Yay! Our own Julie, aka Booga J, has just launched the monthly “Pincushion Challenge”. Excellent idea, lots of fun. May’s challenge is fruit. Get on over to the site and check out the details.

Week 2.
theme week 2 - your surly side

Chronicle books has donated 5 copies of Julie Jackson’s new book ‘subversive cross stitch‘, 33 designs for your surly side, to be given away.

“A desperate search for art therapy” and a need to express herself led Julie to the cross stitch isle at the craft shop. There she found the cuteness and sweetness too much and discovered an an urgent need to mess it all up.

Julie’s book “subversive cross stitch” is not about following a pattern but rather a jumping off point to “liberate fussy bunny patterns”. But nevertheless it is a pattern book and give tools and techniques enough to complete the patterns given. There is some info on basic stitches and which needles and fabrics to use, but the main thing is the patterns. The deliciously snarky designs. Nasty and refreshing, not at all politically correct and not a sign of cute.

The subverted cross stitch sayings are gilt framed and hanging on ornate floral wallpaper - excessive and perfect. I showed this book to various friends and family who came over, and all of them, artists and bankers and middle management and grandmothers and stay at home mums, nerds and crazy friends all thought this book fantastic and all wanted me to give them a copy. Alas I have saved them for you - so get those entries in to win one, or I might just give them to all my friends instead.

“Irony is not dead” in this book. “you suck” and “too bad so sad” “is that all there is” and “get lost”.

Feeling down, want to express your surly side, sick of nice and banal and sweet. Take up cross stitch and “get a life”.