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Know Your Native Bluebells

We have lots of native, UK, bluebells and Spanish bluebells in the wild but did you know we also have a lot of hybrids?

Does it matter if our bluebells are native or not?

We have lots of native, UK, bluebells and Spanish bluebells in the wild but did you know we also have a lot of hybrids? I shared the Wildlife Trust identification guide to my Facebook page last week and it got a big response.

The full guide from the wildlife trust explains simply and clearly what difference it makes and what to plant in your garden. If you want to know more then click here.

I love bluebells. First we get daffodils that herald the start of spring then the tulips come out in all their colours and after that the bluebells seem to tell us that it’s May and often here in the Outer Hebrides that’s when we get the best weather. As I write this there isn’t a cloud in the sky, it’s the 1st of May and already I’ve heard people this morning in Stornoway saying it’s ‘too hot’!

So it’s not surprising that we love cards with bluebells on them too. One of these popping through your letterbox would make anyone smile.

Bluebells on Cards

There are a few bluebells on cards and these four above are my favourite:

From top to bottom, left to right:

Sunrise Bluebells by Julia Crossland
Wrendale Hedgehog seed card (contains wildflower seeds, not bluebell bulbs!)
Misty Blue by Jane Morgan
May by John Donaldson

The Misty Blue by Jane Morgan is also available in a similar design as a sympathy card.

Another lovely selection of cards from Janet, arrived really quickly and wrapped well as always. At just £2 per card if you buy 10 or more this is really good value for money.

Lynne, happy customer, Trustpilot

Wrendale Designs have a stunning Woodland Anniversary card with bluebells, hares, deer and foxes. And…last years Wrendale Family Calendar had bluebells on the front and if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you’ll see what I’ve done with mine….ok, go on then, I’ll show you here too lol.

I chopped it up!!!

Now I have lots of beautiful notecards (though I’m really thinking of framing some) and some ‘don’t forget’ lists to help me try and be more organised. Sadly this year’s calendar (as well as last year’s!) is sold ou. However, I already have the 2025 Wrendale calendars in stock. Use them, then in 2026 you can repurpose them into beautiful notecards or framed prints.
I hope you are getting some bluebells out near you. I did see some Spanish ones in our local woodland at the Lews Castle Grounds but I’m fairly sure there weren’t any native ones. I will be looking closer next time as I really hope to find some.

I’d love to see pictures of bluebells near you. Who knows you might inspire me to design a card from your photograph! You can send them to me via Instagram or Whatsapp.
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Connecting with cards

With a new year, comes new cards from Flamingo Paperie. And they couldn’t come at a better time. Connecting with cards is a great way to keep in touch and lift someone’s spirits. A card really is like a big warm hug in an envelope.

It’s nothing new really. During WW1 and WW2 sending cards and letters increased from the weekly norm as people tried to keep in touch and boost morale. It’s happening again. Not a world war as such but during this pandemic the British people are turning to post to help lift spirits. Find out how people are connecting with cards during lockdown.

Sending greeting cards – the British way

Recently the ITV reported on the surge in mail that postal workers are experiencing. From 100th birthday cards, correspondence with loved ones and mail sent to those in care homes, the great UK greeting card is out to boost morale again. In ‘normal’ times the UK people send more greeting cards on average than anyone else in the world. With the average person in the UK sending 33 cards a year I think the figures for 2020 will be much, much higher. But we’ll have to wait for the Greeting Card Association annual report in a year or so before we find out exactly how many.

connecting with cards

What does Connecting with Cards mean?

This week is UK Mental Health Awareness Week. Sending and receiving cards has been scientifically proven to help with mental health. I’m not sure we need science to tell us that. We all know the joy of a handwritten letter or card arriving on the doormat. Sending a card is an act of kindness. ‘Kindness’ is the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020. But a handwritten card isn’t just an act of kindness it’s more than that too. It means taking a little time to think about someone else. Writing a card means you’ve thought about someone who quite possible feels very alone. And a beautiful greeting card isn’t easily forgotten. Instead it’s given pride of place to be seen and smiled at again and again and again.

Send a card, deliver a smile.

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Simple Origami Hearts

Origami heart craft activity Valentines Day children

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.

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Valentines Card Messages

Valentines card messages

If you don’t know what words to write then check out my top 10 favourite love poems and verses for your Valentines Card.

1 ‘My Love is Like a Red Red Rose’ by Robert Burns

Robert Burns

‘Red Heart’ card beautifully illustrated by Laura Stone. Furthermore it is a verse that I can’t write without singing it in my head!

2 ‘Silentium Amoris’ by Oscar Wilde
Oscar WildePainted Hearts Valentines

‘Painted Hearts’ is a new card that is illustrated by Louise Anglicas with pop out hearts too!

3 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare
With Love heart tree Valentines

‘With Love Heart Tree’ card, probably one of my favourites for a Valentines card and illustrated by Karen Tye Bentley.

4 ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by L. Frank Baum

Frank L Baum
Silver Heart Valentines

‘Silver Heart’ card. A classic card that is suitable for so many occasions including weddings and anniversaries. Illustrated by Laura Stone.

5 ‘Sense and Sensibility’ by Jane Austen

Jane Austen
Perfect Pair Valentine

‘Perfect Pair’ card. Another versatile card, illustrated by Sue James.

6 by Dr Suess

dr Suess
Love Valentine

‘Love’ card. I love Dr. Suess and I love this card. If you love Alison Hullyer’s illustrations then this is the one for you.

7 by Aristotle

Aristotle

‘Fabulous You’ card. Got to have chocolates on Valentines Day haven’t you? If you think so too then this very tasty card is illustrated by Sophia Coleman.

8 ‘The Rose in the Deeps of His Heart’ by William Yeats

Yeats

‘With Love Champagne’ card. Show your true passion by sending this card illustrated by Tim Mason.

9 ‘I Love Thee’ by Eliza Acton

Eliza Acton
Lovebirds on a bicycle

‘Lovebirds on a Bicycle’ card. How adorable are these two lovebirds in this illustration by Sharon Blackman?

10 Valentines Verse and Valentines Card by you?Valentines card messages

Still to be written!

If you need gift wrap, tags, ribbon for your present too then you’ll find a lovely selection along with the cards right here.