We just got the new Christmas NotOnTheHighStreet.com catalog in the post!

It’s sent out to NOTHS partners a couple of days early I guess just to remind them to cancel any social engagements they might have for the next 6-7 weeks

We are featured in the center with a nice right hand page showing off some of the illustrations we offer.

You can also see some lovely ideas in it from our co-partners. We especially liked the christmas boxes on the inside front page and the fun pillows for kids toward the back.

And even before this has gone out we are getting busy…gulp! Will keep you posted on how we get on. Oh and just in case you didn’t get one – we also have a discount code running for loyal customers. 10% off for early bird shoppers – just enter XMAS11 in the ‘Shopping’ area of the Letterfest shop before you ‘Checkout’ and you’ll save £££ on your Christmas shopping.

It was another glorious day in North Devon as Wendy and Bob went for their morning stroll on the beach with Travis (the dog), when they stumbled across something a little different that day….a man walking a duck!

Remembering something recently on the news about a man and his duck who followed him everywhere, i looked it up on the ‘world wide web’ and found an article on local man Mr Barrie Hayman and his lovely duck ‘Star’.  After being “shunned by his feathered family when he was just days old”, Mr Hayman has become his adopted father with Star following him everywhere he goes…even the pub.

Proposal Pebbles
How romantic! What a fantastic way to propose to the one you love…..let the pebbles speak for themselves. For all those men out there who are building up the courage to pop ‘that’ question, here’s a helping hand: 

Thought you would like to know what new products we have added to the site.
The first two items are aimed at children however I’m sure all ages will enjoy. Below we have personalised ‘Bunny and Bear’ teddies, perfect for a ‘new born’ gift or a christening present. They come in blue and pink gingham with the name hand sewn on to their tummies.

Here we have a beautiful ‘decorative mobile’ designed for babies, children as well as adults. You can chose up to four different words and names or just repeat the same name four times, with a list of icons to chose from, its completely up to you.

We have introduced some colour to our personalised art prints. You can chose your favourite shape then your favourite colour.

In addition to the cherry tree wood mobile above, we have some Christmas trees to decorate your home in the Festive times to come. Display them on you dining table, mantle piece or window sill for all to see.

Grand Designs is a constant topic of conversation in the office. So imagine our delight when we found out we were featured on the Channel 4, Grand Designs website! A friend spotted us on the front page as a ‘favourite buy’ and quickly texted us the good news (thanks Matt!).

If you fancy ‘Getting the look’ too then check out the house portrait illustrations we offer.

I know we are still in September and in the middle of an Indian Summer, however Christmas is just round the corner. It is always such a manic time of year for everyone, so avoid the chaos and order now. Until October 31st we will be offering a 10% discount for all those who are super organised and order early.All you need to do is go to the checkout when u have decided what to buy and type in the promo code XMAS11….Easy!!!

We are always excited to receive reviews about our products at Letterfest, good and bad. Here are a few of our favourites from the last couple of weeks:
An alternative way to personalise!
Not only can you use names and dates to personalise the illustrations and art prints, Hannah has been creative and chosen the couple’s first dance song from their wedding day for the words on the art print.
“This picture was perfect for my friend’s wedding present – i personalised it with words from their 1st  dance song (i had been let in on the secret 1st dance song choice before the wedding). The service was speedy and i would use again. “
Hannah | Personalised art printAlways here to help.
A couple of praises here once again for our speedy service and great customer service, thanks to Wendy and Bob always being there at the end of the phone (or email).
“Beautiful picture provided which was taken from a photo on the website of the venue. Quick service and there to answer my queries. Thanks again!”
Ashleigh | Personalised wedding venue illustration

“Very happy with the engraved pebble that we ordered.  Excellent quality and it is exactly what we were looking for.  Very good service and prompt delivery, thank you.”
Kym | Personalised engraved pebbles

It’s always nice to get feedback, so we’ve started emailing customers to see what they had to say. The first batch went out at the end of last week and so far we’ve had a great response. Here’s a selection:

“Great product and great service, much better than giving a voucher as a wedding present, thank you.”
Jenny | Personalised Love Art Print

Stunning!!!!! Such a great gift for our parents on our wedding day, will be ordering 2 more.
Thanks again Letter fest…perfect!
Danny | Personalised Wedding Venue Portrait

A lovely, unusual item.  We gave a date art print to each of our children’s Godparents at their christening.  A really great gift as we were able to incorporate both the date of the christening, along with our children’s names, which made it extremely personal and special.  Brilliant service and a lovely item … we will definately order other items in the future.
Alexandra | Customised Date Art Print

We’ve just found out we were mentioned in the fabulous ‘Stylist’ magazine recently. They ran a profile piece on one the the talented founders of notonthehighstreet.com, Sophie Cornish.

She was kind enough to single Wendy out as one of the ‘business brains she admires’, saying that she liked the way she combined ‘business sense with creative charm’.

Sophie started NOTHS with business partner Holly Tucker in 2006 and the rest is history.
The online gift site has changed the way people buy presents and gifts across the country and empowered hundreds of small businesses in the process. We recently picked up a ‘Make award’ from them (many thanks guys) and look forward to working with them in the future.

We’ve been sprucing up the studio with some lovely maps from Herb Lister – they took some hanging but it was worth the effort. Only downside is it makes you want to go off on holiday!

A detail from the New York map. Lovely line illustration work in a very 1950′s style which we looove. Keep up the good work Herb.