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Funny how I got two emails at the same time from two different friends both cluing me in on the Royal Bison Craft & Art fair in Edmonton on December 1st and 2nd. I am so there!

I really like the style of Ontario artist Mandy Budan’s abstract landscape paintings. She’s got a range of products at her etsy shop, including original art, prints, magnets, and note cards.

I just love these wall decals by valerydesignwrks, based in Edmonton. They are available from her online boutique. Best of all they don’t damage the wall so it’s the perfect way to add some interest to a wall you may not be able to otherwise do anything to if you’re renting. If your walls don’t need any decorating, surely your computer’s desktop or your ipod does? A nice selection of cute and fun wallpapers are available for download.

For those of you lucky enough to be in Vancouver, the 2007 Circle Craft Christmas Market looks like it’s going to be chock full of creative goodness. It’s happening Wednesday, November 7 to Sunday, November 11, 2007 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.

I do love argyle, in fact when I lived in Toronto I always thought it would be so awesome to live on Argyle Street. I thought it would be great to have argyle in my address. And the street is super cute too, and in a great location just off Queen West and close to Trinity Bellwoods Park. Anyway, these argyle light switch and outlet covers are so cute! The designer, Joanna Goldman, is based out of Toronto/Montreal.

After my frustratingly fruitless searching the other day, I’ve decided to try and keep track of Canadian based design shops I find so that next time I need to buy a gift I’ll have a good starting point.

I was very pleased to come across the UPPERCASE online shop, which is based out of Calgary. They’ve got some delightful stationary and cards, and other paper goods. They also have some absolutely beautiful looking books. The one on Couture Interiors looks wonderful, if only I was shopping for myself and not a wedding gift!

I love this scooter cutting board and I’d love to buy it for my friend who is getting married in less than a month. Unfortunately since the wedding is soon and there are so many stories of orders from the USA being delayed at the border, it’s not an option for me.

I spent a big chunk of time yesterday trying to find a Canadian based online shop with some cool independent design stuff and wasn’t able to find anything. If anyone knows of any, please let me know!

Anyway, today I found this list of design stores in Calgary which hopefully will help me find a decent wedding gift! The list is put together by Canadian House and Home and there are also guides to Toronto and Vancouver.