Merry 2017 Christmas to all

Steveston Museum/Post Office

There is something to be said for shifting one's perspective once in a while - to see something familiar in a different light.

A simple practice of elevating your point of view could change your mood and awaken a new sense of wonder.

Take our familiar landmarks in the heart of Steveston. You must have walked past the post office/museum buildings without so much as a glance - knowing in your mind's eye its exact shade of cheerful yellow. Further down the block, it's easy to circle around the expansive Gulf of Georgia complex without noticing the jolly maritime jingle spilling out of its front doors. And who hasn't walked along Moncton lost in thoughts and blind to the cheerful neighbourhood shops that have added their individual stamps on the Steveston experience.

So this year, I decided to draw these familiar scenes from a whole different perspective - from above. The way Santa and his trusty reindeer would see them this time of year.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Neighbourhood shops

I hope these seasonal illustrations capture the spirit of joy and peace that descend on our village as gently as the first winter snowfall. They are available as art cards at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

An early Steveston Christmas greeting!

Some of you will be going through this front door in the coming weeks.

You will be hugging Christmas cards and parcels as you figure out whether you have enough days till December 25th.

I was walking past this beloved landmark when I decided to deck it out in seasonal decorations and see what happens.

First I came up with a postcard:



Then I added a dolly and a couple of parcels and made up a Christmas art card:



If you like them and want to send them out to spread some Christmas cheer, they are available for sale.

I will be participating in the South Arm Community Association Christmas Craft Fair on November 19th and the Steveston Community Centre Christmas Craft Fair on November 26th.

If you can't make it on both days, no worries - just email me through this website and we can make it happen.

Hope to see you at the fair!

If not, let's plan to bump into each other in the post office.

Santa arrives in Steveston

Christmas officially arrived in Steveston on December 5th. And who better to usher in the jolliest time of the year than Santa himself.

Throngs of parents wheeling little ones in buggies converged on Steveston Landing. To be sure, some were there to buy fresh fish off the boats. But most of them were there for one reason only - to capture Santa in the flesh. Perhaps bending over their delighted children.


A crush of Santa's fans awaiting his arrival

Stevestonites were encouraged to dress in red that day as a show of support for the 2010 Winter Olympics. A sprinkling of community-spirited individuals did just that. Which was not an entirely bad thing as, a few times, I overheard younger children getting unnecessarily worked up when they caught sight of flashes of red in the crowd - only to be told that they were mistaken. Imagine how agitated and overwhelmed they would have been had everyone shown up in Santa's colour.


Two of the people who showed up in red

A little past 2:00 PM, Santa arrived at the dock, flanked by two RCMP officers wearing the Red Serge. The guest of honour trudged his way up the gangplank, advanced slowly across the boardwalk, and wound his way towards the Gulf of Georgia Cannery - all the while waving his bells and roaring out his ho-ho-ho.


Santa being escorted by two RCMP officers

It was heartening to notice how Santa's popularity has not diminished over the years. In fact, judging from the cameras thrust before him and pleas for "just one more shot," I would say that Santa could rival any A-List star as he threaded his way past the mob of paparazzi - with poise and good humour.


Santa - never too busy to smile for the camera

There were other planned festivities around Steveston that day, such as photo ops with Santa at the cannery, illuminating the Sequoia tree outside in red lights, and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the village.


The long line anticipating Santa's arrival at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery


A little tour around the village - just the thing to end a perfect day

Steveston Christmas Craft Fair

It was Saturday, November 28th. I entered Steveston Community Centre's parking lot with great trepidation. The annual Christmas craft fair was in progress. And, as always, a great number of eager shoppers had beat me to it.

Why would browsing through a room full of lovingly crafted creations inspire fear in me, you say?

Probably because I was entering the Net Shed not as a shopper, but as a blogger. Instead of a bag, I had a camera slung over my shoulder. Plus a few hastily printed business cards. My plan was to take photos of some of the crafters and their products for my Steveston blog, which features events and people around the village.

Alas, I was beset by doubts. What if the crafters said "no"? What if they grew hostile and kicked me out the door? What if they worried about having their ideas stolen? What if ...

To make matters worse, it was strictly wall-to-wall people in the cavernous building. How could I get close enough to the persons sitting behind those tables laden with rows upon rows of treasures? I spent at least half an hour meandering up and down the aisles before summoning up enough courage to identify myself to a slim blonde. She graciously agreed to have her photo taken and helpfully pointed out a nearby table where I would most likely be just as lucky. From then on, it was like pushing a set of dominos down as one vendor after another gave me the nod. I grew bolder and began to really enjoy chatting them up.

As I walked away from the fair, I was struck by the talent of the Christmas craft fair participants. But, more importantly, I was impressed with their friendliness, courteousness, contagious enthusiasm, and generosity - with their time and creative ideas.

This blog entry is dedicated to all of you who took the time to pose and smile for me!


Sandy Bahrich - Firefly Notes
Sandy’s nostalgic magnets drew me to her table. Of course, anything with the Eiffel Tower stamped on it would, because I absolutely worship the City of Light. Sandy does more than magnets, however. Check out her site and be amazed.


Andie Froese - Andie's Artefacts
The first thing I noticed about Andie was her friendliness. The second was her obsession with hieroglyphics. The third thing was that she made great jewelry. Hm, a winning combination, don't you think?


Dixie and Tracy - Lil' Bling
The array of hair clips for little princesses on Dixie and Tracy’s table made me wish I still had a baby in my arms. But only for a split second! I couldn't help but admire the patience, care, not to mention eye-crossing concentration that must have gone into every single item in their collection. If that’s not a labour of love, I don’t know what is!


Shannon Stewart - Plain Jane
If I have to think of a quality that characterizes Shannon’s Swarovski crystal jewelry, it would have to be understated elegance. Less is always more!


Angie Kehler - Crafts & Greeting Cards
Want to make your Christmas more festive? Angie’s cards and bags are just the thing to make your holiday glitter and sparkle.


Melanie Kalley - Kalley Kandy
I am not a candy type person but Melanie insisted I try a piece of her honey almond nougat. And boy, was I glad she did. How do you describe an airy lightness with just a whisper of sweetness melting on your tongue? Oh, I guess I just did!


D.S.Mercer - The Pen Guy!
If fine handwriting ever returned as a art form, Duglus would be well ahead of the pack. His pens felt so solid and wonderfully heavy in my hand and glided over a paper like a dream.


Elizabeth Holloway - Stampers Plus
Elizabeth gives stamping classes and participates in craft fairs. I admire her industriousness and high energy level.



Marlene Martelli - Kooky Mom Creations
Who knew that insulated bags could look ultra chic? I wonder if an iced coffee would stay cold in one of those adorable bags.


Table of Diane Ison - Stampin' Up!
Although I didn’t get to shake hands with Diane, I met her rep sitting behind rows of lovingly crafted cards. Keeping track of them all must be mind boggling.


Mika and Andrew - The Steveston Cookie Company
Their custom designed cookies depict seagulls, boats, and other things that spell pure Steveston.


Mandy Wong - mandytorydesign.com
Mandy designs objects with felt. Don’t those cupcakes look good enough to eat? Pure eye candy with zero calories.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Those icy blustery winds must have blown more than dried leaves away.

Where a witch had perched now snuggled two gingerbread cookies.


And the happy ghosts welcoming committee has graciously made way for Santa and his puffy Christmas tree, which leaned sideways like the Tower of Pisa.


In a blink of an eye it seemed, someone had peeled off the orange and black trappings of Halloween and brushed swaths of Christmas greens, reds, silver, and whites on store windows. Talk about turbo charging the start of the shopping season!


And if those seasonal colours fail to get your engine warmed up, there are signs aplenty to nudge you in the right direction.


What are you waiting for? The call to shop will only get more intense. Get the old credit card out and charge out the door, because it’s that time of year again…