Versatility

Let's Play print by Binth

Take a pack of cards, tap it, unwrap it and play

Beautiful set of rooster design playing cards from Centuryfinds

or frame a few of them

6 vintage 50s "Futuristic" Old Maid cards from divinedebrisvintage

Two complete decks of blackstone playing cards with cute wooden dolls, boys and girls from ricracandbuttons

or decorate your home with them

Hanging Christmas cards and garland made by Artemis

Keep your teens busy with them

Craft activity spotted on Ohdeedoh

Tell a tale with them

"Affairs of the Heart", an illustrated, narrative poem by Fiona Blair incorporating heart idioms and the language of playing cards to tell the tale of a lonesome queen

and use them to help those in need

Thereza Rowe's contribution to Shelter's House of Cards exhibition,
a limited edition of cards designed by 53 artists available here

London Town

I've been reminiscing about my student days in London a lot lately. Of course, I'm just back from a holiday in the UK but we didn't manage to go down and see the bright lights this time, unfortunately. I've promised Dylan a weekend away in the autumn, if he gets his brain back in gear and concentrates at school - those difficult teenage years - so until then I'll have to make do with my city-in-a-bag from Muji's and dreams of buying just one teeny, weeny roll of Lizzie Allen's fabulous hand-screenprinted wallpaper for the kids' bedroom (if you're seriously interested Pedlars has a great sale on). The good news, however, is that Famille Summerbelle's next London print will be in Ladybird red - hurray! I know what my family will be getting for Christmas!
I'm not going to start getting patriotic (Union Jack's seem to everywhere although I do like these paper chains from Creative Flourish) but once you start delving you realise just how much fantastic artwork London has inspired. Take M. Sasek, for example, his fabulous books are enjoying a revival and he even has his own new website.
Binth's colourful London city cards and prints would look great in a nursery or child's bedroom.



Papergrain, one of my favourite UK addresses for stationery, also has some beautiful writing sets, notebooks and greetings cards, my favourite being the Greenwich Observatory having lived in Blackheath and Greenwich for three years.





The London Transport Museum's online shop has an amazing range of London-themed products, including clothes, homeware, books, maps, toys and posters. I could write several posts on their poster collection alone. UK linocut printmaker Paul Catherall's Four Seasons are among my favourites, and elsewhere work by Gail Brodholt.








My very special London find comes from Verandah, a collective of designers and craftmakers based in Norwich in the UK. These soldier concertina cards are just perfect!


* London Calling print by Inkspotts