THE PATH TO STORIES 4 KEEPS
THE PATH TO STORIES 4 KEEPS
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ABOUT ME
I’m Danine - the creator and designer of custom heirloom books and treasured pet books behind Stories 4 Keeps.
After spending over 17 years in a rewarding career in commercial mortgages, I'm excited to provide a new service that combines my prior education and experience as a writer with my dedication to preserving cherished memories and my passion for creativity.
FROM THE PANDEMIC SPARK . . .
The idea for my business was conceived during the loneliest months of the pandemic. Desperately missing my family in Alberta, the weekly video calls we scheduled never seemed enough. I missed the familiar stories and inside jokes that flow naturally when loved ones gather together.
As I watched heartbreaking news reports of losses suffered during the lockdown, I realized that time spent with those we cherish is priceless, and memories and stories are the most precious heirloom we can give or receive.
. . . TO INSPIRATION
With these thoughts in mind, I began asking myself:
What brings me the most joy?
What skills do I already possess?
What would I enjoy doing daily if my options were unlimited?
The same answers kept occurring to me time after time.
Family and friends.
Writing, organizing, editing and designing.
Creating books.
THE PERFECT MATCH
And then it happened! Stories 4 Keeps emerged in my mind as the answer to both my loneliness and my fears. First, in the form of preserving treasured stories and photos for family and friends. Next, as a children’s book inspired by the most amusing anecdotes and memoirs I’d saved in a journal about my kids.
Now, Stories 4 Keeps is a place where I help others document and safeguard their most beloved memories, photos and keepsakes in both heirloom books and treasured pet books.
It would be a privilege to assist you with yours!
THE HEIRLOOM BOOKS
THE HEIRLOOM BOOKS
I designed my first heirloom book after inviting my parents to take part in my passion project. Supplying them with an outline about what we all wanted to know, I asked them to write stories about their lives and provide photos I could restore and compile into a chronological history to be shared with their children and grandchildren.
My intention was to create a design that would enhance the visual memory of their stories, and present their photos in a way that would evoke emotion and interest in the hands of the reader.
Mom and Dad set to work, documenting their most-remembered life events - some hilarious, some heartwarming and some heartbreaking - but each a treasured memory. They paired their stories with pictures of the people, places and events that were captured in those moments. I am so grateful to them for doing this for me, my brothers, and our children because, as memories become hazy, their stories will live on.
To say this project was emotionally rewarding is an understatement, as the end result helped me realize I wanted to provide this same service to others who are passionate about friends, family and heritage.
After creating several more heirloom books for referrals from family and friends, and upon encouragement from my parents, I decided to write a children's book.
At first I didn't know what my book would be about until I came across the journal I had kept while my daughter and son were much younger. I had written down many of the humorous things they had said and done in those years, and my husband, being a shutterbug, had piles of photos that matched that time in their lives.
Although the stories in the children's book are fictional, many of the phrases spoken and lessons learned are based in truth. The illustrations, including the front cover, were also created in part by editing and cartoonizing old photos of our kids and the places they've been.
With the help of an amazing business mentor, the advice from a network of primary school teachers, and numerous hours of YouTube tutorials, the first Ollie & Ozzie book was created.
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