Kristy made her moustache from the remnants of her haircut that day, and some sticky tape. Life partner also pictured (not her husband).

 

Not Frida Kahlo.

 

Not Ned Flanders.

 

Not Salvador Dali.

 

Not Nick Cave.

Meet Arturo.

 
The lovely Pip has organised a Christmas charity drive of handmade soft toys for children of the Mirabel Foundation. I hadn’t planned on participating until I saw the toys that had already been made, and read that there weren’t enough. They were so cute and so inspiring that I felt I should help out, too.

 

Arturo takes a nap inside Carolyn’s light box.

 
I find coming up with a toy idea from scratch very difficult. But if you give me some fabric or old socks, or something to work with, it’s much easier for me and I get inspired. This is probably connected to why I’m a better editor than a writer, or why I’m better at documentary photography than studio shots. I’m good at working with and improving upon what’s already there.

I’ve had a pair of rainbow-striped toe socks for ages but have hardly ever worn them. Yet I couldn’t bear to give them away. They’re 100% acrylic, which feels a bit ick in between your toes and actually makes them colder in winter. Toes need to cuddle up next to each other to stay warm. So I’m much more fond of Japanese-style tabi socks, the ones with only an individual big toe that make you look like a goat. A very stylish goat.

Part of the inspiration came from this book. I liked the idea of snipping off the middle fingers on gloves, leaving the outer fingers for “ears”.

I used two of the snipped toes to make his beak, and I added Velcro dots to his hands so Arturo can hug your neck. I also turned the socks inside out so you get the funny looking dashed lines that appear on the “wrong” side of striped knitting.

It didn’t dawn on me until he was finished, but I think his eyes were subconsciously inspired by J.Otto Seibold. I think Arturo and Mr Lunch most certainly would be friends. Don’t you?

I am a bit sad to see him go, but I am also pleased to know that some small person will get a new friend. And probably some much-needed hugs.

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I had to postpone the Movember party to this Saturday, so more mo pics after the weekend!

Happy Movember!

 
More awesome photos to follow, once we get the serious stuff out of the way:

Sparky has registered for Movember, a moustache-growing charity event held every November around the world to raise awareness about men’s health issues. On November 1st men must be clean shaven; you can then sponsor their moustache-growing efforts throughout the month.

Some statistics from Movember:

* Depression affects 1 in 6 men. Most don’t seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.

* Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer — equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually.

* Men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy of males is 5 years less than females.

To sponsor Sparky’s mo you can click here (if the link doesn’t work, his registration number is 113949). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Unfortunately you can’t sponsor me because I can’t grow a moustache (thank goodness). But I love Sparky and care about his health, so I think this is just as good.

The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative and will be used to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

Now time for more pictures!