“Covid Crafting Therapy” is my ongoing personal process for relaxation, a type of journaling, a type of meditation. Every stitch a thought. It’s different from drawing, painting, writing. I’m not trying to find the style, the form, the character. I’m not trying find the perfect color, the perfect brush stroke. The perfect narrative. Crafting just… is. The…
Category: Crafts
10 years since “Olivia Saves the Circus” stop motion animation project at Keith Lynn!
Dolls and stuffed animals make me happy. Very happy. They always have. Some of my faves are hand-sewn little pig characters… but I will get to that. I am 58 years old and I still have dolls, still rescue dolls, make dolls. love dolls, receive dolls. I still have the first one (“Lisa”) I received from…
A sock snapping turtle eating David Sedaris’ tumour. A handmade gift.
Does anyone else (well, I know my daughter does) feel like David Sedaris (and his sister Amy) is a family member? I am that kind of fan. Sorry. Reading his books, alone or in public, inevitably leads to me rocking back and forth in tears or in laughter or both. I have always fought against…
Here were valleys filled with tiny trees and minuscule, tangled vines…
I am a collector. I love the details of seemingly mundane little objects. I collect discarded plants and nurse them back to life. I collect bits and pieces underneath the heron nests. I collect chestnuts. They remind me of my mom, who would often tell me she collected chestnuts in shoeboxes as a child. I…
The Sparrow’s Nest
Behold, within the leavy shade, Those bright blue eggs together laid ! On me the chance-discovered sight Gleamed like a vision of delight. – William Wordsworth, The Sparrow’s Nest, 1807
Nature moves through carcasses…
Illustrating decomposition by allowing the newsprint to deteriorate over several years and for the dead bird to slowly be encompassed by embroidered roots and the dark. The process continues. Check out:
The importance of being specific. Collage for 2019.
Recall Vision for 2019: Courage Last night I mind mapped around the heart image- and one of the key “to-do’s” for 2019 is PAUSE AND REFLECT, BEFORE SAYING YES. Tonight I spent time around the kitchen table, cutting and pasting stream of consciousness collages with my soul-sister Patti Henderson, as we chatted about life and about our…
Operation Sock Monkey Western Division: Craftivism and Healing using Sock Monkeys and Sock Owls
I am delighted to still be part of Operation Sock Monkey Western Division—the relationship is going on 10 years now! Time for an update as to what we have been up to lately! About OSM: Since 2005, Operation Sock Monkey has raised nearly $10,000 in support of the humanitarian work of Clowns Without Borders. Partnerships…
Every stitch a thought- problem solving embroidering drawings.
I’ve got a lot to think about these days. (Not really any different from other days, I guess, but seriously, there is some amazing stuff brewing). To stay on track with massive projects, to dos and ideas racing around in the head, I have found great solace in pulling out embroidered drawings. As I stitch,…
Chakra monkey… “I am safe…”
Chakra sock monkey I am safe I am creative I am strong I am loved I am expressive I am connected I am divine
Sock Robin- bird sculpting with upcycled materials
When Spring returns, the earth becomes a child who recites poetry. – Rainier Maria Rilke Walking home from a workshop yesterday, I was delighted at all the bird activity close to my home. A robin crossed my path, a wriggling worm in its beak, the rain gentle. The moment pulled me out of my head…
Sock owls and creative engagement
These crazy little sock owls are wonderful for creating dialogue around the craft table! Our intergenerational sock owls will be on display next week at Mulberry PARC’s Ignite Your Passion event (September 28, 2017 2-4 PM) as part of ACTIVE AGING WEEK! See also:
Burr, Washington, Jefferson, King George sock monkeys. Hamilton in my heart.
I had planned to be in New York City on July 28th this summer, sitting at the Rogers Theatre with my daughter celebrating, watching Hamilton, the Musical. We would have just completed two days of sock monkey workshops at Graham Windham with children and families (Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage). I was going to bring my sock…
The Mulberry Panels: art project with older adults
I have the pleasure of working with an extraordinary group of individuals at Mulberry PARC doing art projects that range from drawing, interactive art, sock animals and group painting/quilt! We have had 5 sessions so far and, at this point, confirmed 10 more that will take us into November! My goal with the art sessions is…
The Heron Feathers: 100 Herons Art Project
THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons [between June 14 to July 31, 2017]. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide much-needed FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program in July…
Poststreet deluxe Sock Monkey Kits! Order now!
My deluxe sock monkey kits come with: Pre-sewn sock monkey body (surprise high quality socks) Buttons Embroidery thread Needle Felt heart gLOVE bird Link to how-to video Instruction sheet Small original surprise drawing JUST ADD STUFFING! $30.00 CAD (includes shipping) THROUGH PAYPAL Or Email Transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com CONTACT ME FOR SPECIAL PRICES FOR BULK ORDERS
From the heart- a 15-day journal exercise Part 5
I dedicate today’s post to my soul-sister Patti Henderson and to our deep HEART chats. — I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your…
From the heart- a 15-day journal exercise: Part 3
I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your Life Part 2: Practice Dying Part 3: Preparing to Die 1. Embroider your heart Here is a…
What the sock pigs taught me…
This past Sunday morning- hanging out on Vancouver Island, my 4 friends and I had a hankering to create sock pigs. There is such magic in sitting around the dining room table at my friends’ house, surrounded by crafting supplies creating. We laugh, we go deep, we eat, we drink coffee, we share time. It…
Poststreet custom order sock monkeys.
I’ve had some interesting requests and ideas over the years and I do love the challenge of finding materials and interpreting the subject. Here are some samplings and planning sketches… Contact me for your custom order and pricings! CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL
Traditional craft: handwoven treasure by “Domestic Intervention Co.”
Being Swedish, I was raised surrounded by beautiful handwoven cloths. When I think about Sweden, I see looms. Textile art is in my DNA. My mother loved to tell me stories about my great grandmother– my name sake, Brita. Brita raised so many children with little money. She’d walk to town and check out the…
Eliza’s Story
“210 years later, Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage — now a family services agency called Graham Windham — is still helping kids get their shot. Graham Windham serves over 4,500 kids and families each year. Just like Eliza’s husband, these kids survived a tough start in life. Graham Windham provides services like family counseling and treatment, after…
Operation Sock Monkey Project Sophia
SOCK MONKEY THERAPY AND CRAFTIVISM PROJECT SOPHIA Sophia, age 16, was born with a life limiting condition and she has been part of the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice community for 14 years. Sophia loves to spread joy around and this includes handing out countless sock monkeys (made by her and our Operation Sock Monkey communtiy…
My mother’s tapestry…
Today would have been my mother’s 80th birthday. It was joyous to celebrate her by celebrating my nephew’s 5th birthday (his official birthday is on the 19th) in my brother’s household filled with kids and mayhem, food and laughter. Our growing family certainly is my mother’s tapestry- her woven threads. We are the weavers of our…
Stitched together with good intentions- a grumble of [sock] pugs!
On September 1, 2016, Fall weather and autumn vibe seemed to come on full force here in Vancouver BC. Along with the autumn atmosphere comes the rejuvenated desire to craft, to create product and re-open the ETSY shop and the reminder to focus on the Winter craft fair to do list. So I put away my other work…
Special sale: Dead Bird Collection- embroidered drawings
I am a BIG BIG fan of symbology, imagery and metaphor. I feed on it like some kind of voracious vampire. As I was collecting a few books from my personal library to donate to our local community mini library, I pulled out an old book I had forgotten about. Oh, how I love…
The psychopomp and the crow- made from @Socksmith socks!
I received these beautiful skeleton socks from Socksmith in the mail on Monday! Oh I love them! Socksmith has been a long time favorite sock company for me ever since my first visit to Sockshop on Haight back in October 2010! Here is the blog post about that visit: LINK I remained a long time fan:…
Embroidered drawings and forensic taphonomy
My passion project, Molly- a true crime analysis, centres around a 63 year old Vancouver cold case. On January 15, 1953, the skeletal remains of two children were found in the forest of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The victims became known as the Babes in the Wood. The physical evidence indicated that the children were killed…
The sock monkey and the paper dress.
I love making paper dresses! — — Check out: I’m obsessed with my paper dress The bypoststreet paper dress The bypoststreet punk paper dress My dress hangs there I finally made one for a sock monkey. Surprised that it took me so long! Not sure why it is so satisfying, but it is! — —…
Sock Monkey Social- intergenerational craftivism!
Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) was approached by Langara Recreation Leadership student, Matthew Sung, a few months ago regarding an intergenerational project: Sock Monkey Social. We gave him some pointers and links to a couple videos (how to make a sock monkey and a feature on OSM’s founder, Lindsey Hodgson): How To Make A Sock Monkey (HD) from Fredrik Thorsen…