 Diane Bruce, owner of Creative Keepsakes, Inc., is wearing a peasant blouse constructed from the Lady’s Gown Robe pattern (#p198). She is holding a jumper constructed from the Buckle Jumper pattern (#p109) which has a detachable bib. (Bib instructions are a free download from this site.) Smocking design is Easy Daisy (#64). |
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In 1981, Creative Keepsakes published the first of its product line: four smocking design plates. The original plan was simply to publish smocking designs in the fall and spring of each year. As the base of customers grew, comments & suggestions were expressed and Creative Keepsakes began to expand.
First additions to the line of products were garment patterns and smocking instructional booklets. As time went on, instructional materials were added for items that could coordinate with many of the smocking products. Hair bows, or even tote bags, could be constructed to accent smocked garment.
Creative Keepsakes, Inc. has now grown to include over 70 smocking design plates, a variety of garment patterns (both for children and adults), and six instructional booklets. A new format for smocking design plates was introduced in 2001. Designs in this "Classic Collection" include multiple variations of the design as well as photographs of smocked garments that have incorporated some of these variations. Machine Embroidery designs have also become a part of the line of products.
Current plans are to continue publishing new smocking products and to expand our line of machine embroidery designs (emphasizing artwork that coordinates with our smocking line). Garment pattern ideas (including some which incorporate machine heirloom sewing techniques) are on the testing table. Because of the busy schedules of many Creative Keepsakes' customers, an emphasis on "quick and easy" patterns is the major focus at this time. Also, plans for some quilting patterns and for quilt kits are on the horizon.
Be sure to visit the web site often and watch for products that might be of interest as Creative Keepsakes continues to grow
About Diane
Diane Bruce has been the owner of Creative Keepsakes since 1981 and she has done the major portion of the design work. She has a BSE in Elementary Education and an MSE in Special Education and, in her "pre-smocking" years, she taught elementary school in Arkansas. She also worked as a reading specialist in the Learning Development Center at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
Diane began creating smocking designs for her children when they were young. Caterpillars (for Courtnay), clowns (for Clint) and turtles (for Tanner) were among the earliest smocking designs. In addition to her many years of design work for Creative Keepsakes, Diane created a collection of quilted projects that was published by Leisure Arts in 2004. The items in this instructional leaflet, Quilts and Totes for Little Folks (#la3650), coordinate with many of her smocking designs. Two children's clothing patterns were published by Simplicity Pattern Company in 2007.
On a more personal note...
In 1986, after living in Arkansas all of her life, a business opportunity for her husband necessitated a moved to Dallas for Diane and her family. They adjusted quickly and were happy living there, yet remained close to their Arkansas connections. In the years that followed that move, Creative Keepsakes continued to grow, Diane's children became adults and she reports that life was full of tremendous blessings.
Like most families, they also had their share of sad times. She says that their faith and the support of family and friends carried all of them through the sad days. Those situations sometimes slowed the growth of Creative Keepsakes, but the love of design was always a part of Diane's life. The handwork and sewing activities also seemed to provide another source of relaxation and comfort during some of the more difficult times. Diane's hope is that the use of her patterns & needlework designs might do the same for others when they find themselves in need of a diversion from the stresses that are often a part of life.
Diane now resides in Hot Springs, AR. Those three children, for whom she loved to smock so many years ago, all live in Texas and have continued to make her a very proud mother.
Courtnay recently completed her degree in Human Resource Development at the University of AR. Although she lives in Dallas, she continues to provides lots of help & support for Creative Keepsakes work. Always being familiar with the latest trends, her ideas and suggestions often provide the beginnings of a new product.
Clint graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997 and was in the Navy serving as a SEAL until the fall of 2003. After doing some rescue work in New Orleans, during Hurricane Katrina, he was reminded of how rewarding that type of work was for him. He returned home from Louisiana & soon began the creation a security business, Trident Response Group, which is currently based in Dallas.
Tanner graduated from OK State University in 2002 and is now a pharmaceutical sales representative working in Ft Worth. He has become a great promoter of his mom's work as he seems to frequently meet ladies that remember smocking turtles named for a boy named Tanner. He skillfully uses those occasions to promote new Creative Keepsakes products for Mom!
Madeline Grace, daughter of Clint and his precious wife, Aimee, was born in May of 2003 and her sister, Lilly Claire, was born in August, 2005. Mary-Claire, daughter of Tanner and wife, Caroline (another precious wife) was born in August, 2008. Diane proudly reports that "the grandgirls" have brought lots of joy to the entire Bruce family.
Diane's passion for design is as strong as ever. She says that Maddie, Lilly Claire and Mary-Claire have been the primary inspiration for all projects created since 2003 when Maddie was born.
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