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If you go down to the woods today…

…you’d better be prepared for a party as it’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic Day! So I thought I’d share some ideas for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. First of all you’ll need invitations, these by Laura Stone are perfect! soft toys inv Secondly you’ll need food and I’ve put some ideas on my Pinterest site but anything with honey is obviously a must! I’ve put a couple of ideas for activities and games on there too, love the idea of pin the bowtie on the teddy! Finally, you’ll need to send a thank you card, and this by Paula Bowles is probably my favourite, just because it’s so cute! wheelbarrows

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Coconut Oil Chocolate Fudge

I found this Coconut Oil Fudge recipe and made it for my butterfly tea party. A few people have since asked for the recipe so here it is. I used a jar of coconut oil (costs about £5 in our local deli) and a little honey but I think it would have been sweet enough without any honey or syrup – but you can taste to see as you make it.

Coconut Oil Chocolate Fudge MARCH 13, 2015 BY THE COCONUT MAMA

Super metabolism boosting coconut oil fudge recipe made healthy with natural ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa powder, raw honey (stevia can be used if you prefer) and vanilla extract. That’s it! No corn syrup, marshmallows, frosting or chocolate chips needed. Enjoy!

Coconut and chocolate is a match made in heaven! They pair well together in many of my popular recipes like my homemade chocolate bar recipe, chocolate coconut butter bars recipe, homemade “Mounds” candy recipe, homemade junior mints recipe and my magic hard shell recipe.

I’ve been working on this homemade fudge recipe for months. I wanted a simple recipe that could be tweaked easily for special dietary needs. I used raw honey to sweeten our fudge but other natural sweeteners can easily be substituted in its place. Raw cacao powder can be used in place of regular cocoa powder and expeller pressed coconut oil can be used in place of virgin coconut oil (some do better with expeller pressed because it’s easier to digest). Add a few drops of Young Living peppermint essential oil or 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract for delicious mouth-watering peppermint fudge.

COFudge

Ingredients

1/4 cup Coconut Oil

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Raw Honey (or other natural sweetener like maple syrup or stevia)

Pinch of Sea Salt

Optional: 2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions

1. Measure 1/4 cup of coconut oil and scoop it out into a mixing bowl. Whip the coconut oil with a stand or hand mixer until it’s light and fluffy (like this).  Note: If your coconut oil is room temperature and already liquid you can skip this step.

2. Mix the whipped (or melted if you live in warmer climate) coconut oil, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt together. Mix well and slowly add honey or sweetener of choice. Taste as you go to make sure you don’t over sweeten your fudge. Mix in 2 drops of peppermint essential oil if using.

3. Pour fudge into a 9×5 inch pan  (this is a bread size pan). Spread fudge evenly cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until fudge is set and hard, about 4 hours.

4. Cut fudge into small squares and serve.

via Coconut Oil Fudge – The Coconut Mama.

If you like this, you might also like A Tale of Two Cheesecakes

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Words of Comfort

Blue Alliums

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words but in difficult situations I believe your own words are often the best. All our cards are blank on the inside for you to add your own thoughts, fond memories or reflections at those difficult times.

sympathy collageThis is just a few of my favourite cards for these situations.

What do you find helpful to read in a sympathy card? Do share in the comments below, it might help someone else who is struggling for words.

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Exclusive cards for exclusive businesses!

best seller pack Phoenix Trading

If you’d like to see a better range of greeting cards available locally, all high quality with stunning artwork and illustrations, at prices that are really good value – then why not stock Phoenix cards in your area?

Stunning cards from Phoenix Trading

Many people contact me from all over the world wanting to know how they can buy Phoenix cards. Well here’s the thing – they can’t – unless you sell them!

Wherever you are in the world you can now be an International Business Customer with Phoenix Trading. You can buy cards at a discounted rate and sell them on to friends, family, through your business, small shop, hairdressers, post office, etc., making a nice business for yourself – and of course having a never ending supply of fabulous, gorgeous cards for your own personal use too!

This is a great opportunity, if you love cards and want to see a better choice, quality, price of cards in your area then you can make that happen now. Registration form and full terms and conditions.

If you don’t know where to start, and what to order first, we’ve even put a pack together of some of our bestsellers to get you off to a great start.

best seller pack Phoenix Trading

However, you can’t do this if you’re in the UK, France, NZ or Australia – that’s because if you’re in these countries you have the amazing opportunity to become a Phoenix Trader and build a team of Traders around you.

Be the first in your area to stock these amazing cards, you can order now and I’m sure your friends and neighbours will thank you for it. I bet they’d love to know a ‘card lady’ they can depend on!

Full product list

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The Jackson Family

The Jackson Family
image

“Before I came I hadn’t heard of Rachel House. I think everyone has this image that you’re going to walk through the door into sadness and death and people crying in corners. It wasn’t until I walked through the front door that I thought “wow”. It’s smiles as soon as you enter.

Rachel House takes the stress away. I don’t have to be running around, cooking meals and sorting Mark out. It lets Morgan, Eden and Sky just be kids. When we’re here, I’m more relaxed and I know that my kids are very happy and safe. It’s just a home from home.”

Help families like the Jackson’s by buying our special butterfly basket products, or indeed anything from my shop as I’m donating 10% of all sales to CHAS

via The Jackson Family.

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Christmas already!

I have just been at our first Phoenix Trading Christmas roadshow. This is where all the Phoenix Traders get to see the Christmas range before it is launched in August. Of course it was great, and of course I can’t share any of the new releases with you just yet but I can share a little video of Phlicity (my flitter fairy) and I making a tissue paper pompom.

These are really easy to make and if you’ve never done one it’s a must, for adults and children alike. These are so versatile, can be used as decorations on their own or look superb added to a wrapped parcel.

Go on, give it a go!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTF0VrbhgBU]

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Artists Wanted!

artists wanted

UPDATE – As of June 2023 Flamingo Paperie has now closed.

Ever wondered how Flamingo Paperie find their artists? If you have ever thought your work might look good on a card then you’ll be interested to know that it’s Artists Wanted time.

What sort of artwork fits the Flamingo Paperie artists wanted profile?

Flamingo Paperie artwork is a real mixture of fun, contemporary and fine art. It’s difficult to say exactly what they are looking for because trends and fashions change. The easiest place to start might be to look at our current range to give you an idea.

Or see my latest video with a snapshot of the Christmas range from 2017.

How do I submit my work to Flamingo Paperie?

You can post your artwork to them at Artist Submissions
Flamingo Paperie
60 High Street
Wimbledon Village
SW19 5EE

Flamingo Paperie will consider ‘paper’ copies of artwork or digital artwork. Though I know first hand that the creative director loves to receive ‘real’ artwork through the post!

What happens after I’ve submitted my artwork?

Once you submit your artwork to Flamingo Paperie, they will send feedback on whether they think your work is what they are looking for. If you are successful then Flamingo Paperie shortlist your work on to a survey that the creative team get to vote on!

So get out those paints and brushes, go on – give it a go! Or pick up the phone and get that artist friend of yours to send her work in. Tell Flamingo I’m the one who told you that there were artists wanted and when you let me know that the artist is successful, I’ll send you something to say thank you. Good luck, hope to see your work in the next product survey!

If you’d like to know more about our current artists then take a look at the artist profiles of Alison Vickery, Alison Hullyer, Julia Rigby and Amanda Loverseed.