Image: Get Excited and Make Things by Matt Jones

Today I went to my first ever Brown Owls meeting.  I must confess I was rather nervous about attending.  I’d class myself more as a wannabe crafter than a real crafter so I was convinced they’d see me for the wannabe I am.  Strangely enough they didn’t turn out to be the Nazi Crafters from Hell I’d convinced myself I’d be greeted with while trying to convince myself that I’d be better off staying at home.  In fact they were all really, really lovely and damn talented!

I took along the crocheting I’ve been working on, both as my show and tell and my project.  I was happy to learn that I’d actually been making good progress with my pieces.  I thought I was moving slowly with them, but I managed to finish off my third square.  (Albeit *after* the meeting as I was too busy gabbing.)

The wonderful, and uber talented, Michelle from Poppy, Bean and Bloss taught me how to crochet flowers.  I may or may not have under counted my petals but it’s great to know how to make them.  I’m going to do a flower based granny square blanket next I think… although I am looking at the ripple blanket on Attic24 with some lust and envy.  Can you have more then one crochet project on the go at once?

I’m really excited and inspired by my little outing today.  The women of the group are all so talented and have so much to offer.  It was great to talk to people that read the same online blogs as I do, and had some new ones to add to my already massive reading list.  It was also great to talk about online ordering for craft supplies and get some hints and tips.

I also had a question that’s been playing on my mind now for a couple of days answered; “How do you carry your works in progress around?”.  Well it just so happens that Michelle (yes another one) from the fabulous Button Tree Lane makes just the little cases for such a requirement.  They’re awesome and I want one!  You can check them out on Etsy at ButtonTreeLane.   I really love the triangle shaped cases, but I think I would fit more into the box shape.  Although I could get one of each… eventually.

I’m really glad I got out of my comfort zone today and did something that scared me.  It bodes well for my first outing tomorrow with the Canberra Roller Derby League.  It’s a social skate for the Freshmeat, which I am, so it should be a laugh.  All in all this year is shaping up to be a good one.