Christmas Gift...

                         The 12 days of Christmas Gift Kit
                                is now exclusively available from etsy.com/shop/inkshed

Create a charming gift for your family or
a special someone this Christmas...

Your kit contains speciality printed card templates

(printed on a shimmering pearlescent cream and a foil board)

and comes with illustrated instructions, baker's twine

and 12 x mini envelopes (pre-cut and scored)

Find a couple of twigs for a rustic finish and have a craft knife,

scissors and adhesive readily to hand...then the festive fun begins...

Add a message inside each mini envelope and fix to the back of each heart base.

(This could be an activity, a voucher, a day out, a promise...

or 12 reasons why you love that special someone!) 

Have fun with it and create a unique gift that keeps on giving

for the 12 days of Christmas...

How to: {doodle}

{doodle 6}

...Colouring in areas with pastels gives a great effect to your card toppers
(and is a perfect alternate option to cutting out).

Mark around the edges of your design with pastel and blend
with a cotton bud to add subtle shading.

Add a finishing touch of sparkle with some shimmer chalk.

These customised individual card kits complete with
embellishments are available this Saturday:

28th Nov at The Mountbatten School

Christmas Craft Fair

11am-3pm

entry 50p

(Whitenap Lane, Romsey SO51 5SY )

plus lots more to see - come say hello!

How to: {doodle}

{doodle 5}

...your doodles can be the smallest detail to add a splash
of colour. Simple bud shapes embellished with a tiny gem
give an effective and elegant finish.

It's also perfect for adding the centre to a paper flower.

{Add a dot of glitter glue for a dew-like shimmer}

How to: {doodle}

{doodle 4}

Take inspiration from the colours and the patterns
on the topper design. Use dots, spots and lines to create cute
pompom embellishments along branches
or to add extra detail to the bunting.

{Why not add a glistening finish to the design with a dab of
glitter glue or a cotton soft touch with some flock powder}

...perfect card for a baby shower!

How to: {doodle}

{doodle 3}

Draw or paint simple shapes onto your topper to create
fresh little buds and leaves. Fill them in with your preferred
blendable medium to add shading to your doodles.

We've used watercolour brush markers here but pastels
give great results too - remember to set your finished piece
with some hair spray if using a chalky medium.

{Why not go all out and add some stitching too
either by hand or machine}

How to: {doodle}

{doodle 2}

For an instant 'stitched' effect: doodle a dashed line along your bunting
and attach to the branch with a couple of loops to form a bow at the ends.
(a great alternative option to stitching if you are slightly pushed for time!)

Lightly draw a guide line in pencil first if you are slightly nervous about
going straight to the ink. Erase your guidelines once the ink
is completely dry to avoid smudging - test on a practice piece first.

How to: {doodle}

Adding hand drawn elements will customise your cards and projects, making them truly 'one of a kind'. This month we'll be sharing some topper examples using the technique of doodling to give you inspiration for your own makes - have fun!

{doodle 1}

Use a brush marker (or your favourite pen) to add buds or flowers
(test your pen first on an off-cut to check the ink doesn't bleed).

Use two tones of a colour to create subtle shading.

Why not take inspiration from the season and use colours
to tie in with the occasion (this one would be perfect for spring).

...find your favourite card toppers here to start doodling!

Love this time of year!

Follow inkshed {design studio}'s board Autumn Bliss on Pinterest.

a little TLC...

There are times when everyone just needs a little TLC. Let loved ones know you are thinking of them with a hand finished card made by you...

With each kit you'll receive 3 gorgeous card toppers in different colour ways (printed on beautiful textured card) complete with pre-scored printed card bases and yellow envelopes to send that extra little bit of sunshine. Each kit also comes along with instructions and top tips to help you customise each topper to your heart's content - all for just £5 per pack plus p&p, giving you unique, customised cards ready to hand for any occasion.

Talking of TLC - here's our "little" restoration project 'Devon', all the way from the beautiful coastline of Cornwall and Devon. This stunning vintage mangle originates from Bideford, Devon and has some really lovely wrought ironwork details. Look out for updates on this little project - hopefully we can restore this Devonshire beauty back into working order and take paper crafting to another level...)

Need a card in an instant?

...if you'd like to order multiple kits or you'd like a bespoke card designed please get in touch

It's here!!!

Welcome to inkshed {design shop}

Here you'll find gorgeous card kits to have readily to hand for all occasions;
Birthday, Thinking of you, Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, New Baby...and more!

Each kit makes 3 cards and includes- card bases (printed with kraft effect on the outside and a mini polka dot design on the inside)- card toppers printed on lovely textured card- coloured envelopes- adhesive 3D foam shapes- instructions with top tips to help you customise your cards

...what better way to send a smile to a loved one than with a customised, hand finished card made by you!

Designed and printed in the UK.

At the ready...

...the final few details for the online shop are being put into place but whilst waiting for the exciting announcement here's a selection of tools you may need at the ready:

Wedding Stationery Collection

Wedding stationery collections are always an honour to design as they form a small but important part of a milestone day. They set the scene and tone of the wedding and capture the couple's personality.

Personal touches whether including photographs, a greeting or thank you note to the guests from the bride & groom, incorporating elements of the pre-chosen wedding accessories - all tie in-together to give a little bit of their story on paper to treasure and commemorate their day.

About this time last year we were putting the finishing touches on Kerrie & Mike's beautiful wedding stationery collection. It was a very exciting time and a busy lead up to the big day with all the final preparations of the orders of service, table numbers, place settings and table plan - designed, printed and hand finished to compliment their special day.

{Kerrie & Mike's Wedding Stationery}

Save the date

The holiday seasons are a perfect time to sort out those many photos digitally stored away and order prints of your favourite ones. In the run up to national and celebratory holidays the online photo stores are gearing up for special offers and discounts (...just recently managed to get 100 prints for just £1 plus p&p!).

If you are working on a budget for a special occasion of your own, taking advantage of these offers can help keep the print costs down... photo prints would be a great option for a 'save the date' or 'thank you' note - they can be designed in preparation for when the next offers come in.

top tips:

• Standard photo size 4"x 6" - will crop your image, you can normally preview and adjust the position in the online photo store, alternatively opt for a border to help minimise cropping or go for the 'true digital' option (4"x 5.3") to ensure your design fits.
• Try a matt finish for an understated elegance (...also helps to avoid fingermarks showing - after all your 'save the date' design will more than likely be very much treasured and shown affectionately to many visitors).
• Perfect for including a photo within your design.
• Some online photo stores give you the option to print at home - this can be a good way to test your design before committing to a big order.
• Experiment with different filters - black & white is a personal favourite as it has a real charm and nostalgic quality (...will fit with any colour scheme too).

just a note to say...

Contact inkshed {design studio} for a bespoke design, ready for print.

They've arrived :)

{sneak peek}

It's always an exciting moment opening up the parcel from the printers with fresh prints waiting inside (and maybe a little bit of an anxious one - but that's just the perfectionist side playing its part). Very happy to say they exceeded expectations - the colours are crisp and vibrant and the textured cardstock adds beautiful finish to the prints...now it's the fun part!

Lots of projects on the go and excitedly waiting to see the final prints for one project in particular - more details to follow!

...it's in the little things

...because the little things make big things happen.

{hello}

{hello}

Welcome to inkshed - my little haven of design. Here you will find sneaky peeks of projects being busily worked on behind the scenes, along with the latest news and finds that inspire my work... if you have time please take a wander on over to inkshed-designstudio.co.uk to discover more.