Posts Tagged: Keep Calm and Carry On


10
Feb 12

Be inspired by Design

Karen

Every so often we find ourselves needing to be inspired.  It is food for the soul and makes one feel alive.  To aspire to be something better or to live your life a little differently than you perhaps did the day before.

Recently I have come across many beautiful designs for your home that can fill you with the urge or ability to do or feel something.

Be open to your dreams, people.  Embrace the distant shore.  Because our mortal journey is over all too soon

Introducing Lesley and Pea's Harmony Manifesto! This declaration of policies to live by has been letterpressed by hand in Sussex using wood and metal type, creating a wonderful typographic piece.

Woody Guthrie's New Years Rulin's is a stunning letterpress print from The Wooden Truth Printing Press.

Have nothing wooden sign by Bahasa London

Follow your dreams sign by Bahasa London


21
Dec 11

The History of “Keep Calm & Carry On”

Karen

Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion.

Seeing only limited distribution, it was little known. The poster was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products. There are only two known surviving examples of the poster outside government archives.

The poster was third in a series of three. The previous two posters from the series, “Freedom Is In Peril. Defend It With All Your Might” (400,000 printed) and “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory” (800,000 printed)

Buy it Online


13
Dec 11

Inspiration for Life

Karen

I once read this quote:  ” When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration.”

There are many things in the world that can be an inspiration.  One of the strongest forms of inspiration come from words.  Words which Keep Calm Gallery have generated into beautifully inspiring handmade screen prints.  Here are some of my favourites.  I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.


14
Sep 11

To Thrive on Inspiration

Karen

The Oxford dictionary defines inspiration as “The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative”

Over the past year we have built up a relationship with many suppliers who define their business through inspiration.  Many of these designers have began around the kitchen table, in old sheds or university hallways almost anywhere where inspiration flowed.  The result is nothing short of brilliance.

Bold & Noble, the brainchild of Jane Tobitt and David Wardle, began around the kitchen table.  But late nights and family sacrifices finally brought success to what is now known as a leading brand in screen printing industry.

The same goes for Hayley and Lucas Lepola, a husband and wife team who began the Keep Calm Gallery from the hallways of their university.  What started with a few prints from the two of them soon grew into a site featuring a wide selection of work from some fantastic artists, designers and print makers.

We too know what it is like to start small and grow as we  started in a shed in a back garden and have grown from two to fifteen in just five years.

And so continues so many similar stories of rags to riches.  We feel privileged to have these designs and companies as part of our brand collection and look forward to more unique brands to inspire us all.


15
Jul 11

Know Your City from A-Z

Karen

Created by British Artist Laura Seaby who currently lives in Cheltenham where she has worked as a designer since graduating in 2006. In her current role she designs packaging and products for high street retail clients.

In her spare time she is kept busy with various printmaking and illustration projects.  Her No.1 resolution for 2011 is to be less distracted by TV and spend more time in her studio.

Laura Seaby’s  A – Z of New York and London are really super prints, referencing twenty-six of New York City’s & London’s greatest landmarks and icons.

Laura has combined typography and beautiful illustration in bold colours to create this alphabet, perfect for anyone of any age who has a soft spot for these amazing cities.

Complete with key in the lower right hand corner.

  • Two colour screen print
  • 610mm by 458mm (24 by 18 inches)

Buy it Online


11
Jul 11

Thank You from Dennis & McGregor

Karen

At Dennis and McGregor it is really important to us to not only find brands that are beautiful, but functional too.

Over the past year we have been privileged enough to attract some very influential brands which have been well received by our customers.

We wanted a way to say thank you to the customers of our shop Dennis and McGregor, so we designed these simple thank you gift cards which are sent with every order.  These allow our customers a 5% discount on on any item purchased next time they visit.

Superior Service – it’s the least we can do.


9
Feb 11

Love is in the Air

Karen

“Romeo save me I’ve been feeling so alone.

I keep waiting for you but you never come.

Is this in my head?  I don’t know what to think

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said

Marry me Juliet you’ll never have to be alone

I love you and that’s all I really know

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress

it’s a love story baby just say yes”

(Love Story – Taylor Swift)

Heart shaped chocolates, pretty cards and lots of kisses…………it is no wonder Valentine’s Day is our favourite day.

With some fantastic gift ideas that won’t go unwanted visit Dennis & McGregor and not only will you receive your purchase personally gift wrapped, included will be a decadent box of chocolates to share with that special someone.


24
Aug 09

Eat Your Greens Mug

Neil

With all the government warnings about a healthy diet and obesity, what better way to remind yourself or your family to eat healthily? This Eat Your Greens mug is very well suited to a traditional kitchen or dining room and will get you eating your greens in no time!

  • Made from fine bone china
  • Coloured in Pea Green
  • Height 8.5cm & diameter 7.5cm

Recommended Retail Price: £6.99

Eat Your Greens Mug



15
Jul 09

Wake Up and Smell The Coffee Poster

Morgan

‘Wake up and smell the coffee’, a great idiom and rather nice print to hang in your kitchen, office, bedroom, or just about anywhere! What better way to remind you to put the kettle on?

This hand-pulled screen print is printed on 200gsm, 100% recycled, soft off-white paper. It measures 18in height x 14in width.

Recommended Retail Price: £18.00

Buy Online

Wake up and Smell the Coffee Poster


15
Jul 09

An Apple A Day Poster

Neil

… keeps the doctor away! A nice little reminder to get your daily fruit! The perfect print to brighten up any kitchen.

This hand-pulled screen print is printed on 200gsm, 100% recycled, soft off-white paper. It measures 18in height x 14in width.

Recommended Retail Price: £18.00

Buy Online

An Apple A Day Poster