Giveaway Day 24 — Mary!
I have been a long-time fan of Mary Engelbreit.
When I was a kid, there was a sticker and stationery store at the
nearby mall. It was my favorite stop. The one day I was allowed to
choose any sticker from the sticker wall, I went home with a 2.5" circle
sticker designed by Mary. It featured a girl in a wide straw hat with
glasses and bobbed hair, the classic Mary character. It was signed "ME"
at the bottom.
I didn't know who "ME" was at the time. But as I discovered "ME" on
more and more products, I connected the dots, asked around, and learned
that "ME" was the delightful, talented and prolific Mary Engelbreit.
Mary's
artwork has adorned millions of greeting cards and everything from
calendars and best-selling children's books to gifts, crafts and home
accents.
About six years ago, I had the privilege to work with Mary's team at Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine on the cover-story for the April/May 2008 issue. Such a great magazine.
In fact, Mary unknowingly connected me with one of my good friends.
When I put a general call out for help on the Home Companion photoshoot,
Jona
volunteered. This is how we first met. I later learned that she was an
uber Mary-Engelbreit fan and had counted her lucky stars for the
opportunity to come to the shoot. She had collected every single issue
of Mary's magazine, except for the first issue.
the magazine's editors, Barbara and Kathy, I was able to set Jona up
with a signed copy of that first issue—to complete her collection.
I have yet to meet Mary in person. She was at Quilt Market a year or so
ago, but I couldn't get free to wait in the enormous line of fans eager
to shake her hand. This woman is popular! I have been delighted to get to know her through Instagram though, of all places. And I look forward meeting her one day.
Though I am sure she has weathered every storm and sunny day an
art-licensing business brings with it, Mary has maintained a joyful and
engaging point of view—a sweet, humorous and uplifting spirit that
continues to win fans worldwide.
I'm honored to announce that Mary herself is offering today's giveaway prize—a big box of Mary Engelbreit calendars for 2014. Calendars of every shape and size. A $90 value.
Keep up with Mary on her EngelBlog—and on facebook, instagram and pinterest as well. Shop her amazing variety of products online at MaryEngelbreit.com or at retailers virtually everywhere.