VIDEO OF THE WEEK

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Thanks Portlandia via Michi for giving us the funniest thing we've seen all year... as if we needed another reason to love the peeps of Portland.

BECK

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

I've made a list (what a surprise) of all the people I want to learn more about this year. That list includes artist and textile designer Sonia De Launay. The Intern and I have also made a commitment to attempt projects 'in the style of...' as a way of learning new skills and enjoying the process.

We bought a simple white tshirt scarf and spent a couple of hours hunched over the dining table painting it together

Of course there are things we'll do differently next time. I'd let it dry more on the table to avoid the colour bleeding and I'd use an even lighter base material.

The Intern makes a far better model than I do.

A tip: instead of putting newsprint underneath to protect the table put good butchers paper so then you have wrapping paper at the end of the day too.

It's been ages since I made something just for myself and for fun. Should be more of it! RAMONA

SHOW OF THE WEEK

I met Eddy Carroll once. She struck me as a very thoughtful person, very warm and considered in her responses. I remember someone asking her if she was 'making anything' and she said 'this and that'. I guess this absolutely beautiful show now on at Hand Held Gallery was what she was working on.

There is no doubt that hand craft can be therapeutic for the broken hearted. Something about one stitch in front of the other, the passage of time, the meditation that comes from doing the same thing over and over.
When seeking catharsis it can also create objects that come to represent that pain and as they stand removed from the maker a process of healing can begin.

This is a lovely lovely show. Very thoughtful and considered, just like Eddy Carroll. Not to be missed. RAMONA

'Something to Hold On To by Letting Go'
Until March 5

Handheld Gallery
Suite 18
Upstairs Paramount Arcade
108 Bourke Street
Melbourne City
Tues -Sat 12-5

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

hot stuff

Like many craftspeople I have a dodgy back, and being deskbound in the office and increasingly pregnant is not helping in any way. Similarly like many other craftspeople i'm great at getting things made for other people but completely hopeless and getting anything made for myself. Especially if its something I actually need. Enter wheat pack. My old and shamefully dodgy pink whale cord original finally bit the dust around September last year... and it has literally taken until today to make a replacement. Embarrasing no?  But a combination of unexpected grandparenting of Maxwell and a very recent reaquaintence with my scrap fabric box during the craft studio to nursery transformation we're currently undertaking had me reaching for the scissors and trusty old Janome.

I cut pieces from an old skirt, vintage house dress, left over christmas ribbon, scrap of denim and one of the architects old chambray work shirts (don't mock him, it was a uniform) to make the front. Call my crazy but I felt compelled to try and make it a little fancy given it seems like an eternity since I made something, and I did have a spare hour up my sleeve.

I then very randomly and none too evenly stitched the peices together to form a 'patchwork' front...

and decided that hell, while I was at it, why not do a little stitching on the back. I cant fully explain where the little tree came from, although I suspect Ramona's avid christmas listing has rubbed off on me and this is either a christmas present prototype or a VERY early present to myself...

I then lined the patch front with one of the panels of chambray shirt and the other with some calico for extra strength and then stitched them together to form the back.

$2.25 worth of organic wheat from the Fruit Peddlers later and ...

Voila! Brand spanking new wheat bag, heating my stiff and aching back while I type. Brilliant.

 Now I just need to get started on the curtains, cushions and chair covers...

BECK

SHOW OF THE WEEK

cut and paste

Morning Everyone! The ladies of HML are loving some of the new shows that have finally started around our town. This week we are looking forward to see the the work of Sydney based artist Kate Scardfield at Kings ARI gallery

We always are interested in how artists incorporate craft practice into there work. The use of fabric, stitching, silhouette certainly has craft appeal but this pieces are a little sinister (felt pancreas cut out anyone?)

I'd you get a chance to look at her site make sure you look at the older work - very inspiring for textile lovers! The first time Beck and I went to Kings ARI we couldn't find it, got completely lost, had to ring for help - and (like all great ARI's) - it was right in front of us the whole time. Make the effort people, totally worth it. RAMONA

Kings Ari is up the stairs at 171 King Street.
it's open  Wed- Sat 12-6
The show runs til March 5 which is closer than you think!