Friday Five: Even Crosser Stitch

Here are another five of my latest cross-stitch creations. The first four patterns and explanations are taken from Really Cross Stitch; for when You Just Want to Stab Something a Lot by Rayna Fahey.

'Aside from tractors, colour photography and whiskey, Ireland's greatest contribution to the world has to be Father Ted. Set on a fictional remote island, the television series revolves around three priests banished for previous misdemeanours. One episode stood out from the rest, when the local cinema screens a 'blasphemous' film. Father Ted leads the defence of community values.

'Down With This Sort Of Thing' was Father Ted's placard, and has become an old faithful on the Irish protest circuit. It can be used for any occasion, to be sure, to be sure.'

'The thing about snowflakes is, get enough of them in one place, add a bit of fury, and you've got yourself a blizzard. Blizzards may begin with a flutter but once they get going they have the power to bring cities to a standstill.

When the best response the entitled can come up with is to compare you to a benign and natural phenomenon, it's a pretty good sign you're winning the argument. And that their binary macho principles are ridiculous.'

'Indigenous peoples worldwide are the first to pay the price for climate change, yet contribute the least to its causes. Luckily for the future of our lovely planet, indigenous peoples are also the first to stand up and defend this beautiful place we call Earth. 

The battle lines of the war against climate change are being defended daily as people take direct action to save forests, rivers and oceans. From Standing Rock to the Galilee Basin, from the tar sands to the trade summits; the fight to stop climate change is shaping up to be the most creative and effective movement in our history.'

"To the wrongs that need resistance,to the right that needs assistance, to the future in the distance, give yourselves." - Carrie Chapman Catt (Suffragette)

For over 150 years women have led movements for one basic idea: participation in democracy is a right that belongs to everyone. While the debate's nuances have evolved, the idea remains strong. Of course the opposition to the movement is also ongoing. The anti-suffragettes of the 19th century had an appalling sense of humour and their cartoons are always good for a laugh. But the laughter turns bitter when we think about the relentless attacks on women we still face.

These just happen to be a couple of creative efforts I made and gave to a friend. The book, Mornington Crescent (AUD25 + p&p) is my own labour of love. The cross-stitch is a reference to spoon theory, and how, when the emotional drawer is empty, one can just feel like stabbing something a lot. It's also a warning. All cross-stitch is, in its way; it's quietly subversive, rebellious way.