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Cromarty, a childhood by the sea

cromarty

Cromarty. The place of my childhood and where I still call ‘home’ or ‘where I come from’. If you haven’t been or heard of it, it’s a smallish town on the Black Isle just North of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland.cromarty

It’s one of those places, which, although it has a fairly small population, as one of my aunties once said to me; it doesn’t matter where you go you will meet someone with a Cromarty connection.

Of course all the opinions expressed in this article are my own and as such completely biased. Perhaps even more so now I no longer live there. Though I visit as often as I can, I see the town through rose tinted glasses and my memories of childhood are only the happy ones.

Nevertheless it was, and still is in the minds of my children, the best place to spend a childhood, especially in the summer holidays. The freedom to wander to the park, the beach or the bakery is something my children cherish as much as I did. Perhaps I took it more for granted than they do. It was an everyday event for me, not the occasional holiday treat it is for them.

So this month I challenged myself to compile a Cards and Gift Wrap box that reflects my memories of childhood summers in my home town of Cromarty.

My Cromarty box

The designs I chose to put in my box have all been inspired by different memories of my Cromarty childhood.

Fishing

I can just about remember my dad helping with the salmon fishing. I certainly remember seeing the huge salmon nets drying on the Links. When I was young the pier was stable enough to fish off the very end of. You could also climb down the steps at low tide and pick muscles off the structure for bait. Or sit underneath the pier at low tide and pick up a star fish or two and watch crabs scuttling about. Perhaps it wasn’t stable enough but there was no health and safety that I remember. Nowadays most of the steps have worn away. I certainly wouldn’t be letting my children climb down them as I did. Is that because they are less safe or because we are more cautious, perhaps a bit of both.

Summer Fruits, picking blaeberries

One of my fondest memories is going for a walk up the Sutor (the hill that sits behind and overlooks Cromarty) with my aunties and picking blaeberries. There was no need to take a picnic as we just stopped half way and ate as many blaeberries as we could. They were all around us. There was no thought of taking any home, it was just free food in the wild. I have taken my children up the same place but they have been more interested in wild raspberries and brambles. Collecting them, at least the ones we didn’t scoff, and taking them home for bramble jam. Oh and that reminds me of another fond memory. Going round to an auntie’s of a Saturday afternoon and being given custard with a dollop of homemade bramble jam. I can still taste it now.

Then there was all the fruit in our garden. My mum is still in the same house, the fruit is still there. Cooking apples, eating apples, plums, rhubarb, strawberries, all growing in abundance. It’s no wonder that rhubarb crumble, closely followed by apple crumble, is my favourite desert even now. Cromarty is known for being a good place to grow fruit, especially fruit trees. The Black Isle is very fertile land. The climate in Cromarty combined with the soil seems to make good for fruit in particular.

Swans

As you drive out the shore road from Cromarty towards Jemimaville (its sister town of Barbaraville is across the Cromarty Firth), you will often see at least one pair of swans swimming or nesting along the beach beside the road. Swans, as you probably know, mate for life. I don’t know what their life expectancy is but it always appeared, even now, to be the same pair nesting each year with a family of Signets in tow.

Lighthouse

Cromarty Lighthouse isn’t stuck out on a promontory away from the town but just at the top of the Links. Built in about 1844, the Lighthouse guided cromarty lighthouseships in from the Moray Firth to the Cromarty Firth for about 160 years until being discontinued in 2006. Most of the buildings now belong to Aberdeen University and form a marine research centre. The Lighthouse was significant to me not because it is so prominent and sits round the corner from our house but it was also right across the road from the ‘family home’ on my father’s side. There is something familiar about it and sight of it reminds me of my father standing in front of it, at the top of the Links looking out to sea. Perhaps looking for dolphins, contemplating what the weather was bringing, watching a tug or oil rig or perhaps just watching.

Dolphins

I forget that not everyone grows up watching dolphins swimming past the end of the street on a regular basis! Porpoises and dolphins were a common sight. It was quite common to see a school leaping in and out of the water in and out of the Firth. I have often stood on the beach and watched one leaping maybe just a few metres in front of me. Locally they are known as tumblers. Since moving to the Outer Hebrides I find that the Gaelic for dolphin, leumadair means jumper. I wonder if the two names are related. Perhaps it is just typical of how we name animals from their behaviour in many cultures. Certainly in Cromarty the dolphins were there long before the Gaelic came but that’s a story for another day.

Fossils

Just along from Cromarty is Eathie Beach. Take a hammer and chisel, find some (loose) grey sandstone and tap away and you’re 99% guaranteed to find fossils. Hugh Miller, a local geologist, was famous for his discoveries and you can visit the place of his birth, Hugh Miller’s cottage. I have fond memories of day trips walking the steep path down to Eathie beach. Less fond memories of lugging a bag full of fossils home. There is still a Salmon fishing bothy there where at one time my father would have worked.

Pirates

Anywhere by the sea must have its pirates. Cromarty is no exception. There is a whole graveyard full of them! In the oldest surviving end of town is the ‘pirate graveyard’. Visit it and you’ll see lots of old tombstones with skull and crossbones on them. Just along the shore again is MacFarquar’s Bed, an old smuggling cove, pirates again right? These are the stories I still tell my children. If you want to spoil your imagination and know the truth then you can find out more here.

Flip flops and the Helter Skelter

For those who buy my subscription box every month there are always a few added extras. This month I added some flip flop stickers. Every year my flip flops hurt my feet. That bit between the toes was never comfortable and yet every year I bought a new pair of flip flops from my auntie’s shop with the dogged hope that this year they’d be better.

Every August is the Black Isle Show, one of the largest agricultural shows in Scotland. All I remember from going as a child is the helter skelter. It’s the only ride I would go on! I’ll be at the Black Isle Show in August in the craft tent. If you’re in the area please come along and say hello.

So what’s Cromarty got to do with cards and gift wrap?

Every month I put together a deluxe subscription box on a theme. The box contains gift wrap, cards, gift bags, tissue, ribbon, tags and other extras. This month I have chosen ‘Cromarty’ as my theme and have picked cards and gift wrap which reflect my childhood memories of Cromarty. It’s been a delight to put together and the hardest thing is knowing where to stop. If you’d like a box you can pre order yours here. I hope it will help me to make sure something of Cromarty is gifted far and wide. I also hope that one day you will have the pleasure of visiting Cromarty and seeing it for yourself.

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Going Naked!

going naked

You’ve seen Blue Planet, right? We all know that we shouldn’t be using plastic straws and disposable plastic cups. I’m sure we’re all trying to do a bit here and there to make a difference. Well here at cardsandgiftwrap.co.uk we’re going one step further and going naked!

Should you avert your eyes if I’m going naked?!

It’s ok, no censorship required. Here at Cards and Gift Wrap we have been trying to cut down on plastic for a few years now. It’s a long time since I sent out any greeting card orders in cellos. There is just no need. When you buy a box of cards I will wrap them in reused bubble wrap where they do need some protection. But the Naked Cards challenged has made me think bigger. Even now, I’m looking at how to send the cards in cardboard instead. Most of my orders now go out in a cardboard box. This protects the cards but sometimes there does need to be something wrapped round the cards to stop them being damaged in the post as they shoogle about in the box. (I do love the word ‘shoogle’, don’t you?!).

Packaging is something I’m still working on. I’ll continue to use bubble wrap as long as I receive it with deliveries. However, I will never buy bubble wrap for packaging.

What about cards in baskets and at events?

Another aspect of my selling is through baskets in workplaces. I would love to go cello free here too but I know from experience that baskets get dropped. There have been a few times I’ve collected baskets with the entire contents in disarray and upside down, clearly after someone dropped everything out of it. Accidents happen. That’s fine, I’m not complaining. But because accidents happen the cards need to be protected. However, I would be quite happy if people took cards out of the baskets and left the cellos for reuse. Where I use celloed cards to fulfil an order I remove them from the cellos and reuse the cellos where possible. If you’ve ever had one of my baskets in your work place you will probably have seen the odd dog eared cello on a card. It doesn’t always look good but know that it’s because I’m trying to do my bit for the environment; the turtles and the whales, and reduce my use of plastic.

We have just launched a new range of pocket notebooks. These will not go in cellos. If people buy packs of notebooks I’ll wrap them in a paper sleeve.

I would love to hear more suggestions of what I can do to save our beautiful blue planet. Comment below or contact me with your ideas.

 

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Easter cards

easter cards

Easter isn’t very far away so I’ve picked out a couple of Easter cards, gift wrap and gift ideas below. If you’re a busy person struggling to find time to order cards then how about an Easter/Spring bundle?

Easter Cards

Butterfly Tree, illustrated by Kim Anderson

I love this card, it’s glittery and just so pretty. Butterflies can symbolise hope, life, transformation…all things that our mothers give to us. Lots to be grateful for.

Easter Wishes, illustrated byJennifer Bartlett
Easter Wishes

Possibly the sweetest card you could send this Easter to a loved one or someone special. I think this would be the perfect card from a grandparent to a grandchild.

Easter Wrap and Gifts

Whichever card you choose, you’ll be sending an exclusively designed one that will make someone say, ‘wow, thank you that’s beautiful’. If you need gift wrap to go with it then there are some gorgeous Florals ones from Flamingo or the Flowers and Stars, that also has matching gift tags. (All Flamingo gift wrap and tags are 100% recyclable)

colour in garden

If you’re looking for gift ideas then you might like the colouring in garden poster. This would be a great gift or holiday activity for all ages. Some of the illustrations are detailed enough for the expert ‘colour in er’ while they will still look good after some embelishment from little hands too.

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Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide

Mother's Day

While you obviously want to get your mum a lovely card for Mother’s Day, and maybe a bunch of flowers. What else could you get that’s a bit classy and a bit different? Many of the illustrators who design cards for Flamingo Paperie have their designs on other products too. Thought I’d take a look and see if I could put together some ideas for mum that are perhaps a bit different but still lovely. Where better to start than on Etsy. Here is my Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide! When you appreciate beautiful illustrations but perhaps can’t afford the original artwork then here are my next best things.

I do have a disclaimer to make. I am an Etsy affiliate so if you do click through and make a purchase I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you but my gift guide is made up of things I’ve either bought or want to get myself (hint hint if any friends or family are reading).



My Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide

Hixxysoft

Does your mother like to bake? Does she like to stitch? Does she like watching the Great British Bake Off? Does she appreciate good artwork? If so, then how about a cross stitch kit. You could either buy it yourself, complete the kit and give a picture. Or if she likes cross stitch herself then give her the kit as a present. Amanda Loverseed is well known for her cut thru illustrations as well as her other artwork. The cut thru bakery is a favourite of mine. The Dinky Cottage is quite sweet too.

Mysticsunsetfabrics

You can never have too many cushions! Sarah Summers does the most exquisite illustrations and many of them have been put on to fabrics. You will possibly recognise her winter and Christmas designs first but she has many others. This beautiful ‘Charcoal Birdhouses and Watering Cans‘ design would make a beautiful cushion or could be used in quilting.

ClaireHenleyArt

Maybe it’s just my mum but she has a thing about coasters! She also has a thing about fish and chips so these Mr and Mrs Fish coasters would tick both those boxes. And if you’d rather have more traditional floral coasters then these are beautiful. Of course if you’re getting coasters then you need the mug to go with it and this one, made in Cornwall of a Cornish scene would brighten up any kitchen.

AlisonVickeryArt

Is your mum ‘Pretty in Pink‘? How about some flowers that will last forever in a limited edition print. When you can’t afford the original artwork but want something a little bit exclusive then this is a good idea. Alison has a number of limited edition floral prints for sale in her Etsy shop. Any of them would make a great Mother’s Day gift but this one stood out for me.

…and if you can afford the original artwork then this one is a must. ‘Fresh Daisies‘ is one of my favourite illustrations that Alison has painted. It’s also a Flamingo Paperie greetings card but I would LOVE to have this original artwork.

So now you’re all set. You’ve got the cushions, the coasters, the mug and the flowers. Mum can sit and relax with a cuppa while doing her cross stitch or admiring the one you spent months making her! She is one way or other surrounded by the most exquisite artwork and now feeling very loved.

I hope you like my Mother’s Day Etsy gift guide. If you know of other Etsy shops that feature Flamingo artists that I haven’t mentioned do let me know. You can leave a note in the comments below.

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My Isle of Lewis Etsy Holiday Gift Guide

With only 4 weeks till Christmas I’ve been looking at what I can still get that’s handmade by people like myself running a small business. Where better to start than on Etsy. Here is my Isle of Lewis Etsy Holiday Gift Guide! So whether you live on the Isle of Lewis like myself or not, there’s really no need to even leave your sofa to shop local.

I do have a disclaimer to make. I am an Etsy affiliate so if you do click through and make a purchase I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you but my gift guide is made up of things I’ve either bought or want to get myself (hint hint if any friends or family are reading).

My Etsy Holiday Gift Guide

Bruehousecrafts

I’ll start with gaelic harris tweed labelsthese gift labels made by a lady I met just this weekend at a craft fairs. So I’ve seen them in the ‘flesh’ so to speak. I was really impressed with how professional they looked and I have to recommend the ones with Harris Tweed and Gaelic on them first.

She makes other ones too and my daughter really fancied the ‘Naughty or Nice’ ones. You might prefer the ‘Time to Drink Champagne‘ ones.

vintage postcard labelsAs I’m in to sending snail mail, I really love the vintage postcards. I think it’s the stamps that do it for me. Postal stamps and Christmas together, what’s not to like?

Lewisiannice

If you liked the Nollaig Chridheil gift tags then you might like these tree decorations with the same message. These are made by Sarah of Lewisian Nice who also makes beautiful Harris Tweed clocks. My favourite being this one in ‘winter red‘ as it both looks and sounds so homely.

Of course if red isn’t your favourite then there are lots of other colours available, all made from genuine Harris Tweed, hand woven right here in the Outer Hebrides.

Sandwickbaycandles

When you are putting your feet up and watching the time ticking by on your Harris Tweed clock, you’ll need a subtle, festive aroma to help you unwind and absorb the Christmas spirit. I can personally recommend Megan’s candles from Sandwick Bay Candles and this year’s Christmas trio sound very appealing. Megan works out of her home. Every time I visit there are the most captivating, but in no way over powering, scents unfolding from her workroom.

If you like to take the fragrances with you then Megan also makes travel tins and car diffusers. Both make perfect stocking fillers.

Sewingroomwithaview

Talking of stockings, you’re going to need a good one to put all these delights in and I have found the perfect one from Sewing Room with a View. Genuine Harris Tweed stockings that won’t ladder or let you down. Sallie also makes beautiful Harris Tweed clothing for when you’re looking for something exclusive and extra special.

So now you’re all set. You’ve got the stocking, the tree decorations, the gifts and even the tags. And you didn’t even need to leave your sofa, let alone the Outer Hebrides!

I hope you like my Etsy holiday gift guide from the Isle of Lewis. If you know of other Etsy shops from here that I haven’t mentioned do let me know. You can leave a note in the comments below.

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Flamingo Paperie

Flamingo Paperie has now closed down but it’s fabulous range of cards, gift wrap, charity Christmas cards, traditional advent calendars and stationery were well known for their beautiful illustrations and great quality.

I was an Independent Executive Flamingo Partner. I still have much of the fabulous Flamingo range of cards, gift wrap and stationery and I also stock other non Flamingo items such as colour in tablecloths and other gift wrap on this website.

Be the first to know

If you want to receive exclusive special offers, sneak previews and information about new releases as they happen and/or the latest Flamingo brochure then click here.

If you really love Flamingo Paperie then you need to also join my Flamingo Customer Club and you’ll get a free gift with your first order in my Flamingo Shop.

What’s New?

Flamingo Paperie Christmas Cards 2018

The new Flamingo Paperie range is out now. We have an exciting Christmas range for 2022 including our traditional advent calendars and our well-known advent calendar cards.

New products come out about 5 times a year. If you’d like to be up to date with the latest just ask.

Click here to see the Christmas 2022 range.

You can still get hold of a few Phoenix Trading products. Just ask me if there is something from the old range you want to get hold of. I may well have it in stock and if not I’ll do my best to find it!

If you have questions about becoming a Flamingo Partner then perhaps my FAQs will help. Get in touch and we can work out what’s best for you.

Sign up now to my Customer Club if you would like me to send you special offers, sneak previews. You can also be involved in the design of new products and more.

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National Handwriting Day: What does your handwriting say about you?

National handwriting day

National Handwriting Day is January 23rd and has been going for 40 years. If you want to know what your handwriting says about you then read on. If you wondered what your scrawl tells others about you then take the test at the bottom.

On National Handwriting Day, take a look at what your style of writing could say about your personality

Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?

The rise of computers may eventually kill off handwriting but, for now, there are still some aficionados out there who refuse to put their pens down.

National Handwriting Day on January 23 celebrates the handwritten word, with the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) encouraging others to use a pen or a pencil to “rekindle that creative feeling through a handwritten note, poem, letter or journal entry”.

“Though computers and e-mail play an important role in our lives, nothing will ever replace the sincerity and individualism expressed through the handwritten word,” said David H. Baker, WIMA’s Executive Director.

The rise of the computer keyboard Almost one in 10 children who go online believe information from social media websites or apps is “all true” – doubling from last year

WIMA adds: “Throughout history, handwritten documents have sparked love affairs, started wars, established peace, freed slaves, created movements and declared independence.”

But what does your handwriting say about your personality? Research by the National Pen Company in the US claims handwriting can give clues about 5,000 personality traits.

It’s all based on graphology, the process of analysing handwriting, which is classed as pseudoscience as it is considered to be without scientific foundation.

Here’s what the research by the National Pen Company says: click through for more via National Handwriting Day: What does your handwriting say about you? – Telegraph

Apparently I’m very private and hard to read. Probably true but not once you take time to get to know me.

Bring back the pen – Virgin.com

The Art of Handwriting – Is it Lost?

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The First Christmas Card

This week we received our first Christmas card. It always comes from the same family friend and is one of those things that lets us know Christmas is here.

first-christmas-card

It’s glittery (or flittery as we say in the card market), plain but very effective.

I do look at every card we receive, not just the first Christmas card, quite critically as I sell Christmas cards!

Every Christmas card that comes through our letterbox gets a good look over. Because I sell Christmas cards that are exclusively designed I am always on the look out for other cards of a similar appeal. Phoenix Trading asks us to submit Christmas cards each January in to a sort of competition to see who else is making popular or attractive designs. Therefore I am always on the look out for extra special cards (that obviously aren’t Phoenix ones!) to submit.

Are they charity Christmas cards?

Nearly every Christmas card that we receive is a charity card, but not all. I know some people just buy cheap cards then make a donation to a charity instead, I get that. However, if the card doesn’t say it’s a Christmas card then it does leave the impression that the sender just bought the cheapest pack of cards they could find because they felt they ought to send a card. Perhaps that’s just very judgemental on my part but that’s the impression I get that’s all. Personally I think every Christmas card could be a charity card, even some charity cards can be pretty cheap these days so there really is no excuse.

Does it stand up?

Most of our Christmas cards will end up hanging on a string in our hallway for everyone who visits to see. However a really special card may well get pride of place on the mantelpiece – but only if it can actually stand up! How many cheap, thin Christmas cards there are that come through the door that cannot stand without being sellotaped, glued or blu-tacked to the surface?!

I choose the cards I send making sure they look good, do good and are good quality. How do you choose yours?

Looking forward to seeing what Christmas cards drop on to the mat this week…

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How to fix Jigsaw Puzzles

Pirate Jigsaw puzzles



I have grown up doing jigsaw puzzles, my family love them and every now and then along comes one that is just too good to break up!

Fixing your jigsaw puzzles so you can hang them on the wall is really quite simple.

jigsaw puzzles

You will need:

  1. Fixative/Glue
  2. Old Newspaper (optional)
  3. Wall hangings

You don’t have to use newspaper but it can make jigsaw puzzles a bit more stable if you build it on a good hard flat surface. Once you’ve built your jigsaw slide it on to some old newspaper.

Then depending on what fixative you use you either simply spray the jigsaw fixative on the front of your jigsaw, following the directions on the can, or apply glue as per the directions. Leave to harden and there you have it. Yep it’s as simple as that.

From personal experience the fixative lasts for years. So even if you don’t hang the puzzle immediately you can store it by laying it flat until later. Under a bed is an ideal location!

You’ll need to choose how to hang your jigsaw. You could either glue some strapping to the back then attach some string or hooks, or slide poster holders along the top (and bottom to add weight) and thread string through these. Or frame your jigsaw.

Happy Puzzling!

Some of the most eye catching jigsaw puzzles I’ve seen are children’s ones that were originally posters. Like the one shown above, an illustration by Amanda Loverseed. Now as a jigsaw you can have the pleasure of the puzzle and the satisfaction of displaying your finished handiwork.

My favourite jigsaw puzzles have to be wooden ones. I remember getting them as a child, they seemed to be more common then, and more recently from Wentworth with their famous whimsies. Like this one:



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Millionaire Tartlets

dairy free millionaire slice

Been dying to try out something I thought would make a great alternative to caramelised condensed milk and this worked a treat. Have always loved Biscoff biscuits and when I discovered Biscoff spread I started wondering….Biscoff spread

Ingredients

200g biscuits (I use mainly digestives with a few gingernuts)
50g melted dairy free spread (I use Pure)

1 jar Biscoff smooth spread

200g dark chocolate

Small tartlet cases with removable bases

Method

Whizz biscuits in a food processor, add melted butter and continue whizzing till biscuits are broken and begin to clump together slightly.

Pack biscuit mixture into tartlet cases, press and flatten firmly with back of a metal spoon. Put in fridge to chill and firm up, for say half an hour.

Spoon Biscoff spread evenly over biscuit bases, shake the cases and tap them to even it out a little, it is quite thick but does go pretty flat.

Melt dark chocolate in microwave or over a double boiler. Pour over Biscoff and add a decoration (we used dairy free white chocolate buttons) then allow to set.

When set, remove from cases and eat!

Definitely not part of a calorie controlled diet but very scrummy.

PS I made these with my 4 year old, really simple and unfortunately for me the kids couldn’t quite eat a whole one so I had to eat lots of leftovers – bummer!

Coming soon Banoffee Pie….