Alternative Drawing

Today i thought it was about time i got out the drawing tools and, armed with my new sketchbook, i drew from some photographs i have taken over the past week here.

My style of drawing is a little alternative, my favourite way to draw is to colour first, and draw lines without looking at the page, or the other way round, to draw the detail and lines first, and colour last. 

Both ways can be seen here!

Im hoping to brush up on my Adobe Illustrator knowledge whilst im here, so im going to create some repeat patterns. Ill also get my hands on some lino at some point too and create some little carved stamps to print :)

Canada Line platform edge

A leaf from Ladner

Downtown Vancouver, Dressew

Okay so, obviously when i knew i was coming to Vancouver, i did some research, and made a little pinterest board about all the places i could go for sewing things!

Dressew, Downtown Vancouver, came up alot.  And today i found out why.

Its am AMAZING warehouse-style center which stocks hundreds upon hundreds of fancy buttons and trimmings, mainly, with  huge stock of fabrics too. They were a little lacking on the interfacing, but more than made up for it in designer fabrics (michael miller to be specific), linen collections and other alternative fabrics such as sequins and fleeces! 

Im not sure if they can really compete with Fabricana with fabrics, but for the notions this place totally wins. I dont think ive ever actually seen so much crammed into these tiny isles in all honestly! It has to be seen to be belived

Its also the type of place you need to enter with an actual shopping list. I was so overwhelmed i didnt know what i should get, so in the end left with a few basic notions which i got a little cheaper than i might in England, like bias tape folder, fabric pens etc :)

This week i will be making, so project based breifs mean materials lists! So ill be back this week for sure :)

Beautiful shelf of trimmings

The Quilted Bear, Ladner

My auntie told me about this lovely little fabric shop in Ladner, so we had to visit!

As you can see, the windows are beautifully dressed for Autumn, and there is a promotional offer on anything you but that is brown, orange or red. Fun!

And i was happy to see they stocked Amy Butler bag patterns, Kona Cotton solids and also peppered cottons, amazing!!! 

I bought some pellon interfacing and some calico, a boring purchase by anyones standards, but im planning some things to make and i want to make them in calico before i get over excited and end up making them out of expensive stuff!

I was also very excited to find out that there is some hand dyed felted squares in stock here, which are handmade locally. This was an important aspect of fabric shopping to me - im specifically looking for local handmade fabrics and fibres to include in any Vancouver collection of fabrics that i may design, and include in little products such as purses, just as i included tartan from the Royal Mile, in my Edinburgh collection this summer!

Rainy Season is Here!

Ok so.. i probably didnt book the best time to take a trip to Canada. And everyone is telling me this! But ill come back again in summer for sure. Anyway. Today i bought a raincoat pattern as, hey, i would love to make my own! I might make a mac too, but i have been looking for an excuse to purchase this Amy Butler pattern for ages. Now that i have found the most amazing fabric shop, that even stock amy butler fabrics, it only seems right!

Ill keep you updated on how this goes - we dont even know if our sewing machine here works yet!

You can find more information on Amy Butler and her patterns Here

I have worked with her patterns before, very inspirational!

First trip to Michaels

Today i visited Michaels for the first time. Well.. overwhelming! We just dont have anything like this in the UK. I was so happy to see so many martha stewart products..! The amount of tutorials and all sorts ive found on Pinterest and just had to give up when ive seen its MS.. our local craft stores literally stock about 4 of her products!

 Saw some lovely prismacolor pencils which im going to do a bit of research on.. I may be back, Michaels!

Fabricana, Richmond

CAN you believe this is a real life place. And the photograph only shows like 1/3 of the store, on the ground floor only!! theres a top floor which is upholstery fabric and outdoor fabrics etc, linens (i love linen)

Its called Fabricana, its in Richmond which is north of us, and south of Vancouver City.

They sell everything. everything! quilting cottons, twills, linens, waterproofs, stretch, bridals, neoprenes, zips, and even vilene, which is an english brand of interfacing. Strangely they sell it at 150cm wide, ive only ever found 90cm wide in the UK, and at $8 pre tax, its strangely a better price than in the UK. At least i wont have to buy any pellon stuff and try and work out whats what! 

I didnt buy anything today - i have TOO MANY ideas, so im going to wait and plan something properly and return soon!!!

Exploring the Community

My family live in a beautiful little town called Tsawwassen. Its literally right on the border of Canada and America, so much so that my phone cant decide where i am and which premiums to charge me when i call and text!

Interestingly enough, we can actually get mail via USPS and go and walk to the border, pay a fee and collect a parcel for way cheaper than it would be to post to Canada. Im sure ill be making the most of this service as i want to buy things from America already!! 

Update soon :) Ive heard there are some huge fabric stores in the local area..! YAY!

We took Connie to her hip hop dance class and i couldn't resist taking a shot of all the lovely leaves which are falling already!

The Adventure Begins

The Adventure Begins

Hello! Just thought i would start this blog off with a brief intro - im Louise and ive just finished my degree in Decorative Arts - specialising in printed textiles, in the UK. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Canada to stay with my family. This is not linked to my degree, however i plan to make the journey of course link to my future plans!

My auntie and uncle, as well as my two cousins, live in Vancouver, Canada, as they moved away from my hometown when i was about 12 - so i have been itching to visit them! As i have no rent to pay or any children to feed.. i thought i would stay for as long as i could, so im here for four months, September to January.

This little blog will hopefully just document my journey, exploring Western canada and specifically the Vancouver area, where i will be finding fabric purchasing spots, workshops and local designers to visit. I already have a few things on my Calender, YAY!

Flying over the Rocky Mountains was a highlight of the ten hour flight from London to Vancouver!