The Woman

When I think about the question "What would you save in a fire?" boring things come to mind. Purse! Computer! Box with passport in it! But if it were at all possible, The Woman would be coming with me, too. (She first made her appearance on this blog in this post but a photo wasn't enough.)

My paternal grandmother was the ultimate crafty lady. She taught me how to crochet, how to cross-stitch, and whenever I'd visit, we'd make something. She was master of embroidery, knitting, tatting, calligraphy, everything! One of her projects I remember was this embroidery of a woman. At the time I thought the flowers in her hands and hair were grapes which only made her more alluring.

Over the past few years she'd been on my mind. My grandmother passed away when I was in high school and when my grandfather moved into a smaller home, The Woman was put in a low-traffic area so I didn't really see her again until she was mine. When the time came for my grandfather to move into yet a smaller home, I persisted my dad as often as possible, letting him know that if The Woman didn't make the cut into the new home, let it be known that I wanted her.

After a good few months of nagging (to be honest, my goal was for my anxiety to be linked to the portrait so no one would forget someone wanted her. Stealth.) my parents sent me a text with a photo of The Woman propped on one of their dining room chairs. There was squeeing.

But where to put her? I had only been in my apartment for a couple months, but all the wall space was already accounted for. So she lives by the front door and every day I am floored by her. I don't normally favour artwork with people in them (it feels awkward to me to have strangers in my home) but she is family.

Favourite DIYs Lately

There are some seriously fabulous DIY tutorials out there. Here are some of my favourites:

Honestly WTF—DIY Pearl & Safety Pin Necklace

Design Sponge—DIY Wall Organizer

For the Makers—Fitzgerald Floral Embroidery

Swell Mayde—Gold Gilded Geode Ring

Of course there's always the one unattainable DIY. A friend has promised that when he wins the lottery and becomes a carpenter, he'll make me a piano desk. Until then… Until then…

Apartment Therapy

There's already a B on it and everything. Just be mine!

Favourite Things

My friend Leia and I recently spent a few weeks embarking on a Closet Shopping challenge. The idea was to come up with brand-new work outfits using the clothes we have instead of feeling like the only "new" things were from stores. We sent each other photos every morning and the challenge forced me to try combinations I would have never considered. It was fun!

The whole idea it got me thinking about appreciating other things I own, not just clothing. I am trying to cut back on shopping in general. The internet makes lusting after things just part of my day (stupid Pinterest!) but in my home there are certain pieces that will follow me anywhere.

1. My beast of a sewing machine.
2. & 3. Embroidery by my grandmother.
4. Topaz and garnet ring from One Garnet Girl.

Happy long weekend!

Cross-Stitch Love: Steotch

If you're looking for a fun way to express your creativity, hide jokes and references in your crafts and destroy your eyesight, then I highly recommend cross-stitch. In fact, you may as well just head over to the brilliant Steotch's site or Etsy store and buy all their patterns and increase your friendload exponentially. I have completed three of their amazing, delightful designs…so far.

"OH HAI"

"FAMILY LOVE"

"MAWWAIGE"

All photos are from my Instagram profile. Follow me! @owlswakeup