Welcome to Sarah Loves Cards

April 16, 2019 Sarah Gifford About me 5 comments

Thank you for visiting my Sarah Loves Cards website and blog, the home of my Paper Stationery business which I have been running since 2005.

I operated as a distributor for Phoenix Trading for 13 years until the company went into administration in 2017. My blog “Good Bye Phoenix Trading, Hello Sarah Loves Cards” documents the reasons for this closure. After the closure of Phoenix Trading, I became a Partner for Flamingo Paperie. Sadly, after five years, Flamingo Paperie also ceased trading, albeit for different reasons. I tell the story of the demise of Flamingo Paperie in my blog “What Happened To Flamingo Paperie“.

Like Phoenix Trading, the Flamingo Paperie business was focused on greeting cards, wrapping paper and notecards all year round. And in the Autumn/Winter; Charity Christmas Cards, Advent Calendars and Advent Calendar Cards. Over the past couple of years Flamingo Paperie has also successfully developed a range of Paper Craft Kits and Colour-In Paper Stationery.

So what now for Sarah Loves Cards?

As one of the main distributors for Flamingo Paperie I am carrying a lot of stock. I will continue to supply my customers and I will attend my regular fairs until I have sold it all. I estimate that my stock will keep me going until the end of 2024.

Exciting Developments for 2024

A new Greeting Card wholesale business has risen from the ashes of Flamingo Paperie called Lilac Tree Designs. They have recruited me as a Front Line Agent. The Directors are using the same printers as Flamingo Paperie and many of the same artists so we will be able to continue to offer the quality that you have come to expect from us. Sarah Loves Cards (as an Agent) will continue to fly the flag for British design. Lilac Tree Designs produces all of its greeting cards within the UK. The range has been produced using UK sourced, environmentally accredited materials.

At the end of this year I will cease attending fairs and markets. I will, however, continue selling paper stationery via my website. I also plan to do a couple of Open Houses a year for my local customers.

To read about New Product Launches and recent activities within my business, please scroll down to see recent posts. You can also click on the blog sub-categories on the right-hand side of this home page.

TO NAVIGATE THE WEBSITE AND TO VISIT MY ONLINE SHOP , PLEASE CLICK ON THE WHITE MENU BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.

New Autumn Product Release from Lilac Tree Designs

October 3, 2024 Ecwid Support Product Features No comments

New Products for Autumn 2024 from Lilac Tree Designs

Twelve New Greeting Card designs

We have fantastic news for former customers who loved our “Dictionary Of ….” humorous greeting card range. Artist Helen Smith is back!! Cathy Newton and Aileen Secker from Lilac Tree Designs have organised for three of Helen Smith’s best selling designs from the “Dictionary Of…” series to be reprinted. They are :

Fun With Technology

Dictionary of Bras

Anagram of Pub Signs

In addition there are another nine brand new designs. I particularly love this new 5 x 7″ Anniversary Birds design by popular artist Tim Mason.

Also, this beautiful 6 x 6″ White Flowers design by artist Claire Henley.

Two New Notecard Packs

Our packs of eight postcard style notecards have always been very popular with customers. They are really useful for sending a quick note of thanks to family and friends or for including with parcels and deliveries. I love this beautiful Herb Garden design created by artist Julia Rigby. Embossing adds to the quality as do the lovely lilac envelopes.

Two New Notebooks

You can almost feel the movement in this Bees and Lavender design by artist Julie Graves. This design has sold particularly well as a greeting card so, hopefully, it will be equally as popular as a notebook. Each notebook has 48 lined pages (96 sides) and has a stylish contrasting colour on the inside front cover.

Three New Coloured Tissue Packs

We also have three new packs of 6 folded tissue sheets in Scarlet, Citrus Green and Midnight Blue. Each sheet is 500 x 700 mm. The quality is excellent – thicker than most tissues to avoid tearing.

About Lilac Tree Designs

Lilac Tree Designs was set up by two former Flamingo Paperie Partners following the sad closure of the business.Their aim is to continue to offer a high quality, British made product. Lilac Tree Designs is a wholesale business so they only sell to trade customers direct. They recruited me as a Frontline Agent for the Lilac Tree Designs business. This allows me sell their fabulous designs to you, my customers.

How To Buy

You will find all of these designs within the “New Lilac Tree Designs Range” section of my online store. On this occasion I have listed each item individually. The new greeting cards are £2.50 each unless you buy 10 or more in which case you can buy 10+ cards for £2 each.

Previous Lilac Tree Designs product releases are listed separately on my website with dropdown selection boxes. If you find the bundle of ten parameters too restrictive or if you wish to order a selection of individual cards across the various sub-categories, please feel free to email me your order at SARAH.L.GIFFORD@GMAIL.COM . I process all customer orders myself so I can be very flexible.

Other 2024 New Products from Lilac Tree Designs

This is the fifth new product release from Lilac Tree Designs this year. To browse all of the Lilac Tree Design products, visit the Lilac Tree Design section of my online shop,

Interested in becoming a Lilac Tree Design agent or wholesale customer?

If you would like to know more about becoming a Lilac Tree Design agent or wholesale customer, please email me at SARAH.L.GIFFORD@GMAIL.COM or message me via the social media links below.

Traditional Advent Calendar Range for 2024

September 5, 2024 Sarah Gifford Product Features No comments

Traditional German-Style Advent Calendars

Countdown to Christmas with our traditional German-style Advent Calendars and Advent Calendar Cards.They have all been exclusively designed by our team of talented British artists for either Flamingo Paperie or Lilac Tree Designs. By purchasing them, you are supporting the British Print Industry, British Designers, also several small businesses.

Our Advent Calendars have a mixture of 24 doors, slot in pieces and stand up characters. Check the individual product descriptions for details of the format of each design.

Our Best-Selling Reindeer Stables Design is Back

Lilac Tree Designs has secured the publishing licence for Flamingo Paperie’s best selling Advent Calendar Reindeer Stables so they have reprinted it with the agreement of popular artist and creator Amanda Loverseed. Both customers and agents were very sad to lose this fabulous design, so we are delighted to have it back in stock.

Two More Best Selling Advent Calendar Designs For Christmas 2024

XADV21 Winter Wonderland by popular artist Karen Tye Bentley continues to be a firm favourite. It has 24 fun slot-in pieces and builds up into a beautiful woodland scene. It costs £10. 310 mm square it opens up to 618 x 310mm and can either stand on a shelf or mantel piece. Alternatively, it can be mounted on the wall if space is tight.

For those of you who prefer a religious theme, artist Kate Garrett’s Nativity Stable design is perfect for a home setting, school or Sunday School. It has 14 slot-in characters and 10 standing characters.

New Advent Calendar Cards – the perfect “special” Christmas Card

Mini Advent Calendar Cards offer a compact option and are ideal for mailing abroad. They have 24 mini doors to open so they are ideal if you’re looking for a special Christmas card with a difference.

At just £3.50 each or 4 for £12 our 6 x 6″ Advent Calendar Cards are an excellent option for someone special. Lilac Tree Designs has commissioned four new Advent Calendar Cards since launching last year : ADC003 Christmas House by popular artist Tim Mason, Nativity Animals which is a richly ethereal religious design by artist Sarah Summers, Christmas Market and Reindeer Stack by artist Julia Rigby. They offer a good selection of different styles to suit every taste.

Our entire 2024 Advent range consists of eight slot-in Advent Calendars, six traditional window advent calendars , six Advent Calendar Cards and a colour-in Race To Christmas Advent Calendar Poster. All of these are available to view on my website.

Don’t forget to mail them early as the fun starts on the 1st December!

Finally, if you would like to know more about becoming a Lilac Tree Designs Agent please email me at SARAH.L.GIFFORD@GMAIL.COM. Alternatively, you can message in the box below. This will enable you to purchase their new range of products at wholesale prices and sell them yourself,

Personalise your card and gift giving

August 6, 2024 Ecwid Support Product Features, Special Offer No comments

Personalise Your Card and Gift Giving

These innovative addSQUIRREL , smart QR stickers allow you to easily personalise any card or gift – adding that special personal touch. Whether it’s a heartfelt or humorous video message, a cherished photo or a touching voice note, these stickers let you share your unique moments in a memorable way.

**How to use addSQUIRREL:**

Scan the QR code on the smart sticker using your smartphone.
Upload a personalised video, photo, or voice note to our secure system by following the simple steps provided. (You can protect with a password if you wish)
Stick the addSQUIRREL QR sticker onto your chosen card or gift.
Send your personalised card or gift to your loved one.

For the recipient:

They simply scan the QR code using their smartphone.
They can view and download your personal message, making it a lasting keepsake.

Key Features:

Easy to Use: No special app needed—just your smartphone.
Personal Touch: Upload personalised videos, photos, or voice notes to make your gifts truly special. You could even use a personalised celebrity video from a company such as Celebrity Shoutout
Secure: Our system is fully secure, and you can even protect your content with a password.
Reusable Content: Recipients can download and keep your message forever.
Eco-Friendly: addSQUIRREL stickers are designed with sustainability in mind, aligning with our commitment to the environment.

**How To Buy Your addSQUIRREL Stickers**

Simply follow this link to my Sarah Loves Cards online store and choose which pack size you would like. You can buy packs of 3, 6 or 10 stickers.

Special Introductory Offer

I will send you a FREE addSQUIRREL 3 sticker pack when you spend £40 or more on my website during August.

**Why choose addSQUIRREL?**

Innovative: Revolutionise the way you give gifts with our smart QR stickers.
Personal : Make every card and gift more personalised, meaningful and memorable.
Simple: A hassle-free way to add a special touch to any occasion.