Laughter and Smiles are Universal

One of the best things about being at Granville Island and living in Vancouver is our multicultural and multilingual community. I often have customers who do not speak English and I love it. I love the process of how we try to communicate and understand each other. I love how the process of making their children smile and laugh at our Kids Market Studio is universal. Smiles and laughter in every language and culture seem to translate into joy.

I also love discovering the ethnic neighbourhoods in Vancouver, it is a little like travelling to an exotic location without the jetlag! There is Little India (49th & Main), Chinatown (Main & Pender), Little Italy (Venables & 3rd Ave.) And, don't forget about all the Greek restaurants on West Broadway. So... smile, laugh and nod lots!

Here is a link to discovering some of those neighbourhoods... happy touring! http://www.findfamilyfun.com/littleindia.htm

Rainbow Rewards Loyalty Program At the Kids Market

We love the Rainbow Rewards Loyalty Program at the Kids Market! It is so easy... for every $100 you spend before taxes, you get a $5 gift certificate back to spend anywhere at the Kids Market. The $100 can be accumulated over time so it doesn't have to be all at once.

Almost all of our customers, after the photo shoot here, take our receipts to redeem for the $5 gift certificate and use it to treat their child - a perfect solution and reward!

Fun New Things to Do at Granville Island - WinterRuption

I really appreciate all our customers that make a special trip down to Granville Island to see us at our studio. I just wanted to let you all know that are lots of fun things to do down here for both children and their parents.

Feb 24 & 25th weekend, there are lots of free activities going on as part of WinterRuption. Some of the free things for the kids are:

Circus skills and musical instrument making at the BBQ shed from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Shows at 12 and 1:30 by Cirkids and Face painting at the Festival Garage

Magic Shows by Smartee Pants at the Kids Market, show times: 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, and 2 PM

Lots of art and music to enjoy too.

For the big kids (parents), a new and exciting store has opened up on Granville Island (on Railspur): Artisan Sake Maker. Masa Shiroki creates handcrafted sake - it is beautiful artwork in liquid form that you can drink. He hand mixes the rice, cold-presses the liquid, and then bottles it by hand. It all takes about 3 months to create... using spring water, minimal use of machinery and without any prservatives results in a well crafted sake with bright and fruity flavours.

Come on down and enjoy all the fun new things to do at Granville Island

Personalized Gifts for Babies, Children, & Adults

Well, it appears that I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to personalized gifts. I started to offer the purses, then the pillows and blankets at my Baby & Children Portrait Studio - all by customer request. I discovered the I See Me Fairy Books (customized with your child's name throughout) from a customer too... now, I am intrigued by what else can be personalized.

Oh sure, I am familiar with some of the "usual" photo gifts... mugs, mouse pads and t-shirts. But, I was totally surprised at all the other stuff that is now available! Over at HP Snapfish, you can get photos put on ties, scarves, notepads, dog collar and leash... just about anything!

Don't forget about the "customized with name" items that make great personalized gifts too! Personalized baby blankets are so adorable... check out Cornerstork baby gifts for the nicest 100% cotton cable knit blankets I have ever seen for $40US. (NOTE: one of the best things about this online retailer is that they charge a flat fee of $10.95 US for the brokerage so there are no surprise bills from UPS or FEDEX! Simply remember to click on the “bulk ship” option to avoid any further duties or taxes.)

The customized with your child's name books are incredible... take a look at I SEE ME for beautiful illustrations or make your child part of a Spider Man or Little Mermaid story over here: 2blockheads personalized books ! I guarantee you, the child's eyes will light up as they read about "themselves" in these character stories!

When I thought it couldn't possibly get any better, I discovered customized music! Yes, your child's name can be incorporated into a whole bunch of songs!!! You must have a listen, it is just too cute!! 2blockheads personalized children's music