Every beanie destined for the Festival is a creative journey for its maker that begins with an idea and some fibre or yarn. Their makers send them across land and sea to reach the Festival in Alice Springs each winter. Other journeys begin. Some beanies will travel the globe, change hands and heads, be lost and found, loved and laughed at.
Express a special moment or a visual reference from a story in your life, in a beanie: the trip of a lifetime, a trek through the bush, the emotional roller coaster of life events, or the friendships made along the way. In 2007 the Festival celebrates journeys.

2007 Competition Winners

1 Champion 'My Journey' beanie: beanie that best expresses a journey you have taken. Winner: All Roads Lead To, Soosie Jobson, Fremantle, WA Special Mention: From the Murray to the Todd via Bondi, Jude Mapleson, Alice Springs 2 Most sculptural 'My Journey' beanie: push the form of your beanie while expressing your journey. Winner: Rainbow Serpent, Francis Hutson, Melbourne Special Mention: Journey through the Universe, Shaz Harrison, Williams 3 Spirit of the Land: tells the stories of the ranges, the sea, the desert. Winner: Just Deserts, Felicity Kamevaar Special Mention: Digging for Honey Ants, Yilpi Adamson, Ernabella 4 Most stylish 'My Journey' beanie: classic shapes that express your journey. Winner: Peacock Splendour, Kerry Elsome Special Mention: Compass Beanie, Ulla Melchiorsen, Mareeba, QLD 5 Mad Hatter's 'My Journey' prize: A funny, crazy journey tale - make us laugh. Winner: Emu, Joan Stanley, Coffin Bay, SA Special Mention: Titje Bunyip, Helen Walters 6 Best 'My Journey' Australian native flora and fauna:No real animals or plant parts please! Winner: Autum, Gabrialle Powell, Cabargo Special Mention: Wichetty grubs, Lena Campbell, Titjikala 7 The Eileen Bladon Tea Cosie prize: how many journeys have unfolded over a cup of tea? Feel free to sell your cosie with a teapot. Winner: On the Diwali, Lisa Waller, Benchigo Special Mention: Warm Fuzzies, Merren Weaver, Alice Springs SPECIAL CATEGORIES 8 Prize for the Best Felting Winner: Rovin, Robby Wright, Brunswick Heads, NSW Special Mention: Canadian Spring, Patricia Miller, Oberow, NSW 9 Central Australian Prize for Makers of the Region: An award for a Central Australian artist for an outstanding piece of work. Winner: Meshing of Worlds, Fred Meigel & Karina Penhall, Alice Springs Special Mention: Wild donkeys, Marie Shilling, Titjikala 10 Beanie Festival Committee Acquisitive Prize for Wonderful and Unusual Work Winner: Alice and the Beanie People, Maria Schnerder Special Mention: Warm - Black Footed Rock Wallaby, Dora Haggie, Ernabella 11 The Robbie Beard Prize for Innovative Work Winner: Paper Crane, Aiko Takahashi, Japan Special Mention: Mastering Knitting, Barbara d'Arbon 12 My Journey: up to 3 pieces may be entered as a series Winner: 3pcs, Ungakini Tjangala, Ernabella Special Mention: 3pcs, Pantjiti, ernabella 13 People's Prize: The Favourite Beanie of 2007 A Great Life, Mary Burns, Lithgow

The parade of the 2007 winning beanies can be viewed on you tube if you have a flashplayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzyc_LLQZQ

The exhibition was open daily 10am- 5pm from Saturday, 30 June to Sunday 19 August 2007 Araluen Galleries, Alice Springs Cultural Precinct, Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs.

PRIZES
The Cleckheaton Dozen! 12 magnificent barrels of yarns
$250 Cleckheaton Cash prize. For the Peoples Choice winner.
The Ashford Felting prize. A beautiful bundle of fleeces.

Judges
Gay Epstein, Brian Tucker, Kieren Finnane, Judith Preston-Stanley

Lena Campbell	Jude Mapleson-From the Murray to the Todd via Bondi
Bettye Kamevaar	Shaz Harrison- Williams
Merren Weaver	Teacosie by Lisa Waller Teapot made by Nicola Purcell

	The first beanies made by Areonga community
Above:Ernabella Artists check out their work Right: Ungakini Tjangala with part of her winning journey series Each year the artists from Ernabella participate in the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.  Beanies are made from a variety of materials and using many different techniques.  In 2007 Mukata made by the women of Ernabella Arts Inc reflect journeys both physical and spiritual.   Fabric Of Life, in Adelaide, have been working with the artists of Ernabella for many years.  During South Australian Living Artists’  Week 2007  a  selection of ‘art piece” Mukata were showcased.  The gallery continues to show Ernabella's work.  For more information contact www.fabricoflife.com.au
Megan Jack	Alice and the Beanie People, Maria Schnerder
Below:Pat Goult-koala detail
Titjikala beanies- felted crowns with crocheted rims	The beanies made at Irrkerlantye Arts