HAPPY CHRISTMAS !! see you in 2009

today is the last day of print & pattern before christmas, and what better images to finish the year on than the christmas 2008 collection from japanese company decole. this years designs have a cute folksy theme and fresh colour palette. as we leave christmas designs behind, i'll be back in the new year looking towards spring collections. before we know it the shops will be full of valentines and easter design. many thanks to everyone who clicked onto print & pattern this year, all those who contributed to next years book, and all my sponsors who make it possible. merry christmas and happy new year !

ILLUSTRATION - black pio

beautiful christmas colours and sweet illustrations combine to make great design from black pio, aka valentina sedda of milan, italy.

HOLIDAY DESIGN - la familia green

the exciting thing about la familia green is you never know what you will see next. designer mollie green, based in chicago, creates such a diverse collection that theres always something interesting to see. either hand cut and collaged from paper, or printed on a gooco machine all their cards can be seen here.

XMAS DESIGN - laura ashley

a last look at christmas design today with a few snapshots taken in laura ashley.

XMAS DESIGN - next

some last minute snaps taken in 'next'. i loved the russian doll set of christmas characters.

HOLIDAY - sycamore street

it may be too late to get these cards for christmas, but we can still admire their beautiful design. kirk and eva jorgensen started the sycamore street press in columbus, ohio at the beginning of 2008. each design is created by hand using a vintage letterpress.

DESIGNER - lucy oldfield

designer lucy oldfield recently sent me some of her new designs, which feature gorgeous birds and flowers. lucy is a fantastic illustrator who has done some amazing work since graduating just 2 years ago. check out her blog for lots more great design.

XMAS CARDS - tc design

beautiful graphic christmas cards from tc design. tc are a manchester based company started by tracy webster, who loves to design contemporary greetings cards. many of these come with glittery, sparkly confetti inside.

ETSY SHOP - greenwich letterpress

i was lucky enough to visit greenwich letterpress back in may, on my new york trip (pics here), and so i was pleased to hear you can buy their cards wherever you live in the world via etsy.

HOLIDAY DESIGN - lexie sullivan

atlanta based designer lexie sullivan has created a range of holiday cards which she sells through selected stockists and in her etsy shop. i love the simplicity of these designs and the feeling of movement in the white lines.