Creative Process

I get my inspiration from nature and everyday life to create the unique patterns that are used on the items I create - from bags and scarves to cushion covers and notebooks. From close-ups of mushrooms and cloudy skies to flowers and food, anything can become a bold and bright or neutral and soft pattern. See a pattern that you love but not on a product that you would like to buy? Use the online contact form and let me know what pattern you like and what product you want it on. I will create it and let you know when it's in the store!

Read on to learn about the origins of the patterns in my collections.

'The 'Beet' Goes On' was created from a section of a photo of a sliced beet. The bright magenta sections within the deep purple beet were stunning and became an instant favourite.

'Infinity Rust' was created from a section of a photo from an old iron wood-burning stove we have sitting on our back deck. The ornate patterns on the stove were enhanced by the rust that was forming and were perfect for creating this pattern.

'Regal Ruby' had it's start in less than a regal place - the kitchen! A recipe for dog muffins included olive oil and cranberry juice. The liquids created jewel-like, beautiful bubbles which I was able to capture with my phone camera before they dissipated.

Living on the west coast, we get a lot of cloudy skies. But when you get some brilliant blue sky with them, it is hard not to stare and watch the clouds for a while. 'Country Blue' is a result of one of those perfect blue sky with clouds day.

I spend as much time as I can in the forest that's a few minutes from our house. When the timing is right, the forest is flooded with mushrooms of all kinds. 'Mushroom Illumination' was created from the underside of a mushroom lit up by the morning sun.

While strolling through Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, I saw the most beautiful pink azaleas and took a few photos in hopes to create something from them. 'Dreaming of Azaleas' captures the intensity of those flowers and adds a bit of whimsy.

'When Tulips Meet' is another pattern that was created from a flower, this time from a tulip in my front yard. The intense yellow centre and deep orange of the petals created the perfect contrast for this pattern that has a bit of a 70's vibe to it.

Back to the forest for 'Vintage Conk'. There is no shortage of conks growing on the stately trees in the lush forest near my home. The rich browns of the centre of the conk is complemented by the creamy outer rings. Reminds me a bit of chocolate!

The west coast is so green for many reasons including the lush moss that blankets the forest floor. 'Retro Green' was created using a close up of moss and a bit of retro inspiration. With so much green around here, even cloudy days are colourful!

'Abstract Wood' was created using a section from very ornate markings on the exposed wood of a tree up on the Notch Trail in Nanoose Bay. Take the time to enjoy what nature has to offer and you will always discover beauty in even the simplest of things.

The west coast is home to many tree species including the Garry Oak which grows on southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. 'Piper's Oak' was created from the bark of a Garry Oak in Piper's Lagoon Park in Nanaimo.

Another west coast tree found in a narrow band along the south coast and generally within 8 kilometres of the ocean is the beautiful arbutus. 'Arbutus' captures just some of the many colours which can be found in the bark as it peels off the tree.

The east coast of Vancouver is very rocky and has no shortage of variety to explore. Although I don't know what the composition of the rock was that I used to create the 'Granite' pattern, the colours reminded me of the different colours of granite.

Another pattern inspired by the woodstove on our back deck. 'Iron Rust' is less abstract and lets the roughness and intensity of the rust shine. After another rainy season, there could be even more patterns evolving from this unique source of inspiration!

Colour is everywhere, even on cold, ocean-spray exposed rocks. 'Lichen Gold' and Lichen White Gold' patterns were created by a section of a photo taken of rocks at Piper's Lagoon Park in Nanaimo. A touch of gold even on a dreary day.

When the rains finally returned to the west coast, we enjoyed a campfire with friends. Flames are so mesmerizing and a great source for dramatic patterns. I took several photos which resulted in a series of fire-inspired patterns including 'Molten Gold'.

"Geometric Flames' came from the campfire photo series and has a completely different feel to it - a bit gothic perhaps. The sharp lines contrast with the soft glow of the oranges and yellow to dramatic effect.

The third pattern in the fire series uses the deeper oranges of the flames to create a structured pattern that is in contrast to the ever changing, almost fluid-like flames. The pattern reminds me a bit of Christmas crackers, hence the name 'Firecracker'!