plenty of parking at the Parklands or if coming by public transport catch the train/bus to Roma Street and take the Parklands exit at the back of the station.

Craft-Along-Project:

Paper crafts

Abbey our resident scrapbook-aholic will be demonstrating scrapbooking techniques and how to use those products you have seen in the stores and no idea what they actually do.
There will be a beginners gift tag making class, teaching a wide range of scrapbooking techniques with all materials and tools provided
(there will be a small nominal fee to cover materials $5)
or bring some of your own paper to try out some of the tools and make your own projects.
Photos of the gift tag class will be up on http://designerlicious.com/blog/ on Saturday....please let us know on the RSVP if you would like to participate in the class so that we can get approximate numbers)

Granny Squares - For those who have missed out and would still like to learn to crochet help will be available. For info about what to bring if you are learning to granny check out this post

Or if this doesn't interest you Bring Your Own craft and craft along with us!

If you need access to a sewing machine please let us know in the comments section.

Tea and coffee provided.

Feel free to show off your baking skills by bringing a plate for morning tea :)

Please RSVP by leaving a comment on this post by Thursday 18 June.

See you then!

STOP PRESS!!! A huge congratulations to Brown Owls prefect Bel who gave birth today to a beautiful little boy Xavier! Well done Bel, wishing you and your family all the best!

First Adelaide Meeting

Hi Owls

I thought I’d share the news of the first Adelaide meet last night. In short, we had a hoot! So much so that we have decided to meet fortnightly rather than monthly.

There are some amazing talents amongst the crafty ladies that attended. You can view some of their creations in the photo below.

Adelaide prefect Tracey had the most darling little project for us to try our hand at, little owl broaches - very fitting indeed! Thanks so much for organising that Trace x

It was so lovely to spend the evening with like minded crafters.

Our next meet on the 25th of June will have a crocheting theme so get your hooks ready!

Cherry, Cathy & Tracey

Melbourne - Aquarium Meet - For Friends and Families too - Sunday 21st June - RSVPs open Tonight at 8pm

A lovely event to meet other Owls in a more social, watery setting! Lovely Brown Owl Suze has organised for us to go and visit her workplace! She's a penguin keeper at The Melbourne Aquarium! How cool is that? LOL! That's Suze and Penguin Finn above! Suze has offered to be our extra-special guide for the morning! How great is that? Thanks Suze!

As a little extra treat, I'm going to make up a take-home Aquarium themed embroidery kits for the Brown Owls gals and a little crafty colouring pack for any kids that come too!

• Sunday 21st June
• Meet out the front of the aquarium at 9:20am, it opens at 9:30am
• Kids, partners are welcome (or a friend/friends if you are single)
• 33 people max (that includes kids/flatmates/friends/grandparents/partners)
• RSVP with your name - and who you are bringing (eg Pip PLUS 1 adult and 1 kid (aged 9) = 3 people)
  
• Price $14 per adult, $10.50 per child (normal price: adult $31.50 child $18..... bargain!)
• PLEASE only RSVP if you intend to come - we want to get as many bookings as possible as the Aquarium have done us a great deal!
• RSVP right here on this post from 8pm tonight!
  

Melbourne - Gocco Demo - Monday 15th June - Fitzroy Learning Network - RSVPS open tomorrow at 8pm

Hi peeps! We're gocco-ing again on Monday night - NOT at the Carlton Library as previously advertised - but at our regular venue - The Fitzroy Learning Network. You'll get a couple of prints to take home! Hurrah! We'll only have one Gocco on the night - but you'll all get a chance to have a turn.

There was a waiting list for this event - so we only have EIGHT spots available. The first 8 to RSVP after 8pm tomorrow night are in. Remember - it's NOT AT THE CARLTON LIBRARY as previously stated!

Where are we? :: Fitzroy Learning Network (in the big BACK room) -The NEW entry point to this room is at the back of the centre - The door is at 3 Wood Street, Fitzroy - It's that little dead end street where the pinpoint is below. As you can see, its off MOOR Street. Don't come to the front door on Napier Street - come to the back door on WOOD STREET
Time :: 7pm until 9pm
Date :: Monday 15th June
Bring :: $5 to cover the costs of Gocco equipment (this will also cover the costs of tea and coffee)
Bring :: a snack to share if you would like to - just something little

Apture™

Mongolia Brown Owls meeting this Thursdsay

The Mongolian Owls will be meeting again on Thursday evening at Isa's house to do whichever crafting exploit takes your fancy.
Just popping that out in the blogosphere once again in case you know some crafty folks who happen to be in Ulaanbaatar this week ... or anyone really :)

Sydney Brown Owls - Paper Piecing

Another great night for the Sydney Owls! On Thursday, we tackled paper piecing. We made balls and bowls, pillows and quilts. Flowers were patched, knots were learned and top secret fabric tips were shared. We laughed, we smiled, we chatted and we made.






16 owls joined in on the fun. Were you there? Did you post your project on your blog? Do leave a link in the comments, so we can check them out!

So much fun and we're ready for the next outing! We'll see you at the craft and quilt fair in Darling Harbour next week.

Adelaide Brown Owls 10th June

Hi there Adelaide Owls!

It's time to make the 'official' announcement for the first meeting! Hurrah!

Please note the change in location!
When: 10th June 7pm til 9:30pm
Where: Box Factory - Adelaide Community Centre, 59 Regent St South Adelaide

Just to be sure that everyone finds the meeting place please email us at adelaide-brown-owls@hotmail.com and we will email you back a mobile number you can call if you're lost.

For our first meeting we are inviting you to bring along your current craft projects (sewn, knitted, crocheted, embroidered, stuffed, quilted etc) to share with others. Don’t be alarmed if you haven’t got a current project, for 'show-and-tell', just come along and be inspired!

We will provide tea, sugar, milk and biscuits. If you would like to bring along supper to share with the group please do!

Please RSVP by leaving a comment on this post.

Tracey, Cathy & Cherry

Launceston Brown Owls First Meeting!

Our first meeting ever in fair Launceston is now on the table! An ace space has been secured so let the crafting commence!

When: Monday 15 June

Time: 7.30pm

Where: Sew World - 88 Elizabeth Street, Launceston (It's pink - you can't miss it!) Gabbi has kindly offered us her 'upstairs workroom' ... very cool. (Thanks Gabbi xxx)

Bring: Your own hand crafting project. Thought it might be best to start with our own projects for the first one. Your own tea cup. The prefects will provide refreshments for this meet. Edit: There are going to be a few of us ... so anyone who would like to bring a wee plate too, it will be warmly appreciated... please just leave a comment to let us know xx

RSVP right here in the comments section.

The Launceston Brown Owl Prefects xxx

Brown Owls On Google Groups....

Hello loves!

Brown Owls now has a Google Group page over here. There are discussion boards where you can chat about things crafty and not crafty too! Pop in if you would like to be part of it and request an invite - I'll add you asap! This group is for you to post the things you want to - and to publicize what you would like to. Please note, this is for members only - I'll be validating your name against the member list. Thanks a bunch!

xx Pip

Reminder: Sydney Brown Owls meet June 4th

Hi!
Just a reminder that this Thursday, 4th of June, is the Sydney Brown Owls meeting.
There are still spots available, so RSVP here if you want to join in.

We are very lucky to have our talented prefect, Amy (badskirt), teaching us how to english paper piece hexagons. And Jess, our crafty librarian, will be helping out too. Check out the cool hexagon brooch she made last week.

Here are the meeting details again:
7-10pm @ Centre House, 178 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove.
Centre House can be a bit tricky to find as it has a big tree out the front that covers up the building. It is across the road from the Lane Cove Public school.
The cost will be split between attendees, at a maximum, it will be $5, but likely less.

If you'd like to join in on paper piecing, please bring along the following:
- fabric scraps bigger than 2.5" x 3" in any colour or print
- scissors (a rotary cutter and small mat is tops too, but not essential)
- needles
- coordinating thread
- a spool of very bright dayglo thread will help (we'll share if you have none)

Feel free to BYO Craft!

Please bring a cup along for tea or coffee.

See you Thursday,
From the Sydney Brown Owl Prefects