by Robin Galante on May 14, 2012
Mother’s Day is only a few weeks away, but don’t panic! There’s still time to give your mom something extra special this year (and if you’re a few days late, don’t worry – it’s a bigger surprise for her!). Our Artist Series photo blankets are the perfect custom photo gift to give to your mom and a wonderful way to show her how much you love her.
The blankets are made of extra soft fleece and are stain and fade resistant. The photo of your choice (and a message if you choose) is featured on the blanket and dyed directly into the fabric (so no scratchy surface!). So what sets these photo blankets apart from our others? They are available in a variety of unique artistic styles, transforming your photo into a true work of art.
The blankets are available in colored pencil, crayon, impasto, oil painted, pastel and black and white pencil styles. Depending on your photo, you can choose any style you want. The blanket will not only be a way to bond with your mom over treasured memories, but is also a great accent for any room in her home (while keeping her warm and cozy).
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
by Robin Galante on April 20, 2012
Mother’s Day is coming up fast, and it can be hard to know what to buy for your mom. I always want to buy something unique but end up waiting until the last minute – and the result is usually anything but unique. There are entire store aisles filled with cards, flowers, jewelry, etc, that are dedicated to Mother’s Day, but for me at least, buying something in a Mother’s Day display makes me feel like I’m not trying hard enough. And to feel guilty on a holiday that is, after all, about your love for mom, feels like a waste of an otherwise nice occasion. Rather than forgo gifts altogether or surrender to yet another bouquet, consider creating a photo personalized handbag.
This elegant photo clutch is large enough to carry all of her essentials without weighing her down during a busy day. You can add a photo to either one side or two. We recommend choosing a picture that holds special meaning for your mom – maybe a picture of the two of you together, the whole family, a pet or a vacation photo. This is a truly meaningful gift that’ll make her smile each time she looks at it.
by Robin Galante on April 10, 2012
In our last entry, we talked about A Leg Up Rescue, a wonderful organization that places homeless as well as abused and neglected companion animals in loving “forever” homes. Unfortunately, the number of homeless animals is increasing by the day in California (as well as elsewhere) and shelters are becoming overcrowded. A Leg Up Rescue is dedicated to helping to reverse that trend, one animal friend at a time. At Printable Memories, we have always been a strong supporter of animal welfare causes and organizations (our Founder Brian loves animals and has rescued several himself), and are proud to sponsor several upcoming events benefiting A Leg Up Rescue.
On June 24th, the organization is hosting Pups n’ Pinot, a fun event in Huntington Beach, from which all proceeds go to A Leg Up Rescue. They will have great food and wine, a Silent and Live Auction, Lively Entertainment, and many more fun activities. We are auctioning several custom photo gifts at the event as well as donating 10% of some of our product sales to the cause. To find out more, go to their website: http://pupsnpinot.com.
by Robin Galante on March 27, 2012
Animal welfare has always been a cause close to our hearts here at Printable Memories. Recently, our Founder Brian found out about a wonderful organization that works to unite animals with caring, loving long-term homes. There are countless companion animals in need of homes in California and the problem continues to worsen; A Leg Up Rescue saves them from euthanasia in shelters due to overcrowding, as well as abuse and neglect. The organization established “Waggin’ Trails”, a transportation service that shuttles animals from overcrowded shelters to those that have more room.
Printable Memories is a proud sponsor of an upcoming fundraiser to benefit the organization. Rescue Roundup is a fun afternoon event featuring pony rides, food and wine, entertainment, a silent auction, and activities especially for kids. For more information about Rescue Roundup, visit them online. All proceeds go directly to Waggin’ Trails and A Leg Up Rescue so they can continue to help animals find loving homes. We are thrilled to be part of such a great cause!
by Robin Galante on February 26, 2012
With Valentine’s Day come and gone, a few of us may have forgotten to give that someone special a card or gift. And for some, that’s acceptable – after all, it’s just a day, right? I rarely celebrate Valentine’s Day, mostly because I’d rather really surprise the love of my life on a random day, not to mention flowers and gifts are usually marked up at least 50% on the big day. Perhaps you’re like me, but would still like to show someone how much you love them. We have some great personalized photo gifts that are much more meaningful than traditional gifts, since they feature a photograph that can be treasured always. Our photo rings are a perfect example and a unique, fun gift idea.
Our photo rings come in several styles and showcase a mini-version of the photo of your choice. You could feature a photo of yourself, of the two of you together, a pet, or even a tiny representation of original artwork. A photo ring is a great gift not only for your significant other, but a friend or family member whom you’d like to surprise. If you have a single friend (you know, the friend who won’t readily admit it but secretly hates Valentine’s Day because it makes her feel a bit more alone), create a photo ring for her that features a photo of the two of you together. Often, we pour our energy into our husbands, wives, girlfriends and boyfriends but seldom go out of our way to show our appreciation for our closest friends. A custom photo ring is a wonderful way to show a good friend how much you care, while giving her the gift of a memory she will recall each and every day.
by Robin Galante on February 9, 2012
It’s coming! Valentine’s Day is almost here. If you haven’t gotten something for that special person in your life, it’s not too late. This year, give them something unique and fun (and something more original than, say, flowers or chocolates). We have many personalized photo gifts that would make a perfect Valentine’s Day present, such as our new Valentine’s Day-themed photo blankets.
These blankets are just like our other fleece photo blankets except they have extra flair. Each blanket has a vibrant border in Valentines Day colors to help showcase your photo. Create a blanket featuring a photo that means something to the two of you, such as a photo from a memorable vacation, a beautiful portrait or a photo of the whole family. It’s a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation for those closest to you – not just your significant other but friends and family too. Bonus: you can add a message to your design, adding even more of a personal touch!
by Robin Galante on January 27, 2012
All to often, family photos get lost in the shuffle, forgotten in dusty albums or hidden in the bottom of a desk drawer. Now, you can create a keepsake that your family members will enjoy and even pass down for generations: our rectangular photo pendant is perfect for family photos!
This beautiful gold pendant is set up to showcase landscape photos and is gorgeous when hung on a delicate gold chain. You can create a pendant for all the women in your family: mothers, grandparents, and kids. The pendant is two-sided so you can include another photograph (think “outtakes”) or an inscription detailing when and where the photo was taken, as one idea. This photo gift is very special and a wonderful heirloom that will be enjoyed for many years.
by Robin Galante on January 17, 2012
In a perfect world, we would buy gifts for people in our lives when inspired to do so, not only during the mad rush of the holiday season. So, this time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of shopping and finding the “perfect” gift for everyone. People put together lists of things they feel they want or need without putting much thought into the items they choose – they are just under pressure to get their list done in time. We rush from store to store, buying things for people we love without putting much thought into it. This year, why not buy them something more meaningful and unique, a personalized photo gift such as our photo rings?
Imagine, looking down every once in a while throughout your day and being reminded of a cherished memory. This is the kind of gift that can really make a difference in someone’s life. Our photo rings are simple, fun, and feature the photo of your choice. Even if you don’t get one before Christmas, surprise someone after the holiday rush as a thank-you gift. Give your best friend a photo ring featuring a picture of the two of you, or your grandma a ring showcasing a photo of her beloved kitty.
Have fun this year, and give someone a gift that will last a lifetime (and have fun creating it, too!). Happy Holidays!
by Robin Galante on January 17, 2012
Each year, many of us make New Years resolutions. Our resolutions vary, from small things we’d like to improve upon to grand pronouncements we make to family and friends. Maybe you’d like to lose a bit of weight, start training for a marathon, or spend less money. As good as our intentions may be, often times our resolutions fall by the wayside and we end up going back to our old habits before Spring. But this year, you can make a New Years resolution that’s easy to keep: take more photos! Not only so you can create beautiful custom photo gifts throughout the year, but so you can celebrate your life in a meaningful, lasting way.
In addition to celebrations, events, and milestones that serve as important markers in our lives, there are countless smaller moments that are worth remembering. Last weekend I went hiking with a good friend and her sister who visited from Germany, and we talked about everything under the sun while enjoying beautiful views and gorgeous scenery. Ordinarily, the details of the day would fade over time but since we took many pictures along the way, I remember the conversations we had at each turn in the path. Taking photos of your everyday life – not just the “big” moments, ensures that you will someday have a full, honest view into your past and you’ll be able to not only think back, but close your eyes and smell, taste, and hear the memories that, without a visual reminder, could have slipped away.
by Robin Galante on December 9, 2011
Our personalized tins are a fun personalized photo gift all year round, but especially during the holidays. It’s the time of year when treats are especially delicious, and cookies, brownies, and candy abound. No matter how health-conscious you are, you have to admit: sweets make the holidays that much more fun. This year, why not spread the holiday spirit with a custom cookie tin? You can feature the photo of your choice on the front, and it’s a great gift for anyone in your life, whether it be a close family member or friend, or a neighbor you’ve never really gotten to know.
Plus, it’s an excuse to bake something delicious! Get the whole family involved and dig out an old family recipe to really bring back memories.
We’ve got an extra treat for you this month: here’s a recipe our founder Brian loves and is enjoyed by his family throughout the years. I’m getting hungry just writing this!
ROCKEY ROADS
2 (6 oz.) pkgs. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated)
2 c. dry roasted peanuts
1 (10 1/2 oz.) pkgs. miniature marshmallows
2 tbsp. butter
In a saucepan combine and melt morsels with Eagle Brand and two tablespoons butter. Mix together nuts and marshmallows. Pour chocolate mixture into nut mixture; mix well. Spread into wax paper lined 13″x9″ pan. Chill for 2 hours; cut into squares.
