Category: Blog

I recently treated myself to some special bamboo knitting needles, which have a stunning rose-colored, glistening bead at the end. They were impossible to resist when I spotted them in the charming Yarn Shop in Betws-y-coed, Wales.

I had a lovely chat with the friendly lady there about my card making and the handmade gloves I create. If you’re interested, you can see one of my glove designs here: Glistening Hand-Knitted Gloves in Blends of Purples and White.

I’ve joined her mailing list and wanted to share the shop’s website with you. They have an incredible selection of yarns, so if you’re looking for inspiration, it’s definitely worth checking out!

https://findmeknitting.co.uk/yarn-shop

Celebrating the Spirit of Giving: A Heartfelt Thank You from EACH

At Neen’s Cards, we’re committed to making a difference, one card at a time. Recently, we received a heartwarming thank you letter from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) that touched our hearts and reaffirmed why we do what we do. We wanted to share this moment with our community to celebrate the impact of your support.

A Message from EACH

Here’s the letter we received from EACH:

---

Dear Neen,

On behalf of the children, young people, and families we support, we would like to thank you for your donation to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices – we are so grateful for your generous support.

Here’s a summary of your donation:

Card Name:
Amount: £12.40
Transaction Date: 14:50:18

Your gift will help us provide vital care and support services to children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

Our hospices aren’t just about end-of-life care; they’re often very happy and fun places, where young people can live life to their full potential. They are places where families feel safe and where they can spend quality time together; enabling parents to be parents, not caregivers.

When time is short, we help families make the most of their precious time together and create memories that last forever. Without our supporters, we wouldn’t be able to be there for families facing an impossibly difficult time – thank you.

---

The Impact of Your Support

This heartfelt message from EACH beautifully captures the essence of their work and the profound impact of your contributions. EACH’s hospices provide more than just medical care; they create environments where children and young people can experience joy, and families can forge lasting memories together.

Your support helps ensure that these incredible services continue to be available to those in need. From therapeutic activities to respite care, your contributions enable EACH to offer a sanctuary where life, in all its beauty and challenges, is celebrated.

A Big Thank You to Our Customers

We are immensely proud and grateful for the generosity of our customers. Every up-cycled card purchased at Neen’s Cards contributed to this meaningful causes, making a real difference in the lives of children and their families. This thank you letter is not just for us but for every one of you who has supported us along the way.

Continuing the Journey

At Neen’s Cards, we believe in the power of community and the difference we can make together. We are committed to continuing our support for EACH and other charitable organisations, ensuring that each card purchased has a ripple effect of kindness and care.

For the remainder of 2024 any up-cycled cards purchased 20% will continue to be donated to the EACH charity

Thank you once again for being a part of this journey. Together, we can help bring joy, support, and hope to those who need it the most.

With heartfelt thanks,

The Neen’s Cards Team

I had a sort out and sent a large bag of unused stickers, shapes cut out of card and old card stock to our local children’s nursery for them to make things with. They are aged 2-4 years old and an ideal age to encourage to do some sticking and glueing shapes to make a design

I heard that they had great fun using these which was lovely to hear. Then I received a ‘Thank You’ card they made for me using some of the shapes (apparently they heard I like a glass of wine!) x

Sitting at my crafting table the sun started to break through the clouds. Then I noticed this reflection on my living room wall… the sun shining through my Neens Designs sign on the desk

Wishing you all a sunny bank holiday weekend x

I have been lucky enough to have been given some old cards to up-cycle from a friend.

These cards date back to the 1950s, which makes them vintage. See a selection of the cards in the photo below. As with all my up-cycled cards they are unique and therefor only 1 of each design.

I have used these cards to create new cards and I am really pleased with how they look. You can find these if you click on the link below (or search in my Up-cycled collection) Vintage Up-cycled cards

I am also donating 10% from any up-cycled card sales to charity for 2023.

Here is Theo aged 7 years using one of the card Kits to make his own card.
His Mum said he enjoyed doing this with minimal support.

Customer ordered cards to be posted directly to her friends. She had added the wording to be put inside the card into the order notes at check out. I then printed the wording and inserted in the card before posting.

I had some amazing feedback from Jack on Instagram

What did I spend much of my day doing yesterday? ….. usual things walking Olliedog and visiting a friend, but also making these Christmas cards of a snow family wearing their favourite football team scarves and hats are selling fast. Mostly the green and yellow Norwich City Football team colours Canary football Fans this Snow-family.

I love making these cards as so cute. I use my Big shot Sizzix machine (https://www.sizzix.co.uk/) to cut out the snow family on white card. Then the fun begins. Adding my unique design to the plain white cut outs.Painting the brooms, hats, scarves and the orange carrot noses. This can be very time consuming and fiddly, not going over the edges. I have done other team colours on request which have been fun.

Once dry these need to be stuck to the base, which I use a shiny off white card with some silver dots which give the impression of snow (brought from http://Hobbycraft.co.uk.) The card starts to take shape – so exciting!!

Next step to stick to quality Christmas green card stock and add insert. The insert for this card says ‘Happy Christmas’ written using my Cricut machine – http://cricut

Card complete and ready to sell.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Thank you all for your ongoing support and a Merry Christmas to you and yours

Neen

Hi there,

What an exciting time of the year! I have been getting lots of Christmas card orders which has been keeping me busy. I have sold a few of the snowman card, https://neens-cards.co.uk/product/its-snowing-lets-build-a-cute-snowman/. So todays tasks was to make a few more.

I thought I would share with you a few photos of me making this card.

To start with I have to cut the blue base out and then run it through my Sizzix Big Shot machine using Sizzix 3-D textured impression ‘staggered chevrons’ item 664761 Sizzix.co.uk. I like using this embossing sheet as it lifts the design. I thought it makes a ‘frosty’ pattern, perfect for a snowy background.

Using felt I then cut out the snowman and additional parts using the Sizzix BigZ die 662584. Some of this felt has glitter embedded in it which I love using for this card. I got mine from http://Hobbycraft (one of my favourite craft stores).

Once I have all my pieces cut out the fun begins. Using an all purpose clear glue I attach all the parts, usually getting most of the glue all over my fingers! As the snowman emerges I ensure there are three ‘coal’ buttons and not forgetting the orange carrot shape for a nose. Such a cute face, always makes me smile!

Once the design is complete I add it to a white A6 (10.5x15cm) card. The insert for this particular card has a ‘Happy Christmas’ message. The final part is to place one of Neens Designs stickers on the back of the card with a star (Neens-cards.co.uk).

I hope enjoyed todays blog

Take care and stay safe

Neen