About Us

Welcome to Squashed Rainbows, home of colourful creations for Kids. Started in 2009, we have been creating inspiring Children's products from our Surrey studio for the past 3 years. Here you will find everything from Children's Birthday Cards, Children's Party Invites, Baby Grows, Kids T-Shirts to Illustration prints for kids bedrooms. Have a look around our website to see our range, or contact us directly for personalised designs complete with your Childs name or for bespoke design requests. No order is too big or too small.

You can buy Squashed Rainbows kids product at one of the many markets we attend across Surrey or by emailing us directly.

Click here for more info on 'Where to Buy'.
For Trade orders, personalised items please contact us directly here

New Postcard Thank you' Range

 We have a new range of 'Thank you' post cards being launched next week. Perfect for sending your thank you's for all the generous christmas gifts you recieved over the festive period.

Each pack contains 12 cards.

Illustrations by Sara Prebble printed on premium 400gsm silk card.

Size: A6

See the postcards on our Greetings Card Page

New Toddlers T-Shirts

We have been adding to our Toddler T-Shirt Range. Including a personlaised one for a very luck little girl who likes cupcakes.

For your own personalised t-shirts take a look at our section for personlaised items. If we don't have the design you are looking for, then email us with your idea and we'll get drawing!

Personalised Toddlers T-Shirts

This cute little personalised T-Shirt has just arrived in for a very lucky little girl called Beatrice.

T-Shirt reads: 'Beatrice's Cupcake's'

See other Personalised Items by Squashed Rainbows

For more information and to order your own personalised T-Shirt please contact us here

New Design for Boys Clothes

I have been working on this design for the boys T-Shirt Range. Vrooom Vrooooooooooom

New Design for Baby Girls Baby Grow

It's been a busy place here at Squashed Rainbows HQ this weekend drawing up some new designs for the girls. This ones for our baby grow range.

Illustrations for Childrens Birthdays

Here's a sneak prieview of a illustration I am working on for my Daughters upcoming birthday in October.

After her birthday i will add this to the range of baby grows and T-shirts avail to buy.

The Fabulous Card & Gift Blog

We were very excited last week here at Squashed Rainbows when the lovely Charlotte contacted me to ask if i would mind if she featured some of my cards and illustrations on her Card & Gift blog. Of course I was flattered and within a matter of hours the beautifully put together blog post was live for all the world to see.

A little bit about the Blog in Charlottes own words:

Card & Gift Blog began in December 2009 with an aim to showcase the best in the world of Cards and Gifts. With seven years experience working in the industry I'd got to see so many fabulous products from so many talented designers it seemed a shame not to share them with the world. So with little steps Card & Gift Blog was launched into the world of blogging. The online world has introduced me to so many brilliant websites and so many talented designer-makers that there's always plenty to

blog about.

Grab a cuppa and have a read for yourselves HERE

Big thank you to Charlotte for featuring Squashed Rainbows x

Colour Palettes All Around Us

While walking down Jermyn Street, London the other evening I took inspiration from the windows and decided to photograph them for a real life colour palette. Sometimes looking through colour swatches just doesn't deliver the inspiration needed.

In Turnbull & Asser's window you can see the colours by each season.

Illustrationfriday.com - Immovable

Computer Arts Projects Magazine

This is an article i took part in for Computers Arts Projects in January 09 - I want to get involved in more stuff like this!



For More information email: sara.garrard@giftcreation.co.uk

Kepping Motivated!

As i sat at my desk on another grey Monday morning writing up my weeks to do list i was quizing myself on why i am so much more productive on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They are my key days to get stuff done. While I'm not usually one to have the Monday blues as i love my job, i came to the conclusion that I play havoc with my routine every weekend and by wednesday i am settled into it again and have to really productive days before i set about destroying the routine agin come Friday.

Courtsey of Freelance Folder blog here are 10 tips to stay motivated:

Ten Handy Tips To Stay Motivated

Here are ten handy tips for staying motivated even if working is just about the last thing that you want to do.

1. Remind yourself of the reason that you freelance. Perhaps you’re freelancing because you really need the money — a quick look at your checkbook may be all that it takes to bring yourself back to the reality of needing to finish your project. Or, maybe you freelance because you really disliked the corporate cubicle environment. If so, taking a moment to picture yourself back in a cubicle may jumpstart your productivity.
2. Make sure that your work environment is comfortable. It’s easy to forget about comfort when setting up a home office, but an uncomfortable workspace can definitely deflate your motivation. If you’re going to spend long periods of time on the computer, then you should make sure that you have a comfortable environment. Make sure that your chair is adjusted properly and that your monitor and keyboard are at the proper height for your body.
3. Change your work environment. As a freelancer you can work pretty much anywhere — the kitchen table, the couch, the car, the backyard, you name it and you can probably work there. Also, remember that many public areas such as libraries and coffee shops offer WiFi access. There’s no rule that says you have to work inside your home, so you may find that a change of scenery helps bolster your desire to work.
4. Schedule breaks. If you find your motivation is waning, make sure to schedule regular breaks for yourself. Tell yourself that you’re going to take fifteen minutes off after you complete x amount of work. When you do take a break, don’t just continue to sit at your computer. Get up and take a walk, run a short errand, or do some exercises. You’ll find that not only do you look forward to each break, but that each break renews and refreshes your energy and creativity.
5. Plan a reward for yourself. Bribery can and does work when it comes to staying motivated. If you’re working on a particularly long or difficult project, tell yourself that when you complete this project you’ll be able to do x (with x being something that you’ll look forward to). Your reward could be as simple as watching a movie that you’ve been wanting to see, or as large as buying something for yourself that you’ve wanted for a long time.
6. Alternate projects. In general, it’s best to avoid interruptions. However, if you find yourself getting bogged down in a particular project (and your schedule allows for it), then you may went to switch to a different project for a while. Be careful to choose something that uses a different part of your skillset. Often working on something different for a while lets you return to the project that you were “stuck” on with fresh energy and fresh ideas.
7. Picture the work already completed. When you are working alone on a large project it can seem like the work is going on forever without any end in sight. In such instances, it can be helpful to look ahead and envision what it will be like when the project is completed. Imagine the relief that you will feel knowing that the project is finally done and done well. Try to picture yourself getting payment and perhaps compliments for the final work.
8. Have regular routine. Habits can be powerful things. It’s a proven fact that a habit can be very difficult to break. Some people have made a small fortune with books and courses to help people break their bad habits. In the case of freelancing, habits can be a good thing. If you develop the habit of working during a certain part of the day, every day, then you you’ll find it much easier to schedule your time and ensure that all projects are completed on time.
9. Take care of your health. It’s no fun working when you are sick, and that’s a fact. Fortunately, a lot of health problems can be prevented. Take measures to make sure that you stay as healthy as you possibly can. Eat right. Get enough rest and exercise. See your doctor on a regular basis and follow his or her recommendations. The better you feel, the more work that you will be able to get done.
10. Develop a support group. It’s important to have friends and interests outside of your work as well as colleagues who can understand and support what you’re going through. We’ve already discussed the importance of overcoming loneliness and building a flesh-and-blood support group. If you haven’t already taken these steps, you should. I can’t emphasize enough the value of having friends and confidantes for a freelancer.

Blog-a-rama

For those of you like me and reading your regular blogs is even more necessary than that first cup of coffee then good news...i have another to add to you list.
The YCN Blog, professional with an eager student element this blog is packed full of new ideas, illustrations/tors, news from accross the pond, links to jobs, competitions, shows and you can have it arrive in your inbo every morning for a click of inspiriration to start the day!

Handmade Nation

I have been flying through fiction books recently and as I scanned my shelves once again for a title to jump out at me for my next read I realised over the years i have collected loads of design books but have never actually sat down and read them. Sure i have flicked through and studied the images which is the essence of a design book but i have never done cover to cover, word for word. It always seams easier to get on the tube with a small paper back than an oversized hard back.
So before i read another fiction i am spending some much needed time with a neglected array of books. Starting with Handmade Nation, The RISE of DIY, Art, Craft and Design.

So far...lOving it!! I am learning so much...discovering new websites to explore, re-discovering, actually reading the statements under the great images and feeling the urge to go off and create, this is just what i needed.

I'm sure i am telling you all something you already now and i can almost hear the 'i always read my books thorouhly' statements but for those designers, makers, artists out there who like me can't resit buying every book that catches their eye with the best intention to read...go on, go and read them, enjoy them and remember why you bought it!

This book lead me to the this great blog: http://indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com