12 reasons to visit Cape Breton

National Geographic has named Cape Breton Island one of its 2013 places to visit in the world. I couldn't agree more. Here are my 12 reasons to visit Cape Breton Island.

1. January can be icy and cold, but as a kid I always loved that winter and snowstorms in Cape Breton were (and still are) kind of epic. I remember leaving the Inverness Arena after figure skating practice when I was 11 years old. It was so windy outside that my glasses flew off my face underneath a parked car. Can you imagine! I couldn't see a thing. The wind that comes off the water howls which always made me very happy to be cozy inside with piles of blankets watching good tv. January's photo is Lake Ainslie from the front deck of my mother's home.
2. Cape Breton fields and hills covered with snow. If I'm going to be completely honest, this photo was taken while driving along Route 19 through the car window (there was no time to stop...we were late for a family gathering). I love how the scenic shapes fit the island.
3. The ever changing colours. Lake Ainslie is so pretty any season but there's something about the shades of blue in this photo that I love.
4. The smell of spring. It's still chilly and cool in April but the ocean can be vibrant. This photo was taken so many years ago (with my film camera), before the new Cabot Links golf course was built. This photo was taken near the old Walker's Beach.
5. Backroad tours. My first time in many years driving around Cape Mabou was with my husband, brother-in-law and 2 friends from Halifax. All 5 of us squished into our VW Jetta. The dirt road narrows and becomes twisty and steep after the community pasture on the way to Sight Point. So much so that none of us spoke for 10 minutes during the scariest part of the drive. Has this ever happened to you? I don't think I can ever do the entire drive again. Now, we only drive as far as the community pasture where my dad keeps two of his retired horses in the summer months and we turn around to drive back to Glenora Falls. This photo was taken before the horses or cattle were in the fields to eat up all of the gorgeous buttercups.
6. Inverness Raceway is a fun summer activity. As a kid it was the funnest thing to do on a Wednesday evening or Sunday afternoon (unless it was hot enough for the beach). The photo was taken at sunrise after an evening celebrating a couple's engagement.





Cape Breton Calendar 2013 – January to December



7. Broad Cove is so pretty. I always make a point of driving around Broad Cove Marsh - it's like a mini Cabot Trail. This photo was taken about 8 years ago after a hot summer day spent on the beach.
8. West Mabou Trail offers incredible scenic views. Amazing walking and hiking trails that I didn't take advantage of until just this year! It was SO windy on this day as it was the tail end of a hurricane. A strong undertow but the water was surprisingly warm. 
9. I can't get enough of the pretty hay fields in Cape Breton. Making hay seemed to be the main way to make some extra cash as a kid/teen and usually on the hottest day of the summer. Ask my brother, he'll agree! I admit, I only loaded the square bales of hay onto a truck once or twice. This photo was taken as part of my 12 | 28 project along the Colindale Road. This is my new favourite coastal drive between West Mabou and Port Hood.
10. The sunsets. Growing up on the west side of Cape Breton - the sunset side - and having the chance to see the sunset over the ocean has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. That may sound cheesy but I don't care. There's nothing I'd rather than to see the sunset over the ocean every night and one of the many reasons I'd love to live in Cape Breton. This dramatic sunset is from the bridge in Mabou.
11. The palette of colours in November is often quite impressive. I hadn't been home to Cape Breton in early November in years. I usually go home for Thanksgiving and again at Christmas. But November – it was beautiful. The smell in the air and the colours still changing blew me away. The fall colours were extended this year, but I realized again that every month in Cape Breton is dramatic in some form. Old Ferry Road, West Mabou.
12. December – the most wonderful time of the year...especially when it snows. The red barn and snow – looks like home to me.

For those who can't visit Cape Breton in 2013, or those who want to experience its beauty year round, I've designed a limited edition 2013 calendar. See BLOG post here...

email: missbrenna23@gmail.com 
online shop: http://missbrenna.bigcartel.com 
facebook: missbrenna

http://missbrenna23.blogspot.ca/2012/12/cape-breton-collection.html

Cape Breton Collection

I started selling Cape Breton photo cards and framed photos in the year 2000. I can't believe it has been that long! I used to print photos at the Superstore and glue the photos to blank cards. It was quite tedious. Since that time, I've studied photography & graphic design and now use a digital camera, Photoshop and InDesign to create my missbrenna designs.

I'm truly excited about my newest collection – the Cape Breton collection. There is no place on the planet that inspires me to take photos the way Cape Breton does. This summer I fell in love with West Mabou. What a gorgeous piece of heaven! 

West Mabou on the best beach day of the summer the third week of August.

West Mabou trail the long weekend in September at the tail end of a hurricane.

I'm always amazed at the way the colour, sky and seasons intermingle. It often means that the photos captured are rarely the same. This is true of most places but there's something special about the Cape Breton sky. Last weekend (Nov 24, 2012), for example, I took a walk along the Inverness beach and boardwalk without my camera. I knew I'd regret it! The beach grass was a vibrant yellow, while the ocean was grey and rolling and the sky was moody but bright. It was freezing cold, but I couldn't let the beauty last as just a memory. I walked back to my car to get my camera and walked the windy boardwalk again. The dog was definitely confused.

Inverness Boardwalk late November - windy and cold but beautiful.

 

My newest collection features Mabou, Inverness, Broad Cove and Lake Ainslie in the 2013 Cape Breton calendar. The calendar measures 4.25" x 8" - a nice size that doesn't take up much precious wall space and are available for $15 or 2 for $25 in my online store or by sending me an email. This is a limited edition run - only 50 are available this year (25 of each design). I can mail the calendars (free shipping) or deliver them in person in Halifax (or my mom can in Cape Breton...hope she doesn't mind ; ). Images from each calendar are below.

 

 

 

Version 2 includes different photography for the months of April through October.

 

Some of the Cape Breton Island images featured in the calendars and as photographic art cards.

Cape Breton Island cards for greetings or simply framed as a gift or for yourself. I often frame greeting cards or place them as is on a bookshelf. Cards are $4 or 4 for $15.

If you have a request, please let me know. For example, any of my photos can be printed as metallic prints or giclee (framed or unframed).

Lots of ways to get in touch.

email: missbrenna23@gmail.com 
online shop: http://missbrenna.bigcartel.com
facebook: missbrenna

 

12 | 28 photo project at Lumiere 2012

For the past year I've been doing a monthly photo project called 12 | 28. I was inspired by an exhibit I saw at Pier 21 at last year's Nocturne. So, I started taking photos October 28,  2011 and finished September 28,  2012. During that time, the 28th happened on 2 Mondays, 2 Tuesdays, 2 Wednesdays, 1 Thursday, 2 Fridays, 3 Saturdays, 0 Sundays. The Tuesday and Wednesday "photo days" were tough because I work 2 jobs on those days. I often went for walks on my lunch break or took a different route to work to capture something different.

I started this project to give myself a creative challenge - to take photos one day, the same day, every month. On the 28th of every month I photograph the day. Why 12 - 28? My birthday is December 28. I make a wish when the clock says 12:28. I know, strange. My husband and close friend have the same September 28 birthday. My brother has a 28 birthday. It's often the most special day of the month. 12-28 motivates me to be creative, get inspired, to get out and photograph my surroundings. 

On September 29, 2012, I participated in Lumiere: A Nighttime Celebration of the Arts in Sydney, Cape Breton. Included are some photos from the night and a closer look at the photos from each month. Click on the dates to read more about the photos from that day on my blog.

Everything ready to go - 12 months of photography!

My venue was a vintage clothing store, Gala. 

Played a lot of R.L. Burnside and other blues artists.

Rick was so accommodating and I have to admit, it was fun to be able to shop 

during the evening : ) Well over 300 people dropped by. I love chatting with people 
and finding out more about their lives and hearing what they have to say. 
It's so invigorating!

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October 28, 2011

The October poster on site. 

What do you think of the Mr. Furley (Three's Company) suit? 

Good Halloween costume.

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November 28, 2011

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December 28, 2011

...my birthday!

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January 28, 2012

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February 28, 2012

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March 28, 2012

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April 28, 2012

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May 28, 2012

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June 28, 2012

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July 28, 2012

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August 28, 2012

With Brandon...the behind the scenes guy who always answers my 

"how does this look?", "what do you think of this?" questions. 

Oh and he drove to Sydney and hung the entire show...

he's taller than me ; ) What a guy!

**Which photos or months appealed to you the most?**

Nocturne 2012

Nocturne is an annual event held in October in Halifax. 2012 marked the 5th anniversary. For many people, it's their favourite Halifax festival. Personally, I LOVE it. I've gone every year. It's exciting to see so many people fill the streets of Halifax. The vibe is electric. There's dancing, music, paintings, mobile art, interactive displays, installations. There were 5 zones this year. My friend Amber and I made it to 2 zones - downtown Halifax and the waterfront. I would have loved to get to more. These are some of my photos from Nocturne 2012!

Dance at Night: I've tried to see this type of performance the last few years but the indoor space was always too full. What a great way for everyone to enjoy the dancing. Serpentine Studios this was beautiful to watch. I could have stayed all evening.

Below Serpentine Studios was Boutique Hair & Makeup for FREE! What a fun idea. 

Girls on the left, guys on the right. Inside there were televisions & video cameras set up to view what the opposite sex was doing on the other side. We went early in the night but I'm sure as it got busier it got interesting.

I loved the Khyber artwork, laughing bar and Nocturne lager. The paintings above are so huge. Posters from Khyber's past.

A laughing bar at the Khyber. Here's the menu. Order what you want and the the laughtenders laugh it up! The sounds of laughter emptied out onto Barrington Street. Crazy awesome.

I had a chance to try the Nocturne Dark Lager - yum - just before it sold out : ) I hope I can buy more at Propellor.

Lots of letterpress keepsakes at Dawson Print and Inkwell. I really should try to take a class. 

Food trucks are becoming pretty popular in Halifax. Downtown, near Grand Parade on Argyle Street is Nomad Gourmet. Nick Horne is the owner and honestly, he's as nice as the food is good. Try it. Support him if you're downtown. In addition, Food Wolf is another delicious and healthy food truck in town. 

This is such an incredible piece. It's called "Pound" and was on display at Seeds Gallery near the Seaport Market. Sadly it fell over and the right side broke into a number of pieces about 10 minutes after I took this photo.

One of my favourite parts of the night was Move! Halifax Circus in St. Mathew's Church.

Retro Robots, Rockets and Ray Guns Shoppe. Amber and me at the robot photo booth. Guns beat scissors I think.

A Barrington Street Dance Party! Amber and I were craving a dance party and what do you know, a cart carrying speakers and music appeared across the street from us. SOOOO awesome! Best way to end the night...just before some wine at Obladee : )