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I finally feel like I’ve settled into the new year

I know for some January feels like the longest month, but it never has done for me. The early part of any new year sees the majority of our family birthdays, so each month is filled with celebrations and card giving.

February of course is best known for Valentine’s Day, and now we are getting a little sunshine here in the UK it feels like Spring is on the way. The mornings are getting lighter, it’s only just got dark when I drive home and I’m planning ahead for when I eventually get my greenhouse cleared.

I don’t have an allotment like the characters on this greetings card, but the raised beds and planters in my small garden give me enough space to grow a few vegetables and berries. This year I’ve even bought a patio orange plant, although I think it will be a few years before it’s big enough to fruit!

I would love to keep chickens like in this retirement card, but I think my Jack Russell would be too much of a threat for them. This year I’m going to grow cucumbers and tomatoes again, plus try a few other plants – any suggestions?

Cari xx

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New card designs have arrived

I ummed and aahhed about whether to order so early, particularly with my first market not running until March, but I wanted to get some Valentines Day card designs available for you all.

These are all in limited quantities so now is the time to order if there’s one you like, as I have free shipping until the end of January (as it’s my birthday month).

I also restocked some of our best sellers including the humour range, and added a retirement card and some wedding cards too. I’m trying to have a broad selection without having too much stock sitting with me for a long time, a bit of a juggling act but I love choosing cards for my shop.

I’m so excited to be booked into all three local markets again this year, we were so well supported last year and the other stall holders were so lovely it’s like we’ve built a little market family. You can see us at Hovingham Village Market first at the beginning of March, then Sheriff Hutton and Crayke later on that month. I’m desperate to get out with the cards again!

Cari xx

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Another year older

but none the wiser!

It’s my birthday this month, and while I don’t feel like celebrating this, I do ‘happy dance’ with every order, so decided to offer free shipping for a limited time.

If you need to restock your birthday card box, have a browse of my store and you will benefit from free shipping (UK only, shipping cost of £3.50 refunded).

Cari xx

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It’s a while since I’ve introduced myself…

so if you don’t know, my name is Cari and I’m a married mum of two now adult daughters. We live with our two cats and dog in beautiful North Yorkshire, UK. I started my greetings card business with Phoenix Trading many moons ago, transferring to Flamingo Paperie when Phoenix closed. Since the closure of Flamingo I have been stocking a wider range of greetings cards and stationery which I sell in person at local markets and events, and online to customers in the United Kingdom. I’m very proud of my business and love choosing which birthday cards to stock for my customers.

My personal favourites are the humour range, I always chose humorous cards to give for birthdays when I was growing up so this is very much in my blood! However I do also stock floral and scenery style cards as well as artist designed cards. You can find our stall at a few monthly markets in North Yorkshire and I’m always looking for more events to attend.

Future plans include increasing our notebook range and stocking other stationery products alongside our birthday and anniversary cards etc. Over Christmas many of our packs of cards are sold in support of charities which is something I would like to expand on in other ways too.

So, that’s a little introduction from me, if you visit any of the markets please say hi, otherwise I look forward to happy dancing when I hear your online order ping!

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January Birthday Cards

It’s hard jumping straight from Christmas and New Year celebrations to birthdays and other celebrations, but those of us with January birthdays still deserve a lovely card to celebrate.

These two cards are perfect for the men in your life with January celebrations. If they prefer gardening or sports we have cards for them too.

Ladies who love fitness will get a giggle from this birthday card commenting on the joy of putting on Lycra.

If you’re anything like me, losing your glasses when they’re actually on your head is something of a regular occurrence, making this card perfect!

If your friend is the one with a January birthday this pastel special friend card would be just what you need.

Whoever it is celebrating another birthday in January, we have such a wide choice of cards that I’m sure we have something to make the occasion extra special.

Cari xx

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Prepping for New Year

I got my first market booking form yesterday. It’s exciting to think of a whole new year stretching out in front of us, filled with possibilities and opportunities. Of course for me it’s tinged with sadness with the anniversary of losing my dad, but from a work perspective I’m thrilled to now be a regular at Hovingham Market starting from March.

This means from March we will have three markets every month, which gives you even more opportunities to stock up on birthday and new baby cards. I’m hoping to give the range a refresh soon, so if there’s a particular occasion or design you’ve been looking for please let me know.

How do you celebrate the New Year? We have a quiet celebration, just the four of us and some drinks and party food. I love watching the fireworks on tv but we don’t stay up till the early hours partying anymore!

I’m busy planning out 2025 and this year (as I do every year) I want to be more consistent with marketing. I always start off enthusiastic and then lose interest, so we will see how that goes. January and February are quieter months so if you have birthdays or other occasions that need a card please have a look, we are sending out most days over the festive break and then every working day from January.

Cari