Psychadelic Self-Portraiteds

Over the last few weeks, 20 friends each adopted a Ted to adorn and decorate, 

very loosely along the lines of a self portrait. The collected Teds were then assembled for display and now sit in the General Store Community Art Gallery 

as part of July's exhibition.

Basketful of Teds

So what does one do with a donated basketful of wooden teds? 
~ count them (72)
~ spray paint them in black
~ give out to friends for the creation 
  of a self-portrait in 
  whatever manner they choose
~ await further instructions!

                                            

It's On!

Transported my knitted stash to the General Store Community Arts building....
got to work while people dropped into the gallery, drove past craning for a look & interrupted their dog walking and shopping to stop for a chat... 








First step = tie all knitted bands into place, onto one of the  verandah poles. I had previously sewn 4 or 5 bands together, with attached yarn for ties, to speed up the process.









Once all the knitted bands were up, the back was sewn together to close any gaps and loose threads were tidied.
Now for the pompoms..... 
















Pompoms of many colours and various sizes, looking quite delicious swaying in the breeze....certainly brought smiles to onlookers' faces as well as the occasional look of perturbed perplexity and confusion.

Some lovely locals with their doggie Belle, who were quite happy to have their photo taken even with the threat of having it posted in cyberspace. 


So......first gig done & dusted
                           .........what's next?


                 Watch this space!

PomPoms

The simple and delightfully satisfying art of pompom making....a few bits of cardboard, donated yarn of many colours and varieties, some finger knitting thrown in for good luck and.....

             


              Voila! 
                       ....pompoms 
                                 soft spheres gently sway
                               reflecting colour and light 
                             what strange fruit are these?


                   

 my favourite: fabulous
                      attractive
                      velvety
                      opulent
                      unparalleled
                      rotund
                      inspiring
                      thrifty
                      elegant                                                                 
                                                                

7 Foot Feat

Back to business.....so I've been knitting obsessively to attain the desired length (or height) of approximately 7 feet, comprising 22 separate pieces, each about 10 inches long & of varying widths.
Quirky factoid: widths established by casting on stitches in prime numbers from 7 to 23.........I like prime numbers. 
This is the basic "tree", but further embellishment is called for.....pompoms! many pompoms, large & small, multicoloured, 
soft & cuddly, fat like ripened fruit ready for the plucking, texturally inviting, eye catching & gob smacking..........I like pompoms. 

Teddy Clutching Octopus

I become very excited when friends/family clean out their hoards! It usually means that I'm the recipient of odds & ends, bits & pieces, flash & trash that stir the creative juices and conjure apparitions of wondrous manifestations. Of course, the end results seldom (actually, never) approach such giddy heights, but I have fun visualising, planning and playing with all the pretty things. Today's selection comes from Brenda (thank you)...& if I'm not mistaken, that's a psychadelic, multi tentacled, teddy clutching octopus in the making! 

Knitting up the Stash

 My knitting skills are very basic...I can cast on & off, knit plain & purl, decrease & increase stitches and that's about it! So, to begin.....where I am with what I know and what I have....various yarns including wool, acrylic and fancy, collection of needles, and a wet weekend cleared of commitments and assignations.....

Seeing no reason to limit myself to one pair of needles, I decide to use half a dozen pairs....doesn't make the job any faster but helps to keep boredom at bay....so many pretty colours!

..........and the stash gradually increases!

At this point I would like to acknowledge all knitters past & present, especially the women & "homemakers" who spent time, love and energy crafting jumpers, baby blankets, knee rugs, for their families, friends & those in need.
May you be remembered with love and appreciation.

Initiating GraffitiKnit Manouvres

My first graffitiknit gig, to coincide with International Yarnbombing Day, June 11th

 It all begins with inspiration and one of the best books on the subject: Yarn Bombing, the Art of Crochet & Knit Graffiti by Mandy Moore & Leanne Prain.

                               PLUS

Location, location, location! 
For my initiatory action = the General Store Community Art Group building.....looking a little drab and bare, could do with some colour & interest.


                                PLUS


Collection of knitting wool & needles.....I have decided to use only donated wool (from family, friends, colleagues) and if I really must buy something, its going to be from garage sales, thrift stores, market stalls (easing my conscience via second hand consumerism).


                                  PLUS


The Plan: take measurements of the target, draw up rough guide for the tag, write it all down in my Art Journal in case of copyright disputes (ha ha)


                                   AND 
Ready to rock & roll....or in this case, sit & knit..!