Dawn Ibbotson (94), of Dunedin, has been making and selling pressed-flower cards for 18 years.
Every cent she earns goes to charity.
She became involved in card-making through her sister-in-law - who gave up the hobby years ago - and has made about 43,000 cards, which meant she had raised more than $53,000 for about 33 causes, including the National Council of Women, Amnesty International, the Cancer Society, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, the Federation of Graduate Women, the First Church Restoration and Heritage Centre and the Otago Community Hospice.
"The hospice is a very worthy cause," she said.
"I'm delighted at my age to be able to support them."
When she spoke to the Otago Daily Times, she had raised $1800 and was determined to make it $2500 for the "Help the Hospice" campaign.
She believed she had sold so many because of the price - $5 for a pack of four.
"It's an easy amount to deal with."
She is a keen gardener, and her cards feature a range of bright and delicate flowers. She has an extensive garden in which she enjoys pottering around.
St John had to extend the range of her life-link alarm for coverage in its outer reaches.
"I love my garden."
The majority of flowers she uses for her cards come from her own plants, including violas, daisies, nigella and verbenas. Maiden hair fern, chickweed and various other grass seed heads were used as background.
Dunedin Print sponsored her by providing pre-cut card, which she folded before applying the flowers.
A trolley housed all the items she required to make cards, including trays of flowers, toothpicks, glue, scissors and stacks of old Listener magazines which she used as a flower press.
"I always have to be doing something with my hands."
The work requires nimble fingers and Mrs Ibbotson said she is in fine health. "I don't have any aches or pains, which makes life a lot easier," she said.
Her short-distance eyesight was "very good". Her only complaint was that her "fingers got very sticky".
The maximum number of cards she would make in a day was about 30.
"It varies. I have a busy life," she said with a laugh.
And there was no end in sight for her card-making as there would be "a number of people who would be disappointed if I stopped".
"As long as I keep making money, I'll keep doing it."
She has always been a charitable person and describes it as a reason for living. "To whom much is given, much is expected."
She is a member of the Alpine Club, a life member of the National Council of Women and co-convener of Amnesty International.
She had also set up a scholarship for second chance education through an organisation called New Horizons for Women. Her involvement with these groups was very rewarding, she said.
"I'm blessed to do something for other people."
Mrs Ibbotson's cards are available from the Otago Community Hospice, Roslyn Pharmacy, Unichem in the Centre City Mall, Meridian Pharmacy and Roslyn Medical Centre.
