Talk about a meaningful gift. For her husband’s 65th birthday, Margie approached me to put together a book about her husband’s life and heritage.

Six months and a lot of research later, all her efforts paid off. The book was presented to her husband at a small dinner celebration with family. A copy was later given to each of their children. Everyone now has it prominently displayed in their home and loves it.

At our first meeting we pored through boxes of “stuff” and developed a storyline for the book. We decided to use chapters to tell the story. Here are a few of the chapter headings.

At the front of the book is a 3-generation photo family tree tracing his parent’s roots.

We also used lots of his old school year photos, report cards, and news clippings.

In the end, the book is a lifetime heirloom for the whole family. The hardest part, according to Margie, was keeping it a secret for six months!

Please get in touch or request a quote at the top of the page if you’d like to make a family or personal history book for an upcoming birthday, anniversary, wedding, or retirement celebration. We’d love to help!

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Alison just finished her family tale for daughter KK’s first birthday and has given me permission to share bits of her story. Thank you, Alison. It is quite special.

This first vignette shares the story of KK’s big brother William, who sadly only lived a few hours. Amazingly, one year later on William’s exact birthday little KK was born.

KK was weeks premature and spent her first 4 months in the hospital, but she is now celebrating her first birthday. Alison wrote this second vignette about all the nurses and doctors - extended family - who helped give KK her start in this world along with her guardian angel big brother.

(for a bigger view, you can click on the photos)

Thank you, Alison, for sharing your amazing story. Happy birthday, KK!

It seems fitting to start with a post about the very first book project I ever did. Nearly five years ago - before Good Stock even - I played hooky from work to make a “sixty” book celebrating my mom’s sixtieth birthday.

I bought a book on Amazon on how to bind a book, had my sister-in-law ship old photos to me, borrowed my friend’s computer and scanner, and went to work. I still love this book.

Don’t ask why it took so long to figure out this was a passion of mine and I should start a business doing it….that is hindsight talking.

About the book. I wanted to tell the different “chapters” of my mom’s life - as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, and friend. I opted for a very simple photographic layout with some messages and poems from family and friends printed in the back.

It was a very touching gift and is still prominently displayed in my mom’s living room.

This year I pledge to spend more time creating in my workshop. I feel inspired when I create something new, and fulfilled when I help a family tell and share their story.

So, my hope and goal for this project blog is to inspire more creativity and family storytelling - in me and others - by sharing some of the projects coming from this industrious little workshop in my grandmother’s home.

Yes, I’m in my grandmother’s home. My dear 89 year old grandmother is right upstairs. In fact, she is currently poring through her old journals, albums, and news clippings (as well as her own mother’s!) to begin work on a book of her own. Talk about inspiration.

I hope you enjoy looking through some of these projects. Please share with others, and get in touch with any questions, ideas, or if you’re looking for help with your own family storytelling project!

-Kim O’Neill (kimo@good-stock.com / 866.216.8832)