Looking Back on September

Because of this week's cold, it feels like a very uneventful month. But when I look back, it doesn't really seem that bad.

• My cat had her 9th birthday - and as you can see she celebrated;)
• I finished knitting my very first cardigan.
• And started knitting a dress.
• Reviewed a truly wonderful shop.
• Met my little cousin for the first time.
• Had an interview with the lovely Julia.
• Shared a nice fall recipe.
• Met up with some friends I hadn't seen in ages.
• Added some new brooches to the shop.

Hedgehog in the Fog

I just found the most amazing old animation! It was made in 1975, but were it made today, I'd be just as in awe as I am now.

Aren't all the creatures stunning? What did you think of the owl?

Lovely Movies: My Neighbour Totoro

Totoro has to be one of the best characters Studio Ghibli has ever given us! I wish I could make friends with a friendly furry creature myself, or get one of those convenient cat-busses. But since those odds are pretty low, I just bought the dvd instead.

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As far as the actual story goes, it is pretty simple. But it has so many wonderful characters and situations, that it never gets boring or predictable.

The credits are stunning as well! And the song always makes me smile. Sometimes I actually play it when I need something to lift my mood. Works like a charm!

Wishlist

Honestly I just want this cold/flu to be over, but since I just have to sit it out, I picked the perfect item for my wishlist today. The self-stirring mug!

At times like these, when anything you do is too much, but you still have to self-medicate with tea and honey, this would be quite convenient, don't you think?

Anyway, there have been some incredibly sweet comments that I really need to reply to, and I'll do so when my head doesn't feel like it's about to explode anymore. In the meantime, I just wanted to do a general thank you. So thanks! And you might just hear from me again soon.

Interview with Julia from EarlybirdPrints

My friend Julia is here today to answer some questions! She's not only responsible for the lovely blog "a Girl with Horn-Rimmed Glasses", but she recently opened up an Etsy shop as well. She very kindly gave away a print a little while ago and today she's back so you can get to know her a bit better. Enjoy!

-Have you always enjoyed creating things?-

As far as I can remember, yes. I've had times where I wasn't too interested into crafty things, but I've always drawn as a child. When I got older I started using graphic programs on my computer and that's how I got interested in being a graphic designer. I've always wanted to make things that other people will see. Only logical that I got into advertising. ;) 

-Where does your inspiration comes from?-

Everywhere! It can be little things, shapes or colors of an object I see. It can be food, or furniture. Or it can be a picture I see that sparks a thought of something completely different or a solution to a design/conceptual problem that I had before and couldn't solve. Of course I love collecting pretty stuff I see in books or online (thanks for Pinterest!), and I love reading all kinds of creative blogs. 

Music and movies can be quite inspiring too. 

-Do you have a certain ritual for when you create? Do you listen to music or do certain other things?-

It depends on what kind of creative work I do. If it's work or uni-related, I tend to make my workplace ready, all clean, everything aligned and in it's place, have a cup of tea, and start. If it's "recreational", like the Etsy prints, I like to draw while lounging on the sofa and having some TV or music as "background noise".  

-When do you feel a project is finished?

When I'm sick of seeing it! ;D When it comes to illustrations, I start with a clear picture in mind of how it should look, and what parts it consists of. I'm always scared of ruining an illustration when I draw too much in it. With graphic design work, I usually spend quite some time with a project, and after a while, you will think "Ugh, did I really think this was the ideal look?" even if it's fine. That always happens to me after I finish a project. One never stops thinking "I could have done more". 

-What does your perfect Sunday look like?-

As my Sundays at the moment are full of work, my perfect Sunday would contain none of that. I'd love to spend it reading, going on a walk, and some kind of crafty work – I'd like to get into knitting or sewing. 

I like my Sundays as "boring" as possible, as it's my least favorite day in the week.

-Do you have any plans for your blog or shop that you'd like to share already?-

As for my blog, it's been a little neglected for the last months because I was so busy doing uni projects. Same goes for the shop. I hope to blog more regularly with more interesting posts in the next months. I would also like to get crafty a bit more often and share those experiences on the blog. Next month, Hamburg will host a lovely handmade market ("Hello Handmade!" at the Kampnagel) again, and I want to show my readers all the great Etsy and DaWanda sellers I will see there. 

For my shop, I would love to draw more and add new items. Maybe add items that aren't prints as well?! If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them…! :) 

-Is there anything else you want to tell the Blue Eyed Night Owl readers?-

Hi there?! I hope you found reading at least a bit interesting compared to Laura's usual awesome posts. (My favs are the Owl Things Considered because I love owls so much, what are yours?) Have a great day and maybe pop by my blog sometime? :) 

Owl Things Considered

The owls from YvonnesWorkshop are amazing! They are very cute and very well made. And they basically look like they could fly off any minute.

This owl couple, inspired by that very well-known photograph, immediately caught my eye. Isn't it sweet?

I also love that the creator likes to experiment. Besides needlefelted owls, there's also this truly magnificent embroidered owl.

And I just had to post this little hedgehog too. It looks so real!

Check out YvonnesWorkshop for some more creatures and some stunning handpainted baskets as well.

Achoo!

Well, something has definitely been sneezed here. I have come down with a cold. Clear thinking is definitely out of the question today. Thankfully knitting isn't it. And it did gave me some leverage for the dvd choice tonight: Totoro it is!

See you tomorrow, hopefully!

Cat Cardigan : a finished project

Though I've made one sweater before, I'd never tried my hand at a cardigan. This is my very first one, but I'm guessing it won't be my last.

I think it turned out really cute! And it was a blast to make too. I actually ordered the cat button especially for this project. Isn't it adorable? And the stripes on the cat matched the yarn so well.

Today was spent starting a new project already. It seems to be going fast, so I'll probably have something else to show you soon.

Sponsor Call: October

October is getting closer and closer. And it's another chance to get your ad out there and lead more viewers to your blog or shop.

The Exclusive Large Spot is sold for next month, but you can email me to reserve it for November instead.

There are still Small and Regular ads available though. For $5 and $8, or you can get 3 months for $12 and $20 and save yourself some money.

Giveaways and reviews are a possibility as well. So lots of options to gain more exposure!
Visit this page for more elaborate info.

Great Reads: Zazoo

One of the books I enjoyed most growing up was Zazoo by Richard Mosher. I recently reread it and was relieved to find it's a great read for adults as well.

Unlike many other books meant for kids, it is not a tale of fantasy, magic or suspense. It is in fact quite slow-paced and deals with realistic problems and emotions in a very poetic manner.

The main character is a girl adopted by an older man. With her Vietnamese looks, Zazoo doesn't quite fit in at the little French village. She's mature for her age, which leads to her taking on a lot of responsibilities, but also helps her gain some special friendships.

It's inevitable to get very attached to all characters. I love how they all have multiple dimensions that get revealed over time. Sometimes that comes as a horrible surprise, but overall sweet things tend to happen.

Mostly it's about the past, and how it still affects the present, even if we're unaware of it.
Within this story there are many stories to discover and unravel. Many stories that will probably stick with you.

Wishlist

I am seriously in love with Modcloth's First and Forest collection! There isn't a single piece in there that doesn't make me go "Aw....". But my absolute favorites are probably the raccoon dish, the chipmunk mug and the salt and pepper shakers. Though I'd definitely want that doormat if I had my own place... Ok, ok, every single item is cute, isn't it?

Did you manage to pick a favorite?

Mustard Flowers

For the first twenty years of my life I was never one to wear a lot of yellow. Along came mustard and I was converted.

This t-shirt is in fact my absolute favorite piece of clothing! And I recently scored a skirt that just seems made to go with it.

The ring is the one I reviewed for FloraBeauty last week. And it's perfect for this outfit, don't you agree?

Owl Things Considered

Though I have a couple of fake plugs in my possession, I can't say I have any quite as intricate or stunning as these. They really blew my mind when I found them!

Though I think the first ones would be easier to wear because they're more compact, these shell ones are stunning as well.



Anyway, both are from a lovely Etsy shop called DewiDesign. And they have tons of unique earrings. I hope one day I get to wear a pair of their stunning fake plugs!

How about you? Are you as smitten with them as I am, or are you sticking to more mainstream earrings?

Circle Songs #15

"'Cause one day you may come to find, that all of your life has been a wicked ride..."

Wicked Ride - Melody Gardot

{picture sources: 1 - 2 - 3}

Sometimes I have one those "in-between days". I'm not really lazy, not really productive. Somewhere between comfortable and melancholic. Even the weather is neither bad nor sunny. Melody Gardot's music helps make some sense of it, at least. I might have to invest in her latest cd.

Guess that's what you get...

Just found this wonderful little animation with a nice karmic message. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Just a Little Reminder...

If you have your eye on something from my shop, you can still get a nice little discount for the entire weekend. As long as you enter the code "READERBOW10" during checkout. Enjoy!

Wishlist

Perhaps this should have been in this post, perhaps it deserves its very own. Either way, I just had to share it with you.

I love it when practical and cute come together! And this heart shaped hole punch has to be the perfect example of that combination. Isn't it neat?!

Review: FloraBeauty

Whenever I have flowers or a bouquet at home, I get really sad when I see them start to shrivel up and die. And I find myself wishing they would stay pretty for ever. Well, it turns out Mirjam could offer me just that!

She recently contacted me and asked if I could do a review for her wonderful shop, FloraBeauty. Of course I agreed! And today I'll tell you what I thought.

The item I received was this stunning ring. Not only does it have some lovely yellow flowers, the blue background is made of a real flower petal as well! And I love the contrast between the two colors.

What really stood out to me was the resin-job, it is impeccable! I love resin jewelry, but find that it often comes with some air bubbles, scratches or fingerprints. With FloraBeauty that is not the case at all. This ring is absolutely flawless!

FloraBeauty has lots of amazing botanical jewelry to offer, in pretty much any color you could think of. So if you're looking for a bit of nature to take with you wherever you go, and something that will last longer than a bouquet, you should really take a look.

Final Verdict:

I was absolutely satisfied! The service was great, the parcel arrived sooner than I expected and the ring was packaged safely. But most importantly, the item is beautiful, of great quality and completely one of a kind.

P.S. FloraBeauty sent me the ring, but I wasn't paid any money to do this review. These are all my honest opinions.

New items in the Shop!

Last month I made a new line of brooches for the shop. I listed them this morning, so I can now reveal them to you!

It's all about bows! But of course I had to combine it with owls. And I also used some other charms, like deer.

And cameras! And even these adorable little bunnies. More different creatures/charms will probably follow.

I picked the colors I thought matched the charm best, but if you want a different color, it can definitely be arranged.

Also, to celebrate this new addition, I'm giving you all 10% off till the end of the week with coupon code READERBOW10

Drumroll Please...

All of you owl lovers entered to win one of Kim's stunning owls. But I could only draw the name of one very lucky girl.

Olive the owl will come to live with little!

In case you didn't win and are -understandably- very disappointed, I suggest you pay a visit to WoodlandDwellers and order an owl, or one of the other wonderful totem animals, for yourself!

Each and every one of them will come be accompanied by a scroll with its name, meaning and a beautiful illustration!

Also... a very reliable source told me there will be brooches soon. So keep your eyes open!

Analogue Adventures

Amsterdam has some stunning architecture and I think some of it might even look cooler through a fisheye camera. These rounded buildings definitely look great in these!