Merry Craftmas: Decking the Halls with Handmade Cards!

Dia Daoibh!

I set a New Year's resolution to craft two Christmas cards a month, and I'm trying to stick to it, though Netflix and my nap schedule have other plans. Apparently, "just one more episode" is the greatest crafting nemesis of all time!

Today's wee card features the irresistible reindeer from the Clearly Besotted Let's Prance Stamp set. I kept it CAS and added a dash of sparkle. Using ProMarkers, I brought those reindeer to life and added three sparkly red gems for their noses, making them shine as bright as my holiday spirit. A touch of Ranger's Glossy Accents adds the perfect finishing touch.

The striped background was a delightful surprise, made from an offcut in my stash. Waste not, want not, right? And with foam pads for dimension, this card has more pop than my Christmas playlist.

Onto a few challenges:

• FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge #18 - Anything Goes Country Christmas
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #61 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Sparkles Forum Christmas #170 - Christmas Critters
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #120 - Anything Goes (Owls optional)
• The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #180 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Crafty Animals #92 - Always Anything Goes
• Daisy Chain Challenges #94 - Animals 
• Christmas [or not] Bingo Challenges  #12 - Anything Goes with Featured BINGO Card: 
  (I chose the letter 'N')
  
  

So, if you see me swimming in a sea of cards come December, just know I'm happily crafting away. 

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x.

You’re My One and Only (No Gnomes About It!)

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: if you’re reading this, you’re either the legendary nurse I’m talking about, or you’re just here for the laughs. Either way, welcome! Today’s blog post is a love letter (sort of) to my partner-in-crime, my fellow nursing school survivor, and the person who’s stuck with me whether she likes it or not. Spoiler: she doesn’t have a choice.

So, let’s set the scene. I sat down to make a card for this absolute gem of a human being. You know the type—assertive, wickedly fun, and the kind of nurse who can run a unit with her eyes closed while simultaneously making you laugh so hard you forget why you’re even there. She’s one of the bestest of the bestest (yes, that’s a technical term), and I knew this card had to be just as epic as she is.

Originally, I was going to go with “You’re My No. 1 Gnomie” because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good gnome pun? But then I thought, nah, she’s not just a gnome—she’s the gnome. The one and only. 

click on pic for a better view;)

Here’s how the card came together:
Stamp & Sentiment: Clearly Besotted 
Colouring: Promarkers
Embellishments: A background rectangle die-cut (fancy, right?), a silver glitter card heart (because she’s a glittery kind of person), and Ranger’s Glossy Accents (for that chef’s kiss level of shine).
Layering: Foam pads, because if it’s not 3D, is it even a card?

A few challenges:  

• Addicted to CAS: #276 Code word: Friends
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Love is in the air
• Double D Challenges-Hearts
• Allsorts-Challenge 816-Romance
• Crafty Catz: Anything goes with optional twist use a die
• Polkadoodles: Challenge 3, Wk 1 - Anything goes 
• Creative Moment: February challenge #267 *Cute*
• We Love Stamping-February - CAS/Anything goes
  
• Heart's Quest Fantasy: Anything goes Fantasy

Now, let’s end this on a funny note, shall we? Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from our time together, it’s that laughter is the best medicine (unless you’re in A&E, in which case, maybe just stick to the actual medicine). So, here’s to my one and only: thank you for putting up with me, for being the kind of nurse who makes people feel like they’re in the best hands, and for being the kind of friend who makes me laugh until I cry (or until I pee a little—nursing school flashbacks, am I right?).

You’re stuck with me, doll. No gnomes about it.

Love,

Your No. 1 Gnomie (Okay, fine, your one and only).

P.S. If you ever leave nursing, I’m coming with you. Just saying.