We have lots of good news here at the ol’ studio. First of all, we hired the wonderful and completely charming Amy Medhurst as our new Director of Licensing and Marketing. The first time we all met her we felt like she had been here forever. She fit right in, and since she seemed not at all offended or confused by our comments and jokes and the general mayhem that goes on here on a daily basis, we hired her on the spot. A good thing we did, too, as she has already brought several good things to the table (more on that as soon as we sign on the dotted lines) and she has also raised our visibility in the marketplace. This is VERY good, since we had actually been asked in the past couple of years if I had died.
The other good news is we have just signed a contract with Papyrus-Recycled Greetings for greeting cards. I had a wonderful run for many years with Sunrise Greetings, but I felt like it was time to shake things up. I want to make sure the cards are available absolutely everywhere, and we’ll have that with Papyrus-Recycled starting in spring 2011. In the meantime you’ll still be able to get my cards at Barnes and Noble, Office Max, and at many of your local post offices and stationery stores.
And the rest of the good news is that we just have a lot of great new products coming out– a ton of fun things at Michaels (you have to hurry- this stuff sells out really fast!), the world’s cutest, if I do say so myself, figurines from Bethany Lowe and Katherine’s Collection, and of course the new Fairy Tale book, all coming out this Fall. Stay tuned for more exciting new developments! I LOVE new developments!
~Mary
I just love all of the new items and the book is just so cute!!!!! Mary, I have a question….are you ever going to come out with a scrapbooking line, you know papers, embellishments, etc? I know you have the $1.00 at Michaels, but us scrapbookers and paper crafters are really hoping for some 12×12 papers…..just a thought……:) I can just see in my minds eye the possibilities!
DEFINITELY, SHAKING THINGS UP IS WHAT IS NEEDED!!!!!! I KNEW YOU DID’T DIE…BUT REALLY, WE DON’T HEAR ENOUGH ABOUT WONDERFUL YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!dON’T BE A STRANGER….MISSSSS YOU AND HOME COMPANION MUCHLY!!!!!!!!BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOURS FOR ALL GOOD THINGS!!!! LOVE YA!!!!!!!!
Please, please, please – bring back your magazine. I live two hours away from the nearest Michael’s and while I enjoy it when I can get there, it isn’t often enough to catch up on new items when they come out.
Yeah…more cards! I have been hoarding the ones I had….just in case there were no more! What stores will be carrying the figurines? I’m so anxious to see those! Carry on….
Mary, I am a quilter and would love to see you put out more Mary E. fabric and in more stores.
Love all of your artwork. I am glad that you are still with us. lol.
A new director of licensing and marketing? Any idea if she’ll get a magazine back for us? I sure miss it!
I have been a huge fan of yours for many years.
I miss your magazine very much. I have passed on your creative work and merchandise to many of my family and friends who too have become instant fans.(How can they not be?) I am hoping and looking forward to new desktop backgrounds.
Keep up the great work!!!!!!
Hello Mary
Happy belated Birthday and more to come! May I be included in your “shaking-up” plan? I am writing a book and I am praying that you will collaborate with me with your illustrations. I am a devoted fan and always try to share your “happy” disposition where I work in a customer related environment. I deal with customers who can be very “trying-your-wits to the max” type – but you always remind me to stay calm and make the situation more enjoyable. My book will make people laugh and smile relating to the events… also, I would love to share most of the proceeds to charitable organizations. Please consider? Thank you and have a great day!
CELiAMOR
Mary, I just love all the wonderful things you have created. I have introduced a friend to you recently, and she loves you too! Can’t wait to see the new items that are comming. I would like to find more fabric. The stores in my area do not carry your fabric, can you help?
Thanks for all the fun and joy you bring to me and everyone around the world.
Was a joy to meet you in person yesterday and to experience your Fairy Tale office! Your staff is delightful. Looking forward to seeing your smiling faces again soon. And Just for Today…I’m holding nothing back! Unconditional Me! : )
Oh! I can’t wait to see what’s new at Michaels! and YES, PLEASE! Bring back my favorite Home Companion! PLEASE! And yes, Scotties, Westies, and cherries! Just keep on doing all that you do!
Mary…Just read a delightful article about your “wares” in the Orange County Register. I then realized how much I missed your wonderful magazine. It was truly an inspiration to me because I never thought of myself as a “crafty” person. I have several ME items and wish for more! Will definitely check out Michaels!
Wishing you a most wonderful birthday, may this year bring you love, peace and happiness. You bring so much happiness to others with your work. You go Girl! Hugs…Joanne
I’m just so glad you’re still out there bringing all of us wonderful artistic inspirations! And my stash of your magazines remains intact although the pages ARE wilting somewhat from the fondling. Happy Belated Birthday and keep up the great work.
Congrats, Mary … and Congrats, Amy! You’re working in a dreamy job with a lovely team! xxox
SO excited about the Fairy Tale Book!!!!
Happy Belated Birthday Mary!!! Hope you had a wonderful day! I too miss your magazine and would love to have it in my mailbox and see it on the shelves at the checkout in my stores… Best of everything to you! Doreen
Yeah for new items! I just have to tell you, I just celebrated my 55th birthday and my daughters always plan a theme and this year’s theme was ~ Mary Englebreit! From the cake to the paper lanterns, window decorations and tablecloth, it was all you and all lovely and bright! I loved it! Kit
Mary,
you are a joy and inspiration to so many, Happy Birthday today and may you be blessed on your birthday and throughout the coming year. I pray the coming year will be filled with much Inspiration and overloaded with Joy. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face
A joyful Happy Birthday to you, dear Mary!! I’ve been a fan of yours forever and my house is full of your books, fun M E sculptures, etc. Recently I had a stroke and during my recovery I’ve ordered your jigsaw puzzles online plus finding used ones.
Are you planning more?? I hope, because my Dr. says these are important to do as I heal. Are any new ones coming?? I keep searching hoping to find others. Thanks for all you do!!
Hey girl, please come out with some ME stencils…Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday Mary!
I love all of your products, always so cute and happy! I would love it if you would create more scrapbooking items. I can always use some M.E. 12×12 papers, cardstock, stickers, etc. in my scrapbooks. Just an idea!
I married my husband because on our first date he gave me the card, “All I Really Want is a Normal Life.” – I knew he “got” me. With a blended family of 7 kids and now him suffering from a brain disease — I still am looking for normal!
PLEASE,PLEASE more ceramic and also resin
pieces. Love my “Mary” collection.
Thank you for your joyful expression.
oh, i hate to be dis-satisfied…because i love love all that you already do…but please please please could we have more free desktop backgrounds????????????????????????….i heart them!!!!!!!!
Hi Mary, Perhaps could you do some artwork on safety? It is very hard to come up with symbols and cute pictures of children doing safe stuff, like wearing their bike helmets with the straps on proper, sitting in baby car seats with the straps on proper, fire extingusers hung on the wall, new batteries in the smoke detectors, new first-aid kits, new carbon detectors hung on the wall. When teachers do bulliton board displays, it is hard to find pictures of safety. Thank you, your fan, Diane
A Happy & Blessed Birthday to Mary! May you be inspired to continue to spread happiness thru your awesome talent!
I have lots of lovley ME nick nacks, enough in fact to decorate the neighborhood. In an effort to boost & support the deflated American economy, I try to purchase merchandise that’s made in the United States. As my internet service can be sporadic at times, I find more and more that the ultimate luxury is sitting down to relax with a magazine full of wonderful words & pictures. Cyber Mary & forgein manufactured products is just not the same.
Happy Birthday, Mary. I have collected every book you have done and looking forward to the new one. I use them with my doll and teddy bear displays.
All great news! But, the best news of all would be seeing Home Companion on the magazine stands and in my mailbox once again.
Happy Birthday, Mary ! Thank you for the creativity & joy that you bring to our lives !
Dear Mary:
Please bring back the “Best Christmas Pagent Ever” set. I was lucky to get one from you but others want it and it is nowhere to be found. San Diego Players did the play in “fast forward” and it was a riot.
Woo Hoo! Can’t wait to see more Teapots,and Scotties I hope. Happy Birthday!
eeeeeeep!! New schtuff! what a great match for you with Papyrus, Mary! Well done.
I have to say, I miss your magazine so very very much. I have every issue and I get a “new” one out every month and pretend it’s new. And that is becoming easier as I’m growing older …:::sighs:::…
So happy birthday, dear ~ and congratulations on all the new shakin’ up your doing!
I still miss your wonderful magazine!!!
I’m thrilled to hear the news. I do hope you’ll send out notices when products hit the stores. I BARELY made it to Michael’s in time for the Christmas items that came out, I’d like to be there right away!! Congrats, I’m excited to see what’s next for you!
I am also glad you will be promoted in a better fashion. I had lost track of you! Do you think you will have some new tins for Christmas this year? I started collecting them when my girls were small (now in their 30s!) and would love to add some new ones to my collection. Also is there a catalog somewhere of every tin you ever made? I want to try to collect all of them. Happiness follow you all everywhere!
Mary’s NOT dead! In fact, she’ll be yet another year OLDER on Saturday, June 5th. Better OLDER than the alternative. I say any day above ground is a good day!
Happy “B” Day Mary
Please give us some new Desktop Backgrounds!
Good News. But is there any hope of publishing “Home Companion” magazine again? I miss it.
Eeeek! I’m so excited. Teapots please! Or maybe a new line to fall in love with… Can’t wait to see. Thank you!!
great news …. the more Mary in the world the better … happy times, as my mom would say!!
Oh YAY!!! I LOVE new developments! I can’t wait to see all the new goodies. And I am so glad you are not dead. Of course, I read your blog, so I know you are not dead, but still, I am glad.
exciting! I keep going to Michaels every week to look for new ME stuff.. Last 2 times ok 4 i have come out disappointed. Nothing yet that i do not have already ! lol..
Oh boy! I love what you’ve had at Michaels and I love Bethany Lowe so I’m really intrigued and excited to see what’s coming up next.
I LOVE Papyrus cards…what a great match! I’ll be on the lookout; I still have my ME card collection.
Love to see some new things. I have new places to put new things since moving into a larger home a couple of years ago. Since I am a Scotty owner I hope to see something new along that line! Hope you are having a great very warm spring almost summer!
Can’t WAIT to see the new figurines!
New cards!!!! FINALLY! It’s been forever since I’ve found a new ME birthday card at BN!
So many new beautiful illustrations that need to be put on cards for me to send!
I’m so glad rumors of your death have been greatly exaggerated! LOL I mean, you looked good in April!