I love it! You do great work, and will come highly recommended by me should someone I know need your services. It was also a pleasure to meet you and work with you on this piece. His family will love it and have a visual they can touch to bring great and cherished memories of their beloved "Buck". Thanks again, you are truly a blessing to all who are touched by your work. ~ Ryan
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When my husband died in September 2020 (way too young and with too much suffering), our entire family was devastated. We would never again see his smile or experience his gentle spirit. I struggled to think of tangible ways to preserve his memory, especially for his five wonderful grandchildren. Through my network of friends I learned about Jean’s business, Remember When. I knew Jean from my teaching days, and coincidentally she taught both of our daughters. When I saw her website and what she could make with my loved one’s shirts and ties, I knew I had found the answer to my quest. Despite the obstacles posed by the COVID pandemic, and after many back-and-forth emails, Jean and I were able to meet up (thank you, Manheim Twin Kiss!) She was very attentive to my description of my husband, his personality, his temperament and his legacy. I handed Jean a tote bag full of his dress shirts, ties, polos and Penn State gear.
A few weeks later (and after another series of emails), I met Jean again at Twin Kiss with the final products – four Bearloom bears for the boy grandchildren and one Hareloom bunny for his only granddaughter, born exactly one week before he died. I was amazed and truly touched by the amount of time, love and attention to detail that Jean poured into these tributes. Each bear/bunny has pieces of his life: Penn State, High Industries (his employer), neckties and shirts are incorporated into each body. There is also a personal memento from their grandfather for each grandchild and a personalized (and rhyming!) booklet telling his story about his heart full of love. Every time I look at the pictures of the bears and bunny, I experience bittersweet memories of a man well-loved. Thank you, Jean, for such beautiful mementos. ~ Mary |
We asked Jean to help us preserve our daughter’s baby blanket. She came up with the idea of making a memory pillow and using the blanket as part of the fabric on the pillow. When we received it, we were blown away by her creativity and quality of her work. Our daughter’s tears of joy were a testimony to how beautiful and sentimental this gift was. It will be a treasured family heirloom for years to come. We would not hesitate to use Remember When Studios again. ~ Allyson
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Jean of Remember When Studio did a fantastic job with a heirloom quilt I had her make in remembrance of my Mother. Jean took the time to hear me talk about my mom and how important and special a woman she was to our family. From the items of my mom that I gave her, she made a beautiful quilt that our family will cherish forever. She also made smaller keepsakes that I could give to my mom's grandchildren. I highly recommend Jean and Remember When Studio. ~ Liz Martin
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So often when loved ones pass on, there is such a sense of loss. We know that we won’t see that face, hear that voice, or feel that touch again in our lives. Jean and her wonderful work with textiles has made it possible to actually hold on to our loved ones and their memories. We have pillows made from my father’s military uniforms which were so much a part of him and our family culture. And we have pillows made from German capes that honor my mother and her love for us. Jean’s work is thoughtful, detailed, and beautiful, creating pillows that preserve the love and memories of parents and family as a tangible gift. ~ Meg
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I am so grateful to you this year. You made my 30th anniversary even more special than I could have imagined by redesigning my wedding dress as creating the accessories.
Also, I will be eternally thankful to you for turning a simple horse fabric into a treasure to be included at every meal. My mom would have loved the table runners as they will assure she is at the center of all family meals. With appreciation ~ Whitney |
The quilt, "Chain Reaction", captured my attention through Jean's artists, especially her exquisite "stitches of story". I will always "Remember When" I acquired the quilt through the online auction for Livestrong at the YMCA. Thank you Jean , for the contributions to my life as I am "Covered in Care"! ~ Anonymous |
A few months ago, I decided I was finally ready to do something with Anthony's beloved blue plaid jacket. I wanted it made into something for Gage and for me. I was hesitant about sending it away to a stranger. It turned out I didn't have to. Through the magic of Facebook, I discovered that a friend knew someone who specializes in making memorial items. I then discovered that that person is none other than Ms. Jean Gerdes, my 8th grade home-ec teacher. I connected with her and we met last month, the week of Anthony's 5-year anniversary. As it turned out, she had Anthony too. It was tough to hand that jacket over, but Jean was so very respectful and compassionate, asked lots of questions about what I wanted, and made it easier to let that jacket go. She kept in touch with me, sent me pictures of the prototype, and finished quicker than I thought. Earlier this week I picked up the completed pieces, right before his 29th birthday.
To say that I love them is an understatement. I will treasure them forever, and I'm sure Gage will too. Thank you, Jean, for giving us such a wonderful remembrance of Anthony. ~ Stacy Emmlinger |
~ I cannot thank you enough for embroidering my Dad's handkerchiefs for our girls. They have really been missing their Pappy and seeing his handwriting on their quilts is going to bring them comfort. I really appreciate you bringing them to school today. That's the best package that has ever been in my school mailbox! What a great surprise that you finished them so quickly. I enjoyed catching up with you and cannot thank you enough for being a blessing to our family. ~ Tiffany
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Jean, Nearly 25 years ago, you made us a tree skirt for a wedding present. That skirt was one of the treasured items we hand carried during our Army moves. It was too priceless to entrust in other hands. It has been the first thing I take out and the last thing I put away every holiday season. Through babies, deployments without John, Maddie home from college, family visits, and friends from all over the country; the skirt has been there. It represents Christmas and family. Of course, it’s beautiful work, but it’s so much more. We love it. Thank you. ~ Clare
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Even if there were no back story to our Remember When quilt, everything about it would still be beautiful. The fabrics used, the design, the quality of the work, is all absolutely gorgeous. But add on top of that the meaningful experience and the person (my son and his birth) the quilt represents, it turns from a beautiful quilt into meaningful art. It really symbolizes the brightness and hope his birth meant for us, and it'll definitely become a family heirloom. Thank you, Remember When! ~ Sharon
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Maddie and I had a trip down memory lane examining this bunny's patches. . . "do you remember. . ?" Her swim team friends, who now live elsewhere. Old school buddies, and a favorite play date with "Nana"! It's amazing how much memories mean to family togetherness. Thanks so much, Jean, for rekindling them. HUGS! ~Barbie For our daughter’s high school graduation, Jean created for us an amazing, happy and huggable friend sewn lovingly from favorite t-shirts and memory filled fabrics of every kind. ~Amy |
The story of my adult life is told in this bear designed by Jean. Items from the birth of my three children and their grandchildren, milestones, along with family history from my Parents and Grandparents. Every time I look at this BEAR it invokes memories. More than any photograph, Jean has recreated my history in a living form that is a real treasure. ~ Diane |
When my husband died, this pillow was created to remind me of our special times together. More tangible than photographs, the Pillow consists of the tie John was wearing when I first met him, the tie he wore to our wedding, gift ties he did not like that we laughed about and many other memories. It is on my sofa and surrounds me with his love. Thank you, Jean. ~ Diane
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