personalised wedding cake toppers

As you may already know, I have been taking on some more commissions recently for personalised wedding cake toppers.
I love creating these and have dreams to make many more personalised wedding couples!
Here is my most recent commission. I created the bride, groom and her one year old girl.
I used a mini wooden peg for her and am chuffed with the way she turned out!

Stencil Art books

Very exciting to receive my copies of Stencil Art Bugs and Stencil Art Safari Animals, in the post. So I thought I would post a few photos for you to see. These two books are out now and you can buy them from amazon now! They were really lovely books to work on.

As you can see from the little images, each spread has three stencils imbedded into the page. These stencils can be individually taken out and then used as actual stencils! In the book are lots of exciting activities that can be created using the stencils. They are a fun way to introduce a child to nature and craft combined.

I hope there will be a few more of these in the series as I would love to work on some more themes.
Hope you like them :)

My last day of design work (for a while at least!)

Well last week was very emotional for me. It was time for me to finish my work and start my maternity leave. 
I do love my two regular freelance design jobs and Wednesday I had to say goodbye to the Quarto Children's team. They gave me a great send off with a box of mummy smellies, a chocolate cake and a nice pub lunch. Plus an awesome, lovingly made, hand cut leaving card (see below). 
Friday I finished my work at Harper Collins Children's books and also had another lovely send off. They bought me a fab six month subscription to Molly Makes magazine, flowers, cake and also an awesome card with a design adjustment to a cover that I had designed a while ago! It was adapted from Lettuce the dancing rabbit, down to the detail of a rather pregnant rabbit's belly (see below).
I have been very lucky to have been freelancing for 8 years and spent much of my freelance time in these two companies. The work has been great and the people even better, so I will definitely miss the daily chats and buzz.
For now though, it's time for me to take a break and concentrate on my soon to be new arrival. I guess my little boy will be the ultimate design creation I have ever made...
So watch this space!
xx

Type postcards and tags

I have been busy working away on my new series of postcards and tags. This time I wanted to create little cards and tags with positive messages in a fresh and colourful type based look. I illustrated the quirky type styles and got them printed on lovely card stock by moo.com. I am really pleased with the final outcome and look forward to selling these and then adding more type based ones to the set!

Etsy shop update

Just to let you know that I have a few little card collections for sale on my Etsy shop at the moment. Here are just a few... Click on this link to get buying.... Laura's Etsy shop

Little Wishes character cards

I have been working on some more card ideas and thought I would show you my latest ideas.
Here are two cards, a 'birthday wishes' card and a 'friends forever' with two of my characters in my 'Litte Wishes' range.
I am working on a boy's 'Super' hero card in the same collection and will post that soon too.
What do you think of them? I am considering getting them printed to sell in my Etsy shop...

My new books

I have been so excited to show you all my two new books for Collins that are out on January 3rd 2013. Here is a little image showing the two books! 
One of them is called Top Dog and the other is called Rat's Wishing Hat. 
I have been working lots of very late nights recently to get them finished for the deadline but am proud of how they are looking. 
I hope you like them too! 
Remember that you can pre-order these via amazon!

Stars on canvas

The eBay auction has started for the Willow Foundation Stars on Canvas charity auction.
You can click on this link to vote for a canvas illustrated by many stars and artists:
http://starsoncanvas.org.uk/

You can also bid on my canvas for the auction by clicking on this link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laura-Hambleton-Original-Art-Stars-Canvas-/181021464851

There are only 6 days left so get bidding. All sales go to help the organisation and its a great opportunity to buy a very special gift for Christmas!

Inspired: London A Guide to Handmade in London

I am excited to be one of the designer/makers featured in this new book called Inspired: London by We Make London. 
The book is out on November 10th and contains over 150 handpicked designers that create handmade products in London. 
It's great to be among fab designers and even one designer who created the embroidery on Kate Middleton's dress!  
You can take a look at the book by clicking the cover below.
You can also read about the designer/makers featured in the book by viewing the blog
 

Little Wishes mini notecard sets

I have been busy working on my Little Wishes mini notecard sets this week. These sets will go in my Etsy shop very soon, but I couldn't wait to show you them! Each little pillow pack has 8 mini cards and envelopes and a sheet of my mini stickers too. They are great cards for giving little thank you's to a friend or relative. Also they could be good as little secret notes to go inside lunch boxes or bags. Maybe even as a mini card attached to a little present too! 

wedding doll cake toppers commission

I was very happy to be asked to create a wedding couple for the top of their wedding cake, taking place today!

The bride and groom's theme was cycling so I included a little bike and basket of flowers to go with the bride and groom. Each flower was made from eggshell and blue shades of paper and stuck into place to create the bridal flowers and the basket of flowers on the front of the mini bike.

The couple provided a little description of themselves and what they would be wearing on the day so that I could create the two dolls that are unique to them.

The amazing wedding cake was hand made by Cassidy and Smith, even down to the sugar paste flowers.  

If you would like me to create a special wedding couple for yours (or a friend's wedding) then please email me for a quote!