Ten years ago, I visited Nova Scotia for the very first time. I quickly fell in love with the place – the landscape, the slower pace of life, and the people. Back then, moving here permanently seemed like an unrealistic dream. One that eventually came true.
Now, five years into living on the Cabot Trail, I still love the everyday things that make this place special, like blueberries and lobster.
Wild blueberries grow right behind our house, and I love picking them in the summer. Growing up, we lived right next to the forest, and I have a lot of fond memories of foraging for berries. Coming here and seeing them in abundance felt like a sign that I had ended up in the right place.
One of our neighbours is a lobster fisherman. So fresh lobster is never far away during the season. Last year, I even got to band lobsters for the first time. It was quite the experience, being on the boat and wrestling with these fascinating creatures. They are incredibly strong, and you really have to watch your fingers.
These small but memorable details inspired my latest addition to the shop: aprons. Berry Bake and Lobster Feast celebrate two things that feel very Nova Scotian, but they’re also just fun, practical kitchen staples. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or just making coffee, they bring a little East Coast charm into your home.
From Sketch to Screen Print
Like all my designs, these started as cut-outs from old cardboard boxes. I love working this way. It keeps things playful and gives my shapes a slightly imperfect, hand-cut feel. Once the paper cut elements were scanned, I arranged them into patterns that felt balanced but still lively. I experimented with different versions and scales. During that stage, I like to do rough printouts in the original size, ignoring the off-colours and just focusing on the composition and proportions. Since these are my very first aprons, I really wanted to get it right, so I even cut out and taped together a full paper sample to test the pattern before sending it off to the printer.
From Inspiration to Everyday Use
The blueberry-inspired Berry Bake apron is filled with baking essentials – spoons, rolling pins, and bowls, while Lobster Feast features lobsters, claws, and seaweed. Both are screen-printed onto sturdy cotton, making them perfect for everyday wear.
They’re now available in the shop, and I hope they’ll find a place in your kitchen, wherever you are!