‘I Love Hot Off The Press ’ is the brainchild of Beverley Todd, freelance writer, designer and owner of Crop ‘Til You Drop. Here’s what she had to say:
As the UK’s self appointed number one Hot Off The Press fan I wanted to dedicate a whole site to it. The idea was to have somewhere that other fans could meet, chat and gain new inspiration. I have loved Hot Off The Press for so many years that it was the first range I looked at when I opened my shop, Crop ‘Til You Drop. Later, I was lucky enough to become the sole UK stockist of the Personal Shopper monthly kits and launched this site in July 2006.
I met Paulette Jarvey (originator and director of Hot Off The Press and all-round lovely lady) at NEC in February 2005, right at the beginning of Crop ‘Til You Drop. I gushed perhaps a little too much — like a star-struck teenager really — but proved myself with an in depth knowledge of all things Hot Off The Press. I wanted to be the UK’s premier HOTP stockist and I told her so. Suffice it to say, the next time I contacted her she seemed to remember me but later going to her with news of this site was still a scary moment — what if she hated it?
I need not have worried. Her e-mail just days later said that she loved it and that I’d made her day — which made my day, week, month even. I am also in touch with Sara Naumann (Marketing Director at HOTP and the most brilliant designer ever!) We are lucky to have her support too, so look out for her projects and news — maybe even bump into her in the chat rooms.
This site still excites me and I think it always will. I hope that you grow to love it as much as I do and find it a useful resource.
The Elusive And Mysterious Soul: Gandalf The Crafty
Possibly the Gandalf of the craft world and the technical genius behind every page on the ILHOTP website. A soul so mysterious that it requires anonymous gender and is known only to a select few by an actual name. Yabb would be HOTP’s number one fan had I not already taken the title. Without Yabb, this site would be a much more modest affair.
