Cards & Gifts: Really Good UK ...

Really Good Cards and Gifts is the sister company of Soul (makers of posh paper goods). They make fabulous and funny cards, stationery and gifts. Today we have some images of the brilliant cards and gifts to be found in their best-selling range 'The Bright Side'.

The designs are created by artist Rachel Bright. Using old block printing letters the range has a cool, contemporary look with it's funny & imaginative text. With original greetings for every occasion they are great for men and women of all ages. Each card is printed on high quality board and finished with an accent of coloured foil to add an extra special shimmer.

As well as greetings cards the range has developed to include a line of funky stationery, such as the must-have pen / pencil case. Retailing at £5.99 this cute, quirky case is perfect to keep you super organised.

There's also fab matching notebooks for jotting down big ideas, big plans and big memories ...

The hugely popular notebooks and memory albums are available for a variety of occasions with a baby book, wedding planner, album and guest book, travel journal and a range of lined notebooks available in the collection. Prices start from £5.99.

New additions to 'The Bright Side' collection are these fantastic cake tins, which are just a few examples from the range of homeware gift ideas from Really Good UK. Making delicious cupcakes, sweets and tarts a bit more delightful. A cupcake tin is just £3.99 and a large cake tins £12.99 ... ideal gifts for any domestic diva.

'The Bright Side' gift range includes many more must-have lines including tea towels, aprons, bags, picture frames and keepsake boxes. Each one decorated with the trade mark bold accent colours and quirky text. To see and purchase from the collection pop along to the Really Good UK website.

Remember if you have Cards & Gifts you want to shout about I'd love to hear from you! Please email me.

Gifts: That Company Called If ...

With my own birthday just a few days away it seemed a good opportunity to take a look at some book-inspired gifts. If there is one thing I'm guaranteed to get its books, which for me is always a good thing! So today is dedicated to That Company Called If. Founded in 1996 they design and manufacture design-led products, specialising in must-have impulse gifts and book accessories. Today's post shows the best-selling items in their collection.

Sure to be joining the ranks of the bestsellers in the build up to Christmas, our first image is a sneak preview of the newest addition to the collection. Launching in December 2010 are these Roald Dahl inspired Bookmarks and Keyrings. My favourite is the Fantastic Mr Fox Bookmark, which will make a terrific stocking filler. 

The sophisticated musings of Edward Monkton make joyous mini gifts. The best-selling Magnetic Bookmarks and Keyrings retail at £1.99 and £3.99 respectively.

The Little Book Holder was voted a Highly Commended Gift of the Year 2009 by The Giftware Association. Each of the cute holders takes away the strain of holding onto a heavy book. Gripping the pages for you The Little Book Holder allows you to read and drink your tea at the same time. Retails at £2.99. 

Mini-Marks are an ingenious little product that were awarded Gift of the Year 2010 by The Giftware Association. The glossy little marks have two magnets that grip together to tag your favourite pages. Retailing at £2.99 they come in themed sets, including travel, music and cookery. Each set has six Mini Marks.

The final images are both bestsellers and award winning gifts. The Original Book Jacket retails at £14.99 and is available in a genuine suede or leather versions - perfect for disguising any guilty pleasure holiday read as a classic. Last but not least the Really Tiny Booklight keeps you reading into the night, with its super-bright LED light. Retails at £6.99.

To see more must-have accessories and book-inspired gifts take a peek at the official website of That Company Called If.

Cards: Fara Berry Designs ...

After a few pesky computer problems it's nice to be back and blogging today. I'm starting the week with some art-driven, cutting-edge greetings cards from Fara Berry Designs. Established late in 2009, Fara Berry Designs aims to create exciting and provocative greeting cards.

All of the designs are left blank for the sender’s own message and are engineered to be perfect for multiple occasions. Fara Berry greetings cards are printed in the UK with a fashionable silk finish. Available in two sizes: 5" x 7" and 6" x 6". All of the range are produced using FSC approved board and come cellophane wrapped with a matching envelope.

Number as Image (above) is a range of cards based on the numbers of landmark birthdays. Using some nifty mathematical equations the image becomes a work of art that is slowly revealed and not immediately obvious. For a quick cheat, the actual number can be found on the back of each card as its title.

The clever use of numbers and words is a stand out feature of each of the Fara Berry Designs collection. Each of the ranges utilises numbers and type within the designs to give a strong, contemporary image; evident in greeting cards from the 'Occasions' (above) and 'Found Image' (below) sets.

The final image is from the 'Decollage' range. The French word means “to unstick”. the range is inspired by an artistic movement that applied the process of recording the tearing away by opportunist passers-by of one poster to reveal another underneath. The greeting cards provide a strong visual that is suitable for occasions or as stationery. 

One to watch for unique, art-inspired greeting cards if you would like to find out more about Fara Berry Designs go have a look around their website.

Don't forget there is still time to vote in the mini poll!!

Gifts: Sian Elizabeth Hughes Jewellery ...

Today we're showcasing some classically beautiful, yet contemporary jewellery from award-winning designer Sian Elizabeth Hughes.

From her workshop in Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter Sian creates elegant designs that show a deep understanding and sensitivity to the materials, forms and textures in each creation. The care and attention invested into each handmade piece translates into an exquisite collection of earrings, studs, pendants and necklaces.

The In Bud / Foliage range (shown above) highlights this philosophy, using simple lines and an understanding of form and colour to create intricate pieces inspired by nature. A perfect gift for a special occasion or the upcoming festive season. Prices start at £75 for pendants / necklaces and £30 for studs / earrings.

Sian's collections go beyond the shapes and textures of nature, bringing in the additional influence of the seasons to create pieces combining Gold, Silver and semi precious stones. Today's final two images are from the handmade Bloom and Flourish ranges. With earrings, studs, pins, pendants, necklaces and cuff-links to choose from you'll be spoilt for choice. Prices start from £45 and £40 respectively.

To find out more about Sian's beautiful collection of handmade jewellery and to download the current catalogue for purchasing options pop along to the official website.

Cards: Fay's Studio ...

Fay's Studio was founded in 2009 by illustrator Fay Martin. With the backing of the Prince's Trust they aim to fulfill the demand for high quality, design-led greetings cards that consider the environment. Today we've got a few images from their latest collections.

The first year for Fay's Studio has been non-stop with the greetings card collection hitting the shelves in retail outlets across the UK.  Fay launched her first greetings card ranges at this year's Progressive Greetings Live, where she had tremendous success showcasing alongside the design idols of the UK greetings card scene.

Fay's Studio is happy to be a little outlandish, developing designs with Fay's unique style that stand out from the crowd. Each image is delicately hand-drawn in Fay's recognisable style. The range encompasses everything from serene, dream-like natural settings to cute and quirky characters that make you smile.

Priding herself on being different, Fay understands the importance of creating products that are not only creatively driven but also produced in an environmentally responsible manner.

All of Fay's cards are printed on C6 sized FSC accredited, heavy weight board, wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cornstarch bag and matched with a co-ordinated FSC accredited envelope, making each one Eco-Friendly. All of the designs shown on today's post are blank inside allowing them to be useful for multiple occasions.

The greetings cards retail at £2.30 each and can be purchased online via the Fay's Studio website. For those of you who like your shopping a little less virtual you will also find a list of stockists on the site. Go have a mooch around the site and then come back and tell us what you think.

If you haven't already please take a minute to vote in the Card & Gift Blog mini poll (top left hand sidebar) ... your opinion counts. Thank you! Charlotte x

Gifts: Best Years ...

Best Years are the UK's leading wholesale supplier of knitted and fair trade crochet toys. Today's images are some bestsellers from their collection ... terrific toys that make cute and tactile gifts.

The T Rex is a much loved character and the best selling line from the collection. Available in original and supersized versions they are popular with both boys and girls. Retailing at £10.99 and £19.99 respectively the dinosaurs are robust and tactile like every good dinosaur should be.

Suitable from birth the knitted monkey is available in stripey pink or blue colours. Each toy contains a rattle that is a favourite with young babies, helping to stimulate the senses. Similarly the knitted owl provides great interest with contrast between the tactile knitted cloth and the soft velour feet. Each character retails at £10.99.

The Dangly Dog comes in soft pastel colours perfect for new babies. With a rattle and wobbily feet it is a delightfully cute and stimulating toy for newborns. The design retails at £10.99 and is also available as a Dangly Lamb.

Best Years pride themselves on sourcing the best toys that are organic and fair-trade, such as their cotton crochet bunny. Made by a co-operative in Bangladesh, workers are based in rural communities and fairly paid for their employment and the goods they produce.

Our last image from the collection is the Flip Teddy Bears. A fabulous gift for a baby each character is hand made by the workers co-operative in Bangladesh. Soft and tactile, with super long legs they are a beautiful quality toy and being machine washable they are practical too!

To see more from the Best Years toy collection check out their website - perfect knitted and crocheted toys for all.

NEW Cards! Velvet Olive ...

Hi All, today's post features a few pictures from the gorgeous new greetings cards of Card & Gift Blog favourite Velvet Olive. Initially a collection for the Spring season, Eva Luna is now a range that can be sent to loved ones every day.

Inspired by found materials the range brings together a variety of techniques and treasures to create the beautiful imagery. Each card is finished with glitter applied in a vintage lace pattern and topped with a scattering of Austrian crystals. 

Cards are approximately 170mm x 160mm (bigger than the average greetings card) which allows you to see each exquisite detail from the textured board to the hand-finished embellishments. The range retails at £3.00 each. For more information of Velvet Olive greetings cards check out my earlier post here and to purchase take a wander over to the Velvet Olive online store.

Remember there is still time for you to vote on the mini poll (left hand side-bar) ... Card & Gift Blog needs you!!

Gifts: Judith Brown Jewellery ...

Today's gift images are from 'Vintage Noir' the luxury hand-stitched jewellery collection from Judith Brown Jewellery.

The elegant forms of the collection are given a quirky edge through the use of vintage hooks, eyes and press studs. Elements are hand-stitched with black wire and then finished with oxidised sterling silver findings and chains.

The 'Vintage Noir' collection is available to purchase direct from Judith's website. The full collection has 17 designs to choose from. The selection shown here are: Alessandra necklace £59; Alessandra earrings £47; Alessandra collar necklace £106; Large Lorena earrings with drops £50; Lorena ribbon pendant £35 and Long Lorena earrings £30.

Due to the recycled haberdashery used in the creation of the jewellery collection details in the pieces can vary, resulting in each one being an individual and a unique gift idea. To see the full collection and more of Judith's work have a look at the official website.

Update: Seadragon Publishing Posters ...

Hi All,

I'm very pleased to send you a quick update on this morning's post. Seadragon Publishing's gorgeous Giclee prints are now available to be purchased online via their official website.

Posters are available in two sizes ... A2 and A3.

A2 prints retail at £30 and A3 posters at £15.

Bespoke designs are also available so get your Manifesto ready for print!

Charlotte x

Gifts: Seadragon Publishing - Poster Perfect ...

Those of you who have been visiting Card & Gift Blog for a while now will be familiar with the work of Seadragon Publishing (for a quick reminder check out the the previous posts). I always like to see what new things will be hitting the Card and Gift market and I hope you do too. With this in mind & courtesy of Seadragon Publishing today we've got a sneak preview from their new line of posters - available via their website very soon.

The first images are from the 'Manifesto' range of posters, inspired by vintage letterpress printing. The first design to be published (and shown here today) is the 'Happiness Manifesto'.

The Manifesto lists everyday experiences that can help lead the way to a happy life ... appreciating the little things that brighten our days. Seadragon Publishing will also be offering a bespoke service for anyone who would like their own personal manifesto designed and printed.

The second collection of posters are called 'Button Up Words'. Two designs 'Keep Calm' and the 'Union Jack' will soon be available to own as poster prints. A quirky, craft-inspired take on some classic images from the world of design.

These superb posters are high quality giclee prints on heavyweight 210gsm Albrecht Durer cotton paper. Each print will be available in two standard sizes A2 and A3, which will in turn be available framed and unframed. Giclee printing delivers vivid colours, depth and clarity that make them a perfect print for home, office or anywhere else you want to add some colour.

Keep and eye on the Seadragon Publishing website for more information and I will post an update when an official release date in confirmed.

Gifts: Lyndsey Gray ...

As it's finally the weekend I feel like I should be pottering round a little gallery or craft fair. With this in mind, I thought I'd have a go at recreating the craft fair feel with the gorgeous handmade textile collection of freelance designer, Lindsey Gray.

Lindsey is a native of Moray and in 2009 graduated with a degree in Art & Digital Film from Dundee. Since then she has been working on the collection you can see showcased here today.

These hand-sewn treasures are part of a collection called 'The Apple Fell Down'. Each piece is inspired by Lyndsey's countryside surroundings, her love of the highlands and childhood memories. Cute and Kitsch the collection of jewellery and textile art transforms found fabrics into statement pieces that will stand out from the crowds at exhibitions and craft fairs - definitely one to watch!

To find out more about Lindsey's work and to see a full list of her upcoming exhibitions check out her website.