BRIDGET COLLINS

SEATTLE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST

USA flower stamps: Our area has many avid gardeners and gardening shops. I love when people spread their gardens out over the sidewalk to create more space for their flowers and vegetable patches. Burrowing owl feather: The colours of this feather are similar to our skies during winter. Seattle gets an average of 308 cloudy days a year, and 952mm of rain. It creates a lot of beauty and growth, but is also fairly depressing! Crystals: The amethyst, mica and pyrite symbolise the two mineral-rich mountain ranges flanking our sea: the Olympics and the Cascades. Our tallest peak, Mount Rainier, is a sight to behold on a clear day, looming above the skyline. Wildflowers: Lupine is a mountain flower, and this version was made by local paper artist The Cobra Lily. During the warmer months, every nook and cranny of our area is filled with wildflowers - daisies, dandelions, poppies, foxgloves. Deer: When you go backpacking, fishing or skiing in Seattle's mountains, you're sure to see our local black-tailed deer, or at least road signs reminding you to be careful of them! Matchbox: Wilmott's Ghost is one of Seattle's beloved 'sea creature' restaurants, made by world-class chef Renee Erickson. Her venues have quirky, fun style and beautifully plated dishes. Whale magnet: We have many varieties of whales in our waters, the local favourite being the orca. Whales appear in much of our indigenous art, and the nearby village of Langley has a 'welcoming the whales' parade each spring, when they visit on their migratory paths. Space Needle: Built during our world's fair in 1962, the Space Needle can be seen from every hilltop. It has an observation area and restaurant - I even went to a high school dance there! Coffee: Seattle is where Starbucks originated, among other chains. People are seriously obsessed with their brew here - Seattleites drink more coffee than any other American city. Cedar and pine cone: Washington State is known as the 'Evergreen State'. We have many beautiful preserved forests with giant old trees. I love sticking my nose in the bark of a ponderosa pine - it smells like vanilla! Glass beads: These symbolise Seattle's famous glass art - especially that of local artist Dale Chihuly. I chose green beads because Seattle is called the 'Emerald City' for how lush and green it is all year round. Mermaid and sea star: Seattle is perched on the edge of the Puget Sound: a misty sea filled with islands, wildlife and boats. We love to sail, visiting different sea towns and exploring coves and beaches.