Supanova 2013 Gold Coast - Rosie meets a celebrity

The Quizzical Owl attended Supanova on the Gold Coast back in April. Both Scott and I had a really fun time and it was great to be out and about meeting people. Supanova always has such a happy vibe about it.

We had planned a couple of nerdy outfits for Rosalind and she also had her Jayne hat that I had knitted while I was pregnant. When we had Rosie's newborn photos taken, I had one taken of her in just her Jayne Hat. Here she is:

Scott was going to spend most of the time on the stall while my parents and I looked after Rosalind. We had booked an apartment within walking distance of the venue. Scott did the set up on Friday night and when he looked at the programme realised that Adam Baldwin would be in attendance.

Adam Baldwin is the actor who made famous the Jayne Hat in the television series Firefly which both Scott and I really enjoy. If you want to see what the hat looks like on the actor in the television series, then click here. Scott was very excited as we are also huge fans of the television series Chuck which Adam Baldwin also stars in. We introduced my dad to Chuck as well and he also became a big fan.

Saturday was a lovely day and I managed to spend a few hours on the stall while Rosalind hung out with her grandparents. Supanova is an event that we really enjoy because the atmosphere is always very friendly and everyone is there to have fun.

While on the stall, Scott and I decided that we would try and get a photograph of Rosalind in her Jayne hat with Adam Baldwin, first thing on Sunday morning. We weren't sure if he would play ball. I imagine that celebrities must get lots of requests and he may not have felt comfortable with being handed a two month old baby and being asked to be in a photo with just her. Luckily for us, he was more than happy to have his photo taken with just Rosie, and he was absolutely delightful with her.

At the end of the photo shoot, as Rosalind and I were leaving, Adam had to stroke her feet "because they hadn't walked the Earth yet". He has children of his own, and he was genuinely pleased to have Rosie in his arms for a photo. I'm so glad we had the photo taken.

The photo is something that both Scott and I love because not only is it something unique but it is a lovely photo of Rosie and she even has a "fangirl" look on her face. I also love the fact that Adam looks happy in the photo (other photos I saw from that day he was more serious!).

We're looking forward to the Brisbane Supanova in November. I wonder who we'll see there! :-)

Alex

Supanova 2013 - Gold Coast

Supanova Gold Coast is on this weekend!

The Quizzical Owl will be attending this amazing event and it is the second time that it is being held on the Gold Coast. The show is on Saturday and Sunday (20-21 April), and will be full to the brim of memorabilia, cosplay, costumes, geekery, autographs, talks, workshops, and shopping. This will be the fourth Supanova that The Quizzical Owl has attended, and this year promises to be the biggest and best yet!

The event will also be a big event for The Quizzical Owl as the Owlette will be attending her first Supanova. It means that I will be able to wander around and chat to people, while Scott will be spending most of the time on the stall. For this event we have some very fun onesies to dress her in and I am really looking forward to dressing her in some fun costumes at future events.

Our Owlette!

We're really looking forward to meeting our customers, getting an autograph or two, enjoying looking at the amazing costumes, and of course doing a bit of shopping for ourselves!

Our stall will be full to the brim with earrings, rings, bookmarks, keyrings, and necklaces. We two new products - Lego coffins and Lego Skelly heads in jars! The coffins will be available as brooches and necklaces. The heads in jars will be on necklaces and earrings.

Skellies galore! These are new for Supanova.

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre,
Cnr Gold Coast Highway & TE Peters Drive,
Broadbeach, Queensland 4218
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st 10am-6pm

More information can be found on the Supanova Website http://www.supanova.com.au/show-information/gold-coast

Plans are afoot

Big life changes are around the corner for me. And, in light of this, I wanted to say a big thank you to all of you who have supported The Quizzical Owl from the beginning.

It's hard to believe that The Quizzical Owl began more than a year ago when I arrived home from London. Of course, the business in Australia really began with The Bothered Owl in London and my partnership with my friend Sarah. I had such a great time running that business with her in London for two years, that I had to do it again when I came home. I feel that The Bothered Owl gave me incredible start in the crafty business world. I learnt a huge amount that I've been able to channel into my new venture.

I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to run my own business here in Australia. There are plenty of creative people out there, and to be part of that community is amazing. I've enjoyed the past 16 months, it's been a wild ride. And, I've got some big plans (and some small ones) for the next few years too.

In the short term, I need to be realistic. I will be having a baby sometime in the next few weeks. As of today, I'm 38 weeks pregnant. Doctors don't like you to go more than 10 days overdue. In light of this, I will be a mum sometime in the next 22 days. I think I'm ready for this. (Ha, too bad if I'm not, right??).

In the slightly longer term, once I've established a new routine with the Small Person, I'll be back attending markets. I've already booked The Quizzical Owl into the weekend extravaganza that is Supanova Gold Coast. This will take place on April 20 and 21. (And yes, I'm already plotting what I'll be able to dress our Small Person in!!) I've really enjoyed the last three Supanovas I've attended. They're full of costumed, passionate people, who are out to have a fabulous time. This week I've taken delivery of some fabulous new Lego bits and pieces. I can't wait to show you what I'll get up to with these!

I'm also going to return to doing the BrisStyle markets. I've raved about BrisStyle before, and I can't speak highly enough of them. This year, there's big plans afoot to hold a regular indoor city market from May. This is very exciting. The renovations at Brisbane's City Hall are nearly complete, and the markets will be taking place at City Hall from May. Personally, I'm really looking forward to seeing how the renovations look in that lovely old building (and I can't wait to go up the clock tower again!). Having a centrally-located market in the city centre is really exciting, and I can't wait to check out the first one.

This year I'd also like to offer a yarn club to knitters/crocheters. There are still a lot of details to work out - such as yarn bases, skein size, costs, etc. But, I'm hoping to get this up and running in the next few months. I was a part of a couple of yarn clubs while living in the UK, and it was always exciting opening up my monthly parcels to see what delights awaited me! I'm keen to offer something slightly different with regard to this yarn club idea. My thoughts so far are having a themed club, or perhaps offering a package deal which would include yarn, stitch markers, and a project bag - again probably with a theme. Of course, I'm open to suggestions! If you'd like a particular theme, or maybe have an idea of what kind of yarn bases I should be offering, please comment below. I'm really keen to hear your thoughts.

If there is anything else you would like to see The Quizzical Owl offer in 2013 (and beyond!) please let me know. If you'd like to comment, please do so below. Otherwise, send me an email info@thequizzicalowl.com.au

Here's to a happy and successful 2013 - for all of us!

Alex :-)

Baby Shower

As I've previously announced, Scott and I are expecting our first child at the end of February. On Saturday 19th January, I had my baby shower.

I had wanted a get together with friends before life well and truly changes. With help from my mum, we put on a morning tea for 11 of my friends. I had such a lovely time catching up with my friends, laughing, chatting and reminiscing. Some of them I don't get to see all that often, so it was the perfect opportunity!

It was such a hot morning, but we cooled off with raspberry lemonade, iced water and hand-held fans. I had a lovely time, and I'm so pleased that I was able to bring my friends together for such an occasion. :-)

The table on the verandah all set up

Fyberspates Scrumptious - heavier weights

Fyberspates Scrumptious DK/Worsted in Plum

 

We are now stocking four weights of the fabulous Fyberspates Scrumptious yarn. The yarn is lovely and soft, and made from 45% silk and 55% merino wool. Gorgeous! The yarn has a lovely shine to it, and is a pleasure to knit with.

The weights we have added to the range are the Double Knit/Worsted and the Aran.

The Double Knit is a singles yarn, and is perfect for the ever popular Clapotis shawl from Knitty.com. Each 100g skein is 220m long.  The gauge, using 4.5mm needles, is 20sts & 28 rows for a 10 x 10 cm square.

The Aran is a plied yarn, with 165m per 100g skein. A deliciously soft, plump and shiny yarn. The gauge, using 5mm needles is 18sts and 24 rows for a 10x10cm square.

We recommend that you hand wash all garments you make with Fyberspates Scrumptious (and my hand dyed yarn). Each washing machine is different, and it would be an utter tragedy to shrink or felt a garment you have spent so many hours knitting!

You can find all of the Fyberspates Scrumptious yarns I have in stock here:

http://www.thequizzicalowl.com.au/ourshop/cat_527930-Fyberspates-Scrumptious.html

Fyberspates Scrumptious Aran in Moss

To support the range of Fyberspates Scrumptious yarns, we also stock the Fyberspates Scrumptious Volume One pattern book, and the ScrumptiousBaby pattern book. Both books are bursting with patterns written specifically for this gorgeous yarn.

You'll find the pattern books here:

http://www.thequizzicalowl.com.au/ourshop/cat_507896-Pattern-Books.html

Happy knitting!

Alex :-)

A Quizzical Owlet

Life will change dramatically around here in the next few months. :-) In a good way!

Scott and I are expecting a baby towards the end of February.

As the months go by, we are getting more and more excited about the impending arrival. I've been incredibly lucky to feel so well up until this point. We are referring to our offspring as the "Cylon", which is a reference to a nerdy tv show, Battlestar Galactica.

The Quizzical Owl will remain on track for a busy 2013. I plan on still attending markets and events such as Supanova and the BrisStyle markets. I'm already thinking of costumes to dress our little person in at Supanova on the Gold Coast!!

I'm looking forward to February next year, but first we have to get through Christmas 2012. Thanks must go out to our customers, blog readers, Facebook linkers, Twitter followers and friends for supporting us over the last 12 months. We really appreciate your support and we are really excited about the next 12 months.

Alex :-)

Fyberspates Scrumptious - Childry Shawl

I have been wanting to knit something from the Fyberspates Scrumptious Collection for a while. I wanted to be able to knit something that I could wear in Brisbane’s sub tropical temperatures. I chose the Childry shawl and knitted it in the 4ply/sock Teal. 

I really love the feel of the Scrumptious and I also love the teal colour. It is quite a simple looking pattern and I like the ruffled edging of the shawl. 

From a marketing point of view it is also an excellent opportunity to show what can be made with a single skein of the Scrumptious 4ply yarn.

Loki Earrings

One of the first items that I created when I started making Lego jewellery was minifigure earrings. They are something that I really like and enjoy wearing.

I have a pair of construction workers earrings that I have been wearing for more than two years. The reaction has always been fantastic when people see them. Some of the feedback that I have received is that the perception is that the earrings will be too heavy. I can vouch for the fact that they aren't heavy at all! 

I was therefore really excited when a friend of mine and fellow BrisStyler asked me to make a pair of Loki minifigure earrings for her daughter’s birthday. I wasn’t able to take photos when I made the earrings as these were a surprise present. I asked for a photo of the Loki earrings so I could share them on the blog and I think the photo looks fantastic and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. 

I was also very pleased that at the last BrisStyle Twilight Market, I sold a pair of viking minifigure earrings. After a pair for yourself? Check them out here: http://thequizzicalowl.com.au/ourshop/cat_484144-Minifigure-Earrings.html :-)

BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market

Friday 24th August, 5-9pm
King George Square, Brisbane City

It's that time again - time for the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market! But, this time, there's also an Etsy Party for you all to enjoy too.

I can't wait for the market. There's always a great atmosphere - happy customers, happy stallholders, and hopefully great weather!

I've made a few new project bags for this market. Here they are:

I've also been playing around with polymer clay. I've made some bananas! I'll make these into earrings when their varnish has dried, and they'll be available at the Twilight Market tomorrow night for $10 a pair.

What do you think? Very Queensland, right? :-)

Looking forward to seeing you there. Come by, say hello, and stay for the Etsy Party - it'll be a hoot!

Hand Dyed Yarn Shop Update

Over the past few weeks, The Quizzical Owl has attended several great events. I made sure that I had loads of hand dyed yarn available for these events.

It's sometimes a bit of a gamble to bring a specialised item to a general craft market. But, there are more and more knitters out there! Knitting is one of those hobbies that you can pick and at any time, and come back to even if you stopped a while ago. I love being able to introduce people to new yarns - other than those available at the larger craft chains. And yarns in unique colourways that they will be able to make lovely items from. It makes me happy to see my customers happily stroking the yarn, looking intently at the colours.

(And yes, I'm one of those knitters that sniffs skeins of yarns at knitting shows or in shops. There, I've said it.)

I've listed all the remaining skeins of hand dyed yarns on my website. You'll find a few on my Etsy shop as well.

Here are a few teasers to get you in the mood...

Happy knitting/crocheting/crafting!

Alex :-) 

Ambifair - The Event

Last weekend The Quizzical Owl attended Ambifair which was held in Ambiwerra Sports Ground and is the annual fundraiser for St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School.

 

 

 

 

The event was held on an absolutely gorgeous Brisbane Winter’s day. There was an excellent turnout for the event of which the highlights were a battle of the bands, some amazing dancing, a fashion platter competition and acrobatic demonstrations. 

 

 

 

With two people on the stall it is always enjoyable to be able to wander around and check out some of the events that are going on and the quality of the work that the students had put into their performances was certainly on show.

 

 

Having lived in London for 7 years, Scott was very excited to have found a pair of cufflinks with parts of the London Tube Map inside. The tube map is such an iconic image for anyone who has travelled and lived in London and it is always nice to find an unusual collectible to bring back some of those memories.

Ambifair

On Sunday 5th August The Quizzical Owl will be attending its next market in Brisbane.

This will be the first time that Ambifair has been held. Ambifair is being run by The Parents and Friends Association of St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School and will be held at Ambiwerra Sports Fields, 40 Erinvale Street, Corinda, Queensland, Australia 4075

Ambifair will comprise of over 50 market stalls offering high quality home grown organic produce, creative and original arts and crafts, skin care, jewellery and fashion.

We are very excited to be attending and will have our full range of Lego Jewellery, hand dyed yarn and project bags available.

Hopefully Scott and I will see you there.

Jumpers and Jazz - our weekend away

What a weekend!

Scott and I jumped in the car on Friday afternoon and headed down to Warwick about 4pm. We made great time, and arrived at our motel just after dark.

Warwick is a lovely town, with a lot of history. It's only a couple of hours drive from Brisbane, and well worth a visit.

We checked in to our motel, then had a bit of a drive through the town to get our bearings and find somewhere for dinner. We found ourselves at a lovely Chinese restaurant not far from the motel. The food was tasty! I had chicken in a local peach sauce, and Scott had a bird's nest. YUM! Of course, I can't resist reading menus and finding spelling errors. I don't know what it is about Asian restaurants, but they honestly have the best spelling/grammar errors. ;-) This restaurant's specialty was "Pork Bibs".

We had a slow start to Saturday - we ended up being awake really early (force of weekday habit I guess) and we watched a bit of the Olympic Opening Ceremony. We meandered down to the town centre and had a lovely brunch in a cafe. Then we wandered up and down the main street absorbing the atmosphere, and checking out all of the dressed/yarn-bombed trees.

The trees were amazing! The overall theme was Spice, and the variety among the trees was excellent. There were trees done by local school kids, by Girl Guides, local guilds, and enthusiasts from all over the place.

After wandering for a couple of hours, we hopped into the car and headed towards Stanthorpe. We found several lovely wineries, a cheese factory and even a cidery. We christened our new car on a very long dirt road (oops!), but the winery at the end of that road was totally worth the bumpy, dusty ride. At the cidery we had superb slice of apple pie. Then it was home to the motel for a reasonably early night.

Sunday we were up before the sun. It was freezing - literally!! The outside temperature according to the car was 0 degrees. Thank goodness for drive through coffee shops.

We set up our stall on frosty grass, and slowly thawed out during the day. We were thankful for the warm sunshine, that's for sure!

The crowds soon arrived and filled Leslie Park. We had a lovely day chatting to people about yarn, watching people enjoying themselves, and selling Lego jewellery to excited children (and adults!!). It is always fun to do markets, to be able to connect with people. Someone had remembered us from Supanova on the Gold Coast, and others mentioned that they go to the BrisStyle twilight markets.

We had a fun weekend. Thank you to Warwick for welcoming us! We will be back soon, I'm sure. Until then, here is a selection of photos from our trip. I've also uploaded a bunch more to my Flickr account.

Alex :-)

Jumpers & Jazz, Warwick

This weekend we are heading to Warwick. We are taking part in the culmination of the Jumpers & Jazz festival - Picnic in the Park. This event is the culmination of a week-long festival of music and arts.

And I can't wait!

I've heard a lot about the festival - and the yarn bombing. The trees in the main street are decorated with yarn and the entries come from all over the world.

On Sunday 29th of July, Picnic in the Park is happening in the centre of Warwick. Between 9am and 3pm, pop down to Leslie Park for and art and craft market.

We'll be there with Lego and Fimo jewellery, hand dyed yarn, project bags, stitch markers, Fyberspates Scrumptious yarns, and pattern books from Fyberspates and Ysolda.

See you there!!!

QSWFA Open Day

The Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists have an Open Day every year. I was invited to have a stall by the lovely Vicki, who I met through Ravelry.

I was really excited about having a stall there, as I would be able to sell my Fyberspates yarn there, as well as the pattern books.  I am not able to sell these items at the BrisStyle markets (which are handmade only markets).

I dyed up a storm - I bought in new yarn from Mr Wool, bought new dye colours, and worked my magic. I was absolutely thrilled with the comments I received at the show about my dyeing technique and the colours I produced (that I was very talented, and had an excellent eye for colour). It's incredibly satisfying after creating new colourways, and presenting them to the public on a market stall, to have compliments on the items I have made. It's really rewarding. I already love what I do, but it's made that much more special when somebody at a market stall picks up something I have made and smiles.

We had a wonderfully successful day at the Open Day. We made the most of our stall space, which was along a fence outside the QSWFA's building in Auchenflower, Brisbane. I was really happy to be able to use my great-grandmother's suitcase to hold my Fyberspates yarn. I loved having a connection to her.

I'm now a member of QSWFA. Their next event in their Christmas Fair, which I'm really looking forward to. :-)

The Quizzical Owl enjoying the morning sunshine

Fyberspates yarn in my great-grandmother's suitcase <3

My hand-dyed yarns

The view down from our stall

The QSWFA's store - The Emporium. Yum!

Alex :-)

Shop Update - Hand Dyed Yarn

Over the past weekend, while I was working, Scott put in a big effort into updating the shop. I am very happy to announce that the full range of hand dyed yarn is now available from The Quizzical Owl shop.

I currently have five different sock yarn bases available and have named each one after long-lost civilisations, which were inspired by my museum studies and day job as a museum nerd.

The yarns available from the shop are:

Benin - Sock Weight Yarn, 100% Blue Faced Leicester, 400 Metres/100g

Herculaneum - Sock Weight Yarn, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 400 Metres/100g

Mesopotamia - Sock Weight Yarn, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Silk, 400 Metres/100g

Pergamon - Sock Weight Yarn, 100% Organic Merino, 400 Metres/100g

Nineveh - Sock Weight Yarn, 75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Stellina Sparkle, 400 Metres/100g

Published today is the Weekend Edition of map magazine and I am very excited to be featured in their in the Gentlewoman section.

The dye pots have also been fired up again as at the end of May and early June we will be attending two exciting events. The first is on May 27, and is the Queensland Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists' Open Day. The second is a special BrisStyle Craft Caravan event on June 1st in King George Square, Brisbane.

I'll have some Double Knit (8 ply) yarn available at these events too. It's a gorgeous mix of Superwash Merino, Cashmere and Nylon. Yum!