At the start of the year we collaborated on some Christmas 2010 ideas with Waitrose. A handful of typographers and illustrators were asked to create lettering for their festive campaign. Here are some preview pics of the serendipitous mix.

Only a few days left to view this wonderful piece of TV on i-player. Alan Yentob considers the influence of play with some of Britain’s leading artists. I don’t watch much telly, but this is a real gem.

As adults we can loose the carefree approach we had as children and become self conscious about the work we create and what we do in general. Picasso summed it up when he said ‘It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child’ and he is right. How do we stay in touch with that blissful, intuitive place where we doodled and played?

Gavin and Tracey share their thoughts on the subject.

She didn’t let the side down, even in full length gown there was plenty of our ‘Bad Billy’ (as Annabel is known) on her wedding day, a title that came from her dance floor antics. Lets hope that she can still live up to her name now she is a Grimshaw – big congratulations to you both and thanks for such an ace day.

Sunny weekend approaching and think it will be a belter! We’re off to Southwold with Uncle Si and Uncle Iain for a picnic and seaside swim. Thought you might like to see some early morning snaps from our May camping excursion to Loves Lane in Ashwell. Proof that you don’t need to travel far for a relaxing break, just 15 mins up the road!

Mini Moderns stunning designs stood out. The folk rock collection of wallpaper and cushions includes their ‘pet sounds’ design – which uses graphics of woodland animals along with musical instruments in a woodblock style. Forget the funky chicken, we’re digging the badger!

Emma’s thought provoking ceramics are cleverly designed to engage you with your cuppa! We also loved her ‘Everyday’ range of hand thrown pieces –  the bumpy, ridges under a matt coated glaze sets them apart from mass produced ceramics.

Pulse is an annual showcase for innovative designers to exhibit their latest work. We came across some beautiful designs at the show. Among many others, Elsie Dodds graphic alphabet cushions really stood out. Designed to stimulate children’s imagination using bright colours and fun graphics!

more goodies to follow….

The feeling is of course mutual, thank you Easy Living!

Blogging has taken a back seat… we haven’t been sitting on our derriéres though, oh no, we’ve been working away behind the scenes. Below are a couple of new designs for a Tarquin Hall book series.

While we’re on the subject of books, our very own Monsieur Wardle has been asked to speak at the 2010 Bookseller Cover Design Conference in Bloomsbury, London next month. Although he still classes his profession as ‘a penchant for colouring in’ apparently he is actually “the creme de la creme of Britain’s book designers” at least that’s what the advert says!

Sometimes things slip through the net, we nearly missed this snippet – thankfully one of our spies retrieved it for us.