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

Illustration Friday

This was my Illustration Friday entry last week. Topic: Mirror

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.

New Clothes Designs for Boys!

I'm working on new Illustrations today to go on t-shirts and Baby Grows for boys.

Here's a little sneak preview for you :)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Interesting Insights - Interview with Charlotte Biggs of the Card & Gift Blog

The Card & Gift Blog aim to showcase the best in the world of Cards and Gifts. With seven years experience working in the industry Charlotte Biggs; the writer of the Card & Gift Blogs gives her insights to the card and gift industry today.

Sara Prebble: "What inspired you to create the Card & Gift Blog?'

Charlotte Biggs: "The idea to start Card & Gift Blog began to develop in early 2009. I'd been working for a card and gift publisher for about six years, during that time I'd built up lots of experience and made lots of friends in the industry.

Speaking to friends who were artists and designers I knew a lot found it difficult to get noticed and get their products seen. They either didn't feel confident promoting their products or had limited time and budget to handle any attempt at marketing.

About the same time I'd started to get interested in blogs; it seemed like a great platform for showcasing card & gift products. A 'one-stop shop' that brought together lots of different companies and individual designers would be easily accessible and easy to find at any time. Designers and makers would be able to easily publicise their products, generating interest and demand by reaching buyers and consumers at the same time.

Later in the year the recession hit the company I worked for and my colleagues and I were made redundant. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do next so I decided to spend a bit of time as a freelance copywriter, the job I'd had on and off since I was fifteen. While I was putting together a portfolio of my work the blog idea began to resurface. Writing a blog seemed like a good way to add to my portfolio and I'd always loved the new product launches so I knew it was something I'd enjoy writing about.

I'd never put together a blog before but I was fairly optimistic that I could give it a go. I'm good with computers and I've taught myself enough html coding to get by. My past jobs also helped with putting the blog together. I graduated with a degree in History so I'm confident with research work. I've also had my fair share of marketing roles so I can use some of those skills to help promote the products shown on the blog.

So far it's all going well, when I started the aim was to get as many people viewing the blog on a monthly basis as view the trade magazines and I'm just about there. The audience is growing each month so that first target will be completed soon and I'll start working towards the next target."

Sara Prebble: "What are you looking for from a Card & Gift Designer to feature in your blog?"

Charlotte Biggs: "It's hard to define exactly what I'm looking for as I never have anything specific in mind (beyond “Is it a card? Is it a Gift?”). I tend to react to the things I see. I look at hundreds and hundreds of websites and thousands of products. If something pops out or makes me stop in my tracks then I have a closer look. I do look for certain attributes in cards and gifts. I look at the quality of the products and try to choose items that are well-designed and well-made; if something looks unprofessional I tend to leave it alone. I also like to see originality, either in subject matter or design style. I think I'm also attracted to enthusiasm, it's a bit of an obscure one but when someone has a genuine belief in their products and enthusiasm for what they're doing it comes across in their designs.

Sara Prebble: "The average retail price of a card in 2009 in the UK was £1.17. Do you think the recession has effected the card & gift industry and made an impact on the prices we are seeing on the shelves today?"

Charlotte Biggs: "Since I first started working in the card & gift industry in 2003 there has been a lot of changes, but it's hard to estimate how much is due to the recession and how much was already in motion before 2009. I think two of the major changes I noticed during my time in the industry were diversification of supply and advancements in the printing industry.
On the high street it's no longer just traditional card & gift shops that are selling greetings cards: chain stores are complimenting their traditional stock with card ranges; supermarkets are commissioning and printing their own range of cards; higher quality discount stores are also entering the market. The diversification is mirrored online with the growth of handmade markets and 'direct from designer' sites. This diversification in stockists gives a greater variation in price points.

The advancements in printing also has a knock on effect on the prices you see on the shelves. Greater availability of digital printing means more people can sell cards using cost-effective, high quality digital print runs. Improved printing techniques and materials in the far east enables those with a larger budget to mass produce cards, while maintaining quality at a much reduced cost.

Thinking back to 2009 and since then one big change I have noticed with is that publishers are experimenting with how they sold their products: more seemed willing to sell direct to consumers, (as well as to their traditional trade customers), or sell off their old ranges to discount stores rather than pulping the redundant stock. In the recession cash flow was key, everyone had to be a bit more flexible; be willing to diversify and experiment. The result seems to be greater options in supply to consumers, greater options in production for the publishers and ultimately greater variety in prices on the shelves."

Sara Prebble: "What trends do you see emerging for 2012 in the gift industry?"

Charlotte Biggs: "There are a number of trends that have been predicted for 2012, covering everything from 'clouds', to 'technology', to 'voyages', to 'futurism' to 'cinematic'. I have been starting to see gift items that relate to all of these but the biggest trends that I'm starting to see more and more of revolve around 'British' and 'Nostalgic' trends. With events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee due in 2012 there is a lot of focus on 'British' inspired gifts. The union jack trend that has been around for a few years is being carried forward with new variations and iconic 'British' designs of stamps, taxis, bulldogs and telephone boxes are all being incorporated into designs. The focus on London that these events will bring has also brought all things London into the mix. The 'Nostalgic' trend is fairly adaptable, mixing with the 'British' trend it can incorporate sentimental tones, using vintage inspired artwork, designs and quotes. With 'cinematic' trends the nostalgia comes from the glamour of the fifties and the continuing love for the Mad Men style. The handmade market is also using nostalgia with 'upcycling', utilising the trend as products are created mixing 'old and new'.

Sara Prebble: "Handmade v Mass produced - do you think people are leaning towards the individuality of handmade cards or preferring the personalised computer generated designs we are seeing from Moonpig and Funky Pigeon for 2012?"

Charlotte Biggs: "I don't think there is one definitive answer if I'm honest, they're two very different styles that suit different types of consumer or different types of occasion. Personally I'd always choose something well-designed or handmade over something computer generated but that is down to my personal taste; I like the creative touch and I love finding a card that is a work of art. For me choosing a card online and having someone else print and post it seems like I'm cheating somehow.

It's easy to understand that with this mindset I never quite understood the appeal of Moonpig or Funky Pigeon. This did however change quite recently. Working on a marketing campaign for a construction company I was asked to purchase several hundred cards via Moonpig. I customised a design to fit the campaign, upload the mailing list (with only a few minor problems) and that was it – the message was delivered in a personalised greetings card. Similarly when a group of us wanted to send a birthday card to our boss for his birthday we uploaded a photo to a Moonpig template and customised the card with our own jokes. The cards had clear printing and the board was a good quality, so I was happy but despite this I'm not converted. On both occasions I was taking advantage of a very specific service that the Moonpig and Funky Pigeon offered but it's not something I would ever think of choosing under normal circumstances.

For some consumers the customisation options or the convenience of Moonpig and Funky Pigeon will be the deciding factor. I think for other consumers (like myself) it will always be preferable to find a handmade card that you can pick up, write and deliver. I've heard it said that when designing greetings cards you always have to think about your target audience and I think that even with Moonpig and Funky Pigeon there will still be an audience for handmade."


See more of Charlottes Card & Gift insights on one of these:

www.cardandgiftblog.blogspot.com 

www.facebook.com/cardandgiftblog

www.twitter.com/cardandgiftblog

New Stockist: Really Fab Cards Ltd, Eton

We are really pleased to announce you can now buy Squashed Rainbows Cards at Really Fab Cards Ltd in Eton, Berks! Visit their website here

The following cards are available in there shops:

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

New Stockist: Pimlico Presents Ltd

We are pleased to announce Squashed Rainbow Greetings Cards are now available at Pimlico Presents, Pimlico, London.
The following cards are available to buy there:

 

Progressive Greetings Worldwide Magazine May 2011 - Innovations

See us on Page 74 of the May issue of Progressive Greetings Worldwide in the Innovations section.

Progressive Greetings Live - Set Up Complete

6 hours
38 paper flowers
43 Cards
67 pieces of velcro
4 brews
£21 in parking
and we were complete.....

.....but you'll have to wait untill Thursday to see the final finished stand!

So it was on to the uber trendy new hamburger chain Byron for a well earned hamburger and fries. Delicious it was too!

PGLive 2011 Show Catalogue Out Now!

The PGLive 2011 Show Catalogue has Just arrived! Exciting times!

Turn to page 41 to see our entry

SQUASHED RAINBOWS: STAND 824

T Minus 3 Weeks!

Well with just 3 weeks to go until PGLive it is all go here at Squashed Rainbows HQ, the cards are being printed as I type, the brochure is getting finalised and me & hubby are spending the evenings walking SW London posting invites through our favourite shops doors.

Our range will sit into 3 sections, The Birthday Collection comprising of 12 designs, The Christmas Collection; 8 festive fun designs and lastly The Everyday Collection which has 22 Designs.

We hope to see you there for what promises to be a great show!

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.