Category: Cards

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Christmas must be coming!

The Brighton Pavilion at night lit up in beautiful colours by exploding fireworks. Santa has climbed onto one of the domes to get a better view.

Well, I seem to be a little bit organised this year and I’ve just done a stock check and updated the website. Maybe it’s the unseasonably wintry weather? You’ll find that some Christmas cards are gone and some are new; I’ve taken out all the cards for which I no longer have stock available, and I’ve added some new Christmas cards to the range. Such as: Santa is naked, sitting behind a windbreak on the nudist beach, reading to his teddy bears. Their three bottoms can be seen below the fabric of the windbreak on the front of the card, on the back you see the book is covering Santa's modesty! They have wine, Christmas pud and a crab on the beach towel. The reindeer are in a boat trying to see what's going on on the nudist beach.The Three Bares, Brighton Nudist Beach

Santa is in his sleigh at night, flying over Saltdean cliffs guided by his Sat-Nav. Seagulls are sitting on the fence and the moon's reflection shimmering on the water.Santa’s Sat-Nav, Saltdean Cliffs

Santa, holding a Robin is standing in front of a selection of landmarks from around the city. Brighton and Hove, Christmas in the City and

Father Christmas is skating on Rottingdean pond with St Margaret's in the background. On the reverse of the card he is decorating the Christmas Tree on which there are robins.Skating, Rottingdean Pond and St Margaret’s

I know that everything is costing so much more this year, and so I’ve kept my prices the same as last year but, I’m sorry, I can’t offer the usual discount code. I hope holding the prices will be like a little Christmas gift from me to you. I so value your custom and want you to have the best possible Christmas.

You might also like to take a look at my colouring book which is new. It’s based, in design, on the Bayeux Tapestry and depicts the story of Jesus. Of course, that includes the Nativity story which is what Christmas is all about. It might make a nice gift for someone arty whom you know, or for yourself! I made it spiral bound so that the book lies flat in use. It’s printed on quality cartridge paper for smooth colouring and printed on one-side only for your notes, your own drawings or so that it can be framed. The front page has a place for you to sign the book too. Each story has the accompanying Bible text reference if you wish to read it for yourself. I’ve included some hints and tips for successful colouring in the back of the book too. See some of what’s in it in the VIDEO, here.

I’ll be adding more to my website soon, not cards – I think that everything I have is listed now. But I have something else I’d like to share with you … watch this space.

With love, Shirley

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What’s new?

I’m delighted to say that we’ve added a new range of cards to the site. Brighton, Hove and local areas. There are now 20 in the range, I do hope you find something you like. All the cards come with a C6 white, 100 gsm envelope. They’re blank inside for you to write your own message.

I designed them to bring a smile to anyone who knows the area and some have a slightly quirky feel to them, such as The Pavilion, Let’s Celebrate! Depicting places from Brighton and Hove to Seaford. Do take a look.

Thank you for visiting Shirley Veater Designs.

Shirley

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And just like that … it’s Advent!

How the year flies by! As you know I’ve been busy with our new book, writing for it and doing the paintings to illustrate each chapter. Sales are going well, thank you if you’ve bought a copy. Here’s the link if you haven’t seen it yet. Or if you are in or nearer to America, on Amazon.com

So, suddenly, it’s Christmas just around the corner and I’ve done some new Christmas card designs, of course! (B41-51)

Even though I’ve been so busy, I have also designed a colouring book in the style of the Bayeux Tapestry telling the story of the life of Jesus. You can see it here. It would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves to colour. It’s really aimed at adults, but an older child might enjoy it too. It’s printed on good quality cartridge paper which makes colouring a pleasure, with a ring-bound spine which means it sits flat while you work. Each image is printed on one side only so you can frame them, make notes, or use them for other projects if you wish.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas

Shirley x

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Springing a surprise

Individual shops and cottages in Brighton & Hove

You may be wondering why it’s been so quiet and I haven’t written anything here for a while? Well, I haven’t been idle; I’ve produced a couple more card designs which I’ve added to the Brighton & Hove range; £2 each or any 3 cards from the range for £5 with code BH345 at checkout. One design Funky Brighton 1 is now on my front page, the other, Funky Brighton 2, is illustrated here, do check them out. I hope you like them, they were fun to do!

I’ve also been working on an exciting new project, in fact I still am! I can’t tell you much about it yet, but when it’s finished – probably late summer, you will see it here as I’ll add it to my website. It’s something very important to me which I value personally and I hope you’ll love it too.

In the meantime have a wonderful summer!

Shirley

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Scene around Brighton …

People having fun on the Pavilion lawns

I’ve just added a new range of cards to the website. They’re all based in and around Brighton and Hove. Starting with the i360 in Hove, through the Pavilion and Nudist Beach to Rottingdean and Saltdean. I had great fun designing them. Particularly the Pavilion Funday which came out of a Jubilee party we held and I painted a picture including as many of the people who were there as I could. This isn’t it, but it was my inspiration. The designs wrap around the front and back of the card, so the images you see are the whole thing, back and front and will fold down the middle.

They are £2 each and come with an envelope, of course, but I’m offering a special deal of any three cards for £5. Just use the voucher code BH345 at checkout, but you must have the cards in multiples of 3 (ie 3, 6, 9 etc) for the voucher to apply.

I hope you like the new designs as much as I enjoyed designing them.

Stay cool!

Shirley

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Countdown to Christmas

Advent starts this Sunday (28 November); the countdown, or rather the journey, to Christmas. Of course, it all starts a lot earlier than that for anyone who, like me, produces Christmas cards or gifts, but when Advent starts it is that time when we know Christmas is really on its way … although the early onset of Christmas TV commercials does that pretty well!

This year I have six new additions to the Christmas card ranges on the website, and I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that there’s no price increase again this year! We also still have our special Christmas offer of any 5 for £5.50 with code: xmas2021 at checkout, the offer closes on 17 December 2021. It includes all Christmas cards on the site (Ranges I, II and III) mix and match, but not Seasons nor the everyday selection. For the offer please order in multiples of 5 eg 5, 10, 15 and so on.

I’ve added the new selection to Range III for simplicity. They are:

B35 Marine Parade from the sea – a new perspective, looking inland from the sea at Lewes Crescent, Marine Parade and Kemp Town seafront.

B36 Brighton Rocks, Rampion Wind Farm – Father Christmas is back on the beach with some sticks of Brighton rock, his reindeer and some seagulls, with the Rampion wind farm in the distance.

B37 Picnic on the beach (Dejeurner Noel sur la plage) after Edouard Manet – Santa’s enjoying sharing his picnic with his reindeer on the nudist beach in a cheeky nod to the style of Edouard Manet.

B38 Postcards of Saltdean – a selection of views around Saltdean including the Grand Ocean, White Cliffs Café, The undercliff, The Lido and Art Deco houses.

B39 Rottingdean Windmill & Windfarm – there’s a lovely view over the old village even though it’s a windy day up on Windmill Hill, wind flying Santa’s kite, driving the Rampion Wind Farm, in the sails of the old mill and who knows where else – the sheep look lovely and warm though.

B40 Royal Pavilion Christmas decorations – a new take on the popular design that sold out. Father Christmas is sailing over the Royal Pavilion in his sleigh as, below him, the minarets are decorated with holly, robins and lanterns.

It’s been good to actually go out shopping after all the restrictions of the last year hasn’t it? Some super shops in the south-east stock my cards, and they report that people are really enjoying being able to select their cards – and they’re selling well!

So if you’re out and about and want to see them in person too, be in touch and I can let you know where the nearest stockist is to you. Prices may differ though.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Shirley

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Do I hear sleigh bells?

Hello again!

I’ve been spending my time designing – I did do a little bit of tidying up, but hey, you know – priorities people!

Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh

I’m pleased to bring you my newest additions to the Christmas card ranges, and I’m sure you’ll be delighted to know that they’re at the same price as last year – any 5 for £5.50 with code: xmas2020 at checkout, the offer closes on 20 December 2020. The offer includes all Christmas cards on the site (Ranges I, II and III) mix and match, but not Seasons nor the everyday selection. For the offer please order in multiples of 5, eg 5, 10, 15 and so on.

I’ve called the new selection Range III simply to identify them for the offer, but they are a new, fun and dynamic selection such as the Brighton Rocks! designs and the ‘Real Meaning of Christmas’ collection alongside a new set of ‘Inspired by’ images – just two so far; Van Gogh and Monet. I hope you and the people you send them to will enjoy them. Why not have a look now?

I also supply my cards to some super shops in the south east, so if you’re out and about and want to see them in person – that’s a rarity these days! Be in touch and I can let you know where the nearest stockist is to you. Prices may differ though.

I hope you and your loved ones have a happy, peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Take care and stay safe,

Shirley

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Lockdown Living

Hello again,

It’s been a while! I don’t know about you but I am finding the COVID-19 lockdown a very mixed experience.

With an unwell family member, as you can imagine I’m sure, it’s been stressful and we are not out of the woods yet, but there is definitely light beginning to emerge at the end of the tunnel, praise be!

On the other hand not being allowed to go out has really given me an amazing opportunity to be creative here at home in my studio. So I have selflessly turned my back on the housework and am focusing on my art.

You’ll see I have added some of my general greetings cards to my site and I’m currently going through my canvases deciding which make the grade and which are destined for repainting. There’ll be some new canvases added to the website soon.

So I am sending you good wishes as the world begins, in places, to put a tentative foot outside the door. 

Keep safe and take care.

Shirley

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Christmas already!

Where has the year gone? It only seems a matter of moments since I was designing for Christmas in the heat of summer and suddenly we all need scarves and hats and the shops are stocking Christmas cards and gifts!

Lots of people have asked me if they can buy my cards online, so to set the ball rolling I’ve decided to offer 20 of my Christmas designs here. I’m offering them at £5.50 for any 5 cards from either or both Range I and II, but you’ll need to use this code at checkout: xmas2019

If it goes well I’ll think about offering some of my everyday designs in the New Year.

When I was busy designing for Christmas I had an idea which has been very well received; it is seeing reminders of the Christmas story around the city. For example, Pret a Manger, The Star (pub) , The Dome which was the stable for the Royal Pavilion and of course signs in our local B&Bs saying “No Vacancies” or No room!

(C) Shirley Veater

It’s amazing how many you find once you are atuned to seeing these reminders of the Christmas story. I’d be interested to know if you find some too.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2020

Shirley