Card and Gift Blog

Beyond Ordinary - Gifts from Vitamin ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Vitamin, based in the heart of London's East End, has built a worldwide audience for their unique brand of quirky, innovative homewares. With a mission to create designs that are "more than just a little out of the ordinary" Vitamin has a wide selection of furniture, lighting, ceramics and homewares. Today's post features some of my favourite pieces from amongst the homewares and ceramics. Being both stylish and practical, each would make an excellent gift for the design conscious and house proud.

BioLogic Tab 'A' and Tab 'B' planters (shown above and below) contain a secret compartment hidden at the base; use it to hide keys or loose change, alternatively use it as an ashtray to keep house or garden tidy ...

The BioLogic X-Tray is a set of five ceramic pots that can be positioned any way you want - X-shape, L shape or a simple straight line ...

BioLogic IV Plant Pots are fabulous, statement designs. Available in black and white, the lightweight fibreglass plant pots have their own refillable I.V. bags that allow you to adjust the watering rate for your plants. A striking design, and very helpful in keeping your plants in tip-top condition!

The Urban Creatures series has two sets of Gnomes - Urban and Street Style. These bone china creatures are a welcome alternative to the traditional garden gnome. Standing 21cm high, they come in a variety of designs; pick from cute, quirky, cool or iconic to suit your style. Take a wander over to the blog's Facebook page to see more examples from the range.

Featured Gifts: BioLogic Tab 'A', £34.50; BioLogic Tab 'B', £34.50; BioLogic X-Tray, £49.50; IV Plant Pots, £159.50 and Urban Creatures - Urban Gnomes and Street Style Gnomes, £49.50. If you like what you've seen today, why not take a look at the Vitamin website. Complete with online shop you could even treat yourself to an Urban Gnome!

Fun & Function: Minimalist Gifts from LESS & MORE ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

LESS & MORE based in Vienna, Austria is a young, dynamic design company making useful objects, fun and stylish. The creation of visual artists Leo and Hannah, LESS & MORE has a selection of minimalist home and office accessories that make unique gifts. Handmade from sustainable, solid wood each piece is stripped down to its basic features - highlighting the unique grains, colours and patterns. LESS & MORE use a variety of European wood species, chosen for their individual properties and surfaces; which enable the products to be both durable and aesthetically appealing. Eco-friendly, quirky and functional; these homeware gifts turn your accessories into mini sculptures.

Featured gifts: Desk Organiser, $59; Letter Holder Wood Mail Organiser, $64; Cosmetic Make Up Organiser, $130; Jewellery Organiser, $49; Double Time Clock, $66 and Wood Bud Vase, $78 (prices are shown in American Dollars). To view or purchase any of the LESS & MORE gifts seen on today's blog, please visit their online shop.

Lovely Illustrated Greeting Cards & Gifts from Lovely Pigeon ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Established in 2009, in a small fishing village on the East coast of Scotland, Lovely Pigeon is the alter-ego of Designer-Maker, Kirsty Thomas; An Illustrator, Print maker and Upcycler. Kirsty has developed a gorgeous collection of greeting cards and gifts, including: illustrated jewellery, stationery and prints. Each product is created with the highest quality of workmanship and uses Eco-friendly materials. Care and attention is put into every product - illustrations are lovingly doodled and prints are hand-pulled using traditional methods. If you've visited Card & Gift Blog before you will be aware that I'm a big fan of Illustrated products. Here, illustration allows the personality of the Lovely Pigeon designs to really shine; showing the sweet, whimsical touches throughout the collection.

Featured greeting cards and gifts: Mr Pigeon 'Feeling Blue' and 'In the Pink' cards, £1.50; Mr and Mrs Pigeon Card, £3.50; Mr and Mrs Pigeon Pin Badges, £3.00; Hello Pigeon Badge Card, £3.00; Cut-Play-Make Circus, £6.00; Circus Cards, £2.00; Doodle Notebooks, £3.00 and Thank You Cards (pack of six), £6.00. To see all of these designs and a lot more goodies from Lovely Pigeon please take a look at Kirsty's website.

The Great Gift Comeback! Keepsake Tins by Sardine ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Today's post is a look at the brand new designs of keepsake tins by Sardine, sister company of Peel Cards. I should point out right here, at the start, that I am a tiny bit biased when it comes to Peel Cards. Not only did I used to work at Peel, but as you may have spotted on the sidebar they are also a sponsor of Card & Gift Blog. This does however give me knowledge to share, and I know that Sardine's keepsake tins have always been hugely popular with retailers and consumers. Since the original designs were launched the keepsake tins have sold like proverbial hot cakes ... I still remember the waiting lists each time the designs sold out! With this in mind I'm very pleased to see this gift has made its long-awaited comeback with six gorgeous new designs. Each keepsake tin is 31 x 22 x 12.5cm, which makes them a great size to store treasured mementos, photographs; even bits and bobs. The tins have been beautifully illustrated by Sardine's chief Designer, Julia Chester and are themed for boys, girls, memories and weddings.

We've also got a sneak peek at two new greeting card ranges from Peel Cards: 'The Sweetest Thing' - packed full of cute characters, and 'Pin It On' - cool type, pretty patterns and finished with a badge.

Sardine's keepsake tins retail at £16.99, and are available from UK stockists nationwide. The Sweetest Thing cards will be priced at £1.99, and Pin it On badge cards at £2.99. To find out more about any of the greeting cards and gifts shown today please visit the Peel Cards and Sardine website.

Blog Recommendation: Cheeky Pickle Blog ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Today's blog recommendation is for the Cheeky Pickle blog, created by Ali Benyon. Cheeky Pickle is the home of a delightful collection of handmade, stitched paper designs; a beautiful array of greeting cards and gifts that I am hoping to show you on the blog in the coming weeks. Ali graduated with a degree in Mixed Media Textile Design and had an established background in the textile industry before setting up Cheeky Pickle. Before I feature the Cheeky Pickle collection however I want to point you towards Ali's blog.

I first discovered the Cheeky Pickle blog via last week's Sunday Blog Spot star - Jane at Snapdragon - who had written a guest post. I found the blog to be fascinating, informative and hugely accessible. Ali has a wonderful, warm tone in her writing and I love the enthusiasm that she puts into every post. The Cheeky Pickle blog gathers together advice and inspiration from across the handmade world; everything from branding and time management to developing a hobby into a business. A one-stop blog to seek advice and share expertise, I think the Cheeky Pickle blog is a fabulous resource and a must for designer-makers (established and up-and-coming). Click here to visit the blog and see what you think.

Super Cute Greeting Cards from My Giddy Aunt ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Illustrator and Designer Sophy Henn started her greeting card company, My Giddy Aunt, seven years ago and has built up a magical collection of Illustrated designs. Today's images are from my two favourite ranges: Googley Eyes and Zoo Stars. With a selection of eleven designs, Googley Eyes portrays cute animals, robots and monsters; using vibrant colours, retro-style prints, and not forgetting googley eyes! Zoo stars is a super cute set of eight greeting cards with bright colours and strong graphics that puts the animals centre stage. My Giddy Aunt cards are printed using FSC certified boards and vegetable inks, making them Eco-friendly as well as incredibly endearing.

My Giddy Aunt greeting cards retail at £2.50 each and are available to purchase from stockists nationwide here in the UK. To find out more, and see more greeting cards from the collection please visit the My Giddy Aunt website.

New Illustrated Greeting Cards from Peter Joseph Art ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Peter Joseph is an Illustrator and Designer that has been working in the creative industries for the last seven years; working primarily (but not exclusively) on designs for greeting cards. More recently Peter has signed up as a Freelance Illustrator with the Advocate Art agency, and has produced designs for retailers such as Clintons, Paperchase, UK Greetings and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Peter Joseph Art is going from strength to strength and the images on today's post are a new selection of illustrated greetings cards that have been picked up by a major UK retailer. I'm a big fan of Illustration and I love Peter's style, which incorporates appealing characters, bright colours and a huge sense of fun.

The greeting cards featured today will be hitting shops in the UK soon, and are expected to retail for about £1.00. Keep an eye out for them! You can see more designs from Peter Joseph Art on the Hey Jumbo website; purchase online for £2.79 (small), £2.99 (medium cards) or £3.49 (large cards). If you want to find out more, please visit the Peter Joseph Art Facebook page, and why not become a fan while you're there!

Handmade & Eco-Aware Gifts by Lettie Belle ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Lettie Belle is the creation of recycled textile Designer Laura Anne Marsden, a graduate of the Chelsea College of Art & Design. Following the birth of her daughter in 2009, Laura found herself creating most of the decor for the nursery. The designs were a huge hit with family and friends and Lettie Belle was born. With a collection of prints, bags, cushions and gift products, Lettie Belle's focus is on handmade, eco-aware products for kids, which can be appreciated by adults too. Today's post features a selection of hand-stitched cushions, perfect for decorating a nursery or children's bedroom. Made from organic cotton and Eco-Fi felt (made from recycled plastic bottles). I've also included two bonus images from the larger gift collection - felt play sets and brooches that make cute mini presents. Take a look ...

Featured gifts: Animal Fair (Panda) Cushion, £45; Large Dilly Cushion, £50; Fox Cushion, £25; Small Jack Cushion, £28; Owlets Neutral Cushion, £25; Whale - Blue Cushion, £25; Garden Play Felt Set, £15 and Individual Brooches, £4.50. All of the gift ideas shown today are available to purchase online from the Lettie Belle website.

Greeting Cards for Kids by Rosanna Rossi ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

To start the week we're taking a look at the adorable 'Bambini' greeting card collection from publisher Rosanna Rossi. Due to popular demand the range has recently been updated and extended. Greeting card designs now include ... new age cards for 1-5 years, as well as two general designs for boys and girls; featuring Patch the Dog and Rose the Flower Fairy respectively. On top of the cute characters and bright colours the greeting card designs now feature a special birthday message and illustration on the reverse of the card. With heaps of glitter and cute characters, Bambini is a great collection for kids.

The Bambini greeting cards retail at £2.50 each. Designs are made using FSC certified board, and inks that use vegetable oils, making them kinder on the environment. To find out more visit the Rosanna Rossi website.

Blog Recommendation: The Snapdragon's Garden blog ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:20:00 +0000

This week's blog recommendation is for the Snapdragon Garden blog. When I checked back at when Snapdragon Garden's collection of gifts was featured on Card & Gift blog, I was amazed to find it was way back in December 2010! So much time has passed that I think this return is long overdue. I've been keeping my eye on Snapdragon's Garden blog and Twitter feed for so long that it seems increasingly odd that I've not included them in my blog recommendations before. Snapdragon's Garden is a quirky, craft company making delightful homewares and accessories - that make adorable, unique gifts. The blog is similarly as delightful as the gift range. Posts are a nice mix of personal and work based, which gives you a great opportunity to see behind the scenes of the company, and at the same time get to know a little about Snapdragon's Garden chief - Jane. The blog has a wonderful, welcoming tone and it's a pleasure to read. I love to see the new products being stitched together, and as someone with no skills at a sewing machine, I find it remarkable what the ladies at Snapdragon's Garden create on a daily basis. Click here to take a wander over to the Snapdragon's Garden blog and check it out for yourself.

Doodles Greeting Cards by Roisin Cafferty ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Roisin Cafferty is a Designer and Illustrator creating fun, contemporary greeting cards. Designs incorporate strong graphics, in bright colours; celebrating everything from the British life to typography and rainbows. Today's post features greeting cards from my favourite range in Roisin's collection. Named 'Doodles' the designs have a classic Kraft background with modern, jet black doodles. The range currently comprises six greeting cards, each is decorated with witty, charming doodles themed for birthdays and occasions.

Roisin Cafferty greeting cards are available to purchase from stockists nationwide and online from Roisin's Your Indies shop. The six Doodles designs shown here retail at £2.40. Alternatively, you can personalise your own Doodles greeting card at online retailer Scribbler; in three sizes (small, standard and large) prices vary from £1.99 to £5.99. To find out more about Roisin Cafferty please visit her website.

New Gifts from Crowded Teeth ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Today's blog is a quick look at the new gifts and accessories from the fabulous Crowded Teeth. Those of you familiar will the blog will have seen Crowded Teeth featured before, and I'm very pleased to be able to give you an update on these new additions to the collection. Designer Michelle Romo's philosophy is to create fun, affordable gifts, and her signature style of whimsical characters and enchanting scenes makes the gift ranges hugely appealing. The new gifts I've chosen to show today include accessories from the 'Pretty Deer and 'Magical Times' collections, and some incredibly cute Panda-themed knitwear, perfect for the chilly February weather. Take a look ...

Featured Gifts: Mushroom Band Coin Bag, $20; Magical Times Tote, $65; Magical Times Wallet, $35; Panda Glove & Hat Set, $45; Panda Scarf, $35; Pretty Deer Coin Bag, $20; Pretty Dear Tote, $65 and Pretty Deer Wallet, $35. To see more from Crowded Teeth take a wander over to their magical website.

Welcome to Our New Sponsor: Liz and Pip ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Today is a little pause in the week's blog posts so I can say a quick hello and a huge thank you to Card & Blog's new sponsor ... Liz and Pip.

Liz and Pip is the talented combination of Liz, who studied Illustration at Camberwell School of Art, and Pip who specialised in textiles at the Royal College of Art. Working at the same publishing company brought the duo together, and until then they didn't realise that they had been living just a few doors away from one another! After five years designing greeting cards, stationery and wrap for someone else, Liz and Pip decided to take control and develop their own products. The result is Liz and Pip Ltd - a small, but innovative company, with a growing audience of discerning customers. Specialising in greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap, gift tags, prints, and gift sets. Liz and Pip products combine bright colours, beautiful illustration and high quality materials.

I really love the Liz and Pip collection, and I'm very proud to have them sponsor Card & Gift Blog. If you would like to find out more about Liz and Pip, please take a look at their fabulous website.

*Card & Gift Blog sponsors are lovely folks, designing and selling in the world of greeting cards and gifts. I appreciate their continual support and am very happy that they are part of the blog. If you would like to join them, and show your support for the blog please email me. Charlotte*

Fun Gifts For Your Home From KRASZNAI ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Today's gift ideas come from the amazing KRASZNAI. Founder Roger worked in the fields of sculpture, ceramics and technical architecture, before establishing his own studio and workshop in Badalona, near Barcelona. At the KRASZNAI studio everything is handmade, using artisan techniques to unleash the creative potential of ceramics. The ceramics shown today are captivating designs from Roger's trademark 'Arms & Crafts' collection. A chance finding of a toy arm on the beach was the starting point for the range, back at the studio inspiration struck that arms could be attached to the ceramics and a collection began. With a simple aim to make you smile, 'Arms & Crafts' is a unique gift idea that draws you into the world of ceramics.

In a digital world, Roger is enthusiastic about making objects that take time to evolve. The 'Arms & Crafts' collection makes this a hugely appealing idea; with everything you could want from bowls, plates and mugs to a selection of vases and even bowling pins. Today's featured gifts can be purchased from the KRASZNAI online shop at Supermarkethq. Prices for the designs shown range from $29 to $84 (prices in American Dollars).

To see the whole collection visit the online shop and to see more from KRASZNAI take a look at the official website.

New Greeting Cards from The Strawberry Card Company ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Amongst the recent Valentine's blog posts, I featured some new greeting card designs from The Strawberry Card Company. As this was only a fleeting glimpse I thought it would be nice to start the week by taking a proper look at the new additions to The Strawberry Card Company collection. Introduced to the trade at Top Drawer, the cards were very well received and will subsequently be hitting shop shelves across the country and online.

The first group of designs are a collage of delicate patterns with bright colours, polka dots and florals.

The second set of images use soft, muted tones, intricate 'illumination-style' patterns and strong typography.

The new collections offer a wide selection of designs for birthdays and occasions. With a recommended retail price of £1.90, The Strawberry Card Company produces high quality greeting cards from sustainable sources, using FSC certified suppliers.

To see more from The Strawberry Card Company take a look at their lovely website.

Sunday Blog Spot: The Carrotbox Modern Jewellery Blog ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

This week's blog recommendation is for the Carrotbox Modern Jewellery Blog, created by Alice Matsumoto. Based in Vancouver, Alice runs a ring shop with a mission to spread non-metal rings to as many fabulous people as possible. The rings are made from plastic, resin, glass, Lucite, jade, stone, wood and Bakelite; any material you can think of as long as it is not a traditional metal. The Carrotbox blog is an exploration of modern rings, and this results in a fascinating selection of posts. Alice goes to great efforts to find quality pieces and the blog groups together all of these wonderful finds. Overflowing with inspiring and beautiful images from jewellery designers all over the world, it's a great resource and is sure to give you lots of ideas about your next jewellery purchase. Click here to take a look at the Carrotbox Modern Jewellery Blog.

Eco-friendly & Stylish: Gift Ideas from Pansy Maiden ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Pansy Maiden bags are the perfect gift for fans of Eco-friendly fashion. Individually created by Pansy Maiden founder, Laura Collins, each bag design is constructed to be durable and functional as well as beautiful. With a choice of clutches, shoulder bags, backpacks and satchels; designs are inspired by clean lines, whimsical shapes and an urban aesthetic. The Pansy Maiden philosophy reflects Laura's own personal values. The bags are produced with socially responsible, cruelty-free methods, and no animal products are used in the collection. Laura has also put a lot of time and effort into finding fair trade suppliers, organically sourced fabrics and plant-based dyes; as well as donating left-over fabrics to ensure Pansy Maiden is as close to being a zero waste operation as possible. Impressive Eco-credentials and stylish design, Pansy Maiden has a bag for every occasion.

Featured Gifts: Fringed Pouch, $38; Coco Clutch, $110; Gabrielle Satchel, $195; Waxed Canvas Shoulder Bag, $180; Waxed Canvas Weekender, $240; Fringe Shoulder Bag, $200 and Waxed Canvas Backpack, $240.

All of the bags on today's post are available at the Pansy Maiden online shop why not go and have a look and let me know your favourite design!

Gifts for the Modern Home by Heather Lins Home ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Heather Lins Home in Madison, Wisconsin, creates stunning homeware gifts that combine modern design with artisan techniques. The cushion featured on today's blog post are truly special; statement pieces that would be a unique addition to any home - a gift for the house proud! Designs are based on vintage typography, scientific diagrams, eye charts and conversation bubbles. Despite using easily identifiable visuals, the unexpected combination with soft-furnishings provides an entertaining twist. Modern, witty and beautiful; these are cushions to spark a conversation.

Featured Gifts: Geology Pillow, Botany Pillow and Anatomy Pillow are $220; 100% wool felt background with Eco-friendly applique design. Eye Chart Pillow and 3-D Eye Chart Pillow are $95 each and Conversation Pieces Pillow #2, retails at $60; these cushions are screen-printed by hand with with water based inks on natural fibre products.

To find out more or purchase any of these cushion designs, please visit the Heather Lins Home website.

Playful Prints for Kids by ModernPOP ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Today's gift recommendation is a series of prints from Los Angeles based, ModernPOP. The beautifully illustrated prints are created with design savvy parents and kids in mind. Ideal for decorating a nursery or children's room; the collection began with a series of lettered and numbered prints developed by ModernPOP founder Ryan Beshara. The range has since expanded, and now includes themed prints starring a host of animals, robots and modes of transport. Inspired by German Bauhaus and mid-century modern design, the prints are bright, charming and full of character.

Featured Gifts: Custom Alphabet Nursery Wall Art Print, $60; Retro Car Print - American Racing Driver Club Wall Art, $35; ABC's Alphabet Wall Art, $36; Counting Birds 1-10 Nursery Wall Art Print, $36; Fat Old Funny Bird Wall Art, $55 and Robot - Walter No 37561 Wall Art, $25. All of the prints chosen today, and many more can be found online at the ModernPOP shop.

Alternatively, you can find out more about ModernPOP from their website. Tell me your favourite of today's print picks in the comments below ... mine is the Counting Birds!

A litte bit more love for Valentine's Day ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

No matter how prepared I think I am for a special occasion (such as Valentine's Day), I always find, after I have written a dedicated blog post, someone or something fabulous I have unintentionally missed. Today's post is the result of this very thing happening, again! So, let's think of this as a chance for a bonus addition of love; a last fling with Valentine's inspiration. These gorgeous greetings cards, missed in earlier posts (hugs and apologies), are from two of my favourite, UK-based greeting card publishers ... Blue Eyed Sun and Dilys Treacle Treasures.

Blue Eyed Sun has a wide selection of greeting cards for this year's Valentine's Day. The first images are from a rather stunning range called 'L'Amore', which uses a brushed silver metallic board (white on the inside). Cards are hot foiled twice and embossed to make them exceptionally beautiful for your Valentine. The last image (above) is from the 'Vintage Valentine' range, based on embroideries by Jo Corner. Each one is embossed and finished with jewels. Both ranges retail at £2.99 and are proving hugely popular, flying off the shelves in stockists across the UK - grab them while you can! For more information visit the Blue Eyed Sun website.

Dilys Treacle Treasures signature style is so warm, appealing and unique that I think I could spot it from a mile away. This year's collection of Valentine cards are all about big love and big hearts, each one is created from the original illustrations of Dilys Treacle Treasures' Designer, Janine. Cards are printed on a heavy weight, board with a matt finish and paired with a hand-stamped Kraft envelope. These three Valentine designs are available to purchase online from the Dilys Treacle Treasures website for £1.80 each.

Inspirational Gifts for Valentine's Day ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Today's Valentine choices have an artistic streak; design-led gifts that you can wear, carry and treasure ...

'Life is a Journey' is a print by Magnolia Moonlight, created of winding paths to recreate the wild ride, twists and turns of life. A limited edition design by Christina Flowers, it makes a great 'alternative' Valentine gift if your loved one doesn't appreciate hearts and teddy bears. Each print uses archival inks on premium archival paper. Prints are $38 from the Magnolia Moonlight Website.

Rogue Empire are eco-friendly, upcyclers; for their accessories collection 'The Napoleon' they recycle neckties into stylish, unique wallets. With patterned exterior, and smooth leather interior; designs are embossed with the Rogue Empire logo and presented in a wax seal gift box - instant gift! Available in a variety of different designs, wallets are $58 each. Take a look at the Rogue Empire online shop to see the whole collection.

From Farofa Nation are these brilliant t-shirts, first is 'Louder' a Farofa Nation original that is perfect for design and music fans. Second is 'Kidnation' designed by Miami-based freelance Illustrator and Designer, Paco. Each design uses a super soft, American Apparel t-shirt as the base for the clear, cool prints. Available from the Farofa Nation shop, t-shirts are $26. Find out more about Farofa Nation at their Facebook page and Google+ page.

An ideal Valentine gift, Studio Seed has a selection of beauitful papercuts that can be a long-lasting reminder of your loved one. Choose from the classic 'You and Me' papercut for £35; or the personalised initials papercut, priced at £40. I love the bold contrast of the red and white, combined with the simple, yet delicate papercut pattern. Take a look at the Studio Seed online shop to see more.

A treat for the glamorous Valentine is this 'Totally Fabulous Trivet' from Samantha Morris. Stylish and practical, the ceramic trivet is durable enough to be used as a coaster, teapot stand or cakestand. Alternatively hang it on a wall to add a touch of perfect pink sweetness to your room. Trivets are £40 and can be purchased from the Samantha Morris website.

Our final pick today is from the fabulous Coulson Macleod. For the married couples is 'Married Bliss' and for the non-marrieds, but hopelessly in love you can choose 'What is Love'. Simple and elegant, the Coulson Macleod Valentine collection offers artworks to treasure. Purchase from the Coulson Macleod website; prints are £25, or can be professionally framed for £89.

Sunday Blog Spot: The Whimsical Blog ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Today's Blog of the Week love goes to the Whimsical blog ...

It's been a bit of a chaotic week here at Card & Gift Blog HQ and as the week progressed I felt the need for a fresh perspective & something new to focus on. So, I took to Twitter for recommendations on blogs I could check out. Ever helpful I had some great suggestions (thank you tweeters) and my chaos was overtaken by a relaxed time wandering through the blogging world.

Amongst the recommendation was today's blog choice, from the author herself! I'm all for a bit of self-promotion, I think it's a given in the blogging world and I was instantly cheered by what I found. Kelly-Ann's Whimsical blog is a look at the world of cards and gifts, via the Whimsical shop based in Berkshire, England; and in the virtual world of the Whimsical Cards website (currently undergoing a New Year makeover as I write this). Alongside this is the inspiration and loves of Kelly-Ann that fuel the shop and its choice of products. I loved seeing the pick of Valentine's cards in the shop; with some beautiful designs, some cool designs and some familiar ones ... hello again to our Cardelicious friends! It was also good to see that Kelly-Ann has a habit for sharing her blog reads too. Overall however I just love the light and friendly tone of the blog, it feels warm and welcoming; I feel like I know the Whimsical world just from this sneak peek. Take a look at the Whimsical blog and let me know what you think.

Gifts for your Valentine ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

With time running out before Valentine's Day, I've been seeking out inspiration for potential gifts; the results start today, with a blog post gathering together a selection of endearing, fun and beautiful gifts from around the world ...

From Finny & Zook is the brilliant 'You Are My Sunshine' print - perfect for Valentine's Day. A bright, happy print with a perfect saying to make your loved one smile. Created with archival inks and papers, the design is available in yellow or orange. Available to purchase from the Finny & Zook online shop, this print is $18.

Ulterior Motive has a mission to make stylish and affordable accessories for men. Jade Checkerboard Cufflinks, £18.71 and Crayfish Inverted Wallet in red, £16.83, are typical of the collection; mixing bright colours, sleek materials and a Rock 'n' Roll aesthetic. The full collection can be seen and purchased on the Ulterior Motive website. Card & Gift Blog readers can also benefit from an exclusive 20% discount by using code CNGVALENTINE before the 29th February.

Emily Elizabeth Jewellery has created a beautiful collection of pieces that are perfect for Valentine's Day, with love and hearts at the forefront of the designs. Trio Necklace is a sassy & sweet set to mix and match, $60. The Unbreakable Bangle is a stylish design adorned with hearts, $100. For those with a rebellious streak why not go for the Punk Love Studs, comprising a classic heart and arrow, $48. Visit the Emily Elizabeth Jewellery website to see the full collection.

Winnipeg Designer Emmy combines her love of woodworking, with fellow obsessions of Sci-Fi and Horror to create these amazing puzzles. Whether you use them as a puzzle, or a cool way to decorate your home, each one is a unique gift idea. Designs are available in Zombie, $150, and Ray Gun, $160. Each puzzle is made from individually cut 3/4" Aspen, finished with Eco-friendly stain and sealant. Find out more at the Emmy online shop.

Let your Valentine carry love with them every day with a fabulous, Eco-friendly 'Love Bird' tote bag from Los Angeles based, Modernest. Available in pink-purple or red-lavender colour combinations, each bag is cut, sewn and screen printed by hand. Retailing at $15, a percentage of the profit is donated to charities helping protect our oceans. Find out more and grab your Valentine a tote from the Modernest website.

Come back on Monday for a little more Valentine's inspiration.

More Great Greeting Cards for Valentine's Day ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Today we're having one more peek at the world of Valentine's designs. Sit back, relax and take a look at the greeting cards you could send to the one you love ...

These Five Dollar Shake cards are charming, modern designs inspired by two great British institutions ... Tea and Big Ben! Retailing at £4.25, the greeting cards offer a cool colour palette, on a heavy weight white card, and embellished with bright red crystals. Five Dollar Shake has created an inspiring collection of greeting cards for this year's Valentine's Day, with personalisation available on some designs. To see the whole collection visit the Five Dollar Shake website.

If you're Valentine is just adorable, they deserve an equally adorable greeting card from the fabulous Love Bessie. Embracing sweet characters, florals, hearts and cute phrases, these are super sweet designs for the super sweet Valentine. Cards sell online for £2.50 and can be purchased by contacting the Love Bessie Facebook page.

In sweet, candy colours Love Faith and Hope has created a classic design for Valentine's Day. Simple and stylish the message says it all. The card is available to purchase exclusively online for £2.95 (including free postage and packaging) from the Love Faith and Hope NOTHS shop.

Stable Cottage Design has created this wonderful collage heart greeting card for this year's Valentine's Day. Combining hearts and flowers, the rich colours and vintage look to the patterns gives the card a classic feel, while the simplicity adds an elegant, modern touch. This design retails at £2.50, more information can be seen on the Stable Cottage Design website.

From the new ranges of The Strawberry Card Company, these are two very different ways to show your loved one you care. Choose from bright colours and bold patterns of 'Love' or the sophisticated, sepia tones of 'With Love From Me to You'. The greeting cards retail at £1.90 each, find out more from The Strawberry Card Company website.

Dutch Designers' Letterpost NL offer a Valentine's with bright colours and bold graphics. 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' recreates an airmail delivery with a special 'I am Yours' inner. 'Handle with Care' is a bright Valentine's red card with hypnotic heart pattern. Each greeting card can be customised with additional text and photos. All designs are available in three sizes: regular, large and extra large, with prices starting at $2.99. Visit the Letterpost NL website to see the full collection.

Closing today, are the beautiful hand-finished designs of Valerie Valerie. The high quality, textured board is decorated with delicate prints and hand-finished with gems and signature handmade hearts. The Hopscotch Valentino and Valfresco designs shown today are £3.75 and £2.99 respectively. Visit the Valerie Valerie website to view the whole collection.

I hope you enjoyed browsing this selection of Valentine's cards. Please let me know what you thought in the comments below or come and say hello on Twitter.

Great Greeting Cards for Valentine's Day ...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlotte) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

With roughly two weeks to go before Valentine's Day hits, it's time for us to take a look at a gorgeous crop of greeting cards perfect for the occasion ...

Those of you familiar to the blog may remember that I have featured the fantastic 'Construction' greeting cards of Architette Studios in the past. A new addition to the collection is the 'Preject: Valentine's Cupcake' design - giving a cupcake of love a technical twist, this design is available to purchase from the Architette Studios shop for $5.50.

These next two greeting cards are from the studio of Mr Yen. A fantastic paper cut specialist, creating spectacular greeting cards and gifts. From the collection I have chosen the hand cut 'I Love You' card, £30; and the 'Floral Concertina' card, £15. These little works of art are prefect for a serious love affair, and can be treasured long beyond Valentine's Day. Click here to see more.

Studio Seed has created two fantastic Valentine's cards for 2012. A floral design embellished with ribbon and crystals, and a modern type design finished with a single heart shaped crystal. High quality with stylish contemporary design, these cards can be personalised for the one you love. Cards are £4.95 and can be purchased from the Studio Seed shop.

New from Think Bubble, this super cute greeting card and matching badge is a fun choice for Valentine's Day. A modern design with a heartfelt message and a wearable token for your loved one. This design can be purchased online for £2.95 from the Think Bubble shop.

Valentine's cards from Broadbase are a lot more exciting that just a traditional greeting card. To celebrate the occasion, you not only get a card but a chance to brand your loved one with a co-ordinated tattoo (breathe easy it's a fake one)! Make your Valentine's last more than a day with a fake tattoo card from the Broadbase shop, just £2.50 each.

Last but not least for today's look at Valentine's cards, is the charming collection from Cardelicious. With a choice of twelve designs, you're sure to find the perfect Valentine's message for the special person in your life. My favourites are 'Eight Letters, Three Words' and 'Oh La La'. Clean design, and cute phrases these cards can say it all for you. Available from the Cardelicious website, designs are £2.00 each.

They'll be more Valentine's inspiration here on Card & Gift Blog later in the week so don't forget to come back and visit!