Owls go hoot

new name, new era, new blog!

2011-07-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

After much consideration, I've decided to change the name of my business. I've been thinking about it for sometime but hadn't found a name I liked enough or suited what I do; but since my business has started to take a new turn I decided now was the perfect time for a change.

I will now be making things under the name of Quiet Hare; please 'hop' on over to my new blog which I'll be using from now on. To mark the occasion I'll shortly be having a give-away on my new blog so make sure to keep popping over! I'll look forward to seeing you there! :) Natalie x

Bath

2011-06-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

We've been all over the place in the last few weeks. On our way back from Dorset we took a d-tour to Bath, a city I've grown up visiting and love a lot. It reminds me of an English version of Edinburgh (a city even closer to my heart) with it's Georgian architecture and idyllic setting among trees and green parks. A friend of ours recommended a strudel bar called Hansel & Gretel which has it's own Alpine inspired shop on top as well as a christmas shop, full of traditional wooden ornaments and a really sweet little cafe which sold a vast array of strudel and tasty drinks - oh and a soundtrack of yodeling music which was interupted every hour by an army of cuckcoo clocks hung all over the walls - nice!

Father's day!

2011-06-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

My dad is great. He wanted to be a pilot but his eye sight was too bad, he wanted to be a dentist but didn't work hard enough; he's been a diver in the cold shores of Scotland, a business man with paths well trodden in the north and Sweden (I begged, but he never took me with him); and now he's a self-employed website developer, a Morris dancer, a world cinema fanatic, a singer and melodianist! He's taught me always to do what I love and not what I think I aught to do, and is always there, no matter what, whenever I need him. :)

Wandering

2011-06-10T03:26:00.000-07:00

I've been wandering around our soon-to-be local places the past two days. So far I've found some nice places and cafes (one which played Belle & Sebastian!) and even a good wool shop packed with wool. Also found a small town full of vintage clothing and furniture shops where Corbyn picked up some new ties and I found some 1950's sunglasses.

Dungeness

2011-06-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to Dungeness on our recent jaunt to Kent. I've wanted to go there for a long time. We went round Derek Jarman's garden which was full of so many colours; I love the contrast of them against the bleak flat landscape and the grey power plant domineering in the background. I love the house too - hints of Scandinavian design coupled with the homely-ness of an English cottages - sounds perfect to me! I'm always smitten for a lighthouse too :).

More photos here.

Travelling Light

2011-06-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

“Maybe my passion is nothing special, but at least it’s mine.”

Can't read much else other than Tove Jansson at the moment.

p.s. I have a tumblr now.

Harris Tweed ride

2011-06-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

How great is this poster for the Harris Tweed bike ride in Glasgow!? Found via the croft.

Diamond Mine

2011-05-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to the new King Creosote record he made with Jon Hopkins, Diamond Mine, on repeat since I got it. It's such a sweet and sad LP, a little gentler than his other things, but equally as lovely! Also, if I were a man, I'd like to look like Creosote, he does the fisherman look

oh so well.

York

2011-05-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

We went to York for a day when I visited my friend Anna. It's such a lovely little city. A few streets reminded me a little of Diagon Alley, especially with a genuine magic shop and the people dressed in Victorian clothing dotted about advertising copious ghost walks.

Vanilla & blueberry cake (and Wednesday braids)

2011-05-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

I made Corbyn a celebratory cake for completing his teaching course with an array of out-standings; he's now officially a teacher of English and Media! My niece added her own decoration with a 'v' for victory. I also braided my hair, why? Because it's Braid Wednesday of course! :)

Fabric swatches

2011-05-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

I've just gotten some fabric swatches in the post as I'm thinking of printing 'Pipaluk' on coloured fabric (like the white bag). I really like all the colours (and I can imagine they'd also make lovely plain dresses too!), but does anyone have favourite or one they think would look especially nice?

Limited edition prints

2011-05-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Two lino prints, 'Pipaluk' and 'Little Owl' are now finished and will soon be in the shop! Bot were cut and printed by hand and are very limited edition; I may print more in the future but will be using different colours so each run will be unique!

Another birthday

2011-05-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

I've stolen my mum's bike brooch! It looks so nice on my white cardigan. I'm also very pleased the red gingham shirt by GAP I got from ebay for £6!

Today is my brother's girlfriend Hannah's, birthday. For her present I bought her a selection of fabric to add to a quilt she's making and wrapped it in hand printed paper I made. Later I'm off to see her play with Lux Harmonium, should be fun!

Lino cutting

2011-05-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

Slowly making a small selection of lino cuts for printing. I've been testing them with an ink pad as I go a lot to get an idea of how they're coming out. I'm quite excited about Pipaluk, I think she'll look nice in colour (athough I do love black prints too).

Floral cross-stitch badges

2011-05-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Now in my etsy shop!

Postcards shop update

2011-05-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

I've just restocked my etsy shop with new and updated postcard sets! There's also a few cards on sale now too.

Weekend by the river

2011-05-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

We spend the weekend looking after my brother's cats in his cottage by the river Dart. The weather has been damp and misty, I really like it. We went back home on the steam train after watching Harry Potter; it's a nice line which takes you by the sea and close to Agatha Christie's old house (which I still haven't been inside).

crooked tree

2011-04-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

A little illustration I did inspired by the song 'crooked tree' by Iain Morrison & Daibhidh Martin. I've listened to their album so much I even know the spoken word bits off by heart. I've recently ordered more lino and am hoping to convert some of my scribbles into block prints, I'd like to try this one too. :)

Badges now in the shop!

2011-04-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

First set of badges are now for sale in the shop! Choose from three folk inspired designs. (more badges to come!)

New owls and bikes

2011-04-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a shop update at the moment along with the new badges. I'm changing my packaging and updating some of my designs as I've getting ready to have them printed in larger quantities.

Tweed run

2011-04-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Love this Tweed Run video (found via here). Everything good about being British, tweed, tea and floral dresses. Wish I could make the Harris Tweed on in Glasgow this summer!

Cross stitch badges

2011-04-21T14:15:00.001-07:00

These are almost ready to go up in the shop! I'm really pleased with how these have come out, I just need to finish the other designs (there's 6 to choose from in total) and then they're ready to go.

Top Withens

2011-04-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

From the Parsonage we walked to Top Withens a ruined building which once belonged to some friends of the Bronte's who they used to visit a lot. Supposedly the situation of the building was what Emily based her surroundings of Wuthering Heights on and although the house itself is nothing like Wuthering Heights, the remote surroundings definitely have the feel of the place. We also stopped at Bronte falls and the Bronte bridge which was a favourite place for the Bronte's to 'hang out'. It was very pretty but I bet very bleak in the winter. I'd love to see it all in the snow!

The Parsonage

2011-04-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

Finally I got to visit the home of the Bronte's in Haworth. I've been a little obsessed with the Brontes for a long time as both novelists and people. Unfortunately you can't take photos inside the house so I'll give a small written account of it (bare in mind, I'm sure this is only interesting to people who also love the Brontes - sorry if it's a bit boring/geeky!):

In the downstairs the first room on the left is a small dining room where all the Brontes wrote the majority of their novels. It's a small room with a little table and a sofa which Emily supposedly died on (eek!). That room was probably my favourite, just knowing how much must have gone on it there. Then there's Rev. Patrick's study opposite the dining room with a lot of his original belongings. Upstairs, there's Charlotte's room which displays lots of her belongings including and extremely pretty and tiny dress made in a sweet floral pattern fabric along with her shoes, a straw bag, parasol and various veils and collars she wore too. I spent so long looking at everything; all her sewing materials and handmade needle books, they're all so intricate with tiny flowers and leaves hand embroidered all over them. What I found the most fascinating were the brooches Charlotte had given to her friend and husband with her own hair braided inside it. There was also a small envelope with a lock of her hair in too! It's crazy to see a real piece of her after she's long been dead. The other rooms upstairs included Rev. Patrick's in which Branwell died in, a servants room and Branwell's studio displaying his not-so-good portraiture, and a room full of first editions of the novels (when they were still Currer, Ellis and Acton!) and a collection of letters they'd written to various people including each other as well as their own portable writing desks, ink and nib sets and lots of drawings and water colours they'd drawn. I was such a nice experience to visit the Bronte's home and see so much of their old belongs, the pens they wrote their novels with and the rooms they wrote them in. They're such an inspiring bunch of ladies, it's just such a shame they were born in an era were poor health swiped many people's lives in copious quantities, who knows what else they may have written if they'd lived long enough!

More badges

2011-04-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

These will be in my shop next week along with four other designs to choose from! I think the blue tulip is currently my favourite.

I'm going to the north tomorrow to visit my friend Anna, and hopefully Charlotte Bronte and siblings too. I can't wait! :)

Day mark tower

2011-04-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day outside filming my brother playing music inside the day mark tower near to where he lives. It was so much fun and so nice to be in the sun!

(You can see one of the out-take videos we did here.)

At my brother's

2011-04-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today I spent a sun filled day at my brother's house in Kingswear. We took the ferry over to Dartmouth and ate pasties and then sat out in the sun on the patio garden drinking tea and looking over the rooftops; very nice. (More photos here.)

Hello postcards are now in the shop!

Cross stitch

2011-04-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Recently I picked up cross stitching again which I haven't done since I was a child. I've been playing around with with some traditional folk patterns and have made up some badges with them on which will also be in the shop soon!

Shop update: hello! postcards

2011-04-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've made a new postcard set which is possibly my favourite yet! Will be in the shop tomorrow.

Ayumi's fox

2011-03-31T03:56:00.000-07:00

Before the terrible events in Japan, I was asked by Ayumi who lives in Toyko if I could knit her an adult-sized fox scarf like the one I made for my cousin's baby. I really enjoy doing one custom projects, it's really nice sometimes to just focus on something individual and unique; and any excuse to do some knitting I'll happily oblige! I send the fox scarf of with one of my new postcards from a brand new set which I'm very very pleased with. I've been working on this particular set for a while now as I wanted to get it just right. Once I've taken some photos I'll put them up in the shop!

Le Cirque Rose

2011-03-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

I've been slowly working on getting a few of my illustrations printed bigger for a while now but I'm finally getting around to doing it after finishing a few other projects. Le Cirque Rose will hopefully be a screen print which I'm hopefully going to get my brother to help me with as he's screen printed commercially for many years. I shy away from screen printing as it's so alien to me, I much prefer block printing but you can get such crisp images with screen printing that I don't want to give up on it.

I also made some cinnamon brownies yesterday for Corbyn to take in to work as it's his last day at his current placement. Next he'll be training as the same school my niece goes to, ha!

Too cool for school shoes

2011-03-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Corbyn needs some new shoes for school. He's gotten a lot of favorable comments from his pupils about his current pair so they've got a lot to live up to. I found a pair I think are really nice by...wait for it...Clarks Originals! But are they as 'cool' as those red laces?

I just called to say jag älskar dig

2011-03-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

Acid House Kings "Would you say stop?" from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

Today my favourite band, Acid House Kings release their new album. I have it and have been listening to it non-stop. I've been waiting five years for them to release something new and I think it's definitely been worth the wait! It's so much fun! And I love the video for their single too...

Sunday Birthday

2011-03-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today was Corbyn's birthday, now he's 24 too. We went for a woodland walk on the moors; very sunny, we got a little over baked in the sun as it was unexpected heat. Spring always happens suddenly here, one minute it's freezing and the next too hot for coats and jumpers. I'm glad it's here though, spring is such a nice time of year!

Roots & pommegranates

2011-03-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

New things for the shop - a new postcard set 'roots' and two new cards! I've been trying to decide on which of my designs to possibly get printed larger for wall hanging. If you have any ideas or favourites of my designs or think any would look particularly nice as prints, please let me know!

Garden

2011-03-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

When it gets a little warmer I'd like to spend more time in the garden.

Sudden sun

2011-03-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

The sun is appearing most days now; beaming through the windows, a little blindingly at times and casting some nice shadows on the walls. I really like this time of year. I got two new books in the post today, both very good!

Bournemouth

2011-03-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

Where I'll be living after the summer. Very close to the New Forest, Lyme Regis and not too far from home. Dorset seems like a nice county, it has a place called Wool so why wouldn't it be?

Twenty four

2011-03-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my 24th birthday. I got many lovely things from very lovely people. I'm not so happy about turning 24, I liked being 23 and really didn't want to get any older, but alas! Here it is, I hope to make the best of it! :)

Another present I got for my birthday was a home-made rap album by my brother, his girlfriend and my niece with songs either about me or their own experiences in the 'hard' streets of Devon. It's becoming a bit of a tradition to make something film or music related for birthdays in my family now and it's so much fun! Sometimes it's so much nicer to have something someone has spent time and effort to make you than just something they bought. I should add, it's all done in humour, they haven't really decided to become rap artists (yet). I thought I'd share with you my favourite song on the album - 'Strange Men in Cars', it's about a collection of cars they've been noticing that look suspicious around where they live. My niece does the main vocals but my brother and Hannah come in at the end! And for any fellow Northern Exposure fans who may be reading this - notice any familiar bass lines? Enjoy!
Strange Men in Cars by springreverb

March hare & Red door

2011-02-28T06:42:00.001-08:00

I knit this hat over the weekend; I made up the pattern and am really pleased with how it came out. I find thick wooly hats hard to wear sometimes, but this wool is so soft and light I think it'll be a good hat to see me through the spring.

A collection of my cards and postcards are now selling in The Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh! It's such a lovely shop with so many great things in and it's on my favourite street in Edinburgh (also home to K1 Yarns)! I know and love Edinburgh very well so I'm so excited to have some of my own creations selling there.

Fox & slipper socks

2011-02-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

Fox scarf and baby slippers I made for my cousin's baby. The baby socks/slippers were so much fun to make! I quite fancy some for myself now.

Rather excited about Sin Fang Bous new album, I listen to his first one all the time!

The moors & visitors

2011-02-22T16:35:00.000-08:00

We've got Corbyn's sisters Freyja and Iseult staying with us at the moment. It's been so much fun! We went on Dartmoor today and introduced them to letter boxing. We didn't have a stamp of our own so Freyja decided to make do with some lip gloss and lips! When we got back to the car the prettiest and friendliest Dartmoor pony I've ever seen came to say hello.

Soft light & grey wool

2011-02-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

There's been a nice light lingering in the afternoons at the moment.I think grey wool might be my favorite to knit with and wear too. I'm using the sock wool I got for christmas for baby socks, nice gentle colours, although I can't decide whether to get a pink to make them more 'girly'...

Knitting frenzy

2011-02-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

I bought some wool for my friend Anna to go with her rainbow factory as she's recently caught the knitting bug!

We have three babies arriving in the family this year! One has already come, a tiny but very sweet girl named Lorelai, she's rather early too so I need to get knitting fast! and in August my cousin Min (whom I named my poscard set after) is having twins - eep! so I'll be knitting double!

Red hearts

2011-02-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

I little late! But I hope everyone had a nice valentines day.

I'm planning on making something similar to Jenny's sweet heart garland. I wanted to make one last year but never got round to it.

Saturdays

2011-02-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

I've fallen back in love with Saturdays. Because I work for myself the days of the week are usually only a vague structure for me and quite often I'll work at the weekends. But recently I've stopped doing that so much and made sure I've gotten enough done in the week to allow a little time to do other things. I love what I do so it doesn't really feel like work, but because it's so heavily based around a computer screen it's so nice to shut my laptop down and do something completely different!...I'm off to knit baby socks now...I love these ones Erica knit; and her recent Dala Dala mittens look too good not to try too!

Old slides

2011-02-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

I found these old slides of my mum when she was little. I think they're so sweet! My Nan (in the first and last photos) always looked so elegant when she was younger, I love all the clothes she wore.

Printing

2011-02-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with fabric printing recently. I'd like to make something out of some of the designs, but I haven't decided what yet. Any idea? Bags, cushions, pouches?

Dreaming

2011-02-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

1. minolta zoom_fuji superior 200_015, 2. Geese, 3. Untitled, 4. Untitled, 5. minolta zoom_fuji superior 200_009, 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. Bike and Shieling, 9. Untitled

So many beautiful photos of Lewis on flickr - can't wait to go back there!

From Hermine

2011-02-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

Today I got an envelope from Hermine full of lovely things. Thank you very much Hermine!

Little Factories

2011-01-27T06:33:00.000-08:00

I really love these little factories by Person-Maron. I bought the rainbow factory for my friend Anna for her birthday and I could decide between the cloud factory and the heart factory for myself so ended up getting them both! I'm so glad I did because they look so sweet together. I love how delicate and simple they are - and the packaging it's so good too!

Happy Burns Day!

2011-01-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today is a celebration of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns! Eat Haggis (in my case vegetarian, which is apparently way nicer!) and be merry!

Here's a lovely adaptation of a Burns poem 'I love my Jean' by Camera Obscura. Enjoy!

Super Sale on mini tote bags!

2011-01-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

All tote bags are now $1.50 (just under £1!)!!

Buy them here.

These are perfect for taking your lunch to school or work or to pop in your hand bag for shopping. Also a nice alternative to put presents in.

I'm making way for my new textile ventures...

It's getting brighter!

2011-01-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

Spring will soon be here.

After seeing Tiffany's, I was compelled to go out and buy my own mini eggs. They're possibly the prettiest looking of chocolates don't you think?

Shop update - buy any 4 cards and get any 5th one free! Just let me know which one you want when you buy. I've just ordered some new lino blocks and inks for printing too so I'm hoping to have some new tote bags and textiles come up soon!

Die Young

2011-01-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

Can't stop listening to this song at the moment. I love Karolina Komstedt and her band Club 8 so much, her voice is so sweet. For about seven or so years now I've barely listened to anything but Scandinavian music. No one does twee indie pop better than the Swedish!

Nice jumper man

2011-01-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

The man in the top photo was found in a second-hand book Corbyn bought it Glasgow and he's stayed with us ever since. I love his jumper and his friendly face.

Oh - and guess where my new boots are from?...Clarks Originals strikes again! They do a similar pair with Harris Tweed..!

Cold sunday

2011-01-09T10:44:00.001-08:00

Went for a walk in the woods to try out our new Kelly Kettle. We had some camomile tea and enjoyed the smell of smoky wood.

Shop is back!

2011-01-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

I've just been updating my etsy shop with some new things, please take a look! It's been a really nice Saturday, sunny and fresh and I even got a new Tove Jansson book in the post :)

Little owl and Min

2011-01-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

Some of my new things soon to be available in the shop when it re-opens. I've been ill with the flu over the past week so I'm a little behind with shop updating but hopefully it'll be up and running again next week. Light is scarce in the house at the moment so it may take a while to get some nice photos of my new collection.

Yuletide

2010-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Back from Kent where I spent christmas. It was lovely but it's so nice to come home and have some quiet. I got some really great presents including wool, a set of bamboo knitting needles and a winter moomin mug.

Inuit inspiration

2010-12-15T06:25:00.000-08:00

A print of my 'Tove's Iceberg' illustration. I'm hoping to get some larger prints of my illustrations made early next year - fingers crossed. This one is a Christmas present for my brother.

This sweet print was what sparked off my very first obsession with Inuits and all things snowy and north. It was sent to me by Canadian relatives when I was about 4 years old and is what inspired me to make my Inuit Sisters postcards. One day I'll get it properly framed.

And this card I bought when I went to Canada aged 10. Same girl no?

Shop closed for the holidays

2010-12-13T15:49:00.001-08:00

My etsy shop is now closed for the holidays but will be back in the new year along with brand new stationery and cards! Here's a wee peek at a few of them...

Iain Morrison

2010-12-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is so beautiful. Hebridean accents are just the best.

Tiny winter village

2010-12-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

We've still had no snow here, ho hum. So I with my mum to a model village full of it! It's such a bizarre place. Created in the early 60's and hasn't moved on in the decades since. All the models wear brightly coloured clothes and 60's hair cuts and all the shop names are full of puns that Austin Powers would be proud of. It's kind of charming.

Garment House holiday shop

2010-12-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

Check out Elly's holiday shop! Full to brim of lovely hand-made creations as well as my exclusive 'Owls Go Hoot for Garment House' Christmas cards!

Present making

2010-12-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

Corbyn (my main man) is half way through teacher training and after Christmas will be unleashed into schools to teach, ek! so I decided to make him some ties. It's so hard to find nice ties that aren't made of silky fabric or have crazy cartoon patterns on. I was (as you can probably tell) greatly inspired by Field Guided's lovely ties, but instead of going with the usual tie shape I just made them skinny 'cause I've always had a thing for mods. I managed to find some really nice Japanese linen/cotton fabric which has a really lovely texture and definitely not remotely silky. I really wanted to make a bow-tie too but after a discussion about them with one of Corbyn's friends (and quite the dapper dresser too might I add) I was put off when he described people who wear bow-ties as creepy and cringingly 'quirky'. Hmm...but Matt Smith looks cool in them!

Beautiful video, this one had my niece captivated for days, she phoned me up saying "how do you spell Amiina? I've been trying to find that video you showed me!" she ended up writing a whole story based on it. I love things that capture the imagination like that.

Muggle post

2010-12-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

Slowly recieving things in the post, mostly presents for people, including a Luna Lovegood necklace for Corbyn's Luna obsessed sister. But one was something I bought for me. Such a sweet oak leaf brooch from Made By Anna. She's got a really lovely shop. I wear my rabbit brooch from Ennaland most days so it'll be nice to have an alternative.

Here's a sweet christmas song from Amiina. They have an advent calendar on their site with a new present everyday!

December 4th by amiina

Matching hat

2010-12-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

To go with my mittens. I bought two balls thinking I'd need them for the mittens, but suprisingly I only used one, so I knit a hat too! I really love this wool.

Another of my favourite snowy videos, this one's by Mull Historical Society. Filmed on the lovely sheep filled island of Mull.

Dark days

2010-12-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

The days have quite a dull light to them now. I like it. We live it quite a shadowy house at the best of times due to dwelling at the bottom of a valley, but the days seem to be blending more and more into each other now. I'm keeping warm with wool tights and layers of socks and maybe a thermal vest...but that would be quite grannyish wouldn't it? The queue was so long at the post office today, and full of old people moaning about it! Patience is a virtue. One woman said "I don't believe it, I thought everyone emailed everything these days."...yeah, I'm always just emailing presents and orders...?! Very silly.

Another wintery video. This one is my favourite, I could watch it all day, I want to be in it, now!

Mittens and advent

2010-12-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

In the past week I've been making Christmas presents in between sending orders. Hopefully I'll get everything done in time. It's been so nice listening to music and lighting candles and knitting. I can't imagine time spent better. We're spending Christmas in Kent so I won't be able to do any last minute making!

I'm going to share a few of my favourite wintery videos of the next few days which have been played on loop for the past week here. This one is by Kings of Convenience. I'd really love to be in a wooden red Norwegian house right about now...

Uguisu

2010-11-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

all photos from their site.

Every time I go on the Uguisu shop I just want to buy one of everything. Actually, I want to buy more than one of everything. I especially love the camera photo albums - I was thinking of getting one as a christmas present, but I love all the colours, I can't decide on just one!

Christmas tags

2010-11-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

now in the shop!

Weaving tweed

2010-11-22T04:54:00.001-08:00

all images from here.

Some beautiful photos of Harris Tweed in the making. I want to learn to weave so much!

The Liminal Arc Transmitter

2010-11-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

Book by my brother's girlfriend Hannah. I love all her illustrations.

More of the wedding

2010-11-06T19:14:00.001-07:00

Family wedding

2010-11-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

On Saturday it was my cousin Sam's wedding. Such a sweet day, the light was perfect. They didn't have a lot of money to spend on the wedding so they decided to use their family's capable skills to cut costs, including me who did their invitations, my mum who did all the flowers and my aunt who made the cake. I think it made the day even nicer knowing how much effort and love everyone had put into it. I come from a very close family, my cousin's were often like siblings to me throughout my teen years so it meant a lot to see Sam start and new adventure with such a lovely lady!

Owls Go Hoot for Garment House

2010-11-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've recently been working with Ellybeth to create packaging etc for the Little Winter sale that her clothing line Garment House is part of. As always it was so much fun as we have exactly the same tastes and so get to the end result very quickly! I've also made some exclusive Owls Go Hoot Swedish inspired Christmas cards for Garment House that Elly will be selling on her stall. I've seen a few peeks of the things Elly will be selling that she's made herself and they're all really rather wonderful! The materials and patterns are the best yet! So if you're lucky enough to be in the Portland area this weekend, go check her out!!!!!

Package from India

2010-11-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Package arrived today from our friend Paddy. He's currently in India working with tea and sent us all the ingredients we need to make the perfect authentic chai. He packaged it in white cotton and hand sewed it together. Such a sweet package from an even sweeter guy!

Exclusive Christmas card deal!

2010-11-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Last year I had a lot of people buying my Christmas cards in bulk and wanted to have a way of taking a bit of money off for those who do, so I've decided...

Buy any 4 of my Christmas cards and get the 5th free! Just let me know in the comment section when you buy which extra one you'd like otherwise I'll choose at random.

Winter cards now for sale!

2010-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Brand new seasonal greetings cards now in my shop!

I finally got hold of some new card! I'm so pleased as it was getting quite worrisome as I couldn't find a nice enough card to replace the old. But my stockists (Paperworks, Totnes) came through and sourced some great new card stock. It's smoother than the last but just and nice and has a really nice weight and texture.

Cold nights

2010-10-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Autumn is here and I'm so happy for the colder weather! I've been knitting a hat for my friend Anna for Christmas during the longer nights we've been having. I'm making it up as I go so hopefully it'll look nice. There's so many nice socks around at the moment. I bought some really soft and cosy ones from Marks & Spencer (where I buy all my tights from as they're good quality and fit small people!).

Glitter & fog

2010-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

I bought some glittery tights the other day. I used to love the really glitzy over the top sparkle tights when I was little but my mum (who had taste) never let me have any. But still, I couldn't help myself with these and they go very well with my fog coloured dress. A little sparkle is fun, no?

Test print of one of my new christmas cards. I've had a lot of problem with card recently as the one I usually use is now no longer available...anywhere..! So I've been trying to source more of a similar feel and quality, but alas, not much luck. However, I've decided to go with a card that's recycled (as before) but is a smoother and whiter texture. It's good quality and by the same people as the one before and is growing on me quickly.

Drift records

2010-10-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

photos from here.

It's so nice to have a decent record shop not too far away. We picked up Olof Arnalds and Olafur Arnalds new albums in Drift at the weekend and have not stopped playing them since. So good. They also have a radio show every monday which can be listened to here. My brother Luke is one of the dandy speaking fellows.

Tote bags now on sale

2010-10-09T03:32:00.000-07:00

The mini tote bags on SALE in the Now in the shop, making way for winter things.

Inuit sisters now for sale!

2010-10-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure when to start putting my winter things in the shop. I know we're only just entered into Autumn so it's still rather premature, but I'm so pleased with these two, that I didn't want to delay them any longer! I'm planning on having them screen printed or block printing them too. Maybe as prints or on tote bags, what do you think?

Rennes

2010-10-05T12:05:00.001-07:00

Recently I've been working with Julia of Rennes to create some new logo for her staionery, hang tags etc. And in return I got some lovely things of hers! I've looked longingly for a while at Julia's gable satchels, so I was over the moon when she suggested them as a possible swap item. She also gave me one of her super soft blue leather pouches which already is home to my phone and headphones. The bag is such a perfect size for all essential hang bag things. I'm so pleased to own such a lovely hand-made item by such a lovely and friendly person! Makes such a difference when you're working with someone and not 'for' them. I think you end up with a much better result and everyone's always happier for it.

Autumn creeping

2010-10-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

Autumn has finally got a hold round here and there's not turning back. Yesterday we witnessed many nut eating squirrels, changing leaves and a little chill in the air. Hurrah for tights weather!

Changing colours

2010-10-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

Lots of things are starting to turn lots of very lovely shades.

Train

2010-10-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across these photos I took on the train to Exeter back in the winter. I'm so looking forward to the cold. I prefer it so much more to the heat of the summer. Corbyn will be doing this train journey to college everyday from next week. It's a nice track. You go right a long the sea while on the other side you pass a huge collection of deer that belong to a big old house.

Wuthering wutheing wuthering heights

2010-10-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Another favourite for the collection.

Darker days approach

2010-09-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

I recently painted a wall of my bedroom. It was meant to be grey but it turned out a pale...something. Not sure what the colour is, but I'm warming to it quickly. I've been putting up fairy lights too, because they make everything better. And in the darker months they bring a little light to the day without having to have main lights on which destroy the soft shades of the day.

That Kate Creates

2010-09-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Lovely things I bought recently from That Kate Creates. It was so nice to experience a sweet and friendly fellow maker of things and someone who takes great effort in making the packaging just as nice as the things inside. Recently I've been getting frustrated with unresponsive or unhelpful people with regards to my own business and it always really upsets me as I place so much importance on 'customer service' and being friendly and getting back to people as soon as I can. I think it makes such a difference in the whole experience, be it buying, selling or working together on something. I already had a tough time choosing what to buy from Kate's shop (the Moomin and yarn necklace...and the polaroid ring!) and after seeing how much care is put into everything and how nice the necklace and keyring themselves are, I'll definitely be returning for more!

Foxtrot

2010-09-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

We went to a small Wilkommen collective festival the other weekend. They're a nice collection of bands, but I went there especially to see Francois, Rozi Plain and Rachael Dadd who all hail from Bristol. They were a lot of fun. Rachael wears such great outfits, she also makes lovely textile things like these lovely pouches to put her CDs in...

Harris shawl

2010-09-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

My Harris Tweed shawl is SO warm. The feel and smell of it is so nice. It's definitely going to see me through the winter. I bought some shoes while I was in Glasgow. I really like them but they dye my socks and tights black when I wear them! Not good. I want to get a pair in tan too - hopefully a natural finish will mean the colour doesn't bleed.

Winter designs

2010-09-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've just finished my winter illustrations today. Some have been made in to cards and others will be post card sets. I'm still deciding when to put them up in the shop, not too early, not too late...

Ayr

2010-09-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

We stayed over night in Ayr while we were in Scotland and stayed with a family friend and her two dogs and five beautiful cats. Surrounding their house is a beautiful place home to a large selection of different types of tree. I really liked Ayr, it has a nice feel about it. Also the birth place of Robbie Burns.

Harris Tweed

2010-09-17T10:21:00.002-07:00

One of the biggest draws to the Isle of Lewis for me is Harris Tweed. I find the whole history of it, as well as the craft itself fascinating. All the tweed is woven in the homes of the weavers on the isles of Lewis, Harris, Barra and Uist and is dyed, finished on the islands. If it's not, then it's not allowed the official Harris Tweed mark known as the 'Orb' which is stamped on the material after it's been checked and certified. For various reasons Harris Tweed is struggling to keep going these days, and at certain point in the last so many years has feared complete extinction. Which is a huge shame and would be such a sad loss to British heritage. It's such a beautiful fabric, and so individual. The colours they put together are so lovely and the quality and longevity of it is something that's so rare in our throw-away nature today. I really wanted to buy some fabric but we were so tight on space I could only get away with buying a shawl/scarf. Next time...

Tarbert, Isle of Harris two

2010-09-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

We even had a radiator by our bed!

Tarbert, Isle of Harris one

2010-09-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

We spent a night on Harris which is at the bottom of Lewis. The landscape is completely different on Harris to Lewis, much more hilly and lush. Tarbert has it's own food shop, fish & chip shop and ferry, so it felt a little like luxury after 3 days of being in the Black house.

Coast

2010-09-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

We took a walk along the coast to a beach next to a grave yard and ate lunch. It's so marshy on Lewis you have to continually watch your step unless you want to get wet feet. Next time I'm definitely bringing wellies.