Hello and welcome to the new and improved Mary Engelbreit website! There are so many things happening at the Studios that we just had to have a brand new way of showcasing them. Plus it’s always good, especially during tough times, to redecorate a little—it puts everything in a whole new light and brings fresh energy to deal with whatever situation you’re in.
And, as you can see, I’m going to be blogging on this website, talking about my work, what goes on here at the office, and asking to hear your ideas and thoughts about what we do here. Needless to say, I only want to hear about them if they’re positive and glowing. Just kidding. Kind of.
What I’m doing here right now is trying to finish my new Fairy Tales book, the third in a little trilogy—Mother Goose, Nursery Tales and now this one. It’s been a lot of fun to illustrate these stories I know so well, but that deadline is coming up fast! Already I’m thinking about the next book, The Nutcracker. Never a dull moment. And I would love a dull moment. That’s my goal after this busy summer—several dull moments in a row.
But I’m not complaining about work, certainly not in this economy. I know it’s a hard time especially for artists. Of course artists create art no matter what, just for the sheer joy of it—maybe you’d like to send in photos of what you’ve been working on and we can share them with the class. There’s nothing so inspiring as seeing other people’s work and knowing everybody’s out there, creating away. Makes you want to run out and buy paper and paint and stimulate the economy and your brain cells at the same time.
So stay in touch—let me know what you’d like to read about on the Mary Engelblog and I’ll try to oblige. Just know that we’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll come again soon!
I am beyond thrilled that you are blogging. Love the new website. I have resorted to rebrowsing all the old HC issues (I have saved all of them since the beginning) to get my “fix”. Can’t wait to see whats ahead!
Thank you Mary for communicating! Ditto on all the above comments- missing the magazine, loving the fabrics, papers, books, designs, etc. all so motivating. I especially loved being able to see other artists studios.
I’m surprised the fabric stores don’t connect and support you and your efforts. Your creative ideas have spurred me directly in my artistry; causing me to buy many tools, paints, fabrics, stamps. etc. My buying dropped significantly when the magazine stopped.So glad you are blogging, and looking forward to the new books!
Hi Mary!!
I am SO THRILLED to see that you are blogging! It will be a great joy to visit here and be inspired and delighted by your creative endeavors, presented from a personal perspective!! As a fellow artist and blogger, it will be wonderful to see what inspires and motivates you, what you are currently working on, highlights of other creative types and their work, and just whatever makes you smile and makes you tick… It should be quite a ride!! I have my stacks and stacks of 11 years of MEHC for a lifetime of inspiration…I will cherish them always…although I lament the loss of MEHC, I know that your artwork and wit and wisdom will continue to find its way to us through a variety of creative means…never fear!
Thanks for the lifetime of inspiration! I’m thrilled to see what all will come of these new ventures!!
Blessings,
Becky at Just Bee ‘n Me
I was so excited to read that you have a blog. I’ve been a fan for years. My hubby and I read your Night Before Christmas book every year and I add every new book of yours to my collection. I say they are for future grand children but they’re really for me. I look forward to seeing more posts from you. It will be wonderful to peek into one of my favorite artist’s world!!
Love your fabric Mary!
You are an inspiration to us all who care about smiling and feeling happy!!
I collect your work and think of life without your colorful prints, cards, dishware etc, etc.
All the best,
A fan forever!!!!
Your new site is beautiful, and the upcoming book looks lovely. However, I’m soooooo disappointed that you eliminated most of your desktop backgrounds! Please bring them all back. It’s wonderful that you offer any at all, but I loved the variety.
Thanks!
Oh happy day! Oh happy, happy, happy, happy day!
Hi Mary, I’m so glad but also sad, glad that i came across this blog! but sad that your mag is not on the shelves any more,I, like so many others miss, miss, and miss your paper dolls,I would sit and cut them out and pass them around to friends and family, of coarse i would keep some for myself, but i really hope more people will submit in their own words, on how much we miss you!!as you can tell I not a writer, but i speak from my heart ♥
Barbara
Welcome back, Mary! I am SO glad to see you in blogland! Like everyone else, I have missed your magazine – a lot!! Thank you for coming back into our lives.
Missed you so much! Glad to see you blogging!
Mary, thank you for this and for announcing your blog on FB. I will check back often. Thanks for inspiring for so many years.
Angie
Dear Mary,
Hurray! Lovely new blog and so glad we can find out what’s new.
Linda
Like eveyone else, I miss your magazine(especially the paperdolls)! Glad your website is still here!
What a neat idea! I too, miss the magazine so much, but I look forward to this wonderful way to share!
I got a looksee at the fabulous “Attitude” fabric, I can’t wait to see it in stores! Thank you Mary, for doing what you do!
carissima Mary,sono una tua ex abbonata al giornale home companiom,mi piaceva tantissimo pur non parlando l’inglese,erano sufficienti i tuoi disegni per rendermi il momento magico! Poi ho dovuto smettere perchè in famiglia non c’è pi nessuno che possa tradurmi la vostra lingua.Complimenti per la tua bravura e fantasia, sei unica……Con nostalgia…Franca dal Monferrato
Mary, Mary, breit and merry,
Your magic brightens the day most dreary
How can I thank thee, Mistress Mary
For all the JOY you’ve brought me.
“Don’t look back < This way: Not an option"
Inspired me to quit drinking, and I've been sober for 22 years, enjoying Life to its fullest. Something in your remarkable style speaks to my soul in the deepest way – it's Serendipity! Nothing more to say. Thank thee.
I have every Home Companion, from the first to the last. The collection has been used even more lately. I will be very happy when this wonderful magazine returns. Everything about Mary Engelbreit and her creations make me smile.
Susan
Mary,
I just want you to know that I was extremely disappointed to find that my favorite magazine would not be available (for awhile!)
I have great hopes that this is only temporary; and wish you well during these trying times.
I have most of your Ann Estelle, Sophie, Georgia and Michael dolls. We and many many others are waiting for more! We would love to have more of them in Christmas outfits. Our favorite and hard to find is “Sophie Caroling Girl”.
Mary-
You’re work brings such joy to everyone who visits my home and my office, but especially to me for many years. Thank you for the delight, thank you for the color, thank you for the love! Dee
Mary, I was so sad when I heard that Home Companion would no longer be published (at least not right now). But now my spirits are lifted to see your beautifully redesigned site and to see that you have a blog! It was a joy to hear you speak at Silver Bella last year and you continue to inspire every day.
Dear Mary,
I was so disheartened to learn that your magazine was one of those to take a hit. I still miss it – all the colors and ideas and of course the paper dolls. I still have all the paper dolls. I keep hoping to spot it again in the magazine rack in my travels and if I do I’ll be sure to pick it up and renew my subscribtion. I have many of your beautiful books in my library – just looking at the pictures makes me feel good.
So glad you have a blog to reassure me that you are still around ! Does anyone remember a M.E. drawing of a girl with a necklace of charms ? It was titled “A Charmed Life”. I have looked through all my old magazines & calanders and in stores with no luck. I would really like to have a card or print for my little adopted granddaughter. Thanks
I have loved your magazine for years! It was so inspiring. But I also love knowing you have a blog now. I am so inspired by your art and also by reading about other artist you wrote about in your magazine and hopefully now on your site too.
Will continue to follow you no matter what!
Mary, you have no idea how glad I am that you’ve got a blog going on now! If we can’t have the magazine at least we’ll get a blog and the latest news from the ME headquarters. Thank you so much for thinking of your loyal fans.
Barbara
Thank you for creating this site! I’ll be visiting often…and ditto to all who miss the magazine…it was definitely the best one out there!
I miss your magazine! I pull out my old ones and look at them over and over again!
Great blessings to you, Mary.
Oh, I’ll read just about anything you have to write!
Anyway, we all know that it’s the pictures that are the most important part.
Di
Hi, Mary. I just got back from Michaels towing a bag with some of your goods. I love your banners and just picked up another one as well as a wind spinner and your nifty little notepads. I can’t grow flowers on my balcony now because the maple trees are too thick so I’m making up for it with ME colours and banners. If it spins, waves, or makes a pleasant ring I’ve got it.
I miss your magazine. I wish you could team up with someone like Martha Stewart and could share part of her magazine. So many magazines are in trouble I wonder if sharing two loyal fanbases would help weather the current economic situation.
Love your art and your choice of colours and subject matter. Keep up the good work.
My friend and I “met” you yesterday at the CHA in Orlando. Your talk was wonderful and you are so charming. Thank you!
Thanks for this new website. It look like it will be lots of fun!
I know you keep hearing it over and over. I really do miss your magazine. I always referred to it as my “relaxing” time because I would just be absorbed by the content of the pages and get motivated! I hope things look up so that you can return on print once again.
Greetings from a fellow artist! I’m loving the new site design! Glad you are blogging as well.
Thanks so much for all the MEHC years….my heart and soul were always refreshed after a “visit” with you, and I will look forward to meeting with you and chatting often via blogs. Thank you for thinking of this avenue of communication to help ease the “Home” sickness!
Mentioned you in my blog today. What a gorgeous blog you have!
I have been looking for your magazine and finally did a search on my computer. Your stuff always gives me a little smile. I will enjoy the things I collect and will look forward to the day I see your magazine on the stands again.
Like everybody else I miss my favorite magazine, however I did pick up another this weekend and was pleased to see you on the cover which lead me here:)I look forward to hearing about your latest creations~congrats on your book and continued success!
I miss your magazine, it was so creative and inspiring. After losing my job, I decided to do what I always loved to do, paint draw, create! I also started a blog to show what I do…www.lullabybabe.blogspot.com. Glad to see you are still creating, you are an inspiration to us all!
I just cannot believe that your magazine is no longer being published!! It was the only magazine that I looked forward to….I really hope that you will be back publishing soon.
As an artist I can attest to how tough the times are and they are only going to get worse.
I cannot believe that your magazine..the only one worth reading anymore…is no longer being published!!!
i miss your magazine so much! so thrilled you are blogging! these illustrations are so lovely. i’m adding you to my daily reading roster, pronto!
Blessings on you Mary. We are the same age and while I am a writer, how very, very much I love your art. Bring back the MAG. Hate to NAG.
Hi Mary,
I too miss that magazine. I have every issue published, but I have decided to buy duplicates on eBay so I can “cut out” the paper dolls and all the other neato stuff. I’m going to be redoing my computer/craft room this fall and it’s going to be a ME room.
I already have part of one wall covered with old calendar illustrations. Can ya tell I love your work? haha. Keep drawing and I will check out the website daily. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. Lynn 
So happy to come across your newly updated blog. Can’t wait to make this and the Home Companion blog a regular stop. I would love to see some of the features you had in HC, artist studio space, interiors, projects. Thanks for inspiring us.
oh, Mary! Its so nice to hear from you and see your beautiful new site! I just cried with joy as I saw myself on your blogroll! I can’t thank you enough for the boost…speaking of tough times! You have just sent me to the moon and back! I can’t wait to see what’s in store here…and I’ll definitely be in touch!! xoxo
Life has up and downs.And right now …is down-
But i love every day specially if I am around fabric,trims,Vintage buttons and Mary Engelbreit
fabric Panels.When people make wall hangings with them, i make tote bags,Handbags that is my passion.Keep up the good job Mrs Mary. I love your work!
Raquel
How fabulous, a new website I know I’ll enjoy!
I miss the magazine too and I also miss the paperdoll calendars…
Just a note to say how much I miss your magazine. You are so right, these economic times are really tough for everyone and I hope when things improve we’ll see you again in monthly print!