Steph Says Hello

Well, we're now into the month of July and this usually means only one thing (apart from my birthday!) - holiday time. Whether it's festival fever or sun worshippers bragging about their planned get aways, everyone seems to have something booked. As of my summer so far, I have nothing in the pipe line :( but to try and prove I'm not in the slightest bit bitter (I am), I'd send out this card from Steph Says Hello -

Look how bright and fun this card is! They would never detect my underlying hint of sarcasm..

Doodlelove

'Tache or no 'tache, this greeting card design from Doodlelove has been a long standing favourite amongst the shopping baskets here at Nook & Cranny. The Christmas version was extremely popular as well. Perhaps we should design a beard lovers card and let the battle of the hair begin?!

ohNOrachio!

 

Remember these beautiful hand illustrated plates from ohNOrachio? The range has just been extended - to pet food bowls! Inspired by Rachels own pet hamster, Twix, ohNOrachio is now taking commissions for customised food bowls. Now, if my flat mate will let me get a pet...

Thursday Press

With so many customers smiling when they see this print pointing in our direction behind the desk at Nook & Cranny, we think they know we're being sarcastic. Our genius moments come few and far between - but not the guys behind Thursday Press! All work is hand printed using their antique 1843, cast iron Albion press, creating retro prints using vintage woodblock type. This print uses the traditional pointing finger with a striking Gill woodblock font.

Lee Tisdall

Lee Tisdall is a fantastic screen printing artist based here at the Bluecoat. Lee uses layering techniques with collage to create beautifully textured details within a simplistic stripped version of his topic. It has always been said that if an artist can use just a few marks to create a recognisable figure, they have a true talent. Lee's Superman print and new 'The Dude' from the film The Big Lebowski prints highlight why collage art has been a trend bubbling under the radar for quite some time now.

 

Each print boasts bold colours, graphic lines and fine textures. Minimalistic clean lines and colour is broken up with collage and precise layers, building interesting details in juxtaposition to the sharp lines.

Following Lee's blog however, we've found a new print that I desperately want! 

Lee created this Marc Bolan, T-Rex, 2 colour screen print specially for his wife. Here at Nook & Cranny we've now become renowned for listening to Radio Absolute 60's, playing all the great hits from the 50's to the 70's - including many a T-Rex song! Lee has kept his signature collage style in this print and used a perfectly complimenting unusual colour to offset the details. We understand this is probably a special one- off, so, perhaps a Jimi Hendrix version or Bob Dylan next maybe Lee?!

DIY: Book dustcovers

 Do you ever browse the 'vintage' looking book section in charity shops hoping for a good find - just from a design perspective? Wish your collection of books looked a little more glamorous on display, or longed for your books to look uniformed and as stylish as your decor? Do you have Katy Price/Jordans biography and need to hide it in your collection? Alex Cobbe on designsponge.com has brought a brilliant DIY to our attention! So simple when you think about it and can be so easily adapted, but we love this vintage version to fake your own hard-backed books.

You will need:

- coloured paper of your choice (pick it to suit your own tastes and display. Here, Alex has used deep coloured paper to accentuate the vintage feel)
- ruler
- scissors
- pencil and rubber
- gold/metallic pens
- spray mount (paper can usually easily be peeled away when you want it to be removed, if not use a damp cloth. Alternatively, if you don't want these dust-covers to be permenant then just avoid this step)

Method:

1. Lay your chosen book flat - really flat, including the spine to ensure a good measurement, onto your paper. Lay the book as close to an edge of the paper, leaving at least two inches on either side of the book to leave enough paper to fold.

2. Draw around the book, then, using the ruler, add the two inches onto each side on the paper. Then cut out.

3. Fold the paper around the book cover. It helps to really pinch the paper and use your nails if you can to create a crisp fold. You'll now be left with a little 'skeleton' of the book.

4. Time to get creative with your gold pen! Use inspiration from any of your other old books or use the vast library of pictures from Google images. Here Alex has even cut a small paper label to add charm and detail.

5. Of course, use your pencil first to mark out where details and text may go, then write over the top with your chosen metallic pen.

6. If you wish for the dust-cover to be more solid, lightly spray the paper and book with the spray mount, position and fold in place. If not, just fold it on.


This would make a great DIY for a book you're giving as a gift - imagine a custom made dust-cover with your own doodles, a pink covered classic for a valentines gift? Newspaper print or old comic books would also make for fun covers that would look brilliant in a large uniformed series. Plus, maybe that way you can hide your scruffy version of '50 Shades Of Grey' when your Mother comes to visit...

Kate Hindley

Officially classed as a children's illustrator, our range of cards in store from Kate Hindley have proved most popular with any age! Warm colours and whimsical friendly characters grab your attention and melt a smile onto your face. The autumnal tones and distinctive illustrations have also grabbed the attention of fellow illustrator based customers - often stocking up on a few designs in one go!

Jen has been a fan of Kate's work for a while now and when one of our newer designers, Karoline Rerrie supplied us with some 'girls who can draw' postcard packs she couldnt resist getting some more of her charming work into the shop.

The Magic zine and postcard book, including a great range of greeting cards from Kate Hindley is instore now.