Progressive Greetings Feature

I mentioned in one of my previous posts that as a seriel cupcake cardie I was recenetly approached by the Progressive Greetings magazine to talk about the current vogue of the adorable yet humble cupcake and its huge impact on greeting card industry.
Well, arriving back in the office after a very constructive two weeks of designing new products, I was delighted to find that my article was featured on the front page of the trend spotlight in the October issue.
Also our very popular 'Pure Love' range of greeting cards has got a mention in the Innovation section of the magazine. I will be adding more designs to this range early next year, which was launched earlier on in the year with just wedding and anniverseries titles.

Silver Lining Christmas

For those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that lately we've been extremely busy with the mamoth task of trying to keep up with Christmas orders aswell as designing Valentines and Mothers Day 2011 ranges AND developing a new gift and accessories line (which we'll be launching early spring.)
You will be able to read more about the exciting gifts we're launching in the coming weeks on this blog, so watch this space!
Talking about 'space', that's one word that is constantly being used by our lovely retailers quite abundantly these days, as gift and card shops up and down the country are hard at work trying to make 'space' for their christmas stock and displays. With my digital camera in hand, I'll be checking out the latest shop displays in and around Leicestershire and will report back some of my favourite displays next month.
Last week I managed to do a photo shoot of our second Christmas Card range 'Silver Lining for Christmas' which is available to order now. The range consists of 8 festive designs created using organza fabrics, intricate silver hand stitch detailing, and sparkly diamantes & beads. What do you think of my christmas card display?

Christmas Cards

Today I will be featuring one of our two christmas card ranges 'Precious Pearls for Christmas' This range comprises of 9 sequined embroidered designs beautifully laid on to a stunning bright polka dot printed card. Each card is sized 150 mm square, complimented with an elegant ivory envelope and individually cello-wrapped.
If you would like to recieve a brochure for this range then you can do so by either ringing the office on 07734 156200 or view the complete range on our website http://www.sabahdesigns.co.uk/pages/christmas.html

Cupcakes Galore

I was recently approached by a magazine to write an article about the recent craze in cupcakes and the relation ship between cupcakes and the gift & card industry.
Well as you can imagine, being a serial cupcake lover I was delighted to give my input on this spongy morsel. (I will link to my article when its published).

In the last few years our company has been incoperating cupcake designs in most of our card ranges. We find that they are the first to be picked by customers who will say something along the lines of, ‘ Oh, we’ve GOT to have the cupcake! (as if they are real!)
I think the reason why a cupcake on a card sells so well is because its an indulging treat yet so personal and individual and not for sharing!

Hope you enjoy the images. Sabah xx


Cupcake from the Precious Pearls Collection





One of my personnal favourites from the Silver Lining Collection



Cupcakes on a stand from the CK range



A yummy scrummy cherry cake, one of Sabah Designs bestsetllers from the CK range

Eid Cards 2010

We are currently running very low on our stock of Eid Cards now, so if you are a shop and hav'nt placed an order with us yet, you will need to hurry! as the last date for wholesale orders is Friday 3rd of September.
This year we have added 6 new additions to the "Festive Glitz" eid card range due to its debut success last year. I will have to do a seperate blog on some of the fantastic feedback we have recieved in the press and by the independents on this scrumy velvety eid card range.
Happy September everyone!

Wedding Anniversary.

Well, well, well, this is a turn for the books, me blogging TWICE in less than 48 hours! Well as it was our 14th wedding anniversary yesterday, I reievced the most beautiful bouquet of white roses from my dear husband, which I simply had to share with you folks. So here are the shots I took of my favourite coloured roses.
For those of you who have been following me on twitter will know that I have recently undertaken some commision work by a wedding company to design and create a whole range of milestone wedding anniversary cards, hence right now my knowledge of wedding anniversary symbols is better than it was a month ago!! I can tell you that the tarditional symbol for a 14th wedding anniversary gift is Ivory. To find out more about the history of wedding anniversary gifts, click on the following link.http://marriage.about.com/od/anniversariescelebrations/a/annivhistory.htm

More New Members.

So whats been happening at the Sabah Designs HQ lately I hear you ask. Well, since our return from the Isle of Wight, we've taken on 2 new members of staff, who I've been busy training.
We're also very excited to have on board a new sales agent, this time for the south east of England. Martin Hawkes (who has many years of experience in the greeting card & gift industry) will be representing Sabah Designs in the south east territories. He's been busy emailing us with filled out order forms and we very much look forward to working with.



Sabah Designs parcels packed, ready and on thier way to different destinations up and down the country.

Isle of Wight

A spectacular view of The Needles Lighthouse against the white chalk cliffs,
simply stunning






Oooooh! I want one of these!!





A spectacular view of the sunset from the ferry on our way back to Portsmouth.




A really quick blog today with some lovely photos taken from our trip to the gorgeous Isle of Wight last week.
We have a growing number of stockists up there who keep telling me how fab and beautiful it is, so I have been meaning to go there for quite some time now. It was my first visit to the island and I really was taken aback by the stunning unspoilt scenery and wealth of attractions.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and have a great weekend, Sabah

More Media Exposure

Yesterday we were given more press coverage in the Card and Gift Blog which is a lovely blog showcasing the most in demand publishers,the hottest selling products & the best new trends in the world of cards and gifts. So yes it was a real honour to be featured and the exposure has been filling our inbox with enquiries and brochure request.
To read the full coverage, go to: www.cardandgiftblog.com

Post Harrogate

It's been a week now since I got back from Harrogate home & gift show, and the enquiries have just been non stop. We managed to get away for a much needed weekend break (which I will report back on later), but right now the reality of the sheer work ahead of me has hit home and hit the office!!
Lots to report post Harrogate, including new agents, some commision work (which I can't say much about yet) and we also have a new member of staff joining the team next week. Horaay!!
On day three of the Harrogate show, I realised that our 'Golden Orchid' range of greeting cards was featured in the Harrogate preview magazine....Coool!

Home & Gift Harrogate

Arrived back home safely this evening after a very tiring yet enjoyable few days exhibiting at the Home & Gift Fair in Harrogate.
Lots of new customers, potential new agents and a couple of very exciting business ventures have come our way in the last few days.
A big thank you to all our customers for placing orders with us and to all our publishing friends for all their support and advice.

Pure Love

'Pure Love' was launched at Top Drawer earlier on this year and became an instant bestseller due to its specific anniversary captions such as Ruby and Golden Anniversary.
As we were getting constant requests by customers to add Happy Birthday captions to these very pretty beaded cards, we decided to add 6 new cards to the collection.These now include baby boy, baby girl and 4 Happy Birthday captions which we will be launching at the Harrogate show next week.

Yorkshire Agent

Here at the Sabah Designs HQ we would like to give a big welcome to Michael Merritt, who has recently joined the Sabah Designs retail team. Michael will be retailing our greeting card ranges in the Yorkshire and surrounding territories. We wish Michael all the best and look forward to working with him.

Golden Orchid Age Cards

Golden Orchid - The Age Collection

Hurray!! New summer catalogue has finally arrived!

We needed some more brochures printed (500 to be precise) to take to our next trade show in Harrogate and to send out to existing customers, so off I went with the decorating ladder to do a quick photo shoot of our new age range.

These cards are from the newly launched Golden Orchids age range, covering all major age milestones. The detailed black and gold free hand machine embroiderey is effortlessly finished off with an intricately hand drawn gold lace. All cards are sized 155 mm square and are complimented with a gold pearlescent enveloope.