Flower Pot Holes

I've been driving more than usual this week and my poor little Audi has felt every single one of the damn pot holes on the roads. There are definitely more holes on the roads after the bad weather!

If only every pot hole was like this....

Images from Pretty Lovely Things

Exciting New Ribbons for 2010!

We're so excited to bring in (some) of our new colours for 2010. And this isn't even the half of it... we have so many more just waiting to arrive in. The new colours will be fully integrated into our wedding stationery collections, greetings cards as well as the new events stationery collection (arriving in August 2010).

Each week we're going to put one of our new colours 'in the spotlight'. In the spotlight next week is our 'Lemon Grass' ribbon - just in last week and we've already received a wedding order in using this stunning colour combi. Hope your loving the new colours as much as we are!
Images to follow...

Kiddy Furniture

Just had to blog about this amazing find. Australian furniture designers, Little Nest who design children's furniture in modern iconic styles of the 20th century.Beautiful mini versions for kids on the furniture design classics to compliment the modern home.

Recognise this... The Egg Chair Too cute! There isn't a store yet in the UK but I'll be there with bells on as soon as one opens up.

Spring Has Sprung

Check out these pretty spring fresh colours for your Spring 2011 wedding. Stationery from the Ooh La La Collection

March Just Keeps Getting Better

We've been featured again this month. In the current issue of Wedding Venues & Services Magazine. This time it's favours from the very glitzy Mayfair Collection in a retro Polka dot red (top left). A big thank you to Amanda for the feature & also for letting us know. A while back, Amanda (Deputy Editor) had given me feedback on the quality of my images (they were too dark for print with inadequate lighting). Me, not being from an editorial/photographic background, had absolutely no idea that this was the case. So thank you Amanda for your insight and for taking the time to reply. Constructive criticism is so helpful for a small business. Those extra pair of eye's see things that are blindingly obvious, but yet invisible to me.

My mum always instilled that it was not shameful to ask for help, which as a stubborn little girl was something I struggled to do and still do to some extent. I'm a perfectionist & hate doing things wrong. I always strive to better myself but it's not always possible to improve your technique when you only see the one way of doing things. Don't be afraid to ask. Ask and ye shall receive. And it's what you do with that knowledge that is key.

Mini Cooper Car Wraps

We're working on Father's Day card range and have been searching for Mini Cooper images for one on our designs. I nearly fell off my seat when I saw these wraps designed by Cool Hunter for Mini Cooper. a. because I love the mini & b. because I adore colour. I've not seen one of these styled cards driving about but it would definitely put a smile on my face. Brightening up Britain's roads. Cool or what...?and what about these... The Mini goes neon. One word - WOW!

Easter Cards have arrived

I know it's only just Mother's Day, but Easter is on the 4th April this year, and so only a few weeks away. This is the first year where we have branched out into Easter cards. We're not entirely sure if there is a huge demand for cards at Easter but it seemed like a natural progression for us. Would you send a special card at Easter...?

Plus, how could we resist using these cute fluffy chickens in the 'Tweet Tweet' Collection & teeny weeny hand made nest eggs in our 'Chicken Licken' design.... I mean come on.... how cute!

DIY Woodland Children's Bedroom

I’ve been planning to DIY on my little girl’s bedroom since Christmas but things have been taking far longer than I’d like (boo!) due to a very busy business (yey!) and a happy little girl who gets to see her Mummy every day (weee!) leaving little time for much else.

A little background: I wanted to create something that was virtually all DIY, something which would be visually stimulating for Lilly, encompassing Lilly's love of nature, birds, & the outdoors.

I’ve almost finished her brand new room & will share the images soon in a 3 part blog piece.
To say Lilly is impressed is an understatement. She LOVES her new room!

In the news

It's been a busy week. None stop in fact! But imagine our joy, whoops & hoorays when we found out that our Breakfast At Tiffany wedding invites had been featured in this month's issue of Your Wedding Day Magazine (Kent) in their beautifully styled 'Timelessly Vintage' piece. Thank you very much.

Cute Easter Chicken's

Things just got seriously cute for Easter. Today we had an arrival of these tiny little fluffy chicks for our 2010 Easter Collection. The designs we have planned are SERIOUSLY cute this year. We will post here as soon as the collection goes live (this weekend).

Pantone's Colour of the Year. Drumroll please...

... you heard it here first that turquoise was going to be MASSIVE for 2010. But it's official, turquoise has been named as the colour of the year by Pantone

. (Image above. The Mayfair Collection - shown here in turquoise)

Inspired by water & sky, turquoise is known for it's healing qualities and is a colour of compassion and leans towards ideas of escapism, relaxation & perfect for weddings in tropical shores. It appeals to both men & women making it the perfect hue for weddings this year.

(Image above The Orchid Kiss Collection. Shown here in orange & turquoise)

(Image via Cool Hunter)(Place Card Image above from the Purity Collection)

(Image via Dessy)

(above The Purity Wedding Stationery Collection. Order of service shown here in turquoise)

Try pairing turquoise with neutrals & browns. Liven up other blues & greens & for a striking look pair turquoise with yellow. If you didn't see our post a while back here it is.

(above The True Love Wedding Collection - shown here in turquoise - other colours available)(Image via Dessy)

Cool Packaging - Amy Amos Australia

This packaging by Amy Amos is most definitely a feast for the eyes. What a delightful project to be a part of - isn't she talented. Amy was contacted to design 5* upmarket packaging for a pitch for a McDonald's pop up restaurant during fashion week. Along with the fabulous photographer, Marija Ivkovic, I think the results are outstanding. I'm not a huge fan of McDonald's / fast food but with packaging like this you so would wouldn't you...?

Spring is just around the corner...

OK, well looking out of the window you could be mistaken that we are still in the depths of winter as the snow falls here in Manchester today.... However, Spring isn't far away & the mornings are getting lighter, the birds are starting to sing & we're soo feeling the spring colours in our new Mother's Day Card Collection in the Made With Love Greetings Card Boutique.

All cards in for this Mother's Day are available in many colours available to personalise with your own wording to tell our mummy dearests just how much we love them.

P.S Mother's Day is early this year: Sunday 14th March 2010

Valentines Weekend New Shoes

It's official: I am the proud owner of a pair of Vivienne Westwood Melissa Jelly Shoes! Simon bought me a pair as my Valentine's treat in the blue & red and they are the sweetest thing I have ever owned.

He is so thoughtful & always gets the most thoughtful gifts.

The fit is amazing (definitely go for the smallest size that you are). I'm a 4's / 5's and these shoes are a 4's and fit like a dream. Even better they smell like bubblegum... too cute!

Photo via Lee Jennings

Valentine's Weekend

Hope you love the images. I can take no credit for these beautiful images they were all via Design Crush (which is one of my daily reads - Kelly has great style)

Have a romantic weekend! xox

Lovely Packaging

It's Valentine's Day on Sunday & I have lot's of lovely heart themed images to blog about over the coming days. Check out this cute packaging by H&M. This is no longer in print but I so wish it was. How charming...

(Images from Twig & Thistle)

Lovely Lettering

Isn't this pretty?

Lovely lettering by Alison Carmichael of London.