a bit of banter with mrs booth

Alphabet Pictures in a new size

2012-02-02T02:42:00.000-08:00

After a successful launch before Christmas I have now added a complete set of A4 alphabet prints to my website - and they can be personalised too. The digital prints are individually printed onto lovely 100% cotton paper, signed by me and sent flat, carefully wrapped in cellophane.
The tortoise is definitely one of my favourites, have a look here to find yours.

Happy Birthday

2012-01-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

My blog is exactly two years old today. I thought I would mark the occasion with some spreads from one of my favourite alphabet books:

Although this book is 45 years old, I think it looks very contemporary (apart from the wonderful telephone). Love the colour combinations on the xylophone and the pattern behind the apple. Enjoy your weekend. x

Happy New Year!

2012-01-16T12:58:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? I’ve been super busy getting new products ready for my website, but I thought I would take the time to say thank you to two sites which have featured my products this month:

Thank you to Sheerluxe, who have selected my Thank You Writing Paper Set for their January round up. There’s still time to send out some thank you letters if you haven’t done so already. (We are sending our last batch out tomorrow - better late than never).

Also, Babyccino Kids picked my Numbers Picture as one of their top ten numbers gifts. What can I say? I’m honoured and in very good company.

Thank You!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T06:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who has supported and shopped with me this year, lots more new things planned for 2012. Now it’s time to shut down the computer and enjoy a mince pie or two... see you next year. x

Now at Scribbler!

2011-12-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Scribbler have launched a new personalised greetings cards website and I am delighted to say that I have a range of my cards available to personalise and buy. As well as some familiar designs I have also designed a complete set of alphabet cards which are available exclusively from Scribbler.

Click here to see all my cards.

If you order before 1 January 2012 you can also use this code: MRSB777 for 20% off all my cards.

2011-12-01T02:36:00.001-08:00

More new things for The Merriment Makers Pop Out Boutique. It’s on until Sunday evening, so if you are in the Edinburgh area, pop along for some festive purchases.
Find out more here.

New Pictures

2011-11-29T06:28:00.001-08:00

©made with love by mrs booth 2011

I have been doing some new A4 alphabet pictures - so new they are not yet available to buy on my website. Contact me here if you want to buy or see more letters.

I’ve been selling them at The Homeworks Christmas Craft Markets and next weekend they will be for sale at The Merriment Makers Pop Out Christmas Boutique.

You can find out more about The Merriment Makers Edinburgh Boutique here.

Easy Christmas Decorations

2011-11-27T04:36:00.001-08:00

Looks like Miss Booth is following in the family footsteps.

We spent a very enjoyable crafty morning at a local school fair where she made a

beautifully simple felted ball Christmas decoration.

Easy to do and it will have pride of place on our tree this year.

I found this step by step tutorial from Sara’s Texture Crafts if you want to have a go.

Christmas Discount!

2011-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

Something to make Christmas shopping easier this year. Just add this code at checkout for a little festive cheer...

Happy Anniversary

2011-10-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

A lovely piece of linen from Mr Booth for our twelfth wedding anniversary. This isn’t going anywhere near the washing up....

Ant and leaf tea towel by Donna Wilson, from The Red Door Gallery.

Homes and Gardens

2011-09-22T02:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Sophie Martell who featured my ABC Colouring Books in Homes and Gardens this month:

I also love Sophie’s homemade animal crayon jars - a good project for a rainy day.

Scotland’s Autumn Trade Fair 18 & 19 September 2011

2011-09-12T02:44:00.000-07:00

So here we are, the summer is over, autumn is here and I am about to take part in my first Scottish trade fair since moving back to Scotland last year...
It’s one week to go until Scotland’s Autumn Trade Fair at the SECC in Glasgow. I will be at stand number M20 so if you can make it, please come on by and say hello.
There's still time to stock up on a few last minute gifts before the Christmas shopping season begins in earnest and I'm hoping my new wrapping paper will catch the eye of discerning buyers.
Wish me luck!

We’re in the top ten on Babyccino this week!

2011-09-06T02:29:00.000-07:00

The marvellous Babyccino have selected my abc colouring books as one of their top ten back to school goodies for children.

Thanks Babyccino!

Pigeon Pop Up

2011-08-26T03:41:00.000-07:00

Back in June I met Kirsty from Lovely Pigeon all the way down in London at Pulse ( I say that, because on a clear day I could probably wave at her across the Firth of Forth from my window...)

Last week she got back in touch to say she was organising a pop up shop and would I like to take part? The answer of course was yes and a mere 4 days later, Kirsty has transformed an empty shop in Anstruther into an emporium of vintage, handmade and independent designer goodies.

You can see a few of her lovely wares below and and on her blog here. The shop is open at 27 Shore Street Anstruther until 18 September so get down there while you can.

Photos from Lovely Pigeon

Riverside Museum

2011-08-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

We are spoilt for choice here in Scotland for interesting museums to visit during the summer holidays. Last week we travelled to Glasgow to visit the Riverside Museum otherwise known as Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel:

Housed in an iconic building designed by internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the dynamic new Riverside Museum displays Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage, which stems from the River Clyde. There are loads of interesting cars, bicycles, trains and boats to keep even the most jaded 10 year old excited.Last Friday, the Booths also braved the crowds (and the T Rex!) to visit The National Museum of Scotlandin Edinburgh on opening day. Apparently 21,997 other people also had the same idea!

The museum has been closed while sixteen new galleries have been created and the end result is truly stunning. Here is one of my favourite photos from their website - how much fun would it have been to wrap up an elephant?

photos from the National Museums website

Number Crunching

2011-07-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

Look what I found in my local Oxfam today:

A hand painted numbers game for young children, lovingly wrapped in an old plastic bag. There were a few others including a farmyard puzzle and some simple jigsaws. Someone has been clearing out their cupboards.
I may pop back down for some more this afternoon....

Summer Holidays

2011-07-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

The school summer holidays are here already in Scotland, six weeks ahead of us to fill with (hopefully) creative and exciting activities.
I will be paying a visit to Rock & Bird, a fantastic art shop in North Berwick which has recently undergone a makeover. I was delighted when Sara asked me to design a logo for the new shop featuring an oystercatcher - a regular visitor to the beaches and open spaces of East Lothian.

As well as lots of art materials, ribbons and creative kits for all ages, Sara is stocking cards, colouring books and sewing kits from independent designers such as Clothkits, Eilidh Muldoodles and yours truly.

Lots to keep us busy for the next six weeks!

Look what the postman brought today

2011-06-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hope you have a good weekend planned, I'll be putting my feet up with a cuppa in my lovely new stripey mug from Petra Boase. I also got Miss Booth one of her excellent t shirts, currently on offer here. Get one while you can!

Happy Monday

2011-06-20T01:53:00.000-07:00

A lucky find from our local car boot sale yesterday:

Lovely Japanese Masking Tape

2011-06-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

I’m back home now after a super busy time at Pulse, thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet some new ones - particularly fellow Scots like Kirsty of Lovely Pigeon who had made the long trip south like me.
Being a graphic designer, I can’t resist stationery of any kind (why is that?) and Sarah Coates and I managed to get these lovelies at the end of the show. You can find them for sale at Papermash.

Pulse 2011

2011-06-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again - tomorrow we are packing up the car and heading for Earls Court in London for Pulse. I will be in the Launchpad area, stand number LP28 so do come on by and say hello if you’re there.

I have a couple of new things to show off including two new wrapping papers. Fancy letters and numbers and Whale and Fish. Guaranteed to smarten up any parcel or gift. I have also redesigned the packaging for my Reward Stickers (I might just give myself a sticker for a job well done).

See you there!

The Brilliant Babyccino

2011-06-01T01:11:00.000-07:00

I have loved Babyccino Kids ever since I discovered their excellent blog filled with top tips, places to go and things to do with young children. I was delighted a few years ago when they asked me to design some Christmas gift tags for them.

Today they have launched the next evolution of their blog - a shopping portal with a selection of the world’s best and most interesting children’s shops. Anyway, I could explain more, but really just click here and see for yourself how fantastic it is! It goes without saying that I am once again delighted to be involved.

Good luck ladies!

2011-05-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

It’s a well known fact in our house that Mr Booth doesn’t like throwing anything away. Sometimes, this can be a cause for concern. But look what we found during a recent spring clean - all these books, lovingly preserved from Mr B’s childhood.
Scroll down to the bottom to see my favourite...

I think I will have to eat my words and admit sometimes it’s good to be a hoarder...

Easter Eggs

2011-04-25T03:57:00.000-07:00

We have welcomed three large lady hens to the Booth household over the Easter weekend. Mr Booth is in seventh heaven. Boiled egg and soldiers anyone?

Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday. x

2011-04-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Pray for Japan

2011-03-18T02:20:00.000-07:00

Japanese publishers Edition Paumes are organising a fundraising exhibition for the people of Japan:

‘We express our sincere sympathy for the people suffering from disaster of earthquake near Sanriku-oki off the east-north coast of Japan. At Paumes, we are thinking of what we can do for the area and people to support.
We would like to have an exhibition "Pray for Japan" as charity event for the people suffering from disaster of earthquake and tsunami.’

You can find out how to donate a drawing or message to this worthwhile cause by clicking here. Sales from the exhibition will generate funds for the Japanese Red Cross.

LittleBird

2011-02-21T06:02:00.000-08:00

Here’s a sneak preview of something that has been keeping me busy this year - a new social shopping site called LittleBird. I was thrilled when they approached me to design their logo and some other bits and bobs for their new site.
LittleBird is all about finding family friendly deals for you and your friends and you can find out more about it here.

Happy Valentine’s Day

2011-02-14T00:59:00.000-08:00

Goodwill to all

2010-12-24T01:56:00.000-08:00

Time to switch off the computer and start the festivities. Have a happy holiday and thank you to everyone who has helped and supported Mrs Booth over the past twelve months.
See you next year. x

Last minute Christmas Bargains

2010-12-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

I will be at the Christmas Arts Market at the Drill Hall Arts Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday. Over 100 artists, designers and makers will be selling their work and there will be delicious food and cakes for the Drill Hall Cafe. Fingers crossed there is no more snow before then...

Thanks!

2010-12-10T01:57:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the marvellous Wee Birdy blog for including my lion ‘Alphabet Favourites’ picture in their Christmas gift guide for wee kids. After a short break this year it’s great to see Wee Birdy back and blogging from their new home in Sydney.
While we’re at it, thank you to baby style file for selecting my abc colouring books as one of their top stocking fillers. I’m packing a couple of these for long snowy journeys in the car this Christmas:

East London Design Show

2010-12-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

We are well and truly snowed in where I live, so although I’m sad not to be taking part in the East London Design Show this year, chances are I wouldn’t have made it anyway.

Mark and Keith from Mini Moderns will be at the show again this year and have some great bargains on their wallpaper and homeware. They are also launching their new ‘Festival’ wallpaper.

Luckily for me, they also have a fabulous discount code so I won’t miss out on the fun - use the discount code ELDS at their online shoppe for a 15% discount until December 14.

Marvellous.

Oh, you can also get 2 for 1 entry to East London Design Show by clicking here.

My Homeworks Wish List

2010-11-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

The Homeworks Christmas sale starts on Thursday, you can find out all about it here. My Homeworks friends will be selling Mrs Booth goodies on my behalf this year and with so many other fantastic stallholders it’s well worth the trip to The 20th Century Theatre in Notting Hill if you get the chance.

Here’s my Christmas wish list for this year:

I can’t wait to get my hands on these clever stocking fillers - a little bit of gentle persuasion with a pocket money tea towel by twisted twee and cute Japanese animal balloons from Petra Boase.

The nights are drawing in up here in Scotland, so a Jo Gordon scarf for me please. A handmade recycled woollen dress by Smith and Coates for my goddaughter Flora too:

Finally, a ship in a bottle cushion from Thornback and Peel for our new home by the sea and a sophisticated snowflake for the tree by Timea Sido:

Festive Cards in Country Living

2010-11-12T01:35:00.000-08:00

Look what I found in this month’s Country Living - my festive cards in a rather delightful door display. Other cards featured include designs by lollipop and made by b.
With thanks to Sophie Martell.

2010-11-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

I found these last weekend at a local fair - I had the very same finger puppets when I was little. I think the middle one is my favourite and cute fabric too. Enjoy the fireworks tonight. x

Is it too early to talk about Christmas?

2010-10-29T03:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it’s hard to know, when I have been designing and planning for Christmas for months...anyway, just so you know I have a special offer going on with my Festive Cards. Buy 4 packs and get these rather lovely penguin and robin gift tags absolutely free.

Friday Happiness

2010-10-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

A friend gave me this beautiful old tin a few days ago. It reminds me of when I used to be a packaging designer, although I don’t think I ever produced anything as lovely as this.

Look what I found inside:

Three more beauties! I love it when that happens. Have a good weekend. x

Half term helper

2010-10-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here in Scotland the half term is already upon us, but whenever your school closes it’s doors for the October holiday, be prepared with some rainy day activities - I have recently redesigned my abc colouring books with different cover colours and more handwriting practise inside. Why not get some primers too and double the fun?

Lovely colouring in pictures below are by Richard Bailey. Thank you to Richard, Fiona and the kids for helping me to do these photos five days before our big move!

Thank You

2010-10-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Homes and Interiors Scotland and Alison at hunkydoryhome for featuring my ‘Alphabet Favourites’ pictures in this month’s issue.

Also thanks to Poppy at Baby Style File for featuring my blue alphabet frieze last month. Check out Poppy’s discount code page for a marvellous mrs booth discount.

Oh and one more thing - Baby Style File has been nominated as ‘best design blog for mom’ by babble. You can vote for her by clicking here.

Pop up shop at Artisan

2010-10-06T01:46:00.000-07:00

For one month only Homeworks are having a lifestyle shop at Artisan Gallery, Willesden Green. It starts today and alongside a dazzling display of ceramics, knitwear, printed cotton quilts, children’s accessories and pictures there will be knitting workshops from Fiona Bailey.

A good way to kick off some Christmas shopping, Artisan also has three shopping evenings planned where you can join Naomi and designer makers Lou Rota, Smith and Coates, Homespun and Vintage, Handworks and Fiona Bailey for a glass of wine. Check the Homeworks blog here for more details.

Super Stationery Pack

2010-09-30T02:10:00.000-07:00

On a recent visit to Cheshire Street for the ‘London Family Style’ book launch, I popped in to Shelf. Full of delightful bits and bobs that you never knew you couldn’t live without, I had to buy this tempting stationery pack:

Shelf has been trading since 2001, but in 2009 launched this most excellent online shop.

London Family Style - Editions Paumes

2010-09-23T07:32:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to be asked back in May to be included in the new London Family Style book by éditions PAUMES - a small and dynamic family run Japanese publishers, based in Tokyo. They work in close contact with artists and designers in Europe on different editorial projects and you can see some of their other projects here.

A big thank you to Helena from Agence Violette who coordinated all the families and shoots and also to Fumi Shimoji, co-founder of Paumes who spent an afternoon in our house photographing everything and anything.
Their mission on this visit was to capture London family life in all its varied forms and it’s fascinating to see into the lovely homes of designers such as Nina Nagel and Bodie and Fou and also my friends Lou Rota, Sarah Coates and Rosa from Little Duckling.

I wonder if everyone else spent as much time tidying up beforehand as me...

Pictures from the book will be on display at the Ella Doran Shop until Sunday 26 September as part of the London Design Festival. The book is also available from Bodie and Fou here.

2010-07-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

I’m taking a short break from making name cards - we are in the middle of a big move North and the printer is about to be packed in a large box.
Normal name card service will be resumed on August 20th. All other products are unaffected and there will be some new things on the site when we’ve unpacked. x

Election Baby Race

2010-05-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Only 2 days to go until polling day and I thought I had seen and heard everything I needed to know about the election...that is until I received this from Suzi at Twisted Twee.
Enjoy! x

2010-04-29T04:03:00.000-07:00

Two new ‘Alphabet Favourites’ pictures and a new alphabet frieze are now available exclusively at selected John Lewis stores and online. You can find ‘E is for Elephant’ here, ‘G is for Giraffe’ here and a lovely new soft green alphabet frieze here.

Thank you to Daisy Bridgewater at The Telegraph Magazine for mentioning me in her Children’s notebook.

It’s not our fault!

2010-04-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Last week the Booth family went on a short trip Iceland. What an amazing country - inspiring scenery and lovely friendly people. We had a great trip which included a visit to the Gulfoss waterfall above. Thankfully nobody fell in, although I had to get pretty near the edge to take this picture.

I hope we didn't bring the lava cloud back with us, but I must say it’s lovely and peaceful in North West London today. Not a plane in the sky...

2010-03-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again, time to pack the car up and set off for Dulwich at the crack of dawn...

This year, Kids Modern is on Sunday 18 April, you can read all about it here. It’s a fantastic sale dedicated to the very best of children’s design and I am hoping to have some new designs to show.

Best get on with them then, see you there! x

2010-03-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here’s a quick look at some new designs I have been working on - Personalised Thank You Stationery. I don’t know about your families but my parents love it when a thank you letter arrives, complete with multi coloured handwriting and a few hand drawn pictures.

I have given a wee helping hand with these ones - dotted words to start them off and your choice of name printed at the top.

So new they’re not on my website yet, but you can find them here.

‘Long Bank’ by Angie Lewin

2010-02-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

I was given this beautiful lithograph today by the artist Angie Lewin.
Her work is available through the excellent online gallery St Jude’s Prints who showcase the very best in British printmaking. Other artists include Rob Ryan, Paul Catherall and Edward Bawden.

Mrs Booth Giveaway

2010-02-04T03:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I don’t know about you, but it’s cold and wet where I am today. So here is a bit of February fun to brighten up your day.

Alexandalexa are running a competition to win £100 of Mrs Booth lovelies! Click here to find out more. The competition is on pages 52-53 of their very impressive kids’ magazine.

We have been super busy here over the last couple of weeks, so apologies for not posting. We should have something exciting to share with you very soon. x

Free Christmas Cheer

2009-12-17T07:01:00.001-08:00

If you have some parcels to wrap in the next week or so (!) please help yourself to my free Christmas tags download on the excellent Babyccino blog. Download here.

Merry Christmas! x

Hackney Hero

2009-12-13T12:17:00.001-08:00

Look who turned up in the local Hackney paper last weekend? Those lovely people at the East London Design Show used my penguin picture as promotion for their show - how great is that?
The show was busy and successful as usual, thanks to everyone who came along to say hello.

I will have some more photos of our Homeworks Sale to show you next week. Now the Christmas Fairs are all done, the countdown to Christmas begins...

My Christmas wish list...

2009-11-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Our Homeworks Sale starts on Thursday and I have been busy busy busy getting ready for it. Here are a couple of things I have got my eye on this year...if somebody wanted to buy them for me for Christmas obviously I would be delighted and surprised.

Cakes by nice buns, pom pom scarf by jo gordon, knitted teddies by petra boase and beetle wall stickers by lou rota.

Thank you!

2009-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to the inspiring kids’ mag LMNOP who recently featured my playtime primer. These counting and colouring books always prove popular around Christmas time, so I am thinking of offering a free alphabet sticker sheet with every primer when I sell them at my next two Christmas fairs (see the side text for more info).

They already come with a free sheet of reward stickers so a sheet of letters should double the fun. x

Day of the Dead

2009-11-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

We spent the morning today at the Day of the Dead festival at The British Museum. It was a fantastic display of all things deceased from Mexico, the perfect finish to a ghoulish Halloween weekend.

What is he thinking?

2009-10-23T09:22:00.001-07:00

Do you think he wants to eat the bird? Or be friends?

Big or small?

2009-10-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

I'm working away getting ready for the up coming Christmas fair season - our Homeworks Sale is only a month or so away...

Here is a quick preview of a new picture going to print today:

Pre-loved books

2009-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

After reading a post on the excellent lmnop blog about pre-loved books, I thought I would share some of my favourites. I love the way the illustrators have used a limited number of colours to their advantage with these designs.

P.S. The party games book belonged to my mother who doubtless hosted many a tip top tea party inspired by this book.x

A brolly not a lolly

2009-07-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Actually, although an ice cream is always nice, this would have come in very handy at 5 o’clock this evening, walking back from school.

Could do with one of these today...

2009-07-07T06:05:00.001-07:00

Oh dear, its hard to keep working when it’s hot outside...x

Pulse 09

2009-05-27T13:46:00.001-07:00

Just finishing off everything I need for Pulse which starts on Sunday...

Come along and say hi if you are planning a visit. I'll be in Launchpad, stand number LP90. Check the Pulse website for details of when and where. x

Penguin print in the news

2009-05-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Those nice ladies at notonthehighstreet.com have managed to get my penguin print featured in Junior Pregnancy and Baby this month. Thank you very much ladies! x

Simple but lovely

2009-05-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones...we travelled to Kings Cross last Sunday to walk among thousands of white balloons. That’s all we did. Amazing.

My new website is ready!

2009-05-01T04:04:00.000-07:00

After a lot of hard work (thanks Sam), it’s finally ready....all my pictures and cards are now available to buy online on my new website along with alphabet friezes, colouring books and stickers.

I’ve got lots more new cards coming very soon, so keep checking back.x

2009-04-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here’s a sneak preview of my new card range. It’s about being big (or being small). Or being a lion. x

P.S. I'll be showing off the whole range and more at Pulse at the end of May. More details to follow soon.

Up at dawn for Dulwich

2009-02-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who came along to Kids.Modern last weekend. After an indecently early start we made it to Dulwich (after a few detours) to set up for the show.

It was great to see some old friends and make some new ones too.

Kids.Modern 2009

2009-01-21T06:06:00.000-08:00

Come and meet Mrs Booth at Kids.Modern 2009.

No fuss, no pretension just great design for kids.

SUNDAY 15th FEB 2009 10am-4pm
Dulwich College SE21
See www.modernshows.com

Welcome to my blog!

2009-01-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog....here you will find updates about made with love by mrs booth, what new things are coming soon and what shows and fairs I will be taking part in soon..