Love Is…
2010.
Such a futuristic sounding year isn’t it? Brings to mind images of spaceship looking cars, whiz bang robots, intergalactic councils of funny looking folk with tentacles sticking out of their cheeks. Possibly not? How bout a time where people use renewable energy, recycle and reuse materials as much as possible, public transport is quick, clean and efficient, our food is organically grown by local producers, and all peoples are free from oppression and discrimination. One would think that sounds more likely, but sadly it doesn’t seem to be the case.
The upcoming Australian elections seem to be about the least important things. Politicians looks and appearances, shady backroom dealings, gimmicks and media trickery. Anyone who saw the leaders debate will be astutely aware that vision is sorely lacking in this election and rather than striving to demonstrate who might be the better leader, both major party leaders seem to be stuck in the great race to the ideological bottom.
I’ve always been a firm believer in the politics of love. Elections should be a chance for the community to declare their aspirations, visions and ideals. Rather than spend time dwelling on what makes us afraid and angry. Our elected representatives make daily decisions on an amazing range of issues. They take the time to think about the stuff most of us would never be bothered to think about. And our lives flow so much more smoothly because behind the scenes our politicians work very hard on what can sometimes be insanely mundane matters.
When we chose who we want to represent us, it’s not just about where they stand on one or two issues. Just as important, it’s about how they see the future of our world and how they approach decision making as a skill.
Sadly I can’t vote in this election, but if I could, the main factor I would use for my decision making would be the candidates’ commitment to basic levels of social and environmental justice. This election is about far more than tax breaks and ‘border’ ‘security’. This election we need to elect a group of people adequately prepared to put aside the silly tricks and take responsibility for some true leadership. If we don’t, it’s our grandchildren we need to answer to.
What qualities do you look for in a leader?
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On that note, how frickin ridiculous is it that we still have to have conversations about legal equality? When we look for candidates who have sound decision making practice, a very easy indicator is if they believe it’s ok to withold basic legal rights based on a persons sexuality. And even more importantly, are prepared to stand up, be a leader, and help change the laws that discriminate. Sadly it seems too many of our ‘leaders’ have decided it’s politically safer to pander to fear and hate than to take the just path and stand up for what is right.
So when the gorgeous Ali got hold of me last year and said ‘hey I found some old patterns that need subverting and you’re just the person to do it’, I took one look at what she sent and knew exactly what needed to be done.
I had such a lovely time stitching what became affectionately known as ‘my boys’. And you can too. The pattern is for sale in our store and 50% of all sales will go to the equallove.info campaign. Because after all, love knows no borders, no religions, and most importantly, no discrimination.
xox
Rayna
p.s. you might notice things look a bit different round here. Yip, in the middle of redecorating. Click on one of the images in this post. See that? Clever huh? I got that going all by myself 
There’s more to come, keep an eye out. And please let me know if you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it.
Don’t Hate the Media, Be the Media
As readers of Radical Cross Stitch will know I am a big time fan of Melbourne community radio station 3CR. There is nothing like turning on the ol’ wireless to hear people from my own communities talking about news and issues that are relevant to me and the lives of the people around me. And it’s even better that I never hear any loud voices screaming at me to quickly empty my pockets into the hands of giant corporate consumerist empires!
So I didn’t hesitate for a second last year when the fine folk there asked me to contribute to the 2010 Seeds of Dissent Calendar. I still consider that piece to be my greatest stitching achievement so far and I was super happy over the weekend to finally pick it up from the framers after a 12 month hunt for the PERFECT vintage frame.
Well I promised that I’d make the pattern available and at long last it’s now in store. And if you hurry and grab it over the next couple of days it’s half price (sale ends Friday). Proceeds go straight to 3CR! If you don’t already know the 3CR Radiothon is on NOW! So you should pop over to their website and become a subscriber. The theme for radiothon this year is Handmade Radio and subscribers get a copy of CRAM which contains a fab pattern to make your own radio! Including some wee cross stitch embellishment patterns from me.
Need more reasons to love 3CR? Check the spunks in this wee clip
3CR Radiothon TVC 2010 from 3cr on Vimeo.
Brrrr it’s chilly winter sale
Heads up pattern nerds, for a strictly limited time, all Radical Cross Stitch E-Patterns are HALF PRICE! Yip I’m saving desperately for a trip home to see my family to introduce our beautiful babies to everyone. So at this price I’ll need to sell about 400 patterns just to cover the airfares… Reckon you could help? Prices start from just AUD$2!
The cold is settling in for the next few months and the perfect way to pass the cold nights by is a lovely wee craft project!
And of course there’s some completed original pieces in the store too if you’re after the instamatic version of some cross stitch love on your wall!
Also in the pipeworks is some new Radical Cross Stitch Kits! And these are shaping up to be extra special with some hand printed loveliness included. Stay tuned for announcements on these, but in the meantime I’d love to hear what patterns people would like to see immortalised in kit form. I won’t be doing all of them, probably just five. So which is your favourite RCS pattern? Comment below and a random person will win an e-pattern for free!
Raaaar
I’m super pleased to present the latest RCS collaboration, this time I got together with Katherine Beefheart who designs some super awesome pieces. I said ‘go on, make one for our shop!’ and awesomely, she said ‘for sure!’. So everyone, say Hi Katherine!
Helloooo,
I’m Katherine Beefheart and this is my design. I’ve been embroidering for what feels like forever, mainly for my own pleasure. But in the last few months I have been encouraged to put my stitchings out there which meant taking it a lot more seriously and consequently producing some huge pieces which have taken me months to complete. My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere….overheard conversations, music lyrics, my beautiful family and friends, literature and my constantly twittering inner monologue. To me, there is an enormous sense of creating when many hours, days, weeks and sometimes even months go into a piece along with a sizeable chunk of my heart and soul. It’s ridiculously therapeutic for me which relates to this particular pattern. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it
You can buy the pattern in our store (AUD) or in our etsy shop (USD) and you should grab it now while it’s at our special introductory price.
Dear Stephen Conroy…
See I think internet censorship is silly, rather pointless, and inevitably ineffective. I would even go so far as to say that it is a policy equivalent of fucking for virginity.
Our political leaders are supposed to introduce policies that REDUCE the problems in the most cost effective way. Not flick rubber bands at problems in a way that not only makes them harder to solve but creates a whole new raft of problems in the process, not to mention costing a big bundle of dollars.
If the government really wants to deal with the problems of sexual exploitation in our society perhaps they might want to start by looking at their own policies that treat women and children like tradeable commodities. Perhaps if the exploitation of women and children wasn’t so wholeheartedly endorsed by business, media, police, our governments etc etc then people wouldn’t find the sexual exploitation of women and children so enticing.
But big picture issues and solutions don’t fit so neatly into electoral terms do they?
What gets me the most about this whole internet censorship thing is the AUDACITY of the Minister to say that it’s to help parents protect their children.
Excuse me? If I needed help protecting my kid, I’m afraid the government is probably the last place I’d look. I would much prefer tax payer dollars were spent educating parents, teachers and anyone else who has interaction with kids and computers on the issues surrounding net safety, respect for women and how to empower kids to protect themselves.
Do we seriously think rape and sexual assault would be such big problems if our kids were empowered to respect all genders. I know thinking back to my teenage years there were far too many guys who thought it was ok to treat girls like objects and even more girls who just did not have the skills to stand up to it.
At some point we, as a society, have to do something real about this issue. And sadly, despite the rhetoric of ‘Australia Says No’ I doubt it’s gonna come from the government. So it has to be up to us as parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents, siblings and friends. Anyone wanting to read more on feminist parenting might want to start with ‘Raise Some Hell’. And if anyone reading this post knows of any good resources it would be awesome if you could share them in the comments.
Finally, I urge you all to drop a line to Stephen Conroy. He really is being quite a fool about all this malarky. And the more people who tell him the better.
http://nocleanfeed.com/
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This cross stitch was hand stitched on antique linen. In between breast feeding, changing and entertaining twins and feeding and hanging out with a three year old, it took me about 3 weeks to complete. It has been framed in an antique brass frame with the original mounting board to complete the aged feel of this piece.
This piece is for sale and proceeds will go to the campaign to stop internet censorship. Maybe someone out there wants to buy it for Stephen Conroy?
New Shop!
Hi everyone
Last year I was so busy stitching for various shows I didn’t get any time to stitch up new designs for the shop. So over summer I was determined to get some new ones done. In anticipation of the newbies hitting the shop, I built a new store on site. As much as I love Etsy as a marketplace, I really want to be able to offer patterns and pieces in Australian Dollars since the USD can be a bit high for us non-US buyers.
Now when you click the Go Shopping button on the right, it takes you here!
Hooray!
There’s some new patterns in there like the Every Heart is a Revolutionary Cell pattern and the Choose Your Own Rebellion pattern. Plus there’s some more coming. PLUS there’s going to be some more kits available soon. Fan us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date.
I’m a bit excited!!
You can never kill an idea
I’ve been promising new patterns for a while and here’s the first of a new bunch.
This design is getting back to some old school roots with a lovely redwork antique border. And a quote from one f my favourite films of all time, The Edukators. This quote was sprayed on a wall in the film and I love it!
And I have a guest stitcher for this pattern, the adorably ace Curegreed who you may also know from her guest blogging at Mr X Stitch about her studies at the Royal School of Needlework (for which I am INSANELY jealous). We met last year at a Craft Cartel crafternoon when she was visiting these fair shores for a wedding. And I’m so excited to be doing more work together.
You can buy it in the Radical Rags store for a special intro price of only $5, score!
Help Uncle Kev
Ok folks. Put your hands in your pockets. Uncle Kevin Buzzacott (Aboriginal Elder/Activist) needs money for a big operation soon. You can donate by buying his track “Rok Hop”. He needs your money quick, so dig deep folks and follow the link. You can donate as much as you want.
You can also buy one of my cross stitch patterns from the Radical Rags shop. 100% of proceeds between now and the end of Jan straight to Uncle Kev.
Uncle Kev is one of the most inspiring, endearing, radical and deadly funny elders in the movement to protect country. The irony that a man who’s spent so many decades fighting uranium mining is now needing treatment for cancer is not lost on any of us. Please give back to a man who has given so much.
A bunch of Rad things
Apologies for the lack of blogging. I’m in full on pregnancy countdown mode at the mo, and it’s not being the easiest one. So I’m thinking things will be pretty sporadic for a while. But there’s some stuff I just HAVE to share with you all!
I’m sure most of you have checked out the handmade internet sensation regretsy.com – it’s a hilarious site and has quite the cult following these days. I was very proud to have not one, but TWO products featured on there! First off (and not that surprisingly) was the embroidery porn piece I did for the Craft Cartel Trashbag Rehab workshop earlier in the year. It sold within hours of being posted on regretsy and I’ve had tons of custom orders. It’s been quite surreal.
What was then even more surreal was the email I got from Regretsy asking if I’d be keen to be part of a card series they were planning. Yeah why the hell not?
So you too can own your own piece of embroidered gay anime porn, and even better – share the love with your friends and family!
That’s mine discretely being censored by the others.. You can buy 8 of one design or a set of two of each. And at $10 a set, that’s quite the bargain.
And in other regretsy news, they’ve managed to sign a book deal with Random House. I’m thinking the porn might not pass their censorship standards. But luckily I have another product on regretsy’s site – the legendary Plug Rugs! Which have, of course, now sold out. These also popped up on the salon.com story about regretsy. So hopefully they get in the book.
The other rad thing I’ve been meaning to post for ages is the pdf of the Interventionist Guide zine! If you go to the website and click on Guides, mine is about halfway down. The zine features a whole lot of my thoughts about urban spaces and how we relate to them as humans. As well as the tutorial on how to cross stitch a heart on a bicycle basket.
Finally, have you checked out the London-based Craftivist Collective yet? They’re getting up to some seriously ace stuff. This latest pic popped up on Facebook and I reckon it’s a big bucket of brilliant. They’ve got tons of things going on so if you want to join in go join them on FB.
xox
An Old Skool Sampler
If you got your hands on a copy of the 2010 3CR Seeds of Dissent Calendar and flicked it open to everyone’s favourite consumerist month: December, this is what you’ll find:
Each of the contributing artists was asked to chose a theme and using our creative tools, discuss that issue in relation to the future. I chose an anti-consumerist/waste theme (obviously). And decided this was an opportunity to finally get around to stitching my sampler.
A sampler is something a learner stitcher is supposed to do. But it’s more than just about learning, it’s a kind of right of passage. And having now seen samplers from my own family, I have been keen to get into doing my own for a while.
This particular sampler is loosely based off the design of the sampler by Margaret Harper (1782) so it really is pretty old skool. But following on with an old tradition of subverting the ‘feminine arts’ the quote is not biblical, yet still rather moralistic and prescriptive.
We were also asked to provide a few words about what our piece was about. Here’s mine:
A Sampler For Our Times
In this time of global environmental and economic crisis the looming challenges can sometimes seem insurmountable, especially considering that Australia is the biggest carbon consuming country on our lovely planet.
While the challenge to turn this around may seem enormous it is not impossible to meet. One of the most important and effective changes we need to take on is our relationship with stuff. Indeed, it is our obsession with material things that is such a massive contributor to our environmental excesses.
There is an age-old saying, commonly heard during the last global depression, ‘Use it up, Wear it out, Make do, or Do without’. It sounds a bit dreary. But people who are relearning the skill of making things themselves can testify that when you MAKE culture rather than simply consuming it, life all of a sudden becomes a hell of a lot more interesting, revolutionary even.
This cross-stitched piece is a traditional sampler but with a modern twist. A sampler was a coming-of-age process for a young woman, especially during the 1800s. Samplers were employed not only to teach basic stitches for decoration and mending but also to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as a bit of healthy moralistic indoctrination. The quotes included were often biblical and always included some guiding doctrine to live by. Sometimes they were cheekily subversive. This piece hopes to continue that tradition.
You really need a copy of this Calendar on your wall next year! So get onto the website and grab a copy. Or even better, come to the launch at Readings Carlton on Friday the 13th of November at 6pm and pick up a copy and a nice glass of wine. And say hi to the artists and the great team that made this awesome calendar happen.
As for the original piece, I’m looking for somewhere to put it on display with the view to sell it to raise even more funds for 3CR. I’ve got a couple of options but I’m open to hearing other ideas. So if you have a brilliant wall in a shop, gallery, museum or whatever that you think would be just perfect to have this hanging on, get in touch.
Finally, and before you all ask, yes the pattern will be available for sale very soon. And of course, all proceeds go straight to 3CR – to keep Melbourne’s most radical radio, rad!