Modern Canadian Mommy?

Is this every modern Canadian mother’s story? Sitting in the car with a dog and a sleeping baby, sipping a Tim Hortons beverage? (Mine’s a coffee, double cream.) I use the time to blog, or read (thank goodness for Kobo!), or just to enjoy the twenty minutes of silence. That is, until my psychotic dog decides to bark at something and wake the baby. She rarely does that, though. I think she enjoys the silence too.

Of Note: The Rest of Canada

Before you get mad, this feels like cheating to me too. I was planning on doing Prince Edward Island next, then Newfoundland, then a joint Territory thing, and then a Canada Round Up for some great things I missed. So I wrote up my cute little PEI story, and then I searched for stuff to share with you. To my surprise, there is very little of note from The Island. I couldn’t even find some kitschy and/or hipster cool Anne of Green Gables stuff to pad the entry. So I decided to pad it with Newfoundland. And, to my surprise—not much there either. Now I already knew there’s nothing from the Northwest Territories because I looked into that somewhere around Manitoba. And from the Yukon I added only one seller to my favourites. With all that, I still wasn’t up to my usual 9 features. So I figured I’d just do the round up now. Lo and behold, I had exactly 18 items. So I guess it was meant to be. And you still get the PEI story!

When I was visiting my friend (the friend whose family moved to Nova Scotia) we tagged along on his Dad’s business trip to PEI. PEI’s tiny; I knew that. I’ve always known that because when you had to colour in your map with a different colour for each province, you had to really think about how to make PEI stand out. Remember how I said his parents let us do things that I’m sure my parents wouldn’t, probably because the area was just safer? We found out first hand just how small PEI is when his dad left us somewhere in the middle of the island (with a map) and told us to find something to do. He’d pick us up “later”. (Note: this was before cell phones.) I remember we were pretty angry at first, and then as we started walking to our destination we realized the scale on the map was not like what we were used to and his father had to have known that; we made it to Ripley’s Believe it Or Not (and some other destinations I can’t remember) quite easily. Approximately 140 miles long and 4 to 40 miles wide, now I immediately think how awesome it would be to run on The Island. It almost seems like a distance that one could actually conquer.

Without further ado: THE REST (and a bit of ALL) OF CANADA.

1. Needle Felted Pet Greeting Cards from Kay’s K9s Paper Boutique, PEI

2. Raven Wood Engraving from The Odd Gallery, Dawson City, YT.

3. Goddess Pixie Pleated Purse from Crysto, Newfoundland.

4. 2 in 1 necklace from Mabel & Jules, Montreal, QC

5. Ray the Mountie from Into the Sleeping Forest, NS

6. Milk & Honey Handspun from Island Sweet Fibre Arts, Newfoundland.

7. On the Street Where you Live Lino Cut Print from Folky Dolky, Newfoundland.

8. Harmonica Necklace from JeSophi, Montreal, QC

9. Modern Wall Clock from Retro Reality, Newfoundland (and Toronto).

1. I’d rather be smooching my crafty wife button from Button Empire, AB

2. Linen Pouch with Magenta Ovals from Laura Bucci, Vancouver, BC

3. High Tea Bobby Pin Set from Paper Cakes, PEI

4. 1898 Map of Manitoba, British Columbia and the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES from BananaStrudel, Toronto

5. Male Deer No. 4 from Peter + Tom, Winnipeg, MB {In love  with this one.}

6. Gold and Yellow Banana Seat Bike Print from Hillarie Tasche, Winnipeg, MB

7. Quilty Coasters from RikRak, Ottawa, ON

8. Woodgrain Laptop Decal from beepart, London, ON

9. Liana Bracelet from Mizdragonfly, Gatineau, QC

Of Note: Nova Scotia

 

My best friend and his family moved to Nova Scotia when we were in Grade 7, which, though sad, gave me an opportunity to explore the east coast of Canada. I have fond memories of sitting in his parents’ store in the brewery market playing poker for toothpicks and eating Prince Polos; having to ride a rather shoddy bike to Atlantic Playland only to find it was closed, instead swimming in some lake by a freeway that was red and littered with rusting metal objects which made me consider how one contracts tetanus for the first time in my life. I don’t know if it’s because Halifax is smaller and safer than Toronto, but his parents let us do things I’m quite sure my parents never would, which was pretty empowering in those early teen years. Also his mom remains one of my uber design role models.

Happy Wednesday.

1. Custom Paper Free Invitations from O Happy Day, Halifax, NS.

2. Iggy, the handmade wooden buoy [Straight off the East Coast comes Iggy, a slightly nervous buoy whose unnatural fear of water has left him slightly paranoid as he whispers "Is it bad to admit that I don't know how to swim?".] from Isabelle Pineau of An Oddity or Two Bedford, NS.

3. Mandala Silk-Lined Clutch from Mermaids Dream, Halifax, NS.

4. Good Day Bear from Good Day Studio, Dartmouth, NS.

5. Red Dog Yellow Dog from 29 Black Street, a tiny seaside village, NS.

6. Neon Cowl, from Pip Robins, Halifax, NS. [I added Ms. Robins to my favourite list ages ago, and only now realized she’s Canadian. This is not the first time this has happened on my tour across Canada.]

7. Dirty Duck from Wild Life Prints, Halifax, NS.

8. THE ELEMENTS, an All Natural Children’s Felt book from Little Bits Books, NS.

9. Scoop in Azure from Tara Grude, Halifax, NS.

Of Note: New Brunswick

 

When my family took a cross-country car trip to Nova Scotia, I came down with some sort of virus. When we stopped in Moncton for the night, my fever went through the roof and my parents rushed me to the hospital. The doctor spoke minimal English, but we understood I had a veeral infeksheeon. All I remember of Moncton was the shag carpet in the motel. Or maybe that was just the fever talking.

New Brunswick is home to the Bay of Fundy, which boasts one of the highest vertical tidal range in the world. I have vague recollections of being there, which makes me realize I have to do all these trips over again now that I’m an adult and have a good camera*.

It’s Wednesday, folks! I’m going to be making some carrots for Peanut and perhaps a Cardamom Vanilla Pound Cake. I also have 1kg of cream cheese to use up, so I’ll be searching for ideas for that. (I’m open to suggestions!)

Oh, and taxes. Hump Day, you’ve done it again.

What are you up to today? Something infinitely more fun that what I’m up to, I hope. Like shopping in New Brunswick!

1. Reclaimed Wood Chalkboard from Reclaim Frames, Fredericton, NB.

2. Yellow Vintage Lucite Earrings from Wild Woman Jewelry, Fredericton, NB.

3. Lumber Jillian Neckwarmer (Pattern) from Bella McBride, NB.

4. Harnessed Rabbit and Gnome from McBride House, NB.

5. Pretty Measuring Cups from JuJo’s Attic, NB.

6. Wool Baby Slippers from Handknit Hugs, Quispamsis, NB.

7. Natural Impressions Stoneware Buttons from Branch Designs, Northern NB.

8. Porcelain Owl Beads from Tofu Kitty, NB.

9. Wild Orchids Shawl from Evelda’s Neverland, Fredericton, NB.

 

* Which I will not use because I’d much rather holgalomoroid my face off.

Of Note: Quebec

 

My knowledge of French is slightly better than Bret and Jemaine’s, but not by much. If you speak little to no French, and love walking, authentic bagels, coffee and fantabulous breakfasts (with no bacon!)—Montreal’s the place for you. Montreal just feels European, which is a feeling that’s hard to come by, at least in Ontario. I haven’t been to Quebec City since I was 16, but from what I remember it has the same vibe. But really, I think Guy sums up French Canada best.

1. Mulberry Damask Pillow from Set Carré, St-Gabriel, QC

2. Lemonade from NeaBlossoms, Montreal, QC

3. Blue Rain Of Colours Mobile from The Butter Flying, Montreal, QC

4. Large Polka Dot Wet Bag from Paisley Baby, Saint Lazare, QC

5. Eclipse Cufflinks from Sara Lagace, Montreal, QC

6. Mes Premiers Mots from pour toujours, Montreal, QC

7. Hand crafted greeting cards with real flowers from Studio Flower Power, Montreal, QC

8. Turquoise Feather Earrings from Noémiah, Montreal, QC

9. Echino Tiger Clutch from Kimberly Jones Designs, St. Lazare, QC

Of Note: Ontario (+ Toronto)

I goofed last week and named the Manitoba post after its capital. It was a simple typo; I don’t sleep much. I am well aware the province is Manitoba, not Winnipeg. Actually, featuring the provinces like this brings me back to elementary school—Grade 6, Ms. Corrado’s class. We’re in the middle of a test on the provinces and their capitals (do Americans get tested on their knowledge of all the states and capitals? We only have 10 provinces and 2 3 territories. With 50 states, that seems cruel. Do European children get tested on provinces? Do European countries even have provinces?—I DIGRESS.), when I totally blank on the capital of Nova Scotia. I was an overachiever then, as I am now, and I was terrified of not getting perfect on this super easy test. I called my teacher over to explain: I’m not stupid. I’ve just blanked. She gave me a sad, understanding look, but didn’t know how to help me without cheating. It’ll come to you. Fast forward to: Okay class! Time’s UP! and I still couldn’t remem—HALIFAX! it came to me in an instant. And I wrote it down, and I got perfect. Thank goodness.

My goof last week got me thinking about cities and provinces, and how I would handle this week’s post. I know I laid down a challenge for myself to not include Toronto artists, but—look—let’s be honest here—Torontonians think they’re the centre of Canada the universe anyway, so why not give them their own feature? This way, we’re stroking their egos, yes, but we’re also separating them from the rest of the lovely Ontario artists, so they can have a space of their own.

So this week, I bring you: Of Note: Toronto AND Of Note: Ontario IN ONE POST. Enjoy.

(Toronto and Ontario flipped a coin; Toronto won the toss and graciously has let Ontario go first.)

Ontario

1. “Midnight Stroll” Etching from Rudolf Kurtz, Orangeville, Ontario

2. 4 Skinny Stacking Exotic Wood Bangles from Jillian & Kaleb of in-bloom, Langton, Ontario

3. Sterling Silver Collar Stays  from RedCatrun, shores of Lake Simcoe, Ontario. {also makes wedding bands!}

4. Petite Coloured Diamond Rings from Kate Szabone, Whitby, Ontario

5. Seedling Print from Jellybeans (Original Artwork by Angela Vandenbogaard), Orillia/Barrie/Midland, Ontario

6. Kelly Green Triple Wrap Jersey Lovey from Jessie’s Jersey Loveys and Quilts, London, Ontario

7. Vintage Style Baby Bonnet from On Cottage Way, Kincardine, Ontario

8. Retro Kitchen Stand Mixer Stamp from The Mayberry Sparrow, Hamilton, Ontario

9. This Grey Cowl Tee from Replicca, Hamilton, Ontario

 

Toronto

1. Sunrise and Sunset Retro Flower Motif Cups and Saucers from Caffeine Queenie’s Vintage Finds, Toronto. {For the sad Canadians who can’t take part in the Liberty of London Target Extravaganza.}

2. High Tea Necklace from The Ardent Sparrow, Brampton.

3. Letterpress Counting Poster from sweetbeets, Toronto

4. Brownstone House Fabric Coasters from Knotted Nest, Toronto

5. Cute Ballerina Flats in Lime Green {100% Vegan shoes!} from Christy of  The Generation, Toronto.

6. Birds Eye View Illustration from Jessica Rae Gordon, Toronto. {I love, love, love this piece. Just love it.}

7.  Green Green Green Ruffle Wristlet from Hand Made Fun, Toronto

8. Pintuck Tunic Pattern from Heidi & Finn, Toronto

9. Birds 123 from Greasy Chicken Face Illustrations, Toronto

Of Note: Alberta + a tutorial

First, a mini Etsy tutorial. Sometimes, you’ll follow one of my links, and find that–oh no!–the item has “sold out”, like so:

And I’m sure you’re all aw, MAN! and go straight to close your tab–BUT WAIT! Don’t despair just yet! There’s something funny about the way Etsy works, and it seems sellers have to add items one at a time, so usually, these items are not actually sold out! There are two ways for you to find what I linked to, and what (hopefully) you still get to purchase! Hooray! Okay, so the example I posted is pretty self-explanatory, but let’s go through the steps anyway.

1. Check the “other items available from *insert store name here*” section in pink.

In this case, oh look!–the item is listed right there. You can just click it and buy it up! All up! Sometimes, you won’t be that lucky and you’ll have to do some digging.

2. Out of habit, I always click on the “# items for sale” link, but you can also browse through the “seller’s other items” pictures. I always like to click through the seller’s other stuff to see (duh) what else they have!–but this is also a way to find that item that happened to sell out. You can also use the “shop” link to be linked back to the seller’s homepage.

Okay. Get it? Good.

ALBERTA!

I’ve already stated, for the record, I’ve never been west of Ontario (some Canuck I am). This is not because I don’t want to go west, I just haven’t yet been that way. But I think, more so than British Columbia (sorry Calla), Alberta seems like a place I would like to visit. It’s got Banff National Park, which has mountains and walking room, which I’ve already said I love. It also played host to a wedding that ended in the best album I’ve ever designed. (So far.) Alberta also has the Banff Centre, home to much great theatre and art stuffs. It’s got a mall, which I thought had a petting zoo, but it doesn’t, so let’s not hold that against them. Finally, my dog’s food comes from Alberta. So thanks, Alberta, for keepin’ my dog alive.

As I was looking for 9 artists to share with you, I have to be honest, I was expecting to see a lot of horns. Taxidermy. Leather. Manly bags. Salvaged wood. That sort of thing. I have to say, Alberta–you let me down! Well, not really, but Alberta, I had to wade through a lot of weird (ugly) stuff to get to these nine finds.

1. Wool Seaweed Neck Garland from Peeko Apparel, Calgary, AB.

2. Red and White Damask Car Seat Cozy from Stranded Designs, Red Deer, AB.

3. Distressed Whiskey Leather Wrap Bracelet from Broken English Leather, Calgary, AB.

4. Snowballs Oxidized Silver Earrings from Frog Princess Designs, Edmonton, AB.

5. “Boho-Chic” Knotty Girl Scarf from Dollface DeVille, Cold Lake, AB.

6. Hoot Greeting Cards from Crafted by Lindy, Calgary, AB.

7. “Do the Robot” Baby Shoe from Little Jumping Beans, Calgary, AB.

8. Yellow Agate and Silver Drop Earrings from Splurge, Calgary, AB.

9. Modern Nana Lace Coral & Turquoise Earrings from Rozzie Jewelry Calgary, AB.

Next week–Saskatchewan, and, as a personal challenge–nothing blue, red, or yellow.

Of Note: British Columbia

Contrary to what you may have seen during the closing ceremony for the Olympics (or the ‘lympits as they’re called in our house, as in what Samson is training for what he’s in his jolly jumper), Canadians are not obsessed with mounties, beavers, and/or lumberjacks. Over the next few weeks, Of Note will be featuring Canadian artists, so you can get a taste of what we’re really aboot. Where better to start than British Columbia?! I’ve never been west of Ontario, but I have it on good authority that BC (the interior of it, anyway) is a wonderful place. My goodness, if the scenery isn’t enough to draw you westward, perhaps these craftspeople will.

1. Paperclip Chandelier Tutorial from ReDesign Technologies, Merritt, BC.

2. Turquoise Rain Drops Earrings from Tomo Jewelry, Winfield, BC.

3. Organic Wool Diaper Cover from Wildflower Mama Designs, Kimberley, BC.

4. Corroded Cuff II from C.G. Whitfield, 100 Mile House, BC.

5. Modelling Beeswax from Twinkle of My Eye, Logan Lake, BC.

6. Subway Roll Inspired Sign “Vancouver–the Olympic City 2010″ from Signs of Vintage, Kelowna, BC.

7. Barnwood Earring Frame from Paradise Hill Designs, Northwoods of BC.

8. Retro Floral Dress from Paper Doll Vintage, Vancouver, BC.

9. Aqua Aura Quartz Crystal Ring from My Little Eye by elseetee, Vancouver, BC.

Enjoy.