WE HAVE MOVED!

We should have let you know before...but we have moved! You can now follow the Allison & Busby blog here!

Envelopes Everywhere!

You know how sometimes getting a short text message from a friend you haven't seen for ages can just make your day? Or when the person next to you on the tube says something to make it seem less of a miserable journey? Well, picture that warm glow inside and multiple it to the power of global loveliness, as we're seeing 'Envelopes' popping up everywhere!

A big thank you to Miss Cosby at St Meryl's School in Watford who sent in a few pictures of the illustrated Envelopes her pupils had been inspired to create. How wonderful - I can almost hear that cracker popping right off the page!

And secondly, proof that Envelopes manages to charm in every corner of the world, we received today an utterly beautiful envelope which has journyed all the way from New Zealand! Check it out.
And if all this Envelopes business is meaning nothing to you - what? You mean you haven't seen a copy? What's wrong with you - go here to read more about it.

In 3rd Place...

Third on the podium is C Fowler from Ashford whose unique 3D envelope featuring an origami boat on a paper sea also gets a 'high commended' spotlight!

Judge Harriet Russell said 'It was lovely to see an envelope with more of a sculptural approach. I liked how the sea was bursting out of the envelope and the creative use of different papers in this entry.'

In 2nd Place...

A very close contender for the winners prize was Frances Culshaw from High Peak who gets 2nd place in our Envelopes competition. (She may have missed out on the prize but we simply must bestow her with special recognition!)

Judge Harriet Russell said of this entry: 'The drawing of the pin ball machine was well executed, colourful and eye-catching, and cleverly incorporated the words of the address into the game. I liked the idea of the 'Postie's challenge' which was very much in keeping with my original idea!'

And The Winner Is....

Congrats to Lucy Groom from Chelmsford! - the winner of our Envelopes competition!

Harriet Russell, author of Envelopes: A Puzzling Journey Through the Royal Mail and the judge of the competition said of Lucy's envelope idea: 'This entry stood out as I felt it was the most original and engaging. I enjoyed the way she had incorporated the address into her little story of a couple called Allison and Busby and their 13 daughters, one called Charlotte and the rest called Mews...which I thought both clever and charming. It was also visually appealing as each part of the story was written on a separate patterned handmade envelope, and bound together to make a story book.'

Lucy will receive a £100 Gift Card to spend at Borders (any store or online)... It's a timely prize in the run up to Xmas, but hope it doesn't all go on pressies and you treat yourself to something nice, Lucy!

We love all your Envelope entries!

A quick note to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered our Envelopes Competition (now closed). Opening our daily post simply won't be as fun anymore! We'll now be getting the lovely Harriet Russell, author of the wonderful book Envelopes, to pick the winner and runners up and these will be announced on the 1st December. Check this blog or our website then to see who topped the creativity chart!

Win a £100 voucher!

Ok, I realise we have grossly neglected this blog... but I can assure you it's all for good reason. Oh yes - we are getting ready for something BIG...something that will transform your online vision of A&B, and indeed this blog. That's all I'm saying at the moment, but bear with us. Think of it as the calm before the storm, or rather in this case, the silence before the fanfare!

But just breaking the silence for a moment to flag up our Envelopes competition.

Inspired by the Harriet Russell's unique book Envelopes - a collection of puzzling, artistic and oddly addressed envelopes - we thought it would be great to see what other quirky envelope ideas people could come up with. So! If you fancy flaunting your creative talent and winning a £100 to spend in any Borders bookshop or online (bet that 'll save on your Christmas shopping!) click here for full details about the competition.

It ends on 17th November so get cracking!