Foxes & Angels Greetings Cards review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of a product that I received for free.  All opinions are my own.

It is always a delight when I receive a nice card with a lovely personal message, so I like to give similar to my family and close friends, either making the cards myself or taking great care choosing ones to purchase. The key criteria for me is that cards should be environmentally friendly, so I was very happy to discover Foxes & Angels, who offered to send me a free pack of cards to review. As times are tough for small businesses right now, I said that 2 cards would be sufficient.

The cards are beautifully illustrated by Besheer Abbaro, a descendant of Sir Edwin Lutyens the architect, using techniques of lino prints, drawing and painting. I am always in awe of people who can craft such lovely designs. Besheer is very talented like my brother-in-law, who does traditional wood block printing.

It was particularly poignant to receive the Alexandra Palace scene, as that is one of the venues where my mum used to exhibit and teach at craft shows. She used to make so many different types of cards – cross-stitch, iris folding, quilling, tea bag folding to name but a few. I’m sure I got my own love of craft from her.

These cards are blank inside and measure approximately 18cm by 13cm, so lots of space for your message. The cards are printed on good quality FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified card, as they have been unable to source suitable recycled card to showcase the lovely images but they are still pursuing this. And the envelopes are brown kraft recycled paper. They offer a choice of protective recycled cellophane bags which are made from corn starch or small paper card clasps when you purchase online. The clasps are a peelable label. Alternatively you may opt for neither. I was pleased to see that the external postal packaging also looked recycled and noted the use of paper tape. Their website states that they are always seeking to reduce their carbon footprint where possible.

As well as Christmas cards, the range encompasses birthday, new baby, new home, thinking of you, music exam and everyday cards.

In addition to their own online shop, the cards are also sold via a selection of independent retailers. I think it would be useful to the consumers who purchase the cards via these other stockists, if there were some indication that the bags are biodegradable cellophane and more importantly, how to dispose of them. Perhaps this information could be incorporated onto the reverse of the cards.

It would also be great to see more information on the website regarding estimates of how long the biodegradable recycled cellophane bags take to degrade and whether they are suitable for home or industrial composting.

The pricing of the cards is excellent value, currently most of the range is priced at £2.75 each or packs of 6 for £11. Checkout process is simple.

Do take a look at the range to see all the other great designs. They have a great vintage retro look. And thankfully no pesky glitter or foil embellishments in sight.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a selection of both winter and their new spring season greetings cards courtesy of Foxes & Angels to one lucky winner. A lovely prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

I think Stag At Night is my favourite and I’d love to hear which card design you like best.

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Guest post: How to Buy a Real Birthday Card

Source: StockSnap

How to Buy a Real Birthday Card Online

It may seem old fashioned, but I still love getting and giving real birthday cards – and collecting my children’s cards for them to look back on one day.

Though the online age has tried to replace cards with e-cards or Facebook messages, I still prefer getting a real card, chosen by someone who knows me, with a handwritten message inside (and if they send a personalised chocolate card, I won’t complain!). I can’t lie though: it can be really hard to find the perfect card for my friends and family, and I don’t always have the time I’d like.

However, there are some great options for buying cards online including a new store in the US that’s doing something truly groundbreaking: sending real cards, with your own message – in your own handwriting – right from your computer.  Here’s a round-up for you other busy mums!

Moonpig – https://www.moonpig.com/

Established in the UK, USA and Australia, Moonpig’s biggest appeal is being able to add your own photos and text to their designs. If you want to make a movie poster featuring your child, husband or best friend in the starring role, this is the place to go.

The actual editing interface is very simple and it’s quick and easy to add photos from your computer, phone or Facebook gallery. Once you’ve customised the front of the card, you can type your message and name in the card and then send it to your recipient – though I tend to leave it blank, send it to myself and add my own handwritten message.

Best for: Using your favourite photos to create personal cards; send a gift at the same time

Drawbacks: Can only type name and message in cards; interface can be temperamental if you want to review designs

Blow Birthday Cards – https://www.blowbirthdaycards.com

A new US company that’s sure to grow fast, Blow Birthday Cards only work with independent artists and aim to have the right card for everyone, no matter their age or interests – so if your mother is turning 60 and loves fishing, you should check out their birthday cards.

What really sets Blow apart is the unique ability to take a photo of your handwritten message and signature and have it instantly appear in your card. After that, just check out as normal and your card will be printed and sent to the birthday boy or girl the same day with free postage. They also have a useful birthday reminders feature to make sure you can choose and order future cards in time to always guarantee delivery.

Best for: A real birthday card with the convenience of an e-card; helping small businesses and designers

Drawbacks: Currently US-only

Source: Blow Birthday Cards

Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/

The marketplace for all things handmade, artsy and craftsy, Etsy isn’t just a great place for cute gifts, its designers also sell a wide range of handmade greetings cards. Though it’s not really designed for browsing cards, the onsite search makes it easy to find cards around specific things your friends or family love.

While it doesn’t offer the kinds of customisation that Moonpig and Blow allow, it does give you a real alternative to cards on the high street if you’re looking for that perfect card or need to squeeze card shopping into an endless to-do list.

Best for: Unique craftsy cards; finding great gift ideas

Drawbacks: Cards all take different lengths of time to make and send; more expensive

Guest post by Will Chivers of ThoughtShift.

Flying Twigs review and giveaway

I received two free greeting cards from Flying Twigs to review – a Mother’s Day card and a card for general use. They were sent in a board-backed envelope so arrived in excellent condition, and the Flying Twigs website indicates that they always despatch cards this way. Flying Twigs is an online store which sells greeting cards and posters. Their cards all have the Forest Stewardship Council logo on the back to indicate that the paper they use comes from responsible sources to aid conservation.

Both cards are of very good quality in individual cellophane wrappers.  The accompanying envelopes are also of good quality with decent gum that seals well. I hate it when envelopes don’t seal properly and you end up having to resort to sticky tape.

They are both blank inside which is what I personally prefer and the Flying Twigs website says that most of their greeting cards are blank inside. Information regarding wording or whether a card is blank inside is provided on each product page on the website.

It is a plus point for me that most of their cards are blank inside as sometimes when searching the shelves for cards, you pick up ones with verses written inside which seem unsuitable for your intended recipient. You can end up spending ages searching the shelves for the right one. So I can see a potential time saving benefit of buying online from Flying Twigs.

The design on the Mother’s Day card is of a Trendy Mother. I would be very happy if my boys chose to send me a card like this.

The design on the other “Write for yourself” card is of a quill and inkwell with a quotation by Cyril Connolly. It features in both the Quotation range and the Inspiration range of cards.

They both retail at £3 each, which is a good price in my opinion for quality cards. Yes you can buy some cheaper cards on the High Street, but they will probably be of lower quality.

Postage and packing is 99p which is less than I would have to pay for carparking if I went to purchase a card on the High Street. And postage and packing is free when you buy 3 or more cards.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a selection of five cards to two lucky winners courtesy of Flying Twigs. Each selection will include a Mother’s Day card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you can’t see the Rafflecopter box above, either click the Rafflecopter link or you may alternatively enter via my Facebook page.

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

This post has been updated on 30/03/2014 following the rebranding of Pelican Cards to Flying Twigs.