Bank Holiday Break

Hi All,
Card & Gift Blog is on a small mini break this week to celebrate the lovely Bank Holiday Monday here in the UK. I'll be back and blogging on Wednesday with some lovely Cards & Gifts coming your way. I have some brilliant new designs from Alice Palace and some bestsellers from Tea Time Tarts Designs and Dooodolls, so make sure you some back and have a look. If you create cards & gifts that you'd like to share please email me. Cee-gee.

Gifts: Lisa Le Brocq ...

Lisa Le Brocq is a jewellery designer living and working in Jersey. Today we've got a sneak preview of some of her beautiful collection that can be found in boutiques & galleries across the UK.

Lisa's pendants are available in a variety of wearable designs that will complement any outfit ... making them an irresistible gift idea. The small textures and details of the Heart Pendants (shown above) and the collection of nature-inspired necklaces (below) are influenced by the coastlines and environment of Jersey.

Lisa specialises in Repouse, Acid Etching and Rolled textures, which allows her to show great variety within the collection. Below is an images showing just a few of the bracelets available: from strong beads and classic links to delicate berry chains. 

Through a process of observation, sketching and experimentation Lisa creates each individual piece by hand. Creating bold jewellery with a clean, contemporary look. 

To see more of Lisa's jewellery collection, commission a design or find a stockist near you ... take a look at her brand new website.

Gifts: Wee Gallery ...

Wee Gallery create baby-friendly and beautiful gifts that are innovative and look great. In their very own words this is "Smart Art for Little Minds".

Art Cards use bold, hand-painted images that are specially designed to work with a baby's visual strengths. The black and white images use repeating patterns to captivate and entertain. Boxes contain 6 cards printed on high quality board with rounded corners and a matte laminated finish.

Wee Gallery Wall Graphics bring a whimsical world of animals to a baby's room. Graphics are over-sized and self-adhesive, allowing for them to be removed and repositioned as required.

Stickers allow you to create customised wall art to stimulate baby's imagination. Stickers are made of Eco-friendly polypropylene.

These final three images from the Wee Gallery's selection of Wrapped Canvases. A colourful engaging addition to any child's room. Images are from the Garden Triptych, other canvas options include Farmyard and Undersea collections.

To see more baby gifts from Wee Gallery and find links to purchase ... take a look at their website.

Cards: Belle & Boo ...

Belle & Boo are a beautiful collection of artworks from illustrator Mandy Sutcliffe. Today's post are examples of every day and birthday cards from their magical selection.

The first card depicts the famous Belle with her bobbed hair, bright eyes and vintage outfits. Joined by her adorable bunny Boo ... a true companion and confidant. The quiet simplicity and charm of Mandy's designs evoke precious moments of childhood.

 

Cards are printed using vegetable inks on recycled, textured satin cards. Each card is 12cm x 17cm and blank inside. Designs come with a recycled envelope and biodegradable cello bag.

All of the greetings cards shown here today and many more designs can be seen and purchased online at the Belle & Boo website.

If you can't get enough of Belle & Boo make sure you have a peek at their blog too.

Gifts: PaPaYa!

PaPaYa create luscious, brave designs with a unique visual style. Their high quality gifts are inspired by global culture, interlaced with art and culture. Today we're looking at some examples from their collection of stationery.

The 'My Peeps' spiral bound address book measures 5" x 7.5". The intricate bird illustration is highlighted with foil accents. With inside pouch pocket and elastic closure, each book is practical as well as beautiful. The address book is printed on recycled paper and retails at £4.50.

PaPaYa has a wide selection of Journals. Available in a small 5" x 7" size as illustrated by the 'Trouble Maker' Journal (above). Large size Journals such as the 'Woodland' design (below) measures 7" x 9". Each hard cover book has a unique PaPaYa design, finished with gold foil details. Journals contain 160 pages with ribbon markers and retail at £3.75 for the small books and £4.75 for the large.

New from PaPaYa is this beautiful 'Book of Days' dateless planner / journal. A cloth bound book with cloth bound closure. Pages are delicately decorated in full colour to inspire your days. Books contain 52 weekly plan pages, which can be started at any time of year. The 'Book of Days' also contains a 'year-plan' page, 13 'Month-at-a Glance' pages and 126 journal pages. All are tied together with PaPaYa's unique illustrations. Printed on recycled paper the planner is £7.50.

All of PaPaYa's designs can be seen and purchase at the YCUK website.

Gifts: Bandada - Beautiful Birds ...

Bandada are based in Barcelona where they merge their experience in jewellery design with their knowledge of product and graphic design. Creating jewels that use both handcrafted procedures with industrial finishes. Today we've got some images from their collection.

Birds are a huge trend at the moment and their natural beauty is captured in these simple, classic designs. The pendant above depicts the Dupont’s Lark. In danger of extinction, just few live in Bandada's home country of Spain. This modern design is painted, engraved and hung on an adjustable cord. Bandada sell their jewellery via the Supermarket site, so prices are in American dollars. The Dupont Lark pendant retails at $40.

These long silhouette earrings show geese in different stages of flight. The earrings are handmade in sterling silver and and plated with 24 carat gold. The earrings are also available in a Hummingbird design. Specially gift boxed they make a beautiful gift at $135.

Bandada's collection of bird silhouettes also includes this sleek Raven Brooch design. The bird can be purchased set on a branch or diamond (as pictured). The brooch is handmade in sterling silver, retailing at $110. The last image is a beautiful pair of earrings that are new for 2010. Sterling Silver Hummingbird silhouettes cast on delicate circles and priced at $85.
 

To see all of these nature inspired pieces, take a look at Bandada's online store. 

Cards: Urban Graphic ...

To close the week I thought we could take a look at some new lines & bestsellers from one of my favourite greetings card publishers ... Urban Graphic.

The bright and fabulous 'Weenicons' range is one of my favourites to hit the shops here in the UK in the last few years, with tonnes of iconic designs in the range. Cards are stocked nationwide in John Lewis, Paperchase and funky independent boutiques. The range retail around £1.95 and each comes with a free sticker.

The perfect partner to the 'Weenicons' range is 'Pop Mash'. Genetically modifying popular culture, the range combines two famous modern cultural icons into one shiny new star. As shown in the YokoBono design (above). Bold images are a key ingredient of Urban Graphic cards, evident in the photographic range 'Through the Looking Glass' by Tony Cresswell (shown below).

Not only good with images, Urban Graphic also have a way with words and have created a brilliant collection of typographic cards. The ranges entitled 'Scrawl' and 'More Scrawl' combine modern graphics and witty words. Cards retail at prices from £1.65.

Our final images show the new ranges for 2010. Images are from Simon Munnery's range of typographic cards. A collection of brilliant quotes such as 'Forget to Drink'. The 15cm square greetings cards are blank inside. The last image is from the funky new Paul Frank collection. Called 'Jammin' With Clancy' the card features strong, bright graphics and the famous Paul Frank monkey.

To see all of the designs in the Urban Graphic collection have a look at their brilliant website and leave yourself plenty of time to stock up on goodies at their online store. Trade customers can find them at PG Live next week.

Gifts: Little Bird ...

Little Bird is a family run business launched by illustrator Joanna Howell. Today we have some images from their collection of gifts for children.

Inspired by an old routemaster blind bearing the phrase 'To and From the Zoo' Joanna has created these fair trade organic cotton bags. In fabulous bright colours. There are 3 animal designs to choose from; Lion, Tiger & Panda. Bags measure 42cm high and 36cm wide and retail at £11.50.

These fun T-Shirts for kids, celebrate childhood. Each design is a bright colour, screen-printed with Joanna's cute zoo animals. Like the bags, T-Shirts are  made from high quality organic, fair trade cotton. Retailing at £12.50, T-Shirts come in 3 sizes for children aged 2 to 7 years old.

A beautiful addition to any kids room, this Limited Edition silk-screen print continues the Little Bird zoo theme. The gentle images have a nostalgic feel; inspired by animals in vintage children's books. Limited to a 50 print run this collectible gift can be purchased for £35.

Our final image is a cute collection of button badges from the 'To the Zoo' collection. For just 99p each they make a great stocking filler. To see the full collection of Little Bird goodies or make a purchase, have a look at their website.

Cards: Quitting Hollywood - Paw Play ...

Quitting Hollywood have been making fabulously funny greetings cards since 1985. Today we have some fantastic images from their wonderful Paw Play range.

The Paw Play range are a collection of cute and humorous animal pictures, united with wickedly witty captions. Cards all come with customary envelope and cello wrapping. Designs are all blank inside. Alongside the everyday collection, Paw Play designs are also available for Christmas.

Cards are available all across the UK at large retailers and independent boutiques. Quitting Hollywood also distribute their cards to retailers worldwide. Individuals can personalise and send any card from the Paw Play range, as well as other Quitting Hollywood designs online via Moonpig.

To see all of the Paw Play set and many more cards from Quitting Hollywood, check out their website.

Gifts: Jonny's Sister - Love Letters ...

Nestled in the English countryside, on the Dorset and Somerset borders is the home of Jonny's Sister and their charming gift line ... 'Love Letters'.

Giving beautiful fabrics a personal touch 'Love Letters' provide a personalised gift that is the perfect decoration for any home.

Letters come in a variety of fabrics including spots , checks and camouflage. Match your favourite room or mix and match a collection of 'Love Letters' to spell a favourite word or the name of that extra special person in your life.

'Love Letters' come in a variety of sizes. Small letters are perfectly proportioned to hang on door handles or bed posts. Standard sizes make a cute cushion or room decoration. Or treat yourself to a large letter, which measure close to a metre in height.

Every 'Love Letter' is expertly hand made in England to the highest quality. For an extra special touch a collection of 'Luxury Love Letters' is available using 100% Irish Linen or Scottish Merino Lambswool. Perfect for creating initials (as shown above) ... a unique and personal gift for weddings, anniversaries or engagements.

Prices start from £26.50 per letter. The full range of 'Love Letters' along with personalised bunting, wooden letters and aromatherapy letter soaps can be bought online at the Jonny's Sister website.

Gifts: Diament Designs - Vintage Inspiration ...

The roots of Diament Designs live in New York City. Their unique range of jewellery and accessories can be admired in fairs and fashion markets across Manhattan & Brooklyn and purchased in stores and boutiques across the city. Today we've got a quick look at some key pieces. 

Diament Designs specialise in handmade and vintage jewellery & accessories. This beautiful hair comb with a Patina finish is hand crafted, giving each one a unique colour combination. The design combines a pair of birds uniting to form a love heart shape. Hair combs are $18 each (prices in American Dollars).

Diament Designs have a stunning collection of vintage necklaces that make 'one of a kind' gift ideas. Such as this rare gold mesh bow necklace (shown above). Hung on a 14K Gold Filled chain, the vintage bow measures approximately 1.5". A fabulous statement necklace retailing at $38.

For everyday wear Diament Designs offer these classic pendants. Choose from a limited edition vintage heart or a nature inspired floral design. Both pendant designs are available in a different colour palettes. Necklaces retail at $45 and $38 respectively.

The New York glamour of Diament Designs is available worldwide via their online store.