Gift Guide: Inspired by Nature

What do you buy the person who has everything? Well, I can think of a thing or two...

Welcome to my weekly gift-guide; I’m thrilled to be sharing a selection of creative, quirky and downright awesome gifts with you here on Rachael’s blog. This week’s guide is inspired by nature.

I don’t want to jinx it, but I *think* spring may have arrived. We’ve had at least 4 days of sunshine and my office view is infinitely improved by the blossoming flowers and budding trees. So, let’s make the most of the sun while we can and enjoy some nature-inspired gifts courtesy of the fabulous Rifle Paper Co. The Rifle Paper Co. produces beautiful stationery and gifts with quirky and colourful illustrations by co-founder Anna Bond. What started as a small family-run business soon became a global brand and now you can find Anna’s beautiful illustrations in Paperchase, Selfridges, Anthropologie and a great selection of independents. Check Rifle’s stockist list for more information.

Now for some gorgeous pictures to brighten an already sunny day... 

All of the above products and many, many more can be found on the Rifle Paper Co. website.

What's your favourite item? Leonie x 

Rankidoodle

Rankidoodle set up by the lovely Kirsty Rankin, designs greetings cards, wedding stationery, mugs, candles & even art prints! One talented lady! She is "a bit obsessed with weddings"& loves to create wedding stationery sets & has even made cake toppers. She also currently has two card ranges available; 'Scarborough Fair' & 'Candy Grey' which are gorgeous. You can find these & a selection of other quirky items on her Etsy shop. Take a look at her wonderful images below! You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook & on her blog.

Very special stationery!

I had the most lovey task recently to design my own stationery for a very special big day! The design itself was very simple to create & quite a relaxed, fun process but I just couldn't decide how to format it for print, so many decisions to make...insert, no insert, glossy, pearl or textured card, ribbon or twine? The list really does go on... all of the little things seemed to take longer than creating the artwork itself.

In the end I opted for a professional print service & used the fabulous Century Studios  (who also run CS Greetings). I'm known for my zingy brights so colour matching was really important, I was so impressed by their service & the final print results!

I created my design like a greeting card decorating all 4 pages & then I printed my own personalised insert for each guest. I wanted the invites to put a smile on people's faces therefore I chosen one of my signature colour palettes & contemporary relaxed styling. The invite comes with it's own coordinating decorative luggage tag & I also enclosed a beautiful illustration from my niece (I actually sent a 7 year old a design brief!). The whole wedding package is wrapped (like a little gift) in orange tissue & decorative coral twine. I also used coordinating manilla envelopes to contain any extras such as the accommodation information.

I've had a busy week creating inserts & wrapping but I'm pleased that I have now shipped out lots of pretty mail. I hope you like them.

(These are just quick snapshots & Instagram pics. I plan to get them professionally photographed).

Large luggage style swing tags (above & below)

Swing tag details (below)

Front of invite (below) textures, bright colour pops & surface pattern details

Page 2 of invite (below) soft blue accents

Back of invite which reads 'to love & be loved' (below)

My niece's illustration (below) 

Decorative twine  (below)

Copyright © Rachael Taylor 2013. All rights reserved.

Doodlelove

'Typography Friday' has come a little early this week to make room for our last post of 2012 tomorrow, but we are still sharing some fantastic typographical inspiration!

Doodlelove is a 'quirky' and 'eye-catching' personalised prints & stationery brand founded in 2012 by graphic designer Lela Cribbin, "a hopeless romantic with a fun sense of humour". Doodlelove combines 'paper with personality' & are stocked by a number of independent retailers across the UK. We love their bold & colourful style & their inspirational prints. You can buy their prints & stationery on NotontheHighStreet.

Have a lovely day! Kelly :)

We love...owls!

Happy Monday!

We love owls and they are so on trend at the moment, the cute birds are everywhere! From fashion to furnishings, the owl trend can be seen across a range of products and we just love seeing them. Rachael has even drawn her very own 'Crazy Cuckoo' on a card for a brand new greetings range! (See below). So have a 'hoot' and enjoy looking at the lovely designed products below!

Have a nice day! Kelly :)

Asos 'Suede Owl Across Body Bag'

BHS 'Bright Owl Cushion'

Miss Selfridge 'Moody Owl Vest'

ModCloth 'Swoop or Salad Bowl Set'

DENY Designs (Cori Dantini) 'Miss Goldie Shower Curtain'

Rachael Taylor Designs 'Crazy Cuckoo' Card

Graham and Green's 'Owl Knobs'

Paperchase 'Hoot Sweet Roll Wrap'

Memo Illustration

Morning bloggers and happy Monday!

Some fantastic illustration for you today by 'Memo Illustration', ran by Helen Entwistle who is a freelance illustrator and screen printer based in Leeds. Her work includes self-published zines such as her collaborative zine 'Ten Fingers'; stationery; limited edition prints; tote bags and accessories. Helen is interested in doodling, collecting - specifically old stationery and typewriters, as well as drinking coffee and screen printing! You can read her blog here or visit her online shop or website!