Canberra Brown Owls - July Meet Up

Hey Brown Owls!

Gosh it's July already (only one more month of winter to go, YAY!!) and once again all the kids are back at school.  So do you remember back in February we made little needle books to get ourselves organised?  Well, now it's time to add the next  perfect little addition to your craft kit.  Let's make scissor keepers/pouches.  A few ideas you can sew without a machine (of course, if you need to bring along a sewing machine - no problem!)

Of course, feel free to bring along some of your projects - bring along your UFOs, new projects, old projects or even something new.  

Need inspiration?   

How bring and cheerful is this cute scissor pouch from 'Feeling Stitchy'?

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2014/08/tutorial-tuesday_26.html

 Step up your embroidery with this scissor pouch from 'Sew Little Fabric' and follow the links for the downloadable pattern xx

http://sewlittlefabric.blogspot.com/2009/08/free-felt-scissor-keeper-pattern.html

A really simple Scissors Pouch for your young ones to make from Albion Guild!

http://albiongould.com/felt-scissors-pouch-diy/

And if you have enough time, why not crochet a little Scissor Keeper so you know you'll never mix up your scissors!  (note this one is a paid pattern) xx

https://www.lovecrochet.com/strawberry-scissor-keeper-crochet-pattern-by-sandra-paul

 
 Meet Up Details:

Saturday  28 July 2018

From 1pm - 4pm

RSVP over at our Canberra Brown Owls Facebook Event page

 https://www.facebook.com/events/558999914496786/

 

Venue Details:

This month we're meeting in the Community Room located at the  Belconnen Fire Station, on Bardi Place in Macquarie (or you might know it's along Bindubi Street, Aranda (not far from Jamison shops).

 
Please park in the public parking area located on the side of the Fire Station. Apologies for stating the obvious, but please do not access the fire station from their main entry.

Access to the Community Room is by a pass which we have organised. The community room also has kitchenette and bathroom facilities.

Canberra Brown Owls - February 2018

Hey Brown Owls!

So it's now February, all the kids are back at school and we're all starting to settle into the year ahead and dream of next year's summer holidays!  So to get our year organised, how about making cute little needle books.  The perfect little addition to your craft kit.  Of course, feel free to bring along some of your projects - bring along your UFOs, new projects, old projects or even something new.  

Need inspiration?   

Image source: https://www.arabesque-scissors.com/2018/01/liberty-society-kantha-stitch-along-part-2/

This is the needle book I plan to make, a cute little butterfly book the perfect size for my craft kit! Click on this link:

http://wildolive.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/project-butterfly-needle-book.html

Need more details? How cute is this little  needle book from Nana Company?  Click on this link below for all the details:  

http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/2011/10/needlebook-tutorial-by-nanacompany.html

Or this cute little needle book from the Stitch Craft Create Magazine.  Just click on this link.

http://www.sccmag.com/felt-needle-book-craft-project/

 This one is from one of my most favourite Embroidery designers - LiliPopo.  Just click on this link.

 

http://www.lilipopo.co.uk/2017/12/embroidered-butterfly-needlebook-tutorial-and-free-pattern-part-one.html

Or how about this cute little Letter Needle Book.  Just click on this link which takes you to an archived web page, but the tutorial is still there!!

 

http://kellyrachel.com/blog/2010/04/12/little-letter-needle-book-tutorial/

And if you need more inspiration, here's a whole bunch! http://thepatchsmith.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/

Meet Up Details:

Saturday  17 February 2018

From 1pm - 4pm

RSVP over at our Canberra Brown Owls Facebook Event page

Venue Details:

This month we're meeting in the Community Room located at the  Belconnen Fire Station, on Bardi Place in Macquarie (or you might know it's along Bindubi Street, Aranda (not far from Jamison shops).

 
Please park in the public parking area located on the side of the Fire Station. Apologies for stating the obvious, but please do not access the fire station from their main entry.

Access to the Community Room is by a pass which we have organised. The community room also has kitchenette and bathroom facilities.

Canberra Brown Owls - August 2017

It's a Canberra Brown Owls project special! we've got the private dining room booked JUST FOR US and it's totally up to you! We'll have room to spread out a bit more, so feel free to bring your sewing machine, your paper-crafting supplies, or whatever takes your fancy!!

Maybe catch up on all those Unfinished Projects (hexagons for example!).

Whatever you chose, BYO craft and supplies. If you bring along your sewing machine - you may wish to bring a short extension cord!

So join on this Saturday at the Magpies Club in Kippax for an afternoon of crafting!


Be sure to RSVP at our Facebook Event page

 xx

ps Need some ideas and inspiration:

http://www.familycircle.com/home/crafts/projects/diy-painted-vases/

 

https://www.spotlightstores.com/projects/needlecraft-weaving-projects/heartfelt-stitches-embroidery-hoop-art-project

 

 

 

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/543950461234184272/

 

Canberra Brown Owls - June 2017

It's a Canberra Brown Owls project special!  we've got the private dining room booked JUST FOR US and it's totally up to you!  We'll have room to spread out a bit more, so feel free to bring your sewing machine, your paper-crafting supplies, or whatever takes your fancy!!

Maybe catch up on all those Unfinished Projects (hexagons for example!).

Whatever you chose, BYO craft and supplies.  If you bring along your sewing machine - you may wish to bring a short extension cord!

So join on this Saturday at the Magpies Club in Kippax for an afternoon of crafting!

Be sure to RSVP at our Facebook Event page

Below are a few links for inspiration:

  Gorgeous Homemade Silk Flower Cards

from http://shabbyartboutique.com/2017/06/diy-homemade-silk-flower-cards.html

 Beaded Bracelets

from https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/2017/05/beaded-boho-cuff-bracelet-pattern.html?

 Crochet some cute little hand warmers

Click here for the pattern

from http://www.insidecrochet.co.uk/patterns/hand-hotties/

 

 Sew a cute bag

from https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/kits/daisy-delights-flower-bucket-bag/481866

Whatever you choose to make, whether a project that needs finishing or you're looking for something new,  go check out Pinterest. So much inspiration xx

 

May 2017 - It's a wrap

So if you joined us last month you would have seen some wonderful projects in action.  Especially Dream Catchers!

A few happy snaps from the day, 'scuse the lack of editing :( :

Gorgeous Dream Catchers of Maree & Lydia using kits xx

Obligatory group photo of lovely projects xx

Fabulous know work by Angela in sunshiney yellow xx

Angela's knot work is amazing xx

My crochet work to make the doily xx

The finished dream catcher xx

We hope you can join us this Saturday at Brown Owls.

Canberra Brown Owls - May 2017

It's a Dream Catcher special. BYO kits or supplies to make your own Dream Catchers (think hoops/rings, ribbons, lace, beads, feathers). Join on this Saturday at the Magpies Club in Kippax for an afternoon of Dream Catching.  Or feel free to bring your own project!

Be sure to RSVP at our Facebook Event page

Below are a few links for inspiration:

https://savvy.rejectshop.com.au/diy-dreamcatcher/

 Crochet Dream Catchers: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/369365606928037439/

Easy Dream Catchers with tassels: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/369365606927801900/


Repurpose your doilies: http://mokkasin.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/du-vet-val-att-de-ar-mgaiska.html (use google translate) or this one: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/162833342757657954/

http://mokkasin.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/du-vet-val-att-de-ar-mgaiska.html

 or http://alldaychic.com/diy-dream-catcher-delight/ 

Or why not try making Dream Catcher cards - they're just stunning too! https://au.pinterest.com/pin/321163017153540045/

Maybe a mixed media Dream Catcher takes your fancy: http://mixedmediaplace.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/dream-catcher-by-sylwia-video.html.

http://mixedmediaplace.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/dream-catcher-by-sylwia-video.html

Whatever you choose, go check out Pinterest and search on Dream Catcher. So much inspiration xx

April 2017 - Wrap Up

Well, our Canberra meet up in April was another fabulous afternoon.  Faces, old and new, all joining in for the most-addictive crafting...... making hexagons!

A few happy snaps of the day - can you see yours?

Liberty Lawn hexagons, ready to be pieced.

Sandy's gorgeous hexagons with much admired fabric choices

Angela's gorgeous hexies using batik fabrics

Helen's gorgeous hexies with an amazing rainbow of colours

And a quick happy snap of the girls hard at work!

We hope you can join us next month at Brown Owls. 

We'll be trying Dream Catchers!

Canberra Brown Owls - April 2017

Join us this month for Canberra Brown Owls - and this month we're trying English Paper Piercing and Hexagons!

Now I'm no expert in these, so let's all learn together!

I've found a few helpful websites, so let's get started!

Hexagon Templates:

You'll need templates for cutting your hexagon pieces and templates.  You can print some off from the Willow Market website.  I recommend printing/cutting from thin cardstock if you can.  It's a little bit sturdier then the usual print paper!

http://www.thewillowmarket.com/hexagon-templates-for-sewing-a-hexie-quilt-2-inch-2-12-inch-and-three-inch-patterns/

Sewing Supplies:
Supplies:
* English Paper Piecing Templates printed on cardstock at actual size (full scale)
* Cotton fabric scraps or fat quarters, two contrasting prints or colors
* Hand quilting thread, a colour that will blend in with your fabrics
* Glue stick (optional)

Tools:
* Fabric scissors
* Hand quilting needle
* Paper scissors

http://www.thezenofmaking.com/2013/06/tutorial-english-paper-piecing-hexies-part-1/

Sewing Hexagon/English Paper Piecing Instructions

I have found a great tutorial with lots of photos over at the 'Zen of Making' website.  Click on the link for all the instructions (Part 1) to make the individual hexagons and then over to Part 2 of the Tutorial for assembly into gorgeous Hexagon flowers!  There are heaps of instructions for making hexagons, including these ones from Pretty by Hand and Bee in my Bonnet.

http://prettybyhand.com/blog/2013/6/5/little-hexagons-tutorial.html

So if you're wondering what you can do with these gorgeous hexagons, and trust me - it is rather addictive (and the perfect project to take anywhere with you), you can try these!

A Hexie Pincushion by Spoonful of Sugar

http://aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2016/04/hexie-pincushion-free-sewing-tutorial/

http://prettybyhand.com/blog/2013/6/14/hexagonia-pincushionland.html

Hexie Cushion from Homelife

http://www.homelife.com.au/craft-diy/knitting-sewing/how-to-make-a-hexagon-cross-stitch-flower

BYO all your sewing supplies and fabrics.

We will be using the room at Magpies Sports Club in Kippax.

RSVP at our  Canberra Brown Owls FB page

Coming up - October 2016

Well, after a very successful Masterclass in September - Canberra Brown Owls is back to regular programming!

This month, we're starting to think of Christmas - yep already!  So I found this gorgeous little project: Scandinavian Fabric Stars.  They look fabulous!

Image source: https://craftingarainbow.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/scandinavian-fabric-stars/

This one has homework - so read on!! We don't have the room booked this month, to do the homework and preparation!

Supplies:
Four coordinating fabrics, cut 8cm x 30cm rectangles (about 12″ x 3 1/4″)
Coordinating embroidery floss & needle
General sewing supplies

Before you come along to Brown Owls - you need to follow these steps...

Step 1: Choose 4 fabrics that you like together.
Step 2: Cut 8cm x 30cm rectangles (about 12″ x 3 1/4″).
Step 3: Iron the stripes so they are like double-fold bias tape. (In half, then fold the edges in to the centre, and iron again.) - you can see what this looks like at: http://sofielegarth.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/diy-flettet-stjerne.html (and use google translate!!)

Don't forget to RSVP over at our Canberra Brown Owls FB page : https://www.facebook.com/events/1160035607387527/

Carolyn & Nic
xx

Coming Up - September 2016

So Canberra Brown Owls, we got a special one for September.  It's our first Canberra Brown Owls Master Class.  Yep you read it right - a Master Class.

Since we ALL raved on so much about how LOVELY Nic's nifty handbag was, designed by Anna Graham of Noodlehead fame, we will be making Trail Totes together at the September meeting and Nic will be helping for those that are a bit rusty on sewing bags. 

 Check our FB event page for the pattern (free on Robert Kaufman website) which outlines all the materials required. There will be a charge for bag hardware (will advise cost before the date). You will need to supply your own fabrics, zippers, interfacing, thread and thin wadding (if you want the bag to be slightly padded). If you have a sewing machine, bring it too.

This is a fun bag that is easy to make. For those that are beginners, we will be there to help you work through the pattern.

We do have a limited workspace so please confirm your attendance!

It's going to be great fun!

Carolyn & Nic xx

Canberra Brown Owls - August 2016

So, here's another post.  Wow!  I'm doing great!!

So for our Canberra Brown Owls - August meet, I thought it might be a lovely idea to start thinking about Spring.  It was only a few weeks away, sure what could go wrong!!  Well, the weather to start.  It was an awful cold, wet and stormy day in Canberra. Luckily we were toasty warm inside the Magpies Club in Kippax.  Our home for the next few meet ups!

So our theme: was to flirt the flamingo and party the pineapple. This month we're going tropical. 

I had chosen two little projects using spring colours: but we only had time for the gorgeous little felt flowers from the August issue of Mollie Makes.

Flowers in the making.

Super fun and easy to make, so they soon started multiplying!!

 

Nic had show and tell.  Good luck on your 100 blocks in 100 days!

Barb made wonderful work of her hexie Christmas Tree!

See you next month!

Carolyn & Nic xx