strong I am with the force, but not that strong

This is my friend Linnéa, taking her first steps into the magical world of radical cross stitching. We had a craft session at my place yesterday, complete with soup, cookies and the most postmodern moment ever - when I accidently spoiled the end of Jane Eyre to Linnéa by mentioning The mad woman in the attic.

I'm so proud of my new protégé! My plan is to become her Yoda of cross stitching. She will worship me & my skillz and maybe bring me offerings in the form of cookies &/or DMC embroidery floss. Moahaha! (<- trademark Mad Scientist laugh)

Yes, the patter that she's stitching comes from the DIY page of Radical Cross Stitch, but for swedish readers it might also be known from this ever so lovely compilation of songs from the women's rights movement of the 70's:

It sounds something like this:

BECAUSE I believe with my wholeheartmindbody that girls constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world for real

First of all: go to Radical Cross Stitch and read what I meant to write about the cross stitch in the last post, but didn't have the energy or words for then.

Second: some time back I got an e-mail from a German publisher, asking if they could use one of my cross stitches for a book they where putting together. Last week the book finally arrived in my mail and it looks like this:

It's a compilation of feminist texts, from Sojuorner Truth, the riot grrrl manifesto, Emma Goldman, Audre Lorde, Judith Butler and a lot of other writers/groups that actually say something to me about my life. So if you speak German and you're into reading classic feminist critique, go to Orange Press, send them an e-mail and ask if you can buy the book, wait for it to arrive at your home and then flip to page 97 where this cross stitch illustrates the chapter on Valerie Solanas.

"Radikales Handarbeiten": Über Tätigkeiten, die lange Zeit als "weiblich" galten, werden subversive Botschaften in vertrautem Stil präsentiert - hier der erste Satz des SCUM-Manifests.

I have no idea what it means, but I'm hoping it's something good.

fuck art, let's craft

This past Saturday was the grand opening of Craftwerk 2.0, an exhibition at Jönköpings Läns Museum (Sweden):

Craftwerk 2.0 is an exhibition that explores the new “updated” textile crafts that are developed by a new generation of serious amateurs, innovative craftsmen, engaged entrepreneurs and political practitioners.

I haven't been there myself yet, but you can read a report from Cross Stitch Ninja at Radical Cross Stitch. It seems too good to miss out on, as soon as me & some friend can get our hands on a car & some gas money, we're going on a road trip to see it.

there she goes again

You have to take a look at the latest post on Radical Cross Stitch. I'm happy to know such an amazing political crafter who's genius, ambition, creativeness & quality works as a great inspiration.

punk rock is not just for your boyfriend

Look, I made a new x-stitch! Read all about it at Radical Cross Stitch.

you wanna live forever? sell your soul to radical cross stitch!

There's big things going on now! Just wanted to let you know that today I made my first post as a member of the crew at Radical Cross Stitch, the best site on the internet. I'm so proud & honoured that the other grrls wanted me to participate in what is destend for total world domination... RCS will save your life!

Of course I'll keep posting here, 'cause this blog is my baby, But the more radical/political stuff that I do will be on RCS too (tagged as a crosspost here, or linked - haven't really thought too much about that yet).