Illustrated Equestrian Gifts with a Touch of Whimsy (and a giveaway!)

My in-laws recently moved their business to a new office space in a grand old mansion of a house, complete with ornate furniture and decorations straight out of the early 1900′s. But what I really loved were the original oil paintings adorning every wall of every room – and over 90% of them were hunt scenes. I drooled over them. The ponies and the ladies in side saddles and the hounds … there’s just something that makes me want to fall into each scene all Voyage of the Dawn Treader style.

And I felt the same way when I first saw Felix Doolittle’s whimsical watercolor illustrations of horses and jumps and riding gear adorning notecards, bookmarks, stationary, and paper weights.

I’m sure when you see them you’ll agree that I couldn’t turn down some free samples of these lovely items! (Huge thanks to Robyn for putting together and sending me this package! I was anxiously waiting by the door, and ripped right in as soon as it came). While I was waiting for my samples to come in the mail, I pretty much started (and finished) my Christmas shopping on the Felix Doolittle website.

I could tell from the website that the illustrations are darling, so I was just waiting to judge the quality of the materials in person.

The packaging was lovely, with a sweet hand written note from Robyn, on Felix Doolittle illustrated stationary of course. Will Felix Doolittle illustrate my company’s business cards?

It contained a hand mirror with a sweet dappled gray horse, a box of notecards that resembles a hardback book, and a set of five illustrated bookmarks. The ribbons on all of the items are a nice touch, especially if you intend to use these as gifts. 

Here are the notecards inside the box. I love the ribbon tying them together and the simple equestrian motif. It makes me want to go to a horse show half a century ago in England, reminiscent of some of my favorite horse novels (anyone read the obscure but fantastic Year of the Horse or Scarlet Royal?). 

The notecards are flat (not folded), and printed on a lovely cream-colored cardstock with great texture. The horse shoe and flower illustration adorn the front of the envelopes.  

These bookmarks inspired me to read an actual physical book (Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls), rather than my Kindle. I’ve named the horses Harry, Peter, Francis, Declan, and Seamus. Apparently they are all geldings.

If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift this year (equestrian or otherwise), I highly recommend checking out Felix Doolittle. All of the illustrations – from nature to entertaining to hobbies – are simply darling. The quality of the printing and materials is exceptional, and the service is excellent.

Win a Set of Felix Doolittle Equestrian III Notecards

Felix Doolittle has generously agreed to give away one set of the equestrian III themed notecards pictured above to one lucky reader – a $40 value. To enter the giveaway drawing:

1. Go check out the Felix Doolittle website
2. Come back and comment and share which illustration and/or product you like the best and why. Be sure to include a real email address so I can contact you if you win.
3. Share this post on Facebook or Twitter (and tag Regarding Horses so I see it) to earn extra entries in the drawing.

My Christmas gift to myself might just be these personalized magnets in equestrian. The boots! The jump! I swoon.