The comments and "stories" below are a sampling of emails and Facebook posts that I have received. I am telling the truth when I tell you each time I get one, it is SO SPECIAL to me and most of the time I get teary or even cry when I read them. I ALWAYS thank God for guiding me and giving me the opportunity to provide these bears and pillows for YOU!! You see, these notes that you write are WHY I do what I do. Yes, it is a business - but more importantly, to me, it is a "service" provided. It is making you something meaningful and unique that touches you. Thank you all for your kind words and belief in me! Debbi / Owner of Holding Memories
Keep sending me your pictures!! I LOVE them!!
What my customers are saying...
We received our bear on Friday and I wanted you to know how much we love it. I don't think I told you the story behind the blanket but it is very special to us. My grandmother hand-quilted for all her grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. But my youngest daughter's quilt was her last. She passed away while we were on our long trip to visit her and she never met my new baby daughter. I was devastated. I am so grateful that we will always have that bear. I love it so much! What you are doing for people, preserving these memories to be passed down to generations, is wonderful and it is something my grandmother would have loved. Thank you so much! Anne H. |
Hi Debbi... I just got my bear just now... Didn't know what to expect when I opened the box. I totally broke down and cried! The bear was absolutely fabulous and brought back both good and scary memories. Michaela and I will treasure this bear always and he has such an amazing story to tell...oxoxxox Thank you!! Nicole D.
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What a wonderful concept. God has given you a gift and I'm so proud of you for having the courage to use that gift to bless others. We will keep you in our prayers. Blessings, Jim and Pat Scott
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This is a beautiful idea, especially for those who have lost someone! DeLaina C.
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I LOVE IT!!! I did break down when I saw your work, you are so talented. Already have a referral that is going to call you. Thanks a million! Keith M.
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What a wonderful concept. God has given you a gift and I'm so proud of you for having the courage to use that gift to bless others. We will keep you in our prayers. Blessings, Jim and Pat Scott
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This is a beautiful idea, especially for those who have lost someone! DeLaina C.
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I LOVE IT!!! I did break down when I saw your work, you are so talented. Already have a referral that is going to call you. Thanks a million! Keith M.
Holding Memories has been reviewed by an independent business, Izzy B Designs, twice.
Click on this LINK for the current review.
Click on this LINK for the current review.
OMG!! I received my special teddy bear today for L. It brings so many memories back and you did an AWESOME job! Thank you for including every detail to the bear. If you ever need a reference please feel free to send them my way. Thanks again! Christy D.
I love my new bear made from my hubby's uniform! Thanks !!! Sarah M.
I got the bear and it is more precious than I could've ever imagined!!!! I cried my eyes out! I love it so much. You did the most amazing work making it into a memory my son will have forever and I cannot thank you enough!!!I appreciate all the effort you put into making this bear what it is!! Jennifer J.
I wanted to tell you that C's mom cried when she saw the bear and all the special embroidery. It turned out absolutely amazing! C was thrilled to have such a special reminder of her Daddy and how much he loved her. Sarah C.
I love my new bear made from my hubby's uniform! Thanks !!! Sarah M.
I got the bear and it is more precious than I could've ever imagined!!!! I cried my eyes out! I love it so much. You did the most amazing work making it into a memory my son will have forever and I cannot thank you enough!!!I appreciate all the effort you put into making this bear what it is!! Jennifer J.
I wanted to tell you that C's mom cried when she saw the bear and all the special embroidery. It turned out absolutely amazing! C was thrilled to have such a special reminder of her Daddy and how much he loved her. Sarah C.
I can't even begin to explain my feelings when I opened my box from Holding Memories today. Inside was a teddy bear made especially for me from a dress and pants set that my daughter use to wear almost every day. It was one of the first Izzy B designs that I made. Holding Memories turned this item that was in the back of the closet into a special bear that I can display every day. She incorporated the pants, dress, monogram and even the buttons into the bear. This is the most SPECIAL gift I think I have ever received! If you have an item from a loved one that you would like preserved, please contact her today! Izzy B Designs
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OH MY!! What an awesome job you did. My husband was home when it arrived and he was blown away. This bear is displayed front and center on the entertainment center. We love it! Anyone can see that your talent is God-given. Thanks so much! Connie E.
I gave my mom the bear you made from my brother's shirt...absolutely perfect!!! It turned out amazing. I cried when I opened the package. Thank you so so much!! Also thank you for having it done by Christmas. By far the best present ever!! I will be ordering one for myself very soon. Ashley M. I got to see the bears when we got over to my Dad's house and could not believe how adorable they are! They were even more precious that I imagines. I love how they have their own personalities through the accents and their hand-stitched faces. My sister was so surprised and touched, as was our entire family. Thank you again for helping with such a special gift. They will be forever cherished! Melanie U. |
The bears arrived yesterday afternoon. They are awesome. They gave me chill bumps when I held them. They are so special to me. I cannot tell you the emotions I have felt having them set on my table. I want them out here close to me. My granddaughters are already wanting to take big bear. And thanks for the card you put on the bears. Lovedddddd it! God has given you such an amazing gift to be able to make the bears and capture the memories with the garments you are sent. I pray God continues to bless you and your business. Thank you soooo much! Connie
We did receive the bear and it is AWESOME!!! I could tell you put a lot of care in making these bears. It was so beautifully put together. We gave it to my Mom tonight and, as expected, she cried. She absolutely loved it. I can't Thank You enough for making such a wonderful treasure for her to hold on to. Patty F.
I just wanted to let you know we got the bears yesterday! I love them! We look forward to giving the kids the bears from their baby brother on Christmas morning. Debbi - your work is a gift that keeps on giving! Kim S.
Post-note: The teddy bears were their favorite gift under the tree by far!
I got the bears today and can't begin to tell you how much I love them. They are all perfect, and it is so apparent how much love you put into them. All of the little details are so special. Thank you for putting the pocket on the 2 where you found the note and rubber band. That note will be so special to my niece. I will admit that I just held each of them and cried for several reasons. First it was like having something tangible of her's to love (it feel more normal to hold a bear than just a shirt). Also, she would have loved the bears. It just felt too good loving on those bears. Again thank you so much. This is truly a ministry to the broken hearted. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 Tori
We just received the pillow! I cannot tell you how great you did! Thank you so much and can't wait to get enough t-shirts saved up from our youngest to send to you. Thank you Thank you!!! I LOVE the pillow! Jessica M.
I received my 3 memory bears today. I am in love with all of them! I got them for my granddaughters but I think I am going to have to have a very hard time parting with them. Debbi your work is the best!!! Thank you for putting a smile on my face today. Since my son died 3 months ago I have not had many! Joy P.
We just received the pillow! I cannot tell you how great you did! Thank you so much and can't wait to get enough t-shirts saved up from our youngest to send to you. Thank you Thank you!!! I LOVE the pillow! Jessica M.
I received my 3 memory bears today. I am in love with all of them! I got them for my granddaughters but I think I am going to have to have a very hard time parting with them. Debbi your work is the best!!! Thank you for putting a smile on my face today. Since my son died 3 months ago I have not had many! Joy P.
L. loves his Pop Pop bear!! Thanks for doing such an amazing job! Ashley P.
I almost called you from the parking lot of the post office when I opened the box. However, then I knew you would not be able to understand me through the wailing and sobbing. I seriously had no idea they would A) look this good, and B) hit me so hard. From the online pictures I knew that they would look great, but I just wasn't prepared to open the box and actually hold them. Amazing is an understatement. There are no words to describe the emotion that swept over me. I cannot tell you how much I will treasure these - as will my family. This is going to mean so much to them. I am planning on telling everyone I know about you and the gift that God has given you to create these magical creatures. Thank you so much. Truly, you have no idea.... Meg C. Debbi, that bear is ADORABLE!!! I can't wait to give it to my sister. Thanks for all your effort and love that you put into your talents! Marcia I received my bears yesterday and I love them! They are so well made and I know they will last for generations! I cried when I read the personalized tag with the story behind the bear! Thank you so much! Tracy P. Love them!! We got them today and they are perfect - I'm putting them under the tree as gifts! Karen S. It was perfect, I honestly didn't think it would be as big as it was and it was super cute!! I LOVE it, it's perfect, I couldn't have asked for it to have turned out any better, thank you so much!! My son really liked it!! Crystal W. |
I received the bear and JUST opened it! I LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much! I really love the message you have attached to him, that is very special! My Dad opened the box with me and he said you outdid yourself! He is beyond amazed, excited and thrilled a how you have worked your magic, as am I! Thank you so much again! God has given you an AMAZING talent and I am blessed that you share it with others. Brittney B.
Debbie, thank you so much for creating the beautiful and sweet Teddy bear and pillow! They're amazing and I can't wait to send them on to my dear friend in memory of her daughter! God bless! Clarissa W.
Mrs. Debbi, I got my bears and can not think of words to describe how much I love them. I cried when I read the sweet cards you put on them. They are perfect. I could not be happier. My sweet son would be so proud of them. That was his favorite flannel shirt. I am saving them for my grandchildren. Thank you for making these beautiful bears for me. Now I will be mailing my mom's shirts for you to make more. Thank you so very much! Cindy P.
The bear is beautiful Debbi and you did a wonderful job with every detail. Excellent use of the antique buttons. Thank you! Anne S.
I can't even begin to explain how amazing it was to open my package and hold the bears today! What an absolutely amazing job you did!! My husband cannot wait to give them to his mom and grandmother! Thank you again, so very much! Brittney F.
From a Facebook post on a wonderful customer's personal page with a picture of her bear - " This bear was made by an amazing woman who runs Holding Memories. It was made from 2 of my daughter's dresses and includes a lock of her hair as well as other little mementos from her life. It is even more breathtaking in life than it is here in this picture. Words cannot describe the feeling that I have holding this bear in my arms. It will be 13 years this year since she passed away and having this bear helps ease the grief. I will be forever grateful". Niki M.
Thank you so much for the bears! They could not have been more perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are round just like their PopPop. The girls love them and said they smell just like him too!!!!!!!!!! Susan Y.
Debbie, thank you so much for creating the beautiful and sweet Teddy bear and pillow! They're amazing and I can't wait to send them on to my dear friend in memory of her daughter! God bless! Clarissa W.
Mrs. Debbi, I got my bears and can not think of words to describe how much I love them. I cried when I read the sweet cards you put on them. They are perfect. I could not be happier. My sweet son would be so proud of them. That was his favorite flannel shirt. I am saving them for my grandchildren. Thank you for making these beautiful bears for me. Now I will be mailing my mom's shirts for you to make more. Thank you so very much! Cindy P.
The bear is beautiful Debbi and you did a wonderful job with every detail. Excellent use of the antique buttons. Thank you! Anne S.
I can't even begin to explain how amazing it was to open my package and hold the bears today! What an absolutely amazing job you did!! My husband cannot wait to give them to his mom and grandmother! Thank you again, so very much! Brittney F.
From a Facebook post on a wonderful customer's personal page with a picture of her bear - " This bear was made by an amazing woman who runs Holding Memories. It was made from 2 of my daughter's dresses and includes a lock of her hair as well as other little mementos from her life. It is even more breathtaking in life than it is here in this picture. Words cannot describe the feeling that I have holding this bear in my arms. It will be 13 years this year since she passed away and having this bear helps ease the grief. I will be forever grateful". Niki M.
Thank you so much for the bears! They could not have been more perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are round just like their PopPop. The girls love them and said they smell just like him too!!!!!!!!!! Susan Y.
We just received our bears and we all LOVE them! You did an amazing job and I can't wait to show them off to everyone! It was worth every second of waiting - you are amazing! Thanks again so much! Jo
They completely exceeded my expectations. I LOVE them. I could not ask for a better symbol of my grandmother for my children to hold. I will send pics soon. They are perfect!!! I will be contacting you again soon for more. Thank you again. Kelly L. Best decision I ever made!!!! Scariest decision too but BEST decision ever! It's amazing@ The attention to detail is unbelievable. I couldn't have imagined it as good as it is. Andrea C. I love Holding Memories! This was made from my daughter's outfits and one of my favorite's from when she was little. I love how she even incorporated the ruffles from her pants on the bear!!! My daughter is over the moon in love with this bear :>) Jerica Oh my! Thank you so much Mrs. Debbi for making all of my requests come to life! He has brought so much comfort to my Nana! It's like having Papa here even though he has been with God for almost 3 months. We love him!! Britt |
I received my bears yesterday. They are awesome. You did a fabulous job. I will treasure them for years. Thanks!! Lynn E.
Everyone loved their bears! It was such a sweet moment when all the grandchildren held a bear made from her clothes. My sister and I are going to have one made too. Thank you so much!! Toni W.
She LOVED them! They were a huge hit and her family is thinking of purchasing more. I've had many people ask about them so hopefully they will contact you. Thank you again so much. The look on her face was priceless. :) Megan S.
Got the bears and pillow today. If I could talk I would have called!! I am so moved when I look at these or hold them that I cant get the words out through my emotions. Thank you, thank you!!! I will take pictures when I give them to the children and hopefully get them to you soon. I want to show them off, I am so proud of them. May God bless you for using your special gifts to be a blessing. Susan B.
Everyone loved their bears! It was such a sweet moment when all the grandchildren held a bear made from her clothes. My sister and I are going to have one made too. Thank you so much!! Toni W.
She LOVED them! They were a huge hit and her family is thinking of purchasing more. I've had many people ask about them so hopefully they will contact you. Thank you again so much. The look on her face was priceless. :) Megan S.
Got the bears and pillow today. If I could talk I would have called!! I am so moved when I look at these or hold them that I cant get the words out through my emotions. Thank you, thank you!!! I will take pictures when I give them to the children and hopefully get them to you soon. I want to show them off, I am so proud of them. May God bless you for using your special gifts to be a blessing. Susan B.