Kathi Stiff of Always Christmas has always known her mom, Michigan artist Peggy Abrams, has talent, and now the rest of the state will have the chance to see for themselves.
Abrams? designs are featured in the holiday decorations Always Christmas recently provided for Governor Jennifer Granholm’s public office in the State Capitol building in Lansing.
Stiff is the design coordinator for Scottish Christmas. The company licenses Abrams? designs to be sold in the Always Christmas store on Joslyn Road
Stiff knew people decorated the governor’s office ever year, so she decided to call them and tell them about her mother, who lives in Swartz Creek.
‘We sell 100 of my mom’s ornaments here at Always Christmas, and she’s been worldwide for 15 years,? Stiff said. ‘There are about 45 different manufacturers…she has Christmas cards, ornaments, T-shirts, all kinds of stuff that license her images.?
Stiff spoke with Trena Trowhill, facility office manager at the State Capitol, and proposed the idea of decorating the governor’s office this year with a Michigan artist.
On Nov. 2, Stiff and head designer Augusta Ashley traveled to Lansing to put everything together. Kim, Julie and Pam of Always Christmas helped them design the decorations, using Peggy Abram products sold at the store.
‘We built the (nine-foot) tree here and shrink-wrapped it,? Stiff said. ‘We took it up there in two pieces. We did a snowman theme in the governor’s office.?
The Always Christmas team also designed a special Detroit Lions-themed sports tree for the First Gentleman’s office.
‘We were there about four and a half hours putting it together,? Stiff said. ‘We spent 3-4 days working on it at Always Christmas.?
‘They liked us so well, we were even taken over to the governor’s private office.. (Trowhill) had never even been in there. We’re still waiting to hear back about the governor’s response to the decorations.?
The decorations will be on display in the governor’s public office and the reception room at the State Capitol during Lansing’s Silver Bells in the City event on Nov. 19.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the State Capitol in Lansing.
The reception room is also available for viewing during regular guided tours of the Capitol, which are offered every half hour, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Call (517) 373-2353 for more information.