when THIS becomes THAT

It started as a seaside sculpture that’d been YARN-BOMBED. The community of Holdfast Bay, SA, including me, KNITTED, CROCHETED and finally STITCHED wool scraps around the metal creation called RHYTHM.

The brightly coloured shape ENLIVENED the environment and gave FUN and PLEASURE to all for a month.

But what was to happen to the sculptured pieces afterwards? Had they reached their used-by date?

My picture book, SHIRL AND THE WOLLOMBY SHOW provided the answer.

The resolution of Shirl the Sheep’s problem was to use remnants of knitting and create a SCARECROW.

With the help of artist, Violet Cooper, the Holdfast Bay Community Development Officer, Jenni Reynolds organised a children’s workshop, called SCRAPPY SCARECROWS.

At the workshop we created Rex the Scarecrow, and his friends, Harry the Duck and Scare-Dog.

Meet Rex the Scarecrow, Harry the Duck and Scare-dog.

At the moment they’re display treasures at the local libraries . . .but after that? Well, they’ll be off to live in a newly created Community Garden in North Glenelg, SA.

Just where a scarecrow and friends should be!

What a lovely recycling story.

Melbourne and More!

Loved my time in Melbourne recently!

Had a great meeting with Erica Wagner, publisher of Allen & Unwin who will be publishing my next book: a picture-poetry book called Village Child, illustrated by the multi-award winning, talented Anne Spudvilas, due out in 2014.

Anne's rough of the book's intro

A brief but nice catch-up with my agent, Jacinta di Mase and her children, at the State Library of Victoria Children's Book Festival.

I was blown away, so impressed, with this well-attended event. I heard approximately 15,000 families and children enjoyed the day.

Me just arrived at the Random House tent to promote my picture book, Meet Ned Kelly,  illustrated by Matt Adams.

While I read the book, during the afternoon, over a hundred children had fun making their own Ned Kelly masks. 

Also spied in the crowds, friends and writing colleagues Claire Saxby and Meredith Costain. 

Thanks Random House and thanks Melbourne.