The Winter Olympics kick off this week in Vancouver and we’ll all be watching (at least some of) it. It reminds me that there are so many great quotes from athletes and coaches:

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” (Wayne Gretzky)

And a great one from a high school coach that parents ordered on a pillow for their daughter:

“If you’re on time you’re late.”

No reason to feel pressured to come up with your own “witty words” when someone else already has. For inspriation, take a look at this website with the quotes of Olympic champions featured:

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/2010/01/Olympic-Quotes.aspx?source=NEWSLETTER&nlsource=55&ppc=&utm_campaign=Entertainment&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=newsletter

If you don’t want to order a pillow for your kids, you can always write the quote on a napkin and put it in a lunchbox. (I’ve done this for years). OK, this only works for little ones but sticky notes on the bathroom mirror work, too!  That should be on a …napkin?  That should be on a … mirror?  Why not?

What’s your favorite quote from an athlete or coach?

If you read my bio on this web site you know have a background in trends– tracking, predicting and reporting. WomanTrend goosed corporate marketing officers in the early ’90s to get them thinking about women as the real consumers in the household. I’m a trend junkie. I still look for a whisper of a data point that can build into a screaming hot trend. So, recently I came across this fabulous site on YouTube: TrendHunterTV. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goMoO3DLDNw 

The well-executed piece will give you insight and inspiration as we begin “the tens.” There are several interesting hints about how home and decor have been affected by the economy, such as “tangible personalization,” “nomadabode,” ”pro-dependency,” ”next-besting,” and “d.i.y decor.”  Clearly this is the Decade of the HOME. H= Hunker down, O= Out with ostentation, M= Moderation is modern, E= Experience as currency (it makes a comeback, but on the cheap this time around!) I LOVE hearing about the tangible personalization trend and the quest for personalized gifts! Yee-ha!

This should get our creative juices flowing. Maybe you’ll pick up on the shared decor trend such as “his” and “her’s” matching pillows for Valentine’s Day…same size, color, typeface and fabric but one pillow starts the phrase and the second one finishes it.  Kinda like your conversations?? Sharing could the next best thing. Ya think?

On Thanksgiving Day, The New York Times ran a piece that spoke to the reason I started “Thatshouldbeonapillow!”  Journalist Penelope Green’s article, Holiday Gifts With a Story to Tell, opens with “Shoppers, be advised: The human touch rules this year…it’s clearly a time for genuine connection to the objects in our lives.”

The article features an interview with the CEO and founder of online marketplace, Etsy.com, Rob Kalin: 

“I think what makes gifts special is knowing there’s a person who made it and a story behind it. I think people want to buy things that tell stories, especially in an age when so few store-bought items tell stories.” 

So true. 

What’s your family’s story?  There’s a line in there waiting to be embroidered on a pillow!

To read the entire Times article click here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/garden/26gift.html?_r=1&ref=garden&pagewanted=print

In August, I was featured on the State College wedding directory website, NittanyWeddings.com.  Here’s the link to the article I wrote about staying present at your wedding so it doesn’t pass you by in a blur: http://nittanyweddings.com/articles/being-present-is-the-best-gift-of-all.

Over these past few, lovely summer months I was totally “in the moment.” Which meant that I didn’t do much future planning…ie writing this blog!  There must be people who “ghost write” blogs, please contact me– I AM HORRIBLE AT THIS!  But I do want to share a marketing message that I recently sent to my customers and friends.  I got a ton of positive feedback.

How many times have you heard this one? Or, heard the words coming out of your mouth?

She’s off to college so why not send a piece of you with her… the famous “Mom line!”                        She is all sugar most of the time but when she flaunts too much of her “spice” you try to keep it in check! This pillow features the line you’ve heard yourself repeating daily for the past four years, and the one she always rolls her eyes at every time she hears it.  But since you won’t be with her everyday to keep track, send this pillow off to college with her.  Such a cute way to remind her of home.    Show her you really do get it by poking fun at yourself. We’ll make her smile –just a little bit– by designing a pillow to match her  dorm room decor.  And it will be a conversation starter with the new roommate, (”how lame is my mother?”), but secretly she’ll display it with pride and love.                     Call us to order your favorite “Mom line” pillow today! We will custom design the pillow to match her colors and style using your favorite line. And we can wrap and ship it to her campus address with a card from you. You know how much she loves getting special care packages!   Call 202.285.4883 or visit our website: www.thatshouldbeonapillow.com                         “Thatshouldbeonapillow!” ~ When words from the heart are the best gift.

Forward email This email was sent to annedmarshall@aol.com by annedmarshall@aol.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.                       Email Marketing by                     AMDesigns, LLC | Post Office Box 212 | Boalsburg | PA | 16827

August beats June as the most popular wedding month…who knew?

According to an article published in the Washington Post a few years ago, Hallmark confirmed that August eclipsed June as the most popular month for weddings. Followed by June (now number two), July, September and October. So, is anyone on your list getting married?  Is your best friend the M.O.B (Mother of the Bride)? Do you tense up at the thought of trying to find the perfect gift?

For the bride, her bridesmaids, the mothers and grandmothers…a classic monogram on linen or silk is a wonderful keepsake of the event.   Or, the wedding date, the honeymoon spot, or a line from the best man’s toast embroidered on custom designed pillows. For gift bags, bridal luncheons and house gifts. Whatever makes you smile…”That should be on a pillow!”

Special prices for multiple orders of the same pillow. Discounts available for wedding parties of five or more.

Get your perfect gift started today~ September and October weddings are looming!

Custom orders are our specialty. We can work with the existing fabrics being used for dresses or decor, or research and design custom matches. Please allow six to eight weeks for production.

April flew past while we were getting Mother’s Day pillows ready.  This priceless gem was ordered by a customer in Texas for her mother:

“If you’re writing a book, you can leave that chapter out.”

On to Father’s Day! You just know there is a fabulous line your father always uses that could easily be turned into his favorite Father’s Day gift of all time.  Perfect for his study, family room, office, boat, man-cave.  Or, anywhere your mother would like to display it!  Some ideas to consider:

“GO ASK YOUR MOTHER.” 

“If you’re on time, you’re late.”

“Often wrong but never in doubt.”

“Always pay with cash.”

What is your favorite family line? Send it to me: anned@thatshouldbeonapillow.com

Another awesome idea is the “Grandfather” pillow. His name surrounded by all of the grandchildren’s names. A true heirloom.  

Now it’s your turn. Order by June 5 for Father’s Day delivery. Check the Portfolio for ideas, too.

 

 

Tags: Customized pillows, Father’s advice, Father’s Day gift ideas

Well there are a few holidays in between now and May–St. Patrick’s Day and Easter– but Mother’s Day is the big magilla, second only to Christmas.  Do you know what your mother will be receiving from you this year? Not likely you’ve given it much thought. But in the economy we are now facing, when every dollar spent is being scrutinized, doesn’t it make sense to give gifts that really make a difference?  Does she need another bouquet of flowers (uninspired at best)?

This year how about giving her her own words? Recently, a client selected a phrase for her mother- in- law’s pillow: “That’s not so ay-yi-yi, if you know what I mean.” It turns out that HER mother said the phrase and it has become a kind of family motto.  She cried when she opened the gift.

Whatever makes them laugh or cry…that should be on a pillow!

Recent orders: 

“You know what?” A phrase used FREQUENTLY by the client’s three-year-old grandson.

  Swell Dame   A fiftieth birthday surprise for a woman who calls herself a swell dame, from her husband.

“YES WE CAN.” on one side, “YES WE WILL.” on the other side to honor the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s presidency.

It’s 2009 and we made it through our first holiday season of selling at TSBOAP. It was a whirlwind of new customers ideas, fabrics, thread colors, shipping boxes, ribbons and bows that started at the launch of the company in Washington, DC. We made the decision to be a merchant at the Junior League of Washington’s A CAPITAL COLLECTION OF HOLIDAY SHOPS. Boy, was that a smart idea! It was wonderful in every way.

I was joined at the show by my mother, sister, and two best college friends at the Marriott Wardman just before Thanksgiving week. I called in the troops to help me set everything up and sell, sell, sell! If you live in the DC metro you simply must put it on your list to visit next year for holiday shopping. We’ll be there! Lots of people who visited our booth shared their favorite family quotes and the phrases that they thought should be on a pillow. There are too many to list but some of the best were:

“Do you like your hair like that?”

“I gave him the thinnest years of my life.”

“Don’t be confused by the law.”

“Surrender Dorothy!”

“Don’t make me come in there.” (Perfect for Mother’s Day!)

“If you’re on time, you’re late.”

“Let your smile be your weapon.”

“Worse things have happened at sea.”

The response to the concept of ”Thatshouldbeonapillow!” was very positive. You never know when you think an idea has legs whether or not it will make sense to anyone else. You take a leap of faith, do the very best you can with the product and everything associated with it. And then you pray like crazy for guidance. 

It worked. 

 Here are some of the emails from customers thanking us for the pillows they ordered:

I just received the beautiful pillow in the mail!  It is everything I dreamed of!  Thank you for guiding me through the process of choosing all the colors and typesets - your taste is far superior to mine! i am totally delighted and can’t wait to present it to my sister-in-law on Christmas day! Happy & blessed holidays!   S.L.

The pillow is gorgeous, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was a big hit, as I knew it would be. JK

Anne, He was so surprised and LOVED it. Thanks soo…..much.   PM

She loved the pillows! They are beautifully made, colors are perfect.   J

My mother in law loved it. Thank you so much! She emailed that it made her cry.   DG

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are looking for a truly personal gift that will make a special person laugh or cry, just think about what words you could put on a pillow just for them.  You won’t be disappointed.  Order by January 20 for Valentine’s Day!

“

November 2008

My website has a Christmas countdown calendar on it. This is both exciting and nerve-wracking as I launch my new business in time for the holidays. In this pre-season of deeply felt economic uncertainty I expect families will move back to the places of the heart: Family, home and creating memories will out weigh showy, flashy and over-the-top spending. We can only hope for a sanity check.

I recently read an article in the New York Times in which a father was interviewed about his decision not to sell a sailboat he couldn’t necessarily afford.  He said he decided to keep the boat because it was the one possession that built memories for his children. He would give up the fancy leased cars and extra vacations in lieu of keeping the family boat. As much as people try to use their heads, the heart is playing heavily in economic decisions that affect families. 

Tradeoffs are now being made on a daily basis. Move over Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts is kicking your butt. How much should a cup of coffee cost? People are reevaluating the money spent on everyday items. And holiday spending is really going to be scrutinized. This is why I think a pillow with a cherished favorite family quote makes sense right now.  What a memory maker! Everyone who sees the gorgeous pillows we produce gets the concept immediately. We capture your favorite family phrases, mottos, quotes, etc and custom embroider the words on beautiful fabric to match your decor. What a great gift! Does anyone really NEED another sweater? Memories are so much better.

Why not order a pillow with a line of Grandmother’s widsom for your mother and her siblings? College sports fans can order a pillow in school colors featuring a line from a favorite fight song or cheer! I just completed a holiday design for Penn State fans. Living just a few miles from the famous Beaver Stadium, Joe Paterno’s cathedral, I wanted to develop holiday pillows that capture the fun of a Penn State football game and the joy of the season.  I designed a series of three based on a famous Penn State stadium chant…”WE ARE…PENN STATE” When 104,000 fans scream the words back and forth across the stadium, it’s pretty exciting. My reinterpretation became

“We ARE…shopping!” 

“WE ARE …wrapping!” 

“WE ARE…baking!”

Done in Penn State colors– blue faux suede and white lettering matched with a complementary plaid– they are really great looking.  (I hope to upload a photo soon.) What’s your school fight song? Let’s see if we can turn it into something that captures a memory for someone you love.  In time for holiday shipping please place your order before November 25.

 Come see me at the Junior League of Washington’s 50th Annual Capital Collection of Holiday Shops. It’s going to be a great place to pick up special gifts and ideas for the holidays. November 21-23 at Marriott Wardman Park (Woodley Park Metro Stop) 2660 Woodley Road, NW. Visit www.jlw.org for more details.

Cheers to all as we begin this wonderful and hectic season. Move beyond the stress and “Bah humbug” to enlist your family to help others that are not as blessed.  Remember: “Giving is the best gift of all.” 

Yes, that should be on a pillow!

Anne