Tara’s new tshirt
Despite previous claims of exploiting Tara for political gain, I haven’t really done it too much at all. Yeah she is the founding leader of BAdGE (Babies Against Genetic Engineering), and she has been to a few protests, but still…
But we bought her this tshirt and I have to show it off cause she’s real cute
aww ain’t she hot?
So if you want one of these tshirts go visit the Fat Mumma’s website or their Mintd store.
And note the hat she’s wearing in the top photo. I made that and will be making some more soon, stay tuned for the tutorial on how to make the easiest baby hat ever.
A new radical cross stitcher
Ladies and gentlemen I’d like to introduce you to a new face that will be hanging around here a bit. Hailing all the way from Sweden, please say hello to Cross Stitch Ninja!
CSN does really cool stuff like this one
The text translates to “put a flame under your rage, sister”. You go girl!
And this is her current work in progress
This is an excerpt from a photo taken at the latest G8 in Germany. Too much eh?
So hang on to your seats for upcoming posts from Cross Stitch Ninja!
Why the bloody hell would you?
In the theme of the infamous downmind media spoof of the Aussie Tourism ads, NZ political spoof series Facelift has done this rather amusing spoof. It’s not quite as visually clever as the downwind version but certainly politically accurate.
Post-oil addiction art
Check out this AMAZING project from the International Fiber Collaborative.
The goal of the International Fiber Collaborative is to provide an opportunity for people who enjoy working with crafts, whether professional artists, hobbyists or students to come together from all over the world to express their concerns about their countries extreme dependency on oil for energy. Those who participate will crochet, knit, stitch, patch, or collage a 3 feet x 3 feet square fiber panel that will express each participants concern towards this topic. By taking the step to create a panel with any design, and sending it in, in the larger picture, is expressing your concern towards this topic. Once all 800 panels are received, they will be sewn together to completely cover an abandoned gas station and gas pumps in central New York.
I’m working on an Empire Outpost contribution if anyone in Australia wants to join in, feel free to contact me. UPDATE: There’s a few people that’ve indicated interest and we’re about to begin a online strategy chat. If you want to join in the fun, get in touch.
When it’s finished I might look at bringing it here. There’s no shortage of vacant petrol stations around.
I won’t be part of your revolution if I can’t shuffle
Old skool Melbourne rave dude Gary has put together this fantastic wee blog dedicated to that great dance institution, the Melbourne Shuffle.
It’s insane. There’s this rennaissance of shuffling going on out there and there’s youtube’s all over the place. Unbelievable.
Check this dude out.
Craft the Vote
In case you live under a rock or don’t give a flying f**k what the ‘West’ is up to these days you would’ve noticed that the Empire is having an ‘election’ again soon. Given that the world’s greatest democracy has the least democratic electoral system imaginable these crafty kids have come up with some brilliant alternatives/additions to voting. I would say that they are probably more influential too.
Firstly to ward off the chills of fear as you step from your safe wee house to jump in your Hummer to run down to the conscience devolving, oop I mean polling station, check out this gorgeous quilt.
Department of Homeland Security Blanket
Endorsed by the White House and Fox News, this colorful scrap quilt is a guide to our ever-changing security alert levels. Each level is labeled with embroidery to distinguish a DHS Blanket from a gay-pride flag. (Note: Blanket is not a safety device. In case of a terrorist attack, DHS Blanket will not protect you.)
Next up is the cross stitch of the year! Obviously an immigrant…
God-Free Cross-Stitch
Just like Nana would have made—if she’d gone to Wesleyan. For those with more time and better eyesight, try this alternative to the old saying: “Be Patient. My Ability To Transcend My Primitive Evolutionary Biological Impulses Isn’t Finished With Me Yet.”
Finally, my absolute favourite. And I will point out that this child is OBVIOUSLY displeased with being exploited for political gain. Not like Tara. She loves it. ‘Cause she knows mum is on the side of good.
Pro-Life Baby Onesie
Make pro-choicers feel the shock and “awwwww.” Embroidered appliqué reads “I’m Alive!” If you have twins, make another one that says, “Post-Born Fetus!” Why abort a baby when you can use it to express your political views?
Article and more crafts here.
Bike Valet Parking
Head over to the art of the possible (sorry can’t figure out how to imbed this baby) and check out the wee vid on Bike Valet Parking in San Francisco.
This guy is an uber legend!
Why don’t the Melbourne sporting venues offer similar services? Melbourne’s supposed to be a bike friendly city but it’s always a pain finding a safe, dry space to lock it up. Having bike parking at sporting events would do wonders to promote healthy lifestyles.
In fact, why limit this to sport events? What about concerts too?
Bout time cyclists got a fair go.
Flight of the Conchords Undies
The weirdest things pop up on Craftster some days. But imagine my stunned delight when I stumbled on this beautiful wee object
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
I do think they would look slightly better on a scungy old pair of y-fronts but this look is pretty stunning. I’m predicting a new rise in FotC crafts too. Watch out world.
Amazing things happen when you get your own special wee place on HBO. It’s amazing wow big their fan base is now. But I can say ‘yeah used to go to their practice shows in Wellington before they were famous’.
Get better advertising strategies
If I was a government department I really wouldn’t buy adspace on news sites.
The whole key word ad matching thing often does bad things to government depts. I remember once seeing an ad for the IRD (tax dept) which was matched to an article about a massive IRD stuff up.
And if I was in the recruitment department of the NZ Police, I wouldn’t even consider advertising on news sites. There has been stories about Police misconduct (to put it very nicely) almost daily for the last couple of years.
The ‘Get Better Work Stories’ ads look REALLY inappropriate next to stories like this one.
Recycled Goodness
Mixtape zine has published some interviews that didn’t make it into the zine. They’re all interviews with etsy sellers who use recycled materials for their work. Just like me! Yay!
Have you come across any obstacles in finding or using materials to recycle?
No way! I’ve realized just how much clothing is out there already, waiting to be found! It’s sad to think about how much gets taken to landfills because it’s been deemed too old or too weird to sell at thrift stores. Old things are the best!
Have a read, and go visit their stores! Just hope we see some of these kids on Mintd soon.