There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart…pursue those. ~Michael Nolan (Featured in melissaAnne Color and Inspiration No. 26 - Catch Your Heart)
I’m headed out on an exciting trip and am busily getting things together for 3 weeks on the road. I’m spending 2 weeks on Martha’s Vineyard (someone pinch me, this MUST be a dream!) and then I’m headed up to Maine for a week. I’ve always wanted to go to Maine, so I’m quite excited to visit both places and spend some quality time with a new camera.
Over the past couple months, I’ve had so much fun working on new melissaAnne projects and I am excited about recently completing the first month of the Monday-Friday Color and Inspiration Newsletter. If you aren’t getting the email, you can sign up here. Last week I finished design of the first 30-card set of melissaAnne Inspire Cards. I have a few more things to do to finalize the packaging, but look for them soon on my website.
I recently had samples created for the melissaAnne pillow collection. I took the finished pillows, created from a selection of Water Colors and Urban Colors images printed on Silk Charmeuse, on my last trip to Martha’s Vineyard to do product shots. Long before I had the samples, or even knew how I was going to get them made, I had a vision of the first photo shoot for the pillow collection. I saw the pillows arranged in a variety of outdoor locations: in boats, on the beach, in a meadow, and on a farm.
To me, the vision was a message to keep going. You’ll get there.
I got there! But, things didn’t quite work out as I expected. The pillow inserts I received were 16×16”, which created a bit of a problem for the 16×20” pillow covers. I’m no math whiz…but even I know this is a problem! My amazing “style team” pulled together and with a fold, a tuck, and an adjustment here and there…we made things work and got some exciting pictures of the samples. I was even able to integrate some of the ideas from the vision that kept me moving forward!
Introducing melissaAnne Home Collection Pillows
melissaAnne Water Colors images on pillows go back “home” and add some color to this boat I found on the beach in Lobsterville.
© Melissa McClain
From left: Water Colors Spring On The Vineyard, Garden of Angels, and Sea Cave
© Melissa McClain
Shown: Water Colors Garden Of Angels
One of my favorite places on Martha’s Vineyard is Edgartown and the beautiful view of the harbor and lighthouse from in front of the Harbor View Hotel. A little flip of the harbor view bench and we have a great location to stage the pillows.
© Melissa McClain
From Left: Urban Colors Stedman, Water Colors Spring On The Vineyard, Urban Colors Saffron, Water Colors Sea Cave, and Urban Colors Shine No. 6
Special thanks to the Harbor View Hotel for letting us take over the rocking chairs on the wrap around porch.
© Melissa McClain
I’m excited about the pictures above and the process of seeing the vision come to life with my pillows. However, there was something missing. Don’t most product shots have a little more of a “home” feel to them? Maybe a little “home life” in them? I needed a model to help them come to life, and I got the PURRFECT one!
© Melissa McClain
Shown: Garden of Angels with model Wilber Philber
© Melissa McClain
Shown: Urban Colors Stedman
© Melissa McClain
Shown: Urban Colors Shine No. 6
© Melissa McClain
Shown From Left: Urban Colors Stedman and Saffron
Special THANKS to the following:
My style team: Jamie Eslinger (marketing maven), Sandra Carlson, and Justin Aiken (stylist and “heavy lifter”).
My model Wilber Philber, his agent, and his personal photographer.
Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. ~Harriet Beecher Stowe (Featured in melissaAnne Color and Inspiration No. 28 - Turn The Tide)
The journey continues. One step at a time. One day at a time. One opportunity at a time.
A little closer every day.
I’ll see you after my fantastic adventure. Hopefully with lots of fun pictures and updates to share.
Listen to the Color of your Dreams. ~John Lennon
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So great!! The photos are wonderful. The pillows look fantastic. I remember several of these patterns I’ve loved over the last few months. xxxooo
I am sitting in my fav coffee shop (Priscilla’s) in Toluca Lake, CA, as I read and breathe in the colors of your collection. And…I have tears of joy streaming down my face. Seeing your dream coming into physical manifestation one step at a time is bringing so much joy to my life. You are an inspiration, dear Melissa. So grateful to be along for the ride…Woo Hoo!!!!!
Love these pillows. I knew the first ones I saw in Chicago were beautiful, but these are GORGEOUS! I especially like the Stedman pillow! AMAZING! You are simply amazing! Hugs!!
Absolutely, amazing!!! “They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” What an eye you have. What an amazing gift you have been bestowed. Continue to follow your path. It is yours and yours alone. We are all along for this glorious ride of discovery. You will be undoubtedly blessed when the universe and your gifts continue to align themselves. I am excited for you… WE are all excited for you.