Winter Magic 2011 ~ celebrating the winter solstice

Winter Magic is the Blue Mountains winter solstice celebration, we celebrate the middle of winter with a festival of dress-up, drumming, food, parade, bands and many more events. Its wonderfully Pagan and a delightful way to celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year.

The 2011 celebration was no exception, the weather was perfect, winter sunshine poured down, the wind was minimal and the enthusiasm was high, here are my some of my photos from the day.

Queer Beanie competition 2010 - the very first winners!

The first ever entries in the Blue Mountains Queer Beanie competition were fabulous, creative, innovative and outright queer!

We had knitted, felted, quilted and crocheted entries from beginners through to skilled and long term crafters and all of them are amazing!

The inaugural Queer Beanie competition was run in conjunction with the first ever Blue Mountains Pink Fest and the long standing Winter Magic festival.

It was a fabulous gala night in The Library of  The Carrington on Friday 18th June, one of our six fabulous sponsors along with:

Hazelbrook Healthfoods
Katoomba Collectables
Offbeat Ceremonies ~ Giving you the Alternative
Renommee: Quality recycled contemporary and vintage fashion and accessories 02 4784 3487
Summit Gear 


Our judging team of Judith Maitland, Rosie Mann, Rachel Mann, Jenny-Lee Heylen, Angela Lougheed and Mark Jarvis took their task very seriously and we thank them for their efforts.

Thanks also to our professional photographer, Elizabeth Walton of Who Needs a Secretary, however, the following photos are MINE as we haven't had a chance to GTG since Friday evening, LOL!

The entrants impressed the judges with their creativity and skills and it was a hard call to choose winners from such a wonderful selection.

 ... and the winners are ......

Queer category-Beginner: 

First prize: Julie Bargenquast "Baby of Twin Towers' - Prize $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies
Highly Commended: Julie Barganquast 'Twin of Queers - MV'

Queer category-Intermediate:

First prize: (two winners in category) Sharn Arcus 'Extermiknit' - Prize: $50 gift voucher from Katoomba Collectables
Highly Commended: Susan Robbins 'The Sorting Beanie'

Queer beanie: Intermediate

First prize (two winners in category): Lorna McKenzie 'Queer Battle Helm' - Prize $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies

 

Queer beanie category: Advanced

First prize: Lynn Burnett 'We are Family' - Prize: $50 gift voucher Summit Gear
Highly Commended: Gillian Hand 'Freeform'







Classic category-Beginner: 
First prize: Tilly 'Beyond the Fringe' - Prize: $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies
Highly Commended: Susan Robbins 'First beanie'

 

Classic category: Intermediate

First prize: Sharn Arcus 'Fair Isle'- Prize: $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies
Highly Commended 1: Sue Guy '12 ply classic'
Highly Commended 2: Kathleen MacDonald 'Landscape'

Classic category: Advanced

First prize: Lynn Burnett  - Prize: $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies

Reuse, Recyle-Intermediate (no entries in any other categories)

First prize: Lorna McKenzie 'Empress Dream' - Prize: $50 from Offbeat Ceremonies
Highly Commended: Judith 'Impromptu'
 

People's Choice:

Susan Robbins 'The Sorting Beanie' - Prize: a beautiful silk/wool Pashmina from Renommee: Quality recycled contemporary and vintage fashion and accessories 02 4784 3487

And here are all the entries in all their clever and skillful glory.....