Question: I am curious if there was/is a particular stamp set or paper pack that you were inspired to design because of a very special event in your life? -submitted by Rochelle Crawford, August 30, 12:36 pm
Answer: There is so very much of my personal life, preferences, hopes, dreams, and experience woven into the fabric of Close To My Heart products — I can't even begin to adequately catalog them all! Just as a few examples: the Vintage Travel and Elegant Bouquet papers from 2004-2005 really stand out to me. They were both designed at a time when I was trying to bring a more designed, textured look to our papers, a more mature approach than some of the graphic papers that we had been designing. I was so thrilled when our in-house design team captured the essence of my vision, that I found myself gravitating to those paper packets again and again — they are still among my favorites, because they represent the success of that transition. (And they're simply beautiful, timeless designs, too!)
When I was pregnant with my daughter Aubrey, I designed a stamp set featuring classic seed packet covers. I had terrible morning sickness at the time, and anytime I see something evocative of that style, I remember that sweet time of expectation…and yes, I feel like throwing up! I also think back to the era of super sets, which were so exciting because they had as many as 30+ images in a single set — do you remember the "Little Fill-ups with Jar"? It had all kinds of neat treats to pile into an outline of a jar: I loved the possibilities and sweetness of this set. Then there is Fruit of the Vine, the From the Heart sentiment set, and so many others. I also think of all those great colors from past palettes: do you remember Kentucky Green? Peach Whip? Seafoam? Raspberry? Hydrangea? (What were we thinking, naming a color "Hydrangea"?)
Even as I write this post, I'm tempted to rush over and pull out all my old idea books from the past 20 years and just get lost in browsing them. These books aren't just catalogs, they are my journals. Each one is brimming with memories and stories behind the stamp sets, exciting events incorporated into the papers. I can tell you what was happening in my life and in my business as each color was named, each kit designed, each stamp set drawn. It's so fun to make those connections — to stamping, to life, to you. I feel so blessed to be a part of it all, and hope you know that a little piece of my heart is in each Close To My "Heart" product you receive!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Connections
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My daughters and I have had FUNN going through old books, too. Stamps which remind them of a card a friend made or they made many years ago.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember all those colors and I remember the customers who loved them. Rita loved Seafoam and was sorry to see it go, for instance!
CTMH is so much a part of my life and I give thanks for it.
Great question and answer.
I know you have so many followers on this blog and are a very busy lady. However, as a new consultant and a Mama of very young children you inspire me! Therefore, I gave you a blog award here http://ejoym.blogspot.com/2011/09/im-honored.html
ReplyDeleteI know you probably won't have the time to respond - that is alright. I just wanted you to know what an encouragement you are!
I miss Hydrangea a lot! Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteA great game for convention would be name that retired color or paper pack. A good trip down memory lane for sure. :)
Yes, I miss Hydrangea, too! What fun it has been seeing your responses to questions this month! Thank you so much, Jeanette, for taking time each day to answer one of our questions and give us a little more insight into you and this FABULOUS company!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend!
Jenny-May
I have loved reading all of the answers to the questions posed. I have found your answers very thoughtful, sensitive and interesting. This final question and answer, however, is my favorite. I didn't really think about it, but now that you've mentioned it, all of the Idea Books since I first 'met' CTMH in Fall 2005, have become my journals as well. Those first Idea Books bring me back to being a customer. Fun to remember who I scrapped with, our discussions about the products and how those products helped us to scrap events from our lives. Fun times. More to come! Thanks for all of your replies. I've enjoyed reading them.
ReplyDeleteJeanette, it has been so enjoyable reading your blog everyday! You were missed and it's nice to have you back!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember Wildberry?...because we had Vineyard berry and another berry I sold three times the number of ink pads I might have while they tried to get the one they really wanted. I still have people calling and asking to order that ink pad because it matches so much of the women's clothing out today! See how far ahead of our time we were?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane. I too associate some stamp sets and paper packs with events of my life. Thank you, Jeanette, for helping me create in such a meaningful way. What about Red Velvet? (Thank you for introducing Tulip!) I still miss Seafoam and Aspen Green, but Juniper is a lovely "compromise."
ReplyDeleteI still have my hoarded stash of Kentucky Green and Raspberry. I only use my Kentucky Green on pages that are a perfect fit. I so love that green! Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDelete