There’s something truly magical about holding onto a memory. Whether it’s a photo that sparks a smile, a piece of clothing from a loved one, or a small keepsake that brings back a moment in time — these items become part of our story. In a world that moves quickly, I believe it’s important to slow down and cherish the moments that really matter.
That’s exactly why I started Moose & Goose Gifts. What began as a small idea quickly turned into something much more meaningful — a way to help others keep their most treasured memories close, every single day. Through handmade memory bears, personalised gifts, and keepsakes created from your own photos or clothing, I get to help families remember, celebrate, and honour the people and moments they love.
In this first blog post, I wanted to share a little bit about how Moose & Goose Gifts came to life, what inspires me, and why preserving memories has become such a big part of my own journey — both as a mum and as a maker.
A Little About Me
I'm Tilley — the maker, designer, and proud mum behind Moose & Goose Gifts. I started this journey after falling in love with sewing during my son's early years, and over time it’s grown into a heartfelt business where every item I make carries meaning. Whether I’m turning a baby grow into a bear or adding a special photo to a mug, everything is done right here at home, with lots of care (and usually a cup of tea nearby!).
How It All Began
Growing up, I was always drawn to the outdoors. My childhood in the Suffolk sunshine was spent climbing trees, making dens, and getting creative with whatever we had around us. I was surrounded by makers — my mum loved knitting and cross-stitch, and I was endlessly fascinated by the things she could create with her hands. I’d spend time with my grandad in his garage, which was packed floor to ceiling with tools, helping him tinker and build. Inside, I’d be baking with my nan or watching Mum as she stitched away. From an early age, I loved anything creative.
School life, especially in a traditional classroom, never really suited me. I gravitated toward hands-on subjects — anything that let me make, build, or create. Even then, I imagined my future would involve doing something outdoorsy or practical. But life has a way of gently guiding us where we’re meant to be.
Fast forward a few years — I got married and moved away, and for our first wedding anniversary, we were gifted a voucher. We used it to buy our first sewing machine. My husband is over 6ft and I’m quite a bit shorter, so clothes always needed adjusting for one of us! Around the same time, my mum had discovered a craft channel on TV, and sewing was enjoying a bit of a revival. I began dabbling again and slowly fell back in love with the rhythm of sewing — especially quilting.
By the time our first child was born, my parents had gifted me an upgraded sewing machine. Around then, I came across the idea of turning baby clothes into memory bears. I was immediately hooked. While my son napped or during quiet evenings when my husband was working away, I’d spend hours at the machine, experimenting with patterns and playing with fabrics.
After a house move gave me more space, my sewing stash grew (as they do!), and so did my skills. I learned from the pros on those same TV channels and hunted down tutorials online. I still remember making handmade bunting for my son's nursery as a thank-you gift — and how proud I felt. From there, I started making enough items to sell and booked a few local craft stalls and fairs over the summer. Sales were slow, but I didn’t mind. I loved creating, and every sale felt special.
Everything changed when our son joined the local judo club. One of the parents there said to me, “You should sell on Etsy.” The next week, sitting in that same judo hall, I set up an Etsy store with just a few keepsake animals and a blanket. Within a week, I had made more sales than I had in months of markets.
That’s when things really started to grow. Back then, I was working under the name Sew Tilley, and I focused on memory bears, blankets, and cushions made from customers’ clothing. Orders began coming in from across the UK and even overseas. It was busy, but I loved every moment. My husband and son pitched in whenever they could — our little one loved helping to stuff the bears. Many evenings were spent on the lounge floor, buried in teddy stuffing, watching TV and chatting while we worked together. Those were some of my happiest memories.
Then came a deeply personal chapter. We lost both of my grandparents just 11 months apart. They were such a huge part of my life — we had lived next door to them growing up, and even after we moved away, my nan would still call every week and ask how the bears were coming along. After they passed, I made memory bears and blankets from their clothing — keepsakes that still live in our home and are talked about often, especially with our youngest, who never got to meet them.
During lockdown, like many families, we were home together more than ever. Our son joined me in the sewing room most days and started crafting things of his own from my stash. It was during this time that I discovered sublimation — a process that allows you to print images onto special materials. Suddenly, I could include photos in my keepsakes and offer new products like mugs, coasters, and ornaments that captured moments, not just clothing memories.
At this point, the business had grown far beyond its beginnings. We had another child, added a four-legged friend to the family, and it felt like time for a fresh start. That’s when I rebranded to Moose & Goose Gifts — named after our dog, Moose, and our youngest, whom we named Maverick (just before the Top Gun sequel came out — and yes, everyone assumes we named him after it!). For the Top Gun fans out there, you’ll get the Goose reference!
What Makes Moose & Goose Unique
One of the things I’m most proud of is that everything is made in-house. From the moment an order comes in, it’s handled with care — by me. I design, print, press, sew, and package every single item myself. This not only allows me to ensure the highest quality, but also means each order can be completely personalised to suit your vision.
Whether it’s tweaking a colour scheme, adding a special message, or adjusting a design to suit a loved one’s style, I work closely with customers to bring their ideas to life. If you're unsure about something or have a unique request, just ask — some of my favourite creations have come from customer suggestions!
Packaging is also a big part of what I do. I know how important it is that items arrive safely — especially fragile pieces like mugs, photo slates, or glass boards. I take extra care wrapping each item securely, thinking about how I would want it to arrive if I were receiving it as a gift. Many of the items I create are bought for special occasions, so I also try to pack everything in giftable packaging, making it feel extra thoughtful straight out of the box.
I also genuinely love hearing suggestions from my customers — whether it’s a new product idea, a design tweak, or feedback on what they’d love to see next. It helps me stay inspired and ensures that I’m always offering items that feel meaningful and relevant.
Thank You for Being Here
Thank you for taking the time to read a little more about the story behind Moose & Goose. What started as a creative hobby and a way to preserve my own family’s memories has grown into something truly special — a small business built around heart, nostalgia, and care.
Every bear, blanket, mug, slate, or ornament I make carries a little piece of someone’s story. It means the world to me that I get to help families celebrate their memories in such a personal way. Whether it’s a keepsake for a baby who’s growing too fast, a way to remember a loved one, or simply a thoughtful gift for someone special, I pour the same love and attention into every order.
I’m so glad you’ve found Moose & Goose. If you’ve got an idea, a memory you want to capture, or even just a question, please reach out — I’d love to hear from you. And if you’d like to follow along, I share behind-the-scenes peeks, customer stories, and new product launches over on Instagram or Facebook.
This is just the beginning of the blog, so if there’s anything you’d like me to write about — how keepsakes are made, gift ideas, or tips for preserving memories — let me know!
Until then, thank you for supporting small, handmade, memory-filled businesses like mine.
With love,
Tilley x
