Cards and Gift Wrap

15/03/2026

Mother’s Day reminds us how much letters and cards still matter.

With stamp prices rising again and service standards under scrutiny, I’ve launched a short survey to gather local feedback about Royal Mail — good and bad.

I’ll be keeping it open for a few more days before collating the responses, so if you’ve been meaning to take part, now’s a good time.

7 questions. 2 minutes. Anonymous.

https://mailchi.mp/2e6a19587c3d/on-mothers-day-a-question-about-post

12/03/2026

Royal Mail's new advertising encourages us to "keep sending cards" – a message close to my heart as someone passionate about beautiful stationery, handwritten notes, and the joy of snail mail.

But as a Western Isles business owner who relies on the postal service for customer orders and personal correspondence, I'm concerned.

Royal Mail's new advertising encourages us to "keep sending cards" but I'm concerned and I'd like you to help by completing a short survey.

11/03/2026

Friends and fellow card-sending enthusiasts—Royal Mail's recent card-sending ads give hope, but price hikes amid parliamentary scrutiny over missed delivery targets (and posties' calls for better conditions) have me worried. As Cards and Gift Wrap owner passionate about keeping stationery in the mail, I'm running this quick individual campaign to gather FACTS—not just my opinion. Your 2-min anonymous survey (7 questions) from near or far helps build the case.

10/03/2026

There is truly no emotional rollercoaster quite like growing your own fruit and veg. 🎢🌱

Spring arrives and suddenly you are a person of GREAT VISION. A farmer. A provider. A future preserver of chutneys.

Fast forward a few weeks and you are standing in your wellies staring at a row of parsnips that were absolutely there yesterday… before a slug hosted an all‑night buffet. 🐌🙃

Last year? Beautiful sunshine. Glorious summer.
The polycrub… less glorious. Let’s just say the crops and I had a “learning experience.”

But THIS year — oh, this year I am back in my annual phase of eternal hope and unreasonable optimism.

Straw around the strawberries (the slugs are NOT winning this time).
Seedlings under cover AND in the crub — double the protection, double the determination. They will grow. I insist.
An apple tree we had to uproot last year to build Polycrub No. 2 — I was convinced I’d finished it off — is showing signs of life. A horticultural resurrection if you will. 🍎✨

And in the most surprising twist of all… a purple sprouting broccoli planted TWO YEARS AGO has finally decided to perform. I am still picking spears in March. March! And I can confirm — they are delicious. Who knew patience would ever pay off in broccoli?

Anyway… if you scroll to the last picture, you’ll see what my polycrub will obviously look like in a few months. Lush. Abundant. Perfectly planted. Not a slug in sight.

Well. One can dream.

(It’s actually a beautiful card illustration called The Good Life by Jan Pashley… but let’s just say it’s also my vision board.) 🌿✨

08/03/2026

BBC Breakfast, rising stamps & resilient card senders
https://mailchi.mp/4bff2107db66/bbc-breakfast-rising-stamps-resilient-card-senders

06/03/2026

Got my professional headshot taken at the SBS event — I think I might have perfected the “startled rabbit” look 😅 (definitely not the photographer’s fault!).

What do you think? And what should I use it for??

Still, it’s nice to have a proper photo for once instead of hiding behind my cards and gift wrap!

Thanks to the SBS Photo Zone team for making it such a great experience.

03/03/2026

Did you miss it (so they got my name wrong but hey ho!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002s937/reporting-scotland-evening-news-03032026

Sorry if you were eating your tea - hope you didn't spit it out?!

(skip to about 18:42 for the story)

The latest news and weather from BBC News Scotland. Presented by Laura Miller.

03/03/2026

Do you plan meals?

Daily, weekly? Or do you have the same thing every day, or on a rolling basis?

01/03/2026

Sally's back!
(and I need your help before tomorrow morning - no pressure 😂)

https://mailchi.mp/d063516f3a67/sally-swannell-is-back-and-the-bbc-have-been-in-touch

27/02/2026

🌿 Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week (23 Feb - 1 March) – Tha mi cho toilichte faicinn a’ chànan air a chomharrachadh! / I'm thrilled to see our beautiful Gaelic language celebrated this week!

Look at these beauties – my Gaelic cards flying out the door with a salesy flurry! 🥰 Is it the Gaelic Week buzz? Or the fab exposure on Scottish Island Gifts (huge thanks!)? Or both? They're also in An Lanntair in Stornoway – that's where the top card's phrase "Breac a mhuiltean air an adhar bidh latha math a maireach ann" (mackerel skies today, clear skies tomorrow) truly inspired me after spotting it on their walls. I had to turn it into art!

An Lanntair is OUR island heartbeat – not just an arts centre, but a lifeline for Gaelic culture, education workshops in schools, community events, and supporting local makers like me by selling our cards, puzzles & gifts. They keep Gaelic alive through exhibitions, music, theatre & outreach that touches every corner of the Western Isles. Without them, island creativity & language would fade.

But here's the tough truth: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's core funding (£47,500/year) to An Lanntair ends April 2026 – transitional support via Crown Estate cash wraps up then too. I've not seen a reversal yet despite their open letter, councillor calls for U-turns, & public backing. This would slash programming & community work we all rely on.

Support An Lanntair! 🫶 Visit, book a show, give your support, tag councillors, & sign any petitions. Cleachd i no caill i! Use it or lose it!

26/02/2026

Dearest gentle readers,

It has reached Lady Thistledown’s notice that the return of Bridgerton has caused quite the fluttering of fans across the Outer Isles. 💃✨

A most delicate question has been posed (for a friend, of course):

How improper would it be to inform one’s household that an evening at the theatre beckons…
when in truth one has retired to her carriage — equipped with sustenance, solitude, and freshly downloaded episodes — in order to watch in uninterrupted peace? 👀

Let it be clearly stated that such viewing would be undertaken purely for the appreciation of the costumes. The fabrics. The embroidery. The structure of a well‑cut sleeve. The drape of a silk gown under candlelight. Entirely scholarly. 🪡✨

Any romance, longing glances, or scandalous tension would, of course, be incidental.

Lady Thistledown seeks the wisdom of the ton:
Is this behaviour disgraceful… or simply devotion to the sartorial arts?

Yours in stitches and speculation,
🪶 Lady Thistledown of the Outer Isles