Stickin' Ideas Together

OH YEAH!! Check out this inspiring book by  Betsy Greer  that I just purchased. I discovered it in a promo catalogue by local Vancouver publisher  Arsenal Pulp Pres s.  The write-up describes craftivism as follows:  Craftivism is a worldwide movement that operates at the intersection of craft and activism;  Craftivism  the book is full of inspiration for crafters who want to create works that add to the greater good.  To me, creating for the greater good is what creating is all about. I am keen on using many of the ideas in my work with school children. Encouraging them to dream, to express and "craft" their own world is are important human awarenesses. Sometimes those acts get lost in the shuffle of chores and responsibilities. I'll keep you posted on how this book plays out in my life. In the meantime, get the book. You'll love it! Keep creating. Keep craft-ivisming ~ Kathryn

Sea urchins teach 'discernment' My beloved gifted me a spectacular 'Vale' gold necklace, by the Bai sisters, for Christmas. What I first thought was a tooth-like shape, turns out to be a sea urchin spike. Needless to say I LOVE it. Of course I couldn't help researching any meaning attributed to sea urchins. In my world, there are no coincidences; therefore, there must be a mystical reason for said species to be decorating me right now. Here's what I discovered (abbreviated text. Source forgotten.. so sorry!!): Teaches discernment and the art of underlying circumstances. Slow and methodical, she shows how to maneuver with tenacity and patience.... Do you have tough exterior and soft inside? Urchin will teach this balance of rough and tender. Evolution, metamorphosis and new developments are highlighted with Sea Urchin medicine... Listen to the color of the Sea Urchin for this will aid in understanding. I found the last line curious, " listen t

Happy New Year! I am once again embarrassed that so much time has elapsed since we last chatted. It was quite a year, that 2015. I cannot say that I'm sad to see it go. However, one bright spot in the year was that my daughter, Ruby, & I participated in the Anonymous Art Show  - the North Vancouver Community Arts Council's annual fund raiser. I have attached a few snaps of our submissions. My painting can be seen on the group photo of Those-Who-Make-It-Happen (top row, second painting on the left). We had fun getting our paints out and spending some quality art-time together. Ruby was thrilled to use acrylics, as opposed to mom-friendly washable paints. If you have a hankering to gift art at Christmas, make sure you check out their site in early November to get the dates of the 2016 show. Not only will your family & friends be thrilled to receive an original canvas, but the local art community will thank you too (each canvas is $100 with $50 going to the arti