Today's photo is by Ocki, and comes from one of the stops along our winding journey hand-delivering copies of the magazine.

Watch this space for the finished video by Tom Eagar or send your pics of Oh Comely at home or abroad to [email protected].

Tucked away in the studio of your mind ideas swirl, grow, inspire. They don't always resolve. Every project—from a thesis to an illustration series—is made from unequal measures of doubt, joy and boredom.

At Oh Comely, this creative process is something we understand quite viscerally. Every two months the small team behind the magazine publishes a new issue. And, oh boy, does each one have its history of nirvanas and their opposites.Photo: Busting those creative jitters: when I'm working at home, boring as it sounds, staring at my goldfish swimming in his tank is rather soothing. Shame he has no sound advice on creative dilemmas. Here's a Caribbean Sharp-Nose Puffer.

So, on December 14th, Oh Comely and Wrap magazine editors will lend an ear to any and all of your creative dilemmas. If you've been working alone or without a third opinion, come talk to us. Let us hear your niggling questions, creative problems, good/bad/ugly ideas, or queries about our magazines. Whatever. Come with a question, and we'll do our best to give you an unexpected answer. You'll have 15 minutes and the company of two magazine editors.

So that’s:

What: 15 minutes of creative mentoring from Oh Comely and Wrap editors.

Bring: Pitches, dreams and dilemmas. Or biscuits.

When: Friday 14th December 16.00–20.00.

Where: Designers Makers Xmas Fair; Southbank Centre.

Book: yourself a session here bookwhen.com/ohcomelymagazine.

Photo: And this is a Royal Gramma fish.

We're back on this decidedly grey Tuesday with this week's installment of Five Questions and a Song, the column where we pester musicians with a quintette of questions and ask them to share one of their tracks for your listening pleasure.

Today we're talking to Ravens and Chimes from New York City. Led by singer Asher Lack, their brand of multi-instrumental indie pop balladry has earned them regular comparisons to the Arcade Fire. Have a listen below to ‘Division Street', the first single from their second album Holiday Life, due for release early next year. They're currently touring the UK and Europe, and Londoners can catch them tonight at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town.

Photo: Ravens and Chimes by Ryan Muir

Tell us about your band.

We formed after graduating from film and music school, and made our first album pretty quickly after that. We toured that in the states for a few years and had a huge amount of stress putting a second album together. It almost broke up the group but we came through it a steadier, stronger band, which I think is reflected in the album. We're pretty reasonable now unless we're hungry.

What is the greatest sound in the world?

When you're not sure if you have any money in the bank and you go to the ATM, the sound of the rollers about to spit out $20 is pretty fantastic.

Favourite type of sandwich?

This is a very good question. Do you guys have the show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in England? Cafe Aux Vivre in Montreal has a Vegan BLT with bacon made from smoked coconut. The chicken parm at Parm in New York is pretty high on the list as well.

Why bother? [asked by our previous interviewee Keaton Henson] 

It's so worth it! The alternative is just misery so I think anything is preferable to that. Also, that question just makes me think of the Weezer song, which I love.

What can you tell us about this song?

I grew up in China Town in New York. A few years ago I was heading to see Dev Hynes do a secret Blood Orange show and I got lost right near there on Division Street. It started to rain and I couldn't figure out where I was going, and I felt like a real stranger in my hometown.

www.ravensandchimes.com

The great thing about giving someone a year's subscription is that it'll still be arriving through their letterbox this time next year. It also makes us happy to know people are waiting impatiently for each issue.

We have a Christmas subscription special this year: subscribe by December 16th and you'll get £4 off any subscription and a free gift card.

We'll be posting off all the gift cards in a big mail-out on December 16th. You can also add back issue to your order, which will be posted as normal within 2-3 working days.

Any other questions? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

From tattoos in tapestry to cross-stitched rodeo philosophies Emily Peacock makes needlework for the 21st century. A self-taught textile designer her creations are always bright, ebullient and modern: far removed from the twee images too often associated with the needle arts.

Emily aims to make people think differently about cross-stitch and needlepoint: to ponder its possibilities as art and appreciate it technically and creatively. Her designs are available in needlepoint kits that allow you to simultaneously recreate her style for your home and experience the haven of escape and creativity that needlework can be.

We spoke to Emily about cross-stitch’s bad reputation, her inspirations and recommendations for needlework newbies. Find more of Emily Peacock's work on her website.Photo: Rob Ryan and Emily Peacocks' collaborative tapestry design.

To people who don’t think needlework and cross-stitch are useful in our modern times, what do you say?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And my opinion is that we live in a culture that puts too much emphasis on productivity, end result and making money. I think it's good to have an alternative to this, whether that is taking a walk, growing vegetables or enjoying a hobby such as cross-stitch.

Cross-stitch has possibly the worst reputation of all crafts due to the designs that have been available. I see this as a good thing because it means there is room for experimentation and improvement. Often the point at which a thing becomes cool is just after the time when they have become seemingly outmoded or pointless!

How do you go about creating a design?

Ideas just pop into my head. They can be something I hear someone say, or inspired by my passion for typefaces and a particular style. There's no pattern to my decision on what to bring out next.

Colour is the biggest challenge for me. What looks good as skeins of wool in your hand can look totally different stitched up. It can take me months of stitching and unpicking before I am happy with a design. For this reason I am not hugely prolific.

Do you have a favourite among all your designs? 

I don't have a favourite design. I look at each and remember where I was and what I was doing at the time. 'Hug and Kiss' have been my most popular, followed by 'Think Happy Thoughts'. I think it is the immediacy of these designs that holds the appeal.

What are you working on now?

What is really getting me excited at the moment is exploring some more personal and contentious issues using traditional needlework techniques. I am hoping to take on these subjects with a couple of great needlework mates.

What would you recommend to newbies to needlework? What’s the best way to get started?

I think newbies should find a design or project that appeals to them and just get stuck in. Classes are great but there is nothing wrong with playing, making mistakes, learning as you go and finding out what you love.

The first collection of Grimm’s fairy tales was entitled "Children’s and Household Tales" and published in December of 1812. Two hundred years later, stories by the German brothers are still thrilling children and adults alike.

To celebrate two centuries of enchantment and magic seven illustrators will be interpreting these unashamedly dark stories for a Christmas exhibition at Foyles Bookshop. Inspiration is taken from classics, such as Hansel and Gretel, and less well known tales like The Golden Bird.

Included is work by Emma Block and Yelena Brysenkova, two past Oh Comely contributors, as well as our current Issue 13 illustration interviewee, Karolin Schnoor. Below is a preview of illustrations on show.

The Enchanted Forest: 200 Years of Grimm's Fairy Tales, is on display at Foyles Bookshop in Charing Cross, 29th November-8th December. More information here. 

Photo: Four Grimm's fairytales, by Karolin Schnoor, whose work is featured in Oh Comely Issue 13.

Photo: Emma Block's Hansel and Gretel. Emma has curated the show. 

Photos: Spots from Laura Barrett's book commission for Taschen's Fairy Tales, extracts of which will be on display.

The December Film Club is only a fortnight away and we couldn't be more excited. Thank you to everyone who has booked a ticket—we've been thrilled by the response. The night is currently fully booked but if you're a subscriber it's possible to add your name to the waiting list here in case any tickets become available.

If you missed out this time, don't fret: you can still come to the Issue 13 launch party which is happening on the same night and will be just as terrific, we promise. The party will take place in the Genesis' bar from 20:00. Entry is free and it's open to everyone, so bring your friends.

We hope to see lots of you there: Tyrrells are providing popcorn treats and you can meet other lovely Oh Comely readers and celebrate the launch of our new issue. Do come!

Photo: A still from Studio Ghibli's Only Yesterday, which we're screening at the Film Club.

We Not Me Collective are offering an Oh Comely reader a very special prize: they'll photograph your wedding for free.

Tom Ravenshear, the photographer behind We Not Me, says his work is relaxed, spontaneous and uniquely crafted. We say it's wedding photography you've never seen before: full of laughter and quiet pauses, still life and fast dances. We Not Me photograph weddings where people are simply having a lot of fun and you can tell it. Have a browse at some of the weddings they've photographed here. 

To win, Tom wants to know a little about your wedding. You see, they're on the hunt for curious, creative and friendly occasions, and they thought Oh Comely readers would be the people to ask. Send a couple of photos to help paint a picture of what you envisage for the big day to [email protected], and some details of what where and when.

To enter, your wedding should be scheduled to take place by the 23rd June 2013. We'd also love to include one or two photos from the day in Oh Comely, so you should be happy to share your wedding pictures with other readers!