I’m loving the whimsical line-up of Christmas cards by Portland-based paper design studio Quill & Fox. The brainchild of Yas Imamura, the collection uses a traditional forest-green, red and gold colour palette to portray the likes of Sir Rudolph (“Renowned Expert Sleigh Leader”), Christmas carollers and a rather scary Krampus.
The folkloric and nostalgic designs remind me of the illustrations out of a 1950s Christmas children’s book. The cards are printed on cotton paper and are available on their own for US$4 or in sets of 10 for US$19.
If you like their Christmas collection, you must check out their other stationery ranges, including these adorable terrarium postcards, greetings cards and their beautifully illustrated custom wedding invitations. So lovely.
If you’re looking for a set of cool design-y Christmas cards this year that are a departure from the usual suspects, you must have a look at Sydney design studio Fox and Beau‘s Christmas collection. Featuring lots of geo shapes and colour blocking, Fox and Beau’s cards are possibly the most fashionable and on-trend cards you can get.
Amy and Katie are the creative duo behind Fox and Beau, which also offers a range of services including custom-designed invitations, blog and social media design, interior design and company branding and logo design. You can buy a set of 24 Christmas cards for AU$34.95, or a set of six Christmas cards for AU$11.95. And while you’re wandering around Fox and Beau’s site, don’t miss their blog – it’s fantastic.
I’ve blogged about the plethora of paper ephemera and stationery goodness at Sydney-based online shop Upon a Fold before, and at Christmas they really have a knack for tracking down the most unique cards and stunningly beautiful decorations from around the world. Here’s my edit of their new Christmas range:
These delicate paper-cut coasters (see above) come in a set of four tiny festive designs. Along with the perfectly-cut Christmas tree, you’ll also get a miniature deer, Santa and snowman duo. They are designed by Naoki Terada from Terada Design in Japan, and they’re priced at AU$12.95 for a set of four.
Don’t you love a card, gift and decoration folded into one? Perfect for overseas presents! This ‘Merry Christmas’ card (above) folds out to make a long festive banner, which would look great on a mantle or windowsill. Merry Christmas Decoration and Card, AU$6.95.
This super-sweet Japanese card (above) has peek-a-boo windows and beautiful details that transform and tell a Christmas story as the envelope is opened and the card is read. Santa’s Surprise Card, AU$6.95.
These party hat kids are way too fun, and they can be used as gift tags or Christmas decorations. Let’s Party Christmas Cards (Set of 3), AU$8.
Designed by Miya Suwa and made in Japan, this washi snowflake card (above) can also double as a delicate ornament for the tree. Snowflake Washi Ornament/Card, AU$7.50.
Any card which involves pulling Santa’s beard to reveal a secret message (above) is OK by me. Lots of fun interactive features for kids who love little details. Sunshine Santa Card, AU$6.50.
This stunningly beautiful hand-printed furoshiki is a collaboration between Lucinda Newton Dunn and The Link Collective. Furoshiki are a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth and it can be re-used in myriad ways, from a chic scarf to a festive tablecloth, which makes it the ultimate eco-friendly giftwrap, really. Red Stripe Furoshiki, AU$58.
I’m always fascinated by Australian interpretations and portrayals of Christmas. When we’re not pretending we’re living through a northern hemisphere winter complete with snowflakes, icicles and sleighs, we roll out Aussie Christmas cliches of barbecues on the beach and sunburnt Santa surfing the waves. (Weird, because the only people I know who spend Christmas day at the beach are English backpackers – although I do love a late afternoon swim after everyone has recovered from their post-lunch naps.)
Maree Oaten and Anna Johnson are the creatives behind the Sydney-based art and design studio, Little Branch, and they’ve called their collection of cards for 2012 ‘A Mythic Bush Christmas’:
“Cicadas are screaming, sunlight is streaming and we’re all dressed up with somewhere to go. Lit up like a Christmas tree drinking champagne out of a chipped tea cup, where did the time go and who do you love? It’s time to tie a red ribbon round your wrist to forget me not and gift wrap your devotions.”
While the colours in Little Branch’s designs are big, bold and vibrant, reflecting the brilliance of Australia’s summer flora, the illustrations are rather whimsical and romantic, with young lasses in Christmas-tree frocks and candy-striped stockings.
The ‘Little Branch Cards‘, AU$5.50 each, are printed on chlorine free, 100% recycled paper and made entirely in Australia, while the smaller ‘Miss Miniature Cards‘ are priced at AU $3.50 each. They’re perfect for sending some a wee bit of Aussie Christmas cheer around the country – and abroad.
Disclaimer: Little Branch is a Wee Birdy sponsor, but this is not a sponsored post. I just happen to dig their work, and hope you will too!
I do love a personalised Christmas card, and a customised portrait of your family in Ello There‘s inimitable cartoon style is an ace way to send your annual season’s greetings. And it will make a lovely keepsake for years to come, too.
If you’re thinking of putting in an order for Christmas, move quickly because they’ve been inundated with requests. The starting price for customised design is US$80 for two figures, with US$25 for each addition. Folded cards start at US$2.50 each. And if you’re getting married, you might like to check out their gorgeous wedding invitations.
These sweet Christmas cards by London-based designer and illustrator, Alice Potter, features a graphic winter wonderland with clean lines and simple shapes, but with the added charm of woodland creatures peeping around trees and hipster girls with cool hair-dos playing hide and seek and building snowmen.
You can buy them as single cards, or in a set of nine for £10 from Alice Potter’s Etsy shop. There is also a set of four cards featuring different festive patterns for £6.
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