Probably the shortest blog post I’ve ever written. Apart from a pair of scissors (obviously a good sharp pair is best) then the only equipment I use to wrap my presents is this double sided sticky tape runner.
You can get these at your local hobby craft shop but they are also available online and I can’t recommend them highly enough, especially at Christmas with all those stocking presents to wrap!
If you love Phoenix cards, then this really is a no-brainer for you!
If you send more than 25 cards a year then this will save you money. You can decide to share it amongst friends and it may even make you money!
It is illegal for a promoter or participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits for getting others to join a scheme. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved. The promoter of the Phoenix Trading scheme is Phoenix Trading Unit 6 307-309 Merton Road London SW18 5JS
Ask me how!
or Join Today!
Make your own hearts from squares of leftover wrapping paper, or tissue paper.
These can be used for decoration, or to make your own cards.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZtvAUBR7Pc]
Why not pop a personalised message inside one?
If you liked this, you might also like my paper chain hearts.
Coconut and orange scented rice pudding
This recipe is completely vegan and completely delicious (just cause it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s not delicious!). It has a mellowness from the coconut milk and a tartness from the orange juice taste. It’s also very healthy for you. The ginger and orange zest livens the pudding and makes it a memorable experience. You can eat this as dessert, breakfast or even as a snack. The pudding is fresh and pungent.
400
milliliters of Canned coconut milk
1
cup of Water
3/4
cup of Orange juice
2
teaspoons of Natural vanilla extract
1
pinch of Kosher salt
1
cup of Basmati rice
4
tablespoons of Honey
2
teaspoons of Cinnamon
2
teaspoons of Ginger root, chopped
2
teaspoons of Orange peel, choppedIn a sauce-pan mix the coconut milk, water, orange juice, vanilla extract, salt, and rice. Put the pan over a medium heat. Bring the mixture to the boil and then turn the heat down so that it comes to a simmer. Slightly cover the pan leaving a small space for the steam to escape. Stir the rice every 5 minutes so that it doesn’t stick and burn. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Once most of the liquid has been absorbed turn the heat off and place the lid over the pan. Let the cooked rice sit for about 5 minutes.
Mix the honey, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest in a bowl (leave a little ginger and orange zest for the garnish). Pour this mixture over the rice and mix gently with a fork.
via “Coconut and orange scented rice pudding” Recipe.
If you like this, you might also like Coconut Oil Chocolate Fudge
Flamingo Paperie are always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of Flamingo cards that they produce. I thought it might be helpful to share some information about Alison Hullyer. Alison is one of the artists that designed Phoenix cards, stationery and gifts. Phoenix Trading has now closed and I am part of the new company Flamingo Paperie.
One of Alison’s latest illustrations is a gorgeous notecard design. This is new in the February 2018 Flamingo Paperie range. This is illustrated by Alison Hullyer who has been an artist for Phoenix Trading since 2002, and now Flamingo Paperie. Her designs include animals, cars, age related cards, pencils, hearts…and lots more!
About herself, Alison says:
“I am continually sketching and looking for new ideas everywhere I go and feel very lucky that this is my job. It’s always a thrill to see my new designs come out in print, and I love the challenge of creating new artwork in a variety of styles, even if I am working on Christmas in the middle of summer!”
Members of the new Flamingo Paperie Customer Club will get to vote on new designs. This influences heavily which designs get through to each new product launch. This means that being accepted as a Flamingo artist is not necessarily as subjective as you might expect. In fact 1000’s of people could be voting on your design. This is something Alison particularly loves “as they know what sells and can provide valuable feedback from their customers”. So if you’d like to see designs before they go to print and have your say join my Customer Club today.
Alison is a member of the Cambridge Open Studios where 200 local artists open their studios to the public each year in July.
As well as cards, many of her illustrations are available in fabrics and coasters too and she has her own online shop.
Find out more about how to become a Flamingo artist. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next survey!
And if you’d like to know how you could have the privilege and joy of selling her work too then ask me for more information about becoming a Flamingo Paperie Partner today.
Just as Phoenix Trading were always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of Phoenix cards that they produced, so too are Flamingo Paperie. I thought it might be helpful to share some information about Amanda Loverseed. Amanda is one of the artists that design Flamingo Paperie cards, stationery and gifts.
One of her current designs is the Reindeer Stable Christmas Card. You can see a video of a slightly different way of displaying it here.
Amanda Loverseed is probably one of our most well-known and perhaps most recognisable artists. That is to say her artwork is easily recognisable as it is very distinctive!
She works mostly in pen and ink and watercolour, making her work very detailed and very bright. She likes working in a variety of styles and on different subjects, one day drawing black Skull and Crossbones and the next Blue Butterflies. And yet her work always has that distinctive ‘Amanda’ look and most of her work has a signature snail too!
‘I have always worked as an illustrator. I studied illustration at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology and immediately, after leaving college, had my first two children’s books accepted. It is particularly interesting to work on designs that require research such as the ‘Kings and Queens’ poster.
I live up a track in the middle of a field with my husband and two cats, Millie and Spinach. I have a wonderful view of the South Downs from my studio window and, whenever I get tired with drawing, I walk along the track and the two cats come with me. If I am out and about I am always looking for inspiration, such as a quirky building or car that will make its way into a ‘Cut Thru’ design or an idea for Christmas cards seen in the spring.
I love illustrating for Phoenix and the creative freedom it allows me and enjoy working with people who care passionately about the quality and integrity of their products. I am delighted that a chance meeting with a Phoenix Trader at a Christmas fair in 1999 should have led me to work with such a friendly and dedicated company.’
I’m glad that meeting happened in 1999 as it’s a privilege and joy selling her designs!
Everyone who is a Flamingo Paperie Partner gets to vote on which designs get through to each new product launch. This means that 1000’s of people could be voting on your design. Not as subjective as you think is it?
Alongside her cards her designs are often made in to cross-stitch
Find out more about how to become a Flamingo artist. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next Trader survey!
And if you’d like to know how you could have the privilege and joy of selling her work too then ask me for more information about becoming an Flamingo Paperie Partner today.
Remember making paper chains when you were little? Endless cutting up of newspaper, or old wrapping paper to make the strips, then glue or staples as you linked them together?
Want to do it again?!
I love making paper chains with my children but I confess I take the easy way out now and use pre-gummed paper chains.
However, recently I’ve been busy trying other ideas 
with the paper strips, like these heart decorations. Really simple to do and my 9 year old discovered if you turn them upside-down they look like Christmas trees.
I did make a video of how to make these hearts for Valentines Day.
I remember reading about this collaboration when it went viral a couple of years ago. Glad it’s still going on, what a great way to work alongside your child.
Well done Christian, bet mum is very proud of you!
http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/04/boy-9-grew-his-hair-to-give-to-cancer-victim-despite-bullying-from-adults-and-other-children-5229565/
Brush teeth, dream and ask friends to play….life’s pretty simple when you put it like that!
