Cartolina Collection XII

We have new cards at Cartolina. So exciting!

This time we've gone with a vintage circus theme. Imagine, it's the 1930s, and the big top just rolled into town. The performers have gone to get their portraits taken, starting with the strong man who's so proud of his tattoos! We have a strong man, a trick roper, a juggler, a ringmaster and a trapeze artist. We also have some crazy characters leaping over elephants - 'Happy Birthday from Your Crazy Friends' (I think we all have some of those!) We managed to source some beautiful, vintage circus imagery and combined it with our own illustrations and we're really proud of the results. Hope you like them. If you'd like a line sheet just give us a shout!

Last but not least, we have a sweet new congratulations card - we were really needing a congrats card - I think this will fit lots of ocassions - don't you? For more info on Cartolina cards visit our website at www.cartolina.com

ImagineNations

Oh my gosh it's busy at the studio these days. I'm sorry that I've missed a few posts here over the last few weeks. I love blogging and I have so much great stuff bookmarked to show you. We have been working very late hours and some days it's just too late to blog. Forgive me - things will slow down next month - trust me - I know!

When I saw these globes I responded with an OMG! I absolutely love what they do at ImagineNations. Take a look and pick your favourite - there are lots to chose from!

Inspiration - trim time

Loving this linen trim - you could do something super pretty with this don't you think? From Dishy Vintage.

Wall paper - on it's side

Nice wall paper from Anthropologie. I turned this on it's side so that the images didn't downsample too much - it still looks great though - doesn't it?

Untitled Art

These caught my eye at the weekend. Very beautifully made. Each tile has embedded magnets and they can be arranged and rearranged as you wish. Recycled wood of all shapes and sizes - lots of vintage, repurposed salvage. Really well done. From Untitled Art.

Window shopping - Task.

Mmmm, I like! I remember seeing lots of these in the markets in Istanbul - though I think they were hammered silver. This one is fabulous and you can buy it at Task.

My stash from Fancy Linda

I've been buying lots of ephemera lately - look at this fab stash that I bought from Fancy Linda. There's a bit of everything here - I especially love the pharmacy labels and the vintage wallpaper. It's all great - I could spend hours playing with it ;-)

A word of advice - from Ms. Hische.

Are you a designer, an illustrator or a letterer? I would like you to read THIS blog post by Jessica Hische. Pay attention to the paragraph called The Pricing Domino Effect. This is one of the best articles I've read on art and pricing EVER and I am moved enough by it that I want you all to read it. I am now going to send it out to all my illustrator/designer friends. See you later. Go read it - that's an order!

Treats

Go on, have your last ice cream sandwich of the summer - you know you want it ;-)

Picture from here.

This caught my eye the other day on Pinterest. I love the vintage colours and texture - truly lovely. From here - that's all I know - sorry!

Pretty paper

There are some lovely new colour combinations at Frazier and Wing. Everything is so pretty over there it's hard for me to pick just a few images. So beautiful and ethereal - I totally think these can be grown up mobiles - don't you?

Instagram and the Cartolina iPhone app.

Have you updated your Cartolina iPhone app this week? The latest feature allows you to post Cartograms directly to Instagram - super cool. A few weeks ago I started noticing that lots of people on Instagram post images with messages in them so I thought "Why not post Cartograms?" I think this is a fun new feature and I hope you enjoy it. New Cartogram designs in the next update - stand by!

Cartolina and Lilla Rogers Studio!

I have an announcement!

I am very excited to announce that, as of today, the licensing department at Cartolina is officially represented by the one and only Lilla Rogers. I could not be more delighted with this new partnership and am looking forward to working with Lilla and her team.

The Lilla Rogers Studio represents about 30 artists internationally. They license and sell work for surface design. They have done amazing projects with clients such as IKEA, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and loads of other fabulous retailers and manufacturers. Lilla herself is a highly successful illustrator and artists rep since the mid 90s and her studio is one of the most respected illustration agencies world wide.

So for all you lovely readers who write to me and suggest we do housewares, linens and pillow covers - watch out - you might just get what you wished for ;-)

Please check out Lilla's super fun website where you can see some fab illustration from lots of other illustrators including talented Canadians Helen Dardik and Carolyn Gavin. They also have a fun blog with lots of great information for illustrators and art buyers alike! Do I sound excited? Well I am!

Random loveliness.

I couldn't resist posting these fun lamp shades from Graham and Green. Fab-u-lous!

Reproduction inspiration

This is a pretty nice wood sign, considering it's new. A reproduction hand painted sign to hang on your wall with pride from Pottery Barn - very nice. I'd hang this in my house for sure.

I thought you might get a kick out of this. It's Fun To make a Hat. Yes it is! Especially if you follow the guidelines in this cute little book. (love that it is "profusely illustrated by the author")

Gift Wrap from Poppytalk

Jan posted some great gift wrapping ideas at Babble last week. I especially love this first one - double sided tape and confetti - what a great idea! Great post Jan!