Greeting Cards - A History...

I admit it; I'm addicted to greeting cards.

And I'm not the only one - they've become an integral part of our culture with millions of pounds being spent on them with the average person in the UK sending out 55 each year. The idea of taking the time in a busy, an increasingly electronic, world to write a heartfelt greeting for a loved one really seems to connect with people.

This piece of information got me (even more) interested in what it is that people like so much about sending cards, and how the custom started in the first place. So I did a little research into the history of greeting cards and this is what I found out...

And in the future? Industry figures suggest that the sending of cards is still increasing with more being sent every year. Cards featuring messages, quotes and greetings as the main focus are growing in popularity suggesting the need for communication and connecting with loved ones is as strong as it was back in ancient times.

Vintage Pages Collection - a new collection from Pink Flamingo...

I love to make cards using vintage papers. There's something special and pleasing about finding unique papers or rediscovering nostalgic patterns and turning them into something unique to share with loved ones. I often create cards using pictures taken from old books and either simply use them directly on cards with a few hand drawn details, or incorporate them into a design.

This lets me create true one off greetings that can't be replicated - an idea I love! But lately I've also been thinking about designs that can be reproduced to create a collection. So I took some designs I've made before and added some new ones into the mix to create my new collection - Vintage Pages.

What I love about my new collection is that although the designs are replicated, each one is still a one off.

That's because each one is handmade using original book pages so will feature unique details in its writing or pictures.

Sending cards is a way of showing that you've thought about someone and care about a special day, occasion or achievement in their life, so I wanted to put that same level of caring and thoughtfulness
into my cards. I've carefully chosen the texts I've used to relate to the images I've created, and where possible, the occasion they could be suitable for.

If you order of any of these cards online you can also add any personalised you'd like to make it extra special. Or look out for them in selected shops!