good and evil

We all know that craft can be used for good as well as evil.

Good:

A table mat woven from Manitoban bison fur

Recently I found a wonderful example of how craft can be a beacon of hope on the sometimes bleak, yet rocky, whilst often downright impassable landscape of life. (Okay, so life isn't that bad but a strong contrast was required). Said beacon is the online archive of the sadly now defunct Crafts Guild of Manitoba which, by all accounts, played a small but vital role in the development of this great province. In their own words, they were "women helping women, determined to improve their society and to recognize the talents, the traditions and the artistic merit that peoples from all nations brought with them."

If you're at all interested in the history of craft then I urge you to dip into this humble archive. It is written in wonderfully pro-women, pro-craft language and genuinely honours the skills of the women and the contribution their handiwork made to the society around them.

And, really, what's not to like about a table mat that has been woven from bison fur? Why it didn't catch on is beyond me.

Evil:


Well, unintentional evil at least.

We are the proud looker-afterers of a new foster dog for the local dog rescue. Her name is Patience and she has the softest, slimmest, loveliest ears. Just perfect for snap freezing in the -29 we started today with on this morning's walk.

This was my attempt to protect them for her lunchtime wee break.


That expression, in case you are having a hard time deciphering it, is an incredulous one.

Made from the sleeve of a lovely felted woolen sweater with some rather fetching green buttons, she wore it for approximately 30 seconds before one vigorous head shake saw it swiftly become a chin warmer. So I sighed, took it off and we braved the temperatures sans dog head-kerchief. She and her beautiful ears, you'll be please to know survived.