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Back to markets

I’m excited but anxious as I really don’t know how my body is going to deal with attending markets again. I’m grateful it’s a shorter one, but that still means a half 8 start and a 2 pm finish, almost six hours of activity. So far I’ve managed one dog walk of just under a mile, then the cold knocked my for 6. It’s a big change but one I’m desperate to get back to.

This weeks orders have mostly been Christmas related and with pay day approaching now is the time to get your reusable advent calendars. I have loads of designs to choose from although my top two are still reindeer stables and Winter Wonderland.

Are you visiting Crayke Village Market on Saturday? Or maybe you are supporting your own local market. It’s a tough time for small businesses right now as October sales have been lower than expected so please, if you can, buy from small businesses. That one sale could really make a difference.

Cari xx

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Keeping everything crossed

So, with the weather forcing the organisers to cancel Sheriff Hutton Village Market today, I’m keeping everything crossed that Crayke Village Market goes ahead next week. I feel so ‘rusty’ with the big break from trading, and while I haven’t been well enough to work I plan to be back on Saturday (taking it easy of course).

While I was in hospital with limited internet and no tv, I took to watching the birds in the tree outside of my window. I’ve always been fascinated by nature, I remember going to bird sanctuaries with my family as a kid, my dad being a keen aviculturist with his cages full of canaries, budgerigars and quail. I love watching the squirrel and the pigeons outside work on a morning – they always come to say hello.

I went out in the car (me driving) for the first time yesterday. I didn’t go far and although it was nice to be out the house, it wore me out so I think I need to take a bit more time to rest before I drive again! At least I knew where I was going, because I have the absolute worst sense of direction!

Sunday 20th October is the last day to get free shipping when you spend £10 or more. That equates to just 5 birthday cards, or if there’s a winter wedding or anniversary coming up maybe three birthday cards and two others? The 5 for £10 works on any of the cards priced at £2.40 and once you get to 5 each card after is still only £2. What a deal!

I hope you are staying warm and dry today, it’s not the weather to go out shopping or exploring.

Cari xx

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A little thank you from me

I can’t lie, the last few weeks have been rough. I’m still having bad days where I feel a burden to my family because they are having to do more to compensate for my recuperation.

I’ve been so grateful to each and every one of you who has ordered recently, but with missing two markets and future events to pay for, I’m juggling. I keep getting cross with myself for getting ill in the first place (silly, I know).

Anyway, I wanted to offer free shipping for this weekend, starting tomorrow (if it doesn’t work automatically please let me know). This should work in addition to the 5 for £10 offer on greetings cards, but there’s also advent calendars, craft kits for gifts and much more online.

Of course you can also visit our stall at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday and Crayke next weekend, it would be lovely to meet you.

Cari xx

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More Christmas cards coming

It seems a lot of you are getting organised as we’ve been selling lots of Christmas cards recently, in particular the Holly and Ivy design pictured below.

Don’t worry, I have lots more packs of Christmas cards so as soon as I’m feeling well enough (or can persuade my daughter to help) we will have some new designs available online.

In the meantime there are loads of advent calendars ready for the 1st December, and if you need something smaller I have advent calendar cards with designs not yet available in our store.

If you’re not ready for Christmas just yet, we have lots of our humorous birthday cards in stock, with me being ill we’ve missed a couple of our regular markets which has hit sales but means the stock is lasting a bit longer too. Maybe now is the time for a stock up?

Sadly postage prices increased at the beginning of October, however I have no plans to increase our postage charge so you can stock up as much as you like for the same low rate of £3.50 for shipping.

Cari xx

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It’s almost October – are you advent ready?

Yes, I know there’s still plenty of time before the 1st of December, but don’t you find that the later you leave it to get your advent calendars, the more chance of your favourite being unavailable?

If you’re like me you are also trying to spread the cost out across the last few paydays of the year.  So now is the perfect time to buy those advent calendars and advent calendar cards, and we have a few designs to choose from.

Our fun Snowman design advent has pieces to slot in each day (as most of our advents do) to complete a scene for the big day.  All the pieces and slots are numbered, and they come in handy pre-punched sheets to push out and insert.

Reindeer Stables is our best seller advent calendar, with Santas reindeer all chilling in their stables ready for the big day.

Christmas Train advent calendar is very low in stock, and features a lovely colourful scene with lots of fun characters.  All our advent calendars are £9 plus postage.

If you need something smaller to send overseas, then our advent calendar cards are perfect.  Combining an advent calendar with a card, they are small enough to be posted low cost but still provide the fun of an advent.

I hope you find the perfect advent calendar for your special someone, and enjoy counting down the days until Christmas together.

Cari xx

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New birthday cards

Our latest greetings cards arrived recently, and this time I restocked on birthday cards, mostly male themed. I am always trying to spot the gaps in our range, so if you are looking for a particular style or occasion please let me know.

Alcohol themed cards seem popular for both male and female birthdays, so that’s where I started my search. What do you think?

I’m hoping these transport themed cards will be equally as popular. Would you choose the land rover card or the motorbike card?

Last of all, I chose some lovely countryside cards, as we live in such a picturesque part of North Yorkshire. I’m hoping our customers will love the sheep, stone wall and rose arbor designs on these greetings cards.

Of course I could resist getting a few new humour cards, what do you think?

We will be at Crayke Village Market next weekend with The UK Christmas Store and then it will be October – where has this year gone?

Cari xx