Sweet Sleep

A client of ours, Emilie Salama-Caro, came by the studio this week to pick up the birth announcement cards we've just printed for her. Emilie went for a gorgeous white stitched grosgrain ribbon in navy, definitely the new baby blue. Emilie is a certified baby and child sleep consultant, as well as a mother of three boys, so we thought we had to blog about her. She has a gentle approach to helping children improve their sleeping habits so check out her website to see more information on the services she provides for parents and children.

'Having a new baby is giving me the opportunity to try out different sleep techniques first hand and I am delighted to say he is already a fantastic sleeper at just 6 weeks old!' Emilie S-C

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving so we thought we'd share a design of some fun Thanksgiving cards we did for a client to send to her family and friends in America. As well as it being Thanksgiving, today is also the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. You won't be able to celebrate the two holidays on the same day again until the year 2070 and then 2165, so celebrate Thanksgivukkah while you can!

Visit us at Xmas fairs

It's coming up to one of our favourite and most busy holidays of the year... Christmas! This year we'll be exhibiting at a variety of fairs. We'll be stocked with stationery goodies so pop by and pay us a visit if you're about, we'd love to see you!

Boutique de Noel - Kensington Town Hall, W8 7NX

Friday 15th November (6pm-10pm)

Saturday 16th November (10am-5pm)

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Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair - Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE

Saturday 7th December (11am-7pm)

Sunday 8th December (11am-6pm)

Happy Halloween from NY

While on a brief visit across the pond in New York, I stumbled upon the shop Greenwich Letterpress that specialises in Letterpress printing and stationery. The selection was vast and the display in the store itself was impressive to say the least. Halloween is an occasion more celebrated in the States, just look at the Halloween greetings cards in the snap below.

Happy Halloween!

Concrete jungle where babies are made, oh

We've had a little bundle of joy arrive as my sister gave birth to a gorgeous boy last night in NYC. I spent the afternoon strolling the streets of New York and came across one of my favourite American stationers, Mrs John L. Strong. The tiny shop is filled with stunning, luxurious stationery and I loved seeing their thanksgiving range. If you're ever visiting and in need of some stylish stationery, pop by the store on Madison Avenue.

                                

American Psycho moment

On Friday two clients came by the studio to order some business cards and whilst deliberating with the dashing gentlemen what shade of cream the paper should be, we couldn't help but remember that great and memorable scene from the film American Psycho. Don't underestimate the power of your business card!

Map it!

An increasingly popular service we supply are illustrated maps that work as a fun alternative to a regular map. A great option for weddings that can work either as a save the date or as part of the information sheet. Not only can you have directions, but also your story mapped out where you and your partner met, where he proposed or where you first kissed! 

Illustrated maps don't have to be for just weddings, they also make for a fun means of directions to your house, holiday home or even the office. We definitely had to have our own set of directions illustrated for our studio.

Top left - Save the Date couple's story map, Top right - Rome map from church to reception

Bottom left - GG Print map, Bottom right - house directions

Conjugal coat of arms for Kate and Will

Here at GG Print we love printing coat of arms and working out the best way to produce the intricacy of them. We're excited to see the new royal coat of arms that Kensington Palace recently unveiled that will represent the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, combining the coats of arms of the Houses of Middleton and Windsor. See the intricate design below and a helpful guide. 

Kensington Palace released this photo of the new conjugal coat of arms

designed by the College of Arms in London

The Daily Mail's helpful guide to the design

Healthy Snacking

Congratulations to Jenna Barclay for the launch of her cookbook: 'Super Healthy Snacks and Treats'. I popped by her launch party yesterday and grabbed myself a few copies. Filled with delicious and easy recipes free from gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs. My favourite section is the Dips & Dippers, filled with yummy dips like edamame and miso, light babaganoush and black bean. Be sure to get yourself a copy.

Catch up with photographer Emma Myrtle

I had a meeting today with the fantastic photographer Emma Myrtle. She has photographed a lot of our clients' weddings, in London and abroad, and always receives a glowing report. She works in a discreet and unobtrusive manner, with a genuine passion for what she does, truly capturing the moment, whether through formal or informal shots. Although catering for all types of events, she's most definitely the one you want for your special day or baby portrait. A few of our favourite children shots are below.

Pam Weinstock launches debut collection

We've recently completed a range of print work for designer and photographer, Pam Weinstock, as she launches her debut furniture collection ‘All Paths Lead Home’. This September she will showcase her collection of three upholstered chairs at London’s leading decorative design show, Decorex. ‘Hibernate’, ‘Joie de Vivre’ and ‘Reawaken' merge the 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional world applying photography to furniture. Her pieces are stunning and personal as the photographs she uses are from significant moments in her life, making them truly unique.

You can see her collection at Decorex, Stand K6, The Orangery, Kensington Palace, September 22nd-25th.

Greetings from Top Drawer...

Yesterday we popped by Top Drawer in Olympia where over 700 leading suppliers of design items were being showcased. Can you guess what we went there for? That's right, stationery! We saw a wide range of greetings cards that were all so inspirational in design and one of our favourites that we came across were suppliers James Ellis. We absolutely adored their 'shakies' range which contains glitter and confetti in the front of the card involving some shaking, and we also loved their retro press range. We're now supplying some of their cards so you can get yours from us the next time you're in.

Shakies

Retro Press

Invitation trays: the perfect memento

If you're looking for an elegant and additional memento of your wedding day, we have an increasingly popular product that may be for you. You can have your wedding invitation printed onto a tray serving as a special reminder of the Big Day whilst also serving breakfast in bed to a loved one (optional).

You can order and purchase yours from GG Print for £95.00. Simply send us your invitation and we'll do the rest...

The South of France - the dream location for your wedding

I've recently been asked by a few of my clients if I knew of any special venues in the South of France.  I have 2 delightful ones to recommend; the first in the Cannes area, the second in Provence. 

Chateau Dieter is a magnificent Renaissance property situated in the heart of the French Riviera, with a real Tuscan feel.  The castle is located in the most picturesque setting, amongst an olive grove and gardens.  I went to this venue last summer for a friend's wedding. The ceremony took place in the gardens, the bride walking down a beautiful colonnade, followed by a stunning reception on the terrace.  We dined under the stars and moved into the Chateau to party until the early hours.  A truly magical evening.  

Chateau Grimaldi is located in Provence on a hill overlooking the village of Puyricard (10 minutes by car to Aix-en-Provence and 30 minutes to Marseille airport).  The Chateau has a fantastic set up: 5 hectares of delightful gardens, fountains, sculptures, a tennis court and swimming pool.  Ruins of the 17th century castle surround the pool, making a spectacular setting for my friend's wedding this summer.  The ceremony took place overlooking the hills, followed by a reception by the pool with local culinary delights.  We dined on the candlelit terrace of the house and danced the night away in the stunning old chapel.  A truly memorable evening. 

Who says old school photography is out of date?

 

A client of ours recently used these magnetic Polaroid photo frames as their table name cards. It is a great idea for any party whether it be a wedding, significant birthday or Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and a fantastic memento for your fridge. You can purchase online at Urban Outfitters. 

Why not also put disposable cameras scattered around the tables? More than often people tend to take more effort to compose a perfect picture when they know they can’t view it and you will be the ones to get them developed! 

Another idea, if one has room within their budget, is to have a photo booth at the party, producing either black and white or coloured images, which guests can then stick in a wedding book with a special message to you both. Fun props and accessories are usually included with the booth. We recommend The Photo Booth Company.

 

Prince George's Aden + Anais Swaddle Blanket

We thought Prince George was a trendsetter but one of our clients used this adorable image of their son bundled up in the bird-printed swaddle blanket for their birth announcement card BEFORE Kate brought him out of St. Mary's Hospital. Not surprisingly, the Prince has caused quite a stir in the baby retail world. The muslin blanket is made by Brooklyn-based company Aden + Anais, so if you're in America, go and get in line! Apparently, 10,000 were placed immediately after the little thing came out to meet the world. Buy yours here: Jungle Jam Swaddle.

Brighten up your swimwear with your favourite pantone colour

Everyday at GG Print we are surrounded by Pantone swatches to choose the appropriate colour of your desire. Whilst ambling through the back streets of Saint-Tropez yesterday, I came across a fantastic beachwear shop.  5 styles of swimming trunks (4 for men, 1 for men & women) in 30 different Pantone colours.  My favourite has to be the "Tangerine Tango - vivacious, appealing, enticing", that says it all...

Want to satisfy your sugar kick? Try...Upcakes

Last Friday, Jenna Zoe (the creator and founder of Upcakes) swung by to collect some labels we made for her. We pinned her down for a quick gossip to find out how her business was going. She said the demand for home made wheat-free / gluten-free cakes was higher than ever. It’s so easy to hit that all time sugar low at 4pm in the office and just crave a snickers so why not choose a healthier option that is free from wheat, dairy, sugar and eggs for your colleagues? We particularly love the Upcakes Choc Bites in the GG Print office.  

Fed up of trying to piece a jigsaw together on your bedroom floor?

Collating guests' details An important step in arranging one's wedding stationery is creating a database of your guests' details, such as their email and home addresses. Follow this link, and find an easy and stress free way to create your database: www.postable.com

Seating plans can provide a tough task when planning for your Big Day. We highly recommend using this website: www.toptableplanner.com - a fantastic, dynamic site, which allows you to input your guests and switch their placement easily. 

Above are some photographs of a client's wedding, where we helped create a London theme for their rehearsal dinner, including a personalised tube map seating plan and itinerary.

Mr Darcy takes a dip...

Yesterday for 3 hours only, down the road from our studio in Albert Mews, a 12ft sculpture emerged from the Serpentine of Jane Austen's Mr Darcy, resembling Colin Firth's iconic wet shirt scene. 'Pride and Prejudice' was a favourite story of mine growing up. When I received my new born King Charles Spaniel 4 years ago, I thought it only appropriate to name him after the aloof, romantic hero the Bennett sisters adore. 

GG Print's Top Wedding Tips

So...you've set the date, and now need to let your friends know.

 Follow these little tips and you'll be one step closer to saying "I do".

1. Budget:  don’t blow it all in one go!        

A wedding stationery set usually contains:

Save the date cards / Engagement invitations / Ceremony & Reception invitations (with reply cards & information sheets) / Order of service / Menus / Placement cards / Escort cards or a table plan / Thank you cards.

*information sheets can include contact details for the ‘Big Day’, directions to the church/venue, & accommodation, taxi or gift list info. If abroad some local knowledge is also useful (e.g. restaurants, sightseeing spots or hair and beauty).

2. Quantities:  keep a few spare.

     Always order extras in case of last minute additions or calligraphy mistakes as the set up of the machines is costly.  N.B some of your friends will be in couples thereby only needing 1 invitation!

3. Timings:  avoid a last minute rush.

We advise sending out invitations 2 months before, and if the venue is abroad or a lot of the guests are coming from abroad, then 3 months before.  It generally takes 2 weeks to print.  The design process takes a little longer, so leave a few weeks for that. 

4. Calligraphy:  allow time.

As a guideline, to inscribe names & addresses on 100 invitations / envelopes, our in-house calligrapher roughly takes around 7-10 working days.  If you are not using a calligrapher, always have spares in case of any handwriting mistakes. 

5. Order of service:  keep it mini.

     We love using a small size (A6 or a little larger) so that your guests can take this small memento away with them. Your order of service will be in sets of 4 pages; so if you need to fill up a page, a quotation or poem is a nice idea.

6. Thank you cards:  2 for the price of 1?

A fun idea is to have a photo of the happy couple on the front.  Any leftovers can always be used for Christmas cards as well. 

7. Directions:  keep it old school and personal.

Most people nowadays rely on satellite navigation, so don’t forget to write clearly a postcode of the venue or church. Also, why not have our illustrator create a unique map?

Personalised Pet Stationery

Have you ever wanted your pooch on your paper? GG Print offers an exclusive chance to have your darling four-legged friend immortalised on your stationery.

My beloved Mr Darcy has been hand-illustrated and printed on to beautiful ivory thick card with matching burgundy tissue lined envelopes. These specially made personal note cards are created from original photographs of your pet and then sketched by our in-house illustrator, Pip. This is a brilliant stocking filler or present.

4th July Celebrations

On Thursday, I popped by a 4th July Barbeque at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, hosted by one of our clients. The gardens had been transformed into heavenly fun by the well-established catering company 'Rocket'. The bbq chic theme consisted of a candy floss bicycle, an American sweet store, delicious juices and hamburgers, superhero face-painting, an ice cream van...the list goes on! The glorious weather and beautiful setting was an ideal way for the couple to entertain their guests before the madness of their wedding began.

Our wonderful in-house illustrator, Pip, gave a little hint of the festivities in the invitation we produced . See below the different stages of how she got to the finished product.