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Jill's two best friends were getting married after 11 years of friendship and Jill knew first hand all the stories. Jill's book for Joe and Janel started with the gaggle of friends as teens crusing in dad's firebird and skiing the slopes and ended with the "new beginning."
“YOUR GIFT WAS AMAZING. The best gift we got! I cried when I read it.....” — Janel
"... it is an AWESOME gift ... and the accuracy of the pictures is absolutely amazing. Everything from getting Janel's hair and dress right in the prom picture to somehow knowing exactly how Janel was sitting on the couch right before I left Vail ... No one else can give gifts with that kind of meaning ..." — Joe
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With a navy pilot job that takes him away from home for up to 6 months at a time, Joe wanted an anniversary present for his wife, Anna, that expressed the sentiment that although geography keeps them apart, he treasures his family in his heart always. Joe's gift for Anna was a set of three drawings of family time and experiences with accompanying personal messages. Each one was mounted on board covered in an eggplant-purple silk to decorate their home. |
| "Wow, it was better even than expected. In 9 years I have never been able to find a gift that would bring my wife to tears. This one did it. We all loved it. They were all perfect." — Joe |
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It was after five years of friendship that Christine and Robert started to see one other with fresh eyes ...
She suddenly noticed what a gentleman he was.
He thought, "Wow, she laughs at all my jokes."
At a mutual friend's wedding, Christine and Robert performed a duo of Captain and Tennille's "Love will keep us together" and soon there was a first kiss under the stars. Christine's book for Robert on their wedding day tells the whole wonderful story from friendship to proposal. Here the couple is on their wedding day with little Mel leading the way.
“They were by far the nicest and most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever given and I’m a really good gift giver (if I do say so myself!).” — Christine (commissioned a book as well as a framed piece for her parents.)
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On one of their first dates, Chris took Magdalena hiking and she showed up in designer loafers! Magdalena's book for Chris on their wedding day, entitled, "Patagonia meets Armani," tells the story of how these two very different people got to know one another, discovered new aspects of self, and fell in love in the process.
“OMG! It was our story, hand illustrated and hand bound in gorgeous, Japanese-style... The story is funny and very special -- I got a little emotional [sniff].
This is truly the most wonderful present ever! I love you Mags!” — Chris (www.chrishanaoka.com)
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When Jeremy proposed, Crystal was almost ready with her own engagement present. (We waited to complete the book until we had the last proposal image!) This enchanting couple needed a book with a magical touch. Crystal 's Edition-of-One for Jeremy was their story woven together with quotes from Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist : "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Here they are on the big day kissing with plastic noses! |
“Jeremy opened his gift midnight on Friday. He was so touched ... emotional …I had no idea it would be that profound for him … This process has been so special to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The connections you make in other's lives are phenomenal!” — Crystal |
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"...my wife Jamie gave me the most incredible
present of an illustrated short story that you produced. I wanted to send you this quick note to thank you for your effort on this little production. The level of detail and style is amazing. You are a very talented artist.
I must say that it is hard to describe into words how unique and precious this little book is. It perfectly captures a snapshot of our life together and the highlights of our courtship. I love it so much that I am paranoid that it will get lost, stolen or destroyed, so I am still trying to determine a safe place for it. Again, thank you so much.The bar has certainly been raised in terms of any gift that I may receive in the future."
— Michael |
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It all started with one salsa dance. The next thing Marlene knew, she was being swept off her feet... Ernesto brought her a rose from his garden every time they met. They shared late night ice cream dates at Baskin Robbins, bike riding, and taught each other new sports. This couple's beautiful story proves that a true first love can come when you least expect it.
“I LOVE IT, you are soooo talented. I can't talk because E is here. I will call you in the morning. I am so pleased, you captured us exactly. A million thank yous... you're the best.” —Marlene
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Alexee wanted to thank her parents for their support of her marriage to Matt and for their guidance by example as inspiring role models in the spheres of love, marriage and the nurturing of family. This Edition-of-One was her parents' story: their first meeting, deepening friendship and love, and subsequent adventures in married and family life. We focused on the lessons these parents taught their children about living a colorful life filled with art, faith, balance, and generosity to all. |
Thanks again for everything, Zoey -- I definitely enjoyed the Edition-of-One process, and am happy to recommend your work to others! ... My parents loved their book ... Maybe in 30 years we can do a second round -- this time, with the story of my life with Matt!
— Alexee |
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Cupid can strike at any age! Jessica's Edition-of-One chronicled the love affair and marriage of her grandmother and new grandfather, Ollie. We worked from stories that Jessica and her father already knew; each of them also secretly mined the couple for other good material over the course of the project. Here Jessica is giving the book to her grandparents at a family celebration dinner. |
“My Grandma and Ollie couldn't be more touched and thrilled! They were overwhelmed when they first opened it and then have told me that they read it every day and laugh together. It is really a beautiful gift. They also had a lot of questions about you, the super talented artist!”— Jessica |
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Allison invited sister Holly and four best friends to visit China for adventures galore. With Allison as their fluent guide they mounted a fleet of rusty bikes, toured historical sites, ate bees dipped in honey, hiked through bamboo forests and along The Great Wall.
To thank Allison, Holly and her four friends collaborated on an Edition-of-One to celebrate the trip. |
| "I gave the book to Allison on Saturday night. After many 'you shouldn't haves - you guys have already given me gifts,' she carefully opened the box and saw the green silk hand bound cover of the book. I think she was already tearing up just because of the sentiment of the gift, but then she saw the title page " Xie Xie : Once in a Lifetime" and couldn't help but smile through the tears. She knew already that this book was for her. She wiped the tears away and smiled more and more with each turn of the page." — Holly |
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Hank's son Max was turning a year old and he wanted a special gift for his wife, Jenny. This book used metaphors of time, the sky, stars, seasons and love to weave this family's story of their first magical year together as three.
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"The book was a huge hit, both with me and with Jenny! She was awestruck for days. You did a beautiful, beautiful job. I know this is a small consideration, but it was amazing how well you were able to make our house look like our house -- our lives like our lives -- without ever having seen the places in question. Is it a small consideration, though? The places and scenes matched our memories so perfectly. It's just so nice to know that we'll have this little keepsake chronicle of Max's first year forever.You're fabulous!" — Hank |
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Claudia didn't know a soul in Altanta when she moved there for a new job. When co-worker, Ryan, asked how her first weekend went, she confessed she was new to town and had no friends. Soon, the pair were exploring the city together, meeting one another's families, taking trips and falling head over heels in love.
"He loved it - he cried. He also could not believe all the detail we got down, not only what I remembered, but how you drew it. He was truly impressed. You did such an amazing job." — Claudia |
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Under the guise of a "photo shoot" to reenact a favorite
Jack Vettriano painting, Casey proposed to Tausha on a beach in Santa Cruz with an Edition-of-One. Photographer and best friend Paul was there to capture the moment when Tausha said "yes."
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"I couldn't have done it without you. The book is something we'll have forever and be able to show our kids and grand kids; it was the icing on the cake! She loved it." — Casey |
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Marisa wanted something extra special to present to her best girlfriend, Christine, at her bridal shower, so she started collecting stories for an Edition-of-One that celebrated the relationship. We worked from a wedding announcement in a newspaper. Marisa also enlisted Keith, Christine's fiance, to help with the content. The book was built in bridal shower colors and fall accents. |
"Christine absolutely LOVED her book, as did everyone else at the shower. People
talked about it all day!! I can't thank you enough for all of your help. I know that Christine and Keith will cherish their book forever." — Marisa |
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They fell in love on the set of Oklahoma and have been travelling around the world together performing musical theater ever since. Jills's Edition-of-One for Robert on their wedding day celebrated their adventures and deepening relationship. All the text for the book was borrowed from lines in Oklahoma: "Don't you wisht y'd go on forever?"
"I finally got to see the book and it's fantastic! I LOVE IT... I think it would be neat to make another book five to ten years down the line for an anniversary. I'm sure we will have plenty of new adventures by then!" — Jill http://www.jillandrobert.com |
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For their first official date Peter flew Melissa to the Bora Bora Hotel in French Polynesia (She had always wanted to go there). As the courtship progressed, the adventures only got more exciting; sail boating in Santorini, sleeping under the stars in the Maldives, Christmas in Singapore and a birthday serenade by hundreds in Ibiza, Spain. Melissa's Edition-of-One for Peter on their wedding day celebrated location, location, location. |
| “Well, you certainly know how to make a grown man cry! He was so blown away. I gave him jewelry and expensive wine, and guess what he liked the most...” — Melissa |
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Sue was beginning chemotherapy after successful cancer surgery. Her good friend Judith wanted to pay tribute to Sue's steely resolve to remain positive and proactive. In fact, Sue and her husband had both shaved their heads in solidarity and preparation for the upcoming treatment. The card illustrates their commitment. Sue and her husband sit in adjacent barber chairs peering at the back of their new “hairstyles” in the mirrors. Judith's text choice reads, “Bald is beautiful especially when shared with love.” |
“With my limited vision, I expected something like a variation of a ‘greeting card.' But
Zoey worked her art magic. Her talent and our collaboration created a uniquely personal art piece to convey my feelings of admiration and warm support to my loyal friend. Sue was so thrilled and plans to frame it! Thanks, Zoey, for being there for us. (And Sue is doing great!)” — Judith |
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Christin's mother took on the planning of her daughter's wedding as a full time job. Among other things, the gifts for bridesmaids were so over the top, one exclaimed, "It's like an Academy Award Basket!" Christin's father also rose to the occasion. He organized and oversaw a golf tournament on the wedding weekend and with some pre-recorded video creativity he was able to give his daughter away and marry her in the church that he pastors. Christin's Edition-of-One for her parents chronicled all the fun and hilarity that went into this perfect wedding.
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“Thank you so much for the book. It is absolutely wonderful! What a fabulous gift you created for me to give my parents as a wedding gift.... The family loved the book, not a dry eye in the house!” — Christin
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For their fifth wedding anniversary, Penn took Gillian out for a special dinner with an Edition-of-One scroll secreted in the trunk of the car. He presented it during dessert.
"The scroll was a big hit... She was on the verge of tears from the scroll alone, but the card with the text that I sent you put her over the edge. I even got a little choked up myself when she started to lose it.
... The end product is so personal and emotionally stirring. It must be incredibly rewarding for you to be able to channel your artistic expression into making people happy."
— Penn |
