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Capturing memories one book at a time

When Airdrie resident Stacie Gaetz’s mother-in-law, Anne-Marie Gaetz, was unable to find an online retailer offering the kind of personalized gift she was hoping to give her grandkids for Christmas, she turned to Gaetz for help.
Making memories
Sentiments, a business launched by an Airdrie mom, offers personalized books to entertain children or memorialize an important life event.

When Airdrie resident Stacie Gaetz’s mother-in-law, Anne-Marie Gaetz, was unable to find an online retailer offering the kind of personalized gift she was hoping to give her grandkids for Christmas, she turned to Gaetz for help. “Most personalized children’s books just use the kids’ names or a caricature that looks somewhat like them, so when my search came up empty, I decided to write a book myself and asked for Stacie’s help to design it,” said Anne Marie, a Calgary accountant with a creative side. “We couldn’t believe that something like this didn’t already exist.” Nine months later, the duo launched Sentiments, a company that makes hardcover books which are a combination of a storybook and a photobook – unlike anything else on the market. “We design high-quality personalized books, including original text, stunning backgrounds and photographs of your loved ones to capture cherished memories for years to come,” said Gaetz, who gained experience designing and laying out publications through previous work as an editor. Many of Sentiments’ books focus on the relationships built throughout a lifetime with parents, grandparents, siblings and significant others, or revolve around important events. “From your engagement, to your wedding, your anniversaries, the birth of your children, birthdays, graduation and all of the joys and adventures in between – right up to a memorial book to help you say goodbye to a loved one – we create keepsakes that you will cherish for years to come and pass down through generations,” Anne-Marie said. Customers can choose from 15 different books with varying degrees of customization. The selection includes nine children’s books, three love books and three books listed under the “more” category, which includes The Family Pet, Graduation and I Remember. “With all of the technology we have today, and the fact that there is always a camera in your pocket, people are taking more photos than ever – but few people ever take the time to look back over the photos or turn them into something tangible,” Gaetz said. “We don’t want you to keep your favourite family photos locked away in your cell phone or computer, that’s why we’ve committed our professional lives to transforming those special pictures into beautiful hardcover books that tell heartwarming stories.” The most popular books in the lineup take children on whimsical adventures with their imagination, favourite animals or stuffed toy by their side. “Imagine reading your child a story before bed where they get to see themselves – not a cartoon that looks somewhat like them, but actual pictures of themselves – exploring the world with a mouse or giraffe or tiger. Think of your kiddo’s reaction when their favourite stuffed toy comes to life to play with them within the pages of a book that you can read to them over and over,” Gaetz said. “Let us encapsulate everything you hold closest to your heart in a beautiful book that you can hold in your hands.” Visit sentimentsphotobooks.ca or email [email protected], for more information.


Airdrie Today Staff

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