some winter crochet

Its been getting a little chilly, these Perth mornings! I decided a scarf and beanie were needed. Also a chance to be decadent and make something for myself to wear!

This beanie was inspired by grotworth gumnut head (pictured above and below). Grotworth came to me one day when my car battery was dead (waiting for a jump start), and he decided to take me on a day of adventures! Now we have matching hats!! :)

stitched inspiration

I have been drawing some portraits for a while, and stitching them was the next step - thestitched postcard swap inspired me get to and do it! Here are the results. . . .

stitched postcard swap

As I blogged a while ago - I join in the great big stitched postcard swap. Here is what I made, and what I received.

The theme was 'time', which is only loosely linked to my choice of subject. Time is paramount to the creative expression of music - in fact time is the only space is which music/sound can be presented. As I describe on the back of the postcard, I was inspired to creative this particular postcard by a young man I met in hospital, who played the guitar beautifully and wrote some great songs. I drew a picture of his guitar, which became the main design for the postcard.

This is the bountiful bamboo postcard I received in return. It came all the way from 'ranch land' in the US. It has joined the inspiring collection of images that are all around my 'creative station'.

it's winter . . .

so some stockings were needed to keep this little person warm!

The install was a bit rushed - mid-morning outside a Midland Gate Shopping Centre and Midland Junction Arts Centre - so the stockings got pulled a little, but I didn't have time to re-do them. I got sprung, and told that one of the (many) other metal public art 'people' around Midland could do with a beanie! I have a feeling a beanie would be pinched pretty quickly!! But might give it a go.

I have also decided to have a go at some more regular blogging, in the form of a 'Sunday Stitch' segment, linking to favourite textile artists and pieces. I am also hoping to blog one other day every week about what project I am up to, to keep me on my toes, and creating!!

Over and out,

your faithful captain xx

postcard swap

I think this is a super idea, and am joining in! I have so many ideas! If you are keen to join in too - check out Beth Nicholls blog. Be quick - the deadline is tomorrow!!

red group

I had a short stint in hospital this last week - nothing serious. While I was there I had plenty of time to get my crochet on! An afternoon trip to Point Walter and a stroll on the jetty was inspiration for this tag:

Then I decided that some more monsters needed creating! I have been a bit monster-mad lately! So I free-formed the many-eyed monster in my head, and here is the result. I installed him outside the Mt Lawley Neighbourhood Centre - where I used to borrow toys from the toy library as a tiny person. I also took a course in machine sewing when I was about 12 here as well - which still serves me well!

I had this line of crochet scallops in my bag and decided to leave a little mark at the hospital - it didn't even last 24 hours! But that is part of the joy of yarn tagging for me - it has an ephemeral quality, and invokes an interaction with people.

Above is the crochet beard I made while in 'red group', the creative space at the hospital. There is a tangible positive vibe that exists in creative spaces, where people are 'making'. I felt really comfortable and peaceful there. The facial hair fits me well, now to find the ideal public 'figure' for it to adorn! Any ideas?!?

five favourites

Today I was inspired by Meet Me at Mikes, so decided I would add five of my current favourites.

1. I don't hide the fact that I have a small obsession with super-heros. I am also a huge fan of Keri Smith, and her blog, Wish Jar. Here are Keri's tips on becoming your own super-hero!

2. A friend, and local artist, Louise Snook taught me how to felt - I love these animals she has created with kids in the community!

3. I just LOVE these hand made beards! I often draw, stick on, masquerade facial hair of my own - these are an inspiration!

4. I work for an amazing organisation called DADAA Inc. I am inspired every day by the people that I work with, and here is an example of some of our work with the community in the Kimberley in north of Western Australia.

*I was hoping to include the video of the Marsh Art project here, but my technical skills fail me! So here is the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XdOCvxNxtI

5. Number 5 is pretty personal, and not something I was sure that I would share on this blog -public 'coming out' is not really my thing. I am gender queer, transgender, trans*, F2M, female to male transexual, tranny boi, gender diverse - there are many terms/labels, and I am not sure which one fits best for me yet. But I am going through a gender transition at the moment (kind of like puberty all over again!), and my last (but not least!) favourite thing is the website Genderfork. The site is an informative and inspiring artful expression of gender diversity. Here is one example that inspires me.

Over and out,

Captain Plaknit xx