Wild Strawberry Cafe

What a lovely bespoke commission this was, and for such a unique venue!  Katy, who is the lady behind this fabulous cafe, got in touch for my to design a logo and postcard to advertise her cafe, in a yurt!

I drew inspiration from visiting the farm and shop that the cafe is part of, pick your own fruit, crates and flowers everywhere.  2015 will see workshops, events and much more come to this picturesque cafe and the farm it's on. 

We decided to stick to the recycled feel that Katy already had in practise with her menus, and had the postcards printed on lovely kraft paper.  It really compliments the design, and we're super happy how they turned out.

Find them on the Peterley Manor Farm website:

www.peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

If you'd like a bespoke illustration and design service for your own cafe, shop, bar, please get in touch!

Sticking Together

 Bespoke tea towel design and personalised options.

A lot of couples are now asking for money rather than gifts at their weddings.  Living together before you're married is common practise these days and therefore couples already have everything they need!  But you don't always want to just hand them a cheque do you?  I've been having a few requests recently for tea towels for new couples, and it's also popular for the 2 year 'cotton' anniversary.

This design offers the buyer a personalised design, with the name of the new couple and the date they get married.  If you'd like this design for an unmarried couple, or perhaps the Bride didn't take the Grooms last name?  Then I can put first names instead of 'Mr & Mrs'.

Here is a selection of my tea towels on the front of my market table.

Inspired by the plant seen growing on the sides of footpaths and roads - Stickyweed!  It was always fun at school to stick it to each others backs without the other realising, and I've been reminded of those care free days on my walks into work, seeing all the stickyweed growing taller and taller.

I've printed this tea towel design in a lovely sage green, but other colours are always possible, specially if you'd like something more neutral, a light greet is nice too.

Unfortunately I'm currently not able to take any tea towel requests, but I am in search of a new print studio so do get in touch if you are interested via email at  charlotte_vallance@hotmail.com or comment below.

Autumnal Themed Wedding Invitations

Theme : Autumnal
Colours : Oranges, reds, browns
Pieces needed : Save the dates, invitation, evening invitation, wedding list card, thank you cards

A lovely bespoke set of invitations to work on!  A great way to emphasise the time of year they are getting married, the future Mr & Mrs were after rustic and autumnal feel, with rich colours to reflect this.  The Bride-to-be gave me a few photos of maple leaves to work from and use as inspiration, which I took and worked away on sketches and colours.

Between us we chatted and ironed out technicalities like quantity and budget, and were happily on the same page when it came to the illustrations.  I really threw a spanner in the works when I had a brain wave (as it were) and came up with some last minute new designs.  Luckily the Bride-to-be loved them, so much so that she added 'thank you cards' onto her order so she could use both designs and not have to choose!

Stationary and place names

Feedback like that is priceless, and it's helped me to be bolder with my choices and to really think outside the box with my illustrations.

As with my 'Summer Garden Party Wedding' invitations, I kept consistent with text, typography, images and colour.  And again, it's really paid off!  Everything works well together as a set, or can stand alone by itself.  The theme of the leaves will be continuing on the day itself too.  I've been asked to illustrate 12 British leaves which will be used on table plans, place settings, and note cards for guests to write on, lovely.

Added extra : Stickers - to seal up all those envelopes!

It was so lovely, on the day of the wedding to see my illustrations on everything, pulling it all together and keeping the theme strong throughout all elements of the wedding.  I had lots of lovely compliments, and even got a mention in the speeches!  But I'm just so happy I was able to help them create their special day how they had pictured it.

Photos by Saz Chapman Photography

If you like my style and are looking for some bespoke wedding invitations, or perhaps it's just a special party, get in touch with your ideas.  I'd love to create you something special!

The Elephant Fabric Company

I had a delightful request from Emily to design a logo for her new business 'The Elephant Fabric Company' last summer.  She was after a 'stamped effect' logo for use on her website and online shop.  Taking the name on board, it was obvious where to go for my imagery ideas, and the silhouette style links back to being similar to a stamp, and will be easy to transfer to other mediums as it's needed.


Here is is on the website, which you can find at:

www.theelephantfabriccompany.com

Emily has a blog going as well with ideas on what you can make with the material she sells - great ideas for some unique presents or treats for yourself!

La Maison Blanche - Limoux

It's been a long time coming to share this finished postcard!  You can see some of my work in progress in this post here.  There were lots of elements to take into account and include on the front, as well as keeping the reverse informative.  I was happy with how the design came out, but only working from photos this time, I want to visit and illustrate one while I'm there!

Here they are in a local shop in Limoux, advertising the lovely 'La Maison Blanche' to locals and tourists alike.  Maybe 2015 will be the year for a weekend in the South of France!


Would you like a bespoke postcard illustrated for your business?  Then please get in touch and share your ideas!  Prices are bespoke to the request but start at around £100.