It's certainly been a while since I've added things to my shop. I had an explosion of inspiration lately so I can assure you that this round is just the beginning!
Here are some of my favs:
Friday, September 20, 2013
Shop Update: Ikat
It's certainly been a while since I've added things to my shop. I had an explosion of inspiration lately so I can assure you that this round is just the beginning!
Here are some of my favs:
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tour de Mississauga // Apple Picking
On Sunday morning I did something I've never done before. I participated in a cycling marathon. As a sedentary person, this is a big deal. My parents and I did the 30km route in the Tour de Mississauga along with 700 other people and it was spectacular.
We started at Celebration Square in Mississauga and did a full loop of the south half of the city. The majority of the route was on multi-use trails, with the exception of some residential areas and the first part of the Tour, where cops shut down streets as we all poured out at once from the starting line. It was nice to see which major roads had designated trails (Queensway and Burnhamthorpe) so we felt safe the whole time!
The first chunk was mostly downhill, as we were heading south towards the lake, and east on Queensway was flat and lovely so everyone was feeling great by the 20km mark. Then the uphill started. It was a gradual incline but that combined with an aggressive wind, I had a rough time. But I finished and honestly didn't feel too stiff! How naive I was...
I spent the rest of the day apple picking (because who on earth says no to an apple picking invitation, marathon or no?) and it was delightful.
After sitting down for dinner, something was off. My knees have always had issues so pain is received with exasperation and not concern. This time it was my knees and the lower half of my thighs. I waddled around for the rest of the evening, but the pain escalated to the point that I couldn't sleep because I couldn't move but also couldn't lie still. How the heck I fell asleep, I don't know, but amazingly, everything went away by morning. I have since discovered that it was a build-up of lactic acid that was causing the insane pressure. Now that I know what it was, I can prevent it because good lord that was enough to put me off physical activity!
Now that I am thankfully back to normal mobility and a pain-free life, I can get back to more exciting things, like updating the shop! Sneak peek:
Thanks for reading!
We started at Celebration Square in Mississauga and did a full loop of the south half of the city. The majority of the route was on multi-use trails, with the exception of some residential areas and the first part of the Tour, where cops shut down streets as we all poured out at once from the starting line. It was nice to see which major roads had designated trails (Queensway and Burnhamthorpe) so we felt safe the whole time!
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| Right up at the start line! |
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| We were following the purple arrows, the green ones were for the 60km! |
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| Along the Queensway, irresponsibly taking photos. |
The first chunk was mostly downhill, as we were heading south towards the lake, and east on Queensway was flat and lovely so everyone was feeling great by the 20km mark. Then the uphill started. It was a gradual incline but that combined with an aggressive wind, I had a rough time. But I finished and honestly didn't feel too stiff! How naive I was...
I spent the rest of the day apple picking (because who on earth says no to an apple picking invitation, marathon or no?) and it was delightful.
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| Superb Royal Galas. |
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| This orchard had the cutest signs! |
After sitting down for dinner, something was off. My knees have always had issues so pain is received with exasperation and not concern. This time it was my knees and the lower half of my thighs. I waddled around for the rest of the evening, but the pain escalated to the point that I couldn't sleep because I couldn't move but also couldn't lie still. How the heck I fell asleep, I don't know, but amazingly, everything went away by morning. I have since discovered that it was a build-up of lactic acid that was causing the insane pressure. Now that I know what it was, I can prevent it because good lord that was enough to put me off physical activity!
Now that I am thankfully back to normal mobility and a pain-free life, I can get back to more exciting things, like updating the shop! Sneak peek:
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| Stamp! |
Monday, September 16, 2013
Camera Day
A little while ago, my friend and I took a stroll through my neighbourhood with our new(ish) cameras. It was green and delightful. Commence photo-heavy blog post:
Psst! Shop update is happening by the end of this week! Excitement!
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| The trail just south of my apartment is one of my all-time favourite walks. |
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| Menacing tree roots. |
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| It was sunny. And lush. And quite sunny. |
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| Secret (okay not really) steps to Casa Loma. |
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| Sneaking a peek at Casa Loma before heading back. |
Psst! Shop update is happening by the end of this week! Excitement!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Itching to Knit
With the cooler weather comes the uncontrollable urge to curl up with a cup of tea to make cozy things with colourful yarns. Last year I made seed-stitched cowls, cabled boot cuffs and braided headbands. What should I do this year? I am leaning towards stocking up on pillow forms, thick yarns and whipping up a batch pillows for my bed, but for now here are some fabulous patterns I've come across lately that would make amazing gifts:
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| Devonshire Cream pattern by Laura Aylor |
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| Chic Easy Shrug by Fine Craft Guild (sign up to view the pattern) |
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| Herringbone Cuddler by Kara Mayfield |
Follow me on Pinterest to see more of my favs!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday Wishlist - Fall
We have had a nothing summer here in Toronto. July had some exciting storms and stifling heat, but August was mostly cool October weather. I don't mind and neither does my AC-less apartment, however as we experience some humidity again, I find myself permanently in Fall Shopping Mode.
Case and point:
This week is my birthday week and while I have already done quite a bit of fall shopping, it's very difficult to not buy the rest of the items on this list! Stay cool, Toronto!
Case and point:
I tried this on in the store and fell in love with how soft it was! But alas, it's a wee bit out of my price range.
Okay, confession time. Between planning this post and now, I bought these shoes and they are just the best. Why should I wear anything other than mocassins from now on?
I have a mild obsession with HOH. This necklace needs to not be sold out anymore so it can never be taken off my body.
In love with this girl's style! Fabulous fabrics and designs.
This week is my birthday week and while I have already done quite a bit of fall shopping, it's very difficult to not buy the rest of the items on this list! Stay cool, Toronto!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Welcome Back!
Well, hello again! I am officially back in business after my Summer Hiatus. Sometimes it is so necessary to give yourself some time off, to recharge, relax, to step back and take perspective. Also, my apartment doesn't have air-conditioning so sewing was just not an appealing activity for a while. Anyhow, the time has come to get to get back into it!
I've bought tons of new fabric, I have many new ideas for the store, the blog...and maybe even something else entirely. You'll have to check back and see!
For now, here's a peek at what I've been up to.
See you soon!
I've bought tons of new fabric, I have many new ideas for the store, the blog...and maybe even something else entirely. You'll have to check back and see!
For now, here's a peek at what I've been up to.
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| Hanging out with Feathers of Gold at her craft show last month. |
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| I got a glue gun so I promptly glued things to other things. |
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| I recently moved into a new office at work and so decorating was in order! More on that later, I promise! |
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| Getting inspired to try some new packaging ideas... |
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| Sneak peek at one of my lovely new fabrics! |
See you soon!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Summer Hiatus
We all get restless. Myself in particular. Like one morning I decided 10 years was long enough to have stretched ears. Or the time I threw out my coffeemaker and switched over to tea. It's become quite clear that I am giving owlswakeup a break for the summer, and that's totally okay. I can't pressure myself into thinking that I should keep going when I am genuinely not in the mood to do so. So a vacation it is.
However, a recent fabric shopping trip got my head filled with all sorts of new ideas. SO. My new plan is not to try to be as productive as I was in the spring and feel sad when I fail to do so, but to get ready to get back into it in the fall. My plan for now is to plan.
Until then.
However, a recent fabric shopping trip got my head filled with all sorts of new ideas. SO. My new plan is not to try to be as productive as I was in the spring and feel sad when I fail to do so, but to get ready to get back into it in the fall. My plan for now is to plan.
Until then.
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