Buy Irish Day 5 Christmas Cards by Sara Furlong

These have to be the cutest Christmas cards I have ever laid my eyes on. I usually buy the most glittery cards  I can get my hands on during the Christmas season but I have to say I love the simplicity of these cards. 

They are made by Sara Furlong, a graphic designer and illustrator based in Dublin city. 

All motifs are cut out by hand and mounted in relief on Kraft to give a 3D effect. All the paper stock Sara uses is also 100% recycled. The inside of the cards are left blank so you can write your own greeting.

Angel Christmas Card €4.50

You can find these lovely cards and more on her Etsy page MyNiceName. Sara also sells other greeting cards for other occasions throughout the year.

If you want to see before you buy, Sara's cards will be on sale this week only at the  Caribbean Christmas pop up shop in Dublin from Thursday to Sunday.

An Post recommends you get your Christmas cards sent by the 19th December so they reach your loved ones on time. 

Love,

Sarah

This months Ultimate Advertiser is Carter Beauty. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog click HERE

HelloCanvas.ie - Memories on Canvas

HelloCanvas is one of the largest canvas suppliers in Ireland. They claim on their website that they can deliver top quality for the lowest prices.

 I am one of these people that loves to take photos, if you haven't guessed that yet you probably aren't following me on instagram! Moving swiftly on, I love taking photos, printing photos and placing them all over the house. I just love looking back on fun memories. I think Canvas prints make a lovely gifts because they eliminate the awful process of trying to find a nice frame that the person would like or that you know will go with their home décor.

I have this 50 x 70cm canvas print of my three brothers and I. I was worried when the picture was blown up to this size that we would be all distorted and I was pleasantly surprised how great the image quality turned out. Looking back I probably should have chosen a photo that was not taken after a whole night of merry celebrations but we are still the best looking family in Ireland I say! 

I also liked how the image was carried on around the canvas to the back. I'm a bit of a weirdo, I don't like seeing white on the sides of canvas. Like when a painter paints on canvas and leaves the sides white. Really gets my goat. The canvas is 3cm deep and is made from 100% cotton. 

Check out their website prices range from €19 - €129. They also do a range of services for free such as colour choice, removing date labels from photos, removing red eye and a neat little effect where they make your photo black and white but keep one aspect of the photo in colour. Your child's bright blue eyes for example, a really beautiful effect.

Dispatch time is really quick too. You are sent an email giving you a link to track your order. According to my link my Canvas was made and sent the same day I ordered it. Delivery was very fast. I have not included  this review in my Buy Irish series because the canvas was produced outside of Ireland. However I still wanted to share  it with you because I think it is a neat gift idea for your family this Christmas. They accept Visa, MasterCard and my personal favourite paypal.

HelloCanvas have given my readers 5% off on their website, here is your code LBMAR2012.

Are you all that bit closer to being ready for Christmas?

Love,

Sarah

This months Ultimate Advertiser is Carter Beauty. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog click HERE

Buy Irish Day 4: Planet Purple Kids

I don't know about you but I personally love doing arts and crafts with children. I think introducing kids to the joys of being creative is one of the best gift you can give them, so when I came across Planet Purple I was delighted to discover that they make handmade Eco friendly kits for children aged 6-12 years to create their very own pencil cases, felt bags, note books and much much more. 

Planet Purple Funky Flower Bag Kit for ages 8 years+ €18

The Planet Purple kits come beautifully presented and the box can also be re-used for storage which I love. Everything needed comes in the kit, even scissors which is great because I know every time I go looking for ours they are nowhere to be found. Does that ever happen to you?! The Planet Purple kits will also provide a basic introduction to pattern cutting, stitching, sewing, gluing and beading.

The Funky Flower bag kits includes: Felt, scissors, sharp needles, pins, thread, buttons, non-toxic glue, glue spreader, sequins, satin ribbon and the instructions. All very good quality, they really have made an effort sourcing their materials.

Your child might need help with the instructions, which is an added bones I think because getting involved in activities your child will only increase their love for arts and crafts. I also think this would be a great activity for grandparents to do with their grandchildren.

Say goodbye to loud battery operated toys, expensive computer games and say hello to happy, fun memories.

I nearly forgot to tell you Planet Purple is a family run business based in Terenure, Co Dublin. Make sure you  check out their website www.planetpurplekids.com and Facebook  page. They will also be taking part in the Caribbean Christmas  pop up shop in Dublin from Thursday 15th to 18th of November. 

Love,

Sarah

This months Ultimate Advertiser is Carter Beauty. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog click HERE